Like most college students, pretty soon I will be saying goodbye to almost everyone I know and venture out far away from home. For me, leaving for college is all a huge change. Coming from a small town in eastern Pennsylvania, I have grown up going to school with the same 117 kids since kindergarten, so college will definitely bring about lots of changes. Living in a small town for most of my life also means I have never had to say many goodbyes. The only goodbyes I have said were at the end of each school year to my classmates, but looking back on that it was more like a “see you soon.” So come August 21, it will be a whole new world for me. Leaving behind my past and moving towards my future at Brandeis University will be a bittersweet moment. So, per me leaving home I have a few goodbyes I would like to say people, places, and memories.

Goodbye to the late night runs to Wawa. For those of you who don’t know, Wawa is a convenience store that also makes hot food and sandwiches. Unfortunately though, Wawa is only in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey areas which means no Wawa while at Brandeis. For lots of teens, Wawa is not just a regular convenience store; it is a place that holds memories of the late nights spent up with friends, awkward run-ins with classmates, and morning coffee runs before school. Wawa may not seem like much, but it will be surely missed by me.

Goodbye to my friends from school. We have all gone through so much together. From walking into our first days of school together to tossing our graduation caps in the air, we have struggled through our school but came out victorious. We have all come a long way since first entering high school and it is finally time that we all head our separate ways, at least until Thanksgiving break. I can only hope that we all keep in touch in between our crazy hectic lives. But for sure we will all hold our many memories together in our hearts.

Goodbye to my teachers. I have had many teachers in my 13 years of school, but each and every one of them has helped push me to this moment. You have all worked tirelessly with me just to make sure I did well on a test. You have also not only taught me the specific subject I was studying, but also things about life. I could not imagine going to a different school because I would definitely not be the same person I am today. Thank you for your years of hard work and dedication to improve my education.

Goodbye to my brother. Don’t worry, even though you are moving to New York and I am moving to Massachusetts, I will still make time to come into the city to annoy you like the good little sister I am. I will miss you so much, but I know you will kill it in your first year in law school. Thanks for always listening to my little rants and for inspiring me everyday in fencing.

Goodbye to my fencing club, coach, and teammates. Although I joined Premier Fencing Club in my sophomore year of high school it still feels like a second home. My coach Tamer Tahoun has pushed me harder than I ever thought was possible. In my short time training under him he has turned me into a better fencer. The entire fencing club pushed me passed my limits, giving me the opportunity to train with amazing fencers who became some of my best friends. I cannot wait to make PFC proud next year as I start competing for Brandeis.

Finally comes my hardest goodbye: my parents. Mom and Dad, there are no words for me to describe the wonderful life you have given me in my 18 years, but I can try my best to. You taught me how to walk, helped me with my homework, supported me on the volleyball court and fencing strip, and nurtured me into the young adult I am today. Thinking about living five hours away from you both scares me so much. You will be getting phone calls from me all the time telling you about how I am drowning in schoolwork. Thank you for bringing me into this wonderful world, but more importantly thank you for loving me unconditionally.