Seven roommates, six lofts and a bed under the stairs that led up to the second floor of the study lounge. That's how my college career began.

It's been four years since I stepped into the first-floor study lounge in Brumbaugh Hall and, as I prepare to graduate, I can only look back and smile thinking about my time spent in Happy Valley.

There are only a few things I'm going to truly miss about Penn State, the first being Beaver Stadium. Sure, the football team wasn't very good throughout my four years, posting a 21-26 record, but it's not like I didn't get to see any good football.

I can say I was in the stands for win No. 324 for JoePa. I would like to be able to say I was in the stands when LJ ran for 2,000 but I can't. I saw him break the 2,000-yard barrier on a TV at a concession stand in the stadium (thanks Bridget). I got to see Zack Mills run, catch and throw for a touchdown all in one game, a 48-10 blowout against Akron that gave false hope to start last season. And while it didn't get much help from the offense, I got to see one of the nastiest defenses in the league last season too.

I can even say I got to see a couple of amazing games. I don't think I'll ever forget David Kimball's 60-yard field goal attempt that fell just short as time ran out against Ohio State Nov. 1, 2003, in a 21-20 loss to the Buckeyes. I can still hear the cheers from the freshman section who, from their angle, thought it went the distance only to realize what happened and groan just as loud. Nor will I forget Penn State's 40-7 pounding of Nebraska under the lights at Beaver Stadium in 2002.

But not all of the things I'll miss revolve around the football team. I'll miss the publication that you are reading right now. The Daily Collegian has been my home away from home for the past two years. Not only did I get a chance to meet a lot of great people, but I also had the chance to cover and follow just about every sport imaginable. I now know more than I ever really wanted to know about crew, rugby and softball, as I covered each of these beats.

However, my favorite beat was easily the Icers. I will surely miss watching their games, especially without the NHL. Although they only won two championships during my four years here, I was lucky enough to see some of the most talented players the team has ever had in Glenn Zuck and Kevin Jaeger. When they were on the ice together, it was some of the best hockey I've ever seen.

Since that first day of school, only a few things have remained unchanged in my life. I still live with one of the original seven, I still wear the same PSU Football hat with a Nike swoosh, day in and day out, and I still don't really know what I want to do with my life.

And sure, I could have gone to Syracuse and watched Carmelo Anthony lead the Orange to a national championship in 2002, but then I wouldn't have all these great memories. Besides, a national championship isn't worth an extra $100,000, is it?