It was less than a year ago that I first discovered what it meant to be a little fish in the big sea. I wasn’t exactly anything special in high school, but people knew who I was. I was the quiet daughter of a sergeant who kept to herself and didn't care to partake in the majority of activities kids my age seemed to enjoy so much. I had my group that I had known since kindergarten and never really felt the need to venture outside of my immediate friends. This familiarity was my safety blanket; I was more than comfortable with the way things were.

Flash forward to my first day of classes at A&M: I was absolutely mortified. A new town, new school, and new faces were slightly overwhelming for this self proclaimed creature of habit. My two best friends were nowhere to be found. The idea of starting over was rather unnerving. I was shy and didn’t know the first thing about making friends. The girls I had previously met at fish camp seemed to have moved on to bigger and better things when they went through fall recruitment. Being alone led to many a sleepless night of me overthinking every second of everyday. However, I did learn as a result of my solitude.I learned that it's okay to be alone sometimes.

I'm not the same person I was a year ago; I'd even go as far to say I'm not the same person I was a week ago. College is about finding yourself. For the very first time, you're free to be who you want to be. In my time here, I've abandoned the shell I once took shelter in. It didn't take long for me to realize that what you're feeling as a timid freshman is totally normal. None of us know what we are doing, not even the super seniors who should've graduated in May (there's a reason they chose to stick around another year). To be completely honest, we're all just a little lost. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a major university, however, you must always remember to make yourself a priority. It's not about who you are right now, but who you want to be.