relationships.

This is probably one of the biggest things I get asked about when going to college. 

"What are you and Drew going to do when you go away?"

And I respond with a, "Well, I'm sure we'll be fine, I really am not worrying about it."

Want to know the truth? I am honestly not worried about it.

Drew is my first and only boyfriend. Of 4 years. I know, crazy right? I always thought I was going to date around and maybe gain some experience in high school but I met a wonderful guy and we just seemed to click and I blinked my eyes and we have been dating for 4 freakin' years. 

That's longer than some people wait to get married and I have been with this annoying, silly, loving man for that long.

I really do not like the fact that I was not able to date around or have that type of "fun" but I do not regret in anyway meeting drew. I believe that we have had more fun together than what I would have dating a bunch of boys. I figure that I am going to stay with drew as long as we are happy. 

People ask if I think we will last, I respond by saying if things keep going the way they are going, probably. But I'm not planning my marriage with him, I'm not picking out the name of my children because I understand that the both of us have a lot of growing to do. We can either grow together or grow apart. That's the reality of things. 

So many people in my small town think if you are dating someone you are automatically thinking of marriage. There are SO MANY people in Drew's class that are engaged or already married. Mind you they are 19/20/21. And though i respect their decisions, part of me wonders if they are only getting married for the hype. I'm sure they love each other, but I don't think they understand that they are all still so young, they have no idea where their lives are going to take them. Then again I could be entirely mistaken. I know plenty of high school sweethearts that have lasted. I guess well find out in the future. 

But the thing with Drew and I is that we are not putting all of our eggs in one basket. We are going to stay together as long as we are happy together, as long as we have fun with each other, I want to be with him because I want to be with him, not because I feel like I have to. 

It'll be hard to not see him as often, sure, but I feel like it will help us find each other and grow ourselves. Also I feel like it'll make our relationship stronger. He'll probably come see me On a couple of weekends. It'll be fine. We will skype, text, talk. It's not like I'm going to completely be away from him.

So no. I do not worry about us. 

college is expensive.

You probably read the title of this and responded with a "well, duh." but it's so true. If you are planning to go away to college then you are planning to blow some major cash. 

I was originally going to commute to a closer school my first year to save some money because that is what my parents wanted me to do. They thought it would be in my best interest and it would save a lot of money.  But my heart was set on going away to school. So I begged, I pleaded, there were in fact tears, I contemplated making a power point of the reasons I should go, but in the end I managed to convince them and I am now attending the college I wanted to.

But because of that I am spending about $17,000 more. That's a a lot of money. But I think it'll be worth it. 

I thought from the beginning that I was going to pay for the majority of my college, which I still am. I see my friends that are getting their colleges paid for by their parents and they are truly lucky. I would love for my parents to pay for my college, but I feel like I will benefit more in the long run than those who are getting their colleges paid for. You can disagree if you'd like, but I feel like I will have more initiative to try harder. 

Now im not saying I'm paying for all of my college all by myself. My parents said that I will get $6000 from them every undergrad year and my grandparents will give me $2500 each semester my freshman year, if I maintain good grades, and I will get $2000 from my other grandmother, I won about $2000 in scholarships and made about $2300 from my grad party. I am also working this summer at a job I absolutely HATE and will make about $1500. So I am definitely getting help. 

But all of that is going to a hefty bill of around $68000. That's not including graduate school either. So every penny I make working goes directly into paying off college. That means for the next 6 years I will be B-R-O-K-E. 

I want to get out of college being able to payoff my debt so I will not see a penny of that money. Which sucks, sure, but in the long run I'll appreciate it. 

We'll see how all of that goes. Better believe I will be hitting up every free thing possible.

a little about me.

Hi there again! 

I figured I should explain to you a little more about me before we get this whole thing started. Sound good? Okay.

Well my name is Rachael. sometimes Rach. You can call me whatever you'd like. I really could care less. 

I have a pretty successful beauty blog already and I will be posting on both this and that throughout my years in college. 

I have a boyfriend of almost 4 years, I know what your thinking, "this girl is crazy." but I figure I'm staying with my man as long as we are happy together. However long that may be. I will elaborate on him in another post.

My best friend, Erika is going to Ohio State in the fall and she is actually already down in columbus now with her sister, so I really haven't seen much of her this summer. I guess well see how that friendship pans out in the years to come. Hopefully it'll work out but it'll be difficult, that's for sure. 

I come from a divorced family. My mom and dad divorced when I was about a year old. My mom got married soon after that to my stepdad who I have grown up with my entire life and love just like a father. My dad en got married a couple years after that to my stepmother who is all an incredibly wonderful person. I have 5 siblings. 1 sister, Kennis, that I have lived with my whole life, she is my mother and stepfathers girl. She's going to be a sophomore in high school this upcoming year. Then I have 1 brother, Rhyan, and 3 sisters on the other side. Kylee, Alyssa, and Elizabeth. I have wonderful grandparents and a strong support system.

This fall I will be attending Ball State University. I will be majoring in speech-language pathology. I know what you're thinking, why not public relations? Journalism? Marketing? Well, even though I would be good at all of this things, I do not want to be stuck in front of a computer most of the day. Also, I want to have the chance to better peoples lives and to help them. 

My dream is to one day have my own speech clinic. Okay, it's not a dream. It's going to be reality. I'm determained. I have a business mentality. Ican make something out of nothing. It's a gift I have always had and I have determained that I am going to keep it.

That's the plan as of now, well see where life takes me. I'm sure everything will not pan out according to my plan, but that is life and I am ready for whatever is going to be thrown at me.

- Rach

the time is now.

So hi,  

Here I am sitting at the lake watching my boyfriend and his cousins get ready to tube. Just me, here, sitting on the pontoon. Sitting alone on a peaceful lake really makes you think about life, you know?

Well that is the reason I am here typing a blog post on my iPad (which is something I absolutely hate but is what I am left with. Oh well.) 

First, let me begin by introducing myself. I am an eighteen year old recent high school graduate. I graduated ranked 12th in my class, was a soccer player, cheerleader, had a ton of friends and stayed true to myself throughout high school, which I am happy to say. I had one really good friend throughout high school and a boyfriend, two years older, that I dated as well. My family life was wonderful and all of my relationships were great. I was truly blessed to have everyone in my life supporting me. I have no regrets from high school (other than not attempting to be in the musical, but oh well.) and I had a wonderful time. But just recently has it hit me that I'm never going back, and I realized that I'm okay with that. 

I'm ready to start my new life chapter, to take the plunge and to experience different aspects of life. I'm ready for college. 

I came up with the idea of writing a "college experience" blog when I realized I had no one to look to in my life to tell me an honest account of what their first year of college or university was like. So I decided to take matters into my own hands, go in blindly and tell you, my readers, whomever you may be, a blatantly honest review of my experiences. From academics, to partying, to keeping or losing relationships, making friends, making money, roommates, time management, everything. 

I know it would have been helpful for me at least.  

So, as I sit here on this hot day, watching the pontoons, jet skis and fishing boats pass by I begin my adventure. If you care to join me go ahead. 

I'm sure it'll be an interesting ride.




- Rach