On May 10th, I will be finished with my freshman year of college and heading home. This year was a year I was excited for and dreading all at the same time. I can't believe how quickly it went by (even if it didn't feel like it sometimes - I'm looking at you, midterm and finals week!)

Looking at my gradually emptying dorm - gone are the posters, picture frames and cute knickknacks I've collected over the past couple of months - I can't help but feel heartbroken. Although I don't think I'll ever want to go through the awkwardness of freshman year ever again, I've learned so much about myself this year and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've made some forever friends this year.

Friends that will stay in with me, watch movies and Netflix, and listen to me complain about how I ABSOLUTELY do not want to do the work I definitely need to do. Friends who will get coffee with me on lazy Saturday mornings and motivate me to get my work done. Friends that will go to poetry and fiction readings with me, and sing silly songs with me. Friends that appreciate that my family is important to me. Friends that love me for who I am.

I'm so grateful for the opportunities freshman year provided me with. I got to see some awesome Broadway shows, be a part of some fantastic concerts, join some great clubs, and of course, learn a ton of new things. I've been immersed in different cultures, different histories, and decided that I never want to take a math class ever again - which is good because I don't have to! I can't wait to see what the next three years bring.

Thanks for the memories, freshman year. You've been good. Onto bigger and better things.