Starting a new semester of college after summer can be both exciting and stressful. You go from having no responsibilities (unless you worked like I did) to having multiple. Not only that, but you have to go from living one lifestyle to another. I always used to think that college was the best and that I couldn’t wait to go back. But for me, the first month I have been here has made me second guess those thoughts.

At first, things were going fine. The first week went by and I had minimal issues. But then the second week hit and it seemed that all hell just broke loose. Between my car having issues to drama with my friends and classes that seem to be too much for me to handle, I literally could not handle it all. I went from being so happy to be back at school to not wanting to be here at all in a matter of weeks.

College is obviously stressful at times. Between the work load and trying to balance extracurriculars it can be hard. But I had to deal with that PLUS extra stuff going on outside of school. When It comes to me and stress, we do not mix well. And what I mean by that is I really do not handle it well at all. So when everything started happening at once, I did not know how to handle it. Frankly, I still do not know how to handle it as some of these issues are still relevant right now.

Usually I am too stubborn to ask for help and for the most part I have handled it on my own, but if It was not for my mom, my best friend and the guy I am talking to I do not think I would have been able to make it this far right now. Without their support and them nonstop telling me that they believe in me, or just being there when I need them I would have probably given up a while ago. Help is always a good thing, so do not be stubborn about it, because sometimes it is necessary.

Although I have had a rough start to the semester and I had points where I felt like I could not move forward, I picked myself up and kept pushing. One thing I have always been good at since high school is keeping a positive mindset even when I feel like the world is against me. I know that God is watching over me, and there is a reason that he is allowing all of this to happen to me at once. I do not know how or why I am able to keep this mindset after everything that has happened to me but I am grateful that I can. Instead of worrying about what others think, I am going to continue to do what makes me happy. I am no longer allowing others or myself keep me from potential happiness. What I have learned throughout these past weeks is that no matter what is thrown at you, you cannot let it defeat you. You have to rise above it and let it know that you are not one to mess with, and that is exactly what I am doing.