“Nothing lasts forever, not the mountains, nor the sea. But the times we had together, they will always be with me.” (The Samples)

August 22, 2002, was the scariest day of my life. My bags were packed with a lifetime of memories from home and I had no idea what to expect when I walked into Ledges with three strangers for the year. Fortunately, I was one of the lucky ones. My roommates and I hit it off right away and have remained friends since then. They saw me through it all, and I opened up to them so much more than I thought I would.

I am the type of person who bottles things up and puts a smile on my face no matter what I’m feeling. Few people know me inside and out, and how I’m really feeling, no matter how it appears on my face. These three knew when I thought the world was going to end, whether it be because of a horrible test grade in chemistry 101, the boy I liked at the time ignored me, or the death of someone at home, and also when I felt on top of the world.

Freshman year was a transition period for everyone. It was a time when we were all vulnerable and were greatly affected by even the smallest gesture by someone. We were all affected differently, but we all have memories that still make us smile. Maybe an RA you had a crush on “married” you at the spring Luau. Maybe your RA became someone you could open up to and talk to about everything. Maybe she is still someone to talk to as often as possible. Maybe you’ve lived with the same person all four years at Quinnipiac and she’s someone who will always be your best friend, no matter what happens in the future.

Maybe a certain professor inspired you to push harder than you thought possible. Maybe a club, sport or organization you joined now seems like family to you. Maybe you went on a special trip with a group of people you barely knew and it changed your life. Maybe you work with two of the most compassionate people you’ve ever met and you know that you can go to them for anything. Maybe you fell in love. Maybe you fell out of love and moved on. Maybe you traveled abroad. Maybe you mourned the loss someone you cared about.

Maybe you fought with your roommates about petty things like whose turn it is to wash the dishes, and who has to take the trash out. Maybe you lost friends along the way because of trivial things. Maybe you changed your major. No matter what your memories are, there are specific people we are all grateful to for helping us along the way. People who were there for you through thick and thin, who you never thought you would find at Quinnipiac, and who you will be forever grateful for.

Quinnipiac has given me some of the best opportunities I’ve had, and I know I would not be the same person I am today if I had gone to a different school. I have grown so much through the years, both emotionally and mentally, and I can honestly say that I am proud of what I have accomplished over the last three and a half years. Not everyone wishes college would never end. I do. My memories here are bittersweet.

I’ve had good experiences and bad ones, but I know that it’s the bad ones that have helped me grow as a person and become who I am today. I would not change anything if I had the choice, and I do not regret any of the decisions I made while in college. Yes, I’ve done stupid things, like every college student does, but if I learned from it, that’s really all that matters.