The day I turned in my last final exam for this previous semester, I went sledding. As I was screaming down the hill (because, even though it was my idea to go sledding in the first place, I didn't realize how utterly terrifying it would be), I felt stress from the previous semester release. There is an indescribable feeling of freedom upon realizing you don't need to go home to a mountain of homework to complete or papers to write. There is also something about screaming at the top of your lungs that sometimes feels so good.

My break off from school has been wonderful but has, of course, flew by much too fast. I spent the holiday with my love and his amazing, welcoming family. We watched classic Christmas movies I had never seen before, such as the Muppet Christmas Carol, and spent time eating (probably too much time eating) and relaxing with an array of good people. This was probably the best Christmas I've had in 5 years, and I loved every second of it.

I spent New Years' Eve with friends who recently got married. We cooked a dinner that is usually much too classy for a college budget - lamb, mushroom risotto, green beans, bread and brie cheese! We reflected on the year before and shared visions for the year ahead before watching the ball drop at midnight. It was a perfect evening, and a wonderful way to end one year and start the next.
This year, I have a lot to look forward to. I'm beyond excited to graduate college. I'm excited to see what this year has in store for me and the man I'm in love with, and to experience all the adventures ahead of us. I'm thankful for the experience to continue to grow as a future social worker in my internship, where I work with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in a local crisis center.
I'm also very excited to begin my last semester at Eastern. I really enjoy my field of study and have had amazing professors throughout my time there. I'm feeling significantly less anxiety prior to classes starting this time around than in previous semesters. Perhaps after 4 years I'm finally getting the hang of this college thing! There are a few things I do every semester that might be helpful for other students, especially students from foster care:

- Get an "apocalypse stash". I have a cupboard that I keep stocked full of food - soup, granola bars, tea, frozen meals, etc. On days I work late or have a paper to complete, knowing I have food to come home to (or grab for breakfast in the morning) is a lifesaver. My friends literally call it my "apocalypse stash."

- Take care of yourself – which sometimes mean saying no! This is perhaps the most significant (/difficult) thing I've learned throughout college, and plan on carrying over this same philosophy into grad school and my future career. There are certainly times throughout the semester when I feel almost invincible; I find myself saying yes to every opportunity and feeling like I'm capable of doing it all. And for awhile, I usually am. But then I undoubtedly get sick, start to feel overwhelmed, and begin to struggle. I've learned that sometimes, it's better for me to say "no, thank you" than committing to something and letting everyone else (or myself) down. In that same line of thinking, it's so important to plan time to relax and unwind, whether that be spending time with friends or doing something you enjoy.
- Find a mentor, or someone you can be selfish with. I found myself in a predicament last semester, where I felt like I was at a relatively low point and was looking for someone to talk to. As I went through the list of my incredibly supportive, wonderful friends, I found myself saying things like "I can't call Friend #1, she's working. Friend #2 is dealing with some pretty heavy health issues and my feelings seem petty in comparison to hers right now. Friend #3 is going through a break-up, and I shouldn't bother him with more grief. I haven't talked to friend #4 in ages... I don't feel like explaining everything that's going on." A mentor, on the other hand, is able to provide support without asking for it in return. Even if you don't recognize the need for a mentor figure initially, situations may arise throughout the semester that you may not expect, where a supportive adult or friend you can be selfish with would be helpful.

- Utilize campus resources, like campus-based support programs and on campus health centers. Make connections with your university. Join a club or volunteer for an organization you’re passionate about. Not only does university involvement look great on grad school applications and job resumes, it’s a great way to make friends and feel supported by your community.

- DO SOMETHING FUN in your spare time, like going sledding, and screaming the entire way down the hill. You'll be so glad you did.