Imagine starting a movie that you heard was really good. As the movie continues to play, you start to think, "Wow, this is one of the best movies I have ever seen."

Now imagine that there's about 15 minutes left to this amazing movie, and it just shuts off.

You don't get to finish it.

You don't get to see how it ends.

You don't get to capture those last few minutes that are, essentially, the best part of the entire movie.

That is what it has been like for us seniors when we were told our last semester was coming to an abrupt end.

We spent late nights in college town not knowing it was going to be our last. We said, "See you after spring break," to our classmates, friends, and professors, not knowing that it may have been the last time we see them. We did the war chant at a sporting event without knowing it could be the last time we get to. We walked through campus after conquering another round of midterms without knowing that it could be the last time we get to step foot on campus as a student. We excitingly ordered our caps and gowns not knowing that we weren't going be able to wear them. We had the end of our amazing movie taken away from us.

It's hard to put into words what this has felt like, but, I think I can speak for all us when I say, it sure has been a hard pill to swallow.

Although we are all deeply saddened by this turn of events, I would like to take the time to shine some light on what we should all be thankful for, this school — Florida State University. Even typing it out gives me chills. Whether it was the athletics, academics, Greek life, party scenes, or the fact that our campus is absolutely breathtaking, we all have our reasons for choosing this school. Let's not forget those reasons The moment we made the choice to attend FSU is when those "best years of your life" memories that all our elders tell us about was beginning.

Let's not forget those memories.

Let's not forget attending our freshman year orientation, where we slept in the college dorms for the first time. Where we walked around amazed at how beautiful this school was. Where we made some of our first college friends. Where we learned the fight song that we would come to chant at every sporting event. Where we began to start picking our first classes of college ever.

Let's not forget our first day of school, where we franticly walked around campus trying to find our classes. Where we were scared out of our minds, but, also excited to finally begin the path to our futures.

Let's not forget our first football game, where we tailgated all day with our best friends. Where we scanned our first student ticket to step into the infamous Doak Campbell Stadium. Where we sat in the student section and saw the sea of garnet and gold as our eyes scanned around the massive stadium, brick stadium. Where we did the war-chant along with the hundreds of other people in the stadium. I don't know about you, but watching an entire stadium full of people doing the war-chomp, all in synch, gives me chills every.single.time.

Let's not forget our first finals week, where we pulled all-nighters in Dirac or Stroz. Where we overdosed on coffee. Where we questioned our choice of major or career path. But, also where we realized, once they were over, that we could accomplish anything.

And lastly, let's not forget those late nights with friends. Where we bar hopped all night. Where we danced till our feet hurt and could hardly stand anymore. Where we celebrated our 21st birthday with themed parties, reserved tables at clubs, or by jumping in the Westcott fountain at midnight (or all of the above). Where we were dragged out by friends when we didn't feel like it but ended up having the time of our lives. Where we finally completed the Madso drink challenge and got a shirt to prove it. Where we bravely made our way up the hill on college ave. Where we were packed like sardines, shoving our way to the front of the bar in Recess, Clydes, or Derd (man, I would do anything for that right now). Where we sang "Sweet Caroline" at the top of our lungs at the Strip at Pub. Where we ended the nights at McDonald's or Taco Bell. Where we made decisions that we would later regret. Where we were young and dumb.

These are just a few, of the many, memories that I'm sure many of us have made during our time here.

I could sit here and type for hours if I really wanted to try to list all of them but the possibilities are endless. That's how I know I chose the best school. As we are all coming closer to obtaining the "FSU alum" status, I think we can all agree that this school has become a part of who we are and who we will become. Every experience we've had here, every person we have met, has become engraved in our hearts. I would do anything, anything, to be able to relive the memories I have made here.

However, none of those memories would be possible without this school.

So for that, I thank you FSU.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to achieve my goals. Thank you for preparing me for the real world. Thank you for giving me, life-long friends. Thank you for being the place where I had some of my biggest failures, but, also my greatest accomplishments. Thank you for letting me grow into the person I am today. Thank you for letting me make memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for being the school that I can't wait to tell my kids about. Thank you for being the absolute best years of my life.

And as always, Go Noles.