5 Things I Wish I Knew in High School

Today’s post is very exciting, in my opinion.  I know that the majority of my readers are Facebook friends of mine, and many are still in high school. Side note: thank you all for clicking your way here!  Now that I’ve moved in and I’ve almost completed my first “week” of classes, I thought it would be fun to do a blog post reflecting on my high school experience and what I wish I knew (but didn’t learn until almost graduation). I’m not an expert on high school by any stretch, and my experience was extremely unique, but I do feel like I have a good grip on what it’s all about. 

Thus, I bring to you five things I wish I knew when I was in high school. 

• High school is a game. There. I said it. It’s a game -- it really is. Class grades are important, social lives are important, SAT scores are important, applying to college is IMPORTANT, and it’s overwhelming. High school is warming you up for the real world without completely letting go of your hand; it is a broadening of your worldly perspective while still providing a sturdy, reliable structure. How do you win the game of high school? Play your best. This is easier said than done: learn how you think; find different friend groups, and figure out which peers are bringing you down and which are helping you succeed; realize that every move you make starting from freshman year affects your future. There are no do-overs. 

• Never forget breakfast. Yeah, sounds overrated, I know. But I’ve talked to some high school  graduate friends as I was drafting this post and this actually came up more often than you’d think. Many high schools start classes as early as 7 AM (ouch) and lunch isn’t until noon. That’s 5 hours of class time. Crawling out of bed ten minutes earlier to eat is worth it, trust me. During my time in a “normal” high school setting, I realized that most teachers don’t appreciate their students chomping on food while they’re trying to hype the class up for History first thing in the morning. Eat before you leave, and remember to pack a healthier lunch than what your school offers; a PB&J and some yogurt or fruit will keep you energized much, much longer than a greasy slice of cafeteria pizza. ew.  

• Always keep an agenda/planner. Now, this was not something I “wish I knew in high school.” Actually, it’s probably my pride and joy from the past four years of my life, and something that I can’t imagine ever living without. So really, take this one as a normal piece of advice from me to you: keep an agenda. Some schools provide planners to write homework in. If not, most office supply stores (and Target!) have entire aisles dedicated to agendas. Taking an extra 30 seconds at the end of class to write down your homework for the night, mark an upcoming test day,  or a project due date will help you keep your academic life on track. Homework is an extremely valuable part of high school -- knowing what you have to do is just as important. 

• Realize that people change. I think it's easier to come to terms with change when you're not directly related to it. For example, the leaves change color in the fall, the sun sets every night, and (ugh) your favorite restaurant tweaks the formula for their amazing fries and they just aren't the same. But you also have to know that people change, they even do so daily. High school isn't just about learning academically, there's also a huge element of personal growth...it happens to everyone. People discover new favorite types of music, friend groups, and develop in their life habits. Sometimes - not all, but plenty in my own experience - this means that you grow apart. You won't be friends with everyone from high school forever, and that's okay. Just know that it's not necessarily your fault. 

• Try new things. For almost all four years of high school, I did the same things. I was an online student, and music was the biggest part of my life outside of homework. Looking back, I'm extremely grateful for the years that I participated, but I also wish that I'd tried something a little bit different earlier on. During senior year, I started painting, and quickly realized I loved it (and I'm actually semi-decent! Score!) and I haven't had nearly enough time to sit with a canvas and palette of colors since coming to college. Granted, this is my first week, but still. I miss it a lot. Take some of the extra time you have during high school - when you can still be driven around by your awesome parents - and get out of your comfort zone a little bit. Even if what you try doesn't turn out to be "your thing," I can guarantee that there's something to learn from it.

If you aren't in high school anymore and happened to read this, thanks for sticking around! Maybe you can relate. Definitely let me know if you do (or don't!). 

Keep not settling,

Book Review: The 5th Wave

By the time you're reading this, I've moved into my dorm room and I'm settling in. I'll let you know how that's going shortly.. For now, here's a review on the book I just finished reading!

I proudly admit that I'm a huge fan of the Hunger Games, Divergent, Delirium dystopian society-based young adult fiction category. Don't get me wrong, while I will always enjoy diving into a Jane Austen classic or flipping the pages of special edition TIME magazines, there is something about the intense, give-it-all-you've-got-or-you're-going-to-die suspense that has been packing the YA bookshelves over the last few years.

I'm all aboard the Hunger Games-mobile.

I literally flipped out over The Maze Runner. 

Delirium was in and out of my hands in 2 days.

And now, I've been sucked into Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave. 

The 5th Wave is available for purchase from Amazon and Barnes & Noble online, but I found it in my local Target for 30% off. 

Here's a copy of the book's inner flap/overview:

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. 

I've read many, many fiction novels since I first became known as a "bookworm" around the age of four. There is nothing I appreciate more than a well-written, gripping introduction. For me, it's perhaps the most crucial part. 

Rick Yancey nailed it. Seriously.

The opening line had me: "Aliens are stupid."

In case you're wondering if The 5th Wave is one of those cliché, alien invasion novels that has been written time and time again by hundreds (if not thousands) of authors, I'm here to tell you that it's not.  Yancey creates a super force out of the novel's alien species - the Others - and the narrator, a teenage girl named Cassie, does everything she can to convince you that it's not stereotypical. Coupled with the unique approach the Others take to wipe out the human race, Cassie's arguments are actually convincing. As the novel unfolds, readers will learn more about the aliens and their agenda, how humans react to their existence, and the lengths that Cassie is willing to go in order to save herself. Exciting! 

One of my favorite things about Yancey's writing style throughout the novel is his keen ability to connect to Cassie's teenaged mind. Cassie's conversations with The 5th Wave's reader are realistic. She's sarcastic, headstrong, and surprisingly rational. But she's also completely alone, and Yancey does an excellent job at conveying Cassie's feelings -- without becoming whiny or sappy along the way. 

The 5th Wave also features the perfect (in my opinion) blend of current events and flashbacks. Yancey writes in my favorite, learn-as-you-read way. By spending no longer than 1 page on a prologue, he forces readers into the world Cassie lives in right away, and they learn about the damage from the first, second, third, and fourth "waves" of the Others' invasion as Cassie looks back. Because the history of the Others' invasion is such an important part of the novel in its entirety, I'm glad Yancey took the time to incorporate little details from the past along the way. In my opinion, it creates a deeper, more realistic view of what the U.S. could really look like under such circumstances. 

To avoid giving too much away, I will lead you over to Rick Yancey's site, which features some short, -- but very revealing -- trailers that visually demonstrate each "wave" of the invasion. Click here! 

As soon as I started reading The 5th Wave, I knew that this would make an absolutely wonderful movie. Guess what? It's already in the works! Set for release to theaters sometime in 2016, the on-screen adaption will star Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, and Alex Roe! 

Keep not settling, 

We're in Winston-Salem!

Hey everyone!

This is the first post on Keep Not Settling from Winston-Salem! I move in to my dorm room tomorrow morning, but wanted to give you a quick update before the rush ensues. Mom and I have been here since Monday morning, and it feels like we've been going non-stop for the last two days. There's been a lot to prepare for and plenty of arrangements to be made, but I think we're (finally) ready for the morning. 

Before truly hopping into the update, I just want to give a heads up that the post schedule here will be changing a little bit. I'm going to be moving my posts to 10 PM EST rather than 3 PM until I'm fully settled in. With the move-in and orientation rush, it makes more sense. 

Like I said above, Mom and I have been running non-stop since we touched down in Greensboro on Monday. It was a wild and rather stressful trip over here, what with barely making the baggage check time limit (thanks for that one, Dad!) and having our extremely delicate carry-ons moved to checked baggage because there was no room left in the plane. But we made it, and that's the most important part!

Monday, Tuesday, and this morning have been filled with endless amounts of shopping. This morning alone we made runs to four different Target stores -- every one between Winston-Salem and High Point -- to look for more of a specific pink milk crate we'd collected on Monday. There were some available at the High Point store (thank goodness!) but the fifty miles of travel in between proved to be quite the adventure. One thing I've noticed, perhaps the nicest thing, is the amazing customer service everywhere we've been. Between Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Walmart, Bath & Body Works, Eddie Bauer, and a little bit of Chick dil A, we've seen more helpful employees than I've ever encountered during my thirteen years in California. Everything is different here; I love it. 

Basically, this week has been a full out "girls week" and I couldn't be more appreciative of my mom. She managed to bring on the laughs after a few stress-induced tears while we were trying to decide how my stuff was eve going to fit in my freakishly tiny space. To say she's helpful would be the understatement of the century -- I mean, who else would be fully willing to drive me all around North Carolina for a couple of pink milk crates!? 

As I'm typing this, I'm looking at everything that needs to be brought to Salem tomorrow morning and I'm already tired just thinking about it. From cleaning supplies to cookware, my bedding and dorm decor, to my shiny new keurig (hello coffee!) and clothing, I'm pretty much set. 

We've made lists and checked them four, five, six times. So to reward ourselves, Mom and I went on a Segway tour through Old Salem and Washington Park! It was quite the adventure, even though I had a difficult time finding my balance enough to slow down and almost crashed into our tour guide ten times...oops. Regardless of my graceful circumstances, it was a great way to get acquainted with the Old Salem area before move-in. 

Sorry for posting so late... I'm eating my shrimp alfredo leftovers from last night and figured I'd at least finish this post before midnight... No worries though,  I'll keep you updated as move-in passes and Orientation week flies by, because I know it will. 

Keep not settling,

7 Day College Countdown: Leaving Tomorrow!

I can’t believe we’ve already come to the end of my 7 Day College Countdown. I’M LEAVING TOMORROW. Tomorrow night, that is.

It feels like I’ve been running nonstop these past weeks: getting my things together and squeezing them into duffle bags, saying goodbye to the people I love (sad moments! tears were present!), finishing up my internship, and catching up on the summer reading I was supposed to start two months ago...oops. So what’s left for me to do? Chill!

Today, Mom and I are spending quality time together doing what we do best... baking! And taste-testing four of everything that comes out of the oven, but that’s another story.

We’re baking a whole slew of family favorites: mom’s classic chocolate chip -- the best in the world, if I do say so myself -- and Heath crunch, white chocolate cranberry macadamia, and my favorite “nothing” cookies (because I’m the plainest person ever...). Macaroons and mom’s haystacks are also part of the line-up, in addition to a Moravian sugar cake we picked up in Winston-Salem on our last trip!

Needless to say, we’ve been having lots of fun! I can’t think of a better way to spend my last full day here at home.

Even though this marks the end of 7DCC, I promise to have plenty of updates for you in the near future. Follow me on instagram for travel pictures starting tomorrow night, and make sure to stay tuned for some very exciting “bonus” content early next week! 

Keep not settling, 

7 Day College Countdown: Two Days!

Two full days left at home... That’s absolutely crazy.

Today's 7DCC post is going to be a little bit different than the last few. No pictures (I know, I know) just ramblings. But if you read all the way to the end there may or may not be something interesting. Who knows though, really? 

I woke up yesterday morning feeling nauseous, and it stuck with me all day. It wasn't until my mom said "it's the excitement," that I realized what was actually happening. I'm typically not the type of person to get super hyped up about everything, especially last minute. Rather, I spread my anticipation over a period of time, so everything is even. I'm weird, yes. But when it comes to actually leaving, I don't think there's any amount of time that can adequately sum up both the excitement and nerves.

Trust me, the excitement far outweighs any other feeling I have, and that's what I prefer to focus on. It's more fun for everyone, I promise. 

Two days. 

It's quite hard to believe that I'm not counting down from 160+ days anymore. Last time I was on campus was back in March -- that was also when I committed to Salem. I clearly remember thinking "The wait is going to be unbearable." Oh, how wrong I was. Three months later and I'm still questioning whether or not I've actually graduated. Six months and I'm still re-living Applicant Overnight in my head (I love you, Tai!). A year and I can still remember drafting my CommonApp essay.

Really, though, I don't like to live in the past. Anyone who knows me well can attest to that. I'm a forward-thinking person by nature; I'm always coming up with a plan for later... But I think that's why the little time I have left at home has bugged me (read: caused stomach pain like no other). I've spent so long attempting to prepare myself that it never really happened. So much for being proactive, Brie, you really nailed it this time.

Since freshman year of high school, college has always been something in the distance, a milestone that laid quite a bit more than a mile away. Then I woke up this morning, and the mile turned into a millimeter. And while there's a tiny, tiny, tiny part of me that wants that mile back, the other 99.99% is jumping for joy, because it's finally happening. 

Bottom line is, I can barely grasp the concept of two days. There is so much to remember, to anticipate, to collect. Organizational-freak-Brie within me keeps screaming "make the lists! maaaake theeee liiiists!" and to say I've resisted the urge would be a complete lie. I've made the lists -- more than ten. I've checked and un-checked them, printed them, scribbled all over, you name it. (Oh, and there's even an app for that.)

Right now, though, I'm doing my best to forget about the lists -- although they may be running themselves through the back of my mind at all times -- to soak up the last few days with the crazy people I call my family.

We're down to the wire, folks. 

Quickly, before I forget, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has clicked through to read my blog, especially during 7DCC. The lovely comments and support has made my week brighter. Thanks for sticking with me... I hope you're not bored yet, because I certainly have a lot up my sleeve. 

Keep not settling, 

P.S., here's the playlist I've been listening (and singing along) to while packing. I quite like it. 

7 Day College Countdown: Three Days!

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, a blog post about real packing.
That’s right, today’s 7 Day College Countdown Post is about packing a bag. Eep!

I’m not going to lie, this process has been scaring me for quite a while. If you read my 7DCC all about choosing clothes, you’ll know I actually had an easier time choosing what I was bringing than I’d originally anticipated. However, actually getting them all inside duffle bags? That’s a whoooole other story. I was afraid of overpacking and making things extremely difficult for myself.

Turns out I was fretting over nothing. Take a look: 

Here we go! The process begins... two duffles, two carry-ons.

Starting the second bag!

Done! 

Keep not settling,

7 Day College Countdown: Four Days!

You’re back! Glad to see you here.

The theme for today’s 7 Day College Countdown is about my dorm decorations... specifically the one’s I’ve DIY-ed over the last few months. I’ve known for a long time (since April!) what my theme was going to be, so I’ve been putting projects together here and there when inspiration strikes. With the exception of one project that can’t be completed until I’m actually in North Carolina, everything is finished and waiting to be hung from my dorm walls...yay! 

This was the first project I set off on after I picked out my dorm bedding. I saw the quote on Pinterest and knew that I had to incorporate it into a canvas painting. I added a few gems from the craft store so it wasn’t completely flat. 

Without a doubt, this is my favorite DIY project. Once again, I saw something similar on Pinterest (hey, don’t judge). I had been keeping my old Lilly Pulitzer agendas for a project, but I didn’t know what I was going to do with 32 months of pretty patterns until this came along. A few hours and some Mod Podge was all this took! 

I had some extra, super tiny 3x3 mini canvases lying around and thought they would best be put to use as a “label” of sorts above my key hook by my desk. It’s tiny, it’s pink. I love it. 

I have a few other DIY and store-bought pieces that I’m excited for as well, but I don’t want to give absolutely everything away... you’ll have to wait for pictures of those after move-in! 

Keep not settling,

7 Day College Countdown: Five Days!

Hello there! Thanks for coming back for the third installment of my 7 Day College Countdown! Today’s post is going to be focused on organizing my college agenda. I’m a huge planner, from color coding to sticky-noting to highlighting...you name it, I probably do it. Many of these organizational qualities find their way into my agenda.

Throughout high school, I depended on my agenda for everything. I kept track of two years’ worth of orthodontist appointments, hangout days with friends, band gigs (when I was still performing), and even Costco “dates” with my mom on top of all of my schoolwork. Think I’m kidding? Here’s a picture of my senior year planner: 

Over the last few years, I’ve come to realize that my planner comes with me wherever I go. So this year, I’ve decided to use two agendas instead of just one. I have my large agenda for academic purposes, and a smaller one to keep with me at all times. For the third year in a row, I’ve opted for the Lilly Pulitzer academic agenda. 

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been working on an organizational system for this year’s agenda for a while now -- probably since I got it back in mid-July. Getting my official class schedule and a few emails about Salem’s campus activities over the last few weeks has really brought my agenda “together.” I realize that I sound like such a nerd for saying that, but it’s true...

I’m not going to show what my small agenda looks like on the inside because it has some blog post ideas written in it that I don’t want to give away! But for the most part, it looks the same as the larger version.

Check back tomorrow for the next 7 Day College Countdown post! And don’t forget to like Keep Not Settling on Facebook. 

Keep not settling,

7 Day College Countdown: Six Days!

Welcome to Day 6 (2?) of my 7 Day College Countdown min-series.. Because I explained everything that was going on with this countdown in yesterday's post, let's just hop right in...

Today's theme is choosing clothes.
This process has actually been a lot easier than I anticipated. Really, there’s not much to say about my process because it’s been so easy. However, this process has helped me realize that I own quite a few striped shirts and sweaters (and a blazer...). Here are a few pictures from today’s organizing spree!

I actually managed to keep it “light” in the shoes department. Be proud of me. (I also have a pair of riding boots in my closet that are in desperate need of a dusting off)

 

I have a shameful amount of striped shirts and sweaters... Seriously, I’m kind of embarrassed (but not really, because I think stripes are awesome.)

Here’s the finished product, minus what I have left to organize in my closet: 

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post!

Keep not settling,

7 Day College Countdown: Seven Days!

I can't believe I'm actually saying this...

I'm moving to North Carolina in SEVEN DAYS. Technically, move-in isn't for another three days after we arrive in Winston-Salem, but still... seven days left here in California for a good, long while. That's crazy to think about.

Basically, for the next 7 days I'm going to be putting up a post every single day (extra content for you! I usually post every 3 or so days) that relates to college. Each post will have a theme, which I will not be revealing until the post goes live at noon, PST. These posts will be a little bit more random  and lighthearted than what you may have seen from Keep Not Settling recently, but change is good every once in a while. I found this idea on YouTube, since I follow a lot of college-age vloggers. However, I'll be mixing it up a bit to make it a little bit more writing-friendly. Get excited! 

Today's theme is all about pre-packing. I'm not going to lie, the idea of packing always scares me. Like many people, I'm a horrible over-packer...seriously. The OCD chick in the back of my brain whispers "what if you need that some day?" from the back of my mind, and she just won't shut up. But because I'm going to have an extremely limited space (especially because I'm sharing a room with 2 other people) in my dorm room at Salem, I've had to think long and hard about what I need to take with me. 

As you could probably tell, I'm a book freak. I just love books. Reading, analyzing, memorizing, gawking over my favorite fictional characters, learning everything there is to know about my real-life heroes... I have too many. Thankfully, I have a Kindle to bring with me that will serve as my main source of extra reading material for when I don't have my nose in a textbook. This being said, I can't resist the feel of real pages... Give me a pat on the back here, because I'm limiting myself to 1 book and 2 TIME magazines. 

I've also managed to collect a fair amount of general dorm supplies over the last month and a half or so. It's been piling up in the corner of my room. Last night, I went on a rampaged and organized it all on the other side of my room so I know exactly what I need to check off of my lists. This allowed for some extra space to do some pre-packing organizing for clothing and shoes. Take a look! 

My dad doubts that I'll manage to bring everything with me.... I beg to differ! 

Like Keep Not Settling on Facebook for the latest 7 Day College Countdown updates. I'll be linking them daily! 

Keep not settling,

My Life in Instagram Photos #1

I thought that it would be fun to do something like this every once in a while, to show you what's happening over on one of my other social media platforms. So today I bring you, my life in Instagram photos! I'm an avid Instagram user and have been for well over 2 years -- although you won't see my earliest pictures on my account anymore. 

• Top Left: Sitting with my a coffee and my laptop, editing my "Why I Chose a Women's College" post. (Side note: That post got an overwhelmingly positive response.. Thank you to everyone who read it! I wasn't expecting that.) 

• Top Right: I found an awesome navy blue bow belt in my room and found that it fit perfectly around the bands of my favorite skirts. Win! 

• Bottom Left: Showing off my brand new pair of hot pink Sperry boat shoes... I'm obsessed.

• Bottom Middle: Everything featured in this photo was DIY'd. The peony painting is one of my favorite creations, but I was really trying to display my latest project -- DIY Lilly Pulitzer letters. I'm so excited to bring those to Salem!

• Bottom Right: Fun fact -- this photo was featured on the Salem College Instagram page! I just felt like showing my C'18 pride! (Plus there's less than 2 1/2 weeks until move-in...craziness!" 

Let me know if you like this type of post! Follow me on Instagram for cheesy captions and even more random snapshots. 

Keep not settling,

Individuality.

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” - Charles Caleb Colton

There is something to be said about individuality, and a person’s ability to express a true version of themselves without being too influenced by others. Of course, this is easier said than done in today’s society, where social media bombards us with pictures of the glamorous lives our frenemies are leading and airbrushed versions of the world’s most famous celebrities. Shouldn’t this lead to a higher value for originality? 

Of course, as a member of Generation Y, I often find myself comparing with other people. Honestly, I can’t help it sometimes. As a little kid, I tried to liken my personality to those of Lizzie McGuire and Kim Possible... but it didn’t take me very long to realize that there was really no use in comparing myself to made-up characters on Disney Channel. Now, I’m more concerned with where I stand amongst my peers -- I don’t think this mentality will, in some aspects, ever go away. But the difference between my Disney days and now is that I’ve come to appreciate the little pieces of myself that add to -- you guessed it -- my individual character.

Over the last few years, particularly since I started high school, I’ve dealt with several people who do not put the same value on individuality as I do. Growing up, my parents, friends’ parents, and teachers have said that some people are just jealous. I’ve repeated the Charles Caleb Colton quote above so many times that it pains me to say it again. However, my tolerance for sacrificed individuality -- whether that be through ideas or shoes -- has gotten lower. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say that my life is a copyrighted piece of literature that I demand be respected. What I’m really trying to say is that I hope everyone who reads this post will take some time to consider their own lives and who -- or what -- is influencing it. This is a lesson I’ve learned the hard way, but it’s been for the best. 

Individuality seems to be a lost art form in today’s modern world, but I encourage you to find it in you. Trust me, you’ll be happier when you realize that you’re not wasting time attempting to live someone else’s life or follow their train of thought. Your favorite pair of shoes, opinions on The Great Gatsby, and your favorite color are all great things... don’t let yourself trade them in for something that’s less than 100% what you love and believe in. You don’t have to let Keep Not Settling, Kim Kardashian, or your best friend’s sister’s Facebook posts determine who you are or what you’re thinking. Take a minute to think of what it is about yourself that you genuinely love -- the aspects of your personality you’d never give up for anyone: those are the individual pieces of your life that make up who you are -- never let them escape. 

Keep not settling,

My First Semester College Schedule!

This is so, so exciting.

You have no idea (or maybe you do).

I've been waiting since March (when I confirmed at Salem) to find out what my first semester schedule would be. That day is finally here.

While I did technically choose my classes about two weeks ago during an over-the-phone appointment with my incredible advisor, I've been waiting for the finalized version. Thankfully, I ended up with all of the classes we'd originally planned on!

Here's what my weeks will look like! I'm loving the ample room for studying (AND LUNCH) every day, muahahaha

I'm not going to lie, I cry a little bit on the inside at the thought of having an 8:30 AM class (and it's math) but might as well get it over with, right? Here's the lowdown on what I'm taking: 

• MATH025 Elementary Functions & Graphs. I'm not a math person like my mom, but I thought it would be a good idea to get math out of the way while something from high school was still left in my brain...I say this as I shove all of AP Calculus out. go, be free integral functions! This should be interesting. (Let's hope my coffee machine will brew enough to keep me awake. Kidding. Sort of.) 

• SIGN111A Strange Fruit: Racial Violence. I'm so excited for this class! Every first year/ new student at Salem is required to take a class as part of the Signature platform. This class is taught by my Honors advisor, who I've only met briefly (over the phone!) but already love. I anticipate this to be a very interesting, eye-opening class! 

• FREN030 Intermediate French 1. So, the reality of this situation is that I was not expecting to place into intermediate french. I welcome the lovely surprise!

At this point I might as well go ahead and say that I intend on majoring in Political Science and I'm ironing out some plans for a potential double major as well -- very excited for that. Although you won't see me talking about politics a lot on this blog, it's become a subject I really enjoy. That's why I'm so ready to start these last two classes:  

• POLI100 Survey of Political Science. Probably the only class that I've known since March I absolutely had to take. As soon as I met the professor at Scholarship Weekend, I was sold on the idea of majoring in Political Science (I'm resisting the urge to buy the textbook early to start reading it...judge me.) 

• POLI110 Intro. to International Relations. This class is taught by the same professor as Survey. There are several tracks within the Political Science program at Salem, and International Relations (IR) is one of them. I'm still deciding between this and the Public Policy track, so I'm very glad to be taking this right away in order to choose a concentration before too long. 

I'll be keeping this blog up to date with thoughts about my classes and how my schedule adds to my first semester experience. But, I'm so genuinely excited for these classes and the challenges they'll bring! Here's to a great fall semester. 

Keep not settling,