The biggest sigh of relief goes through your body as you turn in your last final realizing you have finally completed your first semester of college. I say ‘finally’ like it lasted forever but, in reality, the first semester flew by so incredibly fast. Throughout my first semester, I did a lot more than just complete a couple general education courses and go out on the weekends.

Throughout the first months, I experienced lots of successes and made some amazing memories that I will never forget. I met awesome friends that I know will last a lifetime and have found a place that I can now call my ‘second home’. I have realized you have to study for good grades, learned the true importance of a loving family and learned how to live independently. I have found a new love for microwave Digiorno Pizza, free popcorn and dining hall chocolate ice cream. One could say the first semester has treated me pretty well.

While lots of great things happened this semester, there is also the other side to everything. Throughout the semester I have made mistakes. There are times I have been too stressed to think and I went through some of the hardest times of my life. There have been moments I’ve had regret, doubt and uncertainty. There have been times I thought I hated myself, felt alone and many times when I had thought to myself “I can’t do this”.

While first semester may have put me in situations I never thought I would have to be in and challenged me in ways like never before, I have learned not only how to handle things that happen, but to always stay positive and calm. I have praised the quote “Everything happens for a reason” and “C’s get degrees” (lol). Not only has this semester changed my outlook on life for the better, but I also have learned to reflect on all the positives and have fun instead of stressing out about things that don’t matter.

There are moments where I’ve laughed so hard I’ve peed my pants, weekends I’ve drank one too many drinks while out and about, times I wanted nothing more than to stay in college forever, and best of all, times I’ve looked at myself in the mirror and thought to myself, “I can do this”.

Although first semester has been a crazy, emotional, insane ride, I have grown and matured so much and do not regret anything. Although along the ride, I have made my share of mistakes, had some doubts and didn’t always know exactly what I was doing, I now have grown so much because of it. My Dad has always told me, college isn’t all about the GPA, it's the challenges you face, the experiences you live, and the choices you are forced to make that make college as valuable as it is.

One semester down….seven more to go! Like a great book, I am excited to see what the next page/semester has in store for me.