An Open Letter to My College Family
As I’m sitting hear thinking about how I am ending my junior year of college, I am reflecting about it a lot. I think about everything I have accomplished. Scoring an internship, the classes I’ve taken, programs I’ve gotten involved in are all things that I am extremely proud of. But for me, the most important thing that I will always keep with me after college is the family, not friends, family that I have built these past few years.
Coming into college, I had no idea what I was in for. I had no idea I would meet a group of such amazing people; A group that from my freshman year till now just kept growing. Between all the dysfunctional dining hall trips, late night taco bell runs, hallway mirror selfies, and obnoxious uber rides, I never took the time to actually thank you for the family you have been to me during my college experience.
When I’m at school I don’t get home sick, but when I’m home, I miss you guys. Being at school, I’m so used to constantly being surrounded by nonsense that when it comes to me actually sitting in my own room, I have no idea what to do with myself.
Anywhere we go, we are rolling squad deep. Pack up the uber and we are making our grand entrance. From jamming out to throwbacks and harassing the driver, you best believe I would not want to travel with anyone else.
Our group chat can have me cracking up in the middle of a class. Every other text is a scandalous photo, a Spongebob quote or some sort of roast. It keeps us all together and it is the only thing that gets me through winter and spring break without actually being with you guys. Especially when I’m low-key having an awful day, it’s amazing how much our group chat could lighten my mood.
There is always someone down to do something. There are always at least two people who are up for a fun adventure or are there to help when you need it. To know you have the consistency of someone supporting you are always having them is one of the greatest feelings.
We all can learn a lot from each other. I know I have. Class related, or life related whether you know it or not I’ve learned so much. It could be little things like cool books to read or movies to watch. Or it could be big things like guiding me towards changing my major and finding the path I belong on.
You tell it like it is. There is no beating around the bush. You will put someone in their place when needed and are not afraid to be too harsh. You are the realest.
When someone is down, yeah some of us may kick them back down. But when it is something serious, there is no hesitation. You are there. You have my back. When I need to vent, there’s always ears. You are people I can always count on to lift me up during the hard times. And you have. Just by being there.
We are not afraid to act like complete children. Sure, let’s get together and watch Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas. Did I mention the constant Spongebob quotes? Even though I can’t say anything without someone turning it into a dirty or sexual remark, it is never a dull moment. In this transition of turning into an adult, you numb the anxiety and panic and make me forget for a moment.
Now that college is going to be over before we know it, for some sooner than the rest of us, I understand that making time to actually see each other has gotten a little more difficult. With class work piling on top of internships and jobs, it’s really hard to see anyone anymore and it can make it easy to kind of drift apart. It’s a part of adulting. It happens. But one thing is for sure, at least for me, you are my family. And nothing will change that.
Sincerely,
Me
(shout out to my fam)