It feels like just yesterday that I was nervously packing my last-minute things into bags and boxes to crowd into my dorm room. I remember pulling up to a place that I faintly remembered from orientation, but had no idea how I'd find my way around that Monday for classes. I said goodbye to my hometown friends and family and prepared to say hello to so many new people. The hellos started with my roommate, who I now dread saying goodbye to.

I still remember all of those firsts as if they just happened, however, I know I'm so much different than the person that was dropped off in August.

My freshman year has taught me so many lessons.

I've grown more in the last 10 months than I ever thought I would. My independence has skyrocketed, and I've learned how to take care of myself through tough lessons and a little guidance from home. I was forced into learning to time manage without the strict high school schedule. I had to learn to pull myself from my bed for classes without thinking in the back of my mind, "Mom's going to kill me if she gets a call saying I was late." I had to choose between having fun and staying out late or staying in the library to study for my exam the next morning. There's nobody standing over your shoulder asking if you did your homework or ate dinner. There isn't a guide on how to survive your freshman year (though there really should be). It's just you against the big, bad world, and whether you like it or not, you're forced to become an adult.

Now I bittersweetly say goodbye to my freshman year.

Goodbye to my tiny dorm room. A year ago, I feared you. I was terrified to move into a tiny space and share a room with people I didn't know. I had no idea how I'd approach them, what they'd be like or if we'd even get along. I just hoped they'd like me and that they didn't try to put purple hair dye in my shampoo. Now, I refer to this little space as mine. It's something I don't want to say goodbye to. It's decorated perfectly and after a couple different arrangements, it's perfectly cramped and cozy.

Goodbye to my roommate. You were my first hello, and you'll be my hardest goodbye. You made the first day of classes a little more bearable. Our friendship grew as we complained about assignments, encouraged each other to make bad decisions, and bonded over movies and pizza. You became one of my closest friends on campus and I'm so thankful that Res Life stuck us together.

Goodbye to the irreplaceable friends I've made. It'll be weird not having "family dinners" together or having you guys walk into my room without even knocking. I was terrified I wouldn't find friends on campus, but I was handed a great group of them. We've struggled through the same things and learned to lean on each other for a little support. We've shared more laughs than we could ever count, and we've seen each other in tears — that's what friendships are made of.

Goodbye to the hectic life I've had. A temporary goodbye is in order for the exams, homework, essays, presentations and group projects I've struggled through. I'll see you again in the fall, but I'll have a little more knowledge on how to properly handle you now. I'll know that all-nighters and excessive amounts of caffeine are not the answer. I'll know that when in doubt, go to the library. I'm sure I'll be better than I used to be, but not the best that I will be.

With that being said I am so ready to return home.

My big, comfy bed is waiting for me and I can finally sleep in peace without my noisy neighbors playing their music on full blast at 3 a.m. on a Monday. I miss my family, my pets and being able to eat a meal without walking to a dining hall. I can't wait to soak in the sunshine and spend nights reminiscing with my high school friends. I will admit that I started packing extra early, and I've had a countdown up since the beginning of April. No matter how much I'll miss college, right now I miss home so much more.

So, thank you freshman year.

Thank you for the hard lessons learned. Thank you for the friends. Thank you for changing me into a better, bigger person. It's been a great ride.