After a month long break and getting back to school for my second semester, I've had time to reflect on the past few months. I reflected on how much this time frame changed me as a person. Not only did I learn new ways of doing things, but I also feel I grew as a person while being here.

Lets start from the beginning: I remember move in day perfectly -- I was nervous and uncomfortable to say the least. I was about to move into a suite with six other girls who I had known nothing about except for their names. When I got there, I moved in a day late so I was the last one to move into my room of three, which only added to my anxiousness. I knew the option of staying home and commuting still stood as my parents could see how uncomfortable I was being away from home in different setting, even if it was only 15 minutes away. However, I knew I needed to do this for myself. I needed to be able to deal with uncomfortable situations now. I figured that my entire life I will be faced with even more uncomfortable situations, so why not practice overcoming them now?

We spent that morning moving my stuff in as my one roommate was asleep and the other was out on campus somewhere. I unpacked and went shopping for food with my parents and when they later dropped me off back at school I was lost. I had no idea what to do with myself. Of course I introduced myself to all of the suitemates, and luckily, we all got along right away.

So that was day one and it definitely took me a few weeks to adjust. Before college, I relied on my parents for almost everything in my life. Putting dinner on the table, doing my laundry, making my doctors appointments, keeping me on track with work and school, etc.

I now had to learn to do my own laundry, when to go to eat, and make responsible decisions. To study? or to take a nap? Or to stay in on a weekend and catch up on sleep and do some reading? Or go out until 2 in the morning? I also had to learn how to make new friends. I've gone to school with the same kids since I was in kindergarten, so having to start all over was also a bit of an adjustment as well.

Although I had to learn to do all these new things, I've definitely done some growing up since I've been here and learned some great life lessons. I'm an adult now, I don't have to put up with anyone's bullshit anymore. If I disagree with something you say, I will now either just walk away, or depending on the situation, I'll respectfully disagree. You also don't need to share everything that happens in your life with everyone. That's part of growing up I guess. Not everything you do has to be posted on social media for the whole world to see, and to be honest I don't want the whole world knowing my entire life.

I also learned that making time for yourself is essential. Making new friends and joining new clubs is great, but it is also essential that my life doesn't revolve around that. College classes can be stressful, so I learned that something as simple as going to yoga can take away most of it.

I have definitely learned and grew a lot as a person. But the biggest thing I learned is that my happiness does not depend on other people. I don't need a boyfriend or a million friends to make me happy. I took charge of my own happiness. If eating fried pickles on a wrap at three o'clock in the morning will make me happy, then you can bet that's what I'll be eating -- even if other people think it's gross. If going for a run in 20 degree whether will make me happy, I'll be doing that too. I've found the little and the big things that make me happy. Of course my friends and family make me happy, but my happiness does not solely rely on them. It's what you make of every situation. For instance some people hate the rain, but it's what you make of the rain. You can choose to mope around and complain or you can put on a rain coat and boots and go jump in the puddles and enjoy the rain.

College has changed who I am and how I do things. I'm still the sweet girl from my childhood, except now I've taken charge of my own life and how I see things.