What a scary scary thing: starting over, going to college two hours away from home with knowing anyone. Then having to share a room with a complete stranger whose phone number you get a month before move-in day. Having all the freedom in the world, being able to make your own decisions with no one to watch your every move. What a time…

What a time of experiencing a lot of firsts. Not having to wake up everyday at the same time, being able to wake up an hour before your class and getting right back in bed after that 50-minute lecture. Having the chance to join a club about basically anything you could imagine. Only eating the dining hall food and realizing that you’re either going to spend all your money at Taco Bell or suffer from the same choices on campus every day.

Even if I thought leaving home was going to be the scariest part about college, I would now say having a random roommate was worse. That scary moment was the best thing to ever happen, though. You always hear about those roommate horror stories, where you both don't get along and there is constant arguing. But boy did I get lucky, I had the best freshman roommate a girl could have and I wouldn't change a thing. We were literally the same person and were never annoyed with each other's weird ways. She was basically the reason I met so many great people.

The people I met this year, what a group that I call my friends. College allows you to meet people from everywhere with all different backgrounds. Who knew one of my best friends, also one of the best people that the world has to offer, only lived 30 minutes away from me. My best friends come from all parts of New York state, something you would never get to experience in high-school. You're finally surrounded by people with the same interests as you.

Or just experiencing how different people are, experiencing so many different cultures. Or finding out that people from Buffalo pronounce bison wrong, who knew?

I've learned a lot this year, and college is about taking chances—something I would have never done before I started freshman year. But now, now I know the importance of trying new things. Time is a limited thing, so enjoy everything you can while you can, get to know as many people as you can. College has taught me a lot but what I've learned about life during this short, short year is tremendous.

Although you may miss your home and your family, I can definitely agree that these will be the best years of my life; they may be expensive, but totally worth it in the end.