I don't know if you guys know it, but I recently got this app called Timehop. If you don't know what that is, it's an app with a cute little dinosaur that shows you your posts from your social media sites from 1 year ago, 2 years ago, and 3 years ago. I looked at it today and it showed me a picture I posted on an airplane looking over Chicago at night.
Of course, it made me a little nostalgic. I could't help but think about all that has changed this past year, for the good and for the bad. So I thought I would post about it.
Last year I was auditioning for colleges. That was pretty much my entire life. I was gone more days from school than I was at school (or at least it seemed like it). There weren't many times that I spent a full week at school. My grades were still perfect and it got to the point that even my mother didn't care if I went to school or not. There were days that I would get back at home on a school night and then my mom and I would go and see a movie. I would sleep in and not go to school the next day. I wouldn't recommend that, but my grades were good and I didn't benefit much from going to class.
So much has changed since then.
Those auditions turned into acceptance letters and rejection letters. I was accepted into every general education program that I applied for, rejected for every musical theater program, and accepted into every vocal performance program. I was defeated by my change in focus. I wanted desperately to go into musical theater, but it was obviously not for me. I'm a singer more than anything.
I eventually got over the rejection and decided on Illinois Wesleyan after wrestling for a while with my last three choices.
Now I am going to Illinois Wesleyan for Vocal Performance with a minor in German. Everything didn't go exactly as planned, but I got here nevertheless.
What has changed for me in the past year:
1. My voice got better
My voice sounds significantly better now that I am constantly working on it. My vibrato has slowly become more and more consistent.
2. I'm not in a show
For my entire high school career, I was in at least one musical and one play every year. Now I'm not in anything (I just auditioned for Light Opera which I would be doing a scene from a show, so fingers crossed!). It is a bit weird. I am used to memorizing lines and learning choreography (and messing up choreography).
3. I'm an underdog
I was one of the best musicians at my high school. Now that I am a freshman music major, I am suddenly at the bottom. It kind of sucks, but I will grow and get there eventually.
4. I lost a lot of confidence
This is part of the underdog thing. I made it into the highest choir of my high school right away my freshman year, so I was disappointed to not have done the same this year. I went through a rough period of self-doubt because of the sudden fall from the top of the ladder. It was rough, but I'm working on building back my confidence.
5. I'm sharing a room with someone
I haven't shared a room with anyone since my brother and I slept in bunkbeds when I was about 5. It is weird to have to share space with another human being.
6. I lost weight
I am about 10 pounds lighter than I was last year. (And counting!)
7. I have a real job
I had been payed for babysitting before, but now I actually pay taxes and work on a consistent schedule (mostly). I also got through my first real job interview this year and will be a camp counselor this summer! I am proud of that success.
8. My faith grew a lot
Fighting with other people about your views tends to make your opinions stronger. I have no doubt in my faith now, and I am happy that I can finally say that.
9. I want to join a fraternity
This never crossed my mind before this year. A part of me is still a bit shocked at that decision, but I know that it is perfect for me.
10. I am not as involved
I used to be in everything in high school. One of the things I miss most is sports, but I just don't have the time for it any more. I am getting more involved this semester and will find that I may be too involved after spring break is over, but I'm looking forward to it.
11. I upgraded my phone!
I now have an iPhone 6 instead of an iPhone 4! That's pretty exciting. My 4 was getting a bit annoying because they start not working as well after more updates come around. Luckily, we found a way to afford the upgrade!
12. And of course: I am in college
The change from high school to college was a lot bigger than I expected, but now I am not only dealing, but thriving in my new environment.
So that is my reflection on this past year! What has changed in your life?
Of course, it made me a little nostalgic. I could't help but think about all that has changed this past year, for the good and for the bad. So I thought I would post about it.
Last year I was auditioning for colleges. That was pretty much my entire life. I was gone more days from school than I was at school (or at least it seemed like it). There weren't many times that I spent a full week at school. My grades were still perfect and it got to the point that even my mother didn't care if I went to school or not. There were days that I would get back at home on a school night and then my mom and I would go and see a movie. I would sleep in and not go to school the next day. I wouldn't recommend that, but my grades were good and I didn't benefit much from going to class.
So much has changed since then.
Those auditions turned into acceptance letters and rejection letters. I was accepted into every general education program that I applied for, rejected for every musical theater program, and accepted into every vocal performance program. I was defeated by my change in focus. I wanted desperately to go into musical theater, but it was obviously not for me. I'm a singer more than anything.
I eventually got over the rejection and decided on Illinois Wesleyan after wrestling for a while with my last three choices.
Now I am going to Illinois Wesleyan for Vocal Performance with a minor in German. Everything didn't go exactly as planned, but I got here nevertheless.
What has changed for me in the past year:
1. My voice got better
My voice sounds significantly better now that I am constantly working on it. My vibrato has slowly become more and more consistent.
2. I'm not in a show
For my entire high school career, I was in at least one musical and one play every year. Now I'm not in anything (I just auditioned for Light Opera which I would be doing a scene from a show, so fingers crossed!). It is a bit weird. I am used to memorizing lines and learning choreography (and messing up choreography).
3. I'm an underdog
I was one of the best musicians at my high school. Now that I am a freshman music major, I am suddenly at the bottom. It kind of sucks, but I will grow and get there eventually.
4. I lost a lot of confidence
This is part of the underdog thing. I made it into the highest choir of my high school right away my freshman year, so I was disappointed to not have done the same this year. I went through a rough period of self-doubt because of the sudden fall from the top of the ladder. It was rough, but I'm working on building back my confidence.
5. I'm sharing a room with someone
I haven't shared a room with anyone since my brother and I slept in bunkbeds when I was about 5. It is weird to have to share space with another human being.
6. I lost weight
I am about 10 pounds lighter than I was last year. (And counting!)
7. I have a real job
I had been payed for babysitting before, but now I actually pay taxes and work on a consistent schedule (mostly). I also got through my first real job interview this year and will be a camp counselor this summer! I am proud of that success.
8. My faith grew a lot
Fighting with other people about your views tends to make your opinions stronger. I have no doubt in my faith now, and I am happy that I can finally say that.
9. I want to join a fraternity
This never crossed my mind before this year. A part of me is still a bit shocked at that decision, but I know that it is perfect for me.
10. I am not as involved
I used to be in everything in high school. One of the things I miss most is sports, but I just don't have the time for it any more. I am getting more involved this semester and will find that I may be too involved after spring break is over, but I'm looking forward to it.
11. I upgraded my phone!
I now have an iPhone 6 instead of an iPhone 4! That's pretty exciting. My 4 was getting a bit annoying because they start not working as well after more updates come around. Luckily, we found a way to afford the upgrade!
12. And of course: I am in college
The change from high school to college was a lot bigger than I expected, but now I am not only dealing, but thriving in my new environment.
So that is my reflection on this past year! What has changed in your life?
Update on the housing:
I did not make it into Harriet. I was a bit bummed, but I am excited to be living with my sisters in the house next year! I am a bit worried about who to room with in the house, but that isn't too much of a concern.
Have a great day!
I did not make it into Harriet. I was a bit bummed, but I am excited to be living with my sisters in the house next year! I am a bit worried about who to room with in the house, but that isn't too much of a concern.
Have a great day!
