It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and I’m going into my second year at UIUC. It feels like just yesterday I was packing up my dorm room and saying goodbye to all of my friends. I distinctly remember move-in day and it was not one of my better days. Sure, it was my second year of college, but as a transfer student from a university in my hometown I had never experienced being more than five minutes away from home. All I wanted to do was pack up my stuff and go home. I sat in my room the first day completely terrified to walk around and make friends. What I didn’t know, was that every single other first-year or transfer was feeling the same way.

That night, the residence hall I was staying in hosted “get to know you” activities and it was there that I met some of my best friends to this day. I honestly cannot believe how much has changed this past year. Being at UIUC has given me all I could ever ask for. I have been given so many opportunities to grow and become a better person each day. Living away from home, although terrifying at first, is so much fun when you get used to it. If you take anything away from this, I want you to take away this. Do not be afraid to be yourself. I know it seems obvious but my first few weeks at school I didn’t want people to think I was too loud or spontaneous so I toned it down a lot. Eventually, when I did bring that crazy side out, people were even more excited to be my friend. (Humble brag?) And for those who weren’t too enthralled with my loudness, I didn’t care because they weren’t the kind of friends I needed to have anyways. If I had the chance to be a freshman again, I would take it in a heartbeat. I know I have two years left, two and a half at the rate I’m going, but just thinking about leaving makes me wish I had more time.

Don’t take anything for granted these next four years. Go out on a night when you have an 8am class the next morning but don’t do that every night because that would just be stupid. Remember to study and study often. Do not leave studying for exams until the last minute because unless you’re a genius, you will not do as well as you would like to do. Call your parents a couple times a week because believe me, they miss you. Whatever you do, don’t blink, because the second you do you’ll be done with college and moving on to the “real world” and just thinking about that gives me the chills. I'll no longer be a 20-second walk away from my best friends room but maybe a three-hour drive. Enjoy this year and years to come because before you know it, it'll all be gone.