At last, we're at the end of tunnel---freedom at last! Unless you're one of those college kids continuing on with summer course (ding, ding, this girl right here.) This school year has worn me out to say the least, but there are some pretty valuable lessons I've attained over this school year, both good and bad, but nonetheless lessons I'll be able to carry with me as look forward to these summer classes and most importantly the following school year ahead of me. If you took some time to reflect back over your most recent school year, what are some of the valuable lessons you've learned and what are the things you would or wouldn't change?

This first lesson, is more of a personal one versus an academic one, but I noticed it began to interfere with my academics so right away I had to make some changes---but diving right into valuable lesson #1 I've attained over this school year is how big of a distraction boys can be to my studies. Ladies, don't ever let ANY guy come in between you and your schoolwork. Speaking from my own personal experience with a guy I had really strong feelings back during my fall semester when things started spiraling out of control between I was more concerned about what I could do fix things with him instead of being completely dedicated to the homework and essays I had. I wouldn't just limit this to when things started falling off between us but also in that beginning stage when my feelings were at the highest toward him and all I wanted to was spend an extra hour with him instead of what was important, and considering that person is no longer in my life now, he certainly was not it.

Moving along to valuable lesson #2, and this has been my biggest challenge so far this year, is time management. As a college student, I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with this highly important concept. There just seems to never be enough time each day, especially for such a busy person like myself, being a full-time college student and working two jobs. It honestly, surprises me that I was able to manage as well as I did working two jobs and at least trying to balance my workload, but there is definitely room for major improvement as go further along in both of studies. I don't think I'll stop working two jobs anytime soon being that it gives me a sense of financial security I really do appreciate, especially when it comes down to the breaks we get---I like to utilize that time going on a vacation or something of the like.

School is stressful enough as it is, but throw in all factors of your personal life, work, friendships, family, a relationship, and even time for yourself, it can all take a huge toll on you mentally. Behold valuable lesson #3, everything happens for a reason. I experienced a pretty rough falling out with my best friend of 5 years right before the fall semester started. It was a really rough time for me, she was always my go-to person and with our friendship being as strong as it once was, I didn't seek out making friendships with other people, and once our friendship ended I was terrified of going through the semester, the whole school year without any friends. But thankfully, that all shortly changed; I've established some amazing friendships with ladies and gents I go to school with and even work with and I never fail to let them know daily just how thankful I am of our friendship. I mentioned the saying "everything happens for a reason I regard to this situation because I truly believe, had me and my ex-best friend still been going strong, I wouldn't be close with my circle of friends today---sometimes things have to fall apart in order for better things to fall together.

I could go on with an extensive list, but in all honesty, these three lessons pretty much sum up my school year. As I reflect on what I've learned from this year I do see major progress from some of the mistakes I made my freshman year. For example, my freshman year I was really hung up on being a relationship because it seemed everyone around me was in one, my time management was in the beginning stages and I struggled so much with prioritizing everything, and I was in a pretty toxic friendship. In contrast to those factors once in my life, I recognize my growth in regard to me choosing to shift my focus off of guys, continuing to build better time management tactics, and establishing friendships with some amazing people. My determination remains strong to make the changes needed as I look forward to next fall semester.