Life can be compared to flowers.

We go through stages where things are cold and dark, much like winter. In these stages, our lives can seem dead much like flowers are dead in the winter. However, life has summer stages where everything is warm and happy. In these states of our lives, we are like flowers.

WE BLOOM.

Freshman year of college has been a total period of growth for me. I have come to the University of Kentucky and I have been exposed to many new things and have had several experiences I would not have had if I would've stayed in the bubble that is my hometown.

I have had incredible experiences that have allowed me, for lack of a better word, BLOOM.

Moving six and a half hours away from all my friends and family posed several concerns. Despite all the excitement, I was terrified.

This was the first time I was going to be independent without my parents there to hold my hand and walk me through new experiences. Taking that fact with a grain of salt, I packed my stuff up, said goodbye to my family and friends, and embarked on a journey that would change me forever. College.

Here I was a very excited yet terrified freshman going through sorority recruitment. I was scared I wasn't going to fit in anywhere and find my forever home. I was wrong.

I then fell in love with the sisterhood and the women of Rho Iota. Phi Mu became my forever home and with that, came another stage of blooming.

In my first year as a member of Phi Mu, I became involved in things like intramural sports, external philanthropy events, and best of all, I joined an irreplaceable sisterhood.

To me, Phi Mu has become something I will be forever thankful for. Through Phi Mu, I was also blessed with an amazing Pham that has become a huge support system thus far.

Moving away was one thing that scared me, but the thing that scared me the most was the unknown of making friends and finding a family away from home, but I was given that through my sorority.

Obviously, I chose UK because I wanted to further my education as well. I am majoring in Integrated Strategic Communication and I couldn't imagine being on a different path for my future. I see myself being extremely happy with this as my career path.

Yet again, I am given another opportunity to bloom.

So, with all of that being said, to those who feel they have not had their opportunity to bloom, it will come. College is a huge place. There are so many opportunities on campus to be successful and the number one way to do this is to be alright with the process to take time.

Blooming and thriving are things that do not happen overnight. It takes you being open to change and being accepting of some failure along the way.

Patience and a good attitude are all it takes and in no time, you will be blooming too.