It all sparked whilst sitting on the corner of the CU engineering department. Why was a journalism student there, you ask? I had volunteered to marshall a 5K put on by the ROTC benefiting the Wounded Warriors project, and I was designated to cheer on the runners. Since my assigned spot was toward the tail end of the race, I knew I had optimal time to people watch the fellow passersby. I was unaware that this 5K was scheduled the same day as CU Admitted Students Day, and soon enough my quiet corner of the campus was flooded with potential baby Buffs.

I felt nostalgia wash over me as I watched proud parents escorting their nervously excited students around the campus. As they approached the welcome booths to grab orientation information, I could tell the parents were encouraging their kids to break out and socialize with the other students. This moment was the human equivalent to a mother bird pushing her babies from the nest to fly -- except some of these students weren't quite ready to flap their wings. Who can blame them though? A campus of over 30,000 students can make you feel like a fish in the sea at times, especially when that fish doesn't know one building from the next. While a large campus can be intimidating for new students, there is a certain excitement in knowing the world of new people you will be meeting, and the experiences you will have with such people.

As I find myself closer and closer to breaching the halfway point of college, I cannot help but reflect on the changes and growth I have observed and experienced since freshman year. It seems like I blinked and sophomore year was almost over, so this article is some parts reality and most parts nostalgia.

1. Forced Independence

I can remember a time when even scheduling my own doctors appointments was a foreign concept. I relied heavily on my parents to remind me of dental check-ups or when to call relatives to wish them a happy birthday. Now in my second year of college, I have become accustomed to being independent over many aspects of my school and social life. Not to say that my parents won't help me with any situation, but I have learned to rely on my own instincts and abilities before turning to them in situations.

Freshman year provides amenities for students to make this transition a smoother process such as living in the dorms, having a meal plan, and having campus resources close and available to them. In sophomore year, students are faced with the necessity of paying monthly bills, scheduling their own appointments, and managing their budgets. Freshman year has independence in the fact that parents aren't able to dictate social lives; however, much of your freshman year is provided upfront and doesn't require monthly responsibilities.

2. When the Party is Over

Freshmen year is about experiences -- meeting new people, attending parties, adventuring the college town, and learning how to manage college courses. Sophomore year is when you realize the experiences aren't new anymore, and you begin to buckle down and focus on preparing for adult life. While every year of college brings new experiences, the excitement of freshman year has faded because college is a routine now. You no longer need assistance finding buildings, you know to pay close attention to the syllabus, and you definitely know to attend office hours.

Sophomore year is applying this knowledge to having a successful school year, and not having to rely on others to make decisions. While the excitement of making possible bad decisions is gone, it is reassuring to know that you are living your life by the good decisions.

3. Facing Adulthood

Freshmen year -- the keyword being "fresh." Your first year as a college student is new, exciting, and four years (or more) away from having to think about your career. The year involves testing out classes to find your interests, and building a thriving social life. Sophomore year is about focusing on those classes that will help your major, and starting to actually think about the job market. While it is still years away from getting hired, this year means that the "newness" of college has faded, and your attention needs to be on your future. Daunting... very much so.

4. Knowing Yourself

The long held belief is that freshman year is to try out new things. Hairstyles, clothing choices, friend groups, even dietary choices (I'm looking at you, vegans). These changes are all ways to find out what you really like and guide you toward who you feel yourself to be. By sophomore year, you are closer to understanding what you like, want, and see yourself as which means your style becomes somewhat consistent and your choices reflect your personality.

This doesn't mean there isn't room for change, but having a substantial idea of your inner self is important, as you are making decisions that impact your later college years. Freshmen year makes room for failure and mistakes, but all subsequent years require having a firm stance in the world. A scary reality, but one that helps you grow and flourish.

This article is not meant to scare freshmen into becoming perpetual first-year students, but rather to encourage them to enjoy freshman year to its fullest. Because as I am now realizing, these four years are going by in an instant.