College: An Acceptable Identity Crisis

  I cannot believe I am already a month into my senior year at SMSU. It seems like not too long ago I was the nervous incoming freshman girl that didn't know what she wanted to do with her life.  Fast forward three years later and you have a confident and determined young woman who knows exactly what she wants to do... or so I say so, right? A lot has happened in my years at SMSU, and I wouldn't change any of it as I have grown immensely from my experiences. 

    If you Google "Why go to college?" it says:

"If you go to college, you'll gain information and skills that you'll use for the rest of your life. That's reason enough to pursue an education beyond high school, but here are more practical considerations. Some benefits of extracurricular activities. Have more job opportunities."

     Really Google? That is your response? 

If you would ask me that same question, "Why go to college?" my response would be something like this:

College allows you to have a bit of an identity crisis as it throws you into a world of different people, new responsibilities, and opportunities that will challenge you in more ways than one. It is a time not only to receive an education, more importantly it leads to self-discovery, and finding your place in this crazy world.

     I think everyone has a different response to this question based on experience, and this is true of myself. There were times in the past three years that I was unsure of who I was and what I wanted because of the challenges that were in front of me. At times I wanted to give up or find the easy way to overcome these obstacles but if I did, it would mean I didn’t learn anything in college.

     What you learn in college goes well beyond the information given to you in a textbook. In college, you are challenged to think differently, question authority, and to work through anything that is thrown your way. With the support of professors, classmates, family, and friends I have been able to embrace the challenges that have come my way, and to discover a little bit more of who I am.

    My college experience is not over yet. I have about 7 months left and in that time I hope to take full advantage of it. In the following weeks, I hope to center my blog posts on my days at SMSU and what I am thinking because after all there is only so much time  I can say that my blog is about “50,000 thoughts of a college student living in southwestern Minnesota”.

Early Memories of SMSU:      

Freshman Year: Powepuff Football Team

Jello Jam 2012, because who doesn't want to throw jello at each other?

Freshman Year: Finally in the student section! I got to know SMSU through
basketball, as my Dad is a basketball and baseball alum. He brought me to
Hawaiian night years before I was even thinking about college.
 I have truly been a "Mustang for Life". 

Freshman Year: Our Dance Dare video made it onto the Ellen DeGeneres
Show! We also made the front cover of the Marshall Independent Newspaper. 

Dance Dare Video

14 Memories from the Summer of 2014

            At the end of every summer I make a list of the highlights that happened so I can remember years down the road what I did in what year. I didn’t do this at the end of my summer break, as I was very busy right up until I moved back to Marshall. However, it is technically summer until this Tuesday, so why not now? I am going to start from the day after my last final up until the first day of classes for fall semester. 

1.     Instead of packing up my apartment like I should have been, my first day of summer was spent with my friends at SMSU. 

2.     As I was crabbily packing up my apartment, my sister called with the best news; she's engaged!!! Her and Shawn are getting married June 27^th, 2015 and I could not be more excited for them and to officially call Shawn my brother. :)
http://christybode.com/

3. Attended a close family friend’s wedding. It became a reunion of the ‘Maple Street Clan’  (The people I grew up with on the same street).  

4.    Watched my brother play baseball in the North Subsection tournament. He pitched the game of his career against defending state champion BOLD. He gave up just one run on five hits, walked three batters and struck out 13.

5. Went to a painting class with my Mom through a company called Creative Spirits. You show up, they guide you through the step by step process to create a piece of art. You can also bring wine or other drinks to enjoy as you paint . It was a great time spent with my Mom and several other fun ladies. I recommend going as they travel to several areas to teach: https://www.creativespiritsokoboji.com/

6.     Spent a lot of time with my Mom in her garden. I love learning about all the flowers she plants and eating breakfast outside to enjoy the garden. 

7.Ran Kaylie and Tyler’s 5K Color Run. Last summer my friend Tyler’s sister, Kaylie died of an epileptic seizure. 9 months later Tyler died in a car accident along with friends, Payton, John, and Caleb. The 5K was in honor and memory of all five incredible people who lost their lives. The day was filled with love, family, friends, community, and faith that we will all someday join Kaylie, Tyler, Payton, John, and Caleb in heaven with God.  

Video of the event: 
http://properstudios.com/portfolio/kaylie-tylers-5k/

8.     Made three appearances on behalf of the Minneapolis Aquatennial. I was so excited to be back with both of my Aquatennial Captains and to spend time with their families, who I love so much.  (If you have no clue what I am talking about, go back and read my blog post on March 25^th)

 9. Went to Okoboji, Iowa with my friend Rachel and her family. We just spent the night but we packed in the fun by going to Arnolds Park, the drive in movie theatre (1^st time!), and spent an entire day on the lake. 

10.  Volunteered for the Minneapolis Aquatennial.  I spent the week with my fellow 2013 ambassadors Carly and Leah. We were in charge of stocking the candidate hospitality room with food and anything the chaperones needed. Besides volunteering our time we attended a number of the Aquatennial events throughout the week: Candidate Welcome Reception (emceed), Past Princess Boat Cruise, Meet the Candidates (emceed), Torchlight Parade, Gala Dinner, Commodores Party, Coronation, (presented scholarships to ambassadors) and the Target Fireworks . It was a great week spent in the city I love. 
http://www.aquatennial.com/
http://www.aquatennialambassadors.com/

11. Celebrated my Aunt Mary's 50th birthday. The entire Surprenant side of the family was there except one cousin.

12.     I worked my 7th summer at the Sleepy Eye Aquatic Center as a lifeguard and swim instructor.

13.  Moved into a house of 4 girls I didn’t know very well. This has turned out to be such a blessing. We all get along so well and enjoy each other’s company.

14.     Was an orientation leader for Gold Rush Days 2014. This is honestly the best job anyone can have. I worked with a great group of people and welcomed the SMSU class of 2018 to campus.