Senior year of college is emotional for a lot of reasons, but the end of fall semester is particularly tough to get through for one reason: saying goodbye to friends who are graduating early. Here's what I'd like to say to everyone I know who's walking in December, while the rest of us wait for May.

Dear Friends,

First of all, congratulations, and know that I am so proud of you. You did it! You got that degree we've all been working toward for four years. I can only imagine how happy you are to be finishing finals this week, knowing that your degree is waiting on the other side. Enjoy this moment of pride and accomplishment; you deserve it!

Secondly, know that you are an inspiration to me and to everyone else who has one more semester to go. We get to celebrate your graduation early, which means we get to see how exciting it is to finally get that diploma in your hands. Watching you graduate first is giving the rest of us even more hope and excitement because we know that in a few short months, we'll be graduating too.

And lastly, know how much I am going to miss you. Knowing you has been part of what has made up my college experience. It's going to be so strange not seeing you around in the spring. Campus won't be the same without you.

As you prepare to cross that final finish line in the coming days or weeks, just know that I'm rooting you on, and wishing you the best in whatever step you take next!