Over the past few days, I have been trying to choose what to write about. I wanted to write about something that was relevant, but also interesting. This semester has been unlike any other regarding course work, friendships, and even self-realization. These are just a few of the things that I have reflected on throughout this semester:
1. The importance of family.
Last semester I completed a 6 month internship working for Walt Disney World and was 10 hours away from my family. While I had the time of my life, I missed them immensely. It opened my eyes to the realization that my family and I may not always reside in the same area or even state and while that can be saddening it makes me want to spend that much more time with them while I have the chance! While there is not much free time after classes, work, and social time at school is factored in - the time I do have I love spending it with my hilarious family. The days spent with them and obviously my adorable dogs are some of my very favorite days.
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2. There will be very hard weeks.
I cannot count the weeks this semester that started with the feeling of extreme exhaustion and no motivation - oh AND the due date of one paper with two exams in the same day. As a junior I find myself in the lull between not wanting to "wish my time away," but also needing a break from the studies. That feeling does not complement the immense amounts of coursework each week. I have found that a planner and much needed study breaks can work wonders. The knowledge that I am only a few semesters away from walking the stage also provides the needed motivation. While there are hard weeks, there are also very fun weeks! There isn't a much better feeling than knowing that you can go straight to sleep after a night of working or time for 3 (or 6) episodes of your favorite show.
3. I have grown so much from the time that I started my collegiate career until this fifth semester.
I have joined a sorority, made lifelong friends, completed a dream internship, and progressed towards the end goal: graduation. I have been able to try things that I have since been able to eliminate from the "maybe plan" and also discovered things that I am good at and could see myself pursuing a career in. With this being said, this semester has taught me there is no "right plan." I want to keep my options open and that is perfectly fine. I am well aware that there are students that have known what they wanted to do since they were eight years old - more power to that! However, it is more than okay to not know what you want to do even as a junior. A degree is a degree and just because I am not sure what I might want to use my degree for does not lessen the significance of having earned it after years of hard work.
4. Junior year is truly the year I learned to say no and how to be unapologetic for it.
If I do not have the time or desire to do something then why do it? I used to try and please as many people as I could and in pursuit I never ended up truly doing what I wanted. It left me feeling upset and disappointed that I couldn't stand up for myself. I believe that part of growing up and being successful is learning that there will never be a day that you can please absolutely everyone that is in your path. Just doing the absolute best you can and making it a point to be better than the day before is enough.
