What I've Learned...

As I am nearing the end of my freshmen year of college, I have had time to reflect on the things that I have learned thus far. So here goes...as excited as I was to leave home and start college, that did not mean that I wouldn't miss my family like crazy. Especially my little buddy, my best friend, I miss you! I grew to have a greater appreciation for my mother and all that she does for me, especially after having to cook, clean, and do all my own laundry! I definitely got homesick at different times throughout the year, but I loved getting all my holiday packages! Thanks Mom! I've learned that old friends sort of fade into the background, but new friends are the best, I have grown to be such good friends with my new roommates and I know that they are the friends I will keep for the rest of my life.

I have grown to have such a great appreciation for the Atonement, it is such a great gift that we have and I am so grateful for it! I've learned that no matter how much I think I can control everything and figure it all out, I can't. I have grown so much closer to my Heavenly Father and realized that the power of prayer is real. I acquired a lot of knowledge from my classes and learned that I'm not going to love every class I take, but some of them really are great and very interesting. I love BYU religion classes, the professors are so inspired! I have come to a greater knowledge and understanding of the Book of Mormon reading and studying it this year than I ever did before (Thanks to Bro. Parker).

I've learned what it's like to get your heart broken and to break someone's heart. But I also learned what it's like to be in love and that love is the greatest thing in the world! As much as I hate to do hard things, I've learned that by hard times comes great strength. I have grown to love BYU student wards! It is amazing how a ward can come together for a common cause and make such a difference. Everyone is so supportive and helpful to each other. I have learned to appreciate and really believe in the power of the priesthood and the inspiration of the bishopric. I have learned that if you want a good grade in a class, you actually have to study and read for it...weird. Going along with this, I have not learned anything from taking American Heritage and that the best feeling is being done with that class!

I've learned to be patient, very patient with who I thought were my friends. I have also learned the difference between real friends and fake friends. I have learned that having family so close is such a blessing and that I am grateful for the love that I have received from them. I have learned that bad things happen to good people, but that doesn't mean that God doesn't love them. He just knows that they are strong enough to handle it. I have learned that I have a newfound love for BYU Basketball and that almost every single guy on campus has a man-crush on Jimmer. I have learned that I get so excited for missionaries to get their calls and I am so proud of all the boys I know that are serving/leaving on their missions soon! And I love writing them and getting letters! I have learned that even though BYU is a mostly LDS populated school, that doesn't mean that everyone here is a good person. I have learned that even nerdy boys can be fun, and that the guys who think they're so cool are really just tools.

I have come to learn of the satisfaction of being in the Police Beat 3 times, it's great! I now know how to do laundry, cook my own meals, and how long to put things in the microwave for. I have learned that no matter how hard I try (or not), my room will always look like a tornado just went through it. I have grown to love the sport of hockey and that games are so much fun to go to when you have friends on the team. I have learned how to flirt shamelessly, and that with that comes consequences...therefore I have also learned how to let guys down gently. I have learned that when stuck in provo, getting out is like a prison break, so exhilarating!

I have learned the value of the gospel and having so many around you with the same standards is such a blessings. I have learned how to be more or less independent and have come to realize that, sadly, I am growing up. There are so many more things I could add to this list, but I feel like it's probably long enough. I will miss everyone from my Freshman year so much and I am grateful for all that they have done for me! I look forward to the next few years of my life to see what they bring and what else I will learn!