To the professor who changed my perspective,

You may have heard this before, but God knows you haven’t heard it enough. Thank you.The long nights you spent prepping for just one class, grading papers and exams, and serving on committees, I appreciate.

I began, as a freshman, wandering through college, wondering if the major I picked was indeed the right one for me. You showed so much love for your subject and knew exactly how to communicate it to students. We laughed at your jokes and listened to your in field experience. You made a subject come alive right before our eyes.

You also didn’t give us the bullsh*t. You told us exactly how difficult the rest of school would be, and how difficult life can be. You did not sugarcoat anything. Your straightforward honesty stays with me today as I make important life decisions.

You don’t give up on your students. As we grow and move on, you remember our names, and you care about the goals we have set for ourselves. You hold us accountable for our actions and decisions. You continue to give us advice long after we have left your class. And I still appreciate it.

You took the time. This is the main difference you made. You took the time to prepare the best lessons, get to know us and to try to help us be the best we can be. Among your other life stressors, you still had the time to make a difference in a student’s life. And in turn, this will make the world a better place—because of you.

So thank you.

Thank you for inspiring me to do my best and teaching me to love what I learn.