When starting the third year of college, you expect a few things: a hard academic schedule, an abundance of fun times with friends, and a big dip in your bank account. Junior year is said to be one of the most difficult, as you are beginning classes that are FINALLY part of your major. The other campus activities you are involved in are becoming more of a drag, and you are so close, yet so far from that glorious senior title. Trying to balance health (sleep), a social life, classes, and everything else that the world has to offer has been a steady struggle all semester, and when you finally seem to be getting the hang of it, it’s finals season. Two weeks of pure hell. So why has this been my favorite semester yet?

Living in Miami has provided me with an incredibly unique college experience. Sunny and 75 is not uncommon in the winter months, and Cuban food is never hard to find. The University of Miami itself is truly spectacular. With an expansive lake on campus and top-notch facilities, it’s hard to find a reason to dislike it. But sophomore year I did. Was it because I moved off campus, or I hadn’t found an organization to call home? Who knows, but whatever the case I wasn’t myself, and I knew that needed to change.

August 2015 I came back to Miami refreshed and recharged to take on the semester. I spent the first week of classes with my mom relaxing by the pool during the days and dining across town during the nights (with some class thrown in at some points). It was a wonderful start to an even more wonderful semester.

This semester I was able to do some incredibly fun things:

-Spent the day at the Miami Zoo with my sorority

-Attended a Marlins Baseball game

-Rocked out with Nick Jonas

-Tailgated at Sun Life Stadium

-Regretted (but embraced) decisions made in Tallahassee

-Road tripped to Disney World

-Celebrated my friend’s Bachelorette party in South Beach

-Dressed up 3 nights in a row for Halloweekend

-Explored the Wynwood Art District

What do all of these things have in common? I spent them with amazing friends. This semester I’ve learned a lot about myself, but I’ve also learned that having a loving group of women by your side can make all the difference in the world. From going out to Brickell for a girls night, to staying in and ordering pizza to talk, these ladies have shown me the true meaning of friendship, especially in a town where partying and living a fast paced life seems to take over. Cultivating my friendships at Miami has given me a balance across all areas, allowing me to both go out and have fun but also stay back and focus on school. Did I experience a dip in my bank account? Hell yes. Did I have a hard time in classes? Of course. But the memories that were made I wouldn’t trade for anything. These fantastic times are the reason it is going to be so hard to go abroad next semester. Thank you Miami for giving me my lifelong friends (in addition to my Chicago crew). This truly has been a fabulous semester, and I can’t wait to see you again next year!