Looking Ahead

Today I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the open house at Mount Allison University. Not only was it a day off school to make what was supposed to be a four-day week a three-day week, it was an educational day that put me at ease while thinking about university– a topic which would normally bring me anxiety.

The day began with coffee and acoustic music on the Convocation Hall, along with warm, welcoming remarks from the people who organized the event. We went off into groups for a campus tour and even though I was alone and didn’t know anybody, I felt a sense of belonging and acceptance. The residences where I will soon be living were wonderful. I could picture myself living there and making friends the common areas such as the lounge and kitchen. The classrooms and academic facilities were exceptional, and I could see future me sitting in the lecture halls taking notes and learning new things. Not only was the interiors of the buildings beautiful, but so was the campus outside the classroom doors. There were green fields and a picturesque pond, as well as many nooks and crannies with beautiful shrubbery and flowers.

At the academics fair I had the chance to speak with many professors and upper year students with experience at MTA. They were all welcoming and informative. I learned about the different programs and degrees and what they all entail. All my questions were answered and I left feeling prepared to start classes at MTA.

Talking to the students was definitely the most reassuring part of the day, seeing as they were once in my position. I heard stories of students who were homesick but were able to reach out for help. There are lots of things to do to keep students busy so they don’t really have time to feel homesick. I heard stories about people who came to the university without knowing a soul, but after just a few hours made friends who are still with them today in their fourth year. Hearing these stories validate my worries and remind me that it’s all going to be okay when I do leave home.

The spirit, friendliness and comfort I experienced at Mount Allison University have me incredibly excited to (hopefully) receive an acceptance letter in the mail soon so I can confirm my attendance in September of 2017. Though it’s only fall of my senior year in high school as a Viking, I cannot wait for fall of my freshman year of UNI as a Mountie.

Dear Grad Class of 2017

Dear Grad Class of 2017, 

Here we are, our senior year. Can you believe it? It feels as if just yesterday we were little 14 year olds getting our Viking tee shirt on orientation day. Tomorrow we’re all having our last first day of public school. Isn’t that insane? Soon enough (approximately 290 days) we will be walking across the stage with a maroon cap and gown to receive our diploma.

We’ve been through a lot the past 3 years. We came in to Harbour View on the first day scared and anxious. We didn’t know what high school would bring us. There were so many things that worried us, but after a week we began to settle in. We got to know others in our classes, we knew where our classes were, and we knew our schedules. After a few weeks, classmates were no longer just classmates. New friendships blossomed and we began inventing ourselves at Harbour View. The past three years have had their ups and downs. We’ve lost friends, and made new ones. We’ve failed tests and we aced tests. We’ve enjoyed school, and other days it is the last place we wanted to be. Overall, I’d say Class of 2017 has had an incredible and successful three years at Harbour View. Let’s make our last memorable. 

Study hard. Academically this is one of the most important years of our lives. Get into your dream institution. Work hard and plan ahead. Your future is important. Take advantage of all the great things HVHS has to offer. Go to the Coffee Houses, join clubs, play sports, get to know your teachers and classmates. Get involved and try new things. We have an incredible grad class team this year and I’m confident they’re going to made our year a one to remember. Support them by attending grad class events. In the end, going to grad class events will make our prom the prom we’ve dreamed of since we were kids. 

Tomorrow morning when you walk though the front doors, remember you don’t have much time left. You have a year left. Two semesters. 4 terms. 290 days. However you decide to look at at, it’ll go quick. Make the end of our high school journey one to remember. Cheers to us, Class of 2017. Let’s invent ourselves this year. 

New Beginnings

Summer 2016 is coming to a close with only one week until students are hitting the books for another academic year. I was supposed to go see Selena Gomez and DNCE to finish off my summer with a bang, but unfortunately it’s been cancelled due to some health problems with Selena. However I won’t let my last weekend of the summer be wasted away. Now that the concert is cancelled I’m going to Halifax to spend all my money at Lush and Sephora.

Though most will soon be mourning a summer that passed quick, I will be doing the opposite and celebrating the beginning of the school year. I’ve bought my sticky notes and notebooks, and I’ve even already began taking some notes for French 120 because I really can’t wait to get back at it. I’m excited to learn new things, take easy classes (never having to take a math class EVER again), and to get back into my routine again. Early mornings, studying late at Starbucks and fueling my peach green tea lemonade addiction with my one and only best friend; I really cant wait.

Though I’m excited, there are nerves too. It feels as if just yesterday I started my high school career, walking into the auditorium and getting my maroon and white HVHS tee shirt and meeting my homeroom teacher. A week from today I’ll have my last first day of public school ever. There are tons of firsts I’ll experience this year. I’ll have to chose my grad quote, apply to universities and more importantly, choose which one I’ll attend, apply for bursaries and scholarships, attend prom and graduation,  and most exciting of all, I’m travelling to Italy the first week of March. It’s a big year quite obviously.

I’ve noticed a hint of fall in the air with crisp mornings and a cool breeze in my window at night. Pumpkin spice lattes will be back at Starbucks September 8th and the white girl in me has my membership card, Ugg boots, and maroon fall colours ready (HVHS represent!). With the change of season I’m ready to take on the school year with new experiences and challenges.

Am I ready? No.

Is it happening? Yes.

Can I do it? We’ll see.