My dearest friends,

Everyone says, “College is going to be the best four years of your life." Well, we have already finished one year. Can you believe it? It feels like just yesterday we were applying to schools, receiving letters that both made us full of sorrow and jump with excitement. Somewhere along the way, we found our dream school and made it through our first year, even at times when we thought we couldn’t do it.

The truth is I really couldn’t have done it without the friends I’ve made; I’ve met my family away from home. There are many things to thank you for, so where on earth do I begin? The enjoyment of us all devouring pints of ice cream, thinking we are surgeons or capable of surviving a zombie apocalypse because of the shows we are unhealthily addicted to and "quick" music study breaks that ended up lasting hours are only the beginning of an amazing adventure. For instance, I have to thank you for sparing me some money for Dunkin and for letting me crash on your floor when I carelessly locked myself out; but let's discuss the big things.

Thank you for wanting to know me and for accepting me.

You wanted to know me, the real me. You chose me over the well-known people who actually had their lives together. Even after you got to know my true, awkward self you accepted me and showed me that you are just the same. Sorry to say, now you’re stuck with me.

Thank you for supporting me, for always being there for me and for picking me up when I’m down.

This was our first year of college and none of us knew what challenges we were up against. We didn’t know how classes worked, what clubs to join or simply how to fit lunch into our schedules. But you didn't hold me back from anything. All you did was provide unwavering support and constantly pushed me towards my goals. Whether I was upset over an exam grade, a television show or simply the dining hall being out of Ben & Jerry’s, you were there to pick me up and reassure me that everything was going to be okay.

Thank you for staying in with me.

It’s OK to not want to go out every single weekend; it’s OK to stay in. Thank you for staying in with me when I wanted to watch movies, cuddle up in a cocoon of blankets and order too many pizzas. Whether these nights led to deep talks or singing along to "Mulan," they never failed to be delightful.

AND thank you for going out with me.

Thank you for also going out with me- even dragging me out sometimes. Dancing and laughing for the night is always enjoyable when spent with your best friends. As for all of the events going on around campus, instead of letting me spend the day in my room soaking my homework in stress tears, you gave me no choice but to attend them with you.

Thank you for sharing your food and for watching Netflix with me.

The most crucial part -just kidding (kind of). Thank you for sharing your food with me. When I was too lazy to leave my dorm and was sick of my own food, you were always there with an open hand offering me whatever delicious treat you thought I would enjoy. Along with this, thank you for ignoring time management and watching Netflix with me, even though we had papers due the next day. Our laughs during the show were unforgettable, however it usually ended with tears at 3:00 a.m. over the papers we still hadn't started.

Thank you for being honest.

We heard it so much growing up and it is true: honesty IS the best policy. Whether it means telling me I was grumpy and should go to bed, needed to go to the gym or really just needed to take a shower, I truly appreciate the honesty.

Thank you for being you, my family away from home.

Leaving home isn't easy for anyone. It doesn’t matter whether you are 20 minutes or 20 hours away from home, leaving is not simple. We didn't have our mom to do our laundry anymore or our loving pets to come home to everyday. We had to either make our own meals or go get them ourselves. There wasn't anyone to tell us how to manage our time or when to go to bed. We were on our own, or at least that’s what we all thought. Thankfully, I learned that I wasn't as alone as I thought I’d be. Thank you for being who you are, for making college a home away from home, and most importantly, for becoming my family.

Love always,

Your college family member

The friends you make in college are truly the friends you keep for the rest of your life. I couldn’t be more excited for the next three years with all of you!