Catching up: apologies for disappearing!

It has been quite a while since I've written about my experiences in college, and for that, I apologize. Quite honestly, this is because I have been positively knee-deep in the whole experience. First I was busy adjusting, then I got sick, and then I was recovering sick and feeling the normal college-student business. But I am back now and even more dedicated to updating this site regularly. I've got a bunch of ideas, but if there's anything YOU, the mysterious reader, would like to read, please let me know.

I knew it would happen, the first dreaded immune system failure of the fall. Between the tradition I seem to have of getting sick in the middle of September, and the abundance of nasty little germs flying around campus, I got knocked down by a cold. I was hoping I wouldn't go down quite so hard, but I am glad it wasn't swine flu, although the prevalence of that illness on campus now seems to finally be lessening.

And then there was last week, and whew, what a week it was. Though I didn't have any formally labeled "midterms," I did have two exams and several big assignments. And perhaps it was just the fact that everyone else had a similar burden, but the week seemed exceptionally stressful.

Which leads us to now, the beginning of October. Can you believe it? Not only are we six weeks through the semester (!!) but it is formally the fall season. And, in keeping with the odd weather I've seen all year in Boulder, the fall can't seem to decide how mild to be. There was that one week of cold, days that seemed like they could be a warm version of December rather than a cool anomaly in September. Then there was the wind, the few rainy days, and a few 80 degrees days here and there. It seems the season is keeping with the Boulder tradition: "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes."

There have been moments in the past few weeks when I've wanted to simply stay in my dorm room in PJs (or even more drastic, just go and stay home), and then there were days when the sky was extra blue, classes were extra interesting, and everything seemed fresh and exciting. In a lot of ways, I suppose, college still seems surreal. And yet, at the same time, completely normal, just part of the progression of growing up. Whatever it is, it's part of my life now, which is why I struggle whenever someone says "what do you think of college?" I think it's just like the rest of life: it's got good moments and bad, new experiences and familiarity, fascinating lessons and frustrating homework.

Anyway, now that I have this entry out of the way, I'll be posting again very soon about a variety of topics I've come across recently. Keep checking back!

Cheers :)

This blog is sponsored by the CU Book Store.

Goodbye high school...

Even though it’s nearly a month since I became a high school graduate, every now and then I get the urge to leap out of my chair and shout ‘SHAZAM - I’M DONE!’ This is largely because the knowledge that I have finished high school keeps hitting me in waves of realization, almost on a daily basis. I keep wondering how I can be done with such a large chunk of school, of time, of life!

More specifically, where did the time go? I keep asking myself whether the time passed quickly or sluggishly… and I’ve found that this question is difficult to answer. I definitely remember the months of class, homework, tests, and lunch periods, and how they would seem to stretch on endlessly. But now, looking back, the past four years are starting to seem like a blur that came and went with a few blinks, some sleep deprivation, and a bit of studying.

On top of all this, the end of my year was particularly crazy, something I know contributes to these feelings. The last few months of school were a mad time of staring longingly through windows at sunny days and crazily cramming several years’ worth of material for exams into my already-filled brain. I’m starting to wonder if this stretch of time simply disappeared into some sort of vacuum… perhaps a black hole? I really have no idea what happened to the entirety of May and most of April.

And then there’s the fact that I did not graduate. I mean, I have a diploma sitting next to my desk and have technically completed high school, but I did not attend my school’s graduation ceremony, did not wear a cap and gown, and did not do the weird little flip-the-tassel exercise. The decision behind missing my graduation is complex and already known by many of my close friends, but in a nutshell, an event that I dearly wanted to attend happened to be scheduled for the same weekend as graduation and I chose a trip to Boston over a walk across a fancy stage.

Having said this, I suppose it’s no wonder that I feel like high school never really ended; there are clearly plenty of reasons. And, yet, at the same time, it seems that the high school part of my schooling actually ended months ago - back when I made my decision to attend CU. As soon as a deposit was mailed off to one school, and letters saying “Will not be attending” were mailed off to others, in all reality, one foot was already out of the high school door.

Going along with this notion, I want to share a fairly interesting phenomenon that I have been a part of recently. In the days when social networking programs were rarely used… or non-existent, I imagine you began your first day of college surrounded by a great number of strangers. Perhaps you had friends who were attending the same school, but it was probably rare that you had very many acquaintances before Day One of the college experience. However, the world being as it is now, this is certainly not the case anymore.

In a moment of procrastination before school ended, I logged on to Facebook and decided to search “CU: Class of 2013” for any group I could find. Let me tell you, I certainly found what I was looking for, a group of hundreds of students-to-be, all excited to meet each other. Since that time, I have founded a group for my dorm and started meeting dozens of people who will be my classmates next year. I’ve spoken with my roommates, people in the same programs as I, and people who have similar interests or hobbies. I’ve already met two wonderful people in person when they happened to be in town, and have plans to meet two more. When I show up at CU on move-in day, or even for orientation, I will already know a fair few of the faces around me. And, with such a BIG step in my life coming up, I’m willing to take any help I can get to make it easier.

In all, I hope I have made two points clear in this amalgamation of thoughts: First off, if you’re a recently-graduated-high-school-student who saw the end coming, mazal tov. If, however, you’re like me, still reeling from the shock of such a huge part of your life suddenly becoming history, you’re not alone. The summer provides a nice adjustment period that I am sure many of us will be using fully. Oh, and second, if you’re about to enter college (at CU or not), try using some of the internet’s lovely tools and start meeting people now. I can’t even begin to explain how it will change your way of thinking about your upcoming future.

Cheers.

:)

P.S. I still love comments! If you have any thoughts on ending high school, starting college, or transitioning into something new, please let me know.

This blog sponsored by the CU Book Store. www.cubookstore.com