Summer is quickly coming to an end. In two more weeks, we will all be saying goodbye to our families and friends, packing our bags and heading back off to school. Quite honestly, I didn't have the most amazing first year. It was okay--but nothing to rave about. I know there are others out there who feel the same. And I wanted to write this article to make sure that those students know that they are not alone in feeling this way.

Society puts so much pressure on having the perfect college experience. You're expected to go away, decide what you want to do with the rest of your life, make a group of friends right away, join greek life, have 4.0--a lot of pressure..right? Well on top of that we're also expected to be having the time of our lives.

During my first year, I learned the importance of not comparing my college experience to the experiences of my peers--because everyone's is different. I especially struggled with this during my first semester. While I was so confused about my major and the path I was taking, I was bombarded with Instagram photos of everyone else having a great time. I felt like I was doing something wrong, but I later learned that I wasn't. I was actually doing something right. Since then, I figured out what I want to do in life, and I've grown so much as an individual.

My first year taught me to be independent, and I am a different person today than I was one year ago. This time last year, I was a scared and nervous incoming freshman. And when I say nervous...I mean really nervous--about everything. But today, one year later, a lot has changed. I'm no longer nervous. In fact, a part of me is looking forward to going back to school. I made some friends, have my own little room, a definite major. There's a lot to be excited for, but I still have some mixed feelings...and I wanted to write this article because I know that there are others out there who feel the same.

Part of me knows this year is going to be so much better, but another part of me doesn't feel like going back. Sometimes it can be hard to get back into the swing of things after you've been away for so long, and 3 months is a long time.

My advice to anyone who feels the same is this: Give it time. When I look back on my high school experience, my freshman and sophomore years weren't the best either. It took me until my junior year to build the friendships that I have now! So when you get down on yourself, and you catch yourself comparing your college experience to others, remember that you need to give it time and it will get better--I promise.