Dear Friends,
To start, thank you for a fantastic year. One of the main reasons I chose this school was because of the people, and you guys are all something special. From picking classes, to move-in day, to winter break, to everything in between, we've been through a lot. When I first moved into college, I just went through the motions: going to class, doing my homework, trying out clubs and testing out the waters. It wasn't until mid-September that I met the group of people that would soon become my friends — family if you will. We all met at different times, just popping into each other's lives when we needed them most, and we stuck.
When I first found out that I had a suite, it never occurred to me that it would be used as a meeting place for everything from Thursday night movies to post-NERF relaxation. It just so happened that my roommate and one of my other suitemates were all part of the same friend group, partaking in some of the same activities, so it worked out pretty well. When we first got to know each other, we were pretty relaxed. With similar interests and classes, we ate together, went to class together, studied together and went to other activities together.
What I didn't know when I met my friends in September was that our friendship would blossom in the way it would. They say high school is supposed to be the best four years of your life, but I'm going to have to disagree. While it's entirely possible that it can happen that way, I think college is far better. Being able to stay up and chat, hang out in each other's rooms and connect on a far deeper level than I could ever imagine in high school is something special.
One of the best parts about going to a fairly small school is that friend groups tend to merge pretty easily. If there are two groups of friends, for instance, it's almost impossible that no one in your friend group knows someone in the other, and that is a wonderful thing. The people I met at orientation aren't — for the most part — the people I hung out with when school started, and the group of friends I had in September has grown and changed to the friend group I have now.
Even though that original group of friends doesn't always do things together anymore, what makes it great is we're all still friends. We've shifted to incorporate other people and changed to better fit our goals and hobbies, but that doesn't change our love for each other.
As I look back on my freshman year, I'm eternally grateful for the experiences I've had. Everyone I've called — and continue to call — my friend has touched me in some way, whether it be being a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a study buddy or something in between, each and every one of you is special to me.
Even if we don't eat together at D-Hall or the Hub like we did in October, I'll always wave to you when I see you and ask how your day is going. When I met you at the start of the school year, some of my goals were different, and I changed into the person I am in May, about to go home for the summer, and so did you. The people we were when we committed to Purchase last year weren't the people we were at orientation, nor were they the people we were when we moved in, or at the end of first semester. Most importantly, the people we were this time last year aren't the people we are today, and, for me at least, that's for the best.
Being in college itself has shaped me for the better, but I wouldn't have gotten through this year without the people I'm lucky enough to call my friends.
Freshman year wouldn't have been the same without you guys and, unless you're graduating this year, will be with me for the next three years, or are somewhere in between, you've had an impact on me this year, so thank you. I've found my family at Purchase, and I wouldn't trade you guys for the world.
