Undergrad Officially Done.

I finished up all of my classes, finals, projects, etc. today! :) Which means... I'm officially done with my undergraduate's degree. It didn't really hit me until Josh and I went to get pizza (Haa, random. I know). We had the windows rolled down and after getting pizza, we were driving around campus and it hit me. Of course, I started bawling like a little baby. But, knowing that I'm done and I'm going to have my bachelor's degree in a week is really exciting. Maybe I'm just a bit emotional, but oh well.

I don't think I would've been ready for Texas State if I hadn't gone to Midland College. Midland College has definitely taught me a lot and gave me the tools and experience of going to a legit university. My first semester was horrible, I'll admit. A couple of C's here and there and even a D... but finishing up at Midland College my fourth and final semester, I received a 4.0 that semester which brought my GPA up past a 3 in addition to receiving my associate's degree.

Going through the first year at Texas State, I really had no social life. All I really did was study, work and hang out with Josh. Given, I did pretty decent that first year. (I could have done a bit better my first semester). At the end of my second semester, Josh left to go back home to Midland. It was a roller coaster ride with him through the summer and especially through the fall 11` semester. My first summer here in San Marcos, I finished up with 12 credit hours taking a couple of journalism and art classes. Going into the last fall semester, I had two pretty hard art classes (Typography & Conceptual Thinking). I was also taking Web Design, Media Law and Info Gathering & Analysis through the journalism school. It was probably the roughest semester by far - with me turning 21 and being able to drink whenever and not making school my number one priority because I wanted to party and on top of that, Josh not being there. And you know, there are things that I do regret that I know I shouldn't because I believe things happen for a reason. Some of the craziest and stupidest things I did last semester was go to class drunk on critique day because I went out to Sixth Street the night before, and even throwing parties and playing beer pong on random nights such as Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Coming into my last semester, I really wanted to finish strong and improve my GPA for graduate school. So that said, I put aside drinking and partying and started focusing on school. Also - Josh came back for the semester. :) Of course, I would go to the bars and play a little beer pong here and there, but things have definitely changed from last semester. I found myself working quite a bit, hanging out with Josh more and having consistent homework and project deadlines. I really needed to slow down on drinking and partying because: 1) School should always be my number one priority rather than partying. 2) It's a lot of money going to waste. And 3) I've been doing a good job on running and losing weight so drinking would pretty much balance losing weight out.

I knew this semester was going to be good... I had doubts at first about my art classes, but in the end, I enjoyed every single minute of it. I had the busiest schedule ever this semester with class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 am to 4:50 pm straight through. This semester has definitely flew by fast. It just felt like yesterday was the first day of the semester. It's amazing how time flies by so quick. Not only am I saying this for this semester, but for the whole two years I've been here at Texas State. It even felt like yesterday I was in the LBJ student center with my parents for orientation. And now, here I am... about to graduate with my bachelor's of arts in journalism.

Although drinking and partying did take over my life quite a bit last semester, if I didn't go to parties... I wouldn't have met all the amazing people I know today in San Marcos. Looking back at the first semester at Texas State and not knowing anything to the last semester and throwing the graduation party last week... it's unbelievable how many friends I've made. From work friends to art friends to journalism friends to party friends... I learned how important it is to make friends and get involved during college.

So, I wanna say thank you first and foremost to my parents. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to succeed here at Texas State... Especially financially. They've helped me a lot when it came to money situations and they've always been there to motivate me to be the best that I can be when things were at its lowest point. I also wanna thank Bob Templeton, my advisor and Karen Lanier, my publications instructor from Midland College. If it wasn't for them, I would not have any of the journalism experience I have today. And for that, I thank you guys and appreciate your hard work and dedication to helping me learn and make the best out of myself. To the new friends I've made here in San Marcos, thank you so much for supporting me and giving me the social life I needed here at Texas State. My big brother, Kuang & sister-in-law, Steph and Aunt Linda - you guys have been the most inspiring people ever. Without you guys, I don't think I could have done this without your motivation and words to my stubborn head. The rest of my family - thank you for everything that y'all have done. I love y'all. And last, but not least... Joshua Templeton. We've been through a lot... You're my best friend. My boyfriend. My everything. This has been one crazy adventure with you here in San Marcos, but I wouldn't trade it for anything at all. Thank you for sticking by my side through everything. I appreciate you putting up with my attitude and stubborn self... You're the best. <3