Wow! The smell of new books and paper, the shuffle of thousands of feet in the halls, and the smiles and sighs as we all find our way back into a routine. I have just completed my first weeks back at La Joya High. Things went quite smoothly. The transition from long, lazy days into the hustle and bustle of immediate homework, dance practice, and catching up on my social life, was not as horrible as I thought it might be. All my classes have been major successes. I quickly began to anticipate the bell for my journalism course, and I have already dived into the library to catch up on some reading.

My English teacher assigned us homework the first day of school.  We were to look up the admission requirements for the college that we planned to attend.  She wanted everybody to jot down their school plans, and their major and minor. She also informed us about ACT’s deadlines and how crucial it is that we prepare for what was sure to come in no time. As I sat there in class, the weight of her words began to dawn on me. I don’t have as much time to prepare as I used to. It was the perfect wakeup call, and I knew this class wouldn’t allow me to put the snooze button on my responsibilities. I couldn’t wait to get started with everything: the reading, the essays, the analyzing. It was like a time bomb was ticking at my ear, letting me know that it’s time to be ready for what is coming.

I couldn’t wait any longer. I had some old math, reading, science, and writing work books from my previous grades. Every night I work on a different subject. Refreshing my noggin with a little of everything I’ve learned; guiding me through every inch of knowledge that I had stored.

Apart from that, I am working on the ACT prep materials that ACT.org offers. It’s excellent. I also recently registered to take my ACT test on the 24th of October. I’m nervous! However, I spend every moment that I’m not doing homework, jamming and cramming for anything the test might throw my way.

Between starting school on the right foot and beginning my breathtaking journey into a new year, I have also been preparing for extracurricular activities. Early in the morning you’ll find me on our school football field with 30 of my schoolmates, as we prepare for football on Friday. This past viernes (Friday) marked our first half-time show and I’m ecstatic to announce that it was amazing! What seemed like a lifetime of waiting immediately paid off when I set foot onto that field. Hundreds of eyes on us, nerves eating at our insides, and huge smiles on our faces. Friendships locked even tighter as the victory of our team took us home with bundles of pride. That’s a memory that will forever be instilled in my heart.

Senior year has come at me in full swing. There will be many more memorable moments that I shall share and eternally cherish as I dip myself into the groove of my everyday high school journey. Paths will be molded and I will begin to choose the one I want to walk down.

I feel it again, it’s excitement’s thirst. A thirst for what I am about to embark on. I step forward, and it’s begun.