As my final few weeks of Freshman year slowly approach, I sat down to reflect on the lessons I've learned while being a freshman year at the University of Kentucky.

The first thing I've learned is no one cares about appearance!! In high school, the pressure to look your best 24/7 was so real. Hair done and full-face of makeup every day was expected. In college, every day is a lazy day. Everyone bums out all the time. DO NOT wear cute clothes to class unless you have a presentation, people will look at you funny.

Another thing I've learned is to be unique and authentic. Authenticity is so important in college. This is the time where people discover who they are and what they stand for. Be unique. Have opinions. Dance like an idiot.

BE YOU. There can never be a more beautiful you. No one can ever be you. Embrace the qualities that make you weird and different.

Another thing I've learned is to not be a people pleaser. This is something I've struggled with a lot. In high school, I felt pressure to make everyone happy, thinking this would make me happy when in reality, it buried me in a deeper hole than I thought possible. This habit is one that since coming to college, I was able to throw away.

Taking time for yourself and being independent is something so healthy that often times takes a backseat to other things.

STUDYING IS IMPORTANT PEOPLE! I got through high school hardly studying and coming to college, I was shocked at the amount of time I spend in the library. College is a whole new level of testing. You are forced to not just memorize the information but understand the concepts and apply them to the real world.

Pick a major that actually intreats you. I am an Integrated Strategic Communication major with the hopes of going into Digital Media in sports. So many of my friends do not enjoy their college classes because they do not enjoy the content they are learning.

I can genuinely say I enjoy going to class and learning the material my professors teach.

A smile can go a long way. In college, especially at a big university like UK, I pass hundreds of people a day. You never know what people are dealing with in their personal lives. Simply passing someone and smiling and extending a simple hello can make someones awful day so much better.

Last but definitely not least, college has taught me the best three words in the dictionary are GO BIG BLUE. School spirit, especially on game days at UK is contagious.

Everyone is so proud to be a Kentucky Wildcat and it truly makes the experience here so much better. Being surrounded by thousands of people who have the same love for this school as I do is amazing!!