I find time to be such an interesting concept. Some days we wish it away, willing the hands on the clock to move faster. Other days, we act like we don't have enough time. We make it seem as though there's not enough seconds in the day to complete every task we set forth to do, or time is moving too quickly for us to comprehend. Although everyone has exactly the same amount of time in a day to do everything that we set our mind to, we all find different ways to bend time to make it work in our favor.

Along with time comes perspective. With perspective, comes growth. New experiences promote this growth, a new outlook, and the expansion of our thoughts to support this new view of the world. A year ago, I was hoping time would slow down, wishing that the summer days and nights would drag on forever. I was scared to leave home, scared to be on my own in a place where I didn't know anyone, and scared for the future. Now, a year later, I welcome this adventure. I welcome the uncertainty that a new year brings, the opportunities coming my way, and the wonderful ability to continue to pave the path that I started constructing my freshman year.

For many incoming freshmen that I know, you are excited to begin this new adventure. You are excited to make your own decisions, excited to be you without any supervision. For me, I was terrified of these things. I didn't know how to handle being on my own. I dreaded the thought of being alone, of not having any guidance on decisions that I was going to need to make as a college freshman. I look back on these times and laugh to myself, because what everyone told me was right: there's nothing to be afraid of.

Freshman year is a time for adaptation and development. You will grow so much during your first year, both in maturity and personality. The amazing thing about this experience is that you have the ability to shape your own future. Yes, you still have the support from your family and friends that have been with you every step of the way, but now it's your responsibility to develop the type of individual you're going to become. I have seen people break out of their shell (myself included), but I have also seen people snap under the pressure of balancing a busy social, academic, and athletic lifestyle.

Now, as an incoming sophomore with a year under her belt, I am thrilled to be going back to school. I am excited to see my teammates, my professors, and my friends that I haven't seen for months. I am excited to be going into a place where people know my name. I'm excited for the level of comfort that comes with knowing what to expect and what the year will bring, but I also can't wait for the spontaneous and wonderful things that will come with every passing day.

Of course, as a sophomore, I still have a lot of growing to do myself. I have three more years to continue to develop as an individual. But, when I look back at the position I was in a year ago, I am so proud of the person that I am, and I look forward to being introduced to the person I'm going to be. I hope that after your freshman year, you feel the same growth that I'm feeling right now. This year is yours for the taking; go let your beautiful light shine.