This past year has been a year of immense growth and challenges. I've learned more than I ever could have imagined and am a drastically different person than I was 10 months ago.

1. Who I am is up to me.

College comes with freedom and no accountability. This was difficult for me to come to terms with. I could be whoever I wanted to be, but it was scarily easy to become someone who I didn’t respect.

2. Failure can be a good thing.

I’ve applied for a countless number of positions on campus and walked into dozens of interviews. Through the joys that come from my successes, I have also been met with rejection. Failure is inevitable, but also temporary.

3. Things won’t always go the way I thought they would.

I had a very specific idea about what my freshman year would look like. While I achieved many of my goals, college also surprised me. I joined a sorority, but not one I expected. I joined several clubs, some of which I thought I would hate but learned to love. I changed my major halfway through first semester and couldn’t be happier.

4. My friends will be fascinating people.

College has been a time to meet new people and accept them. I’ve learned to appreciate instead of simply tolerating others, and through that, have met some of the most passionate, kindest and most interesting people.

5. If you don’t love it, then don’t do it.

I made the mistake of signing up for everything at our organization fair. After quickly becoming over involved, overwhelmed and over exhausted, I had to cut out the things that I wasn’t passionate about.

6. Life flies by.

As I approach the end of my first year of college, I can look back and say that I am where I belong. I’m truly happy here and am in shock that I’m 25 percent done.

7. I had no faith in myself.

I came to college with high goals, but no real affirmation that I would succeed. I looked to others for confidence and the approval of my peers meant everything. Throughout the year, I realized how capable and strong I truly am.

8. Never, ever apologize for who you are.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” -- Dr. Seuss

Don’t ever walk away from the things that make you unique because of another person.

9. Faith is hard.

I’m a Christian. This whole year has been a long faith struggle. I’ve lost sight of who I am and have tried to push away those closest to me. I’ve wrestled with right and wrong, with people’s preconceptions of me and who I really am, but I’ve also seen the joys that come with pushing through with something that I believe so deeply.

10. Mentorship is amazing.

I have mentors in everything that I’m involved in. Their support and encouragement has meant the world to me. They’re the reason why I’m involved in so much and why I have the confidence to pursue different things. They are who I aspire to be as a student.