When I started college 4.5 years ago, I pretty much alone. I had moved 16.5 hours away from home to go to school and I only knew one person on campus.

I was undeclared with no idea of what I wanted to do with my life or my future. At the end of my spring semester I had declared psychology as my major. That following year was one of my hardest and unhappiest and I was so scared I had made the wrong decision and was going to be that person that changed her major 14 times (so what if you are, do what makes you happy).

So after some wise counsel, I found my new major: Educational Psychology. I started the fall of my junior year and I haven't looked back since.

It wasn't really until my senior year of college that I really started to take advantage of all the great people in my department and my major.

I was surrounded by wonderful staff, professors, faculty and students. Maybe it was because of my major, but I still have never met people as nice and caring and just plain wonderful as the people I met in my two years as an Educational Psychology major.

I mean just think, these people see us at our worst moments. Crying in class because we got two hours of sleep, or crying from exhaustion because you've had bronchitis for almost two months and it won't go away (real life). They see you at your best, when you pass a test or finally finish yet another research project.

And the encouragement and love that you receive in between all these moments doesn't alter. The encouragement I receive on my good days is just as great as the encouragement and love I receive on my worst days.

There hasn't been a time where I've had a conversation with my classmates that one of them hasn't tried to lift me up or encourage me or just cheer me on in some form or fashion.

It's such a refreshing and vitalizing experience. Class is not fun. It just isn't sometimes, but my classmates make class worth going to.

My classmates are so full of life and love and I see so many good things coming their way.

Some will get to be mommas, others will go on to be occupational therapists or speech pathologists, and some will get to help those who have sought counsel from a professional (a responsibility and honor all in one).

The ones that have gone before me continue to amaze me in all the wonderful things that they keep doing. I know that the ones that go behind me will do the same.

As I graduate, I look forward to seeing what they do and who they become. I'm also encouraged by all of the great faculty, staff and professors I've been under these last few years. They are people who continue to educate themselves and become the best version of themselves and they always are encouraging us to do the same.

I'll be walking across the stage soon, but I'll be leaving with more than a degree. My classmates have been full encouragement, inspiration, laughter and love since the moment I walked in. I won't be leaving with just a degree, I'll be leaving with memories, love and real life examples of how to be a better person.

Find these people in your major, your department, or just your life. Find them and learn from them. And always, always be grateful for them. I know I am.