These last three years have taught me so much about the world and about myself. Before I came to college, I grew up in a relatively small city. Every kid went to the same middle and high school, so everyone knew pretty much everyone else. Word of what people do is spread like wildfire.

College is a completely different story. College for me was a fresh start. The only people who knew about my past only knew about it because I told them. I realized that making friends was not about telling them everything, but only telling them what counted.

Not all college friends are here to stay. I had to learn that the hard way. Be thankful for the ones that do.

My freshman year taught me that it was okay to not be okay and that it was okay to completely be myself. I didn't have to hide behind some persona that I felt that others wanted to see. I was finally free to just be me. People will tell you that if someone can't handle you the way you are, then they aren't worth your time or your tears. I have found this to be the case on numerous occasions.

Sophomore year my deep pool of friends became quite shallow. It felt like they were all dropping like flies, but the ones that stayed I wouldn't trade for anything. My close circle of friends has truly kept me from quitting school and starting over somewhere else. I'm so not kidding. Quality over quantity.

Nothing is more important than your future. If anything jeopardizes that, drop it. Even if it is a person. This was a super hard lesson for me to learn. I wanted certain people in my life, but they were no longer helping me better myself. If someone isn't helping you to be a better version of yourself, then you don't need them in your life.

Junior year flew by for me. I was honestly struggling in my classes and didn't think there was any way I was going to graduate on time. I even took summer school to try and get back on track. It worked because I am now looking to be a May graduate in 2019. All of my hard work seems to be paying off.

Senior year is here now, and I am so not ready for it. I never envisioned I would come so far as to taking my last core classes this semester. I am at a loss for words. Everything I have done, everything I have experienced has brought me here. For almost 16 years I have been a student. What happens when I graduate? Will I even be able to get into grad school? What is life even like without the impending anxiety over completing assignments?

I have no idea, but I am going to find out.