Four years ago, I stepped onto this campus with low expectations. I wasn't one of the many current Miami students who can say they knew they belonged here the second they stepped on campus. I thought it was pretty, sure. It's undeniable how beautiful this campus is. But I didn't have an overwhelming feeling that this is where I belonged. I wanted it to be that place, but I wasn't sure it was.

Four years later, I've come to realize that maybe I still don't belong here. But you know what? I can't imagine myself anywhere else. I've come to love the place I was unsure about at the beginning. I've made friends that are just... so phenomenal. I'm sitting in a room with almost all of my best friends right now and I'm just... so happy. There are other not-so-good things going on in my life right now, but in this moment, I know that I am perfectly happy. These people ARE Miami to me. I was so nervous about leaving my group of friends from high school. I know that hardly anyone had what I had in high school... a huge group of friends who all truly loved each other. I knew that I couldn't duplicate that. I was scared I'd never find anything close. But I have. I've found a group of people who have supported me for the last four years. They have been here when my high school friends couldn't be (or weren't). They have been here when I've struggled with my long distance relationship. They've been here to cheer me up when I've been in the worst of moods. I've felt alone many times, sure, but I know that at the end of the day, I will always have them. Always.

Beyond that, I've received an incredible education, received a full-time job offer, and have been accepted into grad school. I've learned from absolute geniuses, and I've found fields other than accounting that have captivated me and have made me expand my interests and my views on the world (particularly women's history). I've met classmates who I am positive will have a huge impact on the world. I am so excited to see where they all end up, because I know they will go far.

All in all, it's been an incredible four years. I've run out of good adjectives to use to describe them, so I guess I'll just stick with incredible. I know that the rest of my life holds so much more, and I'm excited to continue with new experiences. But I will always, ALWAYS look back on my time at Miami with fondness.

Four years have come and gone and I have a lot to show for it. The best thing I got out of this time is my wonderful group of friends :)