(Cover photo: Annah Freudenburg and Audrey Gerard bouldering at Climb Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan)

I go Kalamazoo College in Michigan--yes, it's a real place I promise--and because we're a liberal arts school our credits and requirements are just a tad different than most big universities. For example, if you attend K College you are required to take a credit of physical education in order to graduate. So, during my spring term last year some of my friends convinced me to take the rock climbing class. Now, I'd done rock climbing before taking this class, but I'd never really considered putting into my list of hobbies. I have been a rock climbing fanatic ever since to say the least.

I've only been climbing for about nine months and I don't really have access to a climbing gym when I'm at home, so I definitely wouldn't say I'm the best at it. However, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm not a particularly "athletic" person, but rock climbing has a different kind of intrigue for me. It's all personal goal related, and you really don't notice just how much you're working your muscles until you physically can't hold onto the rocks anymore or you can hardly move the next day because you're so sore. (Here's my little plug to try rock climbing if you haven't already). You also feel like a ninja coming down from the wall and who doesn't want to feel like ninja? I mean, c'mon.

Anyway, so here are some of the thoughts you might experience if you're just starting out in the rock climbing world:

1. "Wow, I'm totally going to try this 5.10 even though I only started rock climbing last week. I can totally do this." (Indoor gym)

*Proceeds to hardly get two feet up the wall*

2. "I've never had more bruises and blisters on me in my life."

I'm constantly bruising my knees--my friends can attest--because I'm always over ambitious about where my feet can go and then if I haven't climbed in a while I go a little too hard and open three or four blisters on my fingers. It's fine. It's battle scars. Whatever.

2. You're low key self-conscious about using rental gear because you feel like having your own climbing gear is a right of passage.

Also rental gear is just uncomfortable so...

3. You also know that you're not a true rock climber if you've only done indoor climbing. (Yes, I'm still in that phase *insert monkey emoji covering its eyes*).

4. You see all of your climber friends with five+ years of experience and you seriously can't comprehend how they get up these insane routes without their fingers falling off.

It's a work in progress friends. We'll get there together.

5. You're pretty much always thinking about it.

This was happening when I climbed three-four times per week and now it's on hyperdrive because study abroad has deprived me. I haven't climbed in over four months and it's seriously starting to take a toll. I need to climb.

I've already spoke to some of my friends back home about going rock climbing when we both get back because it's something that still creates bonds between people and still creates friendships even though it's all personal-goal oriented. It's a fantastic way to get exercise while doing something that is incredibly invigorating and gives you a bit of adrenaline. I'm seriously counting down the days until I can get back in that gym (and hopefully get a taste of outdoor climbing as well).