1 Semester Down, 7+ to Go
My first semester of college is almost over.
I, Mary Kathryn Ahlberg, survived my first ever semester of COLLEGE. I can't believe I did it. After a plethora of papers, exams, stressful days, and accomplishments, I've just about finished my first semester of college.
It still doesn't feel real. I feel like I'm at a camp just doing extra work in order to go home. I still feel like I should be at OHS as a senior, going through my block-schedule day, eating "A" lunch, sitting in choir working on the latest Eric Whitacre piece with my classmates, talking to P-Shives instead of going to the bathroom during class time, and working towards my tassel, since it is worth the hassle. But I'm not.
I'm in a whole new world with thousands of people who don't know me or my background. There may be a few Owatonna Alum at Viterbo or even UW-L, but I never see the UW-L folks, let alone the few here at Viterbo. But I'm totally okay with that.
I LOVED Owatonna, don't get me wrong! It was a wonderful town to grow up in, and was such a blessing for me socially, educationally, and had many job opportunities for me. People don't give Owatonna as much credit as it deserves. The wonderful city is known all over the country for many different things, and we do an awesome job of keeping it well known.
But being at college has made me love it here, just as much, if not more. I love visiting Owatonna, but since college has started, when I come home to visit and happen to see people I know or other triggers that reminds me of parts of my high school experience, it makes me anxious and overwhelmed. As much as I love Owatonna, I have some pretty negative memories that come with it, as do other people.
When I left for college, I was everything a typical new college freshman would feel: nervous, excited, happy, scared, upset, etc. I knew college would be tough, but I was ready to accept the challenge and leave the memories behind to start a new chapter of my life.
College has made me in complete control of my life. In highschool, just cause you're 18 or think you're in complete control of your life, you're not. You still rely on your parents to cook your meals or do your laundry, or buy your necessities. But in college, you're all on your own. It's up to you to do what you need to get it done. My mom or dad aren't there to wake me up, or to force me to study, or to tell me what I can and cannot do. Now that I'm now finally an adult (kinda), I make my own decisions and I'm really on my own.
Educationally, I'm learning how to study. In high school, I got good grades, but didn't want to put in the effort to study for those terrible AP World History tests and more. Once I was accepted into college, I didn't care. Not in college. If you fail a class, you're screwed. You either give up, or pay an extra $500 to retake the class. Nobody is there to nag you or make sure you're in class. It's up to you.
Socially, I can say I'm pretty confident I've made lifelong friends already. My new friends are so wonderful and know how to be a friend. Yes, they know me, but only the things I've told them. It's so relieving to have new friends who only know parts of my life and not having to worry if they're judging my past. But in all, the friends I've met here at Viterbo are absolutely fantastic and I'm so blessed to have them in my life.
Spiritually, I've gotten so much closer to God this semester than I ever thought. My relationship with the LORD had already grown stronger through my years of high school, but college has helped so much. The Campus Ministry is full of wonderful, Christ-driven individuals who have helped me gain the relationship with our Father even more than ever. I see the Catholic faith so much more beautiful than ever and know this is where I'm supposed to be. I go to weekly bible study, "Supper and Scripture", Taize prayer, mass, and recently, daily mass. Each and every experience I've had at these events with other people who love Christ as much as I do has really brought out my inner need and passion for the Catholic faith. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways, and I can't wait to see where He leads me next on my spiritual journey.
I see my life as a big puzzle that started from the moment I was conceived, and will be finished on the day I die. Every experience I have is just another piece connected to the others. The picture of my life is slowly coming together. I can see parts of it, but others are not yet revealed. College has given me so many pieces to add to my puzzle, but it's not over yet.
Viterbo has been so good to me. Everything about it is a blessing, even classes I hate. I know by taking classes and doing the work, it will help me achieve my goal of graduating with a Elementary Ed major and Special Ed minor in 2018.
Thank you so much to everyone who have been thinking of me and praying for me and all the other college students while on our journeys. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to be where we all are now!
Love you all!
-Mary Kathryn
I, Mary Kathryn Ahlberg, survived my first ever semester of COLLEGE. I can't believe I did it. After a plethora of papers, exams, stressful days, and accomplishments, I've just about finished my first semester of college.
It still doesn't feel real. I feel like I'm at a camp just doing extra work in order to go home. I still feel like I should be at OHS as a senior, going through my block-schedule day, eating "A" lunch, sitting in choir working on the latest Eric Whitacre piece with my classmates, talking to P-Shives instead of going to the bathroom during class time, and working towards my tassel, since it is worth the hassle. But I'm not.
I'm in a whole new world with thousands of people who don't know me or my background. There may be a few Owatonna Alum at Viterbo or even UW-L, but I never see the UW-L folks, let alone the few here at Viterbo. But I'm totally okay with that.
I LOVED Owatonna, don't get me wrong! It was a wonderful town to grow up in, and was such a blessing for me socially, educationally, and had many job opportunities for me. People don't give Owatonna as much credit as it deserves. The wonderful city is known all over the country for many different things, and we do an awesome job of keeping it well known.
But being at college has made me love it here, just as much, if not more. I love visiting Owatonna, but since college has started, when I come home to visit and happen to see people I know or other triggers that reminds me of parts of my high school experience, it makes me anxious and overwhelmed. As much as I love Owatonna, I have some pretty negative memories that come with it, as do other people.
When I left for college, I was everything a typical new college freshman would feel: nervous, excited, happy, scared, upset, etc. I knew college would be tough, but I was ready to accept the challenge and leave the memories behind to start a new chapter of my life.
College has made me in complete control of my life. In highschool, just cause you're 18 or think you're in complete control of your life, you're not. You still rely on your parents to cook your meals or do your laundry, or buy your necessities. But in college, you're all on your own. It's up to you to do what you need to get it done. My mom or dad aren't there to wake me up, or to force me to study, or to tell me what I can and cannot do. Now that I'm now finally an adult (kinda), I make my own decisions and I'm really on my own.
Educationally, I'm learning how to study. In high school, I got good grades, but didn't want to put in the effort to study for those terrible AP World History tests and more. Once I was accepted into college, I didn't care. Not in college. If you fail a class, you're screwed. You either give up, or pay an extra $500 to retake the class. Nobody is there to nag you or make sure you're in class. It's up to you.
Socially, I can say I'm pretty confident I've made lifelong friends already. My new friends are so wonderful and know how to be a friend. Yes, they know me, but only the things I've told them. It's so relieving to have new friends who only know parts of my life and not having to worry if they're judging my past. But in all, the friends I've met here at Viterbo are absolutely fantastic and I'm so blessed to have them in my life.
Spiritually, I've gotten so much closer to God this semester than I ever thought. My relationship with the LORD had already grown stronger through my years of high school, but college has helped so much. The Campus Ministry is full of wonderful, Christ-driven individuals who have helped me gain the relationship with our Father even more than ever. I see the Catholic faith so much more beautiful than ever and know this is where I'm supposed to be. I go to weekly bible study, "Supper and Scripture", Taize prayer, mass, and recently, daily mass. Each and every experience I've had at these events with other people who love Christ as much as I do has really brought out my inner need and passion for the Catholic faith. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways, and I can't wait to see where He leads me next on my spiritual journey.
I see my life as a big puzzle that started from the moment I was conceived, and will be finished on the day I die. Every experience I have is just another piece connected to the others. The picture of my life is slowly coming together. I can see parts of it, but others are not yet revealed. College has given me so many pieces to add to my puzzle, but it's not over yet.
Viterbo has been so good to me. Everything about it is a blessing, even classes I hate. I know by taking classes and doing the work, it will help me achieve my goal of graduating with a Elementary Ed major and Special Ed minor in 2018.
Thank you so much to everyone who have been thinking of me and praying for me and all the other college students while on our journeys. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to be where we all are now!
Love you all!
-Mary Kathryn
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