This past weekend was my second homecoming as a U of A alumni, and it was so much better than my first one. Fewer tears (actually no tears) and way more realizing that it was fun while it lasted but I don’t belong in the college scene anymore.

I’m sure I’ll always feel a little nostalgic driving past my dorm on Highland (and remembering all the burritos), walking down Greek row, or grabbing a Starbucks at the bookstore, but this year I was able to remember the good days without wishing I was still living them.

I am in such a better place this year than I was six months after graduating. I’m able to appreciate the present and look forward to the future; instead of wishing, I could relive the past. Last year I was all over the place. I had just gotten back from spending the summer on Nantucket, had no job and no idea where to start. Not to mention, I had recently broken up with a long- term boyfriend and being back in Tucson brought back a flood of memories and forced me to finally deal with my feelings.

Now, I can honestly say I’m so glad that my every weekend doesn’t involve drinking warm beer and hoping there’s toilet paper in the bathroom. I feel like I’m really coming into my own at work and I’m no longer the least experienced person in the room. As for my dating life, it’s kind of non-existent but I’m also kind of okay with it because right now it’s all about me. And “me” is a good person to focus on when you’re 23.

So if this was your first homecoming as alumni and you felt yourself shedding tears into your Pete’s margarita, know this: it.gets.better. Post-grad life is pretty sweet too; you just have to give yourself a little time to settle into it.