Well folks, it’s been so much fun. I really cannot believe how fast the year has flown, and with graduation out of the way, it’s official. I’m no longer a freshman, fearful of college. I’m a sophomore taking summer classes and psyched for the adventures to come. The best has yet to arrive, y’all.

Some things I learned a long the way…

I packed too much. I really didn’t need as much as I brought. I never re-read those old birthday cards or touched those old books from home.

I didn’t prepare for the transition. While I was ready to leave high school, I wasn’t quite ready to leave my Youth group. I should have jumped into a few more activities, though I did make an honest effort to try out churches and clubs, which definitely helped the process. Even still, I know it could have been smoother.

I talked to others. When times were tough and classes were hard, when I was stressed to the max and afraid of the future, I turned to adults in the community I could trust. That was my biggest success: admitting I needed help.

We all need help. The college experience is not going to be what you expected, and even farther from perfect. But it has tremendous potential if you don’t give up too soon. So I hope you’ve enjoyed reading along as I journeyed this year, and I hope that you have a clearer picture of where you’re heading, wherever that may be.

-Tasha

Well, this is it, folks. After this, I only have one more blog post and then freshman year is legitimately over. Whatever will I do with life?

It has been literally one of the best times of my life. I knew college was going to be great, but I had no idea it could keep getting better. I know it wasn’t by a coincidence, the things that happened when they happened this semester, and I honestly am excited to come back in the Fall. It is going to be amazing. I’m going to make so many more friends.

But I am also very happy for summer, too. I will be busy with summer classes and spending tons of time with my family, and volunteering at some local missions places as well. So many adventures yet to come!

Below are a few photos of only a few of my favorite people. Enjoy!

Amazing people!

Whadup y’all! I don’t even feel like myself right now. Why? Because I’m so excited. Classes have been cancelled left and right to have extra study time for finals, and I don’t have but three finals left anyway, so I get to do all these awesome things like hang out in the game room and randomly go to Wendy’s at 11 pm (way past my bedtime) and not go to the Music building to practice for piano class because I finished it this semester! It’s just so exciting. I’ve never spent so much time with people. I feel like all the hard work is paying off.

Hooray for hard work! I went to my last class today as a freshman. It’s practically Summer with the exception of some finals. I just cannot believe how the time has flown.

The seniors at my high school are on a trip to NYC right now. Seems like only yesterday we were taking a group that-a-way.

Tonight I went to an end-of-the-year party and played Catch Phrase, ate delicious grilled chicken, and enjoyed some quality conversation. It was fun just hanging out with everyone and not doing any kind of homework.

I do have one more paper to write before finals. So I best go ahead and get that out of the way. I have four pages left to write.

Have a great weekend!

This is how I feel sometimes:

I need to tell myself, “Slow down, you crazy child, you’re so ambitious for a juvenile, but then if you’re so smart, then tell me why are you still so afraid?”

It’s that point in the semester in which everyone is in the slumps. The summer weather is here so we’re ready for the homework to disappear, and I’m right there with everyone else… ANXIOUS. Impatient. Restless. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Etc, etc, etc.

But it’s okay. Everything in college is not going to be perfect. I’ve almost finished my first whole year of college, but I have learned a thing or two.

For one, I worked all my set hours for the semester early so that I did not have to work during the last few weeks of the semester. I have gotten so much more homework done! And a social life as well. It’s pretty rad, having both of those… and a paycheck!

Secondly, I procrastinate procrastination. Yep, I said it, I said it ’cause I can… when you have that day where you don’t feel like doing anything, make a priority list and stick to it like, whoa-whoa, like glue. Sorry, I’m in a pop music mood today. Hopefully you don’t die of dislikes. But if you do, just remember, what doesn’t kill you makes you STRONGER…

So stand a little taller. College is not impossible y’all. It CAN be done! Anything can happen if you let it, and that includes social life, career success, academic standards, and spiritual fulfillment. You do have the reins in a lot of decisions in college, and the number one thing to make it through the entire semester/year/experience is to learn how to react to the things you cannot control.

Now, don’t mind if I do, I’m going to watch another musical from the 60′s. Those are the ones that make you want to live in America. Those are the ones causing feelings of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. And most importantly, those are the ones that have you wanting to dance all night, still begging for me.

#LoveMyMusicals

-Hayley

Say hello to my little friend… voila!

He has no name. He resides in the English department, where I have my workstudy job. I was told by the professors that he remains there to “scare the little freshmen.” Oh, how charming. Why on earth shall I show a monstrous photo of a tiny rag doll clown? Well, my friends, since you cyberally asked, you should know that Mr. Freak Show and I will not seeing each other for a little while. A whole week, actually. Why?

Because it’s 

SPRING BREAK!

Yep, the most wonderful time of the year, except for all the holidays, of course. I am about to head out and go home, right after my 2 o’clock class on this blessed Friday. Then, a whole week of no homework and no 8 AMs. This is going to be beautiful. Though I must add, I am totally going to miss lots of my college friends. Those guys are so rad! Guess I will see everyone later. I shall blog about the Spring Break shenanigans later!

Muahahahaha…