I don’t know about you ladies and gents, but this semester was CRAZY for me (I have a feeling it was probably crazy for you, too).

Crazy hard, crazy stressful, crazy eventful.

There were nights this semester when I would crawl up my loft at an ungodly hour, snuggle up in my bed, and realize that I hadn’t stopped to “just be” the entire day. Between running to classes, meetings, work, and a quick bite at the dining hall, I felt like I was constantly on the go. I’ve always been a homebody, an introvert. I don’t like being crazy busy because I feel like I don’t have time for the important things in life; in this way, this semester challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had to learn how to maintain my relationships and my schoolwork without neglecting one or the other or both. There were moments throughout the semester when I would pause writing a paper or typing a Spanish phrase into Google Translate, and think “Am I doing this right? Should I be pushing myself this hard?” I still haven’t found the answer to that lingering question. For now, “It’s all a balance and it’ll all be worth it one day” is my go-to. So far, it’s working for me.

I love lists. To-do lists, grocery lists, pro-con lists, dream lists, Christmas lists; I LOVE EM ALL! Below is a list of what I learned this semester:

1. Sometimes you can’t do it all. Do what you can and do it well.
2. TREAT YO SELF. Sometimes after a day when you feel like nothing is going right, you just gotta eat some chocolate and love yourself.
3. My roommate, Rachel Morgan, is the strongest person I know.
4. Tell people you love them any chance you get.
5. Call your parents.
6. Unplug every once in a while. You’re probably—scratch that— most definitely, not missing out on much.
7. At least once a week, laugh until your stomach hurts.
8. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself.
9. God for sure knows what He’s doing. I think we forget that sometimes.
10. Smile at people.
11. GET SLEEP.
12. When it’s nice out, take the long way back to your dorm/apartment/house and just take in this beautiful world we live in.
13. Find what YOU love (nursing, teaching, ministry, business, communication, psychology, writing, etc.) and study it!
14. The future is rapidly approaching, but that doesn’t mean you have to run to meet it in the middle. Be present.
15. Evan VanCuren, you are my moment of quiet in the midst of chaos.
16. Take a break from studying and paint your nails a wacky color.
17. Wear clothes that you feel confident in.
18. Eat more fries.
19. Broccoli is good. Give it chance.
20. Take time to “just be”
21. It’s all going to be okay.

That’s all for now. I have many more years to learn many more things. I’m looking forward to all of it. What did YOU learn this year/semester? Tell me about it— BELOW!

Olivia