Last week, I moved out of the wonderful place that I'd called home for the past nine months, and it was the moment I realized a lot more than how my first year at Rutgers was over. My freshman year was a tumultuous period of ups and downs and everything in between, but looking back, it flew by much faster than I ever could have known. From the very first day to the very last, there's a lot that I learned.

1. You own a lot of stuff

Despite planning ahead for once and starting to take some of your belongings home a few weeks early, you somehow still have more things that you should’ve possibly ever been able to fit in the minuscule dorm room you shared with one other person. Seriously, how did all of my clothing ever fit in that tiny wardrobe in the first place?

2. You have three months of freedom

For me, I had a final the night right before I moved out, so by the time I started packing up all my possessions and moving out the next morning, it hadn’t really hit me how it was my last night in the building and that, for the immediate moment at least, I had few pressing responsibilities (besides returning my key safely to the appropriate office of course).

3. There’s a lot of strangers in the building

Despite living in a building or residence hall for nearly 9 months, on Move-Out day you’ll discover people you didn’t even know existed, but had been living just doors down from you all along, and, to be honest, you’ll probably never see again in your life.

4. If any of your friends are transferring out, that this is the last time you’ll ever see them... for a while, at least

My next door neighbor and a close friend happened to be an international student who was admitted to medical school back in her home country of Dubai. After a long, and wrought out process, she chose to attend it, with hopes of completing her residency here in the United States. In my heart I know it was the right decision for her, but it was very sad bidding her farewell and realizing that this would be one of our final moments together, for a long while at least.

5. You can’t wait to go back

As much as you’d been waiting, after two long, difficult semesters of classes and monotony, to finally be free, you realize that you’ll miss being surrounded by all your best friends and relaxing in the lounges and even the dining hall food, and that you can barely wait until September when everyone’s together again.