Recap

It's remarkable to me that I graduated one week ago today! 

This week has been so great. It's been spent with friends and family.. and my coworkers. If my summer continues like this, it's going to be a great one! But, I'm also getting excited for my future! Internships both close to home and far away, possibly an out-of-state education, and so much more has me so excited for these next 6 years of my life! I've grown up so fortunate and I hope that I'll continue to be as blessed in the future.

But, enough of this talk of the future! I'm ready to live in the here and now. The summer sun is shining,

and that's where you'll find me! 

The Turning of a Page

Today is my high school graduation!

It is absolutely insane to think back four years to my freshman year and just how much has changed. High school houses some of your most life-changing moments: first finals, getting your driver's license, prom and homecoming, the sports, the friends, and oh my- the drama! But, for better or worse, I've grown to love my school and all of the kids in my class. People always say that you'll leave in a better place than you started. That couldn't be more true. I've lost some people, but gained even more! 

I've gained responsibility, friendships. and mentors. I've learned what it's like to work a part-time job (an even better incentive to go to college!) on top of school work. I've learned what it takes to be a real friend... and what to look for in a friend. I've made some of the greatest memories and some of the biggest mistakes. I've traveled and learned. I've dug deeper and am on the path of really being the person that I'm capable of being, and it's crazy to think that I may have to do it all over again!

These upcoming years are going to be even more soul-searching and developing into the woman that I can become. I'll learn so much about myself, others, and my field of study. I've got college athletics, greek life, and internships  to look forward to. I couldn't be more excited!

As an official high school graduate, here I go. Into the world of college!

Bittersweet Final Days

via Instagram

Today marks the final Monday that I have to wake up for high school and only 8 remaining days until graduation. It's really starting to hit me that my youth is coming to an end, in a way. Of course, college will still be fun and I'm not looking to grow up quickly by any means. But I will be essentially on my own- a big change for a girl who always has mom and dad there to fix any problems. Also, I've never been away from my family like I will be and it's all getting kind of scary!

I'm really starting to realize what graduation means.

No more 8 hour days in the same building. New people. Intelligent people! New friends. No more being watched over. More hard work. So much to do in so little time.

As exciting as the end is, it's bittersweet. 

So, for now, I'm enjoying my time at home (and in school) knowing that I'll be gone in a few short months. 

Back to Business

via BeFunky

My weekend in the city was wonderful!

It was jam-packed with sights and sounds of Chicago. We shopped, we ate, and we dropped.

Most importantly, we were home in time to be with our moms on Mother's Day. :)

As enjoyable as the weekend was, it's getting to be crunch time in school. The fact that I'm losing all motivation and just want summer isn't helping, either! I am less than 3 weeks away from graduating and moving on to college and all that fun stuff.

So, here's to the week! Summer is so close.

Graduation Gifts

Today marks 4 weeks (or 19 days) of school left!! 

College kids are finishing up finals or are already home, and high schoolers are nearing their last days! The class of 2013 is entering its final days of high school-

  graduation and open houses are quickly approaching!

Whether you know hundreds of graduates or just 2, there's nothing like commemorating the accomplishment with a perfect gift! While money is always, always appreciated, putting some thought into a gift that your grad will love is so much more heartfelt and gives them a way to take a bit of you away with them!

Hint to your favorite cousin or crush that you want to keep up the correspondence with this adorable Lilly stationery set. This set works for a variety of occasions; she'll hardly be able to resist writing you! I know I wouldn't be able to! No student can have enough pens, and this Lilly one will keep note taking light and pretty! You can never go wrong with Lilly or writing materials. Put the two together and you've made the best gift-giver list!

Whether graduating from college or high school, grads have a whole new world ahead of them. For the avid writer, note-taker, or list-maker (hello, me!) this Kate Spade travel journal commemorates the leaving of one life to the entering of the next. It's cute and fashionable while also completely functional. Since it's technically a travel journal, it has pockets inside, which will work perfectly for any busy girl who needs a place to keep her syllabus, calendar, or just some miscellaneous notes. This is an awesome, inexpensive gift that will make an impact on your grad and keep her thinking of you every time she opens it.

Every girls needs a College Prepster monogrammed bracelet! Marley Lilly has the one, and it is a perfect grad gift! Jewelry is always perfect for the preppy girl, and a monogram makes anything better! This bracelet is the epitome of the preppy girl and will be a great outfit staple for going to class, going out, or meeting with a professor. Stylish, sophisticated, and classic, you can't go wrong with this one. 

For the reader, the funny one, or the guy who's too smart for his own good, That Book about Harvard is a perfect buy! At less than $15, the price is just right. This book will make you laugh at the horrible things poor Eric went through his freshman year at the esteemed Harvard University, though it's lighthearted enough not to instill fear into the incoming college freshmen. I plan on purchasing this book for many of my guy friends. While books aren't always the most exciting gift, encourage your grad to give it a chance. I promise you that they will be hooked after the first page. The laughs will be great and the fact that you provided them will be even better! 

Happy Gift Giving! Don't forget to tell your grad "Congrats!"

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

I am this close to losing all sense of motivation!!

Okay maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration... but seriously. Eight weeks from today I'll be walking across the stage accepting my diploma and finally getting out of jail high school! Having that knowledge, and the fact that tomorrow is my last day before a two week intercession, I am finding it incredibly challenging to get any studying for my 3 tests or preparation for my presentation tomorrow done (seriously, I've always wondered why teachers do this to kids). 

With giving up imminent, I decided to take a study break to write about... what else?! My study habits!

Let me preface this with telling you that I am ranked in the top 5% of my graduating class and have a 3.9 GPA.

I have almost an entire additional year of high school than what's required to graduate (credit-wise) and have taken almost every advanced placement possible since 7th grade. While I understand that I am only a senior in high school, I believe that my AP teachers have prepped me in every way possible for success in college. I understand that studying and succeeding in college is a completely different process, but this is what I have for now. 

1. Your first key to success is to do what your prof or teacher tells you to do! Yes, it is easy to show up to class and listen to lectures, but there's so much more that you can be doing. Always read the material being covered before you go to the class! Always do the homework, even if it isn't to be collected. But, most importantly, look at the outlines, notes, and book that you are covering before class. This not only helps you get knowledge that you may not get in class, but gives you an idea of what's going on and what you should know. This way, if you have anything that you still aren't understanding after the lecture, you can ask questions and clarify any rough spots. 

2. Make a to-do list! Okay, so i know this sounds very 30-year-old-housewife-ish of me, but I seriously make lists of everything. If I can organize what it is I need to be doing and physically cross tasks off my list, I feel so much more calm. Plus, I love the feeling of accomplishment as I see my list get smaller and smaller! 

3. Limit your studying time. And don't crunch material! I like to spread out my studying over the week before the test. Even if it's just reading through my notes at the very beginning of my "studying", it's a proven fact that your mind will subconsciously process material. The more you can get it into your head, your mind will be thinking about it and locking away the ideas without much effort on your part. It makes your real studying in the few days up to the test much less stressful! When it comes to my hard studying, I like to set a timer for 45 min on my phone. I work hard for that time, and take a 15 min break once it goes off. I might watch a few youtube videos, send a few texts/ emails, or online shop. I'm pretty good about getting back to studying, but if you tend to get distracted easily, I'd recommend setting a timer for your break, too. 

4. When it comes to the actual process of my studying, here's what I do:

quiz - throughly read notes - skim notes - make a condensed study guide - skim notes - quiz

I do this for each section or chapter and it's amazing to see how my quiz scores improve just with that simple process. I just added the step of making the condensed "notes of my notes". I try to fit everything for an entire unit or test on one sheet front and back. It's perfect for in between classes or at lunch glancing at and being able to jog my memory on a few major points or questions that I keep missing on the quiz. Repetition helps!

Studying and preparing is such a vital part of a student's life and I'm so glad that I kindof have a system down. While I'm sure it'll be tweaked this time next year, a foundation is all I need right now! 

I'm pretty sure this break has been longer than my typical 15-minute break... but I deserved an extended one!

Happy Friday! 

My New Baby

So graduation just got very real to me; my parents decided to buy me an early graduation present. What is it, you ask?

via Instagram

This beaut right here: the 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

Yes, I am a spoiled brat and yes, I am indebted to them for the next 6 years of my life.

This plus paying for all of my college? 

Like seriously, I feel like such a grown up!

This is the first step to becoming my own entity. I had to set it up under my own apple id (meaning... no more using dad's credit card for app store and iTunes purchases :'( ) and it's 100% mine. Of course, while I'm home I'll let my parents use it if they want.... and it is under their insurance. But this is my computer. And, while it doesn't seem like a huge deal, it really is! I'm starting my own life in a few short months. And, in a few years, I'll be completely on my own!

I kindof experienced a bit of an epiphany when I opened this up. I just realized that I'm growing up and I'm not a little girl anymore who can always rely on Mommy and Daddy... no matter how badly I want to. 

While I'm in love with my new computer,

I can't help but have a healthy fear and excitement for the years ahead.