Awhile back I wrote an article titled "Freshman Year Was My Biggest Rejection Letter," but I spoke too soon. I didn't let my freshman year reach its full maturity before writing it off as one of my biggest failures. But maybe, just maybe, that was the reason for all this great success.

You see, I think I lit a fire under myself, which in turn, created a new drive in me -- it was exactly what I needed. I was sick of getting the "Thank you for applying, unfortunately..." lines coming through my emails and voicemail box far too often for someone who has her eyes set on some lofty goals.

I would like to congratulate and apologize to my old self, because honey, you were just trying to figure it out. You got there eventually!

I started attending more events with my friends, not just frat parties and sporting events. We went to galas, etiquette dinners and networking events. I gave up my precious Netflix in favor for productive time in which I did real things with real people. I stopped being afraid that I wouldn't know what to do or worry that I wouldn't get the position so, instead, I started volunteering for events and applying for internships.

This entire experience has completely switched my point of view. Even though I was dying of the worst viral sore throat in the world, I attended the TEDx event and learned so much more than I ever could have imagined. Even though I had no idea how the night would go, I volunteered to do raffles for the Women in Business Gala. And, even though I have been to two etiquette dinners before, I still went to the Business Week Etiquette Dinner to refresh my memory, show off my etiquette skills and, obviously, get some free food.

I have now received an amazing internship in Madison working for the Department of Public Instruction for the Career and Technical Education sector as a marketing intern. I will get to help plan the whole year's social media schedule and other fun things I love doing. Also, I will get to be back in the Future Business Leaders of America world! YAY!

In the fall, I will be a Welcome Week Leader and Carlson Crew Leader helping freshmen assimilate to campus and explore reasons to love the U just like I do. It will be a long ride of over 100 hours of community service, but the connections made will be so worth it, and hopefully, I will be able to change one of my student's lives even just a little.

Also this fall, I will be working for Gopher Sports Marketing for a school year internship. I will get paired with a specific team this summer and work in the office and all events for that team. I am very excited as this is directly correlated with what I want to do with my future.

Time flies when you're having fun, and, with this first chapter of college finally coming to a close, I am thankful for all my experiences, both good and bad. I am especially grateful for the constant reminder that good things come to those who wait and even greater things come to those who put in the work and get stuff done. The lesson learned here is to open your mind and explore all your opportunities. You only get results when you push yourself out of the comfort zone.