I am writing this a week before my classes end, and finals inevitably start, therefore I haven’t made it to the end just yet. But I feel as if I have experienced a first semester full of many ups and downs, and I am opting to leave the dreading finals week out of this. Yet, I am proud of how far I have come.
Looking back into early September, when I moved in not knowing a single thing about the road I was about to embark on, I would say I’m pretty impressed with myself. I mean I know many people choose to live away for college, I am obviously not the only one, and it is crazy to wrap your head around the idea that we pick up everything and live with strangers in a place we’ve never been. If you’re as lucky as I am, those strangers don’t remain strangers for long and become some of the people that know you best. I mean you live together, you’re like family.
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Other than brand new living conditions, I was exposed to an entirely new style of learning. It is important even now, before finals begin, to look back and think about how much you have accomplished. I know I am proud of myself for keeping up with my work and also managing time for other activities, and I absolutely plan on maintaining this focus during finals week.
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I have definitely been introduced to my first real slump. This week has been tough, as I feel classes should be winding down, yet I still feel as if I have so much work to do. Coming back from the holiday weekend of Thanksgiving and then look forward to Christmas and winter break is distracting, but once again, if I have learned anything from my first semester of college, that would basically be you won’t get away with slacking.
Lastly, I have learned that I will be okay here. I had doubts clouding my mind all summer, wondering if I’d really be okay living away from home, but guess what, I was okay. I did miss just about every piece of home along the way, but that just makes going home all the more worth it.
Overall, I would say my first semester of college has been much more successful than I ever could have imagined. I am definitely jinxing myself because I haven’t even gotten to finals week yet, but up to this current moment, I am content with my performance. It’s beneficial to take the time to look back on all you have accomplished. Try it!