With December quickly coming, it leaves only a few more weeks of classes for this semester. Most students get to enjoy winter break and spend time with their high school friends and family, before heading back to college for their spring semester. That isn't the case for me. Once these couple of weeks are over, I'll be done with college.

When I first got accepted into William Paterson University as a transfer student, I didn't hold many expectations for it. My past school wasn't great. I had to dorm with three other girls, (Although they were all nice, and I got along with them.), and shared the bathroom with seven girls. The shower would always get cold after just one person used it, so there was always a struggle to be the first one in. The teachers weren't helpful, and some of them were outright rude. To sum up my old school, it was terrible. I didn't feel like I belonged there, which is why I transferred as soon as I could.

Regardless of how much on an impression my old school made on me, this reflection isn't about my old school, but rather the time I've spent at William Paterson University.

Going to class was sometimes a challenge, when you knew that in your two hours and forty minute class the professor would read off the presentation they had prepared. If it was a morning class, it was even more dangerous when you tried not to fall asleep. Zoning out was essential in these classes. You knew it was bad once a paper or a test came around, because you would have to study more. Then there were the fun and enthusiastic teachers who kept students alert, those were the best classes. Even though going to class isn't as exciting as hanging out with friends, you somehow didn't mind going to classes that interested you.

At William Paterson University I realized what I wanted to do with my life. I majored in public relations, and minored in English writing. When I first decided to major in public relations, I didn't realize how many presentations I had to do. Sometimes every class there would be a presentation, and it horrified me. Not being one to enjoy speaking in front of a class, I started to doubt my major. Thankfully, that didn't last long, because my professors soon made me feel comfortable with presenting. I eventually learned that this was where I was supposed to be.

Thanks to all my encouraging professors, I was able to go through college knowing I was happy with my major decision.

College isn't only about classes, it's also about meeting new people and being independent. I've met many wonderful people who became my friends. It became a daily thing for Friday or Thursday nights to play Mario Party on GameCube. Somehow, we would play until 2 A.M., and realize it was time to sleep, though of course we couldn't stop in the middle of the game, because we had to figure out who the winner would be! There were nights when we blasted Disney music, and the whole suite would sing along: my suite-mate and I would even make up dance moves for the song "My Heart Will Go On". It became a daily thing for my roommate and I to stay up late and have a marathon of anime, leaving her crying every time, even f the shows weren't actually sad. There were plenty of memories that we all made together, whether they were crazy, sad, funny, or thrilling. It was never a dull moment in the dorm.

Last year was probably one of the best years at college. I've met many new friends, and each day brought a new memory. It makes me happy that I decided to transfer to William Paterson, I'm not sure what I would do without the friends I've made and the professors who have helped me.

So, thank - you William Paterson University, for making the rest of my college years special.