College is awesome. Although it can be very stressful at times, it can be so incredibly fun.

Going home for the summer is nice too, though. I mean you don’t have to worry about taking classes or eating dining hall food or stressing over finals week. You can relax, catch up with old friends, stay in touch with new ones and even spend some time travelling.

Being home for the summer helps to recharge your mind, soul and body. It helps you take a break from the stresses of school, but being back on campus is the best. It has brought back so many of the wonderful memories from my freshman year. All of the learning that is taking place, both in and out of the classroom. It excites me to think of all of the times to come. All of the memories to be made here.

When I see freshmen on campus, I think of how that was me just a year ago. I ponder on the thought of how fast the past year flew by.

How I have loved everything about this past year: the difficult times when I struggled in a class, the fun times when friends would explore town with me and the boring times when I had to spend hours studying for a test while everyone else was having fun at a football game. I think of how nervous I was to start classes, where everything was or how I was afraid I wouldn’t make any friends.

I can look back now and realize how ridiculous these thoughts were. Sure you hear people tell you all about their college experiences, but until you experience it for yourself you’ll never truly know what college is like.

I think of all of the things I want to say to incoming freshmen about college in general. About how you should put yourself out there, join a club or two, meet people and have the time of your life. Yes, you are here for academics but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time while you’re at it. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself each and every day. Always hold the door open for the person behind you. And most importantly, swipe the upperclassmen into center court (please, we're begging you).

I see all of the freshman walking around in their little groups and excitement is written all over their faces. But deep down I know they are finally ready for this freedom and also scared to death.

I am now realizing that this is the beginning of yet another chapter. I am no longer a young freshman, but a young sophomore. I still have so much to learn and that excites me.

To all you freshmen out there, this year will fly by. Enjoy each and every moment of it. A year from now you'll look back like I'm doing right now and wonder how it happened. Time goes by so quickly, but if you cherish each and every moment and do what you love, you'll be happy with your past.