As I sit here preparing to study for my last two finals, I can't help but recap on this year. This year will definitely hold memories close to my heart forever. They say Bethany becomes your first home, and home home becomes your second, and I believe that's true. This year, I found my person, continued to work the most amazing job for a work study, grew my family of friends and successfully figured out how to shave my legs in Phillips.

When people ask me why I go back to school early, and I say it's for work they look at me like I'm crazy, but there's no place I'd rather be. Being a football manager is stressful, exciting, and emotional all at the same time. The football players earn a special place in your heart as the season goes on. It becomes a way of life. My best friend and I became so much closer this year -- I couldn't have done it without her. Between my break up during spring break, school break downs and crazy midnight adventures, she was there with me every step of the way. I can't wait to be roommates again next semester.

My family of friends grew with the people I share a major with and just breaking out of my shell a little bit more, meeting new people is hard, but there's something about the Bethany way that makes it so easy and less nerve wracking. I had to take a season off from my sport this year, but that gave me time to focus on my classes and cheerleading. The cheerleaders at Bethany don't get a lot of props but they should. Going out to every game with not that many people is stressful but amping up the crowd with so few people is something to be proud.

As for living in Phillips this semester when all of my friends lived in CV or Greek Hill, it was hard but it was a well needed break. Anyone who has ever lived in Phillips knows that it's hot in the summer so you better have fans, but the winter is like a sauna so expect to have your windows open all semester. Shaving your legs in Phillips is also something you have to master, and I finally figured that out this year after two years (the key is to shave them in the sink.)

As you take your first steps through the gates of Bethany during freshman weekend, you're told that these could be the best four years or the worst four depending on how you spend it. I didn't think that was true until this year when I opened up more, and made more out of my college experiences. Leaving Bethany and all my friends for the summer is probably one of the hardest goodbyes I have to make each year. For now, I say see you in August, Bethany -- and thank you, sophomore year, for some pretty amazing memories.