As we bid farewell to 2015, we tie up all loose ends and hope for a good and prosperous 2016. The New Year is a time of new beginnings and clean slates, from reconciling with an old friend to dropping those last 10 pounds; it’s the perfect opportunity.

Often enough we hear of our friends’ and families’ New Year’s resolutions—enjoy life more, stop smoking, find true love, eat healthier and everything else in between in the hopes for a year more successful than the previous one.

Personally, 2015 has been an amazing year for me, especially the second half. I have grown tremendously both personally, academically and emotionally, matured and have learned to be more confident in myself and the choices I’ve made with no “look backs” or regrets.

Going away to school has helped me live independently and successful, and I’ve met great friends along the way, who continue to support me and laugh along with me. My family has been extremely helpful and has always trusted and supported me in both my personal and professional life. Overall, I could not thank 2015 enough for teaching me more about myself than I’ve ever learned in the past.

The person I have become in 2015 has made me happier and more at ease whether it is in the classroom, various social settings or just conversing with friends and family. The person I have become is confident, helpful, intelligent enough to make good decisions, careful, caring and kind.

So as we prepare for the new year, I will not be making any New Year’s resolutions. I will not change anything about me nor do I regret anything I’ve done within the past year. I have nothing I would like to “resolve” or “change” for 2016.

The “new me” that emerged in 2015 is here to stay for 2016, and, hopefully, a long time. I feel lighter, more confident and more importantly, happy, and no resolution could change that.

Whatever your New Year’s resolution is this year, I wish you nothing but a happy, healthy and successful 2016 filled with only good things, love and laughter.