This upcoming spring, I will walk along with my fellow graduates to the song "Pomp and Circumstance" and try to hold back my emotions—we'll see how well that goes.

This is what I wanted...well, it's what I would have wanted if I was actually graduating with the class I entered into college with. You see, I'm graduating a year early, and though I've made lifelong friends and connections during this two and a half year period, I can't help but feel like I'm missing out on a whole other year. After I transferred to another college, I learned quite a lot about myself. I learned how to put together and take apart an M-16, I learned that I can push myself further than my limits physically, mentally, and emotionally, and I learned that I could handle any obstacle in front of me.

I learned that I'm going to miss certain experiences. I didn't even realize that I was done eating in dining halls until I started buying my own groceries. I learned that talking to myself in the mirror is still the best way to prepare for an interview. I learned that sometimes it's okay to take care of yourself and de-stress by reading a book while in the bath before you stress over 4-plus hours of anticipated work.

I learned that I'm going to miss all the friends I've made over these past few years. I'm going to miss going to football games and hockey games and cheering in the student section. And honestly, I'm going to miss doing homework because at least it's not something like taxes or bills. I'm going to miss picking apples with friends, and going to yoga with them on the weekend. I'm going to miss unplanned train rides to random cities in hopes of finding the perfect je ne sais quoi.

I am, however, excited for the path ahead of me. In the coming year, I'm excited to travel, work for Peace Corps, go to law school in the future, and become the international human rights lawyer that I set out to be. I'm excited to discover more about who I am as a person, and I'm excited to live.