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.

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.