In less than a week, I will be moving back to school for my sophomore year of college. Of course, there is a mix of emotions I am feeling-- mostly positive, some negative though. It's weird going away to college for the second time because all I remember is the feeling I had when I went to school for the first year.

Last summer, getting ready for college and knowing in the back of my head that I was going out-of-state and far away from home, I was having a rough time. I didn't know what was lying ahead of me; I didn't know what it was actually like to live at Ohio State and in a big city like Columbus. I didn't know how I was supposed to say goodbye to my parents, knowing I wouldn't see them for weeks at a time. It was weird.

I didn't know who I was going to be friends with. Even more, I didn't know how I was going to become friends with people especially since I was out-of-state and knew only one person. To say the least, I was terrified but excited all at the same time. I love anticipating great things. But this year, it's such a different feeling.

I haven't had worry in the back of my head all summer about going back to school. I haven't been anxious, sad or scared. Mostly, I have just been excited. Throughout my first year at school, I kept finding more and more reasons to fall in love with Ohio State and the city of Columbus. That's why I can hardly wait to get back to the school and the city that I love.

However, it is always hard to leave home no matter what. It just always will be. It will still be so hard to leave my house and my amazing family. But I know this is how most people feel going back to school: a mix of excitement and sadness. It's just bittersweet.

This is what comes with growing up I guess. It's all part of the process. What is even weirder, and I know a lot of people can relate, is the fact that I know I'm not coming home next summer for my summer break. Now that I am a sophomore, internships and taking advantage of career opportunities is at the top of my list of priorities. The only way I can take full advantage of these opportunities is to leave my small town and move to a big city with these opportunities.

Despite all of these mixed emotions and the anticipation of what is to come, nothing will ever compare to being home and with my family. The time I spend with at home with my family is always special and so full of love. Especially as I get older.

I am blessed to have a family that makes saying "see ya later" so hard, but I am even more blessed to have a family that supports me in every possible way as I fulfill my wildest dreams.