After a very long year, summer is finally here. I’ve been taking it easy and catching up on sleep—I might get a head start on next year, too. Or, I should say this coming year. Almost a week ago, I graduated from Crittenden County High School, which means I am now a freshman at Murray State University. I can look ahead to entering college, but not without looking back. (more…)
At this time in the year, most seniors can claim a case of “senioritis” — not wanting to do anything because of how soon they will be entering college. I’m not extremely excited about college yet, but I am enjoying end-of-the-year activities, especially for seniors. For example, the senior trip this year (which I helped plan, I must add) will be three days in Chicago, making it the farthest I’ve been from home and the longest I’ve stayed in a large city. Also, Crittenden has a tradition where parents (including my own mother), with the help of student fundraising, plan a special activity after graduation. This year, that means overnight laser tag in Nashville. Maybe it’s a sign my priorities are off if I’m looking forward more to Six Flags and Chicago than actually leaving high school, but there will be plenty of time during the summer for the reality of moving out to sink in. (more…)
Spring vacation is coming up, and I hope it will mark the end of snow until I’m in college. Last week was the first week since early January that school wasn’t canceled for any days. Other than that, classes have been pretty normal. I missed most of Wednesday to listen to a speaker discuss leadership skills, and of course, on Friday I had to spend part of Calculus celebrating Pi Day. (more…)
Only three months of high school left, and I guess graduating is not so unbelievable now. Or, rather, it’s impossible to ignore. It seems like every class makes some mention of “next year,” which then reminds me how I won’t be spending next year at the high school (not that that is or isn’t bad thing). Maybe the weather is playing its part, too. Today is the first day in a long time that feels like spring instead of the middle of winter. Ironically enough, due to the two weeks or so we missed because of snow this year, I won’t be graduating until the first week of June. It would have been very nice if the ice storms could’ve waited for the class of 2009, but I suppose that’s how it goes.
Not much has changed in the last few weeks, mainly because this week’s weather made everything slow to a standstill. An ice storm hit the area Monday afternoon and caused thousands of homes to lose electricity, in some cases for several days. Homes along my road in particular lost power early that night and didn’t gain it back until Friday morning. Luckily, my family was able to take refuge at my grandparents’ house, which includes a wood stove so we could get warm without electricity. For others, however, the elementary school was turned into an overnight community shelter on Wednesday. Simply because of the great number who still didn’t have electricity at different times, Crittenden students haven’t had school since Monday was cut short in preparation for the approaching storm.
Snow! Both yesterday and today I didn’t have school. This was an eventful week early in the week, and the latter half would have been the same if it hadn’t been for the snow. Our girls’ basketball team was going to state and we had a pep band performance scheduled for a Friday game. I also had a yearbook deadline and last-minute studying for the Academic Team competition, the Governor’s Cup. Because I was so busy, I’ve enjoyed my unexpected free time from the snow days by relaxing, hanging out with friends or listening to music. Today I even went sledding in what little snow we had left.
The new year has made it apparent that college is coming ever closer. Today, a representative from Murray State University talked to perhaps a fifth of our seniors about college applications of all types. This was a great relief to me—she cleared up most of the confusion I had concerning applications for scholarships, financial aid, and housing, and what was specifically required for each. The housing application can be completed much later, and the one for financial aid should be done quickly, but it’s OK to wait until my parents prepare their tax return, which we need in order for the FAFSA to be accurate.
The start of the year may be a momentous occasion for some. To me, it mostly means I’ll date my papers incorrectly for the next three months. Jan. 1, sadly, also marks the last day of Christmas break.
December already? Unbelievable. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m a senior, although that may be of little use since the year is almost halfway done. Also, my little sister is having a party for her 10th birthday today, and her age seems as incredible to me as my own. I’m glad for any opportunity to eat cake and ice cream, but I would be happy if neither of us were growing up quite so quickly.
The first half of November has been fun, but also difficult and full of decisions. Advanced Spanish IV is an ever-present source of work; for a short time, I considered dropping it at the semester. To be honest, passing that class, much less getting an A, might be the most difficult thing I’ve ever done—if I manage it. Doing the work is definitely a test of character. Still, I wonder if it’s a test I want to take when I’m not sure if the class’s benefits outweigh the immense amount of time, effort, and stress required. In the end, however, it’s hard for me not to accept a challenge.
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