The Best of 2013

This year was arguably the most eventful year of my life. It began with a college acceptance letter, and will end with friends at the beach. Here are my 5 favorite moments from 2013:

1. College Acceptances & College Rejections

The first big thing that happened to me in 2013 was my acceptance to UVa in mid January. UVa was my dream school, so I was obviously over-the-moon excited to learn I had been accepted. Something else I learned about the college application process is to cherish the rejections as much as the acceptances. There were two schools I applied to that I was waitlisted and eventually denied to, but honestly it didn't really bother me. If anything, these rejections made it infinitely more clear that I was meant to go to UVa. This article by a Yale dean of admissions sums it up very nicely. 

2. Graduation

Graduation high school turned into a bigger ordeal than I had initially imagined. The dozens of graduation parties I attended combined with senior festivities all led up to one of the happiest moments of my life - addressing the class of 2013 and walking across the stage, diploma in hand. I had extended family fly in for the occasion, and it was so exciting to see everyone and end a wonderful chapter in my life.

3. My First Job

I experienced my first employment opportunity during the summer of 2013 - an advertising and marketing internship with a real estate group in South Tampa. I learned so much from the experience, and am excited to have the opportunity to check in and work next week for them again!

4. Relationships

2013 was a growing year in terms of relationships for me. I learned which friends were worth holding on to and which were better left in Tampa. This process sounds a lot darker and depressing than it actually was; in fact, it was so rewarding to concentrate my attention and love from a relatively large conglomeration of friends into a smaller set. I also met so many new friends in college, and have experienced more love and support from these people that I have only known for a couple of months than I could have ever imagined. 

I spy Ben Rector ;)

5. Going to College

As exciting as college acceptances were, the day when I realized I had a new home, a new life, and new friends was so rewarding, exciting, and a little bit scary. This day happened when I attended the Class of 2017 Convocation, and it instantly became so clear why I was where I was. Since then I have tried to make the most of my college experiences by joining clubs, pursuing friendships, studying and figuring out what excites me in the classroom, and experiencing Charlottesville along the way.

Happy end of 2013!