Caps, gowns, families and friends: in a few weeks many of us will graduate. Chances are many of the people we pass daily, share drinks with or spend hours studying and joking with will never cross our paths again.
If they do, we will no longer be students. We will be graduates.
I'm sure we can all still remember our first year of college. We were shy, nervous, unsure, looking for parties.
Some of us were looking to find ourselves and some may still be searching. We came with hopes, dreams and aspirations for our college years, and for most of us, we have achieved many of these.
We will go on to jobs, families, travels and graduate schools. We will hold onto the memories and we will have many more.
To those who are still new and working towards graduation and in need of advice or something to just hang on to through the bitter final week: just keep working.
At times the combination of your homework, job and the rest of your life can be overwhelming, but with a little effort and setting a few goals you can easily make it through the next one to three years.
I can remember being new and knowing no one. It can be hard.
The feeling of loneliness and piles of schoolwork can crush even the toughest person.
There were times when I wanted to drop everything and head home, but I knew I would be letting down those who weren't around. Most of all, I'd be letting myself down.
It was a struggle for many of us to get here, and there will be more struggles through college and after it. Not everything is easy, but if it were everyone would go and build their lives doing what they desire.
Looking back over my time here, I think of friends I've made and a few that I've lost. Of course I would do a few things differently, but I have no regrets.
I, like many, have had the chance to learn both inside the classroom and out. I've traveled to places I had only dreamed about and have been taught by professors I had always hoped to meet.
I also cherish the friends I've made. I've met people who have helped me through terrible times and been there for the good ones.
They are from all walks of life: people with different views and beliefs who have taught me things I never thought I'd learn.
In the end, I can only hope I have had a small impact on those whose paths I crossed.
If there is one thing I would change, it would not be going through college again or not failing this test or that one; it would be the winters. I'm sure everyone would agree to some degree.
To those graduating, I'd like to say congratulations and good luck. And to those who will graduate after us, good luck, and if you look back, the good in those remembered will get you though.
Farewell, Edinboro.
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