My first semester of college is almost at its end. I have one more week of classes, and then finals. Everyone is itching to be done by this point, me included. I expected the stress and the sleepless nights, the days spent at the library and catching up in work; I expected last minute trips with friends and random dance parties at 2 a.m. after hours of studying.

But what I didn’t expect was how much I would miss it all.

This first semester wasn’t easy. Any college kid will tell you that: the first semester is the hardest. It’s the most miserable sometimes. And yeah, I went through a lot that made this first semester not so great.

But what I found were friends who will be by my side forever, I found professors that truly care for me. I’ve found strength in myself I didn’t know I had. I cried, a lot. But I also laughed a lot. I smiled a lot. And there were days when I couldn’t get out of bed. But I have gained and learned so much.

No, this first semester at college was not the like movies, and it wasn’t a paradise. It wasn’t what I expected and at times I was disappointed. Sure, it wasn't like my expectations. Hardly anything is, to be honest. But I lived through much more meaningful things.

I’ve bonded with my RA, I’ve stayed up giggling with my roommate until 1 am. I decorated the halls and my dorm for Halloween and Christmas. I ate warm cookies on Saturday mornings and went to friends' rooms at midnight to cry. I’ve called my mom about a thousand time and my brothers a few hundred. I struggled through classes and essays, and I’ve pulled more all-nighters than my mom would like to hear.

I’ve done and learned a lot this semester. And while I am very, very glad it’ll be over soon, I’m also going to miss it, too. Because you don’t get a second chance at your first semester of college.