The summer before my freshman year of college was one I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I was the sickest I had ever been. Whenever I would eat I would have pain so bad that I would almost always get light headed. I thought I was going to get sick 24/7. Whenever I would try to work out, I would end up on the bathroom floor crying, screaming in pain. I was scared to eat, I was scared to workout, and I was scared to wake up in the morning because I knew the pain would be waiting for me. My body and mind were exhausted.

I spent the majority of the summer in the hospital running countless tests. It wasn't until two weeks before college that they discovered what was wrong with me; I needed to have my gallbladder removed. I got moved up on the surgery schedule to eight days before I started college

So here's what I learned from having surgery eight days before the start of my college career.

First a foremost, I learned that God always has a plan. Everything happens for a reason and although I didn't see a reason for this at the time, nine months later I realize there were a million little reasons why this had to happen.

Second, I learned who my real friends were and that anything is possible with the right people by your side. To my friends, thank you for helping me in every way you could. From being there for me on the day of my surgery and holding me tight while I bawled my eyes out to giving me rides and carrying my textbooks the first week of class. I would be nothing without every single one of you.

Third, I am a stubborn human being. The first reason obviously being that I started my freshman year on time. I had every reason to take a gap year or semester but I was too stubborn to do that. The second reason is the fact that I refused to miss class and be treated any differently than the other students. There were days that I would be in so much pain that I thought I was going to pass out or get sick, but I would still go to class. I refused to let this surgery define me. Only one of my professors knew about my surgery. I just wanted to be a normal kid again. I ended the semester with a 3.78 GPA.

Fourth, I learned how to take care of myself. Before my surgery, I would always push my body to its breaking point, but now I realize the importance of taking care of myself. I learned that sometimes it necessary to take time off and recharge. I learned that I am the only one who really knows what's best for me and to trust my intuition. I learned that I am my longest commitment so I need to make myself a priority. I learned that I am more in control than I ever thought I was.

Lastly, I learned that I am capable of whatever I put my mind to. I learned that I am a powerful person. Where people look for excuses and ways out, I just put my head down and power through it. I learned that with enough hard work anything is possible. I learned that pain is a part of life, but how you respond to that pain makes all the difference in the world. I learned that I had to go through something that completely broke me to find out who I am meant to be. Through all of this, I found myself.