Senior Year Round Two

It's about time for senior year round two.

It's about time for the second senior year of my life. First was high school, and now it's time for college. It's strange because the first one doesn't seem that long ago, but I guess that four years is actually pretty close to being a fifth of my life so far, so when I put it that way I guess it has been a bit since then.

The thing about senior year round two is I think I know what to expect. I think. I know it'll be a year full of lasts...and ACTUAL lasts this time. The first time around, it was just my last high school band camp. This time, it'll be my last band camp ever. EVER. Every year since 2008 I've been out in the heat learning a marching show and getting ready for the fall. It's hard to believe this is it. The first time around it was my last first day of high school. This time, it may be my last first day of school ever (grad school is still being considered...we'll see). The list goes on and on of lasts that are coming up sooner than I'd like.

Senior year round two is also a little scary. At least with senior year round one I knew what was next. College. That came next. I still don't know for sure what comes after college and won't until at least next spring, and that's scary when I think about it too long. However, I do know this: whatever does come next will be great, and I'll do great. Wherever God sends me will turn out to be awesome, and I've just got to keep remembering that.

I've also got to remember not to get too sad because this fantastic four year journey of college is coming to an end. The cliche quote, "don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened," will most likely become one of my mottoes of the school year. I've got to remember to take in every moment and enjoy it and not get too wrapped up in the fact that it's the last time.

I can't start crying uncontrollably the last time I step on Scott Field to march with the FMB. Sure, a few tears will be fine, but I've got to remember to look around and take it all in because who knows if and when I'll ever see a MSU football game from that perspective ever again. I can't start crying uncontrollably the last time I walk out of the classroom in Carpenter because one, all of the boys will stare, and that'll make me uncomfortable, and two, I've got to remember to look around and remember how impressive it is for me to make it through the classes required for a degree in engineering.

What a year it will be. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it all at the same time, but it'll come for me nonetheless. People really are right. You show up to college freshmen year, you blink, and then you're a senior.

It also doesn't help the situation that some people will look at me and assume I'm a senior in high school, because apparently it's just too hard to believe that I'm actually 21 years old. Funny stuff.

Anyways, I'll try to keep you updated on all of my senior year shenanigans. We kick it off with band camp at the beginning of August.

Until next time,

Mo