Looking back at my first semester of my freshman year at the University of Florida, it was filled with changes. And with change, must come adjustments. After struggling to choose between the University of Georgia and the University of Florida, I was excited to step onto Florida’s campus in late August. However, I was still not 100% confident in my decision, but I knew that that would take time to achieve. After all, I loved the warm, sunny weather that was always present in Gainesville. Once I moved in, I didn’t have many friends beyond my roommate. After a busy, stressful week of panhellenic recruitment, I joined a sorority where I thought I would instantly have 300 friends. Well, I kind of did. I had suddenly met a large number of girls that would become my close friends, but I didn’t know them beyond the surface. To me, these interactions and friendships felt slightly forced. As the first day of classes crept up, I remember feeling anxious and overwhelmed. I often asked myself how I was going to balance school, social activities, my sorority, and personal time. But just as everyone told me, I found my groove and what worked for me after some time. One thing I have realized over my first semester is that you can not say yes to everything. Frankly, it is just impossible to go to everything. In order to succeed in my academics, I had to prioritize it, which meant making sacrifices in other areas of my life. Next, I learned that it is crucial to utilize my resources from the university. Faculty, professors, advisors, and mentors are there for a reason. In the beginning during my difficult classes I just thought that UF was trying to make my life hard. When in reality, the people that make UF what it is are there to help me succeed. Lastly, I have learned that I have to put myself out there to meet people, encounter opportunities, and grow as a person. Sitting inside isn’t going to do anything for yourself. Opportunities present themselves when you push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Nothing will change, unless you do. While my freshman fall semester was a time of ups and downs, getting into the hang of things, and an intense time of change, I am forever grateful that I chose UF as my school.