A Year in Review (as promised)

Hello, once again--  for the last time this year...

First, I want to thank all of you who have been reading my blog throughout the year (and those of you who just check in occasionally get thanks too, and first time readers...thanks all around!)  It really means a lot to me to be able to share my experience, and if you ever have questions or comments, please contact me! (Even during the summer, I will respond!)

To say this year brought changes would be an understatement.  I feel as if I went through enough changes this year to last me the rest of college, but each year is without change, and each change is for a reason.  While contemplated a top ten list of memories, I realized my year cannot be put into ten distinct positive happenings, as to do so would exclude the inevitable bad moments, and greatly omit good times 11- 99+.

So for the benefit of inclusivity, I present a stream-of-consciousness style flashback-- if I had a TV show, you might imagine some chimes here as the edges of the screen get a little fuzzy *chimes, fuzz*

Move-In Day:  I walk into what would be my first residence of sophomore year.  As I unpack my belongings I anticipate a repeat of freshman year; the same friends, the same study habits, the same plan for the future.  Yet the year had a lot in store for me, and classes began...

Street Gangs Class:  As I began to read Life in the Gang: Friends, Family, Violence, I realized that I might actually want to work with gangs in the future, I am really happy I took this course.

Winter Term: I realized winter term I wanted to seriously dedicate myself to the criminal justice department.  It was a revelation of sorts, combined with some positive feedback from my professors that turned obligations as a student into obsessions of a scholar.  I realized I needed to make some changes, to improve my life in other ways in order to be fully devoted to school work, one of which was moving out of my original apartment.

The Move:  It took four people all day to move two of us to a new apartment.  This probably was the biggest change and learning experience of the year.  The lesson-- create your own happiness.  Also, as Mercyhurst students we get 20% off at Eat n' Park, as we found out after a day of packing and hauling inevitably led to a late night celebration.

Late Nights in the Library:  I whisper a word of thanks to the coffee bean farmers who have made these nights possible.  Although each year I vow to never procrastinate (though sometimes that is at fault), dedication and boarder line neuropathy all too often pulled me to study more, write more, revise more.  Yet these late nights have brought me closer to peers in my classes, establishing good connections for next year.  

Hinduism:  At first met with apprehension, Hinduism became one of my biggest teachers this term.  Sometimes I was frustrated that reading and writing for this class pulled me away from my criminal justice classes, however, the experience proved to be rewarding.  I learned that we do not have the luxury of being interested in everything we do, and to embrace learning for the sake of learning.  Also if I'm ever on Jeopardy, and the category is Hinduism, I might just run circles around the other players.

Packing for Home:  As I pack up to go home, I realize how far I've come since the fall.  A box of notebooks represents a year of learning, but this does not account for the personal learning, the internal growth.  I've made great friends, memories, and goals, all of which I look forward to again after the summer.

Thanks for letting me be nostalgic, may you all have a lovely summer.


Wishing boxes were as portable as memories so they'd fit nicely into my car,
Paige

The Last Exam

Hello!

I must apologize again for not keeping up with my blogging better, however, in my defense I thought one I wrote a few days ago posted, but I guess it never did.  So sorry for this!  The missed post covered the fact that Springfest was an absolutely wonderful time, and for the most part the weather stayed nice for us.  I mentioned before that it was one of my friends last Springfest, so we were sure to make each part of it memorable.

Also in the post that was not was an elaboration on my paper for Hinduism.  Our assignment was rather broad, as we were allowed to write about any topic within Hinduism.  During my research I found a way to incorporate criminal justice, through the discussion of yoga programs in prisons.  Despite some lost hours of sleep, I think my paper turned out to be okay, especially since I learned so much about something so new and different.

But, as you know it is finals week here.  That means I was up late last night, and woke up early this morning, to study for a final I have a 1.  It will be my last one not only in Hinduism, but also in my sophomore career.  The coffee is brewing, and I plan to go out strong.

I still have a hard time believing that by late afternoon I will officially be a junior.  In this time, I think I need to start focusing on internships and my plans for after graduation.  While I kind of am nervous about what is to come, I think this year I learned a lot (stay tuned for a year-in-review-esque post), which will inevitably prepare me for whatever direction I chose.  

Not going to let the Hinduism final make a fool of me,
Paige

Confessions of a girl searching for motivation

Hello Everyone,

I'm at work now, however no one needs help with papers, so that leaves me more time for you!  People likely do not need help with papers if they are in the same boat as me, the boat of people struggling to start. I am trying to write a paper for Hinduism, however am at a loss for topics and the hutzpah to get it going.

I have so much going on right now, I do not know where to begin.  It is as if while I attend to one task, the others will slip away unfinished, but multitasking provides inadequate attention to all I have left.  I'm thinking a lot about next year, which isn't bad, except it is pulling me away from this year.  I registered for classes for fall term.  I am taking:

-Antecedents of Aggression
-Personality Psychology
-US History III

As of now, all of my grades in current classes are where I would like them to be, and maintaining them should not be unreasonable.


This upcoming weekend is Springfest, which is one of the largest events on campus.  There are going to be a number of bands and activities, all of which I look forward to.  One of my best friends, however, has decided to transfer next year, so Springfest will carry some degree of sadness as one of the last times I will be able to see her.  I'm feeling the same way about one of my friends about to complete his senior year.  Despite always being really busy, I have grown close with a few individuals here.

Now to start the paper,
Paige