You know, I didn't believe people when they told me what the stages of college were going to be. Back when I began this journey, I was a naive teenager who was not so willing to believe that I would grow as much as people emphasized.

I had always heard (especially from my parents): "College is the place that you'll make the friends you'll keep for a lifetime. It's the place you'll find out what you're supposed to do with your life, and it's the place you'll never want to leave by the end of it all."

And you know what?

They were right. If you're lucky, that's basically college in a nutshell.

When I came to Auburn three years ago, I had absolutely no idea who I was, but I sure thought I did. And being that I didn't allow myself hardly any growing room the first year and a half of college, I had quite a bunch of ups and down until late sophomore year.

On the contrary, I don't think I ever gave myself enough credit in that, the first two years of college are probably hard for everybody. I just scarcely ever saw that side of anybody because as humans we are genetically programmed to 'fake it till we make it' and keep everything making us feel vulnerable on the inside.

I'm not gonna lie. Freshmen and sophomore years of college were really difficult for me because I grew exhausted of continually getting involved in things I didn't feel "fit" me. I always felt like I was either fighting too hard for recognition from things I was doing or not trying at all.

Freshmen year was the year that God gave me the friends that I needed. He knew who I needed in my life, and those people touched my heart in ways that I will never forget. They showed me what true friendship was and I'm a better person for it.

I was able to get involved in an organization that gave me those friendships, but when sophomore year rolled around and my classes tested me, I began to question everything I was doing and who I was.

I felt broken and ashamed, so saying that this was the time of the 'sophomore slump' would be the correct use of the term. It took everything inside of me to keep going. I felt lost because at that point in my life, nothing felt right, and I didn't know how to express that to anyone.

I pushed a lot of people away without realizing what was happening, and it took me a long time to find my way back from that. Because in all honesty, I felt like a failure who had run away from everything in her life--my life plan and my friends.

My parents helped get me back on my feet and began suggesting alternatives to what I was planning on doing with my life because I wasn't happy. I boxed myself in for so long I had convinced myself I could only pursue what I had chosen would be good for me back when I was in high school.

I owe everything to my parents for constantly sticking by me and overseeing that the decisions I make for myself are the best ones. They know me and they know what's important. Having them to help balance out what I decide for myself is more than I'll ever deserve.

They pushed the significant factors that I didn't have the experience to foresee. And at the beginning of the journey in discovering what I was to do with my life, I found it hard not to feel a little bitter that I could not change everything in one instant. But being the wise and beautiful humans they are, they supported and guided me in the right direction, even when I could not see it.

And so spring semester of sophomore year, I began to feel hopeful that I was headed in the right direction. I made decisions for myself that I had been prolonging for years. And once I took a step in that direction, I found it hard to stop.

I was thrilled.

Junior year came and went in a flash. It was the year that I confirmed that I was capable and worthy of what I was chasing. It was the year that I rediscovered connections from the past and found new souls that took my heart to the next level. It was the year I found my passions and allowed myself to grow.

And now here we are.

SENIOR YEAR. Ah yes, the year where everything winds down. The year where you celebrate what you've accomplished and who you've become.

It's all very real. It crept up on me too quickly.

But I'm ready. Ready to make this year the best year.

What are my goals?

1. Make the people I know feel loved.

Because if there's anything I've learned the past three years, it's that the relationships you carry are worth more than anything (along with balancing education of course). Truly living life is walking alongside the people who give you the momentum to keep going and recognizing the love they show you when you don't deserve it.

2. Put everything I have into my schoolwork and aim high.

3. Apply to grad school in a calm, collected manner and with a healthy attitude.

During this process, I've learned that taking things in small steps is a must. After visiting a few schools and getting a grip on the application process, I'm at peace with the fact with time and hard work, I can do anything.

4. Have a backup plan just in case.

I've set my dreams high and wide, but I need to make sure that I'm also realistic in case my plans don't work out the first time around. And if it doesn't, everything will be okay because there are plenty of productive and life-learning opportunities I can participate in while I keep pursuing the big picture. Life is about not giving up.

5. Live up the college life while I have it.

I realize that I will never have these moments back again, and I am determined to work hard but also have fun with the people I love. *Cue being nostalgic*

So here's to senior year! Let the year be filled with laughter, love, memories, hard work, new experiences, familiar people and places, and learning experiences. It'll be the best one yet.