Freshmen year of college I had towers of fresh notebooks, brand new bedding, and excited jitters all over. This was a new beginning for me and I could smell the adventures and friendships ahead. Now, I am here going into my final semester of this chapter, and all I can think about is HOW?!

I am so excited to see and guide the incoming freshmen as they are in the same position I was three years ago. Their excitement reminds me why I continued on this path. There is so much to do, so much to experience, and so much to learn. Not only in the classroom, but in the dorm, on Friday nights, in the cafeteria, and even late nights in the library.

I learned so much in my freshmen year, even before the end. I learned about true friendship and temporary friends. Not everyone you meet the first day is a forever friend, even if you have a class or mutual friends in common. I learned that some people are selfish and can't think past the tip of their nose. I learned that trust is something that should be earned, not just handed out like candy on Halloween. I learned what to truly look for in a friend, and not let a toxic person take over my life again.

Aside from the social education, I figured out exactly what I wanted to do after college. Of course, I didn't figure it out until towards the end of the school year. I got so excited I almost wished my college years away. That was a mistake I hope no one else makes.

The last three years have been my own road. I have attended events just because (there was free food), volunteered for causes I believe in, taken internships to better my communication and skills, made spontaneous trips to explore the world around me, met people I never knew would impact my world they way they did and made connections in all corners along the way. My only regret is not getting involved sooner and taking more chances.

Five years from now, I hope I am living my best life; have my dream career in hand, a fur baby, and a nice place to live. A year from now, I hope to have a job and be successfully "adulting.". In four months from now, I will be a college graduate ready to take on the world.