What Have I Learned This Semester?

Wow, I am officially three semesters into college and halfway done with my sophomore year. I can’t believe one year ago around this time, I was finishing my first semester of freshmen year. Since then, I have grown so much as a person and learned so much. Here are a few things I’ve learned this semester:

1. I don’t need to overload myself with organizations and leadership positions in order to feel redeemed or accomplished. It’s better to be in a few organizations that hold my heart that I can actually commit to instead of being in nine organizations that I am barely present in because I am so overloaded.

2. Friends truly do come and go. Someone who you were best friends with freshmen year can turn into someone who shares a lot of memories with from freshmen year, and although you still care deeply about them, you begin to see them less and fade apart. Someone who was your best friend at the beginning of the semester can turn into someone who you solemnly talk to. And on a happier note, some people who were your acquaintances last year can turn into your absolute best friends who you would do anything for. And even more so, sometimes when you meet certain people, it can feel like you were meant to be best friends with that person from the start sharing a connection with them that you’ve never shared with anyone else before.

“Sometimes people come into your life for a moment, a day, or a lifetime. It matters not the time they spent with you, but how they impacted your life in that time.”
~ Unknown

Everyone who I’ve allowed into my life has taught me something, and even if we aren’t the best of friends anymore, I am thankful that they were a part of my life when they were.

3. It’s okay to have a rough semester. I had a great freshmen year, but I learned classes only get harder and life only gets more complicated. Grades don’t define who I am. I have never gotten below a B in my life, but this semester, I got a C, even though I was pretty sure it was going to be a D for the longest time. It was hard for me to take in, but I realized I did try my hardest, and therefore, I shouldn’t be disappointed in the results.

4. Never allow other’s opinions to restrict you of who you truly are. Everyone should be able to express their opinions, values and identities without feeling fear. We live in a beautiful country that allows us to be free, so take advantage of that, and live every moment with meaning. Don’t let any second go to waste.

One motto I have been living by this semester as I change for the better is “quality over quantity.” I have applied this to my involvement, my friends and starting next semester, I’m aiming to change in efforts to improve my grades as well as my personal and mental health. I am excited to start a new in the spring while working towards many new goals, however, as I reflect, I realize how excited I am for this much-needed winter break to recharge.

Here’s to 2017, the year of a new and improved me.