With the new school year approaching, there will be mixed reactions on going back. Some students will dread leaving their warm and relaxing summer days, others will be excited to see their friends, others will already begin to dread exams, and everyone will be filled with nervousness on their first day back. I will be a sophomore in college and I have been ready to go back for a few weeks now. I know that I will get homesick and will miss my days off, I can already feel the nervousness growing along with excitement. Below I have written eleven reasons why every student should be excited and shouldn't dread the new school year. It is a privilege to get an education, so make the best of it!

1. You Get to See Your Friends You've Made/Get to Make New Friends

Regardless if you are returning to a school or if this will be your first year, you will make a whole new set of friends. You will become close with all new types of people and make memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy each moment and each person that comes into your life, you never get these four years back.

2. You Get to Learn New Things

In college you will learn in the classroom and in life. You will learn about new topics, about new types of people and personalities, and how to take care of yourself and who you enjoy having in your life. There is so much to learn in a school year, so keep an open mind!

3. You Become More Independent

College will definitely make you grow up and become more independent. You will have to make your schedule (and set three alarms to make sure you are up in time), you will have to do your own laundry, clean your own place, and find your own dinner. But it is all worth it because you will feel accomplished that you have done it all on your own!

4. You Can Go to Sporting Events

As a Freshman I was in my school's marching band. I got to enjoy the football games through the eyes of a piccolo player. I can remember the thrill of the crowd and how much orange and brown there was everywhere (my school's colors). One of the coolest sounds to hear is everyone cheering on the team. That sound should be heard by every student.

5. You Move into Your Dorm Room/Apartment

One of the most exciting parts about the start of a new schoolyear is moving in. Leading up to this you will spend hours shopping and picking out your bedding and furniture. The day of move-in is hectic and filled with many different emotions but in the end, it will be one of the most exciting days of the year to see your new home away from home come to life.

6. You Get to Explore a New Place

Moving to a new place is terrifying and exciting at the same time. Whether it is walking around campus or driving around the college town, you will explore and find your favorite places to go in no time.

7. Your Hard Work Will Pay Off

If you work hard through the year, keep a nose to the books, and always try your best, you will be rewarded in the end. Earning good grades and making your family proud is one of the best feelings. It is not an easy journey, but it is worth it! Remember, you are at college for a reason and that is to learn and shape yourself as a person.

8. You Can Make Your Own Schedule

One of the best things about being on your own is that you decide for you. This can be scary at first, especially if you are away from home the first time, but you quickly slip into your own routine that becomes second nature. You decide when to wake up, when to go to bed, when to eat, and what you want to do each day. You have the freedom, and the responsibility, to do what you want when you want.

9. You will see the campus change through the fall, winter, and spring.

With each season comes a new way of walking on campus. In the fall, you admire the beautiful autumn leaves, the crisp air, and the new school year. In the winter, you realize you can't feel your face or appendages, you think the snow is pretty but also a pain, and you are more than ready for Spring break. When it is spring, you enjoy the green grass but suddenly realize how hot it is getting and close you are to summer break. Regardless, enjoying campus is so simple but so important. You picked your college for a reason, so enjoy it's beauty and all it has to offer, even if it cold, hot, or raining.

10. You Can Pick Classes that Interest You

One of the best things about college is that you get to learn about subjects that interest you. Sure, everyone has to take electives, but even those will teach you something you never knew before! Take as many classes as you can in as many different subjects as you can and you start to crave to learn more.

11. You Will Learn or Quickly Remember How Much You Love it At School

Even though college will get tough, you will get homesick, and you can have bad days, always remember what a privilege it is that you can be at school, learning what you love. You will make friends and you will learn more than you can imagine. You must always work hard so that hard work will pay off in the end. College is an amazing time in a person's life and you should not only be excited for it, but enjoy it.