Wow. It was Wednesday of Finals Week as I am writing this. It is safe to say I am ready for school to done for a bit. However, I am not ready to leave Iowa City and all of my friends. Bittersweet actually.

I don’t mean to sound cliché, but time flies when you’re having fun. It is absolutely unreal to think I am moving out of Catlett Hall in less than 48 hours. It feels like a month ago I was moving in with all the anxieties and unknowns about college.

I look back on that day often. I remember coming to Iowa City and moving in, with no real expectation on what this year would hold. I never got my hopes too high or too low. But man oh man, has freshman year here totally surpassed my expectations in every way possible.

First off, school was a lot harder than expected. Did I think it’d be a cakewalk? No, not at all. WARNING: College is hard. Now, was the schooling itself hard? Well, not exactly. It is the self-accountability that is needed along with the drive. There are times where you are always on top of things. But things come up, and life throws curveballs here and there. Luckily, I have been able to overcome those bumps in the road and say I have done pretty well for myself grade-wise in my first year of college.

I also thought living on my own wouldn’t be so tough. While I knew I can handle myself with mom and dad right next to me, you are your own parent. You got to feed yourself, clean yourself, and get stuff done. Simple enough. While that was the easy side of things, the emotional things got to me at times. Not being there for family events, not seeing your hometown friends, or just kind of feeling alone. It all happens, but it is all part of the process. While the hard times have been extremely challenging, the good times have been even more rewarding. Thankfully, I have a great friends I have made here in my one year in Iowa City.

These friends I have made here are the reason I am going to miss being in Iowa City for three months. I have made so many memories with all of them. Whether that be hitting the town, chilling in the dorms (shoutout to the coolest neighbors Sid and Tay), or just being in each other’s presence, it has made this year one of the best in my life. They say your college friends are the ones that stick around for life. I’d like to say that I have a lot of new lifelong friends after this year. If they end up reading this, thank you guys for making it such a memorable year!

Lastly, I want to thank this university for all of the great opportunities it gives us students. From me being able to write posts like these to being on the radio and countless other opportunities you offer to every student, thank you Iowa. I am so glad I chose to be a Hawkeye and haven’t regretted my decision for a split-second.

While it is bittersweet that this is my last post for the year, it is safe to say I am excited to do it all over again next year. Crazy to think I am going to be a sophomore soon.

Thank you to everyone who has read my posts over the year. I am truly thankful to be able to write what I feel for a university that I am so passionate about. I really do love being a Hawkeye, and if you’re a future student, I am sure you will too.

Thanks again everyone! Have a great/safe summer!

Go Hawks,

Derek Hansen