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

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!

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!

PROS of the Semester:

Receptive professors who are kind

Made more friends!

Didn’t procrastinate very often (until NOW)

Enjoyed Spring break at home and the weather on campus

Decided on my major and minor for sure

CONS of the Semester:

Didn’t set enough “relaxation” time

Instead spent way too much time on Facebook!

Overate a lot more than last semester

Might earn my first B so that’s not really a con, but just a downer

And there we are. One week left and Finals week. Tonight is the Chorale concert which I’m totally stressing over but that’s okay. My Mom and older sister will be there. And tomorrow night, I will head over to the Coffee shop that my Church does – Cornerstone Community Church, within walking distance to my dorm room! They have a weekly coffee shop open on Saturday nights. I’m hoping that next semester the boom will be big enough to open on Friday nights as well

Off to do more work on my research papers. That’s a major con, except for the fact that they’re almost over!

#Almostthere #soclose #goodbyefreshmanyear

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

Life goes by quicker than I ever thought it could, and a friend of mine asked me how I felt about my freshman year almost being over. Really, it just feels natural, but it’s also very weird to consider how much has happened in just eight short months of schooling. I love UC and will happily be returning in the Fall, as you may have read my Fall schedule recently. I am so glad to be here, and I can’t wait for all the fun adventures to come in the next three years!

In other news, Josh and Anna Duggar are having baby #3, the Louisville Women Cardinals made it to the Final Four, Easter brought a surplus of chocolate goodies and genuine prayers, and once upon a time I didn’t have any homework. I said once upon a time because that was like in seventh grade. Never again did it happen that way.

I currently have two research papers to write, one for my English class and one for my New Testament class. Both of these could be considered general education courses, but they also count towards my major. I am happy for that too! Except, I really don’t like research. But I like writing, so, I ought to start on them now.

However, I think I’ll just rest easy for a minute first.

Au revoir!

I think I am very excited about summer. I know everyone else in the world is, but I sure do enjoy my time with cold weather (except that I left my earmuffs at home during Spring break! My ears have not enjoyed the snow!)

For me, summer means saying goodbye – to the gorgeous Spring that we’re totally skipping over in Kentucky, to regular lecture classes, to lots of friends, and to jobs and to great professors and to Music Theory. Yes, I am officially finished with Music Theory for my Music minor coming up in five weeks. My professor has been more than outstanding, and I will definitely miss him, though not the homework

So, I think I am GETTING excited. It takes some time. I’m mostly excited for finals to be out of the way, because who likes exams? No one I know. Except my Grandfather. He said he used to love essay questions as apposed to multiple choice; he may have not known the answer at the beginning, but by the end he’ll have rocked that essay!

Hope I can say the same! I just registered for classes for summer and fall. I am taking three summer courses (An English survey, a Gen ed course, and a major Ministry class) and I will leave you with my Fall schedule:

Modern Literature, 400 level class, with Dr. Herring
Intro to Creative Writing, 200 level, with Mr. McClellan
Biblical Hebrew 1, 300 level, with Dr. Bob
Interpreting the Bible, 200 level, with Dr. Clark
Voice lessons, 200 level, with Dr. Smoak
Chorale, 300 level class, with Dr. Etter
Departmentals, varied level class, with Dr. Smoak
Convocation, varied level class, with the general public

Goodbye March… hello April!

You know what else is major cray? All these papers I’m writing. Yeah! The Monday back from Spring Break I have all these pieces I’m expected to play for Piano, and I’m like, “Really? You know no one practiced over the break, right?” I have two papers I have been procrastinating this week, one was due Thursday and the other is due Sunday. Some professors are more lenient and don’t hate if you turn in a paper a day late, while others simply won’t accept your assignment past the minute it is due. It just depends, though I love the first kind of professors mentioned.

Speaking of love, I have been single this semester. Well, and last semester. Technically my whole life, though I’m sure I didn’t care that much when I was like seven or whatever. At any rate, dating is totally different in college. I mean, I haven’t dated, but I can tell just by Psychology’s “natural observation” that admiration has many new styles in the eighteen and over realm. Eh, I’ve got time. Until my time comes, I’ll keep wearing my Treble clef ring on my left finger. My Momma got it for me right around Valentine’s day…

Decisions, decisions. Freshmen will be signing up for classes next week, and I just signed up for a dorm room like yesterday. I sure hope they get it worked out and I know what room I am in soon! I will be living in Archer for sure, which I’m cool with. It’s the only female dorm with no AC, but it’s chill. (Well, not literally.)

Time’s up! I still have that paper due Sunday that I need to finish, so I must chat with you later! Until then, have fun meeting deadlines!

H. Davis

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…

I was really nervous about coming home for Spring Break. Frankly, I have made so many great friends in the last semester and a half, and the thought of taking an eight-ish day break from them really just sounded absolutely terrible.

I’ve been doing well, though. I love my family and enjoy getting to spend time with them. I am currently applying at several surrounding places for a summer job, so I’ve been hustling and bustling for interviews, dressing to impress, not to mention spending my fair amount of time being a chauffeur for my younger siblings. Bowling practice, track practice, gymnastic practice, chiropractor appointments, the list continues!

My driving around has mainly been for my little brother, who is not so little anymore, folks! He’s already looking at colleges. (Davises breed early – he’s really only a high school freshman!) He told me the other day he was even considering UC. I got quite excited, but no worries, I didn’t go blow a whole fifty bucks on Cumberland shirts and hoodies in the bookstore… prospective students get that stuff for free when they visit. Well, more like cups and pens and folders. But still, free stuff.

Okay I’m rambling. This must mean I haven’t been writing grammatically correct all week, since I haven’t written any papers. Alas, I believe I must go and continue on with my TV splurge, popcorn addiction, and job hunting. The family will be home from school and work before I know it, and then we’ll go out to eat and have many laughs!

Hope you’re having a cheery week!

H. Davis