a year of growth, laughs, and so many snacks

One year ago I wrote about my strengths, my weaknesses, and how I wanted to grow before I started college. I am shocked, confused and totally excited that a year later I am sitting in my favorite coffee shop reflecting on the best year of my life. Not only did I grow in the few months before I left for Sonoma, but I learned what it feels like to absolutely thrive once I got there. In one year, I took more steps towards the person I have always wanted to be than I did my entire life before college. I learned so many life changing things, and today I decided to share some with you.

It’s okay to outgrow people who aren’t growing. 

For many people, leaving their hometown for college is hard because you have to say goodbye to the people you have at home. For me, my first lesson came during the goodbyes the day before I left for school. Instead of being excited for the doors I was about to open and the opportunities I was about to experience, even my best friend was hurt that I was more excited than sad to be leaving for college. College is supposed to be the best four years of your life! Anyone who holds you back from your own potential does not understand the value of growth. Only surround yourself with people who push you to be your best self. Once you get involved in your new life, you quickly understand who is there to better themselves and the world around us, and who is not. Find the people who want the best for themselves, and grow together. Some people are not growing, and that is okay. But don’t let those people stop you from flourishing.

Don’t look for happiness in the same place you lost it.

College is this amazing place full of individual human beings all living unique lives, and we earn the opportunity to learn from each other. You won’t love everyone, and everyone won’t love you. It is okay! No matter what relationship you develop, you can learn from every individual you cross paths with. From roommates to classmates, frat boys to sorority sisters, there’s something to learn from absolutely everyone. Change is always happening, especially in a place of growth and development like college. Sometimes the people who made us the happiest simply no longer make us happy. Ideas change, personalities don’t mix, and standards change. Be open minded to the opportunity of finding happiness from somewhere new. A quality I value in myself is my ability to focus on what’s happening right in front of me. I focus my energy on the relationships in front of me, the work in front of me, and the world around me. This year, I met my forever friends. I met the people I hope to grow with forever: my bridesmaids, the ones I laugh with, cry with, talk with and dream with. They taught me that it’s okay to be sad sometimes, and it’s okay to be unsure of things. But they also taught me that the right people will stand by you through It all. I found the friends I have always wanted: the ones who love me, support me, and only want the best for me. I am forever grateful for you. Because of them, I was able to let go of the relationships in my life that only held me back. It is a beautiful thing to surround yourself with only love and happiness. I encourage you to find your people, lift them up, and let go of the ones who no longer bring you happiness. You can’t move forward while looking backwards. Promise yourself better, and never look back.

Celebrate the little things. 

I won’t lie: college is hard! Taking eighteen units while student teaching, reading over fifty books, holding an executive board position within my sorority, joining clubs, making friends, exercising and eating healthy, exploring a new area, and learning new skills like how to do your own laundry (tip: don’t wait until your mom leaves to ask how to do laundry) is hard to balance. Some days It felt absolutely impossible. That being said, it’s important to celebrate the little things. Be proud of yourself and everything you accomplish. Whether it’s a dip in the hot tub, an episode of gossip girl, or a glass of wine-it’s important to remind yourself and the people you love that even the little accomplishments like getting all your work done on time are valued. Some of my best memories from this year come from late night trips to the hot tub with my girls, talking about our day and the things we have to look forward to. No one said college would be easy, but with the amount of love and support I got from my family at home, friends at school, sisters in my sorority and my inner self-the days go fast, weeks go faster, and all of a sudden you spent an entire year absolutely thriving.

Cheers to a year that gave me my best friends, an incredible amount of opportunity, so many laughs, and even more snacks.