20-something, Broke, & Happy...So Far
So it's April.... April to most people means a couple of different things: tax day, rain, professional golf being back, and the sun finally coming back after a long winter. To me, April means a couple of different things: making the change from riding boots to sandals, being able to have a drink on a bar patio wearing sunglasses, and on the very last day of April of 2016 I graduate from college. Scary, I know right. I've been thinking about since day since I started college. All throughout high school, I had a countdown with my best friend when we would graduate from high school, break out of our bubble of a city, and be on the track to being adults. Graduating college was definitely a boost in the adult-feeling: no more set schedule 7:30 to 3:30 days, being forced to go to bed every night at 10pm by my parent, even more just not living my with parents anymore. Graduating high school felt like being on top of the world and I was finally an adult with my life together. I was happy, with life and my sense of freedom that I was about to get.
Here is a link on how to have a great and successful year of college: https://www.quintcareers.com/first-year-success/
My first day of being in Athens was a whirlwind experience for me. I was moving into a quad dorm room with three other girls who I had never met before, I didn't have any older siblings, cousins, friends to tell me what that first day would be like. All those adult feelings that I had went right out the door the moment I said good-bye to my parents. The first night I "went out" onto Mill and Palmer Street, I felt like a little kid that was trying to fit in and play with all the big kids, so far from being an adult. I wanted to be independent, to be respected, and trusted by my parents so I got a part time job, tried my best to balance school work, a social life, and work all at the same time. I started to feel slightly more adult than that first day at OU but still feeling like this was just the beginning to a more challenging life. I was broke, literally and with knowing what was going to come in my years at school.
Link to a great list of money saving tips:
Now I'm a senior and graduating within the month. I feel even less than ever to feeling like an adult and so apprehensive into entering the real world. But I've learned a lot of different lessons, some out of good and bad situations.
- Don't let anyone dictate your views, ethics, or life in general. This has been one of the most important lessons I've learned in college because I've seen the affect its had on me in hindsight and with other peers. During a six-month period early in my college career, someone that I thought I loved and cared for manipulated me to think low of myself, question my goals and aspirations, and made me turn of people I actually did love and care about. Always be sure of who you are and who you want to be.
- You have forever to experience weekends, but you do have a limited amount of weekends where your best friends are all together. Take advantage of every moment you have with people you love because money shouldn't be the main issue and ten years from now, you'll remember when you were all together, not when you binged on Netflix.
- Life happy, fully, and lovingly. There is no point to live in a negative view all the time because if you set that as a habit now, that is how you will live the rest of your life.
I am excited for the future and excited to live a passionate life that fulfills my needs of happiness and contentment. I'm only 20-something years old and I'm ready for whatever comes my way.
Some playlists to inspire a good day:
P.S.: The video below is the "Inch By Inch" speech from the movie, "Any Given Sunday." I like to watch this speech when I'm feeling low and need a kickstart to get me back focused and on track.
