Well Fitchburg State, here we are. It is my last semester with you and it is finally wrapping up after taking five classes of pure blood, sweat and tears. It's been fun, and it's been real. It's been tedious and downright torturous at points. But I made it. As did two other individuals I have become close to over the last five years. Thank you to the professors who pushed me to do my best and nothing less, and believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Allison and Meaghan... we made it.

Thank you to mom and dad for supporting me both financially and emotionally through school. This degree wouldn't have been possible without you.

Thank you to my grandparents and aunt and uncle for the support as well.

I have exactly four friends from high school that I am still able to call friends today. Thank you for sticking by me as I grew up these last five years and realizing that people do change, but I'm still the same sassy sweetheart you've always loved. (AL, TG, MK, and SD).

Thank you to the plethora of friends I've made the last five years. Who knew you all would be my true life long friends- I am so lucky to have you in my life. (AB, MG, TC, CW, AP, ND, AA, VS). You've all helped me grow into someone far more confident than I used to be, and you've shown me that not every aspect of life is going to be fun, but it's your attitude and point of view that will get you through it all.

Fitchburg State taught me extremely valuable life skills, like how to write a proper resume, and how to communicate with clients in the real world. I can now see why the Communications Media department is rated one of the top in the nation- we are pushed to extreme limits until we are ready to just break down and cry.

One of the friends I met along the way had some words to say about her experiences here also. Allison Brousseau says "Graduation will be quite cathartic for me. A decade ago, my father had just passed away, I was severely bullied, and was questioning if I could even survive another day. Fast forward ten years, and I have a supportive circle of friends who have become family for me. I keep going because they remind me through their love and support- that I can do it. To JT, MC, KD, PS, BH, JG, CS, DS, LC, you and many others have encouraged me to chase after my dreams even when I struggled to see my own potential. I do it for all of you, I keep going, and also because I have my wonderful love Nick helping me every step of the way. After the countless nights of my breakdowns and the never-ending struggle to focus, Nick, you have not given up on me. You are my tutor, my counsellor, my shoulder to cry on, my partner, my companion, and my favorite chef. I look forward to what our future holds. Whatever comes our way we can make it through because we will always have each other.

I know my grandmother and father are reunited up in the stars, watching over me, proud of how far I've come. I do it for them.

My mother, who suddenly had to raise two teenage girls, each with their own big dreams, on her own as a widow, pushed herself in order to provide for us as much as she could. After the years of heartache, you are finally reaching a new chapter in your own life, and I am proud of how far we have come together. I do it for you.

Finally, to that little girl who struggled to see the good in the world, you faced a whole lot in your life. The loss of your father, the bullying, the ADHD, anxiety, depression and the very recent loss of your grandmother- you have worked so hard to overcome so much. You deserve every happiness. Be proud of your accomplishments, but do not stop there. This is only the beginning, and there is no telling how far you'll go. I do it for me. That little girl is now a grown woman, ready to face the world".

And one last thank you from me, thank you to all of my loyal Odyssey readers. It's been a pleasure to write for you and fear not, I will be continuing to write for the Odyssey post-graduation.

See you later Fitchburg State. It's been one whirlwind of a ride.