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So, the time has come. This Saturday I will put on that cap and gown, cross the stage and be able to call myself a college graduate. This marks the moment I will enter the so-called “real world,” full of 9-to-5 days and 10 p.m. bedtimes. It seems absolutely terrifying.
But recently when I was reflecting on this big jump into adult life, I realized that the real world doesn’t just happen after I’m handed the diploma—it’s today, yesterday, the past four years.
After high school it was relatively easy to leave and start a new life, making new friends and tending to lose touch with a few of the old ones. It was easy to forget about wearing uniforms and enjoy my culottes-free college wardrobe.Â
I think this is what has terrified me about graduating. I didn’t want to forget about my college friends and memories—both good and bad—when I left this college world to become an “adult.” But let’s be honest—these separate worlds don’t exist. I do not go from being a college student to being an adult the day after graduation. Seriously, I already go from watching Disney movies in my pajamas and wishing I still had a Tamagotchi to telling everyone that my vision isn’t what it used to be and starting every sentence I say about freshmen with, “Well, in my day…”  And that is never going to change.
And just like that will never change, neither will my friendships and memories from college. Next Sunday I can still talk to my roommates and absolutely will…every day. I won’t forget these past four years but will be proud that they have made me who I am today. I have had an amazing college experience and do not want it to be over. I want to stay in Hagen and see my roommates every day. I want to complain about café food a little longer. I want more WNT’s. But as much as I want all of that, I also know that it’s time.
To my beautiful roommates, you complete me. I can’t even begin to tell you how much each of you has taught me these past four years. You have made this campus home, and I am really thankful for that. Even though we are all going on different paths, this will make our phone chats even better. Thank you for humoring me every day and always being there for me. I love you so, so much!
To all of my wonderful friends here at Ambrose, I am so happy I have all of you in my life. From those of you in classes with me and have lived in the same dorms to those who come over on Thursday nights and anyone else I just was lucky enough to meet on campus, you have given me so many memories that I will never forget once I leave campus. This week I hope I have a chance to tell each of you how great you are (I promise no sarcastic comments!) and want you all to know that you have made my college experience what it is and I don’t think I can ever thank you enough for that.
When I started Her Campus SAU at the beginning of junior year, I had NO idea what I was getting myself into. Honestly, it became my baby. It was a lot of work and there were a few rough days, but the good ones far outnumbered them. I want to thank everyone who has read our articles and spread the word about our magazine. I want to thank my amazing HC staff—Sarah, Alex, Rachel, Natalie, Deanna, Zoey, Mary, Sara and Fabiola—you girls are fantastic. I could never have done any of this without you. And to those of you not graduating, I cannot wait to see what you do with HC SAU next year!
Yes, leaving Ambrose and my friends will be really, really, really hard. But I know I will talk to them all of the time, visit them in their new homes and reminisce will them about the good days as we are creating new ones.  There will be more to juggle, but I am determined to keep all of these people in my life, and I have no doubt that I can do it.
So it’s time to bring a little bit of Iowa to NYC. And, yes, there will be 9-to-5 days and 10 p.m. bedtimes, but the important thing to remember is that during those long work days, random memories of my Ambrose friends will give me a reason to smile each day, and at 9 p.m. I will make time to skype with one of my roomies before heading to bed.
Ambrose will always be with me, what a great world it is.