I went to Western Illinois University (WIU) initially in 2009 before I enlisted in the Army. Fast forward four years, and I had returned to Western with one goal in mind: earning a bachelor’s degree. I went back to WIU specifically because it is familiar to me, and I grew up not too far away.

Years ago, my interests were partying and staying as far away from the books as I could and get by. I never stayed in my dorm room and ate whatever I wanted. My diet consisted of pizza, bosco sticks and anything that looked unhealthy. Also, my focus was going out and all of the freedom that allowed.

Now, I have a touch of cellulite and slight pudge even though I work out and eat remotely healthy trying to eat broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach salads. After being in the military for so many years I learned responsibility, balance and time management.

I actually want to go to class now. I want to learn. I find things in every class that make me think, "Oh man, that is so cool." I work hard to receive good grades, especially after having destroyed my GPA previously. I put in the extra effort to talk to teachers, and go to their office hours to figure out how to do better in classes. Whether that be different studying approaches, or doing extra problems to ensure I understand the concepts. I actually pay attention in class, rather than playing on my phone, unlike the younger students.

I don’t allow myself to go out on weeknights to party anymore. Don’t get me wrong, hanging out with friends, drinking and eating junk has a time and place, but not during the week. Hangovers are now much worse. I feel terrible for 12 hours experiencing terrible headaches and nausea. It didn’t use to be this hard when I was initially at Western.

I try to focus on eating better, doing homework, studying for class and working out. My time management skills allow me to now work a full time job, go to school for 12 credit hours, DJ at the radio station, play with and sell makeup, go to the gym and write. I have my days planned out to the maximum.

I went into the Army so that I could afford college and not be absolutely poor the rest of my life because of student loans. I am going to graduate later this year and meet that goal, but I have struggled because I am older in my classes.

I keep meeting people and make friends with them and they keep graduating. I have to make new friends every semester, and it sucks to be honest. I am constantly the oldest in my class and struggle to relate with people in my class, because my life experiences in the Army have been much different than theirs just out of high school. The dating pool is way smaller being so much older. Apps like Tinder are dead for 25-year-old women and I see my professors now on there instead of students.

Thanks to things like the Veterans’ club I found a place that I can fit in. They are slightly older college students who can relate to my military experience. I have things in common with these people such as laughing at the same things that regular people would question. Knowing I have a place to fit in allows me to focus on my grades.

I found my place in college. Freedom has a whole new meaning than when I was a young college freshman. I feel free, because I have the opportunity that others do not get in many ways, like going to school and I am a lot more humble for everything I have, because I am alive and safe.