Let me start off by saying thank you for being my home away from home. Taking those first few steps on campus can be the most frightening experience. But how couldn’t it be? For some, the thoughts running through one’s head can be very overwhelming. Some want to run back to the family car balling their eyes out, while others are pushing for their family to leave.
For most, living on campus for the first time brings many new experiences. For me, it never really hit me until my first night on campus. It was the first time I would live away from home, the first time being away from friends and family, and the first time I wouldn’t be eating home cooked meals every night. When it finally hit me it hit me hard, it was an eye-opening experience to finally be on my own for the first time.
Thank you for keeping us all busy those first few days on campus. Having constant events on campus that first week on campus really helped take our minds off of being away from home. Whether it sports games, spirit events, or clubs and orgs night. You never gave us the opportunity to become homesick.
To the campus tour guides…
Thank you for allowing me to have a great first experience on campus. You showed me what it was like to be a student on campus by sharing your favorite memories and stories. I couldn’t be more thankful for that. You made me feel as though I was already home just after the first visit on campus. I know it’s not easy to show prospective families especially with all the questions that are asked.
To my first friend group on campus…
Thank you for helping me make some of my first memories on campus. The memories we made our first year on campus are ones that I will never forget. Whether it was getting dinner together, road tripping, or even movie nights they are nights that I won’t ever forget. To the friends who have still stuck around, thank you for becoming my family away from home. Without you guys I don’t know where I would be today. To the friends who did not stay in my life, thank you for coming into my life and leaving. I know that may sound pretty harsh but I mean it in the sincerest way. You taught me that not everyone that comes into your life is meant to stay in your life.
To my RA…
Thank you for being you. Thank you for always being there for me and keeping an open door policy. Knowing I could come to you with anything was very comforting especially when I hardly knew anyone on campus. Thank you for answering all the stupid questions I may have had and for staying up to chat on sleepless nights. Those times you gave us a hard time, I now understand that you were just doing your job and looking out for our own safety. Lastly, thank you for being an inspiration. You inspired me to become a student leader and to follow in your footsteps as an RA.
To the dining halls…
As often as we may complain about eating on campus in the dining halls, you have become part of our daily routine of family dinners. Although we may come in massive groups all at once, you always seem to be able to accommodate us all. Thank you for putting up with us. I know we can be hard to handle sometimes. Thank you for staying open late and giving us options. Without you being open late who knows what we would do as broke college students.
To the sports teams, clubs, and organizations…
Thank you for bringing school spirit on campus. Without the pride we have on campus we would not be where we are today as a university. We wouldn’t have become the inseparable family we have become. I couldn’t be more honored to work with students who come together to host events and show school spirit. We always bridge together when a tragedy strikes not only on campus but also for those occurring around the world. I’m extremely proud to work with such a pristine group of students.
