So Long Fort Collins

It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Fort Collins

The first semester of my freshman year I thought about transferring. I didn’t seem to understand the college lifestyle. I loved my classes, my roommate was great, but it was the social aspect of college that I was not a part of.

Now, as a graduating senior, I can’t express my gratitude to all the people who befriended me, the teachers who noticed me and what my experience here has given me.

This Friday, I am leaving the life I’ve created, the relationships I’ve made and the college atmosphere I’ve fallen in love with.

When I think about Friday, and how I will be walking in a cap and gown in Moby Arena, I simply want to cry. Well lets be real, I usually do break down and cry.

To the freshmen reading this: I am so jealous of your position here. Even though I’d have to take stats, econ and merchandising math all over again, I wish I was in your shoes.

Though, as I look at my future, my tears are quickly wiped away. I have the amazing opportunity to move to Manhattan and be an intern for Tory Burch, a women’s wear designer.

Here are some of my favorite things at CSU that I will truly miss when I start my new life in Manhattan.

1. The Bars:

I will miss knowing someone no matter what bar I end up at, Gyro Man, and taking RamRide to and from the bars. I know I won’t be getting free rides in New York, unless I’m in a bad situation - lets hope that does not happen.

2. The Rocky Mountain Collegian:

As a freshman I never thought I would become involved in the Collegian. As an apparel merchandising major, I enjoyed photography and kept it as a hobby. I never thought they would hire me - but surprisingly they did.

The people I have met through this experience, are some of the most driven, intelligent and down to earth people I think I have ever met. The late nights and stress has been worth the friendships I was lucky enough to make.

3. Pi Beta Phi Sorority:

If you met me, you would probably not pin me as a sorority girl. I don’t wear the lettered shirts –– I think they’re too expensive, so I don’t buy them, and I have friends outside of Greek Life (shocking I know). But my sorority has given me one consistent support system during my time here. They know the good, bad and ugly sides of me but they still have my back, and I can not thank all the Pi Phi ladies enough for their support.

4. Freshman year friends:

These are probably the closest friends I’ve made in college. These friends are my advice panel, my escape and girls I can just sit and do nothing with. I was lucky enough to have met them freshman year and they were weird enough to like me.

5. Most of all, I will miss the randomness of college life:

These are just the random times that will be left here when I leave. The random laughs that made me cry and the great people I have randomly and luckily gotten to know.

Since I will be getting college credit for my internship, I have convinced the other Collegian editors to let me write a column from New York.

Leaving Colorado will be hard, but now I have a way keep a part of me here. Look for it after winter break!

Photo Editor Erin Eastburn is a senior apparel merchandising major. She’ll be graduating this December. She can be reached at photo@collegian.com.