The college lifestyle is often spontaneous and fast-moving. Sometimes we act without thinking because there's a thrill that comes from flying by the seat of your pants. Day after day I try to keep up with my friends, but sometimes I have to stop because I have a chronic illness keeping me back.

When I was a senior in high school, I couldn't wait to start my next chapter. I was ecstatic to attend my dream school, shop for my dorm room, and live away from home. The only thing standing between me and that next step was a few more months of high school. Spring of my senior year, I kept having recurring episodes of dizziness, nausea, and sometimes would randomly pass out. Yes, it's as embarrassing as it sounds.

I finally went to a doctor and after a 4 hour long test, I was diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycemia, a blood sugar disorder similar to diabetes. I have naturally low blood sugar that if raised, causes me to faint.

Hearing the news of my chronic illness was not easy. At the same time of balancing a new condition, I was packing my life up to head 600 miles away from home to college. I was beginning to accept that my college experiences were going to be a little different from everyone else's.

Sophomore year, it became worse. It was evident that avoiding actual medication and managing it with my diet was no longer working. The changes in my blood sugar began to effect the chemical balance in my brain. Long story short, I changed as a person, and no, not for the better.

Living with a chronic illness has taught me many things, but here are three major take aways from this on-going experience.

1. Acceptance. I did not ask for my illness nor can I ask it to go away. I have chosen to make the very best of every situation...and on the plus side, I sometimes involuntarily get to eat candy. :)

2. Don't hide it from your friends. Your friends (if they are good friends) want to help you. Something that is a major part of your life should not be hidden. Even though, it's not the best thing to ever happen to you, it's absolutely not an embarrassment.

3. Don't feel like you have to always keep up with everyone else. If you're not feeling well, don't go out that night or go on some crazy college adventure. It's okay to take a night off and take care of yourself. Your body will thank you. Got a bad case of FOMO? Plan ahead to go out another time!

All in all, college is what you make it. Take what obstacles come at you like a champ and never let something unexpected ruin your plans.