Transition

It has been awhile since I have written about my transition from high school to college so I thought I would go ahead and write about it since we are already halfway through the semester!  Like I have said before transitioning from high school to college was not easy for me.  I feel I am constantly doing homework or playing volleyball whenever I am not in class unlike in high school when I had tons of free time.  I do have to say though I think I am getting used to the way college works and the way my Professors do things in the classroom.  With volleyball season almost being over I am sad but I am very much looking forward to being able to have some relaxation time during the day and not always feeling on the go every second of the day. I always hear people saying how much free time they have and how they get to go do all sorts of things. I have absolutely no clue what they are talking about when it comes to free time in college because I haven't had that since August! In some of my classes I have started to learn different techniques for taking notes and for different things we do in class. In high school I only took notes on a simple piece of paper but I have learned that bringing my laptop to class and taking notes is a lot easier for me.  In high school I had a set of friends that I used to hang out with everyday that I was very close to.  Before college I worried about making friends and I was sad knowing I wasn't going to have my best friends with me everyday.  But when college started I became very close with my teammates and today I have even met lots of friends outside the volleyball life.  One thing I have to say is new to me in college is the large amount of communication I have with my Professors.  In high school I never had to tell my teachers when I had a game because usually they would always know because of an announcement that was made or because my coach told them, but in college I am constantly emailing my teachers letting them know that I will be gone and getting the work that I will have missed.  The Professors here at TLU really do a great job at being understanding on when we have to miss and I am so thankful that my professors have helped me so much this semester so far.   Although it is tough switching from high school to college I do have to say college is absolutely amazing and as much as I loved high school, that is in the past and it's time to focus on my future here at TLU!

Relationships

     First, I would like to thank you, Professor Barry, for your kind words about someone I didn't even know yet have a sense that they were an amazing person.  I am sorry for your loss.  I also feel I am blessed to have you for my teacher in that you care about me as an  individual not just a student.
     Like many of us, I too, have experienced loss of family and friends.  My great-grandparents passed away years ago when I was very young so I really didn't know them very well.  I hear stories from my parents and grandparents that make me feel proud of my ancestors.  Three years ago, seems like yesterday, on a cold night in November, the phone rang in the middle of night that my Aunt Cheryl passed away. I will never forget that night or the feeling I had hearing my mother cry and my parents deciding how it would be best to let my grandparents, my mothers mom and dad, gain knowledge of this sad news.  I can't even imagine the feeling of losing a child.  This is my mom's sister who was only in her thirties at the time of her death.  My aunt had Chrohn's Disease which is an autoimmune disorder that affects the way one metabolizes and absorbs their food intake.  My aunt was first diagnosed with this disease after the birth of her first baby which all started from an antibiotic that was given to her after she developed an infection after the birthing process.  My aunt experienced daily symptoms of her disease but never complained or felt sorry for herself.  She had to quit the one thing she loved, teaching, at a early age.  She was an amazing math and computer teacher and had this amazing ability to teach with success even the weakest students in this field.  I could call her day or night with a math problem and she could walk me through it without the slightest bit of difficulty even making sense to me, the "I HATE MATH" kind of student.  My Aunt Cheryl loved helping and teaching others.  She loved science projects and every year we would all go to her house and we would have science weekends and perform science experiments.  She loved the outdoors especially fishing which I often can see her doing as a comfort feeling when I think of her.  She was an amazing mom even through her weakest states and I truly miss her every day.  I am comforted to know she is in a better place and no longer in pain of suffers from her disease.
     Many of you know from my previous postings that I experienced a very life altering experience being involved in an accident in which I was seriously injured.  For me, not only does death but my love to live enlighten me every day to enjoy what matters to me the most of any given day.  My family is the most amazing group of people you would ever meet.  We cherish, support and love each other very much.  I am truly blessed.  My friends, teammates, coaches and supportive teachers are important in my life as well.  And for me, God, who gave me this extraordinary life is the highest on my list. 

Confidence

I personally found this blog assignment intriguing.  I truly believe as well that self confidence is an important component for success in school, sports and quite honestly in life.  I have been told by my parents that as a child I have had this special gift to face each day "head on" with optimism even under the most difficult, stressful situations.  It seems like I have always been a confident person in myself which I attribute to my upbringing and genetics.  My parents have raised me in a Christian home and allowed me to make decisions, sometimes not the best ones, to teach me the value of understanding outcomes to the decisions I rendered.  I also have a strong work ethic as most of my Polish family does which contributes to my strong will and determination to make the best of each day.  I can truly say that I frequently find myself telling myself "I've got this" almost on a daily basis.  This helps with my confidence level especially during difficult tests or situations that might require some extra effort.  I was involved in a horrendous accident several years ago that almost left me unable to walk when I severely cut my right upper leg.  It was my confidence in myself and my medical team that led to great results.  Here I am now playing college volleyball and starting as a freshman.  I am an athlete playing both softball and volleyball all four years of high school.  I also played select national volleyball and was elected captain of both my high school and national teams.  To be a team captain you must first believe in yourself and value every member of the team no matter what position or amount of play time that athlete possesses.  A positive attitude builds confidence and self esteem.  It's amazing what a compliment or kind word can do to boost anyone's level of confidence whether in the athletic arena or everyday situation.  If for some reason my outcome isn't what I would like it to be, I do not harp on the negative.  I tell myself, "I will do better on the next one or encourage my teammates the next game can only be better."  Right now I am not making an acceptable grade to me in one of my classes.  I never thought I would have this problem taking all honor courses in high school and graduating as one of the top in my class.  I hear many others here are going through the exact same scenerio.  However, I know I will pass this class and make a grade I can accept and continue with my studies.  As a person and student, we should not say we cannot do it.  Anything is possible when you put your mind to it and have confidence in yourself.  "Go get 'em".....