If you told me in August that I would have accomplished and overcame so many obstacles this year I would have doubted you. Now looking back at the person I was in the beginning of Freshman year to the person I am at the end, I would say it was worth it.

I came into freshman year with nothing by high hopes and excitement; I expected it to be one of the best years of my life but it turned out to be the biggest lesson I have ever learned. This year has taught me so much about myself and the people around me as I met so many new people and continued to grow my relationships back home. I branched out and gave myself opportunities to grow into a stronger and more social individual as I continued to grow more and more focused on my school work. This year has given me the opportunity to start a foundation on my own and to begin my future.

Looking back at the last 9 months of my life, I really cannot thank everyone enough. Every single person that I have encountered off and on campus has made me grow personally. Thank you to everyone that I met the first weekend who made me feel at home instantly. Thank you to my professors who taught me life lessons inside and outside of the classroom. Thank you to my best friends that I met at the most unexpected and most needed times. Thank you to my sorority who gave me the best sisterhood. Thank you to my family who made it possible for me to continue my education. And thank you to my boyfriend who has kept me sane and someone to lean on. Without all of you, I would not have been able to make it through this year.

College life turned out to be nothing that I had imagined it would be. This year has been an ongoing life lesson that I will never forget. When next semester comes around I will be able to continue building my future with the people that mean the most to me. Now that I have figured out this whole life on campus, I can’t wait to see what will come next. As much as I am looking forward to this summer, I know that I will be impatiently waiting to return this fall and begin this next part of my adventure.

So thank you freshman year for giving me experiences that I will never be able to forget. Thank you for pushing me so far out of my comfort zone and pushing me so much academically. Thank you for allowing me to create lifelong friendships with the most kind-hearted and open-minded people I have ever met. Thank you for allowing my friends and I to have endless laughter and late night adventures every week. Thank you for changing my life for the better. Bring it on sophomore year, I’m ready for you.