traveling northwesternward...

"I like eating savory crap...s"

Yes, my dad's suggestive and juvenile sense of humor never lags. With the consistent reminders of this very fact during our long day of adventuring around Northwestern's campus, I found myself in constant fit of giggles (whether out of amusement, embarrassment, or annoyance). With or without the never ceasing comidy acts, I still would have been giddy. Northwestern's prestigious reputation, proximity to Chitown, and aptitude for journalism had been making me increasingly excited for weeks; it seemed perfect, which was why I reacted like the stereotypical cheerleader (bouncing/squealing/clapping) when my father offered to drive me up for a visitation.

Our day started out typically enough...I ended up waking up earlier than I normally would have for school, but my excitement made sleeping nearly impossible anyhow. As I struggled to choose the right attire (light layers with a "collegiate" feel), I quickly gathered random supplies that I decided might come in handy and threw everything hilterskilter into a sack. Frazzled, I arrived at my dad's house a smidge past eight to find my father still lounging at the kitchen table in his pajamas. After hurrying his daily routine, I pushed him out the door at nearly nine o'clock. Let the roadtrippin' begin...

After exploring, touring, tasting, we finally satisfied our curiosity. Northwestern ended up being very picturesque in some areas of the campus, while a little drab in others. The bike/walking path around the lakefront opened up the scenery nicely, but the rest of the campus seemed a bit squashed and almost dirty. As we walked through the paths, I noticed numerous flyers for a capella tryouts taped to the ground, which made me laugh. Apparently, the NWU style has always been to post notices for different events on the walking paths.

The buildings throughout our tour differed in architecture, though not by a grand amount; most exhibited a more modern feel, but still not necessarily new. I really loved the Medill School of Journalism's McCormick building, however, along with the explanation of their learning techniques. At Northwestern, I would have unlimited opportunities for internships, hands-on experience, and media equipment; it sounded wonderful. I do have to admit that I found the student union disappointing. With dark wood paneling and outdated furniture, I felt very much like I was eating in a cave. The food itself tasted fine, not necessarily impressing me but not making me gag either. I did, however, enjoy a large bowl of soft serve frozen yogurt (a personal favorite) and a "savory", create-it-yourself crepe, which I referenced in my father's attempt at comedy. Still, the town itself follows the typical college town layout with an endless supply of food and shopping in very close proximity to the campus, so I cannot complain about the lack of options. Also located in the union is one of the university's bookstores, which I definitely scoured for at least an hour. Northwestern's school colors are purple and white, and I fell in love with their unique sweatshirts, tshirts, and lanyards. My dad and I left the campus with more bundles of pamphlets and paraphernalia than we could handle.

Looking back on the day, I absolutely enjoyed myself to the fullest; now begins the worry over applying...

ISTEPstepstepping

"She is a very BAD kid!!"

My government teacher scrawled that ironically humorous phrase on the Comments section of my college visitation form with an evil glint in his eye. Apparently, he recently decided to test our administration's commitment to actually reading over the forms we turn in, and I unvoluntarily became one of his guinea pigs. I rolled my eyes and took my center seat as another one of my peers walked into the classroom, shaking his head at his own orange paper; he had just received an equally unsatisfactory review.

A good number of seniors decided to take college visitations this week as the rest of the school system focused on ISTEPs. After twelve dreadful years of mindnumbingly filling in bubble after bubble, we had finally satisfied the government's educational requirements and were relieved of our testing duties! While a mature reaction might have been to feel empathetic towards the poor unfortunate souls being forced through the various standardized units, we instead stooped to the lesser level of the point-and-laugh approach. It's quite fun. Not having to deal with ISTEPs is just one more advantage of being the top dogs, and we find it very necessary to exploit every opportunity to remind the underclassmen of that :)

As seniors without testing obligations, we're also allowed to leave early and arrive late. Our class schedules are very screwy: thus, the college visits. By taking them now, we avoid missing any major learning that might be happening in our absence (which in the case of my three AP classes would be very detrimental to my grades and health). Luckily, our classes are only 30 short minutes each tomorrow, so I doubt I will be missing much as I adventure around Northwestern's campus.

Lasting List

"My senior year needs to rock."

I specifically remember blabbing those exact words to my mother way back in August as we were scrubbing away the last remaining remnants of little kid filth from the fifth grade chairs. She immediately agreed without question. Of course, she would want her only daughter to experience a fabulous, fairytalesque final year of high school. Of course, she would understand my thirst for amazingness. Of course, she would expect the year to run as smoothly as possible. Of course. Yet, I somehow doubted she knew the extent to which I was defining that phrase.

As my final summer as a juvenile came to a close, I began the long mental list of goals I would need to accomplish this year, both personal and educational. Even though I started several hard copies, I failed to ever actually organize a complete tally of my tasks. Now, however, as I slowly struggle threw mounds of paperwork, obligations, and schedules, I regret my contingent nature. Starting now, I am responsible :)

list of college whatnots to complete:

• Meeting with Counselor (return "extracurriculars" paper)
• Register for SAT/ACT (check check--I think)
• College Visitations (turn in papers to office--Northwestern, NYU, and ?)
• College Applications (CommonApp.org)
• College Essay (Overcoming obstacles possibly)
• Scholarship Information (BIG collegeboard book-make list)
• Memorize SS# (about time...)
• Study for SAT/ACT (that may help this time)
• ...more to come (of that I am sure ;)

grade[twelve]

"I can already feel the senioritis taking control..."

Exciting, nerve racking, terrifying...Opinions from the top of the totem pole about becoming dominant differ greatly. While some find senior year to be an extremely stressful situation, others can barely control their desire to bounce and squeal out of pure joy. Even though the effects of growing older depend on individual variables, certain facts remain constant. Senior year means responsibility. It means tying your own shoelaces, making your own lunch, and paying for your own mistakes. It means learning the difference between safety and reality. It's a farewell to childhood and an introduction to the intimidating life of adulthood; it's the transition phase between adolescence and maturity. It is the final pounding step to independence.

After 12 long years of formal schooling, handholding, preparing, the public finally feels confident in releasing hoards of teenagers into the great and bitter reality. Are you ready?