It feels like yesterday when I moved into the place I would call home for nine months. It feels like yesterday that I said goodbye to my family and became an independent person in a huge city. It feels like yesterday when I started my first college class. It is crazy to think that all of those firsts happened almost a year ago. Now as I pack up my things and say goodbye to my first home away from home, I am so grateful for everything that has happened within the past nine months.

While I am lucky to say that my freshman year of college has taught me a lot of things, it has also brought about the worst feelings you could feel. Freshman year has taught me that missing your parents and sister is one of the worst things you could go through. It taught me that not having your best friends by your side is heartbreaking. It taught me that being away from your dog results in severe separation anxiety. But while all these feelings come and go, freshman year has also taught me things that will follow me throughout my life.

So thank you freshman year for the nights of partying that I will remember through my Snapchat memories. Thank you for making me realize that even if you were a straight A student in high school that doesn’t mean you will be one in college. Thank you for bringing me my roommates who will forever be apart of my life. Thank you for giving me a kitchen and a bathroom inside my dorm. Because of this I did not gain 30 pounds and do not have to wear shower shoes. But most of all thank you for teaching me how to be independent. It is one of the most important things you will ever be in life and until I find someone to spend my life with, I am happy that I know how to do my own laundry and know how to cook dinner for myself.

So here’s to you freshman year, thank you for all the good things.