Snowboarding...

Snow has started to fall, and the roads have become roller rink for drivers to test their skill at driving. While those young teenagers like myself, enjoy the increased chances of drifting and sliding sideways down the street. I have always thought of winter as my reese for the year. Just like in school when the teachers would let us go outside and play away from the school work and learning going on inside. That's how winter is like in my eyes. The excitement and laughter that goes without questioned during these few short months. 

Whether it takes place up top a big hill, like Apple Mountain or down a back-road that hasn't been cleared of snow. I make every moment full of unforgettable memories. It finds a way of keeping me warm inside and anxious to do it all over again the next year. 

For the first time I went snowboarding last year and I was always interested in going, but had no-one to take me. Eventually I found the right group of friends that enjoyed it and had been going for the last few years. It had truly been a long time since I had felt butterflies in my stomach and it was refreshing to feel them again. 

After many hours of practicing on the bunny-hill, I thought it was time to attempt the big mountain. Once I had told my friends that I wanted to, they wouldn't let me back out of it. For that I thank them, simply because it completely changed how much fun I was having forever. 

As we approached the sky lift, I instantly got a rush of butterflies in my stomach and they lasted the entire ride up the mountain. Once we had arrived it took only a few seconds before I decided to go down the mountain. Only after I took a good look around at the beautiful scenery, and vast distance that could be seen from the top of the mountain. It was time for the journey down the mountain and I was so excited! It went so fast that I had to continually go back up to enjoy the rush over and over again. The smile, joy and rush of the refreshing air hasn't left my mind since I walked of the mountain. I can only wait for the mountains to reopen and my excitement to renewed.

Preparing for Exams...

All students fears the end of each term because final exams are to be had, and knowledge that has been learned all year is tested to prove if you learned the material. For many it means many sleepless nights and hours of brain crushing studying. It was something that I wasn't looking forward to. 

I was never one to study in high school because everything came easy and if anything a five minute refresher was all that was need before a test. People always complain about those kids that can pass test with little studying while they were expect to study really hard to get the grades they could. 

I never understood why they were so envious because it has only ever hurt me. I know have to learn the ways of studying like they mastered in high school, many years before college. Would I go back and learn those ways sooner, possibly. Though there is no way of doing that now because I am already here in the present and there isn't time to relive the past. 

This week of exams is going to be an experience to prove whether I have learned how to study properly and what ways I will have to change for next semester. 

Adjusting my Schedule...

Everything wasn't simple at the beginning because I never really had a set sleep pattern or way of doing my homework. Though when college came around that was all changing whether I was willing or not. Was it hard to get use to in the beginning? "yes!" 

As time passed and the forced habit was endured the easier it became. Staying up late and getting little sleep was a way of life and I couldn't change that if I want to learn the material I need to succeed. Having someone to be there through it made the time more enjoyable. 

One big thing I learned for the next semester is to organize my class better. I thought college would be only a couple days a week, but I set my classes up really bad and had class everyday of the week. Just like high school even though I vowed never to do that. I blame it completely on my dislike for delta and lack of plans to attend there. Which means when I was forced to attend Delta, instead of Central Michigan. I was behind on the class scheduling and most of the good times for classes were taking. Resulting in my bad schedule. 

My next semester will be a lot better then this because I am more aware of when the registration is and how to plan better for my classes. Allowing for more time to study and spend less time on the road driving. Wasting less money that is unnecessary. 

Making Friends...

The first day of college came as  a surprise to me, when I arrived for my first class. As I was walking down the hallway I ran into a fellow classmate that was attending college like I was. I found it a bit bizarre that he was waiting outside the same class I was. Whether he was there for another friend to get done with their class or was he taking mine. Then, I asked and sure enough he was taking the same class as I was. 

Knowing that the entire semester I was going to be taking a class with a kid from high school was going to make this first semester a little less nerve wrecking and more enjoyable. A bit of background history about the two of use, is that we never really talked to each other until senior year. Not because we had a problem with one another, we simple were in different social groups in high school. Though through my accident of breaking my arm I was forced to join bowling my senior year instead of basketball like I had in the past. 

I got to know his passion for bowling, which was a stepping stone in becoming friends in college. It has come as a complete benefit to both of us, for the reason of college being a bit more difficult then high school ever was. I am glad to know that we have become friends through college. A quote from him is that, "good friends are discovered through college." Which is very true, since we hangout almost everyday of the week whether we are bowling or study for a chemistry exam. This friendship couldn't have come at a better time in my life.

College...

In the start everything was a rush of excitement and fear all wrapped up into one place. This was Delta college and my first day on campus as a freshmen. My mind was quickly set to easy when I found a fellow classmate had the same class as myself. It helped to start things off on the right foot. Though things didn't stop there for I was refreshed to know that the professor were willing to help all of us meet one another whether it was our first time into college or we were returning for another semester/ year. Regardless it was really warming to know that right from the get-go they were already welcoming each of us with a hearty hello.

Made my initial entrance into college a more enjoyable feeling. The best part about going to college I would have to say is that the teachers are way more understanding about our outside life. I mean if you abuse it then they are a bit less forgiving, but for those of us that have a job or family that needs to be tended to. They are willing to allow you to leave the classroom with no questions asked, which is way different from that of high school. It was always a burden to make sure the teacher knew where I was going. I felt as though I had little freedom when so many say that high school is suppose to be the best time of your life.

For myself that was far from true. I felt as though I never truly fit in with anyone and as much as I tried things never got better. I have for sure found my home at college and all the mature people that attend there. Though there are still those that feel like everything should be about them, but there easy to avoid. I never really cared for the drama, but for some reason found myself dealing with it everyday of high school. It's nice to know there is a place out there away from all the drama and restriction like there were in high school. That's why I say college has become my home away from home. My little peace of freedom from adults control and rules.

Moving Forward...

Leaving for college seemed like a present from Santa, though it didn't come wrapped in all its colorful paper or have those big fancy bows on top. It merely came to you in a plain box with nothing, but the words "Reality" written on the side of it. Optimistic people would tare into the box hoping for a fortune while those of use that have endured the repercussion from our parents who work or that we have attempted to maintain a job for the last two years; we are among those who fear to open the box knowing exactly what is in store for us inside. 

Pessimism would be a simple term in which to elaborate how I felt about going to Delta college. For me it was just another school where I was unable to move away from home. In my eyes it's like a high school for grown ups. When I think of college, I picture dorms, beautiful girls all around (not 40 year mothers of 4 kids), cafeteria's were the food is a lot better then high schools. College sports, away from all the parents, who complain that they payed seventy dollars to watch their son/ daughter sit on the bench. A life more of adventure instead of more repetition. 

I had always planned on attending Central Michigan University. Though I have met some interesting people here at Delta and have started making friendships with those that have similar interests or strike me as different, willing to put their passion in front of their image. How life should really be, unlike that of which the media portray's for the adolescents of my generation. It will never be Central Michigan, but for what it is I am great full to be attending college.

Saying goodbye...

All students are energetic about leaving high school and moving on in life. For me it's about saying goodbye to those that have greatly impacted my life. Friends will change and lives will be altered, but the memories will live on forever. I feel as though a small part of my heart is missing, knowing that I have lost someone dear to me. It's not like they have died, but that she has moved away and it feels as though what she meant to me has all been abandoned. It hurts to think about her and know that I won't be able to talk to her everyday like I use to. The joy that was endured during conversation will only be a memory in my mind. 

People never know how much they really mean towards each other till they have been separated. I know myself that there will be times were I wish I could see her and it won't be possible due to were we live or travel to.

College is great for expanding our knowledge, but is also detrimental when it comes to destroying friendships that were created due to close bonds in high school. I recently talked to a friend of mine who has felt lost because his live is completely consumed by work and school. The time to be with old friends has all disappeared and it bring great sadness to mine and his hearts to think of the opposite side of graduation. I wish life was more forgiving towards those naive teenagers we all grow to be. I know personally if I could impact the live of a naive teenager and help them to leave high school regret-less that would be worth telling a story, but that's impossible. How can anyone prepare for the life that is before them without living it and recalling all the decisions that have altered their live. All I will end this saying is make a good choice on the decisions you choose for yourself because the are the most influential part of your life.as you know it.