Almost summer...

As I sit and enjoy this long weekend, I cannot help but think summer is a few short weeks away. Summer--a time of no worries, sun, friends, and fun. Something I've always enjoyed. For the first time in my life I won't have a summer.. Last summer was literally the last summer (even though I worked 8-5 for 8 weeks of it). This summer symbolizes not only a change in the season, but a change in chapters. My life is taking on a new chapter--Adulthood. While I've felt independent and mentally like an adult for several years I will truly learn what is like on my own. I will learn what its like to manage a budget and pay those dreaded bills. To slowly see each penny I've worked so hard for go to the basic necessities of life.

Like the summer this transition will be fun and exciting, but also hot, boring and miserable. I am scared to see what the balance will be. I'm scared to be away from the people who I hold so close. I'm scared for distance and time to start making their mark. While college is stressful and keeps me busy, I know that this is a rare time in your life where you are mostly carefree and able to do what you want. If you just prioritize your time you can always make it to where your schedule fits those of your friends. There is always someone to lean on, cry on, and go on an adventure with. I don't want to lose those people.. I don't want those relationships to start drifting....... slowly sinking off into the vast Atlantic to be washed back on and off for the rest of our lives.

I suppose I should look at the positives. I no longer have to worry and pick up after my messy roommates. I don't have to be busy 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. with class, meetings, and homework. I get to use the knowledge I've worked so hard to gain, while continuing to learn. There's new people to meet and promotions to gain. An apartment to decorate and make into my home. Since my parents moved a few months ago I've felt kind of homeless, so it will be nice to make my very first home and start my own life.

I won't be totally alone. I have a couple of friends staying in this area, and a family I'm close to within 5 minutes of my new place. I will be in a small city so I have that homey feeling while having stuff to do (and great places to eat at!)

I hope that the transitions I've already experienced in life can help me stay strong and enjoy this new chapter. I hope I remember that you don't have to talk everyday or know everything about someone's life  to stay best friends... I've known that since 8th grade but it's different for different people.

If I had one piece of advice to give future, for real adult me it would be to stay adventurous. Don't make it to where going to Krispy Kreme at midnight,  randomly go to the Daytona 500, or jumping out of plane is just a college thing. Experiences are for life. Don't let the 8-5 life make you boring and tired. Always remember what you love and if you lose passion in something...find something to replace it.

Good luck to everyone out there having a similar transition. See it as a fun thing! You're friends will always be there (especially in this connected society!), there are similar people to you anywhere you go, and change is good. Don't be afraid. Transitions help you discover pieces of yourself you were unaware of.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face....we must do that which we think we cannot!"

Much love,

Alyssa

Last first day of undergrad.

Well my last first day has come and gone... so have my second and third. If this is any indication as to how fast the next 4 months will go by, then I better not sleep or blink or else I'll miss it. I've been trying to figure out how I feel about everything. It's really difficulty because one end of the spectrum I don't want to leave, ever. Then on the other I cannot wait to be done, give me the diploma and send me along my merry way.

I keep telling myself that these are the last 120 days I'll ever be in this position and that seems to help combat the desire to be done.But then that reminds that this is real, and I won't be here forever. I have loved my time at Stetson. I've made incredible friends. Grown personally and professionally. Reached an understanding and love for people that I never expected. And hopefully inspired or helped a few people along the way. I just want to influence someone's life for the better like so many people here have done for me.The lessons I've learned, friendships fostered, and memories made will always be treasured. But to say this is the best time in my life and these memories will be my top is unfair. Stetson has prepared for me a career and taught me not to sell myself short and to find meaning in everything I do. Therefore, I am confident that my experiences here will be mirrored in whatever I do afterwards. It bothers me when people older than me say the best days are "almost behind me". If they are that unhappy in their lives that this dramatic and tumultuous undergraduate experience is the best then maybe they are the ones with the problem. If people didn't make the whole "you only live once" ideology into an excuse to justify doing dumb things and saw it as a reason to live a life full of happiness and doing all the things you love then more people would see that each day is a gift, and should not be taken for granted. We all have to do things we really don't want to do (I didn't want to have to read and analyze a case for my 2nd day of class), but we have to see the beauty and benefit in everything we do (I learned practical skills that can be applied in the real world, plus it was really interesting!).

I'm straying from my original meaning for writing this post, but hey that is the beauty of writing. It frees the soul. And after my meetings and stuff today, I need some freedom. The main reason I just want to enjoy this semester, stay motivated, and have a good attitude is because I was so bombarded with obligations last semester. My classes were not my priority, SGA was which made me deal with a lot of things that did not enhance my quality of life. I really do enjoy my classes and know that the ones this semester will translate into my career field so they are my priority. Next is spending time with the people that I am so blessed to see on a daily basis. The hardest part of graduation will be not being able to call my friends to hang out at any point. I cannot imagine having these people around to watch movies with, force to go get a frosty with me, come over to just discuss life, and to simply listen to me when my mind is wandering. I hope that wherever I end up in May I find the same quality of people that I have found here. I'm used this incredibly high standard, so that will be hard, but I have faith it will work out. As long as I look at the company culture and how well the job fits with  me over the salary amount I think I will find some amazing people. I mean Stetson's price tag didn't hinder me from coming here, even though it has strained me and family financially, and look how its turned out! Hopefully Stetson's an investment and will keep the brand as it is. They are trying to grow and that just scares me... 2300 to 3000 students doesn't seem like a big jump, but when you are in the daily grind of things you can see even what a change 200 students can make. The smaller the population the more dramatic the change is. I am glad I was during this time, because the culture is changing. There are some incredible people that have come in over the last 2 years, but its just been different from my freshman and sophomore year. I love change, but it has to be Positive change. If its negative, then why change things?

Anyways, I'm ranting and could go on and on about this... so I'm going to call it a night.

Tomorrow I"m going to post my senior year bucket list and keep you posted on my progress!

Have a lovely day,
Alyssa

Senior year

Senior year is going splendidly. I have grown so much throughout my experiences in organizations and group projects.Things are interesting. I comfort myself in knowing that I am learning life skills and that a lot a majority of problems I encounter are very temporary.

I hope that I can just be proud of myself and keep my values in tact throughout this little thing called life.

Here's to high hopes, met expectations, excitement, and adventure.

9.12.13

Today has been an exceptionally good day.
I am the type of person who thrives on productivity. If I do not accomplish all that I wanted that day then I feel bad and overwhelmed.. So today was not one of those days! Yesterday I attended a Marketing expo. It was such a great experience! I realize that there are many people out there who want to invest in my future and set me on the path for success. All college students should jump on all opportunities available to invest in their futures. Business owners and executives love young people and realize they can bring value to the company. Especially larger private firms. Stetson prepares students for success..  I absolutely love it. It's scary to think I will  no longer be here this time next year.... but then also exciting after seeing all of the options available.
Also, my group won the 1st of 4 rounds in my marketing class. We have a great vision moving forward with our brand analysis and I really hope to provide useful information to the client. (Plus I'll win $70 if our proposition gets chosen...which is nice!) My teachers are so awesome and you can tell they are as much invested in our futures as we are. The hands on assignments and challenges to the traditional way of thinking are what make this university extraordinary.
Since this is my last year to kinda be a kid and in this atmosphere I hope to make the most of it... My wishes are that my goals are met, more relationships are built, and I simply enjoying each and every day. I think the people around me will help me do this.. Sometimes I may be frustrated or feel like I am about to explode from responsibility...those are the times to take a deep breathe and dream, walk around campus to take it in, call up that friend for lunch, eat ramen noodles, veg out on the couch. Just something that makes me happy.
My main wish is to stay positive this year and to keep those around me in a positive state.. these are the best times, even though they can be trying and busy, and we have to learn to enjoy the moments.
I could chat all day but it is getting late and my day tomorrow looks like this:
9-11 --> Work to plan community events
11-12 --> help prepare for Green Friday
12-2 --> Lunch with a dear friend and mentor
2-230 --> Meeting about food day
230-7 --> make calls for fundraiser
Relax... hang out with friends.