It’s time to take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back, because it’s finally over.

You did it.

You survived one of the biggest transitions of your life. You lived through all of the papers, tests and projects that you for sure thought you would never make it through.

You’ve learned so much over the past nine months, and not just in terms of what’s being taught in the endless lectures you’ve had to listen to. You’ve learned about yourself and who you are. You’ve learned how much you can handle, and that it’s usually more than what you think you’re capable of. And you now know the feeling of pride when you actually do accomplish more than what you thought you ever could.

You now know what it’s like to have several mental breakdowns per semester, and you know that it’s perfectly normal, and you are not the only one that's done so.

Congratulations for surviving all of the late night study sessions and papers you put off writing until the last possible minute. Be proud of yourself for dealing with campus food and walking to class in 20-degree weather, because those are some of the things that high school never warns you about or prepares you for.

Even though a majority of freshman year is full of stress and emotion, you have also changed your life in so many positive ways as well. You met and made friendship with individuals that you are so thankful crossed paths with you. You’ve laughed, cried and made memories with them that you will never forget (well maybe some are a little fuzzy).You took advantage of the first time in your life that you could be your own person, and be your own individual, and you also handled all of the responsibilities that come along with it.

There’s a saying I like to remind myself of often and that is to get comfortable being uncomfortable. The next three years may be a bumpy ride with many more tears, smiles, laughs and breakdowns, but now you know what to expect. You are no longer the freshman that does not know what the next nine-months are going to entail. There are going to be many more nights and situations where you do not think that you can take any more stress, but you will get through it, and in comparison to all of the good times and memories you are going to make within the next three years, the stress is secondary.

Looking forward to the start of sophomore year in September, don’t dwell on all of the negative things that you’re going to have to be dealing with again. Because you are in fact going to make it through like you have been for the past months.

So, congratulations to all of the freshman of the class of 2019, you did it, and you will continue to be surprised by yourself and your abilities.