Things They Don't Tell You In High School

Hello, world! Oh, how I've missed y'all! To those of y'all that actually read these posts, I really do appreciate it. And if y'all could like, spread the word about my blog and tell your friends and colleagues to check it out, I would be so super grateful. I just want a bigger audience, because I spend a lot of time on these posts!

Anyways... The other day, I got to thinking... What did I really learn in high school that actually turned out to be useful in college? My opinion: not much. I know, that sounds really negative, but it's true! Granted, I am only a freshman, but still. I'm fully involved in college. I'm in several clubs/organizations, I go to classes, I play (intramural) sports, and I have a social life. Plus, on top of that, I have to live on my own and take care of myself!

This isn't to say high school isn't important. It is. It sucks, as everyone knows, but it is somewhat important. I mean, you learn stuff.... But a lot of the stuff you learn is only applicable for actual high school. You're not going to have to remember what year Albert Camus wrote The Stranger, but God knows you'll need to have his entire birthday memorized for that test.

On the other hand, there are some important things that you need to remember from high school. And what do you know, I'm gonna make a list! Enjoy! And please, take these with a grain of salt. While many of my friends agree with me, these are from my personal experiences, don't get your panties in a wad if you don't agree. So here are the things I think you really need to take with you from high school to college:

• Regular homework is useless. Occasionally you will have homework in college. Rarely, though. Sometimes you'll have to do some terms, maybe a few online practices. Otherwise, most "homework" is just writing papers, for which you are given plenty of time to prepare.
• Pay attention to your syllabi. In high school, these were viewed as useless wastes of paper that your parents had to sign. However, in college, these literally will save your life. When you get your syllabi, go straight to the schedule and immediately write it all out in your planner. That way, you'll know ahead of time when you have tests, due dates, and cancelled classes! Plus, they tell you about attendance policies, which differ with each professor.
• Good note-taking strategies are an absolute necessity. Some college professors use power points, some don't. Some post their information online, some don't. Each professor is different, and unlike high school, they usually don't all follow the same curriculum guide. Some professors allow laptops for notes, others despise the use of any kind of technology in their classes. Here's my advice:
• Laptop Notes: I love taking notes on my laptop (Google Drive!!!!) whenever I can. That way, I can get the information written down quickly and reorganize it later if necessary. Beware: it's easy to get distracted!!!
• Written Notes: Yup, sometimes you're gonna have to take notes the old-fashioned way. Personally, I remember things better when I write them down, so it's not so bad for me. Unfortunately, sometimes we have those classes that just make it boring. I suggest using lots of colors!! Use one color for the bulk of the notes, then other colors to highlight, underline, draw arrows, illustrations, and whatever else you need! These make your notes look more organized and just a bit more interesting!! 
• Planners are not for geeks. As I'm sure y'all saw in this post, I am obsessed with my planner. It's the most insanely helpful thing I have. Time management is a huge thing in college. In high school, your teachers reminded you every. single. day. about that paper. But in college, you won't even see your professors every day, much less have them remind you about something you, as an adult, should already know. 
• Procrastination is not a skill to brag about. I'll never understand why we all decided to do our projects the night before the due date... Especially considering we had homework for 7 different classes that same night! In college, you'd think it would be easier, considering the fewer classes you actually take per day. However, the opposite is true. Papers and projects are not flexible in college. High school teachers are pretty nice, they'll pretend to believe that your dog died and give you an extra day. But in college? Heck no, you should have turned that paper in a week ago anyways!!
• Don't limit yourself to "school" friends. It's okay to not have a ton of friends in your classes. In high school, you got along with whoever you were stuck with in class. In college, you see these people a lot less often, so don't force yourself to make in-class friendships. This is the time to think about the long-term, not just people to entertain you in class.

There's so much more I could say, but for now, I'll step off my soap box and let y'all figure the rest out on your own. An early congrats to the Class of 2015. These next few months will FLY by. Enjoy it while you can, but don't dwell on high school. College is awesome.

xoxo, a.

Honey, I'm Home!

I swear I don't get how everyone posted pics of their adorable dorms all finished and cleaned just hours after moving in... It took Kaye and I 3 days to get almost everything situated. But, now it's all kinda cute. Nothing matchy-matchy, and it's not like a super organized space, but it's pretty good for what little space we do have.

My bed-ft. Cheez-Its and my Macbook, of course.

Unfortunately, Brooke Hall isn't what I thought it would be. It's not the newest, nor the cleanest or updated halls. We can't control the temperature in our rooms, and we don't have carpet. However, the closet space is absolutely phenomenal, and I wouldn't trade our private bath for anything. Overall, I think I'll like it here. I can just go buy a rug and we have a fan blowing in our room and blankets for nighttime.

I can't say all of my planning and charting was in vain, but a lot of it was. About 2 things actually hold what they are supposed to, and there's still a couple storage things we need to buy, so we have a couple random items laying around the room.

Yoga with Kaye and Britt!

I have to say, as nervous as I was, I'm adjusting well. Yes, it's difficult, but I really truly enjoy it. Sunday, I went home to visit my parents and Sasha. Sasha greeted me like she's been away from me for years, peeing on the rug no mater how recently mom had taken her outside. Mom and dad were happy to see me, even though I'd only been gone for two nights. I will most likely be going up to Hoover every week or so,  depending on what's going on around campus. I just text Momma and tell her to make me some food, and I come home to nice hot Pizza Rolls. Naturally, when I came back, my friends and I went to hang out with some people, and the guys decided to make us Pizza Rolls. Go figure.

My Mondays are crazy, with 4 classes spanning from 9am to 8:30pm, but I get downtime in between each class. Tuesdays are chill, with only an 11am class, then yoga and frozen yogurt (aka Froyoga) with some friends, then Baptist Campus Ministries bible study in the evening. Very relaxed. Turns out, Kaye and I basically have the exact same schedule time-wise, but no classes together. Our Tuesday and Thursday schedules are switched though, so we will get some alone time.

Frands...

I sent a picture to my mom with all my friends like "Look!!! I actually have friends!! Yayy!!" I've actually had some people refer to me as "popular." Of course, I take that with a grain of salt, knowing that popularity isn't the key to everything. However, just hearing that made me very happy, and honestly proud, because I finally am comfortable enough with myself to be outgoing and make new friends and do new things. It's truly a great feeling.

I know this is a long post, and there are so many awesome stories I'd love to tell you, but I'll end with this one. This morning, Kaye and I had 9am classes. No problem, right? Wake up at about 7-8, get ready, go to class. Piece of cake. Unfortunately, Kaye's alarm(s) did not go off, not even one (she had set 3). At 8:48, I scraped the crusties from my eyes, rolled over, and looked at my phone, wondering why the sun was already so bright. After a few double takes, then some math, I yelled "KAYE IT'S 8:48!!!!" What happened next can only be described as a wild dash to see what was really necessary. I brushed my teeth, put on deodorant, thanked the good Lord I had fallen asleep in my clothes, and dashed off to class. Small campuses were made for rogue alarms, no joke. We both scooted into our classes right on time, looking absolutely horrid and probably not smelling much better.

Well, I'll leave it at this. I love college, I really do. Montevallo is such a wonderful place with such amazing people and activities. I feel so blessed to be here. Despite all my worries and the struggles I have faced,  I feel like this is my home. I know God sent me here for a reason, and I'm excited to really find out what that reason is. I wish I could explain how accepting, open, and fun everyone here is. And to my friends and fellow classmates: thank you. Y'all are so amazing and I love each and every one of you soooo much!

xoxo, a.

And So It Begins...

Tomorrow is the big day! It's hard to believe that after 18.5 years, I'm actually moving out. Packing has been... Interesting. I feel so overpacked, but there's still so much crap in my room that I'm not even bringing... How did I accumulate so much stuff? I blame my packrat sentimental mother. I keep EVERYTHING. Oh well, I'm sure my dorm will be full enough.

The guest room.. So much stuff...

Of course, the anxiety is starting to kick in. I'm excited, definitely. But this is such a huge step! I wish my sweet Zachary could be here with me, but duty calls (sob sob, sorry). At least I have my parents and 'Vallo friends. I wish Ern could be there with me (long story, miss you babe) but I have Marlee and Kaye and Britt! Yay me!

I have plenty food to keep me goin for a while, hallelujah!!!! College girl's dream, right?

Stay hydrated!

So. Many. Snacks.

I'm gonna cry, mom's gonna cry, dad's not gonna cry, Nanny's gonna cry, and Sasha will probably pee. Is it bad that I'm most upset about leaving the pup, though? Sorry mom, Sasha is my baby. I'm still excited though, really.

Packing the cars... Now there was a task. How the heck was I supposed to get everything I own (not really) into two cars??? Ugh, the struggle. Well, I mean.. They're actually packed pretty well. Between my OCD and mom's HUGE car, it fits pretty well. It's weird to have an empty closet and all but one outfit in the car... I'm beyond thrilled that it's supposed to be in the upper 90s-100 in Alabama this weekend. Man, what great weather to run in and out and up and down in.... Sooo looking forward to that....

This is a short post, but I have tons still to do... Wish me luck! I'll be posting whenever I can, but I may be relying on drafts for a while, so there may not be too many updates. Again, prayers and thoughts requested, this is gonna be tough. Thanks!

xoxo, a.

Down in the 'Vallo

One of the several gates to enter the cobblestone-covered campus.

To the right of my homepage, if you are reading this post before August 22, 2014, you will see a countdown until I move in to Montevallo. Can you tell I'm excited? Lemme tell y'all a little about my school.

First of all, it's beautiful. I mean, look it up online. Here. No excuses. It's covered in cobblestone walkways, which are infamous for tripping everybody. But, (hallelujah) they are relaying the bricks this summer, so the walkways will be flat, therefore safe---er... The lawn is always pristine and everything about the school is so beautifully made.

"Becoming" sculpture- unfortunately it's too slick to climb into the hands... I've tried.

It is a liberal arts school, with one of the best art programs in the country. However, the business, science, and education (holla!) programs are also top-notch. Everything as Montevallo is just perfection. It is a small school, with only about 3000 students. It sits in the heart of Montevallo, Alabama, about 45 minutes south of Birmingham. Montevallo is a college town, for sure. The town consists of the high school and college, and that's about it. Main Street is full of food and banks and everything geared towards the students, since it's just two blocks off the main campus. It's definitely not impossible to get lost on this campus, but compared to the giant campuses of Alabama and Auburn, I consider myself lucky. I have printed out my maps and circled all the important buildings; aka food, more food, student activity center (for the weight room pool), my home (Brooke Hall turn up!), and of course, classes. Everything is within a 10-15 minute walking distance, so there is no reason to be too worried. 

Everyone at this school is beyond amazing. They're all so talented... It's such an accepting environment, which is a huge deal to me, coming from such a preppy upscale school. When I walk on campus, I feel comfortable being who I am, not having to act like anyone else to look cool. I love the atmosphere. It's comforting to me, which is very good for my anxiety issues. 

Brooke Hall, my beautiful new home awaits!!

Needless to say, I'm beyond excited. I have already made so many friends, and I just can't wait to be with them all. 4 weeks and counting!

xoxo, a.