The time we have all been dreading has finally come: This year’s class of seniors is graduating. Many of them take on a guiding mentor role in people’s lives and impact them in one way or another — and for that, I want to say thank you.

As a freshman, coming to college hundreds of miles away from home was a terrifying change. Countless seniors helped me find my place here and changed my perspective on college, which I now love.

You, seniors, are the ones who advised me and anyone seeking it. You were the ones who told us that it’s okay not to have everything figured out and that literally nothing matters. You gave us the opportunity to get better at what we’re pursuing and were cheering us along the way.

You made time when you didn’t have to. You created a space in which anyone could reach out. You might not realize it, but your impact goes far beyond funny group messages and hangouts. You made this huge school feel smaller, kinder, more welcoming, and less lonely.

Through it all, you somehow balanced your packed schedules, jobs, internship applications, project deadlines, and social lives to make time for me. 

So, as your final weeks at Penn State wrap up, I just wanted to say thank you. The impact of your guidance can never be replicated, and campus will be different without you. Whether your next steps are grad school, an internship, a job, or you’re still figuring it out, please know you have deeply impacted those around you. 

Thank you for all you’ve done. Please keep in touch, we’ll all miss you more than you’ll ever know.