Elementary school, middle school and high school. We've all been through those stages of our lives. I remember elementary school like it was yesterday. It was a time in our lives where we felt as if everyone was friends with anyone and everyone. You could walk up to someone you'd never met before, sit down next to them and become their friend five minutes later. We didn't have the same obligations and responsibilities that we have nowadays. Social media wasn't a part of our everyday lives. We didn't have to worry about how many likes our Instagram got or how many favorites we got on a tweet. Life was good and it was pretty easy.

Middle school came around next. Braces, acne, awkward hairstyles and unfortunate outfits. That was middle school for me summed up in one incomplete sentence. People began to change. Cliques were forming and the dating scene was just beginning. We began to feel numerous amounts of stress for various reasons that we were not used to prior to middle school. This was when I noticed friends starting to come and go. I was alone in classes. No one seemed to want to talk to me. I didn't think anyone wanted anything to do with me. Yes, I had friends but they were the type of friends you'd talk to in class and get along with but once the school day was over, it was as if they didn't want anything to do with you. I found myself more often than not sitting in the back of the classroom silently daydreaming about a happy life filled with numerous amounts of cheerful and caring friends. I felt lost in a sea of fish and I wanted out as soon as possible.

Up next, high school. It was time for a fresh start. I had just transferred from private school to public school and that was a major adjustment for myself. Instantly, I began to meet new people and make friends. For me, freshman year was incredible. I didn't think life could get worse. New adventures, new faces, new school and new rules. Everything felt perfect. In class, I sat in the corner quietly but outside of the classroom, I was beginning to burst out of my bubble. I didn't think anything could ruin my perfect sunshine-filled life. I never imagined a storm coming and ruining it. But like many meteorologist's predictions, I was wrong.

Sophomore year rolled around. Almost instantaneously, I felt as if I was back in middle school. More and more cliques began to form and the exclusiveness began. I tried oh so hard to save my previous friendships from freshman year but like middle school, it didn't seem to work out no matter how hard I tried. I began to feel as if I was living vicariously through other people's lives because I thought I didn't have much of an interesting life. I stayed in nearly every weekend and for the most part, kept to myself. From then on until graduation day, I kept a positive attitude, focused on bettering myself, enjoyed life, stayed close to my family and waited for the day I would move away for college. After months and months of anxiously waiting and looking at the calendar, the day I had waited for had finally arrived.

On August 16, I moved to Manhattan, KS to begin my journey at Kansas State University. Ever since the day I walked onto campus for my first day of classes, I have felt nothing but welcomed. The opportunities that I have been given while living here have been endless. I've been overwhelmed by the amount of people that I've met within the past five weeks. My classes are challenging but I enjoy them as they have allowed me to gain new life perspectives and knowledge. The professors want nothing but for us to succeed. My sorority sisters, my roommates and even the people I've met in my classes will do everything in their power to help you out, study and simply make sure you're enjoying college.

I wake up and go to classes with a smile on my face. I look forward to every single day. That girl who used to sit in the back of the classroom speaking as minimally as possible is now sitting up in the front, making new friends and interacting in the class lectures. In college, everyone should strive to get out of their comfort zone, talk to the people in their classes and get to know their teachers and professors because they want to see us succeed and strive for excellence. To the people who still sit in the back of the classroom, please know that you are not alone. Throughout time, I've learned that life is what you make it. Take a big step out of your comfort zone and strive to be the best person you can possibly be. Maybe someday everyone will be fighting for that front and center seat.

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." - Helen Keller