Midterm Attack!

Hey guys!

So if you're like me and are a naive little freshman, tentatively taking steps forward in college life, then you'll know that midterms in your mind mean exactly that: mid - terms. Unfortunately, I learned a slightly unpleasant lesson here rather quickly: midterms come around every month or so... not every term. Of course, I had a giant panic attack, I'm not used to being under such stressful conditions for extended periods of time but honestly, you look back and realize that it's not as bad as you think.

Ok, I lie. It's exactly as bad as you think it is at the time. But at the same time I learnt this incredible thing: I am not alone. Everyone has midterm stress! So if what it takes to "chillax" is having a study party in a friend's dorm for hours on end, go for it! Believe it or not, working in that kind of environment really helps me since we all just motivate each other to work. And every once in a while, when the mood gets super tense and serious, we'll do something stupid. Chuck a pillow at each other. Watch a funny video. Even go down to the Cub Market just for a break, and maybe some late night! I can honestly say, after two rounds of midterms, I would not have been able to get through without my friends.

This brings me to my second point for today. I didn't realize exactly how terrifying being here by myself, miles away from home, was going to be. Sure, the beginning was awesome and super exciting, but every so often I miss my friends and family! And this is to be expected! But thankfully, I have some amazing suitemates and friends around the campus who get me through my period of homesickness. It was incredible how quickly I bonded with these people, be it over dryers that didn't work or over how horrible yesterday's lab was. So don't be scared of what's ahead, friends. The support system here is astounding, and the time you build it in is unbelievable. I got so incredibly lucky to have such reliable and wonderful friends, and you will be as lucky as me too!

I can't believe how close it already is to the end of the semester! Just over a month and I'll be boarding a plane for a 14 hour plane ride home. I almost don't want to think about it, I absolutely adore walkingthrough campus and staring at the gorgeous Campanile and I'll miss that, even for a month! My friend mentioned how it was impossible to take a bad picture of the Campanile and it is SO TRUE. Here's the most recent one I've taken for your viewing pleasure.

I apologize for the awful quality, it was taken off my phone. Isn't she a beaut?

But yes, I cannot believe semester's almost over. Where did the time go?!

That's all from me today, enjoy the lovely weather (despite it's moodiness) and don't let midterms stress you out too much!

GO BEARS!

Surmayee

PS: I have a ridiculous number of pictures of squirrels on my phone too. They're adorable!

PPS: Also went to my first football game this semester. In-cre-di-ble. Cannot wait for the Big Game!