EL PASO, Texas — I had a revelation today as I left the office of my advisor earlier this morning. I was walking out scrambling through my degree plan, which he had given me, when it all sank in. I will be done with school for good and finally have my college degree!
This was surreal to me, as cliché as it sounds. It seems like just yesterday I was filling out my application and waiting for the acceptance letter from UTEP. Soon, I will be exposed to the real world, exposed to life. Not sure if I am ready for all that just yet.
This year, I grew up.
I finally got enough courage to move out of my dad’s house and get a new car. This change was drastic for me because I went from paying nothing to worrying about rent, a car payment, groceries and other necessities.
Juggling life's responsibilities (iStockphoto.com)
Although I have a lot on my plate I don’t regret a thing. I am having the time of my life, and moving out has really helped me become more independent and grow as a person. It is amazing to see what a difference it makes to be living on your own. I no longer have to call and let my parents know who I’m with, where I’m going or what time I will be home.
I can come and go as I please.
With this new-found independence came a boatload of responsibilities. I couldn’t get away with working three or four times a week like I used to. I have bills to worry about, so I now have to work five days a week.
I have come to realize that growing up is not so easy and life can be overwhelming at times. Time management is important, and I’m still figuring it out. I have always been one to do everything and sadly you can’t do everything all the time. You’ve got to pick and choose your battles.
As a kid I couldn’t stick to one sport, I had to do them all. This semester has served as the biggest challenge for me; with all these new responsibilities I have found it really hard to juggle my time wisely. I am still trying to get into the hang of things. I’ve learned slowly but surely that I have to do things in moderation because if I don’t I won’t have time for other things that need to get done. I’m also a full-time student and intern at channel 7. Talk about busy! I wish there was more time in the day to do all the things I want, but unfortunately there is not. Is two more hours a day a lot to ask?
As this semester comes to an end, I find myself scared but eager at the same time to embark on another chapter in my life. Although procrastination seems to have been by best friend this semester I have learned from past mistakes and grown so much. My college experience so far has been a roller coaster of emotions and events. In the beginning I was a lost puppy.
I was so confused about what I wanted to do and life in general. But as I come to my final semesters I couldn’t be more content because I finally feel that I am where I need to be and on the right path. I never expected the college life to be as difficult as it is.
It is portrayed in the movies as a time in your life to party, granted I have had my share of partying, but it is a time to reflect and find out who you are as a person and pursue what you want out of life. I am so proud that I have come this far; I can’t fathom the idea of me being the first in my family to obtain a college degree. To me that is quite an accomplishment.
Come December, I will be thrilled to death that all this hard work has finally paid off.
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