Final semester

My final semester of college was bittersweet. For the first few months, I dreaded the idea of graduating and having to face the cold reality of a lifelong career. I moped and whined, and eventually went into denial. I began to just completely ignore the fact I would graduate. This period, however, was probably the worst of my semester, as I didn't get much accomplished socially or intellectually. I watched television, read forums and Wikipedia online, and played an exorbitant amount of Guitar Hero 2--something I swore to myself I would never do.

Somewhere around early March I realized graduation wouldn't be all bad. After talking with a friend who was also graduating, I realized some of the best times of my life have been during the summer at home. While college was always a nice retreat and a great place to avoid the parents and drink full time, I missed my old friends and Northern Virginia. As I suffer from mild social anxiety, I tend to enjoy myself more when forced into social situations, like when I'm working full time. Having to interact with new people on a daily basis for hours at a time really opens me up and gets me feeling good. As soon as I fessed up to the fact, I began enjoying myself more. Not only that, but I also start to set goals.

I decided I wanted to finish off my college career strong. I had been floundering academically, satisfied with my almost perpetual 2.9 GPA. After beginning to actually study for tests (i.e., reading chapters and actually memorizing material for more than 2 hours) I noticed a stark improvement in my grades. I posted a final GPA of almost 3.5--my best ever. I also decided I wanted to look good for the summer. I had been on and off short term diets since my first semester of junior year. They were however, too lenient in the amount of exercise and way too lax in terms of diet. I ate nothing but gumbys pizzas, potato chips, French fries, and tater tots for almost three years of college. This semester I was determined to stave off my old eating habits. Despite the fact I would need to spend more money, I realized it was worth the cost. I began to eat only relatively healthy and simple items. The best healthy entrees I could come up with on a relatively thin budget were things like lean Chili, lentil soup, chicken Caesar wraps, and snacks like fat free and baked chips, yogurt, granola bars, and popcorn. I also realized I could eat less and still feel healthy and energetic. Coupled with a healthy amount of exercise (400 step-ups, 200 sit-ups, and 60 push-ups per day three times a week) I managed to lose nearly 40 pounds in three months, going from 205 to 168. I literally haven’t been this thin since high school, and I imagine I weighed more at some point since I was always to scared to weigh myself during my peak girth.
I finally graduated in early May and really enjoyed myself. Although there was still a lingering feeling of anticipation, it was a relief to know I’d never have to study for a hard week of tests, spend 30 hours in a week working on a group project, or deliver an academic presentation again. Now I’m readying myself for work, which I start in mid June at a major computer corporation. I sincerely hope I enjoy my job and find it rewarding but not overwhelming . Things are beginning to fall into place and I would really like to buy a condo sometime toward the end of the summer.
Also, that new Nissan Truck is looking pretty sexy… :)