End of Year Reflection

As the end of the year creeps closer, I wanted to talk about what has gone well and what has been challenging throughout this entire school year.

Before the school year began, I found myself constantly packing and repacking my things, folding and unfolding clothes as if I could organize my thoughts the same way. I kept wondering what the year would be like and what challenges might be waiting for me. I imagined both the obstacles ahead and the accomplishments I hoped to reach. I knew there would be difficult moments when my mental health might weigh on me or when unexpected situations would arise. Still, no matter what came my way, I held onto the quiet belief that I would be okay.

Some of the things that have been fulfilling this year include having good grades and making sure I am getting the assignments done on time. Another thing that has been fulfilling is finding someone who understands me, who understands my disability and doesn’t judge me for who I am as a girl with a disability. The final thing that has been fulfilling is joining an organization called the National Residence Hall Honorary. It has been so much fun every meeting getting to interact with people who want to recognize other organizations and receiving the opportunity to write Of The Months (also known as OTMs), nominating anyone who has had an impact on others.

However, some of the challenges I’ve faced this year include ongoing struggles with my arm. For the past few weeks, my right arm has not been feeling like itself, even though it’s normal for my arm to spasm sometimes. And still, the most difficult challenge, especially this semester, has been dealing with anxiety. It’s something I’ve experienced before, but lately it feels heavier, like a constant hum in the background that won’t quiet down. Taking all of my classes for credit has made it even more intense, adding pressure that lingers day after day. Many of us can relate to that uncertainty in college — the uneasy feeling of not knowing how we’re really doing until the semester is halfway through, like walking through a fog and only catching glimpses of where we stand.

Moreover, the challenges I’ve been facing feel like stepping into the unfamiliar territory of writing two short stories called “The One That Finally Got Away”emand “Complicated,”emwhile also pouring my voice into my podcast “Miracles.” These, alongside keeping up with the steady demands of school, prove to be stressful. I’ve been juggling these passions since I was fifteen, but this semester has felt different, like walking a tightrope stretched a little higher than before. It’s been testing my limits, pushing me to balance the things I love with the responsibility of maintaining strong grades.

This year has been a wild ride, but it has also been filled with happiness and laughter, which is why I can say that sophomore year has been one for the books for sure.