In summers from elementary to high school, I spent the last several weeks of summer dreading the end of August. Going back to school meant a normal sleep schedule, hours of homework and seriously restricted freedom. While I’ve always loved to learn, school never excited me in the summer. Now, in the summer after my first year of college, I can’t wait to go back to school. What kind of adulthood maturity is this? In all seriousness, there are so many reasons I enjoy being on campus

1. It’s so much easier to see friends.

Especially when you live on as small a campus as I do, it takes approximately five minutes to walk to my friends in any other dorm.

2. Not having to think about cooking.

Don’t get me wrong — I really enjoy cooking and I love the freedom of eating whatever I want. But the appeal of dining halls is not lost on me. Simply walking in, eating and walking out requires a lot less time and effort than planning, prepping, cooking, eating and cleaning.

3. I thrive on being busy.

I enjoy multitasking and being able to divide my attention between many commitments at once. While a relaxing summer has been a nice change, I'm in my element when I have ten different things to bounce between.

4. There’s ever a dull week.

One major perk of going to college in a small town without many things to do is that campus is overflowing with events. On any given night, there’s a concert, lecture, play, discussion, meal or movie screening for students to attend.

5. A change in climate.

While I miss home when I’m at school, two months in the Texas heat and politics has been plenty! Enough said.

6. Meeting new people.

A couple weeks ago, I was a student leader at a summer orientation program and it reminded me that soon there will be 400 new people on my little campus. And I can’t wait to meet them as my classmates, co-workers, writers (shameless plug, theodysseyonline.com/apply for any first years reading this) and potential new sorority sisters.

7. More memories are ahead.

I’m hard pressed to pick a favorite part of my first year of college because it was filled with months and months of happy memories. From late night ice cream runs to Safeway to all the times “studying” quickly devolved into laughing hysterically, my first year of college was a blur of fun (dotted, of course, with stress and homesickness and emotional breakdowns). This next year is sure to be more of the same.

8. Classes!

Yes. I’m a shameless nerd. I’m really excited for astronomy, dramatic literature and whatever classes I take second semester. I love school supplies, making my notes pretty, writing essays and heated debates. I’m excited to go back to all of those things in just a short month.

9. Decorating another dorm room.

Like any secretly basic, Pinterest-obsessed girl, I enjoy imagining the perfect dorm room aesthetic. (Hint: It involves a lot of fairy lights.) The upcoming year is another chance to craft another dorm room and I’m stoked.

10. The possibilities are endless.

Going into my first year of college, I didn’t actually know what to expect. And I mean that in a lot of ways. I had no idea I would change my major five times, join a sorority or become an editor-in-chief for Odyssey. And while I already have a lot more planned for this year, I’m excited for all of the unforeseen opportunities I’ll discover.