It’s the end of the semester. Finally. Summer break is so close! As a senior, it’s crazy how my college experience has flown by (don’t you worry, you’ll have me in the Fall before I graduate!). This semester probably was the most enlightening of my entire college career, to say the least. I worked down to one job, changed my major and my pre-professional track and made the some of the best friends that I know for a fact will be in my life forever. This was one of the best semesters academically that I have had, I learned so much in regards to my new major and learned much about myself in the process. It has been so completely refreshing.
1. I learned that sometimes things don’t go as plan.
I was set on being a biology/pre-med major till I graduated, but then course got difficult and mental breakdowns became a real thing. My anxiety levels were at all-time highs and I was not performing the way I wanted to. No matter how much studying I would do or the hours on homework I would spend, would never be enough. I was falling behind and steeped into a depression that took over the first semester of senior year. I was in a hole that I couldn’t get out of. Until I spoke to one of my coworkers at the UIC Corps office and they told me that I could switch my major without it being a big deal. So at the being of the spring semester, I went and spoke to my academic advisor and we switched. It was the best decision of my life and now I am pursing a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Health Studies and a potential Nursing Degree and even thinking about master’s programs.
In addition to changing basically my whole college track, I lost a few friends who weren’t supportive of my decisions or proved that they didn’t care. As hard as it was for me, I had to let them go. I thought these people would be in my life forever, but sometimes, life has other plans. Letting those people go and the negativity was the best thing I could do for myself mentally and emotionally. I learned that sometimes people are in your life for brief chapters of your life, that they contribute to some portion of your life but that sometimes they need to be let go because the chapter has closed.
2. I learned that it’s important to laugh as much as possible.
Oh man, it’s crazy how much more lightly I take my own life. I laugh at every possible time I can. I laugh at my mistakes, I laugh at my clumsiness, I laugh with my friends, I laugh with my family. Laughter is the best medicine, at least for me it is.
3. It’s okay to take breaks from life.
I was constantly on the go. Working two jobs, school, commuting, and sorority. But then because of some unforeseen events, I went down to one job, school load lightened and I had much more time to focus on myself. I took a day a week to read or even sit in silence or even binge watch some of my favorite shows. It’s important to take a break from your life. Give yourself a day to collect yourself and refresh.
4. Sometimes you need to dance it out.
I don’t think I’ve danced so much ever. Every time I get to blast music, I do. Especially that new remix of “Despacito”, that song is my sh*t. I dance in the car. Dance when I am home alone. Dance with my mom. Dance with my best friends. Dancing is my form of exercise. It’s my form of stress relief, so I am going to stick to it.
5. Just SMILE.
Life is too short to not do what you want to do. Life is too short to worry. Life is too short, so finding happiness in everything you invest yourself in is important. I have invested time and effort in my sorority as the Alumni Relations Chair. I have invested more time in my friends, family and myself. I just smile all the time, because our days aren’t counted.
I hope y’all have a great summer vacation. Explore as much as you can. Dance as much as you can. Love as much as you can and lastly, smile because school is over.