As illuminated in my cases, students graduate from high school, move off to college, live in a dorm for their first year of college, are homesick, and are completely not adjusting to their first attempt at adulthood.

This was not the case for me. I was ready, and I am ready for the rest of my college experience.

This time last year, if I was actually writing at 5:23 pm on a Thursday afternoon, which more than likely I was not, I would've never guessed where my life would be now. Senior year of high school. The big shebang. The breach of adulthood. I was just fixing to begin my first full-time job that summer, kissing away my last chance of a summer vacation because let's face it, I'm a Biology Major, my summers are gone forever.

However, I never would have thought that these real-life responsibilities were what gave me the motivation I have today, writing this article even.

April 2017. I was probably...wait let me rephrase that, I was nervous about graduation coming right around the corner. Sad that I may lose contact with my besties (Syd, Cam, Tiff). Saving money for the apartment, oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I never did the whole dorm life experience. As well, having to allow time from work to get a nice tan for Rush Week in August haha. Yeah, that sounds pretty much like me.

Now, when I think back on all the little things I was worried about, I am completely fascinated by why I was acting like such a little child. College? Way, way harder than high school. A superfluous amount more of responsibilities which continue to consume my life. Grocery shopping I enjoy, paying the electric bill? Not so much.

Fast forward to April 2018. Finals, man, they suck. Now that is a way to really see how much life can throw at you all at once.

But why did I love it?

Moving into my apartment was so much fun to me. Having a blank canvas? Exhilarating. Deciding on what my roommate and I needed to bring for the kitchen, living room, and bathroom was just a very enjoyable project for me. I loved the idea of making something my own. Well, I mean plus I watch HGTV like 24/7 so.

Fall semester, I will admit, I never really went out a whole bunch. I would constantly see my friends from home who attend different universities go out on a Monday night, and I thought that was just plain crazy. I wanted to focus on my studies, and not going out was perfectly fine by me. I'm a home-body.

In December, that changed. I already had my group of friends who I was always with, but then I decided to make a leap and venture out of my 817 square foot apartment. That Saturday night I stayed out with friends till like 2 am. Thank you to that one person for making me go out of my comfort zone (you know who you are), because look where we are now. To be honest, I thought I was going to freak out because finals for the fall semester were just a couple weeks away, but, no, I loved it. I was content with going out with my friends on the weekends and getting all my priority work done in the week. It gave me a motivation to get what needed to be done Monday through Friday and relax on the weekends.

When spring came along, I began going out more with my people as I like to call them, but I didn't lose sight of making my grades come first. Even when I think about it now, my grades are better now than they were last semester. I was stoked for the Dean's List then, but now I am so close to the President's List that I am thankful for the little life changes that I had undergone.

I have loved every minute of my Freshman year. All the ups and downs, arguments, funny memories, it made this year unforgettable. I would like to think of myself as even growing into a more mature person than I was before because I now realize how important it is to pamper yourself.

I will admit, I am not as super close with my best friends from home as much as I hoped. Yes, Syd, Cam, Tiff, I miss you guys tons! Crazy to think this year is almost over and that our pact of texting in our group message every day with Liza has fallen through, but that is okay, we are growing. I occasionally go out on a weeknight, although this has only happened three times, I never thought that was something I would do. My tan? Yeah, non-existent since the majority of my life is spent in Stroz or Dirac, but again, that is okay. College is where adulating really sets in and it is crazy how much a person can change in a year.

Looking back on freshman year, I do miss home, but I love it here way more than I would've imagined.

I already know sophomore year will be even better, so cmon' August, hurry up.