With the beginning of my freshman year at UNC Greensboro on the horizon, my gap year is coming to a close and I’ve realized that having a year off has changed how I look at my freshman year. These perspectives I have are not necessarily unique to gap-year students, but they are ideas and goals that I’ve had a long time to meditate on and that I’d like to share.

1. I’m Going to Enjoy Academics

I’m never going to love getting up at the crack of dawn and getting ready for class, nor am I going to enjoy tests or deadlines. But what I will enjoy is sitting in lectures, participating in class discussions, and even writing papers. And I’m going to study and take notes and get that 3.3 GPA so I can become an honors student. Why? Because attending college is my choice. Unlike school before, it is not mandated by the state, and I could have chosen to go to work instead. But I spent my gap year preparing for college and deciding what I wanted to do with my future--did I want to sing on Broadway or become the “Dr. House” of psychology? Ultimately, I decided being a psychologist is my dream job, and that’s why I’m going to UNCG--to make my dream come true. Why not put my best foot forward and enjoy the ride?

2. I love UNCG - the campus, the staff and the class of ‘20

Speaking of choice, I think one of the greatest advantages of my gap year was the time I had to decide what college I wanted to attend and why and I chose UNCG because I love it! I love the beautiful campus and the city of Greensboro. I love the academic opportunities--the music program, the nursing program and the department of psychology--did you know UNCG has its own psychology clinic? The staff is awesome--housing was both helpful and generous in getting my roommate and I back together after we’d been placed in separate dorms, and when I became anxious and overheated during freshman orientation, the SOAR leaders were quick to assist. Not only does a dear friend of mine currently attend UNCG (class of ‘19), but I have met so many wonderful people in the class of ‘20 online. I worked hard to be with them and I can’t wait to meet them all in person next week!

3. I Miss High School...But in a Good Way

I wasn’t in good health during high school, so I can’t say I have a lot of great memories to look back on, but it’s not like I don’t feel nostalgic for walking down those halls and having lunch with my friends. But my gap year has given me time to reflect on who I was then and how I might change for the future. And I was reminded to appreciate old friends - a lesson that I feel too many people forget--and, of course, to keep in touch and to always bother them with phone calls.

4. I’m Going to Live in The Moment

College is all about preparation for the future, and indeed, I’ll probably spend a good amount of time planning and worrying about what comes next. Probably, as you can imagine, one of the hardest lessons learned from my gap year is a good appreciation for time--if you miss out on an experience in your life, you can’t go back and relive it. So, whether it’s participating in fun in the halls and Pokemon Go events or even just having a peaceful breakfast overlooking the fountain at the dining hall, I’m going to live every moment of my college experience to the fullest (because even small moments are important).

5. I’ll Remember What’s Important.

Finally, the most important take-away from my gap year is this: people come first. Because without the people in my life, I wouldn’t be here today: the friends that encouraged and cheered me on, the promise of new friends at UNCG, the aunts, uncles, cousins, father and sister that prepared me for this journey. And the memories I shared with them are the best parts of my gap year: applying to UNCG with Aunt Cindy (pictured), visiting my aunt, uncle and cousins in Georgia and discussing plans for college and exploring the campus with my friend and sister. To the people in my life made this happen, you mean the world to me and you rock!