How I've changed this year.

Looking back on this school year is pretty great. Of course there have been some extremely embarrassing moments and but some pretty great ones too. Every school year is a balancing act of school, friends, and fun, this year more than most. Even though I have failed the balancing act this year, its been a pretty good one.

Pic credit to me

    This year started with a close group of friends and feeling extremely self conscious. Slowly this year has moved and progressed, so have I along with it. I went from a self conscious social outcast, to someone is still a total outcast but I can socialize with others now and I feel quite good about myself, even self confident. Even 180 days of school days and about 9 months of school year seems like it would go slowly, it hasn't. This year has gone by so fast that it's simply crazy.

     In terms of academic changes, I have lost some of my momentum to reach my goals. But I also have improved in areas as well. Such as English. This year I have gone from barely being able to articulate my thoughts in writing to being able to write four blog posts in a single night. All though that might not sound like much, it is to me.  My whole life english has been my worst subject and a major struggle for me. So my english teacher must be doing something right. Thanks Mr. Parker! As for as my other subjects they have stayed the same. Math and Science are still my two best subjects and History is
getting harder every year. But you know what they say, "hard work, pays off". Band is getting better and better every year and is now more fun than ever. I can't stop looking forward to marching band this summer!

    This year has been a year that has allowed me to feel better about myself. I owe so much to my friends because they have supported me the whole way! I feel like i'm about to be free. (I hope that didn't sound like a hippie). Well anyways I hope you all had an awesome school year so far!

Looking at colleges, The Joy of being in high school!

     One of the many joys of being in high school is looking forward to college life. But first you have to decide what college to go to. When it comes to selecting a college you should first decide what you want to do for a living and/or what your going to major in. Once you have decided what your going to major in then start looking at schools with the best departments and programs for your field of study. Then look at the other things that are important to you, such as band programs, sports, nearby places and other things that you would like to go do while in college.

     As an example I will use myself. I want to be an astrophysicist so I would double major in physics and mathematics and minor in astronomy. Some of the best colleges for astrophysics are MIT, California Institute of Technology (CIT), Princeton, Stanford, Cambridge, Harvard and University of California (Berkeley and Santa Barbara). But personally I don't want to be on the east coast. So I will narrow down my choices to CIT, Stanford, University of California, University of Washington, or possibly Univeristy of Oregon (for chemistry and physics programs). But to make my college years most enjoyable I have 5 things that are a must.

Picture credited to The Atlantic

 1) The school must have a strong football team. But not because of the football games. Because schools with great football teams usually have a great marching band program. Marching band is one of my most favorite things I have ever done. 2) There must have many nearby places to go see local bands. Nothing is better than a good local band. 3) Must be within a 10 hour drive of a ski resort so that if an epic storm is coming in a I can head out and go skiing for a couple days. 4) Local coffee shops. Personally, I can do homework the best with a giant drink and being in a public place. Already when I am extremely stuck on an assignment or working on a large project I go to a coffee shop. 5) Not in the middle of nowhere. Preferably I would be able to get around either by bus, bike, or walking and with many places to go to away from school.

      So this is the joy of being in high school. Stressing about your future, dreaming about getting away from the house and starting your own life. But when looking at the big picture we have 3 more years until all of us freshmen will be going off to college and leave all of our friends and family. That is really scary, exciting and a little sad at the same. But I don't you but I am looking forward to college!!