As I’m writing this I’m sitting in the courtyard of my sorority house, reflecting on the gifts that the past year has given me. Part of me cannot believe it’s all over — if only high school flew by this fast. I don’t think anything could replace the number of memories, friendships, and maturity that freshman year had to offer.

If you’ve been keeping up with me throughout my journey than you know that at the beginning of the year I constantly doubted myself and had trouble adapting to the college environment. Although I definitely still have a few things to learn, I’ve grown so much this past year that the old, first-semester freshman, Simya is out of the picture.

Academically this year has been a challenge, but with such a large end goal in mind, I’ve been able to work up enough energy to push through it. If you were to tell me that my life right now would be the way it is last semester, I probably would’ve laughed in your face.

I remember being this awkward and scared little freshman who was incapable of doing anything on my own. I couldn’t go to the dining halls, study in the library, or even walk to class by myself. Thankfully, I learned to grow out of that and even though I still prefer to be surrounded by people who make me comfortable, I love being on my own.

I experienced a lot of first-time experiences this year, things that just won’t be the same as I get older. My first Alabama football game, first time signing an apartment lease, first time traveling on my own, first time at a frat party, first time in a sorority, but most importantly my first time being a college freshman EVER. Well maybe, I haven’t really decided on whether or not I’m doing graduate school, but we’ll see where the wind takes me.

Anyways, leaving freshman year of college in the past also meant saying goodbye to a lot of things. No more living in the dorms and getting judged as you walk by the front desk late at night, getting mad at girls who take the elevator to the second floor, or even waking up 20 mins before a class starts and still making it on time because I live on campus.

However, the best part of next semester is that almost everyone in the class of 2021 will be 19 and therefore legal in the state of Alabama. No more not being able to go out, because someone is 18. No more casual strolls from Tutwiler to sorority row. (Wow, the reality of this hadn’t even hit me till now.)

Day by day as everyone sheds a tear, departs and goes back to their hometowns, there’s no doubt that we’ll all be more than eager to return in the fall. Although I’ll never be able to anticipate the same experiences that freshman year provided, I’m excited to see how the transition into sophomore year treats me. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to update you about that too.

Sincerely,

A borderline college sophomore