Thursday, September 14, 2017

university in the morning





I had my first class on Monday morning, and when it let out early I found a park bench to sit on and study while I waited for my sister to get out of her first class (mine was Family Studies and hers was Stats, so I think we know who got the better deal). In the shadow of an old, elegantly-bricked building, with my notes spread across my lap, I was happy to be back in school ... and that kind of surprised me.

Every semester when classes start again, I have a bad habit of looking at it as an opportunity to fail, like this is the year I'm going to drop the ball and miss assignments and blank on the exam ... like this is the term I'm not going to be able to keep my schedule together, and get all the readings done, and actually write the term paper due at the beginning of December. But, you know, it's usually fine, and by the end of the year after final exams, maybe there were a couple of marks I wasn't totally happy with, but I made it.

So I'm hoping that this will be the year that I just learn to relax a little bit (!!!) and stop overthinking things, and maybe expect for once that things will go well. I like to prepare for the worst (which isn't always a bad thing!) but often with me becomes being terrified of the worst and refusing to believe that the best is even possible. And that's not such a great place to be.

Here's to setting kinder expectations and upholding the highest of hopes ... and here's to the knowledge that it's just school, after all, and we can so do this.

what are your biggest school fears? biggest school dreams? what hopes are you holding onto this fall?

xx,
Olivia

12 comments:

  1. UHHhhhh, these pictures are so pretty!
    Gotta love the 'study on a bench with a nice cup of something yummy in the fall' happy moments <3

    And I totally feel you about starting new semesters! I also tend to approach them with so much anxiety and dread.
    Such good thoughts for me to chew on starting this school year!
    oxoxox
    elissa // letters-to-jayna.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Elissa!! The campus of the school I attend is naturally gorgeous, so taking pretty pictures is easy! :)

      Keep the good thoughts coming! We can do this!

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  2. Girl I feel this post so much. The beginning of the school year is one of the most stressful times, but I'm trying to be hopeful. I'm trying not to expect failure. Good luck this year. You're gonna slay it!

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    1. Yay you, Hannah! Keep expecting good things - I know you're going to rock it this year. :)

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  3. Aww, pretty pictures. Here's to a great year!

    Hailey
    www.haileyhudson.wordpress.com

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  4. I hope that your year is wonderful!!! <3

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  5. Aw, don't be stressed, chica! I think a lot of it has to do with your mindset going in. I struggle with fear and negative thoughts but when I start thinking positively I can approach a situation with good energy and joy. These are awesome photos! Praying that your year goes well! :)

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    1. Erin, I think you nailed it - it's all about the mindset. I'm working hard to change mine this semester! Thanks always for your prayers <3

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  6. Totally understand this. Sometimes I wonder if I brace myself for the worst because it saves me from disappointment? It's kinda silly since very, very few times things have worked out as bad as I imagined. They usually work out better. Hope your college term goes well for you!

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    1. Meaghan, I think I do the same thing ... I just don't want to be disappointed either! But you're right - so often everything is fine, and I wasted time worrying about an unrealistic "worst-case" scenario. Here's to more positivity!

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