Hello dear friends and family! It’s with great pleasure that I’m writing this blog post as I continue my most popular series ‘What I’ve Learned in College.’ I began this series as a fresh start for The Katherine Kazette and the original post quickly became and still is the most read post of mine. You can read it here!
I wrote the original post as a frantic, culture shocked, popularity grieving freshman. However, The past few years, specifically this past year I’ve gotten to grow from that and even respond some of the concerns I used to have. So, with that being said I present ‘What I’ve Learned in College: Senior Year.’
It’s Never Too Late to Make Friends
Going into this past year I was worried about friends as I didn’t have any friendships that continued from the previous years. After my parents dropped me off at my apartment I spent the day bawling, afraid of change and never seeing my parents again. However, my roommate and friend, Emily asked me to go to a parking lot party thrown by RamCatholic. I was able to get out of my head and meet a few people at the party, including Maddie, who remembered me from RamCatholic a few years prior and invited me to join her Bible study. From there I began involving myself in the church and the various events and gatherings that were held, which in turn allowed me to create new friends. It’s spectacular to think about the amount and depth of relationships I’ve created in such a short amount of time. It’s probably because of Jesus. There was even one night when I went to dinner with Maddie and neglected my apartment keys in my apartment, so Maddie and Sierra openly invited me into their apartment at 1am with a glass of chocolate milk and the cushiest memory foam mattress pad placed on the living room floor. I’ve really been able to once again see how loved and valued I am through creating relationships with friends and acquaintances.
Going into this past year I was worried about friends as I didn’t have any friendships that continued from the previous years. After my parents dropped me off at my apartment I spent the day bawling, afraid of change and never seeing my parents again. However, my roommate and friend, Emily asked me to go to a parking lot party thrown by RamCatholic. I was able to get out of my head and meet a few people at the party, including Maddie, who remembered me from RamCatholic a few years prior and invited me to join her Bible study. From there I began involving myself in the church and the various events and gatherings that were held, which in turn allowed me to create new friends. It’s spectacular to think about the amount and depth of relationships I’ve created in such a short amount of time. It’s probably because of Jesus. There was even one night when I went to dinner with Maddie and neglected my apartment keys in my apartment, so Maddie and Sierra openly invited me into their apartment at 1am with a glass of chocolate milk and the cushiest memory foam mattress pad placed on the living room floor. I’ve really been able to once again see how loved and valued I am through creating relationships with friends and acquaintances.
Car Maintenance
I was able to take my car up to school this year giving myself an education in car maintenance and care. I drove the Ford most of the year and suffered a blown tire, dead engine, and some filter issue. I got to experience changing a tire with the help of a family of eight, how to drive with a spare, how to buy a new tire, figure out why my car won’t start, get friends to jump my car, how to buy a new car battery, using snow chains, and how to turn on my hazards. For a few months it seemed as if one thing wasn’t broken, another would be. But, now I know what to do! I also got to experience driving in deeper snow and on ice learning that it doesn’t matter what car you have as long as you know how to drive it. While my Ford was out of commission I got to use the family mini van. I was very fortunate to drive that vehicle, although it had its faults like the fact that the passenger window only rolls up three inches at a time. I did get to figure out how to change the brake lights which was fun. Despite which vehicle I drove I had a lot of issues with parking. For example you don’t want to park on an icy mound you need pushed off of. I did figure out how to parallel park though! You just struggle for a few minutes until a nice guy comes out of his apartment to drive the car and park parallel for you. It’s really easy.
I was able to take my car up to school this year giving myself an education in car maintenance and care. I drove the Ford most of the year and suffered a blown tire, dead engine, and some filter issue. I got to experience changing a tire with the help of a family of eight, how to drive with a spare, how to buy a new tire, figure out why my car won’t start, get friends to jump my car, how to buy a new car battery, using snow chains, and how to turn on my hazards. For a few months it seemed as if one thing wasn’t broken, another would be. But, now I know what to do! I also got to experience driving in deeper snow and on ice learning that it doesn’t matter what car you have as long as you know how to drive it. While my Ford was out of commission I got to use the family mini van. I was very fortunate to drive that vehicle, although it had its faults like the fact that the passenger window only rolls up three inches at a time. I did get to figure out how to change the brake lights which was fun. Despite which vehicle I drove I had a lot of issues with parking. For example you don’t want to park on an icy mound you need pushed off of. I did figure out how to parallel park though! You just struggle for a few minutes until a nice guy comes out of his apartment to drive the car and park parallel for you. It’s really easy.
Colorado History
This past semester I was able to take Colorado History, which was singlehandedly the best class I’ve taken. I was utterly fascinated as my professor regailed the untold and unfathomable stories of the state. I learned more about my family and what life was like for my great grandpa and other ancestors in Southern and Western Colorado. The class is held only once every other year, so my classmates and I were able to learn new information about Colorado’s history that had only been discovered within the past two or three years for example the prevalence of lynching in the state and slavery of Indians. One of my favorite stories takes place after the silver panic of 1893 in downtown Denver where the REI flagship store sits. Due to many mines shutting down due to the demand of silver lowering many miners made their way down the mountain in search of a job in Denver. However, the Denver economy relied on the livelihood on mining and miners to thrive, thus leaving many young men without jobs. These young men gathered in Confluence Park and created homeless encampments. It’s crazy to think that 100 and some years later homeless people still gather in confluence park. To fix this problem the city and business of Denver donated craft kits to the homeless men in order for them to build their own rafts and float down the South Platte River to Julesburg, CO. This solution worked as many of the homeless men floated down the river making it to Fort Lupton.
This past semester I was able to take Colorado History, which was singlehandedly the best class I’ve taken. I was utterly fascinated as my professor regailed the untold and unfathomable stories of the state. I learned more about my family and what life was like for my great grandpa and other ancestors in Southern and Western Colorado. The class is held only once every other year, so my classmates and I were able to learn new information about Colorado’s history that had only been discovered within the past two or three years for example the prevalence of lynching in the state and slavery of Indians. One of my favorite stories takes place after the silver panic of 1893 in downtown Denver where the REI flagship store sits. Due to many mines shutting down due to the demand of silver lowering many miners made their way down the mountain in search of a job in Denver. However, the Denver economy relied on the livelihood on mining and miners to thrive, thus leaving many young men without jobs. These young men gathered in Confluence Park and created homeless encampments. It’s crazy to think that 100 and some years later homeless people still gather in confluence park. To fix this problem the city and business of Denver donated craft kits to the homeless men in order for them to build their own rafts and float down the South Platte River to Julesburg, CO. This solution worked as many of the homeless men floated down the river making it to Fort Lupton.
How to Talk to Boys
I like to joke that I don’t know how to talk to boys as majority of my primary education was spent in all girls environments. However, I’ve figured it out! As I was able to make more friends and get more involved in the church I was able to interact with boys more often. I guess all I did was be in their presence and talk to them, which in turn resulted in my increased comfort around them.
I will say that I’ve been privileged to be around men that consistently show that they have my best interests in mind and think I’m entertaining. It’s wild that I have boy friends now! But, still
no boyfriends.
I like to joke that I don’t know how to talk to boys as majority of my primary education was spent in all girls environments. However, I’ve figured it out! As I was able to make more friends and get more involved in the church I was able to interact with boys more often. I guess all I did was be in their presence and talk to them, which in turn resulted in my increased comfort around them.
I will say that I’ve been privileged to be around men that consistently show that they have my best interests in mind and think I’m entertaining. It’s wild that I have boy friends now! But, still
no boyfriends.
Self Confidence
As a 5’1” college girl, who just recently watched Twilight for the first time, walking past a group of thirty year old men smoking and into a black box with the intention of making this population laugh is incredibly intimidating. However, you have to remind yourself that these won’t be the most embarrassing four minutes of your life, as you can always leave and never see these night crawlers again. Fortunately I did, and continue to, walk past the thirty year old stoners, whom I now welcknow and talk to me, and perform. As I've continued to perform I've had to rely on myself for personal safety, hype, creation of opportunities, the perception of people, and the ability to make people laugh. I still get a little nervous, but have become more confident in my abilities as I know that whatever happens on stage I'm fine. Afterall failing isn't the worst thing in the world and is always something I can work on later if not on stage in the moment. Plus, I know it's something that I can do that many people are petrified of.
Driving has also increased my self confidence as I've driven all around Colorado. In May I drove to Buena Vista from Fort Collins. It was a drive that would seemingly never end as I got very bored. However, I knew I was the only one who could complete this drive as I was alone and not with family driving through those mountains as I am accustomed to. After dealing with the annoyances of i-70, stopping in Georgetown failing to find a Burrata Caprese Salad, growing tired, purchasing peanut butter and apples at the Safeway in Leadville, zooming down and around the curves of the road under the beauty of sunset while listening to Lady Gaga, and then getting slightly lost in the neighborhood of the cabin. I had made it! I was very proud of myself and could not believe I had accomplished it all by myself.
As a 5’1” college girl, who just recently watched Twilight for the first time, walking past a group of thirty year old men smoking and into a black box with the intention of making this population laugh is incredibly intimidating. However, you have to remind yourself that these won’t be the most embarrassing four minutes of your life, as you can always leave and never see these night crawlers again. Fortunately I did, and continue to, walk past the thirty year old stoners, whom I now welcknow and talk to me, and perform. As I've continued to perform I've had to rely on myself for personal safety, hype, creation of opportunities, the perception of people, and the ability to make people laugh. I still get a little nervous, but have become more confident in my abilities as I know that whatever happens on stage I'm fine. Afterall failing isn't the worst thing in the world and is always something I can work on later if not on stage in the moment. Plus, I know it's something that I can do that many people are petrified of.
Driving has also increased my self confidence as I've driven all around Colorado. In May I drove to Buena Vista from Fort Collins. It was a drive that would seemingly never end as I got very bored. However, I knew I was the only one who could complete this drive as I was alone and not with family driving through those mountains as I am accustomed to. After dealing with the annoyances of i-70, stopping in Georgetown failing to find a Burrata Caprese Salad, growing tired, purchasing peanut butter and apples at the Safeway in Leadville, zooming down and around the curves of the road under the beauty of sunset while listening to Lady Gaga, and then getting slightly lost in the neighborhood of the cabin. I had made it! I was very proud of myself and could not believe I had accomplished it all by myself.
Mini Fridges are Overrated
This is just something I thought of the other day. When I was younger I really wanted a mini fridge in my room, so I could entertain my many guests with soda pop. After having owned a mini fridge I’ve realized they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. They fit very little.
This is just something I thought of the other day. When I was younger I really wanted a mini fridge in my room, so I could entertain my many guests with soda pop. After having owned a mini fridge I’ve realized they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. They fit very little.
Anyways thank you for reading, even if it was just a tiny bit! I grew an incredible amount this past year and plan on having another fabulous year as I'll be taking a fifth year. I also attached the links to all of the posts in the 'What I've Learned in College' series below! I didn't realize I learned so much, until I linked them. I recommend reading the first post of each year. Also, please excuse the errors made in the posts linked, I wrote these without proof reading, however that has since changed in my recent work.
God Bless!
What I've Learned in College
Freshman Year
Freshman Year Part 2
Freshman Year Part 3
Freshman Year Part 4
Apparently I learned a lot freshman year
Sophomore Year
Sophomore Year: Quarantine Edition
Junior Year
Freshman Year
Freshman Year Part 2
Freshman Year Part 3
Freshman Year Part 4
Apparently I learned a lot freshman year
Sophomore Year
Sophomore Year: Quarantine Edition
Junior Year
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