Before leaving for college people told me horror stories about how freshman year was the hardest year of their life and how it could be the same for me. Sometimes it was like how they said, but most of the time it was more fun than it was hard. Just like everyone, I had fears and hardships but it was my first time all on my own.

In this short time, my parents and family friends were always telling me to make some new friends. I just didn't want to find the wrong friends. There is so much pressure on finding people because for some, you are far away from home. This requires a lot of work, you aren't seeing the same people every day.

Like everyone else, I did have academic obstacles. One example is, I switched from health studies major to a communication major. I made this switch because I struggled very hard in some biology classes and I thought a communications degree would be a safe haven. I have always enjoyed the thought of journalism just wasn't sure if it was right for me. Now, I am so glad I made that switch. It seems that the studies of communications came naturally to me and I did really well in the communications courses. I am also pursuing a Spanish minor. This is relatively challenging but ever since high school Spanish has also come naturally. I am sure when I get up to the higher-level courses it will be harder.

All in all, I felt like most freshman I was around were stressing out about all the papers and projects and homework they had to do and I wasn't feeling stressed. I felt at peace with how hard I was working and the work ethic I had. You don't have to feel stressed and like you are going crazy just take three steps back and relax. Take some time for yourself and plan how you will take on the stuff you have to get done.

As I head off into my sophomore year I am hoping to bring all of this good into the year with me. I can't wait to see what this year holds and I hope I can hold a stress free year again. I do plan on putting in the work an dmaking new friends and just being the best me I can be.