I've had ample time to write this senior column, four years to be exact, and I wanted it to be perfect. But the truth is it won't be.

For starters, I thrive on deadlines.

How else do you think I survived as a night copy editor for the past three semesters?

So I did not even start writing this until the day it was due.

But mainly, I know this column won't be perfect because I wanted it to encompass everything and everyone I've ever come across in my four years in college.

I can't fit all of that into this small space, nor would I ever want to. The experiences I've had and the people who have come in and out of my life are too many to even list.

So although I know I won't get to them all, I believe a few thanks are in order:

To my high school classmate who ended up becoming my best friend, thank you for the late night chats, the endless laughs and the ability to make me feel better before I even have the chance to tell you that I'm upset.

To the Apartment Store for coming to my apartment within record time of me hysterically calling to tell them there was a bat in my room, thank you.

To Perkins Restaurant, which is open 24 hours -- I couldn't think of any other place to catch up with old friends at 3 a.m.

Oh, and their blueberry muffins are definitely a plus.

To that girl who used to sit beside me in my Math 021 class and always raised her hand first so the teacher wouldn't call on me as I was crouching to hide underneath my desk, thank you. I chose journalism for a reason.

To the editors, reporters, Web staff, photographers, designers, professional staff and advisers at the Collegian, thank you.

Your undying devotion to this paper continues to inspire me to this day.

To that person who showed me there was life outside of class, work and the Collegian, thank you.

I've had an amazing time and have been able to show a different side of myself that many people rarely get to see.

To Café 210 West, Mad Mex, the Old Main lawn and the HUB lawn -- there is nowhere else I'd rather spend a nice day.

To Family Guy and Aqua Teen Hunger Force for being on television during the most random times at night, thank you.

You've given me hours of material that keeps me entertained for days.

To kids on a rope, you brighten my day when I see the chain reaction that occurs when one of you falls down. You're all also extremely cute in the wintertime.

To every holiday in State College. Only we can make Halloween an R-rated holiday.

We also have the ability to create our own. State Patty's Day, anyone?

To that one CATA bus driver who doesn't drive away when he sees me running toward the bus, thank you.

And an honorary mention goes out to the one who blares his radio and sings along.

To Rec Hall for providing me a place to show off my sub-par racquetball skills. To Team Tav, a.k.a the awesome people who work at the Tavern Restaurant. Only we can say, "taking a wee" and not laugh -- well, almost always.

To all of my future employers, thank you for taking a chance with me. I promise you won't regret it.

To the friends I have lost touch with, thank you for being in my life at one point.

And I wish you all the luck in the future.

To the friends who are still here, I can't say enough about you.

To my parents for raising me to be the person I am today, thank you. You are my support system, my backbone and the reason I have achieved so much already, and I know you will be there to see my success in the future.

You've kept me grounded and I give you all the thanks in the world.

And lastly, I'd like to thank Penn State. Because no matter where I end up after graduation, I always know that 10, 15, or 30 years from now, I, along with 42,000 other people, will always have a home in Happy Valley.

And for that, I am truly thankful.