College! Whenever someone flaunts that word, "you made it", rings in my ears. Many students work day and night for twelve years doing whatever it takes on top of acing those statewide tests hoping that they did enough to get into the college of their dreams.

When I was accepted into the University of Alabama, I knew it was time to cut back on Netflix and focus on my future.

Many students walk into their very first day of college and know exactly what they want to do in life. Some even have it planned to the point of exactly what classes to take for the next four years, professors to be buddies with, or even the right coffee shops to socialize with to ensure that their future is bright. At times, many student's dreams accumulate most of their time leaving themselves little to no time to practice some of their hobbies and sports they once loved.

Many photographers stop capturing images, writers stop creating, even athletes retire their shoes for it doesn't seem to fit in a student's personal success plan.

I was one of these students. I have been a competitive dancer since the age of five and when I look back at my childhood, all I can remember are the memories I made in the dance room with my teammates. I recall the late-night practices, the sleepovers after a long Saturday practice, the early competitions, and the well-deserved win.

When I went to college I decided to rip this page of my life out of my book and stopped dancing to focus on achieving my career and the next chapter of my life.

I loved my new life at Alabama. The campus was like a scene in a movie, Greek life was something new, and I was learning new information that gave me even more passion for my dreams of being a news anchor one day. But at the end of the day when I went back to my dorm room, I had that feeling that I had misplaced something but I couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was. This feeling kept occurring at the same time for a while until it hit me. Every night at around six o'clock, my body was so used to going to dance class. Dance brought me a special joy, a way to release all my stresses and thoughts and channel them into my craft of movement.

Now that I was away from my passion, my body didn't quite know how to react to this drastic change.

Before the end of the second semester, my counselor continued to remind me that I have yet to pick a minor. I couldn't pick something worth additionally studying for. I wanted to choose something that interested me and that just doesn't look good to a future boss. I couldn't pick until I had an idea. Why couldn't I minor in dance? Why couldn't I bring something back into my life that was my escape and I could further as a strength under my belt?

Instead of a Major and a minor, I plan on double majoring in News Media and Dance in the fall.

Once I realized how important dance was to me and made up who I am, it struck me. Why do people give up on the things they once loved? My advice to you after finishing a year of college, you will need that one hobby to release the worries of the day.

Whether it's as small as reading a book or climbing mountains, never give up on the things that bring you joy because those skills make up who you are and will keep you true to you!