Wednesday, September 19, 2012

aging with purpose.

I am a senior, what?

I think this often as I come into contact with new people on a daily basis. This usually comes as a shock to everyone, including myself, that I am a senior at THE Brigham Young University.

 Do you know what that means!?!

I am old. yes. I am still unmarried. yes. I still do not cook gourmet meals. yes. but it has been-

THREE YEARS of meeting absolutely incredible, inspiring people.
THREE YEARS of challenging myself academically.
...of becoming an adult.
of self discovery.
of church callings.
of traveling.
of heartbreaks.
of running...and running...and running.
Three years of absolute bliss...well except for the times that weren't and then it turned out to be a time of much needed growth.

I feel very blessed to be attending BYU. Despite the challenging times, BYU has been an absolute dream. I am grateful for all those (my parents and grandparents) who have helped contribute to my education.

As a senior approaching my last year as an undergrad, my mindset has been quite different than it has been in previous semesters. I have a seed of desire burning within my chest, waiting and willing to do anything it takes to be successful in public relations.

This in part is due to higher level classes. My classes are picking up the pace and I am beginning to work with clients this semester. You know what that means, I AM APPLYING WHAT I AM LEARNING!

I feel experience is the best way to learn-just throw yourself in without the fear of getting wet.

I love my classes. I love my teachers. I love what I am learning. I love my whole HOUSE (CLAP). Yeah (stomp), yeah (stomp), yeah (stomp, stomp)...ok you get my point!

I feel, for the first time in my college career, I know why I chose my major.

When I tell people what I am studying, it is often accompanied with a crusty (scoul of confusion), followed by the question, "What is that?"


Well I will tell you, IT IS THE BEST MAJOR EVER!

This seed of passion was planted during freshman year in a general English class. We were assigned to work with Catholic Community Services (CCS), an organization working solely to help incoming refugees get on their feet and become self-reliant. We as students were assigned to blog about Sebastio Salgado's photography (photography solely focused on refugess in various countries) as well as our experiences with the refugees we met at CCS.

This class changed my life.

I found myself blogging on behalf of many individuals who didn't have a voice -- I was their voice. I realized then, in that semester, the power of writing and social media. What could be better than being an advocate for a company and message you whole-heartedly support? I do not know.

However, I would be a liar trying to sugar-coat this major if I didn't tell you public relations does generate disappointment and discouragement. It is a fierce major. By fierce I mean super competitive, cut-throat, every man/woman for him/herself type of major. Everything is public and up for criticism. Nothing is secret or private. Through this, I am learning to toughen up and learn from my mistakes.

Yesterday, was one of those days (a terrible, no good, very bad day). It was an absolute war zone. It was one of those days that I wonder, why did I pick such a major to dedicate my time and emotional energy to?

To combat this war zone, I did as any other girl on campus naturally does, I called my mom. Best decision-it never fails. She is wise. Sometimes it is just good to hear the sweet, positive words of affirmation from someone who loves you. Mother or no mother, it is good to hear that I am doing alright.

My mother has a way of putting things into perspective. Look how far I have come...just a year ago, I was wandering around trying to decide which major to study. Now I am in a nationally-ranked program, at a nationally-ranked university. I am one lucky girl. It is moments like yesterday that motivate me to be better. Mistakes will come and go but ultimately it is our response to those mistakes that matter.

After all...

Courage does not roar. 
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." -Mary Ann Radmacher

School is fun. Learning is rejuvenating. however, without passion, it is simply not worth it. As my mother told me, you will always go farther in life doing the things you love (heart>logic). Thanks mom.

2 comments:

  1. Chels! That was a beautiful! You are such a champ. I feel so lucky to be a small part of this journey with you. Thanks for being such a good example of learning to me--you always have been. I still remember sitting in that class where you gave that presentation about the refugees. Who knew? you are great:)

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