Yes, it's true. You're graduating and I'm so happy for you and your success.

I can't wait to see what all you'll do with your life and the careers that you chose to pursue. I also know that it may take a bit to get started on the field of choice. The need for a mental break after four years of non-stop going and thinking.

From someone that was going to join you at this time but couldn't please remember that we want you to succeed. Watching your friends leave and graduate while you stay back sometimes feels scarier than leaving ever could. Staying means that the process of finding people to work with on projects becomes that much harder and there's no one that can understand your complaints of a course or professor.

Please though, remember the ones that you leave behind...the friends that will miss you and the people you'd rather forget. Be honest during this time rather than offer an insincere promise of coffee in the future because you'll stay in the area. Please keep in mind that this is a scary time for us as well. While you're leaving we still have time left and are looking to you for examples. We know that we can't join you yet in the freedom of adult living, but we wish we could.

We know that some of you may not want to leave yet-- out of fear or not to leave friends. But this is a good thing. Move on and continue to grow in the world. Make it a better place for those to come after you. Never forget that when someone asks you a question that they are as nervous as you are.

Everyone will be rooting for you on this end. Never think that there is a benefit in going backwards. Always keep moving forward. Even if you can't see anything in front of you for miles, there will be spots of rest. There will be a goal to keep working towards.

From all of us staying another semester, year, or even 2+ we'll miss you and wish we could've been there walking with you. We want to be part of your lives and wish to join you on the other side when it's all done and say, "We did it." So keep a page in your planner open to share a drink with those that are still pushing through the trenches of undergrad.