The Stressed-Out Senior

It's Sunday morning. Outside, it's cold and windy, with rain coming and going throughout the day. I've been awake since 9am, my roommates are still asleep and most likely won't get up until noon. So, this makes for a quiet morning of homework and getting caught up.

This past week, I took my GRE--the Graduate Record Exam. It's basically the same concept as the SATs we all took in high school, but this one is for admission to a graduate degree program somewhere. I've finally decided where I'll be applying! I picked for schools, two for their Public History programs and two for the Historical Preservation programs--I wanted to keep my options open, in terms of what I'd like to do and the financial situation with the schools. Come December through March, I'll be sending applications to:

University of Vermont (Burlington, VT)
University of Boston (Boston,MA)
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA)

So, in the end, I have a 50/50 shot of staying within the borders of the Keystone State. What can I say? Pennsylvania has grown on me. I've definitely fallen a little bit for Pittsburgh and Erie, I'll miss Erie when I finally leave in May. It's hard to believe that this is my last year at the 'Hurst. I'm already missing Mercyhurst and I haven't even graduated yet!

Speaking of, I signed and turned in my Declaration of Graduation last week. Talk about a reality check. Graduation is coming, and there's nothing I can do to stop it!

Well, I guess failing all of my classes in an option, but I'd much rather not, haha.

I'm sorry my posts have been a bit sparse this term so far, but I've been crazy busy! In addition to my three classes (American Revolution, Intro to Public History, and Museum Studies), I've been studying for my GRE, working my two jobs (at the local Old Navy store, and as the workstudy for the Mercyhurst History Department), running the Mercyhurst History Club, co-chairing the Communications Committee for the Ambassadors Club (which is the committee responsible for this blogging project of ours, by the way), and of course keeping up with my friends!

One of the key things about college is you absolutely, positively have to balance work and play--otherwise, you'll find yourself not loving college at all. And you'll also lose your mind. Sometimes both. This term so far has been rapidly passing, one thing after another. Winter term and beyond seems to be a little easier--hopefully I can take a deep breath and start to enjoy my senior year!

But for now, work, work, work. And I am one stressed-out senior.