The best four years

I’ve been avoiding addressing the fact that I am graduating and leaving UNC. Some may call it denial, but if I think too much about it, I will start to tear up because these past four years have truly been the best four years.

I think about little me as a freshman and look at myself now, and there sure has been a lot of change.

I don’t even know where to begin.

Having attended high school in Chapel Hill, I wasn’t sure how much I would love going to UNC with 52 others of my high school graduating class. This might have been one of the best decisions that I have made.

Some people don’t enjoy their college time; they just go to class to go to class and don’t love it. I’ll start by saying thank you to everyone who has impacted me throughout this journey.

Thank you to my professors for pouring their time and effort into teaching and for truly caring. I remember sitting in Econ101 during my first semester of freshman year and realizing that applying for the business school was not for me. I was flustered and didn’t know which direction I wanted to go in. I stumbled upon the now called Hussman School of Journalism and Media and fell in love with my first class. This school continued to impress me, and I quickly realized what I wanted to study. Thank you to my professors for pushing me to be the best version of myself and for showing me how passion can create success. Thank you for the endless opportunities that were provided and the hands-on experiences that I gained. Thank you for providing me with mentors and faculty that I know I can count on for more than just course questions. In some schools, you are just a number that sits in that same seat in lecture, but that wasn’t the case for me. Thank you for knowing my name and setting me up for the next chapter of my life.

Thank you for allowing me to discover who I am. Looking back, college wasn’t always easy but I certainly can say that I learned so much about myself. I was able to figure out what I wanted to do and be a part of so many memorable experiences. Four years go by so fast, but you certainly make some lifelong memories, whether that be winning the National Championship, studying abroad in Montpellier, France, or having two water crises. These memories shape who you are and create a lasting impact.

Thank you to my freshman year roommate. Chloe, you may or may not be reading this, but let me tell you that I could not have done college without you. To the upcoming freshman class, I can’t tell you how important it is to find a great roommate. Thank you for putting up with me in that tiny little room in Horton. Thank you for all the late-night pillow talks. Thank you for reminding me of my worth and for pushing me to follow my dreams. Thank you for simply putting up with me and all my shenanigans. Thank you for still being one of my best friends and for understanding me even when I don’t understand myself.

Thank you to my friends. Here’s when I can’t hold in my tears any longer. Throughout college you get to cross paths with so many different people yet some people stick with you. Thank you to my friends for making UNC quite literally the best time of my life. To my friends, we’ve been through it all: the late-night Davis library study rooms, to basketball games, and now this pandemic. Through it all, you’ve stuck by my side and I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for loving basketball games and waiting hours in the risers’ line. Thank you for going to work out classes and being my workout buddies. Thank you for never saying no to a night out on Franklin street and trying new restaurants. Thank you for the spontaneous trips and exploring the world with me. Thank you for the endless times you’ve listened to my rants. Thank you for all the laughs, the tears and the hugs. Without you all, I truly don’t know how I could have survived college. I am so thankful for these unforgettable memories and for the lifelong friends that you are. Here’s to a new chapter with you all.

Last but not least, thank you to my family. To my little sister, thank you for choosing to come to UNC so that we could go to school together one more time. Thank you for forgiving me for all the years when I would pick on you and for believing in me even when I don’t. To my brother, thank you for talking sports with me and making me tougher. Thank you for protecting me and looking out for me. I can't believe you're the one that's going to college next. To my older sister, thank you for putting up with me and for giving me the best advice. I know it may not be obvious but I look up to you and the person you are. My siblings, thank you for sticking up for me and for making a mark in my life. I know we haven’t always gotten along, but I sure as heck am lucky to have you guys as my friends.

To my parents, you have literally been there for me since day one and there are no words that will ever express the gratitude that I have for you both. Mom and dad, you are my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. Not everyone can say that they have a great relationship with their parents, but you guys have done it all. Thank you for telling me no even when I didn’t understand why. Thank you for teaching me lifelong lessons and your constant advice. Thank you for being two people that I can confide in and lean on no matter what.

I’m not one to usually be sappy but there you go. While this blog started because of a class, I have enjoyed writing and sharing my thoughts with you. As the semester comes to a close I wanted to take the opportunity to wrap it up and say thank you. And who knows maybe I’ll continue this whole writing thing. But for now, thank you UNC for the absolute best four years that I could have asked for.