To be frank, when I first came to Florida State, I spent most of my time in my room, moping around about how much I hated college. My parents were a 15-hour car ride away and I had never been by myself before. After my family dropped me off on move-in day, I began questioning my decision to go to college so far from home. Walking into the crowded dining hall those first few weeks made me even more miserable, as I saw the large friend groups laughing and smiling. I thought about my friends from back home, and about all the great memories we had.

Fall semester dragged on, but the more I became used to college, the more at home I began to feel. I started joining clubs, focusing on my school work and tried my best to be outgoing. Towards the end of the fall semester, I began making more friends, and my attitude about college picked up. I also started to realize that life won't always be perfect, but nothing is set in stone. As winter break came, I silently made a decision to stop being so negative about my college experience. I decided that the spring semester would be better and that I would eventually fall in love with college as much as everyone else.

When I came back from Christmas break, things were already looking up. My schedule was already packed, and the idea of being busy made me more excited. I found two great roommates to live with next fall and we became inseparable. As the wonderful Florida weather picked up, so did my mood. I spent more time outside, started eating healthier and exercising more and it made such a difference. I finally felt like I had found my group of people and our daily breakfast dates made me feel like I finally belonged in the FSU community.

Even though it took a while for me to get adjusted to college, it was so worth it. Going to school far from home was a challenge for me, but it taught me to be comfortable in my own skin, and not be afraid of being alone. Keeping a positive mindset about the future, and not comparing your experience to other people was the missing puzzle piece in finding my happiness.

So, spring semester: thank you. Thank you for bringing more sunshine, laughter, and happiness into my life.