Radford University and the city of Radford are unlike any other college town. This rural, Southwest, Virginia, school will always have a special place in my heart and memories that I will cherish for the rest of my adult life. I have grown here, made life-long friends here, studied my ass off here, and I have learned more about myself than I ever thought I would. Radford, this is for you.

Thank you for feeling like home.

Ever since I took my first RU campus tour, I knew that I could fit in here. It's easy for everyone to find their place at Radford because there is so much diversity and everyone is so friendly. Eventually, by my senior year, I started referring to Radford as "home" and although it's only temporary, it deserves the title.

Thank you for being beautiful.

Campus is undoubtedly stunning, especially all of the new buildings, the quads and the fountain of course. Because we are nestled so perfectly in the Appalachian mountains, anywhere you look, you can see rolling hills. The New River is also right off campus and offers relaxing outdoor activities. Laying in an ENO hammock on the New River will always be the best place to take a study break. I'm going to miss that.

Thank you for the strolls to Deli Mart, 7Eleven, and/or Quick Way.

Every weekend. Every single weekend we manage to make our way to one of these fine establishments for the tastes of college... a.k.a. alcohol. I really don't want to know how much money I have spent at these places.

Thank you for River City Grill on a Sunday morning.

You already know what you're going to order when you arrive, and it's comparable to Taco Bell for the best hangover cure.

Thank you for your bars (even if there's only a few).

Because at the end of every stressful week BT's and Sharkey's are always there.

Thank you for Highlander Pizza.

Highlander's pizza rolls are the best late-night food ever, and they are everyone's go-to. When I finally have to leave Radtown, I will dearly miss them and all the happiness they've brought my stomach.

Thank you for having awful and amazing professors.

If it wasn't for the awful professors, I wouldn't have learned what majors were not for me. And thank goodness for the amazing professors because they sparked and contained my interest, which inspired my passion.

Thank you for teaching me to walk out in front of moving vehicles.

Okay, this one isn't completely serious. Obviously none of us want to be injured from getting hit by a car, BUT we also wouldn't mind getting our tuition paid for. Some chances are just worth taking.

Thank you for having my back.

People talk poorly about Radford all the time without knowing anything about the university. Luckily for us Highlanders, Radford is one of the most up and coming universities in the nation, and it will continue to grow even after we leave.

Thank you for helping me grow.

I have learned so much about life, relationships, family, and myself while being here. I am not the same person I was when I first arrived at Muse on move-in day. I would not be the person I am today if it wasn't for Radford and the people here.

Thank you for the memories.

I can honestly say that my years in college have been the best years of my life thus far. I will always remember that one time I saw a squirrel running across campus with an entire pizza slice in its mouth, and the 2014 Snowmageddon. The friends that I have made here and the memories we have shared will forever stay with me.

While there were many times that I wanted to drop out and leave this little town, I'm sure glad I didn't. With that, thank you, Radford. Thank you for the ups, downs, and everything in between. Here's to you... cheers!