Don't get me wrong, freshman year of college has been great. Meeting new people, living in arguably the world's tiniest dorm room, barely surviving on dorm food, showing school pride at sporting events, joining clubs—it's been quite the adventure. But what most people don't tell you is how hard it truly is.

Personally, my grades have been pretty decent. I've managed to skate by these past two semesters—getting a good amount of credits and taking my major's required classes. I've really liked my teachers, I've met some great friends in my classes, and I've even managed to show up to class on Friday mornings.

The first semester was pretty easy. Syllabus week meant that everybody was going out and that's when you realize that they're all just like you, eager to meet people and willing to say just about anything for you to like them. You make friends quickly, no matter how temporary they may end up being. And then naturally, you begin to miss home, your friends from high school, your bed, your dog. But by second semester, you're starting to feel better—all you needed was winter break. However, when midterms approach, all hell breaks loose. It's a bloodbath just trying to find a seat in the library. You're nearly broke, and you've resorted to eating ramen out of a cup you stole from the dining hall. But hey, "that's what's college is all about."

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's equally beautiful as it is exhausting, but when it comes down to it, I wouldn't trade a moment of it for the world. You have freedom and you have responsibility and yes, it can be overwhelming, but there's no other time in your life like college, especially your freshman year. No other time when you'll be weirdly content with the double digit number in your bank account and no other time when you can walk around in your pajamas and have it be considered socially acceptable.

I guess if I could go back, I would tell myself to take my time making friends. I would impress upon myself the importance of getting to know myself before getting to know others. And I would let myself know that I will learn just as much outside of the classroom as I will in it. College is a journey. There will be nights when you think you cannot go on, but you have to. And once you make it through, you'll be so happy that you did. Not to mention, the people that you meet along the way will be with you forever, and how amazing is that?

So yeah, freshman year was a mess. But is it possible for it to be anything else besides that? Freshman year is like a lesson (a $40,000 lesson). You are just figuring things out on your own and you have left behind everything you've known in order to pursue the unknown. It's terrifying, but boy, is it terrific.

Sophomore year? Bring it.