Since it's the end of high school for current seniors, it's about time for me to reflect on how much my life has changed since I graduated high school. Two years have flown by, and I can only vaguely remember the little highlights of high school, but I surely know that I do not miss all that surrounded it. Since going to college and meeting some great people, I have learned things about myself that I would have never known when I was in high school. In two short years, I have already seen myself grow in a full circle, and I have become the women I had always wished to be.

You never really know what will come after you graduate high school, and most of your idea of college relies on television or movies. If you were lucky enough, an older sibling filled you in on what college life was really like. I quickly learned the power of independence and time management in college and learning to adapt to a new environment was a lot harder than I expected. Even when I couldn't wait to leave home and go to college, it seemed like I would rather return to my life a few months early. But I learned to love my time at college, and when I finally made a solid group of friends, I really started to enjoy my time there. In my little time there, I had already learned how to cure my first real hangover, how to peel myself out of bed for my 8 a.m. math class, and how to juggle an amazing social life, too.

The summer following my freshman year, I left college knowing what I wanted to do with my future, and I learned that I could fight back from any struggle I had. College really showed me that I could make it on my own without my parents guidance, and I had grown up a lot during that year.

After finishing another year at college, I had developed myself even more, and I finally felt like I was actually on the correct path toward my future. I went home missing being at school, and after meeting my true friends at college, I knew that my time at home would not be like it used to be anymore. I enjoyed college life way too much, so returning home was just too boring for me.

Looking back at the girl I was in high school, there is almost no comparison. I used to let people take advantage of me and let the little things people said to me get to me, but now I have build myself into a strong independent women. I have faced many different obstacles in college, and each has made me realize where I stand in life. I couldn't imagine myself being any other way, and I am glad I have turned into such a great woman.