It’s your first week back to college. I am not sure if there is even an accurate way to write out the feelings and excitement many of us have coming back to school after the summer. Now-don’t get me wrong, summer is great and all, but nothing beats the feeling of seeing your best friends after three months. Nothing beats feeling that sense of independence you had been missing all summer. Nothing beats the first night out with the gang or the happiness you feel when you realize you get to see your best friends everyday. Nothing beats walking around campus and seeing life brought back to one of your favorite places on earth.
When I was at home there were so many things I missed about school. I surprisingly missed going to class. I missed everyday being somewhat of an adventure, whether that be staying up really late with my friends because we are lost in discussion or driving to McDonalds at 2:00 a.m. for ice cream. I missed always having something to do. I missed being busy but at the same time lounging around on Sunday afternoons. All of this compelled me start to get emotional. Why? Because I am a junior in college and this amazing experience of mine is halfway over.
Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday I arrived on campus as a freshman, living in the dorms and figuring out college life one day at a time. I began to realize just how much I was going to like this place. I realized college is a place full of people who want to further their education like I do. I realized dorms are actually a fun place to live even if there is no air conditioning and your room is a box. I learned quickly that the freshman 15 is a real thing if you don’t hit the campus gym. I realized the friends you make in college are truly special and will be there with you through some of the best and some do the hardest times.
So, in this first week back to college my junior year I have realized many things. I am going to enjoy every minute I can these next two years because they will be over before I know it. I am going to go on random adventures and say yes to a lot of things because these will be some of years of our lives. I am going to enjoy the fact all I have to do is go down the hall to see my best friends. I am going to accept its ok to have a wine night in. I am going to soak in every moment of gratitude I feel because I know one day I will be looking back wishing I could be a junior in college again. I am going to try and stay close to my professors because they have impacted me in many ways.
