Do any of you remember last year when I posted a few times about how far I was in to finals week? Ummmm yeah, I didn't think so, it's been basically a whole year since I last posted on a regular basis.
Basically, my first experience with college finals was hell to the acious and not because I bombed them or anything (I actually did quite well) but because the schedule was so whack. I originally had 4 finals on Thursday and one on Friday morning. Now, you know no one wants to still be on campus on Friday of finals week, let alone taking an actual final. In fact, my school only has two Friday morning times for finals, barely anyone has those times, and I was so lucky to get one of those. Thankfully it wasn't the 7:30 am one, but still. I was also a lucky duck (not!) with scoring 4 finals in the same day. While most of my friends were finished and headed home by Tuesday or Wednesday, I was stuck waiting around til Friday afternoon. Major bummer. Anyways, I was lucky enough to get one of the Thursday finals changed to Tuesday, so I only had 3 finals on Thursday, which was still a lot. Needless to say, I was super burned out by that night.
This year, my schedule is a lot better, at least in some ways. For one, I don't have any Friday finals. Sure, I'm still stuck here til Thursday afternoon, but that's one day less than last year! And I really only have 2 finals next week. I had no final in my PR class (but a stupid project that is now--thankfully--over with), my stats final is take-home and online (thank goodness!) and I did my newswriting one today. Why is it always the easiest one that we get out of the way first? Oh well, I'm way ahead of where I was last year at this time. So one down, 3 (ish) to go. I say 3 ish because the take-home one isn't like a traditional final. I know it will be super rough, but I will have my dad's help which is amazing. And I get to go home this weekend and escape the craziness that is the freshmen who live on my floor. Gosh, I can't wait for them to grow up. Of course, that'll be after I leave the dorms, of course.
I'm feeling way better about finals this time around, too. Sure, I am stressed about a couple of them, but overall I'm handling the stress in a good way.
I'll keep updating all y'all (if anyone still reads...) throughout next week as I countdown to Christmas break! I'm sooooooo close :)
Christmas break in college is way different than Christmas break in high school. Sure, both come after a hellish week of finals (trust me, the stress level is wayyyyy higher in college, though in many cases it shouldn't be--my exams this year were actually pretty easy) but college Christmas break lasts for about a month, while the high school version is typically about 2 or so weeks. But there are many more differences that I've already realized only 6 days into break.
- You actually want to do chores. A year ago, I complained about having to load and unload the dishwasher, fold towels and clean my bathroom. Now I'm more than happy to do them, because it means that I'm home, in a place where I actually have my own bathroom (that's about the same size as my side of my dorm, sadly) and real dishes.
- I appreciate family time a lot more. I've always been close with my family, which I'm extremely grateful for. But now that I only see them once or twice a month on weekends, I'm really thankful to have an entire month to spend with them!
- Real food. Sure, the dining hall can be okay, but day after day, not so much. At home, you mostly get something different every single day (or not, if you're a creature of habit). Either way, it's much better than college food.
- You can actually cook if you want to. I absolutely love to cook, and I've missed using the stove and the oven while I've been away. Microwaves are convenient and time-saving but nothing beats cooking actual food. Today I made chocolate-peppermint pancakes for my family and I've made some baked goods, too. It makes me feel good to see my family enjoy the things I've cooked.
- A much bigger closet. I don't know about you, but I've got a lot of clothes. My dorm closet is usually packed to the gills, while my walk-in-closet at home is very spacious, not to mention a good place to get dressed if I want to. I know most people don't necessarily have such a huge closet, but it's probably bigger than the one in your dorm or apartment.
- Being far away from school. The weekends I spend on campus are typically very boring. A lot of people leave on the weekends (myself included, sometimes) and there isn't much to do when you don't have a car. Even if I have no homework, I can't get away from the school atmosphere, because being in college basically means you live at school. At home, I'm over 100 miles away from school, and I haven't thought about it much (except for grades, of course). A boring weekend here is much better than a boring weekend on campus.
What are your favorite things about Christmas break?
Oh, yes, Thanksgiving--the time of the year when it's okay to eat a little too much turkey, when you don't mind waking up early to watch the Macy's parade or get a jumpstart on holiday shopping and when you get to spend some quality time with favorite (or maybe not-so-favorite) relatives. But it's also a great time to reflect on the year and consider what you're most thankful for.
In late August, I started my freshman year of college. I was soooooo nervous to be on my own but my parents really have helped me so much with that by welcoming me back home a couple weekends each month and texting me daily. Without them, I wouldn't have made it this far. They are also so great about driving back and forth between home and my dorm and believe me, it's not a short trip. And they provide me with plenty of supplies, from makeup to money to food. I am so so thankful for them. I am also very thankful for the great education I'm getting at CSU.
I am thankful to have a loving home environment. I love the house itself and even though we're moving into a new house soon, I know the love and support will always be there. I will always have a place to call home, which is very comforting.
My sister and I have a great relationship. Sure, we get into a few fights but so do most siblings. Being three-and-a-half years apart, we are more like BFFs than just sisters. Our bond is really strong, and I think being away from each other has only made it stronger. We text and email regularly as well as using Facebook to stay connected. And I just love spending time with her when I come home; I am so thankful for my nine-day vacation from school because it means nine days with my little sister.
I am thankful for the friends I have found at CSU. Even though my roomie and I have a somewhat rocky relationship, I have found companionship with a few girls on my floor and just going out to dinner with them is so much fun, not to mention a great break from the dining hall!
My life, like pretty much everyone's life, has its ups and downs. Not every day goes the way I might have wanted it to, or maybe there were just a few really bad moments in an otherwise fun day but I am just thankful to be alive and have the life I have. I am thankful every day to be able to wake up and go about my day and even if it's not the best day ever, I'm just glad to be alive.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to say thanks to someone that you're thankful for, but try to make the thankfulness last all year long, even on Black Friday when that last iPad is sold and you're left empty-handed!
