To my small university:

Thank you.

Thank you for giving me the connections I would never have made if I went to a big school. I am more than just a number in every class I am in. I get to make genuine connections with my professor, whether it is in my major or some Gen. Ed. class I have to take. Without these connections, I would not have had the internships I've been at or the events I got to experience.

Thank you for giving me a great group of friends. Without these people, this whole college thing would be a lot harder. These are people who understand the daily struggle because they are going through it right alongside me, no matter what their major may be.

Thank you for giving me the chance to explore a new city. You have given me the opportunity to see every corner and inch of one of the world's biggest and best cities. All I have to do is jump on a bus and then I'm in this amazing place where I find something new every time I go there.

And finally, thank you for teaching this small town girl there is way more in this life than what that small town had to offer. You are making me reach higher than the stars for a life I used to imagine about. Now, you are helping me turn those dreams into a reality.

From the small town girl that's now out in this huge world, there will never be enough words to express the gratitude I have for you. If I never came to you, my life would not be the way it is, and I am not sure I would want it any other way.