My first year of college is a year I will never forget, and I really mean it when I say that. I learned so much and did so many things, but I will remember pretty much all of it. Going off to school was a nerve-wracking feat. I had to learn how to do so many things on my own, how to manage my time and how to make all new friends. Going to school, I knew maybe five people coming in: one from my hometown and a couple I met on visits to Loras. I had to leave all my old friends as they stayed home or went off to school and as I arrived at college, I was surrounded by 1,300 people I didn't even know. Thankfully, I met some pretty awesome people this year.

To all of those people, thank you for being a part of my life this year. You have accepted me for who I am, something I was worried about when coming to a college of only 1,300 people. You have been ice cream companions of Coldstone on Tuesdays, for buy one get one college night. You have been study buddies, helping me with classes when I didn't always understand what was going on. You have been ears, listening to my worries and burdens, without judgement. You have been shopping mates, going to the mall for some retail therapy. Although these may seem like small things, they have made the adjustment to college much easier.

We've had our ups and downs throughout the year as we were all adjusting to this new place, but we have all been there to pick each other up. We've struggled through getting group projects done together, but have always pulled through for each other in the end. We've all tried to figure out how the school's information system website works together, where to find cheap food in town and even how to do laundry.

All in all, I couldn't have asked for better people to spend my first year of college with. You are all the reason this year will be so memorable. You have all been supportive. Even when I was considering transferring schools, you were supportive of whatever decision I made, because you wanted me to be happy. I hope that we will stay friends for the rest of our time at college and even for the rest of our lives. But, if that isn't the case, if this year was meant to be our year, if we aren't meant to be best friends forever, thank you for this year. I understand that we may all move on to other things. A new year brings new experiences and with it, new people. But, I will always hold you in my memories and in my heart. So, thank you for the experiences you have been part of this year. Thank you for all the memories made.