Someone asked me earlier today: "How was your first year of college?"

I said, "Ups and downs, but still fun!"

There was no easy way to sum up my first year college.

It was scary. It was fun. It was exciting. It was sad. It was so great I cried. Some days sucked so hard I cried.

It seems to be impossible to sum up a whole academic year within sentences. But I'll try.

Here are a few ways someone could sum up their first year of college:

1. It was okay, I guess.

2. It was good some days, bad others.

3. Ohmy God, it was so intense; I'm glad I can rest for 3 months-- Never mind I have to work.

4. What-- even-- happened here?

5. Some days after class I would watch Netflix for six hours.

Other days I would be running around my dorm on a Five Hour Energy, staying up until 5 A.M. writing a paper. That is college.

6. The weekends were blurry.

The weekdays were also blurry. But neither of them were the same kind of blurry.

7. I missed home, but I was really happy at school.

8. I was happy at school, but I really missed home. (There is a difference)

9. I'm glad to be sleeping in my own bed, by myself this summer.

10. It was difficult to balance academics, a social life, and sleep.

I haven't slept in 3 months. *twitch*

11. There were good times and bad times.

Times where I just wanted to go home and times where I really didn't want to leave.

12.Leaving home was hard, but I was ready for a change.

Coming to college allowed me to grow in a way I never would have at home. I loved coming to college. I wouldn't be the person in front of you without coming to college.

13. It was just another year.

14. Got here. Missed home. Went to a party. Loved it here.

Got cold. Missed home. Went home for Thanksgiving. Didn't want to leave home. Took my first finals. Went home. Couldn't wait to come back. Joined Greek life. Had a ton of fun. Went home for Spring Break.

Realized the year was almost over. Partied more. Realized finals were coming. Didn't sleep for days. Took finals. Here we are.

Although I don't relate to some of these, most of them I found a grain of truth in. I missed home, but I grew so much over the last 9 months of being a collegian.

I missed home because of memories and friends and the first year of college is about realizing you've moved on and things won't be the same like they were in high school. I salute my first year of college. It is the biggest transition yet, but there is more to come.