As a finish my first year of college, I also recognize that a year has passed since I was getting ready to graduate. Unlike the other nostalgia-packed open letters that I've seen recently regarding the same topic, this article is being written more about my self progress than general progression, because I can only truly speak for myself. Can someone really grow a lot in one year's time?

One Year Later

I'm more fit physically. Maybe it's a bit braggadocios, but that's not how I intend it. At this point last year, I was much bigger. In fact, I was larger by about 12 inches width-wise and 30 pounds heavier than I am right now. The freshman fifteen claims many victims, but I don't seem to be one of them.

My confidence level has risen dramatically. Even though I'm still reserved, I'm no longer the shy kid who very rarely said anything to anyone. I've obtained a certain degree of self-value that I didn't have a year ago.

I'm more sound religiously. Thanks to an Old Testament and New Testament class, I have become even more able to not only talk about my Faith but also defend it. I've also found that this area really interests me. I've learned more about my passions and what those actually are than I ever did in high school.

The skills I need have improved due to necessity. When I was in high school, I knew how to do a lot. But on some things, I never really grasped the concept of why, I just knew how. Now that's different, except for math...I will never get math.

I've discovered what I want to be when I grow up because I've discovered what interests me and what I'm good at. Of course, there's still some apprehension, and I have actually changed my major once, but I've got my life together, at least my goals, far more so than I did last year.

I've made some close friends, closer probably than many in high school. That's not to say that I value my high school friendships less than I do my college ones; that's not what I mean. I mean that the friendships I have made in college are different somehow, or they feel different and stronger somehow.

Altogether, I feel as though I'm a much different person now. I'm probably a better version of myself for these and other reasons.

Maybe in May 2017, I can write again on this topic. Although the change may not be anywhere near as staggering, the change a year can make is definitely an interesting prospect. As for those who are about to graduate or maybe have a couple of more years, I actually find college easier than high school, but that's probably just me.