Today I completed my undergraduate studies at Auburn University. This morning, while I was attempting to study, I started thinking about the many things I have learned through 18 years of school.
In kindergarden, I learned that I can relate to adults fairly easily, even as a five year old. My kindergarden teacher, Mrs. Bailey, use to let me stay up during nap time and talk to her, color drawings, and even pull some teeth.
In first grade, Mrs. Reid taught me how to write. My handwriting to this day is because of her. Lower case letters below the dotted line, capital letter to the top of the paper (that's when we were allowed to use handwriting lines).
In second grade, Mrs. Riggins taught me how to make school fun. School wasn't just about reading and math you can learn about how the world was created. She was always dressed to a tee and knew exactly how to have fun.
Third grade was probably my favorite grade. It was my last grade in Golden Springs and I had the coolest teacher, Mrs. Upchurch. Third grade I cut my hair extremely short (like above my ears short), had a retainer, and wore dresses. So it was my awkward stage, but little did I know what middle school would bring.
In fourth grade, I had to make all new friends and thanks to gymnastics I already had some friends that I knew that would be in my class. I wouldn't have made it through that grade without them. In fourth grade Mrs. Beshears helped my reading level sky rocket, well from below average to where it should have been all along. This is the year I realized I liked to write. We had a journal that we were required to write in once a day at school. I guess I've kept that habit because I still keep a handwritten journal.
Oh fifth grade, the best class ever, as Mrs. Holcomb would say! I was a little confused when it came to what school to root for but in the end I saw the light ;) Mrs. Poore (now) helped me understand science just a little more and made me really interested in other subjects besides math.
Sixth grade was the year of change. I moved to the middle school where boys were cute and the walls were blue. Classes changed every period and I had a different teacher for ever subject. Mrs. Moore helped me in science, Mrs. Graham with math, and Mr. Berry (who gave me the nickname KP) helped me in social studies. I had my first group of girlfriends, my first boyfriend, and my first nickname. I joined the youth group at church and made even more friends. School was becoming a lot more fun because there was more to do after school than just homework. I tried out for cheerleading, took piano, and did numerous activities at church. I guess my interpersonal skills started to develop then.
Seventh and eighth grade was the beginning of my trouble years. As much as I wish I could take back some of the things I put my parents through, in the end, I guess I really learned. Cheerleading was my life and boys came second, friends third, and classes last. My perfect grades through elementary school began to slip and so did some of my friends. I started learning life lessons whether I really learned them that year or not.
High school came and went and couldn't have gone fast enough. The first two years were a joy and then my best friends graduated. I was left to conquer the school with just my grade and I wasn't ready for it. I stayed in cheerleading (thanks to my parents). If I wouldn't have stayed in cheerleading I would be a lot worse off. My parents kept me as grounded as they could while I still had a rebel streak to prove. Senior year was a year where I learned who people truly were and what little these last four years meant for my life.
Then freshmen year came at Auburn. I moved completely on from my high school experiences and picked up with my old self. I made great friends who helped me survive these last four years. I had a boyfriend that held me back but soon got rid of him before my sophomore year could be ruined.
Sophomore year through this last year have been an absolute blessing. I have learned so many things about myself, life, and other people. This world is so much bigger than the first 18 years of your life. They are like a building block for the next four years of college and on. I cannot thank my parents enough for raising me the way they did. I learned so much from them and the role models they set for me. I can't thank my college friends enough for showing me what true friends are and how everyone is different. Lastly, I can't thank my boyfriend enough for the lessons he has taught me in the last two years. It has been a blessing to come to the plains and learn so much from so many different people.
I hope that these last 18 years of school and 22 years of life have prepared me for what's ahead. I have big goals and dreams set for myself. I was taught at a young age to never give up on what you want and that's what I plan on doing for the rest of my life. Even without school, I know I will continue to learn everyday. You can never have too much knowledge as my dear friend Morgan says. Thank you to all the people who supported me throughout my building block years. I hope I can go into the world and make you all proud but most importantly live up to my hopes and dreams.
I've decided the only way to help me get use to this type of week is getting into a routine. Granted, this week was not the best example of that. One night I stayed up until 1AM, another night I went to sleep at 10PM, a few days I got up and worked out and other days I hit the snooze. (Side note: I have never used my snooze until now. If my alarm was set for 8AM in college, I was up at 8AM no matter how tired I was. This week, we became close friends.)
Number 1 is the hardest. I can always think of something else I need to fit into my day (or want to fit in) and the time gets pushed later and later. The second one isn't as hard because like I said, I've never been a big snooze button person so hopefully I won't get into the habit of using it. And if I do, I'll just set the alarm 9 minutes earlier than I really need to get up. ;)
