I had no intention of attending Rollins when I was applying for college. I applied because I thought the campus was beautiful and relatively close to Disney World, but in my mind actually committing to spending the next four years there was just not realistic. I grew up in Pennsylvania, in the same house and school district for my entire adolescence. I had a steady group of friends, and never had to deal with anything scary or unpredictable before college came around.

Everyone I knew was planning on going to in-state schools or at least somewhere in the tri-state area within driving distance, and they were excited to be away from home. Although I can personally guarantee that no one was as thrilled as I was to never have to step foot in a high school again, the prospect of being so far away from my family and friends in a place I knew hardly anything about was enough to drive me crazy. So naturally, I ended up choosing Rollins.

Like most things in life I have initially dreaded with every bit of my soul, going to Rollins was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Now that I’m about to graduate, even someone as cynical as me is getting just a little bit sentimental about leaving Rollins and venturing out into the big bad real world where Paul McCartney does not make impromptu visits and Fox Day does not exist. Rollins has taught me more about life than I ever could have anticipated, but these are the things that will stay with me forever.

1. Rollins’ squirrels taught me to not trust any wild animals, no matter how cute they may seem.

I learned my first week on campus that the squirrels here are not normal. They are creatures straight out of National Geographic that screech like birds and will attack if you get too close.

2. Fox Day has taught me that sometimes you just need to take an impromptu mental health day.

When responsibilities are piling up and the weather is particularly nice, everyone should consider taking the day off. It may not be as practical after college to get completely wasted and pass out on the beach, but if that’s your prerogative, go for it.

3. Good things can happen when you least expect them.

Like when Paul McCartney showed up at my school while I was studying abroad. I’m not bitter or anything…

4. Work hard, but take advantage of your youth and be a bit spontaneous.

Getting lost in a cab on the way back from a hookah bar and ending up at a murder scene near UCF ended up being a lot more memorable than getting enough sleep.

5. Everything happens for a reason.

I used to absolutely hate when people told me this after things didn’t turn out how I expected them to, but I’ve found that it really is true. I was so hesitant to come to Rollins, but I ended up making some of the best friends I’ll ever have and experiencing the most incredible opportunities.

6. Take every opportunity you’re presented with, even if it's out of your comfort zone.

This is another corny one, but it goes along with my previous point. I was hesitant to study abroad, but through the CAPA London program I was able to making new friends and work at an incredible internship that allowed me to sit front row at London Fashion Week. You never know what something can lead to.

7. Living with other people isn’t always as tragic as it’s made out to be.

I opted to be randomly placed with a roommate freshman year, and while our levels of partying and sleeping schedules were drastically different, she’s now my best friend. When I studied abroad, I made friends with my roommates who I probably never would have otherwise crossed paths with at Rollins.

8. Freshman year taught me that if you can survive a school year in McKean, you can truly live anywhere.

Soap flooding the hallways and vending machines being flipped over at ungodly hours of the night are not things I particularly want to experience again. And to those who say it wasn’t so bad, you probably did not live on the first floor.

9. Advice is always available if you’re willing to ask for it.

I grew up with many teachers who I was not really sure why chose the teaching profession, but the professors I’ve had at Rollins really do want you to succeed inside and outside the classroom. I’ve received advice on everything from job-hunting to what to do in Europe from my professors, and they have made it clear that they will be there to help even after I graduate. (Special shout out to the English department.)

10. Don’t wait until your last semester of college to join the Odyssey team.

It was a big mistake, because I only have a few more weeks left writing for this amazing publication.

Thanks Rollins and fiat lux.