End of Freshman Year

 Bittersweet but mostly sweet. One year down and 3 more to go (probably 4 more because I want my masters). I am beyond excited for summer because I feel like I really need a break from school. I am the type of person who really just wants to be done with college and move on with my life. I am of course still living in the moment and not taking things for granted in these college years but I am excited just for the next chapter of my life. I’ve always dreamt of having my career and my own family and being done with freshman year means I’m one step closer. I learned lots of things academically this year, and also about myself as a person. I am thankful for what NCC has given me during my first year in college and it’s a year I will always remember. I made a couple friends and grew as a person. In total freshman year was a good experience and I would not change anything. I hope my peers also had good experiences and enjoy the rest of their college years. I think that freshman year is the backbone for the rest of my college years because this was the year I learned what I need to be successful. I am excited for my future because I now know how to properly navigate college classes, relationships, etc. 

Gratitude

 I am thankful for many things in my life lately. I enjoyed doing a guided free write about gratitude a couple weeks ago because it allowed me to think deeply about what I am thankful for and what I might take for granted sometimes. I made a very long list in the 5 minutes we received in class to do this free write topic. Some of the things I am thankful for: my family, best friend, boyfriend, dog, Starbucks, nice weather, good health, and food. I could probably make this list 100+ things if I had the time. I think this is a good exercise because it’s easy to take the simple things in life for granted. A new goal I have for myself is to make a gratitude list once a month or once every couple months just to remind myself of the things I love and am thankful for. I would recommend everyone to do this because it’s quick and eye opening. 

The need for an updated writer’s notebook

 I like to free-write in class. Free-writing at the beginning of class allows me to free my mind before having to focus. I usually free-write about whatever is on my mind. The last time I was given a set amount of time was probably elementary school. In elementary school I can always remember having a “writer’s notebook.” I LOVED my writer’s notebook because I made the cover my complete personality. My teachers would always tell us to decorate the cover however we want because we would be using it everyday. This was a positive experience for many students, including myself because it allowed for creativity. I think if this encouragement of creativity continued through middle school and high school then I would still like to write. I’m not sure why none of my other past teachers in middle school or high school allowed for this time in class. After experiencing a set time for free-writing in CARD-101, I have found that I can be more focused when nothing is on my mind. This time before class allows me to empty my thoughts onto paper which then later benefits me because I can focus on class. Personally, this would have helped me in high school because I never wanted to be in class because I always felt like I was thinking about other things. I am also thankful for this time because I genuinely think my writing skills have grown through free-writing. Even though no one is grading my free-write work, I still try to put all my thoughts on paper in an organized manner with correct grammar skills. Practicing over and over again, I think is the best way to become a better writer. Overall, I think more teachers should try to put free-write time into their schedule because it would be beneficial for their students. One last thing I would like to add, after writing about this topic I have decided that I want a new writer’s notebook. I want to go buy a notebook and decorate it and then write in it everyday and make it special. I encourage everyone reading this to do the same.

A look into my rational argument

 I decided to write about standardized tests for my ration argument essay. It took me a long time to find a topic that I was interested in writing about. I finally came across this topic and it means a lot to me. I understand that there are 2 sides to this argument. One side being standardized testing is useful and should be used when applying to college. The other side being standardized testing should not be used for applying to college. Before doing much research I believe that standardized tests should not be used for applying to college. That is just my opinion right now. I think this because I am TERRIBLE at standardized tests. I am not afraid to say that and I am also not ashamed to say it. All my friends in high school knew that my SAT scores were awful, and I really didn’t care. I knew that I wouldn’t be using my scores to apply to college anyway. North Central did not require SAT or ACT scores, which I was very thankful for. Instead of requiring these scores, North Central required a written essay. I only applied to 2 schools because I knew that I was going to go to North Central so the whole SAT stress really did not apply to me. However, I watched a lot of my friends stress over it and prepare for the SAT/ACT for YEARS. I never even took the ACT because I never saw the point. I’m awful at science and math and never felt the need. I hate doing things that seem like busy work and that is what the SAT felt like when I took the test. I probably took the SAT (including practice SATs) at least 7 times. I am interested to see what research says and I am excited to see the other point of view and get better. understanding of these standardized tests. 

1 month

 Exactly one month and 1 day. That is the amount of time I have left in my freshman year of college. When you think of your first year of college being over does that make you happy or sad or excited or scared? It makes me very happy and excited for the future. Personally, I wish I could skip this chapter of my life because I don’t really like college. Sometimes I feel like I don’t really fit in with other 18 year olds and I’m just waiting for the time where everyone grows up. Maybe others feel this too, but no one really talks about it. I’m not sure. All I know is that I tend to look towards the future quite often. I try not to because I’m told that I will regret it. I just love planning my future and look forward to the endless possibilities of what my life can look like one day. Yes, I do love how my life looks now. I just always like to think of the future. I’m not really sure why. No one else I know does this. Maybe one day I will stop. But, I have a feeling I won’t ever stop thinking about the future because I’ve always done this. Ever since I can remember, I have been planning for the future. When I was 6 years old I would look forward to being like the older girls. When I was 10, I would look forward to being in middle school. Then when I was in middle school, I couldn't wait to go to high school. In high school, I was so excited for college. Now I am in college and I’m over it. I can’t wait for life after college. I’m not sure if this is a bad habit or if it is an okay thing to do. Sometimes I think there is no problem with it because it just gives me something to look forward to. Does anyone else do this? 

This photo is of me and my best friend at our high school graduation excited for the next chapter of our lives.