It's that time of year again. August is coming to a close, with the unbearably hot days and cool summer nights that get almost everyone in the mood for fall. Students are heading back to school, some with big smiles on their faces as they start a new year in their life, some moping into school, dragging their backpack behind them, not satisfied with the length of summer vacation.

For me, this time of year usually brings excitement as I head back to see my friends, start the school year out organized and prepared, and take on another year, bringing me one step closer to graduation. But, this year, as I head into my final year of school, I have very mixed emotions.

Although I am excited to be back with friends, preparing for my final year of school, there is a strange cloud of sadness in the air. For as long as I can remember, I have spent the majority of the year in school, studying away and taking baby steps to my goal of graduating with my BSN. At the end of each school year I was comforted by the thought that I would always go back to that same routine. Now, as I begin my very last year of undergrad, I find myself anxious for what next year will bring.

Although the fear of the unknown hangs heavy over my head, the excitement for the year to come greatly outweighs it. After sulking for a few days, attempting to come to terms with the fact that after this year of school, I will have to grow up and apply for a real job, I had to find a way to cheer myself up. After all, its only the beginning of my senior year and many, many more things can happen between now and graduation. I started to think of the things I wanted to accomplish before graduation, the people that I want to spend most of my time with, the memories I wanted to walk away with. And after contemplating each of those things, I decided to make this year my best.

I say this every year. That I am going to make this year the best one yet. But, each year, the thought that I have another year ahead of me to accomplish my goals has held me back. Now, I have no time to lose. It is a sad thought, but motivating in itself. I am dedicating this year to accomplishing all of the things I have hoped to accomplish in my four years of college, because once its over, you can never go back.

If I had any advice for the freshmen starting out this year, it would be to live in the moment, take risks, and be yourself always. It's hard to see the end when you are just beginning the college experience, but I promise it is much closer than you think. Do not waste the time that you have. Every day is an opportunity for a new experience that will in turn create new memories. Do not let that time pass. Enjoy every moment of it...

Because before you know it, you will be sitting in the same seat I am today, thinking about the things you want to accomplish, trying to fit them all into the little bit of college that you have left. Make as many memories as you can, never hold back, and never have regret for anything, because when you sit down and look back on your experience, you will realize that it is filled with memories that will last a lifetime.