One of the things people liked to tell me as I was getting ready to move away to school was, "you're gonna meet so many new people and experience so many new things, you'll have the time of your life!" To be honest, it used to annoy me. I was trying to cope with leaving behind my friends and family, the only home I'd ever known, and I didn't have time to think about all the things that might happen. I know now, however, that they were so right.

I have been extremely fortunate to meet so many amazing people over the course of my first year, and I can't thank them enough.

Thank you for making memories that will last a lifetime. From late night food runs, thousands of inside jokes, and having dance parties no matter where we were. I have had the time of my life. You've taught me there's no shame in a quick, "you busy?" text, and that sometimes the best times come from just getting in the car and asking, "where to?". Nothing makes you feel more on top of the world than exploring the city with your friends at night; I highly suggest it.

Ive even gotten to experience things I never would have imagined because of these people. I never saw myself driving across the state to repel down the side of a mountain, or spending a holiday in someone else's home. Yet, these are some of my fondest memories so far. There's nothing like learning about the world with the people you love, and we sure have learned a lot so far.

I've definitely learned the importance of taking care of one another. Whether that is making sure we are all well fed or picking each other up when we fall, each act of support is so important. Everyone knows that it feels like to be down, to struggle, so the support system that evolved from this shared experience is amazing. Yet, I've learned that people will definitely see life through a different lens, and that's okay. Yours may not coincide with everyone else's, but you wouldn't want it to. Kaleidoscopes wouldn't be beautiful without their many lenses, all different colors, shapes, and sizes.

Ironically enough, I've even learned how to be alone. Having friends you can depend on in college is great, but it is hectic, and so everyone's schedules won't always align. Sometimes you'll grab dinner by yourself, and you survive. Making friends in college means starting from scratch, so you already knows what it feels like to not know anyone in a new space. So, figuring out an experience on your own isn't new territory, and you also already have the skills to make even more friends when you get there.

Even as friendships evolve and people come and go, we're each others home away from home. I've been able to be my most comfortable, authentic self, and I think the others have been able to do the same. We came together under the shared ideal of trying to find ourselves and who we're going to be in this world, and while we haven't quite figured it out, we've got a great support system along the way. For that, I am truly thankful.

Above all else, I am extremely grateful for just having people to live life with. Because of the friends I've made my first year of school, I have gone on to see and do things I never dreamed of, with people I never could have fathomed getting to know. I am incredibly lucky, and I can't wait to see what the next few years have in store for us.