These past two years have been very eventful and stressful. It has been hard juggling my schoolwork, advanced classes, ACT prep and testing, track, after school activities, college visits, and college applications. I feel like I have not had a moment to relax. I look back and remember how hard I worked to be sitting where I am right now. I am a senior with her college applications sent out. I am happy that all of the hard work I put into my schoolwork has paid off. But I am sad that my four-year journey through high school will be ending so soon. These four years have flown by. I remember being a freshman like it was yesterday. I am happy though that I will be heading off to college to start a new chapter in my life.

Next year I will be attending the University of Notre Dame in Indiana where I will pole vault on the track and field team. I am so excited to go off to college. I must admit, though, I am also very nervous. I know that my workload will be challenging and I will have a very busy schedule with track, but I look forward to meeting new people and making new friends. Plus, I cannot wait to go dorm- room shopping. Also, it will take some time adjusting to being 13 hours from home. For starters, I need to learn how to do my own laundry before I leave!

I know that early decision and early action acceptance letters have been sent out or are being sent out soon, and I wish everyone who applied early and regular decision the best of luck! A lot of my friends are receiving college letters right now. Getting accepted into college is the perfect holiday present! I feel like such a weight has been lifted off my shoulders now that I know for sure I am going to the college of my dreams next year.

At this point I look forward to finishing my senior year. I think that my stress level will be a lot lower now that I do not have to worry about college applications on top of all of my schoolwork. I plan to keep working hard at school and track; but I also know that now I have more time to relax and hang out with my friends.

I am looking forward to winter break and spending time with my family. I cannot wait to have a week off from school, and hopefully my teachers will not give me a lot of homework over vacation. I wish everyone the best of luck with college and hope that everyone has a happy holiday.