In the last four years of college, I have learned more than just theories and statistics. I learned some valuable lessons that can't really be taught, more so experienced. There are two different kinds of lessons: ones that you can be taught by others, and ones that you can be learned on your own.

College has definitely been an interesting experience, I gained a lot of friends that I thought were going to be my friends forever, and people change. I gained a few closer friends that I didn't expect to stick around as long as they did, but they're still here today. Then there were boys; I had a lot of instances where I thought that "this was going to last forever" (like every hopeless romantic), but it was more so the lessons that I was taught after the hurt, that meant the most.

I had a few friends who I thought I could never be separated from, and even fewer that I thought were going to be in my life long enough to meet my children someday, but people change. To those friends who left me. Who didn't care what they were saying, and didn't care that they hurt me, just because they were happy. Thank you.

Thank you for showing me your true colors before I introduced you to my family, before I had a family of my own, and you hurt them too. Thank you for the memories, and thank you for being there when you did, but some friendships just have an expiration date, and I'm sorry to say it's done. While I don't miss you, I wish you teach your children the same lessons you taught me, just not through the same actions.

To the boys who had their own issues to deal with and were unable to balance me with them, I truly hope that someday you find the one you can conquer those issues with, instead of "dealing" with them. One in particular, it's been a roller coaster with you, you hurt me more than I ever thought you could...but you don't understand how many times you saved me. Mostly indirectly, probably without even knowing it. You saved me from all of the poor relationships I had ever been in. You gave me the courage to leave when I wasn't appreciated or treated right. I can honestly say, after these four years, I can consider you not only a lesson, but a friend. I don't miss what we had, I have that now, and more. I truly wish you the best, and hope that you find happiness along the way.

These last four years have been so tough, not only academically, but emotionally straining as well. I can honestly say that while the memories were great, good riddance. I'm finally happy that college is over, and I can finally move on to bigger and better things. I have been burnt and used by those who I once loved and cared for, but I can honestly say that these individuals collectively have made me not only a stronger person, but a better person. I have learned that you can't always rely on others to make you happy, you need to rely on yourself. At the end of the day the only person that is going to be there for you, is you. Find happiness within yourself, and for god sake, don't let it go.