As a child, I remember wishing that time would go by more quickly. I remember wanting to be a teenager and be in high school. Then when high school finally came along and there was the ever impending idea of college. I couldn't wait to live on my own, away from my parents, and move on to these 'new chapter' in my life. The homestretch of senior year seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye. Those last few weeks of teetering on the edge between high-schooler and graduate, brought everyone closer together. There was a sense of community and excitement and sadness for the looming date of graduation. However in those last few weeks, my excitement and eagerness for the future pulled me out of the present moment. Instead of truly cherishing the time I had left with my senior class, I kept thinking about what was to come. The 'homestretch' came and went in the blink of an eye.

This experience was mirrored my freshman year of college. I made some of the greatest friends and had some of the craziest experiences during my first year in college. When the last few weeks of the semester rolled around, my eyes were set on summer. I just wanted to get past finals and the end of the year. I couldn't wait to move into my sorority house the following year and my mind constantly jumped forward to what was ahead. Once again I focused less on the people and events at the present time and instead chose to look ahead. The 'homestretch' came and went. With the end of the freshman homestretch, came the end of many other things. Friendships grew apart, dorm-floor parties stopped, and relationships were strained. There are parts of freshman year that I will never get back. Parts of freshman year that I should have enjoyed during the homestretch, when all I wanted to do was look to the future.

So as the homestretch of this year has arrived, let's take a step back and enjoy. Yes there are finals to study for and papers to write and projects to complete. But there are also people to cherish and adventures to be had and beautiful weather to be enjoyed. No matter how badly you want it to be next week or next month or next year, take a moment and enjoy the now. Enjoy the homestretch and everyone in it with you. It will come and go so quickly, you won't be able to grab on. So enjoy it while it's here. Cherish these last few weeks, because we all know time flies. Cheers to the homestretch and the memories that still have to be made.