What is the first thought that comes to mind when you think of the word 'college' ?

Do you think of the excessive partying that college is infamous for? Do you think of the academic aspect, and all of the ounces of coffee consumed to fuel you through the dreaded exam season? Or do you think of the endless potential for new beginnings: new scenery, new friends, new town, new culture, etc.? The beginning of a new life..?

Well, these are just a few of the things that I envisioned college being like. As I approached the end of my senior year of high school, college was something that I didn't go a day without thinking about. I remember vividly the daily count down that I had plastered in expo marker on my mirror, reading in bold lettering "X days until COLLEGE!!" Each morning the first thing I would do was mark down a day, building my anticipation each morning as I saw the triple digit number trickle down to eventually a single digit! I had lived in the same town and attended the same school for 6 years. I was excited for something new to say the least! The thought of college brought me so much joy, and I couldn't wait to begin this new chapter of my life. Although it was difficult to part ways with most of my high school best friends, I was looking forward to building a new life in my new college town

Leading up to August of 2016, the month that I was leaving for school, anyone who had been through college before would give me advice on what to expect or words of encouragement as I entered this new season of life. I remember being told time after time from multiple people that college would be "the best four years" of my life.. I was told that college would be "the quickest four years" of my life; however, I was also told a few times that college would undoubtedly be "the hardest four years" of my life as well. As I stand here today with just having finished my sophomore year at Auburn University, I can personally vouch for all three of these claims. Even though I'm only halfway through my college career I can say these past two years have been the some of the most challenging, quickest years of my life. But in the end that is exactly why they have been two of the best years of my life to date!

"The quickest four years of your life"

It's true. I remember everything about middle school and high school as if it were a year ago, but here I am- an upcoming JUNIOR in college?! Where has time gone? If you think high school went by fast just wait. I didn't know it was possible, but college seems to be even quicker! College is a constant "go,go,go", there really is no breaks. It's a time of being an "adult with training wheels", so on my off-days from school I'm usually cleaning, grocery shopping, studying, or just running daily errands as needed! It's not like in high school where on the weekends you just get to spend the day lounging around with your family, with no obligations or worries. When I am not in class, I'm always in school-mode. Now this may not be every college student, but I'm always studying and working on something.. yes, even on the weekends! Each week, I know I have at least one assignment due and if not, then I definitely have something I should be working on to avoid procrastination. Due dates are everywhere and they're inevitable!!! Even during summer break most students take if not several, at least one summer class to stay on track with graduation. Your summer break even becomes school infested! Taking a break from your studies is important and learning the balance between a social life and your academics is crucial. But to sum it up, no wonder college flies by! It never stops! Learn to enjoy the crazy ride that it is, even on your most stressful days.

"The hardest four years of your life"

When people told me this, honestly I wasn't surprised one bit. I would think to myself "Well of course it's harder.. it's college!!!" That's all that the high school teachers would reiterate over and over to us in school..telling us that our behaviors "wouldn't fly in college" or that our "college professors would not except this work, they don't care". Needless to say, I was expecting the "hardest" part of these four years to be the academic portion of this experience. However, my academics have been the EASIEST part of this transition for me. I've always been a responsible student, and diligent worker in the classroom. For me, it was the mental aspect of things that really took a toll on me. I have never been one to be homesick during travels, but I got severely homesick being three and a half hours away from my family for months at a time. I made efforts to be as involved on campus as I was in high school: I joined a sorority as well as a few clubs and made lots of friends that I am SO thankful for, but in my eyes it just wasn't the same. I missed my hometown friends, and all of the memories we shared throughout our teenage years. Although I was so eager to get out of my hometown, I missed the familiarity of being back home. I missed being able to run into family friends and familiar faces everywhere I went. I spent so much time reminiscing on the past that it put a halt on me moving forward with this new life that I had looked forward to building for years! Since my first year of college, I've made immense progress in this area but it still is difficult being away from family for long durations of time. But I believe that this is just a common struggle among most college students, and let's be honest it's a "part of growing up" unfortunately. I owe so much to my parents and their constant support through these two years. They push me everyday to remind me of the big picture, and that these "hardest four years of my life" are going contribute to something greater someday.

"The best four years of your life"

Above all things I've previously mentioned, college truly is the best four years. In the beginning of my college experience, I would never have agreed to this statement and undoubtedly would've argued to my grave that it was in fact the WORST four years of my life. At the end of my freshman year, I hated college. I was so upset that my first year didn't unfold as I had planned/expected. I wasn't ready for all of the changes that were to come like I had originally thought that I was. I wanted my old life back. I contemplated every option I had, and even debated on several occasions moving back to my hometown and attending the local university. I wasn't motivated in any aspect physically or mentally due to being unhappy as well as the stress of being undecided in my major. However, if it weren't for my struggles early on I would've never found the major that I am now in. I finally found a major that I am passionate about, and I approach every class now with a totally different mentality than before because I'm genuinely interested in the material. I have quite a rigorous curriculum but I haven't been the least bit discouraged because I am motivated to put in the extra time and effort so it will pay off later. It took me until a few months ago to realize that these past two years have been some of the most difficult of my life, but that is exactly why they've been the best and most productive years of my life. I've learned so much about myself that I never would've discovered if it weren't for me plunging head first into this journey. I've always been a firm believer in "everything happens for a reason" and I truly believe that this stands true and every fall has a beautiful outcome. I'm happier now than I have been in quite some time and I finally understand why people love college so much. My pastor once told me "God never does anything TO you, but instead He does everything FOR you." These words of wisdom got me through moments when I was lacking the drive and motivation to do anything. I still have to remind myself this from time to time, but these words stand so true! With every rise and fall that lead to my self discovery, it truly has been the best experience of my life.

College is many things, complied into four years that end up laying the foundation for your years to come. College is a time to build your life and become the adult that you had always envisioned yourself being. With the bad comes the good, all of the late nights studying and moments of feeling deprived of energy, they're all going to pay off when you get that degree you worked so incredibly hard to achieve. Old friendships will fade, some classes will be more difficult than others, moments of discouragement will appear, and things are going to change. Everything takes a turn, and whether it may seem that it's good or bad, it all happens for a reason and plays a role into the big picture.

So if I could give any words of advice to the upcoming college freshman it would be:

Enjoy every moment of college, embrace the moments of sadness and weakness and turn everything around into a positive light. Take some "you" time, and find your balance of social and school life. Four years comes and goes in the blink of an eye and it would be a shame to not live it to the fullest possible. Embrace the newness that's to come, and don't be upset when things don't go as you'd expected. God has a plan for you that's unimaginable, and you're going to do big things! College is the best four years of your life.