Dear freshman year,

As the first year of my college experience comes to a close, I have so much to remember and I learned so much. I met such wonderful people and and I'm so glad I met them. My new friends helped me learn and grow as a person, even in this short period of time. Even my friends I've had for most of my life helped me through everything and we made so many memories in this first year. At the low points, they were there for me and when they had their low points, I was there for them. I'm truly grateful for them.

As for my professors, overall they were pretty chill and understood what everyone was going through. Sure, I had a professor or two I didn't like for whatever reason, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from doing well in class or enjoying the class to some extent. Having classes I enjoyed helped balance out the ones I hated.

Along with all that homework and studying came my increasing coffee intake. THANK GOD FOR COFFEE!

Comparing the first semester to the second and looking at how I've changed, I'm pretty proud. I went from being shy and awkward to not really caring what other people think but, still awkward. I learned I'm pretty good at hiding my awkwardness and coming off as confident. I'm not sure how that happened but, I'm guessing my previous job helped me with that as well as my friends. I can also say I'm doing WAY better in college than high school academically which, I'm glad. I was pretty nervous in the beginning of the year about that. I was terrified I would do so bad, but I didn't.

I think the things I'll remember the most from this year is not my grades or GPA but, all the fun things my group of friends and I did. Cards Against Humanity until 11:00 at night, going to the next town over and doing random things, taking pictures, and going to the local coffee shop. Having those 5 minutes of straight laughter and being with your friends for an entire day makes up for those days of anxiety and homework.

The things we learn while in college are probably one of the most important. Not just the things you learn in the lecture hall or lab but, the things you learn through your experiences. If you don't know how to make at least five meals (not in the microwave), how to manage time, how to do laundry, and how to clean, before you head off to college, you're screwed. The thing I learned my first year at college was time management and how to get my homework done in a timely manner. I also learned, going to the gym every day or every other day isn't that bad.

Staying active and fit helped me feel more productive, happy, and help not gain the freshman 15. Even just thirty minutes of running on the treadmill made me feel great. I also learned how to eat healthier and eating less is more. I never thought I would actually enjoy going to the gym. I was fine going on the treadmill and running but, when one of my friends wanted to go to the weight room and do lifting I was a little nervous. I've never done lifting. After constantly going to the gym and forcing myself to do lifting, I can finally say I actually enjoy doing it. Never in a million years would I have thought I would have actually gone to a gym and do weight lifting.

I think the thing that got me there was probably the fact that a few of my friends go and I just said, "screw it." and went there.

In addition to everything, I can say I never got home sick. I knew my family wasn't too far away and if I wanted to talk to them, all I had to do was call or text them. Since I enjoy my independence and being an introvert, being away from home didn't effect me. If I wasn't at the gym, doing intramural soccer, or with friends, I was in my dorm room. It was honestly pretty enjoyable. Being by myself, away from annoying people, listening to music or watching Hulu, and doing homework was actually nice.

What about parties? I got invited but, never went. I don't see that as 'having fun'.

So, what can I take away from this first year of college? I'd say just keep doing what I've been doing. Being who am, doing the best I can, and enjoying the free time I rarely get. This year was great but, I can't wait to start my second year.

Thanks for the memories.

-An exhausted poor student