It hit me today, out of the blue, that I have exactly one week left as a freshman in college. That is so beyond surreal to even think about. This whole year has been a whirlwind. I spent the majority of my first semester, homesick and upset. I would call my mom crying, pretty much every day of the week. I genuinely was unsure if I would ever be happy living so far from my hometown and not really knowing anyone.

When I look back at how I was then, it is hard for me to picture myself that unhappy. I have grown as a person, and am beyond happy to be where I am. This semester alone, I have broadened my friendships and opened myself up to new opportunities.

The memories I have made here are ones that I would never change for anything. I will forever be thankful for the people I have become friends with during my freshman year and all of the amazing times that we had together. We laughed till we cried, and stayed up till we almost saw the sunrise. I want to say a true and heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you, for making this campus feel more like home than I thought it ever could.

Although it will be hard not seeing you every day for the next four months, I know that we will all still be there for each other no matter what. We have been through a lot these past few months. We have grown together, and I can’t wait to see what the next three years will bring.

Each of you brought something unique and amazing into my life, at the moment that I needed it the most. When I heard people say “college goes by quickly," I thought that was a cliche saying, however now I know it is true. This past year has flown by at lightning speed. I still remember the anxiety I felt after my parents left me on move in day and now I have less than a week until I move out. I am dreading saying goodbye to all of the amazing friends I made.

I know we will all stay in contact, or at least I hope we do, but there is a certain camaraderie you have with the girls in your hall. You don’t ever have to go far to see them, and they are always there when you need someone. Next year, although we won't be living down the hall from each other anymore, I can't wait to get to spend another year with the people that make being at college feel just like home.

Having one week left of my freshman year is a bizarre feeling, but I wouldn't have wanted to spend it any other way.