Dear 2016 Fall Semester

I touched on this subject a little bit on my Facebook page, but I barely scratched the surface of the intricacies you brought. But now that I've had a couple good nights' rest in my tank, I can form some more complete thoughts.

You started out difficult. It was my first semester at a new school and I had a lot of new things to get used to. Living with my nana, utilizing public transportation, and getting oriented with a whole new campus. It was no easy feat, but I adjusted. Eventually. There was about a week or two of pure fear, but with the help and support of my family, I finally started to get the hang of it. I wouldn't have succeeded so quickly had they not helped me. I owe them a lot for that, helping me get started.

While my mental health wasn't so great during you, it was so much better than last semester. I am trying to come to terms that it will always be difficult for me, and my symptoms may not ever go away. But as I said, my family has my back. One of the greatest gifts I received during this semester was the love of my boyfriend and his family (and his dog). If y'all have been following my articles, you know that home is a foreign concept to me. I have always seen it as a state of mind, something that is elusive and never really stays with you. But within you, fall semester, I found home.

As I am writing this article, the very boyfriend whom I speak of is resting on my shoulder. This is definitely the state of mind of home that I know. But a new form of home has presented itself to me. When I turn into the street that his house is on, where his mom and dad are too, I feel like I'm home. It's kinda weird to say I've found home with people who aren't my blood, but I totally have.

I achieved less than stellar grades this semester. But that's okay. I say as I am still feeling a pit in my stomach that my mother is going to chew me out when I finally have to tell her what they were. I am not proud of my grades, but I am proud of myself nonetheless. I underwent a lot of changes this semester, and undoubtedly grew as a human being. Because at the end of the day, I am at college for far more than a degree. I am at college for what that degree represents. Because at the end of the day, it is truly just a piece of paper. If that's all I let it be.

I'm at college for far more than a piece of paper. I'm at college for a shot at a better life, for a shot at being a better me, for a shot to make someone else's life better. Because as someone once said, "the meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." I want to apply what I'm learning to help others, in one way or another.

Thank you, third semester.