As I finish my first year of college, I think of all of the people I met and how they all came from such different places. It was a new experience for me, considering I have been in a Catholic school with the same people for 12 years. It was exciting to meet new people and learn about their different backgrounds. It’s crazy how coming into a big (well for me), public university can open your eyes to what others go through.

This has made me realize how blessed and lucky I really am. So many people are going through things that never even crossed my mind. And that’s hard to watch, especially if it’s to someone close to me. I hear things people and their families are going through, and it makes me want to hug my parents extra tight for working so hard to protect me. I am one lucky girl.

And I’m not saying that I don’t have any problems or that I have a perfect family. Because no one is problem-less and every family goes through things. And that is just something that everyone should keep in mind when they meet others and start a life with them. I have problems of my own. And no, they may not be that big of a deal to others, but to me they are. Just like their problems are big to them, but not to me. But I try to make sure to have an open mind and remind myself that everyone has troubles, and it is a challenge. This is one of the biggest problems of our generation… Empathy.

People need to understand that everyone goes through things. And everyone struggles. And everyone has good times, too. You may feel like your problems are massive, and that it could be end of the world for you. But put it in perspective and realize there are people in this world who do not even have the luxury of reading this article right now… but you do.

Sometimes taking a step back and looking at the blessings you have is refreshing. I think sometimes we forget how lucky we are to be studying, to be in this country, to have parents who love us, and to be alive. This world is so big… we can’t even process the amount of things some people have to endure each day. People across the globe are dreaming about the things you take advantage of every day.

I caught myself thinking this morning when I got my routine Starbucks, “What am I going to do this summer when Starbucks isn’t 10 feet from my room and free?” And then I thought…. Some people don’t even know what Starbucks is. Some people don’t even get to drink coffee this morning. Some people don’t get to have breakfast today… or tomorrow… or the next day…

Empathy is a challenging trait to have. It’s hard to put others first and take into consideration what they are going through when you have problems on of your own. But striving every day to do that will eventually make you a better person. A kinder person. A stronger person. People will look to you; people will lean on you. And what greater feeling than knowing that someone needs you in their life in order to move forward?

So, to all the soon-to-be college freshmen and to everyone else… have an open mind and an open heart. This has been my biggest lesson of freshman year. Everyone goes through a storm we know nothing about… so be kind, always.