Well, college students, it's almost here. That one word, one week, we dread so much.

Finals.

Eww, I can't even stand to look at the word. But, luckily for all of us, that's not what I'm talking about today (you couldn't make me). I don't think we could handle that emotionally.

Coming up on finals has really made reflect on my first college semester. My first week, my first test, my first assignment, the first friends I made, my first F...it's been a crazy three-and-a-half months. But I wouldn't trade them for anything. Almost every day has taught me something new about life and people. God has opened my eyes to how difficult life can be (and I haven't even really started yet), but how beautiful it can be in its difficulty.

If there's only one thing I could take from my short time at college, it's that people are worth investing in, and people want to invest in you. Whether it be a professor, a friend, a family member, a stranger--people see you. They see you struggling, they see you hurting, they see your concern, your confusion, and they want to be a part of it. They're ready to reach out and take your hand and walk with you through the dark times, the times when you're ready to give up--and the good times, too.

People are beautiful creatures. Despite our flaws, our quirks, our failures--we're beautiful. And we have a natural pull to help each other. Sometimes it may not seem that way in this crazy, messed-up world we live in, but I promise you, people want to help each other. They're willing. They're waiting.

So, maybe you're not in college. But whoever you are, remember--people are there. People want to help, whenever you need it. And they're worth investing in.

Thanks, college, for teaching me that.