Leaving my dorm for the last time was, quite honestly, one of the hardest goodbyes I’ve had to say at college. While I am beyond excited to move out and take the next step into adult life, leaving my dorm- residence hall, sorry- was so bittersweet that it’s hard to imagine living somewhere else. That building wasn’t just blocks of cinder housing a bunch of randos while they struggle through classes for a few semesters; that place was my home, full of my second family and lots of memories. That being said, I owe it and its prior inhabitants some thank yous for being such a wonderful place to live, learn, and grow.

Thank you to my room, for not burning to the ground after what I put you through. When we packed 20+ people in a 10x10 room, you always managed to seem cozy and not claustrophobia-inducing, and welcomed all who walked through your doors. When we tested the limits of every piece of furniture and basically acted like human tornados sometimes, you held strong and survived with barely a scratch. Also, apologies are in order for almost burning you down on two separate popcorn and macncheese-related events. Thanks for being a trooper.

Thank you to my resident advisors, for being the coolest set of power-holding college kids I’ve met. My friends were always in awe because I was actually friends with the RA’s and not terrified/hiding from them 24/7, and I realize now how rare that is to find. Thank you for being concerned with our safety more than getting us in trouble, and for being approachable. There’s a world of a difference between having a tyrant of an RA and just having them play the role of the cool parent of the dorm, and I was lucky enough to have the latter. You earned our respect by giving us yours, and it made my home feel less like a prison and more like an actual home.

Thank you to all my girlfriends that gave me a sisterhood I never had. I can’t thank you enough for always being down for a girls night, whether that meant painting nails and watching movies in our sweats, or squading up, dressing up, and hitting the town. Thank you for attempting to teach me how to use makeup, and for always answering the phone when I call crying because I hate eyeliner and can’t make my wings match. Thank you for always being down for food and for giving me boy advice over midnight pizza, and thank you for eating ice cream with me at any time of the day and not judging. Thank you for laughing with me at nothing, cuddling with me when I’m sad, and stopping by to check on me when I’ve had a bad week. I can’t express how much I will miss you not being two doors down from me next year.

Thank you to all my guy friends I met that became a second set of brothers. Thank you for being so easy to talk to, and for always giving me a drama-free zone to hang out. Thank you for rescuing me and being a bodyguard or pretend boyfriend for a day when I need it, and for being the first to offer to kick some butt when I have boy problems. Thank you for giving the best hugs in the world, and for being able to make me laugh on my worst days. Thank you for always being up for adventures, whether that entails a quick trip for late night tacos or a long cruise to talk about life. Thank you for being on call as spider slayers, and for carrying big things or moving my furniture around when it’s too heavy or I’m just being lazy. Thank you for asking me for advice about relationship problems, so I don’t feel as needy when I ask you about mine. I wouldn’t have made it without you.

Thank you for all the little things my floor did, especially after dealing with my shenanigans. Thank you for not being too angry when I forget about quiet hours and crank my music a little too much. Thank you for folding my towels and setting them on the counter when I’m a little late to get my laundry. Thanks for writing cute notes and pictures on the whiteboard outside my door; they never ceased to make me smile. When I have way too much energy in the middle of the night, thanks for tolerating me being annoying, riding tandem on your scooter down the hall, and knocking on your door to wake you up and beg for one more euchre partner. Thank you for always being a smiling face and for always saying hello and making my day.

Thank you to the dorm study room for the million memories made there, even if only a few were from actually studying. Your white board saved my behind more than once when reviewing for biology and chem exams, and the room itself was amazing at attracting people who needed to study for the same test. Some of my closest friends were met by frantic studying at 2am who just happened to meet up in the same study room. You were also a perfect location for impromptu games of Never Have I Ever, euchre, and let’s-see-how-long-I-can-procrastinate-on-my-homework. Thanks for being a place to chill while we did homework, talked, or just stayed up to watch the sunrise. Thank you for bringing so many people together.

Finally, thank you in general to the whole hall for being such a great family. I have loved having the opportunity to get to know you, and I truly hope a lot of us stay in touch and still take pictures when our past dorm fam spontaneously reunites. I wouldn’t have wanted to reside anywhere else, and I can’t thank you enough for all of the memories. I feel so blessed to have lived in a place that truly felt like a second home. Thank you, thank you, thank you.