Cap & Gown.

College is probably the weirdest thing I've ever done.

In a short four years, life changes. 

Friends come and go. Relationships end, but lead to new and better relationships. It's a time to find yourself, and develop the framework in which you want to live your life. 

You pick a career that you want to do for the rest of your life. You study. You change your major. You drink coffee. You go for a run.

And you cry. 

Oh, you cry! 

Tears because the person you thought you loved broke your heart into a million pieces.
Tears because the phone call brought sad news about a death in the family.
Tears because you have two tests tomorrow, and the stress if overwhelming. 
Tears because the day has been incredibly rough, yet you can't seem to fall asleep.
Tears because you didn't pass the test, or make the grade.
Tears because you are laughing so hard with your friends in the Braum's drive-thru.
Tears because you realize college is almost over, and "real life" is on the horizon.

Tears just because.

The friends you surround yourself with make up who you are. They don't define you. You define yourself. You get to choose who your friends are, so pick wisely. Beware, the friends you have as a freshman may no longer be your friends when you're a senior. It's not that you are a meanie and think you're too cool. People change. You outgrow one another. You find people who share common interests, common goals, and you begin to do life together. And doing life together is one of the sweetest blessings.

Break ups are not the end of the world. Trust me. I know it seems like it right now, but it gets better. I've had my fair share of splits--ones where I did the breaking, and ones where I was the one left broken. Hold tight, my friend. If you go to college and believe that your future beloved is somewhere on campus, you're not going to find what you're looking for. Aggressively searching only leads to frustration, and really creeps people out. Stop looking. Trust me. And just when you think you're going to be alone for life, they'll show up at your house on a Thursday night to eat noodles and play an impromptu game of Bible Trivia. 

Grades are important. But when your best friend calls you crying, your Biology test can wait. The lessons you learn in college don't just come from the notes you take in class or the expensive textbooks you study. Some lessons are learned while eating lunch in the cafeteria with friends, or skipping a class so you can go to Sonic just because it's Friday. Some are learned when a tragedy happens and you have to support a friend in a time of sadness. Some come while congratulating friends on engagements, weddings, and babies. Some simply come from watching New Girl on Tuesdays. Some are learned while swinging on the swings at the park. Some while in the check-out line at Walmart. Lessons come from the little things you do and say. Your friends aren't going to remember how well you did on a test, but they will remember how you helped them when they needed someone to cry and laugh with.

Be available, and be present.

“All I want to tell young people is that you're not going to be anything in life unless you learn to commit to a goal. You have to reach deep within yourself to see if you are willing to make the sacrifices." - Louie Zamperini

College takes endurance, and requires much strength. 

It's inconsistent, and sacrifices often have to be made.

College is all about making commitments. Like Zamperini says, without commitment, you won't accomplish much. You can commit to something new every single day. But if you don't make time and carry out your commitments, you're letting someone and yourself down.

Make time. Make time to hang out with your friends. Make time to join an organization. Make time to go to that big concert. Make time to study. Make time to go to church. Make time to be by yourself. Make time to go to bed early. You are never too busy to make time for things that matter. Sacrifices have to be made, but it's up to you to decide what gets put on the back burner for a while. Make time, and be committed. Don't flake out later. 

It truly is a whirlwind that comes in fast, and is gone before you know it. I'm about to put on that cap and gown, and walk across the stage to my future. I look forward to what the next chapter in life brings, but I won't forget the chapter that is coming to and end. My time at college has made me who I am, trained me to be the best I can be, and has given me friends to accompany me along the journey. 

College can truly be some of the best years of your life. 

Enjoy it.