This column is three years in the making. I've been mulling over my parting words to this newspaper, this university, since the day I first realized graduating seniors were given the opportunity to impart their wisdom and advice in the form of 12 to 15-inches on the opinion page.

It's impossible to define four years of life in one small column so I won't try. It's also impossible to write a senior column and actually be pleased with it since the expectations are so high. There's so much to say, yet so little space to do so in.

So much has changed in four years, yet much remains the same. During my freshman year, Facebook was still a relatively new Web site that had yet to become the craze it is today and football tickets didn't even sell out.

Throughout my life, there has always been a period of time I wished I could stay in forever. As a kid, I thought life couldn't get any better. As a high school senior, I was convinced I had peaked. But nothing could compare to the crazy, ridiculous, stressful, amazing, exhilarating four years that college would turn out to be.

I can hardly believe that graduation is right around the corner and while I try my best to expel that thought from my mind, inevitably I will graduate and move on from the town that's been my home for so long. As a local, I never wanted to come to Penn State, but as a student, part of me never wants to leave.

I think back on my college experiences with fond memories of friends I'll never forget, classes that I actually enjoyed and professors who really care about what they do.

The Collegian is where I've spent most of my time this past year, and the years before it as well.

I've gotten used to being the phantom roommate who only returns to sleep and eat.

If I may be so bold as to offer some advice to those whose years here have yet to come to an end, it will be this: Never, ever, ever give up. That is the one thing I've learned without a doubt, and I should know.

I was rejected from the Collegian the first time I tried out. When I was accepted the fall of my sophomore year, I was ecstatic. It was this initial feeling of euphoria that I have tried to carry with me during my three years here. I know how hard I worked to get here, and thus I do my best to appreciate each day at the office, no matter how stressful or frustrating.

I will definitely miss all my friends at the office and even if they don't know it, they've all taught me a lot. The people who dedicate their college years to putting out this newspaper each day are some of the most passionate and interesting people I've met during my time at Penn State. I'll miss so many things about working at the office, but most of all I'll miss the late nights and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with putting out a daily newspaper.

I have many people to thank for helping me through these past few years, but most of all I have to thank my family for always encouraging me to keep trying, no matter how daunting the odds. I also must thank my wonderful roommates for being so accepting of the fact that I'm rarely around and always seem to be missing something because of the Collegian.

I can hardly comprehend a life without the Collegian, but I'm hopeful for the future.

Although I don't yet know where I'll be come fall, I know that the friends I've met while at Penn State will be life-long.

So goodbye, Penn State. Though I might leave you for a while, to me, you will always be home.

Kelsey Maxin is a senior majoring in psychology and is The Daily Collegian's copy desk chief. Her email is ktm133@psu.edu.