Going into college, I wasn't exactly excited for the two first semesters ahead of me.

Having committed to Temple last minute, I didn't have that time over the summer to message my fellow classmates and get to make connections outside of the people I knew from my high school that were also attending Temple.

The first semester was rough.

My routine was going to school, get my stuff done, leave and then repeat the next day.

I wasn't really making any new friends and that really made me upset because all I wanted when I went to college was to branch out and meet new people.

I was too scared to join clubs because of this - although I am an independent person, I just somehow couldn't push myself to go to club meetings or get involved.

Long story short, I was miserable my first semester of college. I couldn't wait for the year to be over so I could just be stress-free and have a fun summer with my friends from home.

This all changed my second semester.

I started to become braver.

I went to meetings where I knew no one, joined clubs that would push my skills (especially Odyssey, which is the first real organization I joined at Temple and gave me a place to vent my experiences and feelings, whatever they might've been), stayed on campus long after my classes were over so I could gain those memories, and I even joined a sorority which helped me to meet amazing women and build lifelong friendships with them.

My life completely changed after winter break.

I got excited to come to school. I got excited to go to my classes, get good grades, work hard and see results. I got excited to get lunch with my new friends whenever I could. I got excited to go to my club meetings and take more initiative.

Most importantly, I got excited to live and to be productive again.

So, I would say that I had such a great first year at college. Everything happened how it was meant to be, and it all worked out even when I thought I wanted to transfer schools because of how unhappy I was at first.

I love the college I attend, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's to the next 3 years.