Made it to ASU

 I wasn't super sure how it was going to turn out when I came back to school this last time. I didn't know what I was doing. When I was younger, I avoided the idea of going to school for any longer than I had to. It's so strange to me to be in college and thinking to myself that it's not time to graduate yet; it's not time to go; I still have to explore these other things, and I want to take these other classes. I spent a lot of my associates degree navigating what I want to do with my degree and how do I accomplish that and what resources do I have access to. Sometimes I wonder if I could have just enjoyed what I was accomplishing more. All those things that I tortured myself about getting done were all the things that made it totally worth it. I loved that stuff. I'm really glad that I got my associates degree before continuing at ASU. I think that I needed that accomplishment for confidence but also to make me more mindful about the real value of my education. I am doing something completely worthwhile and rewarding not just to myself but also to my family and my community. Also, it's really interesting. I don't think that there was anything that happened to me or that I did that I did not learn or take something from, and let me tell you that it was not always rainbows and sunshine (particularly with my inner drama queen freaking out about everything that did or could go wrong). 

I know that this semester has some things that are really disappointing, but I'm just so in awe that I am here and that I get to be here and that I get to do what I am doing. I would rather be doing in person classes. I miss campus events where I get to meet people and explore the campus. I miss the clubs that I used to participate in. I went to a couple of my classes in person, and I was so much more focused. I'm learning from this too though. It's a new way for me to learn, and I know that I will be better for having the experience. The online classes that I'm taking this semester are almost like going to class. The all have live zoom classes where I get to ask questions. The dynamic is different, but all my instructors are doing a great job with it. I can hardly wait to get back on campus and have the full experience, but I'm totally okay with this for now. I'm learning how to make it work.