As the summer ends that means the fall is starting. Which means new classes, lots of homework and papers, practice, cross country meets, volleyball games and hanging out with the friends you don't see all the time. That also means I have to be prepared for a fall semester, prepared to leave my family again, prepared to live with my best friend and continue to figure out this whole adulting thing, and making time to do all the work to keep up my grades and my athletic performance, But these are the things I need to remember as the summer ends and the fall starts.

1.) My family is only a phone call or face time away.

Last year going off to school I didn't call my family a whole lot because I was trying to get used to everything at school and being on my own. Sometimes I would miss them but not know if I should call but this year I'm going to try to call my parents more, FaceTime my brother and sister and nana. I have to remember that they're busy too so sometimes they can't talk at that exact time but they'll always call back later.

2.) Friends are important but studying is more important.

At school I love to hang out with my friends, we go out to eat, make coffee runs, go to greenwood three times a week and we always have so much fun. But this year I want to still have time for these friends and to make all our trips but also studying a lot more. Last year I studied some but not nearly enough so this year I'm going to hang out with my friends and make time for them but I'm also gonna hang out with my notes and study to do well in all my classes.

3.) Practice, practice, practice.

As a collegiate athlete I have practice at least once a day in the fall sometimes more. College is tiring in itself staying up late to finish homework, or staying up late to hang out with friends or staying up late to binge watch netflix. Whatever it may be my schedule includes practice so I'm going to be extra mindful this year about my practice and maybe skip that last netflix episode to go to bed so I can be ready for my 5 am practice the next morning, Or skip the unhealthy meal out and head to the dining hall for a salad and grilled chicken. I'm going to try to take care of my body well so I can perform well, academically, athletically and socially.

4.) Sundays

Weekends in college are fun, sometimes you're out until 2 or 3 am hanging out with friends Saturday night. Sometimes there are late events on campus that cause you to stay up a little later than you usually would. But its okay because its college and its the weekend. But this year my best friend and I have decided on a church we want to go to together on Sundays. So no matter how late we stay up Saturday night. Sunday is as important as any other day and instead of sleeping in because we stayed up late and saying we'll go next week. We will set an alarm and get up and go and if need be we can take a nap Sunday afternoon we will.

5.) HAVE FUN

College is all about having fun, you are away from home and are able to make your own decisions. Sometimes you just need to play it smart and make better decisions but always remember to have fun and enjoy your semester. If you're crammed in a room studying all day every day you won't have any fun, however there might be one or two days that you need to study all day. You need to make time for friends and the fun things whether it be going out for a dress up dinner, or bowling, or mini golf remember to use your time wisely but always make time for the fun things!