FRIDAY. My family arrives today to help pack me up and then I’m heading back home for a few weeks of laziness before New York!
Tuesday marked the end of my junior year of college. I have one semester left (I’m graduating a semester early) and the reality is starting to sink in. I certainly don’t feel old enough to be a college senior. Fun fact: I will graduate from college before I can legally drink ;)
This year was pretty awesome for a bunch of reasons. Instead of the typical Friday Favorites I want to reflect on some of my favorite college related things (highlights) from junior year. Just focusing on college and not health/fitness/running :)
Junior Year Favorites
Spreading KINDness. I know I’ve mentioned my job a few times (campus rep for KIND) but it’s a big part of my life…and I love it. I’ve participated in and organized some great programs surrounding kindness and healthy living this year, such as free yoga and Spinning classes fueled by KIND bars. My favorite part of the job is randomly giving someone a bar and hearing them say “this made my day!” I’ve passed out bars with flowers, good luck notes for exams and other small messages in hopes to brighten someone’s day. It was a great year with KIND!
Learning when to say no. This semester I had three jobs on campus and it was overwhelming at times. I decided a few weeks ago that I wouldn’t be returning to one of my jobs next semester. I LOVED the people I worked with and I honestly never felt so comfortable with a group of people. But the actual work wasn’t fulfilling and it caused unnecessary stress at times. I will probably still hang out at the office next semester because I consider my co-workers good friends now.
Improving my cooking skills. Notice I didn’t say food photography skills…those are two very different things. My chicken doesn’t come out dry anymore, I’ve experimented with spices and I’m slowly (like a snail) expanding my palate. I bought a spiralizer and food processor this year and will possibly invest in a crock pot next year.
Getting to know (and love) my new roommates. Every year of college I’ve had new roommates and next year that is NOT happening! These girls are the best and make living with multiple people, which can be stressful, a breeze. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to my mom how much I enjoy living with them.
Writing this blog. This is a definite highlight of my junior year and I’m proud I was able motivated to keep at it. While I’m nowhere near as busy as some people (let’s be real, naps are a main priority), keeping up with anything, even the Kardashians, is hard. I’m happy I was able to find a new hobby that doesn’t involve me waking up early to workout and make friends in the process.
Speaking of this blog, I have an anniversary coming up. I feel like it should be a birthday though because it was “the day the blog was born.” Regardless, expect some blog-related thoughts to appear in the next few weeks.
*Joining Clare’s and Heather’s linkups today*
I love this post Emily! Yay for being done! I finished up yesterday and although it was one crazy year, it was amazing and I am excited for all that is to come this summer. I have definitely improved my cooking skills a ton and it has certainly expanded my palate as well. And I think you should definitely invest in a slow cooker – I love mine!!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…{Friday Favorites} 5/8
Not having any work/studying/thinking to do has been awesome! And it’s only been one weekend really :)
Ah man I have so many great college memories! One of the tops was going to the Rose Bowl my freshman year! I was in the marching band at Penn State and we went to every bowl game. This was definitely the best! My junior year I ran my first half marathon so that would be a highlight!
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WOW. That sounds incredible! I watch the parade every year!
yay for being done!!! I think the highlight for me this year was just living in a freshman dorm so close to so many friends to run with, have movie nights, study together, etc. For next year, everyone’s more spread out over campus and some people move off campus, so it won’t be quite the same.
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I LOVE (and am jealous) that you have close friends to run with. Hopefully you can still continue that next year!
Congrats on being done with classes! I didn’t know you were graduating early! I would have had I not needed one class my senior year, which is why I essentially took off my fall semester of senior year to do an internship. I’m really happy you found roommates you loved! I lived with my best friend junior and senior year of college and our friendship wasn’t the best during that time. We’re close again now, but I can honestly say my roommates now are great. Living with multiple people is tough. My mom keeps reminding me that when I find people who work, to stick with them!
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I was almost 3 credits short of being able to graduate early but it worked out because I’m getting credit for my internship this summer :) I wish I could kidnap my roommates with me after graduation. Starting over with new people (and risking not getting along) is not fun.
Ah! I move out in a week, and I have been slowly packing things up and figuring out what I should donate. HOW DOES TIME PASS SO QUICKLY?! Crazy. Have so much fun being lazy and take advantage of it. You certainly deserve it.
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This year went by SO quickly for me! Especially second semester. Hope you have an awesome last week :) :) Rest/relaxation is just around the corner for you!
Sounds like you had a great year! Senior year was my favorite time of college :) wish I could be back!
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Every year has gotten better so I’m hopeful that next year will follow right in suit!
Congratulations! I remember wrapping up my junior year and being in absolute disbelief that I was a senior in college and that I would be in the adult world before I knew it. How much do you love your spiralizer? I haven’t gotten one yet, but am dying to. Also, get a crock pot, it will actually change your life. You can cook quite literally anything in it.
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The thought of applying for “real world” jobs is so scary! Oh the spiralizer is my most used kitchen tool. I have a feeling the crock pot will come in handy during my busier (and lazier) days!
Sounds like a great year!
Lauren recently posted…5 Friday Favorites 5/8/15-Ways to Share Running & Fitness Love
Every year of college has gotten better and better, so I’m thankful!
Wonderful and so much growth <3 Each year is always unexpected in what happens and where we end up! These young adult years (I think) will be some of the more exciting, hard, crazy, unpredictable of our lives, but soooo important!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 5/8/15
It’s crazy to think back to August and see just how much I’ve changed/grown/learned. It makes me excited for the years ahead!
I actually didn’t go to college, but I can relate to several of the things you said, particularly in the years after graduation. You are done with high school, so you go on to improve in certain areas of education, and it’s challenging to keep the balance of time (learn to say ‘No.’) Yet it’s good to be able to say that when you need to.
I <3 KIND bars. That's cool that you get to rep for them. :)
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It is/was tough to say “no” because I’m such a people pleaser but it was the right thing to do. I’m hopeful for a (bit) more enjoyable final semester.
That sounds like an awesome year. It’s so great that you’ll be living with those roommates again. I hit the jackpot when it came to roommates in college, they made the whole experience that much better. Totally respect the saying “no” – my freshman, sophomore and part of my junior year were all about me saying yes to waaay too much and when I learned to say no a little more, all the things I did keep in my schedule got so much better/more meaningful.
One of my biggest highlights was going abroad junior year. It felt like a dream.
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Yes! I’m hoping my schedule/activities become more meaningful and enjoyable next year. Even with just one less obligation. Oh wow, studying abroad is probably a highlight of all four years of college. A few of my friends were abroad this past semester and I followed their journey via Instagram and Snapchat haha. Not the same but it was a glimpse of the fun they were having.
Such a big year for you, Emily! I’m happy to have seen some of it all happen through your blog :) and things are only going to get more exciting! xo
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So exciting that you’re done, congrats!!! What a great feeling! In my last year of university a huge highlight was figuring out what I wanted to do career wise. Now that I’m doing my MA in the subject it feels soo amazing to be making my dreams a reality :) I’m currently on my semester break which feels pretty awesome too!
Ps you should def go for the crock pot! It makes anything you put in it taste amazing amazing!
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