It's hard to believe that, at this time last year, I was one of these high school seniors touring Lincoln during the Maximus Competition.

I was in their shoes and I remember how awkward it was to be walking into random people's rooms to check them out—especially when their inhabitants were just sitting there watching us. It's so weird to be on the other end of that.

That was only a year ago. That was me. I remember being totally freaked because I bombed the essays and was now being pushed into rooms with strangers who wouldn't let me leave until I asked a question. I laugh now when I think about it, but last year that was way out of my comfort zone.

It's crazy how much college has changed me. Here I am sitting in my dorm room, singing along with my music—and I don't even care that everyone in my suite can hear me. You know my favorite place to sing? The elevators. I always prepare a little something to sing then, and as soon as the doors close and I'm alone, I'm full-out singing. I always stop and get into my casual elevator-riding stance just before the doors open again, just in case someone's standing out there.

Anyway—the Maximus Competition. I didn't even know it was today. I really wish I would have volunteered to help out with it. You know, go around to the tables and talk to the prospective students and get my fix of nostalgia. Plus I'm sure I would have gotten free food.