A New Kind of Normal

I have just concluded my first week of college. Whew. I will do my best to recall my first taste of higher education.

I have at least three classes each day (I know. Crazy). Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I had calculus, hot yoga (which is relaxing thus far), and Arabic. Tuesday and Thursday I had my Argument and Inquiry Seminar: Drama, Film, and Society, calculus, and Arabic. In summation, it’s been a looong, but enriching week (even if I don’t remember half of it.)

In the past week, I have had two additional stress pimples blossom on my face, and met two additional wonderful people. In the past week, I have learned more Arabic than I thought possible. My brain feels like it’s grown bigger (in a good way). I have learned to solve any calc problem my prof throws at me. (Just kidding, I still shabby. BUT I am getting better.) I am also convinced that I have walked at least 200 flights of stairs since Monday. (Freshman 15? Can’t relate………………………………yet.)

Although many nights have already been spent studying in the Language and Dining Center (LDC), walking to the Gould library, and trekking to the nearest terracycle bin to dispose of energy bar wrappers in Gould, this week has been lovely. I won’t say I have been changed into an entirely different person here at Carleton just yet, but might I add that I have developed a fun and exhilarating relationship with snickerdoodle cookies; as well as a habit of smuggling them out of the dining halls.

Additionally, I am still amazed by how late I am able to stay out STUDYING (yes. Just studying). I am now my own parent here. Therefore, self-care and taking responsibility for my well-being is a must. This weekend I plan to do some work, but also give myself some mental rest. As I type this recollection of my first week, I have a paper due, language lessons and drills to complete, math homework to work through while listening to trap music (to get me hyped, of course), and organization socials drawing me in with their siren songs (food and emails). It has been a long week, and I predict it will be a long day, but I know I can handle it. I may not always do everything correctly or have balance. But I am hanging in there, taking #ootd pics, making my way downtown (walking fast) and around campus, and getting accustomed to my new normal.

Be breezy (Disclaimer: I don’t endorse Chris Brown. But I do like the verbiage),

Jelilat

As a selectively-proud Houstonian, Jelilat is undecided in her major, and could be more concerned about her life after college. Meh. She’ll get there. She enjoys thriller novels, compulsive online shopping, and skipping the “It” movie advertisements when they come on. Jelilat also enjoys taking #OutfitofTheDay pics, spending time with people with very loud laughs, and learning more about her fellow peers’ experiences, interests, and perspectives.