As the years pass by I draw closer and closer to my graduation date, but in the years before I do, I see my upperclassmen friends do it first. Up until now, it was simply motivated to see people I knew receive their degree. But this year, as I watched more people I knew than ever before walk across the stage, I was left wondering how much is going to change without them next semester. Seeing so many of my friends graduate, witnessing the moment I've been waiting for to come, and also seeing the last I'll see of my friends for a while left me in awe. As proud as I was of them, I also couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and change. Even seeing people graduate that I recognized from classes or seeing around my school, but didn't know; was unordinary, as people within an environment strongly make up the entirety of a place.

This year, I wasn't just seeing a ton of people I knew graduate, but most of those that did this year made up a big majority of my closest friends in college. Even though I've learned to deal with change, and have by now a deep understanding of leaving people or people not being in my life anymore, it all really changed my perspective on having friends in college, and even college itself. I realize that the people who were in a big part of my life in college, are not going to be there anymore. Without them, it almost feels like a whole new atmosphere. I am not saddened by them not being here next year, but just came to realize how significant people are in college. Many other close friends remain in my college life next year, but an almost equal amount of my other ones won't be.

It's unordinary, because our whole life we're used to graduating school with people we were (usually) closest with, altogether in our graduating class; whereas in college, everyone graduates at their own pace. I strongly believe that environments can be greatly affected by the people you're with. College is so interesting, because if you meet the right people, they can change everything and really be the bulk of your college experience. Friends can serve as your motivation in school, and also inspire your personal growth. If there's one thing that college has taught me about social life, it's to expand your friendships as much as possible, while you have the last and best chance to before the real world. Meeting new people next semester is something I always strive to do each year, but it's not going to be the same next year when I have so little time left.

Next year I still want to go out and meet a lot of great people, but I also feel nervous to develop new strong relationships so close to when I graduate. I also realize it's hard to develop new close friends your last year, with how busy you are and how little time there is.

I guess next year will be different, and with much less of the familiar setting I'm used to in college. Aside from the fact that I won't see many of my college friends often, I am excited to experience another year at college with new faces. However, part of me wishes the feeling of my college will be the same, but I know that they didn't truly leave, because their memories will stay with me forever. I am thankful to have known the amazing people that were in my life in college, and I realize now more than ever, how much people can guide you in life.

I will enter next year with the memories and lessons I learned from my (now) college graduate friends. It is very inspirational, to say the least, that I have such great people to look up to for even more motivation to graduate as the best student I can be.