A year ago, I was in the homestretch of high school. Everything was coming to an end. Final projects were getting finished, papers were getting turned in, and AP tests were finally over. College seemed like some far away land. Little did I know that my life was going to start moving at a pace that was fifteen times as fast as what it had been before.

As college started, everyone told me, "Enjoy it, it goes quickly." I would just smile and nod because I didn't really believe them. I mean yeah, senior year had gone by pretty quickly, but I was sure that college wasn't going to feel any quicker than the past four years had felt. Now that the first year is almost over, I have to say that this year has gone quicker than any year in high school ever did.

As fast as the year has gone, I feel like I've changed so much since I left home for the first time. I left as this scared, meek little freshman who was still unsure about the whole college thing. Yes, I was excited to have a new independence, but it was all overwhelming. Looking back, most of the things I was worried about worked themselves out.

Throughout this year, I have met countless new people that have taught me so much. Some of them have taught me the ropes of college, some taught me how not to act, and some have become very near and dear to my heart. Each person has brought something different to my life, and I'm thankful for each new piece of information that everyone has brought into my life. I've gained some friends and I've lost some friends. Things are constantly changing, but that isn't always a bad thing.

I think one of the most important things I've learned during this school year is that life goes on, no matter if you want it to or not. There have been some dark days, but the sun still rises the next morning.

Sometimes, things aren't okay. It may take a week for you to get back "into the groove," or you may never get back into that same groove, and that's okay. The important thing is that you keep moving forward. There are days where you just have to stop and take care of yourself. I felt selfish for having to stop and take care of myself, but it's imperative to getting through college. But, even if you do stop, the world doesn't stop moving.

I've had some amazing experiences this year. I traveled to new places, ate new foods, and tried things that I never thought I would. College has brought me to places that I never expected to go to. Traveling has been such a pivotal part of my school year, and I'm thankful to have had the opportunities that I had to see more of the world.

As I look back to who I was coming into college, I know that this year has challenged me, tested me, and made me stronger. So, cheers to being 1/4 of the way through college and here's to the next three years being as dynamic as this one.