To be honest, I didn’t think I’d make it to graduation day. I had the thought ugh, I want to drop out 2-3 times every week. Throughout this experience, my stress levels have peaked, I’ve pulled all-nighters more than a normal human being should, and I’ve consumed an amount of Ramen so grotesque I should be sponsored by them. It was hard, and I’ve had a fair share of weak moments. But I did it. Sure, maybe it took me a year longer than usual– but here I am preparing to graduate with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Class of 2019. However, I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone. There are people, places, and miscellaneous things that deserve recognition for getting me to where I am today. Thank you…
Thank You to My Family
Of course, they need to be the first on the list because they were my top support system. I could always count on my mom to answer my late night phone calls when I was in the middle of a mental breakdown from stress. My dad would always help me out with car trouble and necessary Amazon purchases, and would brighten my day by sending me funny cat memes. My brother never complained when I would disrupt him from doing homework with a FaceTime call when I was avoiding doing my own. They were always there. What else is family for?
Thank You to Quality Friends
I’m not talking about the friends who would only text me when they had no one else to go to the bars with, or the ones who wanted to grab lunch just so they wouldn’t have to eat alone. I’m talking about my true, lifelong friends– the ones who make me a better person; the ones who aren’t embarrassed by the way I dance when we go out, but be weird with me instead; the ones who have held my hair back after a night of a tad too much alcohol– to the friends who I’ve experienced my highest highs and lowest lows with, thank you. You know who you are.
Thank You, Caffeine
Hot coffee, iced coffee, cold brew, shots of espresso, energy drinks, black tea (if I was desperate)– I elect them the real MVP of my college experience. I don’t think I would have made it without their support.
Thank You, Boxed Franzia Wine
Thank you for being affordable and always being there for me after a long, stressful day… which was nearly every day. I love you. Never change.
Thank You, Netflix
My favorite form of procrastination. Without Netflix, what would I have done? Write my papers in a timely manner? Yeah, right. Re-runs of The Office and tipsy movie nights with my roommate kept me sane in an ocean of homework and studying.
Thank You to the Boys Who Broke My Heart
I have grown stronger from each heartbreak and know not to settle for anything less than what I deserve. I have learned what qualities I want in a significant other, and I can guarantee I won’t find it in a conceited borderline-alcoholic frat boy, which I had to learn the hard way. Thank you for steering me away from the path towards potential toxic relationships in the future. You guys still suck, though.
Thank You to the Professors Who Were Passionate about Teaching
These are the professors who cared about their students’ success. I’ve only come across a handful of professors like this within my college career. The ability to connect with students is a gift and I wish I could truly express how grateful I am to have taken classes taught by someone who is excited to share their knowledge.
The last five years have been a cluster of agony, anxiety, tears, and breakdowns. It’s hard to focus on the positive when the hardships that come with college overpowered me most of the time. Despite it all, I survived. The woman I am today is strong because of the countless conflicts I’ve encountered. My personal growth is something I am just as proud of as earning a Bachelor’s Degree.