College.

It's an experience full of ups and downs, friends and professors, break downs and parties, and many more memorable things. It shocks me that I am pretty much done with my first year of college. Time flies as you grow older and I don't know how I feel about it. Yes, I don't get out until May 30th, but it feels like it is practically over to me. I'm feeling a mix of emotions right now.

I am excited to go home and have a break from school work for the summer, but I'm also going to miss a lot of stuff from UD. I'm going to miss my friends, singing a cappella, late night food runs, movie nights, and much more. I've learned a lot from being at college for a year, and I want to share some of those things with you all.

First and foremost, college has taught me to get my shit together as a human. I can't be slacking off in class and I can't forget to take care of myself. I needed to find a balance of work and socialization, and it was tough. My first semester was really easy because I took a lot of intro courses and I didn't have a lot of work load to accomplish. My second semester really hit me like a brick in the face, and it made me realize that I had to get back on track. I started making to do lists and writing out my schedule for each week. I began getting my work done right away instead of waiting to do it all on Sunday. I realized that life isn't always going to be full of sunny days and roses. I'm going to run into obstacles that are going to push me down and make me feel like I should give up, but I came to the conclusion that I can't allow that. I have to pick myself up and get through the hard days to get to the good stuff. College is teaching me to balance being an adult and a kid and it's working out for the most part.

Freshman year also taught me to enjoy being young. I shouldn't rush my future because I'm going to miss out on all the stuff that is right in front of me in the present. Sometimes it is okay to take a break from work and go outside to play a little game of wiffle ball, or go out to the dining hall on a Wednesday night for some late night pizza. It's okay to stay up late and watch a movie with friends, or have video game tournaments. I should enjoy the activities I do and the people that I meet because I don't know how short life will be. The world is unpredictable nowadays and I'm ready to just go with the flow each day.

There were days where I felt like the work was too much for me. There were days where I cried or had panic attacks. There were days where I did not have the motivation to keep going, but I did. I pushed through and in the end I feel rewarded. I learned a lot and gained a lot from attending my first year of college.

I'm sad that I'm going home in under a month. Yes summer will be nice and I'm excited for some upcoming vacation trips, but I will miss a lot of my new friends and the stuff that we do together.

Like I said, college is a great experience. I wouldn't change a thing about my first year of being here, and I'm super excited for the three more to come. Thank you to everyone who made my first year memorable. I appreciate all of you, and I wish you all the best in your futures.

Your Friend,

Al