Back to Blogging, Back on Campus

Hey, y’all! It has been a little while since I last sat down to write a blog post, but here I am again. This is actually my second time blogging for a class. The first time I blogged was for my Principles of Social Media course, and now I get the chance to do it again for my Social Media Strategy and Campaigns class. Right now, we are just at the beginning of the semester, so I get to start off by sharing what has been going on in my life. I like that blogging lets me pause, reflect and write about these moments in a personal way. It feels like a digital journal that eventually connects to what I am learning in class.

Coming back to campus after the summer always feels like opening a brand-new chapter. Over the summer, I stayed in Ada a lot at my apartment while working in Findlay. I would take a few walks around campus, and it was quiet and peaceful. You would see locals walking their dogs, playing with their kids or pushing strollers. While that was nice, there is simply something special about the energy on campus once the semester begins. It is a type of energy you just do not see in the summer. The sidewalks are full of students carrying coffee and rushing to class, the library is buzzing with study groups, and everything just feels lively again. It gives me a sense of peace to see everyone back together working toward a goal for their future. Being here for school reminds me why I love this place so much and why these years go by faster than we expect. Sure, we are just a small school in the middle of cornfields, but something about that small community feels special to me.

While I missed school, this summer gave me plenty of time to think about where I am and where I am headed. Between interning, spending time with my family and slowing down a bit, I was able to reflect on my college journey so far. The biggest surprise came when I reviewed my credits with my adviser. I found out that I am actually ahead, which means I will be graduating early. At first, I was shocked. Then the excitement hit, and after that the nerves settled in.

Graduating early sounds amazing when you first say it out loud. It means I get to take the next step in my career sooner than expected and that all the hard work I put in is paying off. But it also feels bittersweet. College is such a unique chapter in life and realizing that mine will end sooner than I originally planned makes me want to slow down and appreciate everything more. I keep telling myself to notice the little moments, like walking to class with friends, grabbing coffee after a long lecture or laughing with my sorority sisters at the end of a busy day. Those are the memories that will matter most when it is all said and done.

As exciting as graduating early is, there is also a nervous feeling that comes with it. The questions start popping up in my mind. Am I ready? Do I know what the next step really looks like? What if I miss out on the experiences, I thought I would still have time for? These thoughts are normal, and I remind myself that nerves often mean growth is happening. Instead of letting those fears hold me back, I am trying to view them as a reminder that I am stepping into something bigger.

This semester already feels different because I know how quickly time is moving. I want to make the most of every opportunity, whether it is in the classroom, on campus or in the community. College has taught me that learning does not only happen in lectures or textbooks. It also happens in the friendships we build, the organizations we join and the challenges we push ourselves through. Being a student has been about so much more than assignments and exams. For me, it has been about discovering who I am, what I value and how I want to make a difference in the world.

Now that I am back to blogging for class, I want to share more of these reflections as the semester continues. I think it is important to talk about the mix of emotions that comes with change. Many students feel the same excitement and nerves when they realize their time in college is moving quickly, and sometimes it helps just to know you are not alone in that.

As I step into this season, I am choosing to embrace both the joy and the uncertainty. Big changes are ahead, but so are big opportunities. For now, I am grateful to be back on campus, grateful to be blogging again and grateful to be exactly where I need to be.

That's all for now.

XOXO,

Mia Ann