As I talked about in my previous story, I lost my apartment in a fire on campus a few weeks ago. Yes, I am still devastated by this, but it is time for me to move on and try to get a fresh start.

Though I am lucky enough to still live on campus in an apartment, I somewhat feel like I am a freshman again. This is because I moved into an entirely new place, with three roommates who I did not really know. I am typically a very anxious and nervous person, so this big change was terrifying when I was about to go through it. For my first three years of college I lived with the same person and never really thought that I would have to experience not having her at least in the next room over. I was also living with another friend and was excited to celebrate our senior year together.

But now, I am starting fresh, and I realized I have to put a smile on my face and take life for what it is. I cannot change the fact that we lost our apartment so early in our senior year, so it is up to me to make the most of what I now have.

In a few ways this event has changed my life for the better. For example, I have been going to the gym a lot more, whether it is just because I enjoy working out or because I am frustrated and exercising makes me feel better. I also have started eating healthier. Since I realized I can now somewhat start fresh, I figured I might as well make it in a healthier way.

This is my senior year, and though I want to have fun and celebrate being almost done, I know I still have to take my work seriously. In this restart that I am trying to do, I am trying to become more organized and work on my time management skills. Whether it's at my internship, my classes, my job, or working on my senior project, I am starting to learn the most effective and efficient ways to get things done.

I realize that I probably should have done this restart a few years ago, but it took something happening, even though it was not a good thing, to make me realize that these changes could happen.

Restarting and refreshing is definitely terrifying for me as I am not someone who usually likes change. But, I was forced to make one change so I figured if I could do that, I could do some more and I think, if I work hard at it, I can keep it up.

I never expected to be "restarting" during my senior year, and it hasn't been easy. But, in a way, I am glad that it gave me the push to change certain things.