We all want to feel accepted whether we want to admit it or not. We all want to feel like there's a certain place for us in this crazy world where we actually belong. For some, they know where their place is right away. But for others, it takes longer for us to figure that out.

I never felt like I fit in in high school. I never had a "clique" or group of people I would spend all my time with. Things like walking to and from class, sitting at our designated lunch table or going and doing after school sports and activities together was never a thing for me. For a while, I accepted the fact that I would never truly find my place in high school and as hard as it was to admit, I was still able to guide myself through with the few friends I had and the little determination in me to believe that time can heal all wounds.

Of course, when someone feels that way, the one thing that's always on their mind is, I can't wait to get out of this place. And I couldn't, I wanted nothing more than a fresh start. A place where I could start over and become the person I knew was in there but was too afraid to shine through. And what better place to do that than college? So I did my research, went on the tours to get just a short glimpse of what my new life could look like as I imagined everything that could go on and happen for me. Applications got filled out, essays were written, SAT scores and transcripts were sent and before I knew it, the letters came. Acceptance letters, from colleges that knew nothing about my past or what I've been through but still accepted me with open arms. For once I felt like starting fresh was possible. And it was, all thanks to you RIC.

Thank you, Rhode Island College, for accepting me and giving me the chance to find my place in this crazy world. For these past four years, I finally felt like I belonged and that is something I will never take for granted.

You were able to turn a shy freshman on her first day of college, moving into her dorm, living on her own for the first time in eighteen years. Away from her family and town and everything she used to know. And you made her into a confident senior who is more than ready and prepared to graduate and continue on in her life with everything you've taught and given me over these past four years.

But if I'm going to be honest with you, there's something you need to know. Rhode Island College, you weren't my dream school, my first choice or even my second choice when it came to choosing which college I wanted to go to. But at the end of the day, none of that mattered because I was your choice and that was more than enough. By going to RIC, I was able to learn a lot of valuable lessons and was given opportunities to expand my knowledge and creativity as well as find the courage to try new things and get out of my comfort zone. For once I didn't feel like that person who would eat lunch with her teacher because she didn't have anyone else to talk with or walk the hallways with her head hanging down or sit in the back of the classroom with her head in her books. That girl I was in high school, who I thought would always cling on to me and never let go, was finally starting to release it's grasp little by little once I entered college.

Sure, there were still times I would revert back to my old ways. Because when you've become so accustomed to a certain image of yourself, you start to think that's the only way you can be; that you can't change. And so I'd stay in my dorm room or sit in the back of the classroom. But unlike high school where I went unnoticed, that wasn't the case here at Rhode Island College. I had a way of being seen.

So here are some things I'd like to thank you for, RIC:

Thank you, for providing me with the most understanding and wonderful professors. If I could remember you all I would personally thank you for what you've done for me. But just know that you have helped shape me into the person I am today. Even though sometimes they may take forever to submit final grades and their grading policy can be ridiculous, it's what they do for you both in-class and out of class that truly makes them great. I've had teachers that I felt I could tell them anything and they would not for a second judge me, but understand my situation and encourage me to be my absolute best. What person doesn't want that or doesn't want to feel that way? You've provided me with more support than any of the high school counselors had at my old school. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you, for giving me the classes I needed in order to succeed. Even though making a class schedule can be one of if not the most stressful day of any RIC students life, the classes I was able to take during my time here was worth all the frustration and tears. Being able to learn new information is something so many of us take for granted that some people aren't able to be given the opportunity to do. And there were times that I took that for granted, especially when it came time for midterms, finals, research papers, and exams. Getting up for 8 AM's were tough and we all breathe a heavy sigh of relief and jump up and down at the excitement of a professor canceling class when you didn't feel like going or probably weren't going to end up going to. Believe me, I've felt the same way plenty of times. But despite all that, I know that I feel more prepared than ever because of the classes I've taken here that have provided me with the knowledge I need to continue on in my future and with my career job.

Thank you, for the students who were not only inviting and friendly but for some of them, turned into lifelong friends. I've met some of the greatest people here who were not only open but made it easy for me to get out of my comfort zone. Whether it be just ranting about a shared mutual hate for a certain class or being forced into doing group work and paired up with partners, the students here made me feel welcomed and included. I've made some amazing friends here but I've also made some enemies and lost some friends along the way. And it's nothing personal, it's life and you start to realize once and for all who your true friends are and who your fake friends are. If it weren't for coming here, I wouldn't have seen that, and I'm grateful for those tough times because what I got out of it were friends who were able to take that pain away and replace it with so much love and care.

Thank you, for dorm rooms. Sure they may be falling apart (literally and figuratively), some on the outside and inside resemble prisons, the heat may be turned on too high during the beginning of the semester and off completely in the winter (same goes for the air conditioners), the fire alarms going off at any random time of the day may be an inconvenience too. Regardless, I had the best time living on campus. Getting to live with a bunch of people doesn't make you feel so alone and it gave me the freedom to learn how to adapt to finding my way as well as teaching me responsibility. I was the one calling the shots, I didn't have anyone telling me when to do my homework or when to eat or clean my room, I had to figure it all out on my own. But my dorm room was my sanctuary, it was my place that I could call my own. I have to say the saddest day was when I woke up for the last time in my room and seeing the walls bare and everything completely out because it finally sunk in that I wouldn't be living in those cubicles anymore.

Thank you, for the dining hall food. Ohh Donovan dining center, we've had our fair share of highs and super lows and I think everyone can vouch for me on this one. If you've taught my anything, It's that in these past four years I've never appreciated a home cooked meal, fast food, or being so close to Stop & Shop before in my entire life. I won't miss you, the same goes for the Cafe too.

Thank you, for the Adams library. All the times and hours I spent there "attempting" to get work done but finding myself too distracted to focus. My favorite spot was always the desks at the bottom of the library, where I knew when I was struggling to keep motivated on what I was doing, I could turn my head and find the inspiration on the walls.

Thank you, for all the events you put on. The ones I would go to every year or even the ones I went to once or said I was going to go to but decided last minute not to. One thing you always provided us with was plenty of opportunities to have fun, de-stress and wind down at the times when we desperately needed to. You planned week-long events, holiday events, any kind of activity to make anyone feel included and those are times I will always cherish because you always put the students first and made sure they were having a good time. Because of these events and activities, I was able to forget everything going on in my life for just a couple of hours at times when I needed a break.

You see Rhode Island College, You've given me a pretty great college experience. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But that doesn't matter because I created these memories on my own and I made some mistakes and there were times that I failed. But it was you who helped create those memories, learn from those mistakes and find the strength to get back up and succeed from my failures.

The acronym "RIC" stands for "Reach, Inspire, and Connect." And I feel like those words are what sums up my college experience here from beginning to end.

You reached out to me and accepted me and I reached back out to you and chose you as my college, just like you chose me to be one of your students.

You inspired me to be the person I always knew I could be.

You connected with me in a way that made me no longer feel like I was alone anymore by providing me with a great learning environment and atmosphere and incredible professors and students.

Now when I look at that girl in her high school yearbook pictures and I think back to all those hard times I can confidently say to her, we made it. We fit in and we belong.

I couldn't have done it without you, Rhode Island College.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

A former student who finally found her place.

May 13, 2017: The day I flipped the page to the next chapter of my life