On the verge of the start of my sophomore year, I've reflected on my freshman year and realized just how many mistakes I made. These weren't disastrous failures or regrets, but rather sole mess-ups that, in the moment, felt like a big deal. Now, I've come to recognize that those mistakes weren't detrimental, but were instead lessons and memories for me to learn from and laugh at in the present moment!

1. Setting diet disciplines and epically failing.

At the beginning of the year: I'm only going to eat desserts on weekends.

First day of class: I made it through my first college class! Let's celebrate! *eats cake*

2. Letting myself take "power naps."

9 times out of 10, they turned into 3-hour snoozes... whoops.

3. Depending on my parent's advice too much.

Because of all the walking and heat in the early fall, I developed an annoyingly itchy red rash on my feet that I just couldn't get rid of. This is humorous now because I couldn't wear sandals or flip flops or bare feet in embarrassment of my rash, even at the beach. Did my parents know what to do? Not really, but they acted certain so I believed them. Did the rash disappear any faster because of all their tips I tried? Ha, no. I ended up waiting it out and eventually, when it got cooler, my rash (and embarrassment) disappeared.

4. Nodding off in class.

It felt terrible during the year when I would keep blinking my eyes to stay awake, but now I look back and am thankful that participation grades aren't usually a thing!! (Sorry profs, you aren't that boring, I was just up late doing work for your class after I had procrastinated all evening).

5. Procrastinating.

I am SO good at putting off work, I should major in it... later.

But seriously, the theme word of my freshman year could have been "procrastination." Yet, God always helped me pull through and I did make some pretty good memories in the midst of it. Now I can chuckle at the amount of stress I caused myself then, knowing full well in the back of my mind that it will probably happen again this year.

6. Thinking some guy was 'The One' when I hardly knew him.

At the beginning of the year, I fell for a guy's looks and charm when I'd barely heard him speak. After finally getting to know him a little better, I realized I had been mistaken in who I thought he was. It was kind of painful to realize how naive I had been to so easily glorify him, but presently, I smile at my trusting nature and don't regret what I learned from that situation.

7. Getting too personal with people before we were on that friendship level.

So many awkward moments resulted from me telling my new friends about when my stomach wasn't agreeing with cafeteria food. I guess being on that level takes some time.

8. Assuming I'd wake up by 10:30 without using an alarm.

I overslept my first interview because of that one. I later decided that I'm glad I didn't land that job.

9. Only leaving like three seconds to get ready in the morning.

Sleeping as late as possible often resulted in being surprised at how fast I could be out the door!

10. Bringing an exorbitant amount of stuff.

I carted in waaaay too much stuff on move-in day, and I really filled my dorm room (sorry, roomie!). After having spent this summer living out of just a suitcase, I have moved closer to minimalistic ways and will be bringing significantly less this year.

This emoji pretty much sums up my year—but I wouldn't trade any of my memories away because I learned so much. Looking back now, I know that sweating the small stuff isn't worth it! Those times that seemed like failures are now just reasons to grin because I am messed up and imperfect but God used it to teach me a whole lot.

I hope these instances lend you the reminder that life is too short to take too seriously.