The College Craze

For the past six months now, it seems as though everything I have been hearing about is has something to do with the future, and more specifically, my future.  Where I plan on attending and what I plan on studying while I am there are the two questions that I most frequently answer.  My answers are never quite the same, and they usually end with an indecisive "but I'm not sure," or "however, I may change my mind."  The extensive amount of college mail on my desk also serves as a reminder that a decision as to where I'd like to go will need to be reached sooner rather than later.  I know I'm not alone in this, but the frantic look that I receive back from most people my age when I ask them these questions does not reassure me at all.  We all might be in this together, but it is something that must be done individually, with decisions reached on our own and for our own benefit.  On top of these questions troubling me, there is the whole other task of actually applying to these schools.  Using the Online Common Application is supposed to be easier than having to fill out several different applications, but it also takes several days to complete.  The task seems monotonous, and somewhat repetitive.  However, it is something that has to be done, and thinking of how great next year will be is the greatest motivation of all.  So far, I have begun the application process to three out of my five schools that I need to decide from, the first being Boston University.  I'm pretty sure this is my first choice school, but what happens in the next few months before I make my final decision will probably influence the decision greatly.  It is one of the biggest decisions in my life so far that I will have to make, and it will definitely be a tough one. 

Summer!

          Out of all four seasons, summer is by far my favorite.  Not only is the weather fantastic, but the overall vibe that the months of June, July, and August give off is just a little bit brighter than the months surrounding it.  It is the time I look forward to most in the year.  For one thing, I love going to the beach and being by the water.  Living in Western New York, there are very few times that I actually get to enjoy doing this.  I love just being able to walk along the edge of the water, listening to the tiny waves break at the edge.  Diving in to the cold water on a hot, sunny day is one of the best luxuries of summer.  I love the opportunity to go running without having to worry about cold weather as well.  Running on a hot, summer day and then being able to dive into the pool to cool off is another one of those tiny luxuries only awarded in the summer months.  It is one that I dream of during the mid-winter months as I try to get my run in between school and dusk.  Another reason that I love summer is that I get to go to the Adirondacks.  This is one of my favorite places in the world because it can be so secluded.  It's a great place to go and just relax for a week, meet new friends as well as old ones met in previous years, and take time to forget about the stress back at home.  It's a great time to go on an adventure through the woods or kayak out into the middle of the lake.  By the time I return from my trip, I feel great and refreshed.  Summer is more of a carefree time of the year where I get to really take time for friends, family, and activities that I am really interested in, which is why I love it so much. 

The book.

I have been using Facebook for over a year now, and I think that it's a great way to stay connected with friends and family.  I like being able to talk to friends and family that live far away and that I don't get to see on a regular basis.  It's a way to keep up with them and see what's going on in their lives.  I like being able to see all of the fun pictures they post.  I have friends that I met on vacation that I would never be able to keep in touch with without the use of Facebook.  I also like Facebook because it's an easy way of getting in touch with multiple people at once.  If there is a certain topic I am interested in I am able to see other people's opinions and comments on the matter on one convenient page.  I also think it's a great way of expressing your opinions, likes, and dislikes.  It can be fun and educational in some aspects.  However, for some people, Facebook is addicting.  Some people are always on it, constantly updating their statuses.  I don't think that this is a good use of the site or someone's time.  Most people that a person is friends with don't care that they just ate a sandwich while watching the news on television.  I, myself, very rarely post a status on my wall for everyone to see.  Another aspect of Facebook that many people do not seem to understand is that it is not private.  It is a Social networking site, and your page can be seen by many people if privacy settings are not adjusted.  This could cause many people to get into trouble.  In certain instances, people have even been stalked or taken by people they have met on Facebook that they thought they could trust.  It can be dangerous, but if used properly and responsibly, it can be safe.  Lastly, it is important to leave a positive digital footprint, and what you post on your wall can be seen by many others.  It is important to realize this factor when using Facebook, and not post anything that could be harmful to yourself or others.  Facebook can be a great thing, but there are many negative consequences when used inappropriately. 

Interest Inventory!

           Throughout the course of this year, I'd like to write about many different things.  I already enjoy writing about a vast range of topics.  I'd really like to review new books that I've read throughout the year.  I think it would be fun learning more about the background of the book, why it was written, and the author's viewpoints.  I think that writing about the book would give me a better perspective on the book, and would be interesting to those reading it.  Another topic that I would like to write about this year would be different cultures.  This can include a variety of things.  Different foods, celebrations, customs, and travel could be under this branch.  I think it would be interesting to learn more about these things through the research I'd have to do to write about them.  I also like writing about different clubs throughout the school, especially those that I am a part of.  I participate in activities put on by Peer Wellness, National Honor Society, and French Club, and think it would be interesting to write about them.  It would also be a good way to spread the word about these different clubs in order to obtain higher membership and attendance.  Another thing that I like writing about are different current events.  It's exciting to write about world news because each story or topic is a bit unique.   I'm also really interested in art, and think writing about new exhibits, festivals, or discoveries in art would be really interesting.  I also think it would be really fun to write articles dealing with the art department, their projects, and student artists at Alden High School.  I think that it would be fun to interview them about their pieces, their favorite artists and styles, and ideas for future pieces.  Other topics that I would not mind writing about are fashion, school sporting events, and general happenings around the school. 

9/12/11 Fourth Grade

          Out of all the years I have been in school, fourth grade was the best.  It is a year of my life that I look back on positively.  My fourth grade teacher was fantastic.  She was able to make even the most boring topics fun in a variety of ways.  We did several, fun projects that really helped us understand the topics that we were learning about.  For example, when we were learning about the geography of the world, we made and decorated our own globes.  The project was really fun, and it helped me learn the locations of all the continents and certain countries.  If we were having issues remembering a certain topic, then the entire class would come up with a pneumonic device or song to help remember the vocabulary or topic.  I also remember reading books together as a class.  This was one of my favorite parts of the day.  The whole class would sit in a circle and follow along in our books as the teacher read.  To this day, the book Where the Red Fern Grows, a book we read together in that class, is one of my favorites.  Those reading circles are what really first got me interested in books and literature, and I will never forget them.  I also remember being rewarded for good grades and behavior in that class with extra free time.  When the whole class was completing their work and had good behavior, our teacher would reward us with a party on Friday afternoon.  We would all bring in something that we wanted to share with the class and have a snack.  Because of the great environment that my classmates and I were surrounded in, we all got along and were able to become great friends.  Some of my best friends now are the ones that I met in this class, and because of the great friendships that I made in fourth grade, I will always look upon it positively. 

9/8/11 School Year Accomplishments

         Seeing as this my last year of high school and there is much I want to accomplish, I am going to be very busy.  I want to succeed in all of my classes, but most importantly, I want to get at least a four on my Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Exam.  I really want to be successful in all of the college level courses I am taking because I believe that by doing so, I will be more ready for college the following year.  I am taking several challenging courses this year including Precalculus and Physics, and would really like to be able to fully understand the general concepts being taught.  I am also taking Spanish for the first time this year after taking French in past years, and would really like to understand the basics of the language.  Even though I'm taking Spanish, I'd really like to be able to hold on to my knowledge of the French language and Culture.  I really like learning about new cultures, and think it would be great if I could retain both languages.  Being a Senior this year, I also need to make the difficult decision of where I'd like to go to college.  I need to succeed on my ACT as well as my SAT.  I need to go through the application process, and write my admissions essay.  This will take up a lot of my free time, but is a necessary project.  It will all be worth it in the end when I am able to go to the college of my choice.  Although this year will be very busy, I would really like to be able to enjoy some of the great activities that the school offers.  I would like to be a member of the French Club and potentially hold an officer position as I had in the past.  I would also like to continue my work with the Peer Wellness pillar of student congress.  I really enjoy working with other students in these clubs, and hope that this year will be just as enjoyable as years gone by.  Although my senior year will be very busy, I believe it will be enjoyable. 

9/8/11 Summer Vacation

   The summer of 2011 was a very busy but rewarding past couple of months.  Throughout the month of July, I worked for the summer recreation program in Alden as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor.  Although it was very challenging at some points, overall it was a great experience.  The kids were fun to work with, and I learned a lot of things that will continue to help me throughout my life.  I spent several weekends during this time going to visit colleges that I am interested in.  It was a really good experience for me because I was able to figure out what I liked and didn't like in a college.  I also was able to talk to people about different programs and majors to figure out what I'm really interested in.  Because of these trips, I have my choice of colleges narrowed down considerably, with my top choice being Boston University.  Even though I was very busy this summer, I still had plenty of time to spend with my friends and family.  During the second week of August, my mom, dad, brother, and I took our annual trip to the Adirondacks.  I always look foreward to this trip because of how beautiful and peaceful it is at this time of year.  Everyday I was able to go for a run in the morning as well as go swimming in the lake.  We also did quite a bit of kayaking, which is one of my favorite activities to do while we are there.  This year, my dad also decided to try something new and rent a speed boat.  It was definitely a different experience than the usual kayaking trips, but it was very enjoyable.  I became a professional waterskier by the time we had to take it back.  By the end of the week, I was ready to go home and spend the rest of my summer in the company of friends before the start of my senior year.