The time has come, finals week, and we are all ready to spend our days without sunlight cramming in the library both sleep and food deprived. Knowing that summer will be here in a week makes it all worth it. However, the end of sophomore year comes with a lot of reflection. You can no longer say "Oh I was just a freshman one year ago". You're an upperclassman, and you're now one of the more experienced college students. You've learned a lot along the way, but there is still more growth to come.

This year, I have grown so much. In maturity, my faith, my intelligence, and through my ability to leave my comfort zone. At the end of the semester, we tend to think about all the good times we've had staying up late with friends or going on spontaneous car rides. I think about the person I was first semester compared to second semester, and how different each semester of college can be, and how different it was for me ... new classes, new faces everyday, new struggles, new friendships formed, and a new schedule.

Sophomore year was the year everyone started to get more involved in the clubs they are passionate about, some beginning internships, and some taking harder classes. It was a pre-requisite of the older life, full of what's to come. The time is coming soon to really enter the adult world with a job and your own life -- you're excited for it, yet you've developed a perspective to live the next two years the best that you can.

I am the type of person that focuses most of my energy on school. It usually controls my entire schedule day to day, and I dedicate my days putting the hard work in, so that eventually it can pay off. This semester, I have been able to take a step back, to still be just as dedicated, but to take time to create spontaneous memories with the people around me. I can now say there's only two years left, I'm half way done, and this chance and college life is something you cannot get back once its gone.

Two years, two years is the amount of time left! It's crazy. Eventually, rolling out of bed just in time to head to class will no longer be a thing ... for one day you'll be stuck in a uniform, business attire, or scrubs. Take the time to think about this year. Reward yourself for all that you've accomplished. Try to think about ways you can improve or what your future goals are for the next school year.

Next year as juniors we will feel the pressure that the real world is out there and that it's coming for us quickly. Although a lot of us will be in internships, jobs, or higher level classes relating to what we hope to do one day, don't forget to make the most of the time here, spent in this chapter of life. When you're tired, still go out for food at midnight with your friends. Do what you have to do, but remember the memories, because one day that "memory yesterday" will be a "memory from five years ago", and you'll be glad you made the most of it.