As finals week quickly approaches, we are reminded of the fact that we are going to be seniors in the fall. The stress is real, between finishing our majors, applying for graduate programs, and looking for jobs. We forget that life has a funny way of working out. We are stressing over all of our classes, and grades, and the future instead of living in the moment. We should be taking in all the memories we are creating, the events we participate in, and the people we are surrounded by. We think that stressing over things that we have no control over will somehow change the outcome. Junior year has been that year where we’re halfway done with school, half way over seeing our friends all the time, and halfway to the real world. We are always running around, or are on our phones, and half the time not even paying attention to what is around us and the precious time that we are wasting. I have explored and done what’s made me happy the past few months and I’m really starting to understand the person I want to be, and that other people’s opinions about my life don’t matter. I have matured this summer and become a better version of myself. I don’t need alcohol or parties to constantly feel happy and loved; I just need my few true friends to keep me going, those who college has brought me. I was able to change my outlook on life and at first it took a lot of effort but once I did I can honestly say I have never been happier at any point in my life. There is no longer that weight on my shoulder of wondering what is wrong with me that things never seem to go right, instead, there is this reminder that I can learn and grow from this situation instead of sulking about it. Everything happens for a reason, and the longer you dwell on the past, the more you miss of the present.