A Message to Incoming Freshman

 Outside is getting a bit warmer and the seasons are changing, people are starting to go to the beaches, summer is right around the corner and graduation seems like it is seconds away.  The decisions on colleges have been made, deposits sent in and now, college isn't just some far away idea, it is real and it is coming up.

I want to say congrats to all of you. You made it, you are going to college!

Enjoy your summer, make the most of it because everything is going to change when you reach college and you are forced to ask, am I ready?

Have faith that you are ready. There are times when it is going to be difficult and you will just want to flat out give up, but the important thing is that you don't. Find a goal, a dream or something and always remember that is what you are striving for. Never give up until you reach your dreams. And if sometimes it just gets to hard remember if no one else, I believe in you and I know you can keep going.

Enjoy your summer and good luck <3 Kimmie

Here are some funny gifs about the application process to make you laugh.

Dear High School Seniors..

Dear High School Seniors,

          Here are a couple of tips and tricks about surviving your senior year and the college application process. Tip number one: always remember to get stuff done ON TIME! I know its common place to wait to the last minute to get stuff done, but all this does is increase the stress on you and make your life unnecessarily more difficult. Especially when it comes down to college and scholarship deadlines YOU CANNOT PROCRASTINATE!!! Take it from someone who suffers from procrastination, colleges will not accept late applications and neither will scholarship boards. Plus, it makes you look sloppy and lazy!

          To go along with this, get a planner and in general GET ORGANIZED. Start writing everything down and set deadlines for yourself. This will help you get organized and you can avoid falling behind. Do some research on study and organization skills. Developing important organizational skills will set you leagues ahead in college if you start now! Remember to prioritize and keep everything orderly, I don't know anyone who can be organized when they are surrounded by piles of clutter. Here is a link to a powerpoint on organization put out by my school: click here! I have tried several organization methods in the past and I like this one the best because of its simplicity, but if the more complex ones work for you then have at it!

          Number three: utilize your english teacher. I can't tell you how many times I went to my English teacher and asked him to read over my application essays, and numerous times he saved my essays from being utter disasters! Ask your teachers to help you, that is what they are there for! Also, when it comes to writing application essays: often times you will come across a lot of the same questions each worded differently. So if you write a couple generic essays then you can spend a few minutes tweaking it to fit the specific essay rather than a half hour completely re-writing.

          Always remember, take a deep breath and remember why you are working so hard. Is it because you want to make something out of your life? Achieve a goal? Make yourself and those around you proud? Or is it 'All of the above'? Never give up. It will all be worth it in the end.

Sincerely,

Someone who has been in your shoes!

Graduation, An end and a beginning.

I graduate this evening and even though I am excited to graduate, there is part of me that doesn't want to move on. It's scary to move to a new town and meet new people and be on my own, I knew it was something that I would have to face eventually. 

A little while ago on the TV Show Castle, the daughter Alexis gives a speech at her graduation that has stuck with me.

“There is a universal truth we all have to face, whether we want to or not: everything eventually ends. As much as I've looked forward to this day, I've always disliked endings. The last day of summer, the final chapter of a great book, parting ways with a close friend. But endings are inevitable. Leaves fall, you close the book, you say goodbye. Today is one of those days for us. Today we say goodbye to everything that was familiar. Everything that was comfortable. We’re moving on. But just because we’re leaving, and that hurts, there are some people who are so much a part of us they’ll be with us no matter what. They are our solid ground, our North Star, and the small clear voices that will be with us always.” 

So to all the Class of 2013 graduates, remember to take a leap of faith. From here, we take the first step to building our own futures. And sure there will be times when we will stumble and fall, but the key is to always pick yourself up. Never give up on your dreams. Find what it is you want and run towards it full speed. Always remember what motivates you and make the decision to do whatever it takes to achieve your dream. 

Welcome to the future. Here I come.

Senior Photos!!!!!!

This Saturday my amazing friend Mi-Lo was kind enough to spend about three hours running around with me taking close to 900 photos!!! It was so much fun and I felt amazing! It was like I was some famous model version of me. But the best part was where I just got to be silly. The photos came out absolutely amazing and I am so thankful that I have a friend that was willing to let me do this an feel beautiful and special. It was so much fun!!! I will post a link to my album of my favorites if you guys want to take a look :)  Click for awesomeness