This time last year I was preparing to begin my first year of college. I was nervous and excited but mostly I was thrilled. With college came new friends, new norms and a new life. While some people may be intimidated by change, I welcome it. I was ready to start a new beginning. And my first year was very good to me. I learned a lot and I made a lot of mistakes. I made friendships and memories that I know will last a lifetime. I've been told that nothing really compares to your first year of college, where everything is new and fresh. I now realize how accurate that statement is.

But that year has come and gone and now I am going into my second year of college. While I'm sure it will still be as fun and fulfilling as my first year, it won't be the same because I am already a seasoned student. My time as a freshman has passed and I'm honestly a little upset about it. I feel like I took it for granted a lot of the time and that I didn't really appreciate what I had when I had it.

Soon, a new class of freshmen will move into their dorms that they've been mentally decorating for months. They will meet their college roommate for the first time and they will have their first dining hall experience. They will go out with their new friends for the first time and find out who their real friends are. Many of them will thrive socially and academically and many of them will learn the hard way that if you don't study, you don't pass. But the slate is blank and they can be whoever they want to be.

I envy them. I am no longer the baby on campus. My mistakes and mishaps can no longer be blamed on my youth. My occasional bad grade can no longer be a result of my inexperience. I have to be a big girl now and face my problems head on without anyone holding my hand. I know this year is gonna be great but it's also gonna be scary. My level of responsibility and accountability has increased exponentially in a few short months.

So, to the upcoming freshmen class, don't take it for granted. Appreciate the little things. And don't miss out on any opportunity because you may never get the chance again.