Vocabulary Lesson

College: (n) an institution of higher learning, especially one providing a general or liberal arts education rather than technical or profession training.

Friend: (n) a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard

Sleep: (v) to take the rest afforded by a suspension of voluntary bodily functions and the natural suspension, complete or partial, of consciousness; cease to be awake.

Lost: (adj) no longer to be found

Study: (n) application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection

Self: (n) a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality

Webster's definitions versus mine. 

College: This place I live, study, learn, laugh, cry, sleep, dream, and love. Without college, where

would I be? Who would I be?  The importance of the situation is understanding that I’m here. Why am I here? I’m here to live, study learn, laugh, cry and all the other things I mentioned before. The trick to college is understanding it is a place for growth. You grow within yourself. You grow out of your clothes thanks to the freshman 15. You grow in the mind. You grow with some people. You grow away from others. The four years you’re given should not be taken lightly. We have this chance, right now, to start building a life for ourselves without actually being completely financially responsible. We get to learn, laugh, study, do all of those things while pretending we have full control over our lives. Pretending is good practice for when these four years are over. Enjoy it! This is college.

Friend: People always say the friends you make in college are the ones that last forever. I find this to be very true. The friends I’ve made in college ARE friends that I plan to have forever. We're on year three and after basically being inseparable, we find ourselves in different parts of the world. We tell each other absolutely everything; the good, the bad, the ugly. We laugh when things are funny and we call each other out when one is being stupid. That’s what friends do. That is a true gem that will grow into an even deeper friendship over the years to come.

Contrary to popular belief, however, I have best friends who didn't think a tiny liberal arts college in the middle of nowhere was for them. I have best friends who laughed with me through my awkward middle school years. I have friends that didn't make fun of me before I knew how to use hair gel or eyeliner. I have friends that I helped get ready for junior and senior prom. (Oh, the memories) I have friends that cheered with me, friends that sang with me, friends that were there to support me no matter what. Friends that I can sit and have a 2 hour long Facebook comment conversation with and laugh just like we were all in the same room. These friends have been with me through it all. We’ve all had our own battles, but we’ve always been there for one another. These friends are my rock. They are a part of me. They are my soul.

Sleep: I had to look up a definition to this word because I truly know no meaning. It’s 1 am and I’m struck with the thought of a blog post. Sleep is a funny thing. You can never get it when you want it and when you have time it’s never enough. Can anybody think of anything else that matches that description? Oh…yeah, me neither. Anyway...that is sleep. It's good for you. Do it. 

(Let's take a look at these pictures. Context: I am on a weekend trip with friends in Brown County, Indiana. Why am I asleep in the middle of the day on a getaway? Because I don't sleep any other time. Sleep at night, so people don't take pictures of you when you fall asleep during the day. Life Lesson)

Lost: We lose many things throughout our lives. I lost one of my favorite pens last week. I also thought I lost an entire roll of stamps. (No fear, Britt. I found it.) We lose contacts, socks, acquaintances, friends. You name it, we can lose it and probably already have. Some of these things we chose to let go of and others are taken from us unexpectedly. Just keep in mind that the things you let go of, you may never be able to pick up again. Appreciate all things, before you find them being gone for good.

Study: Until this semester, I wasn’t really sure what this was either. I knew I needed to do it. I knew it was a necessary thing. But, I just didn’t. (see "sleep" for a further explanation.) This year, with all my extra “free” time, this is what I find myself doing. My studies, or “homework” as the kids call it, consume the majority of my day. I’m starting to think that’s how it should have been for years. But, hey, better late than never.

Self: probably one of the most important concepts in this thing called life. One must never lose himself. But, to be something to lose, you have to find it first. Find who you are. Be who you want to be. When the whole world comes crashing down, know how you’ll handle it. Prepare yourself for the worst and live with your eyes on the best. You. Your self is the most important thing you’ll ever have. Take care of it. You only get one self, one life, one you. Don’t waste it. Do something. BE something. Life is too short to regret not travelling across Europe or to wish you would have talked to that one person. Live, Laugh, Love. Do all the clichés. Enjoy it all. Regret nothing. And, most importantly, smile always.