So many emotions are going through my head. I am packing up my final boxes. I am saying my last goodbyes to friends and family. And, I am sleeping my final night in the bed I grew up in. What happened to my summer? The summer of 2016 is over? It can't be! I feel like it was just yesterday I thankfully said "Deuces" to the college way of life and welcomed my summer at home. Free meals? Sure!

Our summer is coming to an end my dear friends. No more sleeping in. No more doing "nothing" all day. No more fun errands. No more late-night adventures with friends. No more vacation. No more family. No more beach days and tanning. It is almost time to close the chapter of "Summer 2016." It went by so fast? I will be turning 21 in two weeks! And I will be an upperclassman in college to top it all off? Wow. Being an adult has never slapped me more in the face. But, surprisingly, I simply can't wait. I have so much in store for myself. So many chapters are about to unfold. I'm blessed. Yes, back to the grind I go.

Now it's time to start the day in the life of a student athlete. Wake up at 6:15 a.m. to head to the kid's house I babysit for to pack lunches and take them to school. Get a quick hot yoga session in to keep flexible and grounded. Namaste, ya'll! Finish up some last-minute homework. Head to class. Three in a row? No, let's make it four. Internship for a couple hours. Wait, I think I should have eaten something by now! Right, throw in a bar and devour it in 10 seconds. Lift two times your body weight, and then practice. Yeah that sounds totally healthy for a 5'2" gal. But I feel so darn cool. Practice until 9:30 p.m. It is here where champions are made where there is no one in the stands watching my friends. Head home and continue my nightly duties. Phew. I forgot to take a breath.

Do it all again the next day. Shout out to all my athletic friends who feel my pain and know what I am talking about!

You may ask me, "Lex, are you ever tired of being a student athlete? How on earth do you juggle everything? Do you want to swap shoes with someone for the day?" My answer? No. I love my life and I wouldn't change it if you begged me.

I am craving the routine school gives me. I am excited to be back at school with my beloved friends. I am excited to challenge my brain. I am ready to test my physical abilities. I am ready to being my journey, the journey I know I am on to be a champion. On this journey, I am to lead others and give them guidance when they feel off. I am to give them a shoulder to cry on if they need to. I am ready to be a Dominican Penguin. Hello junior year.