Good times never seem so good

So I am working with a girl from a local high school on her college applications this semester. She and I have been working together since my freshman year of college which was her sophomore year of high school. Her goals have changed a lot in that time and she makes me laugh on a regular basis as we try to brave through the college application process together. One day she asked me what made it worth it and that got me thinking.

We all go to college to get a degree, a piece of paper that is supposed to somehow make our lives have greater value but really, I think it's the lessons we learned outside of the classroom that have enhanced our value. By moving away from home, we have to learn to be on our own and fight our own battles rather than letting our parents fight for us, even if the battle is something as minor the pile of clothing taking over the room. We learn to lead, we learn to follow, we learn to ask for help, and we learn how to deal with a wide array of different types of people.

I participated in a prospective student chat a couple of weeks ago and lots of students ask why I chose Lehigh or what makes Lehigh special and the truth is that I chose Lehigh because of the feeling I got when I was here, there was no doubt that it was the right place, the people would go out of their way to help me even though I was a junior in high school at the time. The advice I gave my younger sister as she navigates the process is that you can choose where to apply using all the facts like size and statistics but in the end, the real choice is made because of something inexplicable. I was more excited the day the Lehigh acceptance showed up than when I got any other letter and knew that it was going to be an amazing four years and I wouldn't trade the experience I have been having for anything in the world.

I am still having trouble coping with the fact that I am almost finished with a full two and half years, I wish college was longer just so I could spend more time enjoying Lehigh and all of the traditions it has to offer. Lehigh/Laf is next week :) and if you haven't heard about that, you will.

Now off to deal with my to do list.

Tried My Best At Moving On....

It's been a while since I have updated this but sometimes it's rough! School is starting to wind down which makes everything even more stressful since there are tons of projects. I feel that in other semesters, I have had a combination of papers, final projects and final tests but this semester is different. Rather than having group projects to end class, my classes this semester have final group projects as well as a final exam. I like the idea of more available points but it does make for more work.

My first post on this blog was about my love for finals period and the serenity that comes over campus while everyone studies. This semester will be more stressful because of my test schedule but I still look forward to spending more time in the library with my friends and using all of my extra dining dollars. :)

This week will be very very very long. The second to last week of classes marks Greek Week, the most fun week of second semester. First semester, we have Lehigh/Laf and it's second semester equivalent is Greek Week but personally, I am more involved in all of the activities of Greek Week. There are all sorts of competitions throughout the week and everyone is psyched for the ending of classes. The problem with the next week is that it is the last week that non-finals can be administered. Personally, I have a huge test Wednesday and a paper due Friday. I am really going to try to finish all of my paper before Thursday morning which gives me time to study as well as to enjoy the last few days of Greek Week before going into finals mode to make sure that I do well on my finals.

Okay, random note. While I write this, I am watching a show called "Platinum Wedding" and I think it's a little insane that this couple spent 1.2 million dollars just on their wedding. I think that I would rather spend that much on a very nice house instead.