I'll be the first to admit that this semester has been unlike any other semester I have experienced at OU in the four and half years that I have been attending. I have been put to the test physically and mentally more than ever. It was the first or second week of school that I was hit head on by a girl who was texting and driving, which left me in some rough physical shape. I get better each week as I progress through therapy at the chiropractor. Maybe 2 - 3 weeks after that, I caught a sinus infection that turned into bronchitis. I had to have a strep test twice during that period because my throat was so swollen and irritated. Just last Wednesday, I lost my childhood best friend. His funeral was yesterday and it had been rough. So have I grow out of this? I'd like to think so. Actually, make that a firm 'yes'!
I struggled to get the work together for this class in the first couple weeks as I was trying to make sense of a schedule that was going to best work for me, yet I was struggling to figure out what a 'normal week' would look like. At this point, I just assume that every other week or so something will happen that I have to add to my plate and learn to juggle with everything else.
I have realized that one of my biggest weaknesses is that I strive to enjoy as much of life as possible. When I say that, I mean to emphasis that through everything I have been overcoming and hurdling this semester, I try to enjoy the time I have with my friends and family and put off my homework. I have made strides to change that. Although life is precious, there is a time for everything. In the last couple weeks, I have made school a #1 priority again and pushing myself through the obstacles in order to learn. To learn that even though life can make you feel bogged down and exhausted, you earn your stamina through perseverance.
The dimensions of growth that apply to me are pushing myself to go farther, finding motivation inside myself, being confident that I can improve, and setting my own schedule and priorities.
I chose this GIF because my crutch through all of this, like many students can relate to, has been coffee. I am a Starbucks junkie and like to do most of my writing and homework there. So I felt like this was an appropriate photo to share because there are multiple times throughout the day that I feel like the coffee can't come fast enough. I should just begin coffee consumption through and IV.
(P.S. My favorite drinks is a Venti Cold Brew with a splash of 2%, 1 pump of classic and 1 pump of vanilla.)
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| Character Miranda Priestly in 'Devil Wears Prada' |
Austin,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your accident earlier this semester! I can imagine it would be really hard to stay caught up in classes after something like that. And I'm even more sorry to hear about your friend. :( I've had a semester like this before - so many traumatizing things happened back to back to back, it's a wonder I made it out alive. I think that I (eventually) emerged a stronger person, and I hope that you can say the same soon, but I know that it must be really hard right now. It sounds like you're handling it well, and I hope that's accurate to say. Having a strong support system helped me get through that semester, and I even needed support for about a year after everything. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
I love that GIF, by the way. Meryl Streep is the best, and I love that movie!
Hey Austin, I am really sorry to hear what happened to you, I cannot believe that people are actually still this irresponsable driving and texting... However I am glad that it was not super bad because as you may know some people loose their lives with something like this. Being a student at OU and facing all these problems is very hard, myself I had major issues this semester but like you said we learn from all of this, that is what life is about. I wish you a speed recover and good luck for whatever is left in this semester.
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry that your year has been so rough emotionally. I see that out of all that sadness and stress that you have grown mentally and emotionally. I have high hopes that things have gotten better for you and that you find yourself on the right path.
ReplyDeleteThe first couple of weeks for this class is the hardest, I struggled when I first began as well, but after a while I began to look forward to the reading and the storytelling. I find it all therapeutic I hope you have to!
(P.S. Devil Wears Prada is LIFE and my fave Starbucks is Caramel/Mocha Frap.)
Austin, I'm so incredibly sorry with all that has gone on during this past semester. I am definite sending good thoughts your way. Despite all the bad you seem to be a person with great optimism. Although, I don't actually know you it is my hope that you never lose that positive and kind spirit that your words give off. I too find myself wrestling with the balance of homework and spending time with those I love. It's hard to justify doing homework when I value you intentionality in relationships much more than I do a grade. Nonetheless, school is important and temporary so I need to work at with the time I've got. I hope coffee and good thoughts get you through the rest of the semester. Finish strong, you're so close to being finished.
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