college

What I learned. How I grew.

In these past four years, we lived, we loved, we hurt, we failed, we made friends who were good for us, we did things that maybe weren’t so good for us, but we laughed like we never have before. And all these things that pushed us out of our comfort zone, Appalachian was there to foster challenge and inspire GROWTH every step of the way. And ya’ll it’s been a long time coming. But grow. We. Did.

I learned to appreciate just how amazing this little mountain town is. We live in one of the best outdoor communities in the WORLD and I for sure took advantage of it.

I learned how to serve my community. I have so many important gifts to offer this world and I let them shine.

I learned to travel as much as I could. This world is so big and there’s so much to see so I booked the damn flight.

I learned that my body is beautiful and powerful and is the one true vehicle that will take you to all the amazing places if I treat it well.

I learned to kiss boys and girls I didn’t know because I really wanted to and in those moments, it was so much fun it made my head hurt.

I learned to kiss boys and girls I did know because I really needed to and in those moments, it was so much fun it made my heart burst.

I learned that some days I’ll wake up having no idea what you did last night and some nights I’ll go to sleep having no idea what you’ll do the next day. And I learned how to have the self confidence and faith in myself to be okay with both.

I learned that sometimes I’ll feel so creative that I might explode and the only way to combat that is to call your best friends and read them that poem or tell them about that run. And I learned that the right ones would listen and encourage me, even if they knew I’m just bull shit.

I learned to build REAL relationships. I learned to find people who motivate me, inspire me, teach me, and make me laugh. And I learned to really discover who they really are.

I learned to have the courage to love. To love deeply, intentionally, unconditionally. And even if that love didn’t last forever, I learned that in the moments it did, it was everything you needed.

I learned to surround myself with people who are different from me and to let them challenge who I am. And more importantly, who you I am not.

I learned to spend a whole day alone at least once a semester and I learned that I can be alone for a whole day without feeling lonely.

I learned to call my parents every so often just to thank them for raising me to be the person I am and for everything they’ve done to get you this far.

I learned that I can never, ever, ever forget how lucky I are to be in a place specifically designed to teach us how to become a more fully-formed social, intellectual, and emotional person. And I learned how important it is to take ownership of it and realize how much of a privilege it is.

I learned to take risks. Sleep under the stars. Say yes to the first date.

Because in all of these moments that taught me, challenged me, inspired me, moved me– I grew.

But most of all, I learned to keep looking forward because these are just the best for years of my life so far. There’s still so much more to come.