Where do I begin?

When I started college my freshman year, I’m not sure I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. A lot of my ideas of what college was going to be like came from movies like Pitch Perfect, TV shows like Greek and just all of the crazy stories you hear from people. You know the stories, of crazy parties and meeting the love of your life.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are plenty of those college experiences out there for you! College is really what you make it.

College is a place that hands you so many opportunities, you just have to take them. You are placed in this one of a kind environment that is only found at colleges. You live with a large group of people around your age for four years. You make friends that can last a lifetime. You get to do life with them, they are there through all the ups and downs. You grow together, and the times you spend with them will be what you remember the most after college (and hopefully you would have learned a thing or two about your major). Not the sleepless nights cramming for finals, or that one awful date you went on. It's going to be the little moments that you take for granted then that mean the most later on.

One of the first nights I was at school for cross-country practice; there were only sports and leadership students on campus. A couple of girls from the team and I went out for ice cream super late just because we could. No parents to ask if it was okay, no one to check up with. I can still remember the moment so clearly when we were driving back in my new friends car with the top down singing Demi Lovato’s “Really Don’t Care” at the top of our lungs thinking to myself, “This feels so college.”

So go out there and make college your...well, whatever you want it to be. Sit back and enjoy those moments.