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I'm moving.

In case you all haven't heard, I'm moving. Again. I've been thinking about moving for about a year now because of how unhappy I am in my current town and school. To get myself out of this rut, I decided that it would best the best decision for me, so that's what I'm doing.

Yes. I am moving again, but not just once. I'm going to be moving twice in the next 5 months. On Saturday of this week, I'll be moving back to my small hometown back in NW Iowa to live with my parents and will hopefully be transferring back to my job that I had in high school. As much as it may suck that I chose to move back home, it'll be beneficial in ways of me saving and making money until I move again in October. Free room and board and free food for how many months will probably help a lot more than I'm imagining it will. I'm sure gonna miss my freedom and space.

In the beginning of October, I plan on moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to go to Globe University to become a massage therapist and I'm getting that super nervous/excited feeling. As of right now, I'm moving to both back home and to SoDak with it just being my dog, my hedgehog, and I and quite honestly, the only thing that I'm not gonna like about living with no roommate is the help and splitting of the bills. I've been through so much awkwardness and hassle with having a roommate that it'll be nice getting out on my own. Officially.

*Now time for a little disclaimer. Don't get my wrong, there were times where I liked having a roommate, but I'm the type of person where it's uncomfortable for me to go sit in the living or dining room with them or be cooking dinner at the same time as them because it feels like I'm intruding in on their space and time to be by themselves, so I stayed in my room with my animals most of the time until they went to sleep. Having a roommate may be for some people, just not completely the right thing for me.

All in all, this move is a pretty big deal. First time officially alone. First time paying bills without any other person worrying about them. First time moving alone and getting everything set up without any help. Hopefully, this will be my last time moving. Last time transferring. Last time switching my profession. But at the same time, it'll be my last few steps to officially growing up which is a bittersweet thing for me. I guess we'll see how it goes this time around. Fingers crossed.

Well wishes to all,
                       Kristina.

My Transfer College Career.

I think I finally found my calling. The place where I'm supposed to be. On Valentine's Day, instead of spending time with my boyfriend, I went roughly 4 hours away to go to Globe University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to go on a college visit. Although I'm already in college, Ames just isn't feeling as right as it used to. The energy is off and it's bringing me down, so I decided a change is in order.

As soon as I stepped in Globe University's doors, I knew the atmosphere was for me. It was small and homey. It was welcoming and had that close-knit atmosphere that I absolutely love. I signed in and patiently, nervously awaited meeting the Director of Admissions. Charlie is a laid-back, friendly, and talkative guy. He greeted us in blue jeans, a sweatshirt, and a friendly smile. During the informations
 session and interview, he was very thorough and helpful with any question my mom or I had and left no ends untied. He made sure I was comfortable and accommodated. No other college had ever gone through that much trouble.

My one and only semester at Iowa State started off horrible and ended horrible. I contacted my Academic Advisor in March to get signed up for classes before the incoming freshman and she didn't bother with helping me get signed up for classes until the beginning of August and didn't even ask my input on which classes I'd like to take for the semester. I got signed up for 15 credits of strictly core classes with no electives. I went stir-crazy before midterm hit. My boss had me still at 25 hours a week until midterm when  requested no more than 15. I was swamped and my anxiety kicked in. Hard. I had no time for myself, let alone any time for my boyfriend and my dog.



After the informations session and interview at GU, Charlie took me and my mom on a tour of the one-building campus. It is a new, two-story building with multi-purpose class rooms. The biggest class size is maybe 20 people with only around 200 people enrolled at the Sioux Falls campus. Large groups and pressure to do well set my anxiety off. This place is very small and very open to my creative, hands-on learning style, which is wonderful. After the tour, Charlie helped me fill out the "application," which is basically the personal info for your student file. The interview/question session a the determining factor on admission as well as high school diploma/GED, minimum standards on either SAT or ACT or bachelor's degree from another college, and immunization records. They get to personally know you and not worry about your past experience at other schools.

After midterm at ISU, I decided that I was not meant to be there. I suppose that the main reason I transferred to a big university was because it was the cliche thing to do; Graduate high school and go to a big university. I found out the hard way that big universities are not for my learning style or anxiety. I can't sit in a 500 person lecture hall and retain any information. I can't wait in a huge line waiting to take an exam. I had an anxiety attack. Every. Time. I've been a test-nervous person since elementary school, so I wasn't surprised, but how else was I supposed to take my exams? My GPA suffered tremendously.

After the meeting and tour with Charlie, I decided that Globe University in Sioux Falls was where I should've gone to begin with. It just took some experimenting and learning about myself to get there. I'm not saying that Iowa State is some horrible University that is out to get everyone and you shouldn't ever go to Ames or shouldn't consider an education there. My experience was just horrible and I'm glad I found where I need to be.

I know this was long, but the point is that you have to do what makes you happy. Don't do what the cliche thing is or do what others think you should do. If it makes you happy, then do it. Don't just settle for something because you don't want to trouble anyone. Go to school where you want to. If you want to. There is a school, job, whatever that will be perfect for you.