It is about that time of year again. All the back to school commercials are making you cry, or at least that is what they made you do when you were younger. As a child you dreaded the end of summer because that means waking up at early, eating the nasty cafeteria food or a sandwich every day, and having to be in a moldy school for eight hours. Sometimes you wish you could go back to the days where you took naps after lunch time and got to have recess, but sadly you cannot relive those days.

I had a blast my first year at UNA. I would have never thought I would ever say that, “I am ready to go back to school.” The thought of being reunited with all my friends, and even the thought of meeting new people makes me so excited about starting my sophomore year of college. I cannot wait to see what kind of opportunities and adventures I take on this coming year.

Although what I do not look forward to is packing my stuff back up and moving it all back to Florence. If you really think about it about the time you get settled in you are having to move everything out again. As much as my mom and I tried to consolidate my things for my dorm room, we still have ended up with five bins of stuff. Do not even get me started on my clothes and shoes.

Going back to school when you are in college is a bittersweet feeling. I love being at home with my family. I have always been that homebody, but there is something about being at your home away from home that give you such an exhilarating feeling. I know I will be sad leaving my family, but I am glad that I am not so far away that I cannot come back and visit them.

I am ready to take on the challenge of more classes. Going to college away from home is something that is not easy that is for sure. I have learned so much about myself and my abilities. I am determined to make better grades than last semester. Knowing that I get to start classes in my major makes me thrilled to be headed back to school.

Friends, sporting events, concerts, education, and work are just some of the many things that I look forward to when I am going back to school. The journey you take in college is something that will stay with you forever. It is up to make it the best four years of your life because before you know it they will be over and you will be in the real world.

I am proud to go to the University of North Alabama where our fountain is from Florence, Italy, our lions are Leo and Una, and we yell ROAR LIONS!