Dear College Friends,

How’s the semester treating you? Trick question, because I already know. I mean, I do see you every day. You are my neighbors, if we wanted to get specific. It is crazy to think we had no idea of each other's existence seven months ago. Now it’s weird if we go a day without seeing one another. I want to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate you. You see, college friends are something truly special. We are witnessing a time period in our lives that in a sense will define who we are in the future. As far as I can tell, college will have some of the highest points in our lives, but also some of the lowest. That is what makes you special, my college friends. You will be witnessing all of this chaos first-hand. There will be no need for storytelling with you, because you will either be the one cheering me along, or letting me cry on your shoulder.

Thank you my college friends for the little things. Thank you for not letting me eat meals alone and thank you for letting me complain to you about classes you don’t even have to take. Thank you for the countless nights at the library, for being my mom away from home and reminding me that no, I can’t skip class because it is boring.

Thank you for accepting how I look after three tests and no sleep. Leaving at 11:30 p.m. to go get ice cream because the dining hall is still open? Yeah, thanks for that too. Or how about the countless number of times I ramble on about my friends back home, and you just nod along like you know them too? That’s pretty cool. I could sit here and thank you for a million other things because you, my college friends, are what’s making college so great. You will be the ones I share so many amazing memories with 20 years from now when I look back on it. I will remember our numerous coffee adventures in the city, and random walks at all hours of the day. As much as I miss my friends and family back home, I have come to realize that I have made my own little family right here.

The most important thing I need to thank you for is that out of everyone on this campus, you chose to be friends with me. You have decided to let me be a part of your college adventure, and I could not be happier that you are a part of mine. I am looking forward to what the years have to offer. You, my college friends, are making this crazy part of my life not seem so crazy. And even if it is, at least we can conquer it all together. So thank you college friends for being you and for everything that you do. We are just starting a wonderful journey in life, and I can’t think of better people to have by my side.

Love,

Me