Now that I have finished my third semester at WSU, I am four weeks from being a second-semester sophomore. Looking back on all of that these past three semesters have brought me, I am thankful, to say the least. The friends, experiences, and things I've learned from both of them is almost indescribable. It's funny to look back on freshman year and how much is changed, for better or for worse. For me, it's luckily been for the better.

If I am honest, though, fall semester of this year has been one of the most challenging times of my life. School threw me a new curve this year, dealing with business classes where I have never learned anything similar to it. I had to take a new approach to balancing this, challenges with Greek life, and conquering another semester away from home. Times got tough, I went home two times before November hit, and I was considering giving up on it all.

I have yet again learned so much about myself, and how I tend to deal with situations. I have learned that I tend to lash out in hard circumstances, and have started to cope with my anger better. I have learned that not everyone is of your best interest, so to let those people go from your life. I have also learned that those who do want to be in your life, will. So don't force anyone to be there. If they care, they will be. Another important lesson is not to take everything so seriously. Girls tend to overanalyze every situation, and it is a bit unnecessary. Instead, take everything with a grain of salt, and if you think someone doesn't care about you, let them be. They probably don't matter much in your life anyway.

The other fact is that I have learned to take care of myself, first. This is a time where we are growing the most, internally. This is the part of life that determines our life in the real world, so start learning who you aspire to be. I have found some of the things that interest me the most, and have put my focus toward them. Remember that you need to be selfish. Don't worry about those who do not matter. In the end, they probably won't be relevant in your life. Focus on yourself, and those who surround you with love.

There is so much to live we have yet to experience. I cannot wait to live in the city, yet I am soaking up every second I have on the Palouse. The third semester deep in college, yet I have met some of the most inspiring people this year. I have even made some of my bet friends this semester. Everything keeps changing, and I love it. There is no end point to meeting new people, so surround yourself with those who make you better. Surround yourself with those who you enjoy being around, and vice versa. Think about those who don't matter a little less. Worry a little less. Love a lot more.

Every day, I learn a little more. I have learned that this year more than last year, I have ten times more responsibility. I am starting to focus on getting an internship for summer, doing well in my business classes, and organizing myself to start a position on the Exec board for my sorority. Things have been getting more and more serious, and I have been dealing with them more thoughtfully as I have been challenged to.

More than less, I have had an enjoyable experience this school year. I have learned to control my emotions, be a bit more mature when it comes to letting people walk out of my life, and have thought out my most angry moments before saying a word. It has been a wild ride, but I still balance it with having a good time. I cannot wait to begin my next adventure as a second-semester sophomore. It can only get better from here—and I can't wait to see where the journey takes me. Take time to think things out, consider people's actions with a grain of salt, and no matter what, friends over everything. Those are the people who really matter.