So a day after my birthday I have officially graduated college with an AFA in animation and I really don't know how to feel about it. I suppose in a way I'm kind of apathetic about it all considering I'm just going back to school again this fall to work towards getting my BFA anyway.
But that aside, as much as I know it's time to move on, I'm really going to miss a lot about these past two years because, they really changed my life in a lot of ways.
I was far from the best student in high school. I was constantly angry and upset and all around really didn't care about a handful of things that I should have. This was due to having pretty much zero self worth, extreme anxiety and depression problems and a whole lot of personal things I really don't want to get into but, long story short I was a pretty crappy individual to most people.
Going into college and having more responsibilities taught me I could to a lot more than I ever thought I could. I got better at time management and I actually started putting effort into my work and feeling alright about it. I became more health conscious as well, which is a big deal for me and managed to drop 20-30 pounds since the time I began college. I went from an often times barely passing high school student to a college student who consistently got A's and B's and really pushed to do better.
I began to feel like I wasn't just a waste of space because of those things but what really helped and changed me the most were all the wonderful friends I've made.
See, I have terrible social anxiety. I was terrified of new people and new situations and even approaching a new person would freak me out and cause me to feel weak and shaky. It was at the point even doing something like going to the movies would cause me to have anxiety attacks. Talking, I would almost indefinitely freeze up, repeat words or accidentally say a completely different word instead of the one meant.
A lot of this I think stems from the fact that, again I have no self confidence and even worse self esteem. I'm disgusted with myself and how I look 99% of the time and I just assume other people are too.
This year and last however, I was lucky enough to meet a group of fabulous people who were able to look past all of these issues. I don't know if you all know it or not but you really helped me get over a lot of these things and be a lot more comfortable with myself and who I am.
Charlotte, Alex, Logan, Mary, and Sam (I don't know your tumblr url I'm sorry D:) , Thank you guys so much for being amazing friends and putting up with all my shit. I just want you to know you have made a big positive impact on my life. I love you guys so much and I'm really going to miss you.
I'd be lying if I said all my issues are gone, because they're far from it. But you all really made me feel like I was worth something and like my work was worth something. I have a long way to go still and I still really don't know what I want to do with my life but at least now I can look people in the eye with a little more confidence when they ask me what I'm in college for when I tell them I'm in college for an art degree
BECAUSE GOSH DANGIT GUYS I CAN ART