As I prepare to finish my junior year of high school, my world seems to have exploded. A few weeks ago I took my SAT, for which I dutifully prepared for months. My normal school schedule has been difficult; I've had a lot of tests recently. I have been looking much harder at colleges so I can begin applying this summer. The last three weeks have held four different college visits for me, two of which were overnight. I've been babysitting frequently, and this week I also got a summer job. And to this already full schedule I add my friends (who I try to spend as much time as possible with) and church activities (I am actually attending one tomorrow morning).

I am writing this at midnight on a Friday night. It's quiet and peaceful; the first time I've had to myself in days. I've had no chance to reflect on the things that have been going on in my life, so I am going to seize this opportunity to do just that.

First of all, I have learned not to make any definite plans about college yet. As of right now, I don't know how everything is going to turn out. Right now I should be more concerned with gathering information, making a list of the schools I will be applying to, and asking God to help me make the right decision. I've seen how quickly my plans can change. In less than a month, the school at the top of my list has gone to the bottom, and the school at the bottom of my list has gone to the top. All I will say about that is- college visits are very informative.

On a side note, if you are looking at colleges, VISIT. I didn't understand why people stressed this point until I did start visiting colleges. Now I understand. It really will help you make your decision. A website or pamphlet only shows you the good, but a visit to a school will yield the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Back to my reflections: people interest me. They really do. I love talking to new people. I love finding out what they are like and what interests them. And I've met a myriad of new people recently.

First there was P. I met him at one of the schools I visited. He was a bit of a hippie and a bit of a flirt. He did his best to try to get me to smoke a rather strange substance; thankfully, I'm not stupid. This guy was actually very helpful; through him, I discovered what one of my top schools was really like.

Then there was B. B. was, well, himself. I enjoyed talking to him. I really did. But he did a good job of surprising me. He was one of those people who you expect to be one way and who turns out to be quite the opposite.

I also met C. C. was refreshing. I met her just a few weeks ago, and I feel like I've known her for years.

I wish I had time for more reflections, but my eyes are drooping. I have to get up early tomorrow, so I need my rest. Forgive me for my rambling. Good night.