Senior year of high school was a very difficult one for me.  For most, it’s a year of fun and trying to hold on to closest friends.  For me, it was a time where I felt like I didn’t quite fit in.  All growing up, my closest friends had all been older than me…I don’t know why, I just seemed to relate better to them.  By senior year, all of my close friends had graduated and were living the life of college far, far away.  The friends that I did have in high school started drinking a lot and spending their nights at parties---like most high school seniors.  I didn’t like to drink and was afraid of big social situations, mostly because I was quiet and a little self-conscious.  I never really felt comfortable around my peers, and I didn’t feel like I was “cool” enough.  I often asked myself, “what’s wrong with me?”
 I wanted nothing more than to be in college and start fresh.  I was so sick of all the gossip, rumors, and stupid issues that were a part of everyday high school life.  I wanted to find a group of friends who I could relate to.  I wanted to be around people with goals in life.  I wanted to be responsible for myself and do whatever my heart wanted to do without having to ask for permission or worry that others wouldn’t approve.  College life…. I couldn’t wait!
 The day I arrived here at Ithaca College was one of the happiest days of my life.  I felt free.  I felt like I could finally lift the barriers and become myself.  I immediately felt at home.  During that first year, I learned to love myself, love others, and love the little pleasures in life.  I felt on top of the world--proud to be who I am and thankful for the gifts, opportunities, and people that God had given to me.
Throughout the rest of college, I’ve met so many great people and my friends have left impressions to last a lifetime.  I’ve learned so much from them in terms of issues of diversity, how to enjoy life, and how to be a good friend.  Those around me have opened my eyes to the world and equipped my heart with a basic “survival kit” for life.  Now that I’m graduating, I’m really going to miss those late night talks, trips to the parks, random road trips, the crazy things we come up with to escape boredom, and etc.  As I anticipated in high school, college has really been the best time of my life.  I thank the many people who have touched my lives and helped me to find my place in the world.