I have one piece of advice for those that have college friends older than them: Don’t do it. They will leave and you will be left crying and confused about who you are supposed to hang out with.

Just kidding, absolutely do it. Make friends with people older than you even if you’re scared they will think you’re a lame freshman because you don’t know where the cafeteria is, or if you’re scared they will think you’re naïve because they’ve done this already.

Do, it anyways, because listen to me when I tell you that these people: the upperclassmen, they will become your best friends.

For a little over a week I have been sending sappy text messages, think about how to say goodbye, and looking up the distances between me and all of my friends as they each move to a new place all while I will stay at college entering my senior year.

So here’s to you, my awesome best friends as you quickly approach the day you have waited and worked so hard these past four years for.

A letter to my graduates:

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you for showing me how to “do” college. I have learned so many lessons about studying, the power of Quizlet, and even how yes, I need to go to class, not just scan in. Thank you for pulling all-nighters with me, always being down for a Sonic run, and encouraging me to try my best regardless of the outcome.

Thank you for teaching me the secrets about our college town. From the freshman bucket list, best place to study on campus, the one party I really should just avoid, what time to get to Saturday tailgating, and which hangover breakfast is the best (BBB, always).

Thank you for showing me that hard work pays off. Over the years while I was a struggling underclassman thinking Pre-Algebra was hard, I watched all of you defend honors theses, turn in final projects, get published, etc. You have each worked so hard throughout your college careers giving back to the university, the community, your respected organizations, and to your friends. You taught me the power of hard work and determination, and how and when to have fun. You showed me the importance of balancing work and fun.

Thank you for being proud of me. You all taught me pretty early on that college is about making yourself proud, and while that is true, thank you for being proud of me too. Thank you for checking in with me after a big test or paper or even encouraging me to take jogging as a class to help me earn extra hours. You are the ones that encourage me to stay up a little longer because it will pay off the next day, but most of all regardless of the grade I received, you were always proud of me. From personal life decisions, to what class to take, you have always supported me.

Thank you for the memories. Each of you have taught me more in the past three years than I ever expected to learn. You really are the type of friends that you meet and wonder how you ever went your whole life without them. Throughout the years, we have all been through a lot and each of you always managed to be there any time I needed it. From late night phone calls, to midnight snacks, breakups and makeups, failed tests, major changes, I could name it all. None of you ever left.

You taught me more than you all know, and I know that next year when I graduate, I have you to thank for helping me get there. I have been more than blessed to have each of you as friends, and the amount of pride I have for each of you is hard to put into words. You are all going on to do amazing things like become researchers, doctors, news anchors, marketing professionals, top graduate students, you name it. You learned and gained so much within these four years, and have changed my life and so many others and I’m sure I won’t be the last life or heart that you all impact. Good luck and please know that I will be proud of all of you always and forever.

I am so lucky to know you, to love you, and to call you a friend.

I can’t sign this letter with goodbye, because this isn’t one.

I'll see ya all later and FaceTime me soon so you can complain about adulthood!

Love,

your undergrad best friend