As the semester comes to a quickening end, I can’t help but look back on the rollercoaster I have been through. Either physically, mentally or emotionally, I have seen the best and worst days along these five months, and I can’t think of a better way to finish than to reflect on what has happened.

I came into this semester ready to tackle anything. With a seemingly strong head on my shoulders, and a unbreakable bond between my friends and those at home, I thought I could take on the world. My world however, quickly crumbled as I almost lost a friend. We went weeks without talking, and the endless pettiness was beyond real. Through nothing but subtweets and dirty looks, we would act as if we were total strangers. After the seemingly endless weeks passed, we finally had a talk about what had happened and realized our friendship was more important than any guy could ever come between. We set the past aside and worked towards becoming what was once an irreplaceable friendship. I am forever grateful to have you back by my side, and I know that no matter what, you will be there for me, and I am sorry we ever got into that stupid fight.

As the semester continued, I was able to be happy with the love I had, and was able to see him for homecoming. This weekend was full of time set aside for just us, and it brought the happiness I was longing for back into my life. Right around this time however, I was rudely brought to a startling shock by my school work. The infinite papers and assignments caught up to me, and I felt as if I was drowning. I took my stress and channeled it into the weekends, and partied a little too hard some nights, and lost my happiness along the way. I began to distance myself from the one person who would be there for me through anything.

Throughout this distancing I found that looking in the mirror and loving myself was the hardest thing to do. I didn’t care about my social standing, or my grades and i began to focus on myself. This process is still on going, but with the help of my best friend and roommate, I don’t think I would be here. Through all my good and bad days, and everything in between, I could count on her to make my laugh harder than anyone else could and soley make me feel like I had a family away from my home.

Later, I found myself tangled in the mix of an emotional haze. I felt broken and wanted to feel loved by someone who could bring be happiness, even when I felt there was none around me. I found that in the person I’d least expect it. To this day he never fails to make me feel like I belong in this world by either comforting me when I am down, or letting me sleep through the first three Harry Potter movies because I hadn’t slept in days. He made me feel like I was a princess, even though I had felt like the evil witch. He comforted me on my lowest days, and continues to make me feel like I deserve to be happy too, even if it means putting myself first. Without bringing him into my life when I did, I don’t think I would see some of the good inside me, and for that I am forever grateful.

Now, as I look back and try to assess what I have seen, I realize I am stronger than I think I am. I am able to put myself first, and make sure I am okay enough to move forward in my life. I am still working towards being true to myself and not letting the situations I find myself in get the best of me, but I am now able to see that sometimes you need to let the storm pass. As a great friend once told me, “no matter how hard the storm, there is always another rainbow”.