Dear Santa Catalina (a.k.a., FT),

Where did the time go? It feels like yesterday I was moving into my dorm room with my mom as wise upperclassmen screamed in the background, “F*** FT.” At the time, I had absolutely zero idea what an “FT” was, but I quickly got with it. I also quickly learned your secret quirks like never taking the elevator during Portola dinner hour and that the pool was the social hub to meet other freshman during welcome week.

Even though everyone gives you a bad rep, I wouldn’t have wanted to live anywhere else my first year. Yes, there are certain things I wish I could change about you like your tiny, unsanitary gym and your elevators that conveniently break down every Friday night, but like any good relationship, I learned to deal with the negatives and appreciate the positives. Portola’s crappy food somehow tastes a lot better when you have a group of your friends laughing about what idiots they were over the weekend. The mile bike ride to campus from you doesn’t seem so bad when you realize all the wonders it is doing for your butt. Even though us freshman are a ridiculous distance away from IV, at least I got exercise on my way to Del Playa. I didn’t even miss out on bonding with other freshman because I basically lived with most of my class. Typically, we even bonded over you; I can count on both of my hands the times I have muttered, “Oh, FT,” with a random stranger in the elevator. You’ve put up with a lot of physical abuse from us freshman, but two blown toilets and one microwave meltdown later and you still treat us well.

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m going to miss you next year. Your gleaming height was always a nice sight to see when I was biking home from a long day of class. How will I ever get the motivation to study without multiple different rooms to pretend to read a book in? How will my tan stay perfect year round without a pool to lounge by? How will I update my friends on the latest gossip if I can’t easily take an elevator down to their room?

Unfortunately, I have grown too old for you, FT, and I have to say goodbye so a new freshman class can experience all the wonders you have to offer. My memories with all my friends here will never leave me, and I have lived with people who have definitely changed me. For example, I can officially sleep even if someone is blasting EDM from across the hall or if someone is screaming about their drunk escapades. The new freshman class probably won’t appreciate you until the end of the year, much like we did, but know they will. Even with new, up-to-date apartments surrounding you, you will still be the best dorm out there.

Sincerely,

The Freshmen Class Of 2019