Five Years Later

Well, it's over. My five years as an undergraduate student has come to an end and I can only write this "short" blog post about what I've learned, gained, and taken with me.

Friends
I have made a million friends at SUU. At one point I knew almost everyone (until I got to my fifth year and half of them graduated). I've been lucky enough to go to a University where friends and acquaintances become better friends and even friends for a life time. A quick shout out to a few who have been there for me since day one. Shannon and Marissa, my very first friends at SUU. I'm so grateful I met these two on move in day and became friends with them instantly. I totally still text them for boy advice all the time. Dani, another friend I met my first year and am able to go to with anything at any time. Mark, who quickly became one of my very best friends five years ago and don't know what I would do without, even though he doesn't claim me as a best friend (yet). There are many many more who have always and forever will be there for me and I'll be there for them.

Presidential Ambassadors
I joined this organization my third year, when I was at a low point in my leadership confidence and it was truly a blessing. It changed my life forever. Every year in the organization, I gained new family members. I got to see the influence I had on students as they made their decision in picking a University. I poured my heart, soul, and love for SUU into this organization and couldn't have imagined those three years any differently. I love each and every one of you guys.

Three Major Changes and A Minor Change
Picking something to major in was one of the harder things I've done in my life. I started as a Chemistry Major, and then decided to do Math sometime in my third year. The semester before my last, I changed my emphasis from Education to Pure. My minor also changed from Photography to Graphic Design. Even though it has been a journey and a pain in the peach emoji, it helped me find out what I wanted and who I really was. Don't ever think something is a waste, because no matter what, you learn something about yourself while doing it.

One Study Abroad and Alternative Break
Almost one year ago I got back from the biggest life changing trip of my life. As you all know, I went on an Africa study abroad and it changed everything for me. I've decided that I have a huge passion of serving while traveling and helping those in underdeveloped countries. Some people get ice cream or go home when they are in a rut, but I travel to do service. Am I in debt because of it? Basically, but the feeling of serving is by far one of the best feelings I've ever had. This passion led me to going on an Alternative Break during my last Spring Break of college. I went to Costa Rica and helped the poorest town in San Jose. Red Heart emoji times five. If you have the opportunity (which is everywhere at SUU) to do some sort of study abroad or travel, then do it! Especially when in school.

A Few Heartbreaks
A few from some boys, some from friends, not getting jobs or leadership positions, and one from leaving SUU of course. During these last five years, I've experienced heart break like never before. It hurts. A lot. But what I learned from each one of them is that it does get better, there are better people and opportunities FOR SURE. It's not the end of the world and I do heal a lot quicker now because of it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

A Degree
I know I sort of already talked about this, but I need to give a shout out to anyone who will be, is or ever was a Math Major. My fellow Mathematicians, I truly think we are idiots for putting ourselves through that, but we are the smartest and strongest people ever. (I really think it is the hardest thing/major in the world). Many tears, temper tantrums, late ELC nights, procrastination, calling mom, re-thinking life choices, yelling, and bothering classmates for help was put into that degree. Huge shout out to all my classmates who helped me pass every class. Another huge shout out to my calculator, Bud, for getting me through four years of high school and five years of college without dying a single time. You the real MVP and ILY.

A Home
Choosing to come to Southern Utah University was the greatest decision I've ever made. If I started over and did it all over again, I would choose SUU EVERY SINGLE TIME. Since I live eight hours away and only go home 1-2 times a year, SUU and Cedar City became my home and safe haven. I love the mountains and clean air. I love the nice people. I love Roberto's and Cafe Rio. I love the rain and snow (never fell once). I love Park Discovery and the concerts held there. I love all the free T-shirts and polos I've gotten. I love Cedar Hall North and ELC 112. I love a lot of things and will forever and ever.

Here's a picture from my first year of college, still tan from California, and the comparison to how white I've gotten while being in Cedar for five years. Cheers.

Five Years

You might have already heard but, let me just update you on my life really quick.

I'M GRADUATING THIS APRIL!!!

Why is this bigger news than usual? Well, let me tell you. I first came to SUU in Fall of 2011 as a Chemistry major. I soon developed a math minor and wasn't doing too great in Chemistry. This made me have to make the decision of what I should really major in. Long story short, I ended up in Mathematics with an emphasis in Education. So, here I am for the next three years going along as usual. Then, long story short again, I didn't have time to study enough for the test I needed to pass in order to student teach this month. My plan B failed as well so I was a wreck. Not passing this test meant that I would not be able to graduate in April, 2016 as planned. I would have to try to take the test again and pass it before Fall of 2016, when I would then student teach. This wasn't working for me. I was so close to finishing and I wasn't going to just sit around doing nothing for a semester. So, I decided to change my emphasis to Pure Mathematics. This meant that I could fit all of my remaining classes into one semester and finish! But wait, that's not the end of the story. The remaining classes I needed were as follows: Intro to Computer Science, Physics & Physics lab, Numerical Analysis, Complex Analysis, Actuarial Sciences. Have you ever tried to take that load on before? I wasn't about to try. So I decided that I would take everything except Physics & Physics lab this semester and plan on going as a part time student in the Fall. I was okay with this decision. 

*For the record, I feel absolutely wonderful about changing my emphasis and not teaching anymore. I don't feel regret or sadness. I was really nervous about teaching, and going to the high school every week last semester gave me anxiety. While I loved being in the classroom once I showed up, I never felt confident.* 

Now, here I am with two classes left to graduate and I get the idea of walking in April but technically not graduating until December after I finish those remaining classes. So I made an appointment with my advisor to see if this was possible. She is new to SUU so she was messaging some other advisors to try to answer my questions. It wasn't looking good. They were all saying that I could walk but technically would not be put on the program or anything until the following academic year. Then, my old advisor of four years walks in and says something like, "let's try all these different things and get you to graduate." We looked at all of the following things: taking the class in the summer so it would be this years academic year, changing my catalog year, and switching around some courses/switching out some courses for similar ones. We found out that the Physics classes are no longer required in the new catalogs; so we decided to ask the head of the Math department if he would waive that class completely or switch it out for another physical science class that I have already taken. He agreed!!! Therefore, the only classes I need to graduate now are the current ones I'm taking! (side note, the head of the Math department also switched out Complex for another class so I wouldn't have to wait another entire year to graduate) So, if I pass my classes this semester, I will be officially, real life, for reals, one hundred percent graduating this Spring, April of 2016!!!

Southern Utah University is super awesome and I would in no way be graduating right now if I was not currently attending this amazing university. The advisors, professors and staff do everything they can to get you what is best for you. 

Here is another quick side story: I decided to take another art class (because I'm a Graphic Design minor) in order to build my portfolio but, the only class that would fit into my schedule was Special Problems. The requirement to take this class was that you were in the BFA program. Since I am only a minor, I never had to apply and be accepted into the program. So, I emailed the professor and told him I simply wanted more pieces for my portfolio and asked to be signed into the class. He had never met me before and had no idea who I was. Other professors were even willing to give recommendations to him for me! He quickly emailed me back and said he would sign me in! When I went to his office to get the paper signed, we talked for a good half hour about future careers for Graphic Designers and Mathematicians combined. It blew my mind how easy it was to get into the class and how nice all the professors were about it.

Yes, it has taken my five years to graduate and I never thought I actually would. Do I wish I could have graduated last year? No. Do I feel like a loser being a fifth year? Sometimes, to be honest. Would I change anything? Absolutely not. Here is a list of things that have changed my life every year while being here at SUU that I wouldn't have had at any other university.

1. Have the best year of college by far and make my first ever life long close friendships with handfuls of individuals.

2. Grow immensely as a person through trials, examples of friends, finding myself and pushing through the hard times. [Growing Up]

3. Join the Presidential Ambassador organization and gain three years worth of friends and family for a lifetime.

4. Fulfill my life dream of going to Africa and taking pictures of lions + meet five people that have absolutely made a difference in my life.

5. Learning to care about myself more and what I need as well as what makes me feel happy. Discovered that serving others is an important part of life and makes me feel good. Spontaneously signed up to volunteer in Costa Rica to make other people feel good. And who knows what is in store for the next three months!