Starting college last year was a big change for me. I was so nervous and didn't really know what to expect because I was the first one in my family to go to college. I was going to a place I wasn't familiar with and surrounded by people I had never met before. I could not be more thankful for how well my first few days at Ashland University were and how awesome my orientation team was. But before any of the Orientation Weekend activities had begun, I had to say goodbye to my parents and that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. After they left, I was left thinking, "how am I ever going to make friends, I'm such an introvert." That is when I met my orientation team.

At first I thought that I wasn't going to connect with anyone and that was scary. That feeling soon went away. Over the course of the weekend we did many things as an O-Team. Getting to know each other, collecting cans in the community for the less fortunate, watching a hypnotist, and going to the greek life carnival. The night of the greek life carnival, the people that I had really connected with came to my dorm hall and we played cards and got to know each other a lot more. That night we were up until about 5am and us girls decided that we would all be in each others weddings. We really connected that night and I was so thankful that I wasn't going to be alone in the next chapter of my life. I truly believe that the people I connected with on orientation weekend are the going to be my life long friends. So shout out to Nicole, my O-Team leader, for just being awesome and having us do all the activities that weekend as a group.

After that first weekend at Ashland, I finally felt that this was truly where I belonged. I was so excited to get the year started and write the next new chapter in my life. My first friend were Tay, Sydney, Alyssa, Dennis, Jackson, and Jovy, and they are such a big part of my life and who I am today. Throughout the course of the year I met even more people and another person was introduced to our little group of friends. This friend came due to Jovy giving him a little head nod (like "I choose you") and from that moment on he started hanging out with us. Matt has also become a big part of my life.

Our little group of eight has been though a lot this year. Whenever any of us were having a hard time or going though something or celebrating something, we were there for each other. That is what I love most about out group. We have become like a little family. We share pretty much everything with each other and that is why our bond is so strong.

So thank you Sydney, for always being there for me when I need you. Also, thank you for lifting really heavy things for me! Thank you Matt, for letting me cry on your shoulder on my birthday because I felt so alone and missed my grandma so much. Thank you Alyssa, for being there and calming me down when I text you crazy things that are happening in my life and when I just need someone to vent to. Thank you Tay, for being so honest with me and telling me when I'm doing something stupid or jumping to conclusions. Also, thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone! Thank you Dennis, for helping me keep the peace between all and letting me know when there might be a problem that I am unaware of. Thank you Jovy, for looking like Spock and sharing all the crazy memes you find. Also, thank you for being so supportive when it counts the most. Thank you Jackson, for always bringing the humor to the roughest of situations. Also, than you for knowing the big words that I can't pronounce and telling me what they mean!

Thank you all for being such good friends to me when I needed friends the most. I can't wait to get back to school and see all your wonderful faces everyday again. I love you guys!