In high school, cliques are something that you should expect to encounter. You can easily pick out who belongs to what group of friends. For some people, you just float through, waiting until you can turn your tassel and toss your cap into the air, finally saying goodbye to cliques, undersized hallways and oversized class schedules.
When college finally arrives, the people you meet will change your life forever, even if they don't remain in your life after you graduate. Some people may just be there when no one else was or lend you a hand when you need it most. In some situations, you might meet people that show you the type of people you will not want to befriend.
Going into my third year at Ferris State, I have met some of the most amazing people. Some I can tell I will call when I am 65 and talk to them for hours and some I will never see after I leave, either way they impact my life everyday. I have never met people that I can stay up until 2 A.M. having a jam session with, making music that only we will understand, until now, but we enjoy every second of it. I can't tell you how I met these people, but my life would be so boring without them. I can seriously spend hours talking to them about something as simple as apple pie and I wouldn't trade that conversation for the world.
Another huge part of my time at Ferris State is taken up by registered student organizations (RSO), similar to on-campus clubs, the bond I have made with students in the same RSO as myself is unexplainable. Whether it's a social RSO or professional one, I can still talk to them about anything. I wouldn't be nervous to call one of them on an idle Tuesday at midnight to have them come jump start my car; I know I would do the same for them in a heartbeat. Nothing is better than seeing them on campus and having a lightning round catch-up on life until you can hang out again.
Unlike high school, there are no cliques, maybe some undersized hallways, but I will never be afraid to walk up to someone who is a jock or maybe a little nerdy and get to know them. At college you will meet your lifelong friends, possibly the person you will marry, your bandmates, professors who are willing to help you succeed and maybe even become your friend. Ferris State has united me with people I wish I could find the words to thank, but I know just buying them a drink is thanks enough.
I won't ever be able to find the right words to thank them for making me a part of their life, but this is my thank you to Ferris State for bringing us together.
