Just today I looked at my calendar and freaked when I saw how little time I had left of my freshman year. How had this passed so quickly? It seems just like yesterday that I was running (and falling) with strangers to Tri Delt on bid day. Now, I just have a couple of weeks left.

College time is strange. I never realize how much time is passing. First semester felt like a month. This semester feels like a few weeks. I have grown accustomed to and incredibly fond of my new little life here. I have friends that I feel like I've had for years, relationships I wouldn't trade for the world. Miller Hall has humbled me and subjected me to horrors for the past eight or so months. Regardless of Miller's lasting affect on my soul and sanity, I have truly loved my time as a resident. Now, this new exciting lifestyle is coming to an end. Next year will no longer be a year of firsts. My time as a freshman is almost over. I have actually turned into an extremely sentimental, nostalgic monster.

I'll admit, I am so glad to have a break from school (fingers crossed, no summer school). My life of math and science has truly taken a toll on my vivacity. I think class is actually having a lasting effect on my will to carry on. Maybe I'm just being dramatic. Maybe my dramatics are a result of schoolwork. Who knows? However, I will not be glad to have a break from my friends. I will not be glad for everyone to go home, however many miles from Baton Rouge that may be. Not living down the hall and up a flight of stairs will definitely take some getting used to. These girls, both in my sorority and down the row, are some of the best people I've ever met. They have rubbed off on me in the best ways. Whether they know it or not, they have made a lifelong friend in me.

The relationships I've made have seen the worst of and endured all the trials and tribulations of freshman year. These friendships have foundations of steel. Through all the disagreements, bizarre reactions and testing moments, these are the friends that have seen me at my very best and my absolute worst. It has done wonders for my heart to know that these friends will have my back—no matter what. These are the friendships that have come as a result of experiencing freshman year together. I am extremely fortunate to have these people.

I'm not quite sure how I'm supposed to adjust to life back home. Here, I can come and go as I please. I don't have to ask for permission to do anything. I have my own agenda that revolves mostly around things I need to do. I am accountable for myself. As long as I get done what I need to, all is well. At home, I can't just leave and do whatever I want. I have to check in with my parents. I have to tell them when I'm going places. Sometimes I even have to ask permission to go places. College life has definitely made me way more independent. To have parental authority back in my life will for surebe a great change. Don't get me wrong—I have some truly marvelous parents. They're mostly relaxed and easygoing, but they still require a certain schedule from me.

I will not be used to having a constant supply of healthy, fresh food. I've been lucky enough to have good food at my sorority house, but that's not constantly available to me. I'll actually have someone to cook for me, which will be a tear-inducing advancement of my lifestyle. I'll have a legitimate bed rather than the glorified cot I've been sleeping on. These new changes will make my life so much better, but they will also be strange to adjust to. Even with the positives of moving back home, I'm not quite ready to let go of freshman year yet. I have mixed emotions about rising up in the ranks and shedding my “baby" status as a newly-initiated member. Regardless of the changes that I will go through, I know I'll be moving forward with the best friendships, the best stories and the best memories that I will hold onto forever.