November 2018: the smell of pumpkin spice lattes in the air and the feeling of college application stress hovered around me. I had already received my first acceptance and my first rejection. Self-esteem at -100, things can only go up from here. I was doing well in my classes and as first semester came to a close, the senioritis hit me like a bus. That Thanksgiving, I was thankful for my family, my friends, new experiences, and my hope that this next year will be better.
My senior year of high school was a roller coaster ride that never seemed to end until it did, and before I knew it, I was crying in several different parking lots, miles from my house saying some of my last goodbyes to my friends before we all went our separate ways. I turned 18 in December, I went back to Israel in February, my favorite place in the world, I committed to the best school in March(Go Mules!). April, May, and June brought so many aspects of my life to a close; my last USY conventions, my last school events, my last school chorus concert, my last day of high school, the last time I saw my high school friends. My summer before moving into Muhlenberg was dedicated to goodbyes, I would see friends and we wouldn’t know when it would be the last time. My last time hugging my parents in Denville New Jersey before being a college student, the last time my sister and I did her car dance to Watch by Travis Scott, The last time I blasted Lizzo in Britney (my car) to remind myself I’m a bad bitch while trying not to cry, and so many other lasts.
August 22nd, I moved into college. I live with the best and most incredible roommate, I have the best friends and support system here, I have people that are my home when I’m homesick, I’ve experienced new things and evolved into the new best version of myself. I get to write all the time, I can sing, I can learn new things, and find myself. I talk to friends and family constantly. I am so lucky and grateful for where I am today.
As I reflect I see how far I’ve come as a person in a year and as Thanksgiving approaches, I know I am grateful for the new place I’m in, the people I love, my education, new things I’ve tried, and new things to come. I’m so proud of how far I have come this past year; I’m more comfortable, I’m more open, I’m happier, and I care about the energy and work I put out into the world. I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for me.