Dear college,

When I was in high school, you were a daunting, far off struggle I didn't need to worry about. Now, I'm a senior in college, and looking back, there is a lot you gave me I never expected.

First of all, thank you for being completely different than what I had imagined in my head. Coming from a culture where girls usually get married young (early 20's is "preferred"), I was convinced I would meet the love of my life in college and be on my way to an engagement by the time I was a senior. Well, I'm a senior and there are no prospects in sight — thank god!

I also thought I would be this really cool fashionista and hip chick, who drank coffee all the time, dressed in really chic clothes and talked about the latest music. There's nothing wrong with being this way, but it is simply not my personality. In my freshman year of college, I tried drinking coffee to see what the fuss was about and I figured since it worked for everyone, it would work for me too. Well, it didn't, and I was fighting the drowsiness all day. As far as fashion and entertainment go, my wardrobe has definitely changed since high school, as has my music taste, but I am still in no way "on top of the latest trends," and that is OK because heck, I like my clothes and Pandora stations!

"College, you always seemed to be a terrifyingly abstract concept. How can I attend classes for four years and then at the end of it all, be allowed to work as a professional in a certain field? I will never be trained enough to do that." This thought ran through my head every night the summer before college started. Granted, at the time I was on my way to being an engineer (shudder), and it was terrifying for more than one reason (I am horrendous at math!). College challenged my beliefs, and it drove me into a field that I absolutely love —education. Now I spend the majority of my week working with kids and, heck, I wouldn't want it any other way!

College also challenged my definition of what and whom I consider to be friends. In high school, I knew everyone in my classes, in my clubs and on my team. I thought they were all my friends, and figured college wouldn't be too different. Well, it was. I barely know the names of people in my classes and the number of people I know has more than tripled. But, I do not consider everyone I interact with my friend. Sure, I am friendly with everyone and would never say no to hanging out with anyone if he or she asked (unless I was busy of course), but my friends are the people constantly blowing up my phone with our various group messages. They're the ones whom I can goof off with, the ones who make fun of each other and the ones whom I trust with the biggest matters of my life. We know each other as fam, and we are always there for each other.

Finally, college, I want to tell you what a thrill it has been the past four years. Though I am not graduating this semester, I can still look back on these four years and realize that college has been my best experience so far.

Thank you.