030. And I bet you thought I forgot this blog existed

As the year comes to an end, I can’t help but look back and reflect on my first year of university. The ups and downs (but mostly a crap ton of ups)…

I’ve been to countless second and third floor Okanagan dinners, celebrated plenty of birthdays in style and with a lot of love, been down to Wreck Beach (the stairs really aren’t that bad), went to the Student Leadership Conference, the Arts Career Expo, graduated from the Vice Presidents, Students Emerging Leaders Program, joined house council as a floor rep for second term, watched my beautiful friend Stephanie campaign her little butt off to win house president of Okanagan 2011/2012, I’ve been to Stanley Park, had countless hangouts with the Vancouver (Mob)ilizers (mad mob love for life), experienced the power of We Day, taken incredibly courses with amazing professors, went to Langley, and Washington, and oh yeah, made the best friends family in rez a girl could ask for.

OK 2nd and 3rd at Vanier Spring Formal

I was a little afraid that I wouldn’t use my time here to its fullest, taking in every moment. It is so easy to forget to actually live, to experience things that go against the norm, outside your comfort zone and take advantage of every opportunity you have to try something new or do something you love. I didn’t want to be afraid to live, and I still don’t. Despite whatever sadness I might have experienced this year, whatever stress or anger, frustration or annoyance, I wouldn’t change one damn thing. I feel changed, not a new person but definitely an improved version of myself. Krystal 2.0. This year was absolutely everything that I dreamed it would be, and so much more. I’m currently packing up my room, figuring out where to store my stuff, studying for exams, and hanging out as much as possible with my OK fam jam before I have to say my teary goodbyes as I leave to catch my flight back to Ontario. It’s all happening so fast, and a part of my wants to return to the comfort of my home, my beautiful sister and supportive parents, but I also want to hold on as tightly as possible because I know it’s going to suck being away for three and a half months. But no big, I’ll survive…with a lot of Skype dates, visits from my BC friends in T.O., and some old-fashioned letters. If I had any doubts in September about whether UBC was the right place for me, they’ve definitely gotten the hell outta Dodge.

Now, if you are a potential first year student, whether you have chosen to come to UBC or are still deciding, if you make the decision of where to go rationally and with a lot of heart, you’ll make the right decision. Don’t let someone talk you out of achieving whatever the heck it is you want to do. If I listened to every person and every voice in my head that doubted my decisions, I wouldn’t be here, chilling in my dorm room, getting ready for exams and having the time of my life. And if you’re feeling like your choices are like falling head first right off a cliff…wait for it, cheesy line coming up…you’ll be surprised at how often you learn to fly. Or at least land gracefully at the bottom.

Oh, and if you decide that UBC is indeed the place for you, I’ll see you at Imagine Day as one of your MUG Leaders, and at the VP Student Emerging Leaders Commencement as your Pod Leader. And if you have the opportunity to live in rez, take it, take it, take it! If you let it, it’ll redefine your first year experience. I cannot stress enough how much rez life has impacted me. Plus, if you’re at Place Vanier I just might be your residence advisor. Next year will be a crazy ride, so hang in until graduation, have a kick ass summer and see you (other than in blog form) in September!