My freshman year I came to Penn State expecting the best time of my life. Since then, I have met some of my best friends I will ever have, some of the most brilliant professors I will ever have the opportunity to interact with, and some of the most talented musicians/artists/engineers/businessmen/people around. I had the opportunity to interview Russell Brand and Jonah Hill, photograph a Penn State vs. Michigan game under the lights, and party with the best people in the world. And I don’t regret a minute of it. Below is a summary of some quotes from important people in my life that have guided me through my wonderful experience at PSU:

• My freshman year, I hung out with mostly seniors. One of my clearer memories with this group of friends was when a drunken female acquaintance kissed me right on the lips and said, “Don’t waste a minute here. It will be gone before you know it… I love youuuu.” I replied with a shocked look and a slow nod. But I never forgot those words. I went to every concert, speaker, comedian, show, etc. at Penn State that intrigued me. I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried things I never would have tried elsewhere. Penn State offered me so much, and I took advantage of it all. I urge you all to do the same.

• My big brother figure my freshman year was me in male form. He was a senior, and I swear if that kid told me to jump off a bridge with him, I would have done it. I absorbed every piece of advice and constantly asked him to help me make difficult [freshman] decisions. The one thing he asked me when debating which club to dedicate most of my time to was, “Do you want a job?” “Of course,” was my immediate reaction. “Then set your priorities.” I did just that. I climbed my way up in PSMA, enjoyed my role as Entertainment Director, and booked and executed one of my favorite concerts of all time. I worked hard, and I learned countless lessons, perhaps the most important being I DO NOT WANT TO BE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY EVER AGAIN. At the time when everything was going wrong, though, I was comforted and told, “Everything will work out in the end. And if it doesn’t, you will survive.” Guess what? I’m still here. (And I have a job with an awesome company! Hoorah!)

• I heard over and over again from recent graduates: “Study abroad. I didn’t, and I regret that the most.” If you guys take anything away from this article, LISTEN TO THIS ADVICE. I studied abroad in Limerick, Ireland and traveled all around Europe while abroad. The most important thing was that I met incredible people; my roommates are some of the best people I know, and I wouldn’t change my experience for the world. As long as good people are around, it doesn’t matter where you are. Remember that.

• Last and certainly not least, a Penn State alum and co-worker of mine told me, “Don’t work too hard, you have the rest of your life for that.” Sure, I am one of those girls who raises her hand to answer questions in class, goes to professors’ office hours, and always manages the group in the group projects. But I didn’t sit in the library and study all day. I went to 80’s Parties, drank Natty Light, and danced in the rain during tailgates. I had fun, but I still got my work done. Time management is an incredible skill to have, and it starts in college. Don’t skip that party that everyone will be talking about for the rest of their life. Go…and suck it up if you get an A- for once in your life. Your GPA isn’t everything, you know. As for my motto: Work hard, play harder. Just don’t skimp on the whole “work hard” part.

All in all, I wouldn’t change a thing in my college career (well, except that poor freshman decision of joining the Daily Collegian). Everyone who has helped me along the way, I cherish everything you have done for me. Thanks for everything, Penn State. You have treated me well.

*I especially want everyone at Onward State to know that Monday nights, #OS210, The Snarky Awards, and the all the late nights spent chasing riots and attending press conferences have been some of the most memorable nights of my Penn State career. #youdabest