A Sunny State of Mind: college life

One semester down. It's crazy to think that around this time last year, I hadn't even toured USC and was ridden with anxiety over the unknown. I had been on quite a few college tours and settled for the fact that I was picky and probably wouldn't ever find a school that I loved. Man do I wish my seventeen-year-old self could read this post. While my first semester had a couple growing pains, I barely noticed because I was having so much fun. I love my South Carolina home. It gave me the absolute best first few months, and I can't wait to share a little bit about them with you all (or y'all... as we say in the south ;-) ).

I went ADPi...
Joining a sorority was definitely a defining factor to my first semester and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bid day!!!

My mom is an ADPi too-- so she got to come to our initiation!

My awesome big, Hannah, and I before initiation

I fell in love with my campus...

I feel like USC's campus is different from others I've visited because it doesn't have a real obvious beauty. Yes, it's pretty at first sight and I liked it when I toured, but most of what makes our campus beautiful to me is the hidden spots and comfort in familiarity. It's really hard to have a bad day when you call such a pretty place home.

I mean how could I not fall in love with this!?

Our library -- which I got to know almost too well this semester

Making friends on the way to class at the pop-up petting zoo!

I cheered on the Gamecocks...
Ask anyone: I've really, truly, never been a sports fan. But this semester, I made an exception for Gamecock football and loved it!

My friends from my floor and I tailgating!

Saturdays really are for the Cocks

My friend, Erin, and I with our favorite gameday guys: USC Security and our live chicken Sir Big Spur

I traveled...
I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of the best parts of USC is the location. We're close to so many cool cities to explore! Being in a new city is energizes me and I'm so grateful for the places I got to go this year.

Charleston! Read the full post here.

Visiting Greg's sisters in Charlotte -- and getting my favorite ice cream ever: Jeni's!

Visiting my bffs at Ohio State was so so fun

Hilton Head!

I decorated my dorm...
A definite highlight of first semester was getting to create and decorate this space to call my own. My roommate and I really had fun with it and I love how our tiny room turned out!

I had some fun events...
ADPi and USC provided me with no shortage of fun events to go to. I love getting to dress up, have fun, and meet new people.