I look back at my four years of college, and I wish I could just relive every single moment of it. The college experience is unique for everyone, but the one thing that we all have in common, is that we are experiencing new things – new people, new friendships, new relationships, and a new environment. I remember as I entered college, I felt nervous yet excited because for the first time in my life, I was free from the restraints of my parents; I could do whatever I wanted. I gained independence, but more than that, I gained responsibility. I learned my limits when it came to people, friendships, relationships, drinking, studying, etc. From meeting new people, to pulling pranks on one another, to late night fast food runs, to partying till the morning, to pulling all-nighters, to studying for a midterm the next day, to building lasting relationships, to all the giggles, tears, and everything in between…you go and grow through it all.   It’s the time where it’s okay to mess up, it’s okay to be immature, and it’s okay to be however you want to be because it’s what makes it all part of the overall “I love College” experience. It’s something you look back on and wouldn’t want to change even if your life depended on it.  Sure, there are times when I’m like, “If only I didn’t go out so much my Freshman year…my GPA would have been better, and I could have gotten the job I wanted or gotten into the school I’m applying to.” It’s better to not even think about “if I didn’t do this or that” because making those mistakes in college is what helps you become wiser and learn to never repeat those same mistakes again. College is over and now we are stepping into the real adult world, but with each and every path we take, we take that “I love college” experience with us. Let’s take a look at how everything changed from my freshman year to my senior year.

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Freshman year:

“OMG…I’m late for class!”

Senior year:

ZzZzzZz…*snore*

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Freshman year:

“I need to get an A on this midterm!”

Senior year:

“I need to get a job!”

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Freshman Year:

“I want to be a….”

Senior Year:

“I don’t know what I’m doing with my life!”

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Freshman Year:

“I need to make friends!”

Senior Year:

“I hope I don’t bump into anyone I know.”

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Freshman Year:

“Oh yes party! I need a fake ID!”

Senior Year:

“I’m over it.”

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Freshman Year:

“I need to use all my meal swipes.”

Senior Year:

“I’ll just have a Freshie swipe me in.”

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Freshman Year:

“I got into the bar using my fake ID…I’m a boss”

Senior Year:

“18 and up tonight? No.”

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Freshman Year:

“I just met this girl/guy…I’m going to add her on Facebook immediately!”

Senior Year:

“Find me on Linkedin.”

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Freshman Year:

“Dress to impress…I’m going to find someone perfect for me.”

Senior Year:

“You know what’s better than finding someone? Everything.”

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Freshman Year:

“Look good, feel good, do good….owning this midterm!”

Senior Year:

“I guess I’ll be wearing these pair of sweats for the third day in a row…oh well.”

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Freshman Year:

“Midterms are this week…but YOLO!”

Senior Year:

“Let’s stay in tonight…maybe play some video games, order pizza, and watch the game?”

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Freshman Year:

“I am such a grown up!”

Senior Year:

“I don’t want to be a grownup!”

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And the one thing you had in common Freshman Year all the way through Senior Year, is that you made it through the best four years of your life.