If you were to go out on the street and ask college students their definition of time, chances are you would get a lot of different answers. They may say that it's something that goes too fast or too slow (depends on what lecture your sitting in, in my opinion). Others may say its precious, or just something to track life to. Some may say there is not enough time, while others may say they have too much of it (forever wishing I was one of those people). If you would have me that question a year ago, I would have said that time was one thing that changes everything.

But, as I sit here in my small town packing for college once again, I can’t help but reflect on what I was doing at this time a year ago and formulate my own, new, definition of time. I remember how my parents were saying that college was going to change me so much. How I was going to come back and be a completely different person. But, as I take in everything all around me, I can’t help but think that in most ways I am the same girl I was a year ago. Sure, I am wiser (I know a ‘little’ more about medicine that than last year) and more outgoing (#sororitygirl). I listen to country music now (St. Clare hall, I’m looking at you), don’t wear as much make up, and have a new appreciation for yoga pants. I have made new friends, and by extension, a new family. In the last year, I’ve met people that have taught me important lessons and walked in and out of my life. Yet, at the same time, I’ve also met people that are still in my life.

So, when I sit still and look around, I realize that time really hasn’t changed everything. My small town is still the same. St. Franny will be the same when I go back. My high school is still the same, and it seems the people I graduated with are the pretty much the same as well. The difference is, a year ago, I wanted time to change everything. I wanted to come back from college to find everything to be completely different (including myself). But, as I learned one October night sitting at high school football game, time doesn’t really change anything, as much as I wanted it to. A year later, you can still fit into the same jeans. You can have the same questions, and still have no new answers. The same person can still make your heart race (but pretend they don't). You can have new friends, a new car, be smarter and even pretend that you now are now a completely different person. But, one year of college doesn't magically make everything different. Reality is, somethings just don't change, and some people are meant to be in your life for a reason.

Time will change your face, your hair, your body, but I can say that it doesn’t change you. So as Bowie says, “Time may change me, but I can’t change time.” And its true; you can’t stop time. But, the changes and experiences it brings and how they shape you….well, I guess that’s up to you.