Hello Happiness, Bye Bye Boredom

Jennifer Conlee, co-news editor 

A year ago, I was a high school senior, as many other freshmen in college were. 

I was on the brink of graduating and leaving the high school where students had oppressed me for years.

One of my greatest fears, though, is beginning something new.  It’s not that I don’t like adventure or change.  I crave change.  I fear not knowing how to do something.  This is why it took me so long to find a job.

I have lived in Lubbock all my life, but until the day I came for orientation, I had not driven to Levelland by myself.  It sounds really weird, but I was afraid that I would get lost. However, I did not get lost, and now I know my way around Levelland as well as any other South Plains College student.

This is a metaphor for my entire life.  Before I got my great job at Claire’s at the mall, I was afraid I would not learn everything that I needed to do. But now the customer greeting and sales approach flow like water from my mouth.

Now that I am in college, I have found everything I have been looking for: a group of friends who accept me for me, and a place to belong.  It sounds like a story in a book, but that’s how I feel.

My freshman year has taught me a lot about who I am, and it has shown me what I want to do with my life.

In September 2005, I was just another freshman, about to embark on the same journey as thousands of other freshmen. It’s hard to believe that I have nearly made it through the year alive.  In a few weeks, it will be summer once again, and I will get to go to New York City for the first time, though certainly not the last.

I remember horror stories in high school, about how college work was a lot harder, and I was sure that I was going to fail, or get so stressed about school that I would have to drop out.

Ironically, I have found the opposite to have happened.  In high school, I was always at home, becoming a sort of couch potato.  I didn’t realize at the time that I was bored out of my mind.

Now, I am constantly busy.  Between going to school full time, working part-time, and volunteering in the church choir and nursery, as well as with other church activities, I don’t have time to think about being bored. 

I seldom have a moment to myself, but I love it.  When I have a random Saturday off, I actually find the urge to get up and do something, rather than sit and watch television.

Speaking of television, I have realized during the past few months that one of the signs that you are growing up is when you start to enjoy the news.  A couple of years ago, I thought the news was incredibly boring.

However, I think that the news in fascinating.  This is, in part, because of my major. But I find that cartoons no longer hold my interest, even if they are the “adult” cartoons like “Family Guy.”  I find myself watching talk shows such as Martha Stewart and Dr. Phil, and actually enjoying them.

I believe that I have grown up a lot in the past year.  I know that I am a different person than I was a year ago.  High School is far behind me, and I have a bright future stretching out in front of me, teeming with possibilities.

I find that I can’t wait to see what my sophomore year holds for me.