Sophomore year has quickly come and gone. . . wait, what? Life is passing quickly and I barely have enough pictures to prove it!
While my freshman year was filled with on-campus apartment living, sophomore year was filled with the commuter's living-out-of-my-car-and-locker-room-locker lifestyle. The commuter lifestyle taught me how to be thankful for the little things. When I was told that there were locker rooms on campus for any student to use, I FREAKED; now I could work out without blessing others with my day-long fragrance of sweat. I was never so happy for lockers and shower shoes. I learned how to live out of a huge lunchbox and a trunk full of bags of books and clothes and be okay, OCD-wise, with it. However, I have yet to learn how to dismiss the aggravation and slight anger with gas (car fuel): how much it costs, and how fast it enjoys to leave my car.
At the beginning of this past semester (Spring 2015), I received an application in the mail for UNC Pembroke's nursing school. I filled it out and, after my mom's proof reading, I personally delivered it to the program's staff. After waiting a little over a month, I got the news. My dad walked in with an envelope in his hands entitled to me from the Nursing Program; I stopped what I was doing, snatched it from his hand and almost ripped the whole thing apart trying to open the letter. With my hands shaking I read the words Congratulations, Elizabeth! and tears filled my eyes; I am accepted. Why was I worried about not getting in? Because I didn't have a plan B.
As the semester rolled on, reality stated becoming more real: I am about to start nursing school. Two and a half years ago, I began planning for what is about to become a reality: nursing school. As a senior in high school, nursing school was yet to become a reality, something that I was working for. However, through purchasing of school supplies, uniform, and books, this dream is not becoming a reality; no more waiting, it is about to begin.
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| Every nursing student needs a watch "with a minute hand" as stated in my supplies list. I have never been a fan of watches, or much of anything on my wrists (other than elastic heair bands); I guess it just means that now is the time to get over it. |
Graduating with honors and Maynor's Honors College credit will be no easy task as a nursing student, and sometimes the GPA horror stories from current nursing students start to worry me; however, I finished off this semester with grades that hopefully help pad my next five semesters.
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As this semester came to an end, many of my friends became alumni as they walked across a stage in the little Indian town of Pembroke. The rain held off for what made an enjoyable and beautiful ceremony. It's bitter-sweet to see friends finishing a four-year long journey but realize that campus-life will never be the same without them.
The best word to describe this is weird. It feels so weird to be growing up, quickly transferring from from high school graduations to college graduations.
Next up is my graduation; and then real adult life. . .
“We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are.” ― Bill Watterson
“We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.” ― Maya Angelou