Freshman Year. Oh boy, were only half way through the semester and its already been one heck of a roller coaster. There’s been many tears, laughs, memories made and lessons learned.

You don’t truly realize how much you have to grow up after high school until you leave for college. You have to do everything for yourselves, you do things such as washing your own clothes, buying your own food and making every decision for yourself on your own based on what you think will in the long run benefit you most. Yes, you still have the support of your parents but it’s not the same. There no longer making the decisions you are.

I couldn’t wait to leave to college and be out on my own and get away from my parents but being here for about three months now I’ve truly begin to realize all they do for me and appreciate it. It’s the simple things that I notice most like having to buy something as little as my own toothpaste has made me appreciate them more because I took there help for granted and not just their money but even their emotional support. Being here on my own has been so hard. I’m use to always having my mom right there when I needed a shoulder to cry on and being right there when I have a good day to tell her about but having to deal with all my emotions here alone has been hard. I face time my mom just about every day but it’s just not the same.

A big lesson about coming to college is to find yourself some good friends that will only bring you up and closer to where you want to be in life. We are no longer in high school; we don’t need to surround ourselves with useless fake friendships that only bring you down. College for me has been all about finding my place in this world and I’ll admit it has been a bit of a struggle. Trying to juggle work, school and friendships has been one of the hardest things, but you just got to push through the first few weeks and all the pieces will begin to fit together.

I’ve found myself some amazing friends and finally found a balance with school and work. I am struggling in a class or two but I found people who can help me get through it, don’t ever be afraid to ask for help either. I was afraid at first but then I decided to finally speak up and it has helped a lot. I’ve only been here this short amount of time and it feels like I’ve been here an eternity. I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity I have to be here and get to go through this journey of college. I have met so many amazing people and have had so many opportunities present themselves to me already, I’m just excited to see what the future holds for me all the good and bad. I’m ready.