“ It’s cold ” I have hear this uttered more times this past months than ever. Surprisingly, though, most of the time, it’s coming from people who are in California. I would have to tell them, politely, of course, that I’m sorry, but 50 degrees just does, not fit the description for “cold”. Negative 30.…..now that’s  a bit chilly. But I think I’ve gotten used to the weather here Chicago, as well as all other aspects of college life-rolling out of bed five minutes before class starts and running across campus to get there on time, needing caffeine to get through the day, staying up weird hours of the night to study, living hundreds of miles away from home, being independent-to a certain extent, making new friends, but never forgetting the old ones, and realizing how much I miss my parents and brother now that I don’t see them every day.

  College is everything I expected, and more. I have a group of friends who share my interests and morals. I’ve met amazing peoples who have different views on many different topics and sat, debating for hours why they are wrong and I am right, or why I am wrong and they are right or whey we are both right or both wrong. I’ve stayed up all night playing psychological games with my friends. I’ve learned how to take the train into downtown Chicago, and how to escape a mugging. I try to avoid eating in the

dining halls. I’ve eaten in a almost every restaurants in downtown Evanston. I’ve been to Burger King at 3:00 in the morning. I’ve gotten lost in the university library. I go to class-most of the time.

  I’ve been disappointed after tests, but recovered and moved on. I’ve been frustrated at too many things to count. I’ve cried over the phone to my mom. I’ve done a lot of thinking about how I wanted to live the rest of my life. I know there are a lot of opportunities and chances out there. I don’t want to miss out on them. I want to live without regrets.

  There are new friendships starting that I believe will last a lifetime. I realize that old friendships don’t fade. They strengthen. I know my friends will always be with me, no matter how great the distance, no matter how long the time.

  I realize how steadfast my parent’s love is, and that they will always be there for me supporting me in whatever I do.

  I’ve learned so much, yet there is still so much to learn.