Today marked a milestone in the world of Melissa Willhouse - the last first day of school.
As most of my friends know, I dropped out of high school during my junior year- a decision that was difficult for me to make, but that helped to make me who I am, a woman I am proud of.
Starting my senior year of college had me feeling a mixture of emotions - anxiety, nervousness, excitement, the list goes on and on.
More than anything else, however, I feel excitement for all that is on the horizon for me. Not only am I so privileged to live the life I do, as people in the world today can't even dream of the education I have been blessed with, but the world is unfolding before me, and it is my time to become the person I want to be.
It's hard to describe the way I'm feeling other than "ready." The world is unraveling all around me and it is my time to shine.
Almost four years ago, I was a scared 17-year old girl who had just dropped out of high school and wasn't sure of anything anymore. Today, I am a (mostly) confident, intelligent, compassionate, environmentally-friendly 20-year old woman - and it's only going to keep getting better.
If I have learned anything from the whole experience, it's that no one is in charge of, nor responsible for, your happiness except for you - and it is up to you and only you to become the person you want to be.