Each year, we all sit at a party on New Year’s Eve, counting down the seconds until the ball drops in Times Square, either very unaware of what’s going on or a little too aware. We start to wonder about everything that will happen in the year to come: will I actually stick to my New Year’s Resolution to lose 20 pounds? Probably not. Will I ever read those ten books I bought, but are still sitting on my shelf? Most likely no. These minor details are some of the first things our brain wanders to when thinking of the new year.

To reflect on my 2017, I’d say it was the most challenging year I’ve ever faced. I was rejected from almost all the colleges I applied to (and all the acting programs I auditioned for), high school came to an end, and I was moving to New York City at the end of all of this. Plus, I had decided to go with a new coaching organization, pick all new material, and actually audition for musical theatre instead of just acting. It was a year of obstacles. But, I can truly, honestly say, that these obstacles changed my life.

They led me to appreciate the true friends I had gained and the new ones I intend to keep. They gave me my incredible roommate, who leaves sticky notes to wish me good luck on tests (like an old married couple)! They also gave me my incredible group of friends, who support me, appreciate my lousy jokes, and love me no matter what. Most of all, these obstacles gave me the change I needed: I needed to get out of my comfort zone, and in all honesty: I needed to grow up.

2017 was a year that made me realize I was too hung up on the past to move to the place I wanted to, so I had to start from scratch. I had to decide what relationships to keep, what relationships to drop, and what relationships were even worth starting. All of these were new thoughts to me and very new decisions to make. But they all made me realize who I wanted to surround myself with, and who I wanted to be.

2017 was a year that taught me a couple lessons. Lesson number one: failure is not always bad. Sometimes, you have to fail to learn to pick yourself up off the ground and try again. Lesson number two: there are people out there who will support you and love you, even when you feel you don’t deserve it. Lesson number three: New York City is incredible, but the transit systems are not as incredible.

And lastly, number four: I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. It may sound cheesy, but the sky is limitless when you open your horizons. So, to the good, the bad, the hardcore studying that took over midterms and finals, and the things in-between: thanks for teaching me a lesson, and giving me the confidence I needed to move on to another chapter of my crazy, amazing life!