All summer, I absolutely could not wait until classes started up again. I was wondering to myself how I could possibly get through three months of not seeing my best friend, the guys I flirted with, and my impossibly beautiful, little campus. July rolled around and I thought I was ready to be back on campus that encompassed an unfathomable amount of stresses. Luckily, I didn't go back to school until mid-August.

After the excitement of being back on campus had officially worn off within the first three days, I broke down multiple times. I didn't even understand why. But what triggered the first stream of tears was a very simple yet profound question: "What would make your college experience better?"

I had been ranting to one of the many administrators about everything that I was dissatisfied with during my first year in college and when she asked me one question I couldn't find a way to answer that question completely but it really got me thinking that I could do a multitude of things to make my own college experience better.

I guess what really made me upset was that I had set such high expectations for myself academically, socially, and emotionally for my time in college that when it finally came to pass, it did not resemble anything that I had imagined.

It wasn't up to the people around me to make my college experience what I imagined it. It was my responsibility. I could lie to myself and everyone around and try to put off this aura of low expectations but I know in my heart I'm looking for magic: magic within the relationships that I have forged and will forge, magic within my professors and classes, and most of all, magic within myself.

And, above all, there is nothing wrong with expecting magic. Of course, there will be ups and downs in college when I do badly on an exam, or when I have to deal with heartbreak, or with a parting of a friendship but ultimately, all those experiences have made me into the person I am today.

I am better off with those hardships and uncomfortable situations than remaining in my comfort zone. But, it is never something to be ashamed of when you have to retreat to those comfort zones. I knew I needed those three months of college to rejuvenate and revitalize my soul and my spirit before embarking on yet another journey of my second year of college.

I have since recovered from those many recent tears and have already found the magic within people I would never have even thought of. I have met many new people that I know I can be friends with.

Thus, going from my rock bottom to the complete opposite within the span of thirty-six hours, it's safe to say that I cannot wait to see what this year will bring me. I am proud to say that I have high expectations for this year.