This is it. After ten months of school, stress, and utter exhaustion, I am officially done with my first year of college. Whew.
I jokingly talked about doing a post like this to my roommate a few weeks ago. I said that I most certainly would not write a long Facebook status bragging on myself and how I finished a year of college and how I changed so much, blah blah blah. But let's face it. I'm a writer, and an emotional one at that so of course, here I am, breaking my promise.
I found out yesterday that as a freshman, I completed 36 credit hours and finished the year with a 3.87 GPA and made the Dean's List. But that's enough bragging.
I absolutely cannot credit solely myself for my success this year. In this blog, I hope to thank and give notice to the people who helped me to this point. This one is for you guys.
First, mom and dad. I honesty don't know where to begin. Mom, you made me apply to UGA. Dad, you made me research Athens' crime statistics. From the moment I was accepted, you both ditched the awful gold and navy and donned red and black for forevermore. You both forced me to sign up for Summer Freshman College, and though it was honestly probably one of the scariest experiences of my life, I am grateful. Thank you both for pushing me to take awful classes and give up my summer. Thank you for buying every UGA Parent piece of merchandise. Thank you for coming to get me almost every weekend. Thank you for not letting me quit and come home in January. Thank you for allowing me to chase my wildest dreams. Thank you for paying for my weekly Zaxby's and Gigi's Cupcakes runs when the meal plan just didn't cut it. Thank you for telling me every morning that I was going to conquer the day. Finally, thank you for the devil dog that sits in my lap. She's there for me when you two can't be. You'll never know how grateful I am for all you both have done.
Second, I want to thank my family. For those of you who know me, you know I have quite a large family that spans past Floyd County and throughout the United States. In January, I suffered a lot of anxiety. One day, my mom showed me the "family group message" that was shared by each member of my extended family. No matter their busy schedules, each and every uncle, aunt, grandparent, cousin was sure to send a prayer, praise, or tip to my parents to forward to me. I am so grateful for you all and how you have all shown your care and concern for me. You guys are my rock and own personal fan club. Thanks for accepting me despite my school's colors and only barely making fun of our loss to Tech this year.
Third, I want to thank my boyfriend, Grant. G, what can I say, you are incredible. Thank you for listening to me argue and complain about school, encouraging me to pursue my dreams, and staying up late to talk to me when I couldn't fall asleep. Thank you for driving to Athens to buy me fattening foods that I couldn't get in the dining hall. Thank you for supporting every decision that I made despite its outcome. Thank you for pretending like you knew what I was talking about when I used acronyms such as SPED, LRE, MLC, SLP, ASD, ASL and DHH. Thank you for always having a smile on your face and for Taylor Swift. I'm really thankful for Taylor Swift.
Fourth, I want to thank the Guices and Clarks: my "second" family. Big Ken, Robin, Kendyl, Josh, and baby Cooper, thank you all for accepting me and loving me as your own. I have loved your countless texts and phone calls throughout the year. Big Ken, thank you for my soul food dinners. Robin, thank you for keeping me updated on the family and sending prayers my way. Kendyl, thanks for being my big sister and letting me obsess over Cooper. Josh, well, thanks for acting like you like me when I come home. Thank you all for giving up Grant every now and then to come to Athens and for always having a welcoming hug for me.
Fifth, I want to thank my friends at college and at home. I really miss you guys when I'm not with you all, and I'm really thankful that you all still put up with me despite my, well, never ending excitement. Holly, thanks for always knowing exactly when I want to watch Alx James, eat Zaxby's, and not work-out. Emily, thanks for always telling me I look good even when your voice was nowhere near convincing and sharing in my SLP nerdiness. Sandra, thanks for always keeping me updated on Rome and supporting me and my blog. Chelsea, thanks for always bringing a certain light into my life and singing along to Disney with me. Lindsay, thanks for not hating me for liking UGA; what can I say...I was converted. You guys are the world to me.
Sixth, I want to thank my high school teachers Mrs Mowery and Mrs Santillan and college professors Dr. Biddle and Mrs. Steinberg. The first two women were my "school moms." They made me feel comfortable with who I was as a student, person, and future leader. I emailed both ladies several times during the year, and each time they both told me how proud they were of me. Making the transition to college was eased by them, and also by my college professors. Dr. Biddle instructed me this summer in "Learning to Learn." This course was meant for students who were transitioning to college and Dr Biddle provided each of her students with a stern but motherly instruction. Mrs. Steinberg was no different. My Spanish teacher for both semesters, I found myself comforted by Mrs Steinberg and her advice as a former UGA student. I credit these women to helping ease my freshman experience and I admire them for their compassion for and commitment to their students.
Finally, I want to thank God. This time last year I was preparing to leave my hometown and all I knew as familiar for the new world of Athens. This time last year, I could not have predicted what I would experience, how I would grow, and how much I loved my decision to attend UGA. Despite the great times, this year has been all but incredibly wonderful. I battled anxiety, homesickness, fear, and every emotion of the range. At the beginning of this spring semester, I was pretty much convinced that I this would be my last semester at UGA, and that I would return home, my dreams a failure. Somehow, God miraculously grabbed a hold of me and led me to peace and safety. He helped me through the scariest times I have experienced, and He gave me an incredible support system with amazing memories. Without Him, I would not have finished my semester at UGA. I would have given up on my dreams, given up on myself. I thank God every day that he provided me with the opportunity to attend UGA and live the life I have for ten months now. I would like to believe that I am living as a light for Him in Athens, and I owe much of my success to His blessings.
Now, ten months later, I am older, wiser, stronger, and happier. I have had the year of my life and would not trade a moment of it. For those of you who I have mentioned or regretfully neglected to recognize, thank you for providing me with this opportunity and thank you for your endless support. Your love means so much more than you all will ever know.
Truly gratefully yours,
Emily, UGA Sophomore
This is it. After ten months of school, stress, and utter exhaustion, I am officially done with my first year of college. Whew.
I jokingly talked about doing a post like this to my roommate a few weeks ago. I said that I most certainly would not write a long Facebook status bragging on myself and how I finished a year of college and how I changed so much, blah blah blah. But let's face it. I'm a writer, and an emotional one at that so of course, here I am, breaking my promise.
I found out yesterday that as a freshman, I completed 36 credit hours and finished the year with a 3.87 GPA and made the Dean's List. But that's enough bragging.
I absolutely cannot credit solely myself for my success this year. In this blog, I hope to thank and give notice to the people who helped me to this point. This one is for you guys.
First, mom and dad. I honesty don't know where to begin. Mom, you made me apply to UGA. Dad, you made me research Athens' crime statistics. From the moment I was accepted, you both ditched the awful gold and navy and donned red and black for forevermore. You both forced me to sign up for Summer Freshman College, and though it was honestly probably one of the scariest experiences of my life, I am grateful. Thank you both for pushing me to take awful classes and give up my summer. Thank you for buying every UGA Parent piece of merchandise. Thank you for coming to get me almost every weekend. Thank you for not letting me quit and come home in January. Thank you for allowing me to chase my wildest dreams. Thank you for paying for my weekly Zaxby's and Gigi's Cupcakes runs when the meal plan just didn't cut it. Thank you for telling me every morning that I was going to conquer the day. Finally, thank you for the devil dog that sits in my lap. She's there for me when you two can't be. You'll never know how grateful I am for all you both have done.
Second, I want to thank my family. For those of you who know me, you know I have quite a large family that spans past Floyd County and throughout the United States. In January, I suffered a lot of anxiety. One day, my mom showed me the "family group message" that was shared by each member of my extended family. No matter their busy schedules, each and every uncle, aunt, grandparent, cousin was sure to send a prayer, praise, or tip to my parents to forward to me. I am so grateful for you all and how you have all shown your care and concern for me. You guys are my rock and own personal fan club. Thanks for accepting me despite my school's colors and only barely making fun of our loss to Tech this year.
Third, I want to thank my boyfriend, Grant. G, what can I say, you are incredible. Thank you for listening to me argue and complain about school, encouraging me to pursue my dreams, and staying up late to talk to me when I couldn't fall asleep. Thank you for driving to Athens to buy me fattening foods that I couldn't get in the dining hall. Thank you for supporting every decision that I made despite its outcome. Thank you for pretending like you knew what I was talking about when I used acronyms such as SPED, LRE, MLC, SLP, ASD, ASL and DHH. Thank you for always having a smile on your face and for Taylor Swift. I'm really thankful for Taylor Swift.
Fourth, I want to thank the Guices and Clarks: my "second" family. Big Ken, Robin, Kendyl, Josh, and baby Cooper, thank you all for accepting me and loving me as your own. I have loved your countless texts and phone calls throughout the year. Big Ken, thank you for my soul food dinners. Robin, thank you for keeping me updated on the family and sending prayers my way. Kendyl, thanks for being my big sister and letting me obsess over Cooper. Josh, well, thanks for acting like you like me when I come home. Thank you all for giving up Grant every now and then to come to Athens and for always having a welcoming hug for me.
Fifth, I want to thank my friends at college and at home. I really miss you guys when I'm not with you all, and I'm really thankful that you all still put up with me despite my, well, never ending excitement. Holly, thanks for always knowing exactly when I want to watch Alx James, eat Zaxby's, and not work-out. Emily, thanks for always telling me I look good even when your voice was nowhere near convincing and sharing in my SLP nerdiness. Sandra, thanks for always keeping me updated on Rome and supporting me and my blog. Chelsea, thanks for always bringing a certain light into my life and singing along to Disney with me. Lindsay, thanks for not hating me for liking UGA; what can I say...I was converted. You guys are the world to me.
Sixth, I want to thank my high school teachers Mrs Mowery and Mrs Santillan and college professors Dr. Biddle and Mrs. Steinberg. The first two women were my "school moms." They made me feel comfortable with who I was as a student, person, and future leader. I emailed both ladies several times during the year, and each time they both told me how proud they were of me. Making the transition to college was eased by them, and also by my college professors. Dr. Biddle instructed me this summer in "Learning to Learn." This course was meant for students who were transitioning to college and Dr Biddle provided each of her students with a stern but motherly instruction. Mrs. Steinberg was no different. My Spanish teacher for both semesters, I found myself comforted by Mrs Steinberg and her advice as a former UGA student. I credit these women to helping ease my freshman experience and I admire them for their compassion for and commitment to their students.
Finally, I want to thank God. This time last year I was preparing to leave my hometown and all I knew as familiar for the new world of Athens. This time last year, I could not have predicted what I would experience, how I would grow, and how much I loved my decision to attend UGA. Despite the great times, this year has been all but incredibly wonderful. I battled anxiety, homesickness, fear, and every emotion of the range. At the beginning of this spring semester, I was pretty much convinced that I this would be my last semester at UGA, and that I would return home, my dreams a failure. Somehow, God miraculously grabbed a hold of me and led me to peace and safety. He helped me through the scariest times I have experienced, and He gave me an incredible support system with amazing memories. Without Him, I would not have finished my semester at UGA. I would have given up on my dreams, given up on myself. I thank God every day that he provided me with the opportunity to attend UGA and live the life I have for ten months now. I would like to believe that I am living as a light for Him in Athens, and I owe much of my success to His blessings.
Now, ten months later, I am older, wiser, stronger, and happier. I have had the year of my life and would not trade a moment of it. For those of you who I have mentioned or regretfully neglected to recognize, thank you for providing me with this opportunity and thank you for your endless support. Your love means so much more than you all will ever know.
Truly gratefully yours,
Emily, UGA Sophomore