Amanda Bynes Goes Back To Fashion School

She's back! Amanda Bynes is pursuing her educational goals once again, after taking some much-needed time off for the past few months, and her parents' lawyer confirmed she is already hitting the books. Amanda Bynes is back in fashion school, which is an excellent development for the once-troubled star.

The Easy A star first enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in late 2013. But this was before she was placed on psychiatric hold for several weeks, so she clearly had to leave before completing the program. Since receiving treatment last year, the 29-year-old has maintained a much lower profile than before, and it seems like that has done wonders for her. Tamar Arminak, her parents' lawyer, sung her praises to Us Weekly, on Monday, saying, "We are all so proud of her, and can't wait to see her amazing designs on the runway someday."

It is a very positive thing to see that Bynes is able to pursue the type of career that she wants. Though she might not be hitting up the runways just yet, this is a step in the right direction off of the rocky path she was on for the past few years.

Bynes has really been through hell and back — and in front of the camera, no less. Trouble started for her in 2012, when she was arrested on a DUI charge. Days after, TMZ reported that she was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident with a rental car. Following her alleged car troubles, she began posting strange photos and sending erratic messages in 2013 on social media, calling various celebrities "ugly," among other things. (In December 2012, Bynes entered a civil compromise in the case related to the alleged hit-and-run. In February 2014, a plea deal was reached for the DUI charge and Bynes was sentenced to three years probation, required to attend an alcohol education course, and pay a fine.)

Mid-2013 was when she was arrested on marijuana charges and for allegedly throwing a bong out of a New York City window. (This case was later dismissed in June 2014.) In July of that year that she was placed on psychiatric hold after being seen near a gas can and a small fire in her neighbor's driveway. She enrolled in FIDM for the first time in early 2014, and things seemed to be looking up for her until she was arrested on a DUI charge again in fall of 2014. In October 2014, she was placed on psychiatric hold, after tweeting troubling allegations of abuse from her family.

But then, finally, she began to improve. In November 2014, Bynes made a statement to Us Weekly via her attorney, "I am doing my best to get better. I am sorry for any pain I caused my family and others... I am thankful for everyone's patience and understanding."

Since then, she has made a few rare public appearances, the most recent being in July, when she appeared to be happy and healthy. But re-enrolling in school is the most prominent sign of Bynes making strides toward good health and spirits. And I'm all here for it. She owes it not only to people in her life, but most importantly, to herself.