School is over now, right??

            After getting through what seems like endless tests, quantitative labs, and Epics reports, it seems like I should already be at home in South Carolina laying in the sun enjoying my summer. Of course, that isn’t the case quite yet, and I’ll be in Colorado for another few brutal weeks. Even though I’m already counting down the days until finals are over and I can go home for a few months of much-needed relaxation, it doesn’t seem like my freshman year of college should already be ending. If you think your senior year of high school flew by, just wait until you get to college.

            I don’t know if I’ve mentioned the bipolar weather out here in Colorado, but I feel like I need to tell you all again. I was completely convinced that the snow was over in March, but I was wrong. We had a few days of snow a couple weeks ago and it snowed this last weekend! Snow in April seems so foreign to me; of course, snow at all is pretty uncommon in South Carolina regardless of the month. In between these cold spells we had some days where it was so hot we actually went down to the creek and tanned. I’m just not used to such indecisive weather! I’m refusing to accept that it can get cold again, and I’ve packed up all my winter coats and jackets. All I have left in my closet are a few light sweaters and cardigans. It’s supposed to be spring, and Colorado will just have to catch up with the South, because I’m not allowing any more cold weather this school year!

Tanning at the creek; oblivious of the next week’s impending snow.

            Even though the year is almost out, I still have plenty to do around school. I have another physics test, another calculus test, my epics robot to build, my epics report to write, and finals. If I thought I had already made it through my rounds of horrors I was definitely wrong. Even though all the work I need to do before leaving will be spaced out, it still seems like it will be impossible to accomplish everything. I just don’t feel like I should have to study. I’m definitely craving summer and some time without schoolwork. All I need to do is get through finals and I’m home free! As soon as I get home, though, I’ll be back to the grindstone with a summer internship. I don’t know too many freshmen who have an internship their first year (it definitely isn’t a requirement), but if you want one you should definitely go for it. I’m looking forward to making some extra spending money- yes my internship is paid- and getting to spend some time around professional engineering. A few weeks ago I declared my major as Chemical Engineering, so having an internship in polymers this year is really going to give me a good idea of what I’ll be doing if I stick with this major. Of course, if I change my mind that will be fine; plenty of students end up switching majors. Even though this summer isn’t going to be full of lounging around by the pool and hanging out with friends, it’ll still be a great break from all the constant projects and studying here at Mines.

            Despite the seemingly incessant work, when I look back at my year at Mines thus far I really have loved it. Going to school here is an absolutely amazing experience. It’s full of students with a great work ethic, so I really am more motivated to study, but there are so many fun things to do along the way. We just finished up having E-Days and it was so much fun! I can’t believe students made cardboard boats and floated down the creek; they looked so cold! The concert and dance party were tons of fun, and even though the fireworks were canceled (there’s a fire ban in Jefferson County; apparently Colorado has some drought problems!) I’m sure when they have them they’ll be amazing. There have still been other things going on around campus. They gave out free snow cones a few days ago, which were absolutely delicious, and had another concert for apparently no reason. A Mines student even opened for the main band! We’ve all been hanging out as a floor too. Morgan 3^rd is definitely the best; I love my RA Ali! We all tye-dyed tank tops for E-Days, which I’ve never done before. We had a couple girls on the floor who are seasoned tye-dye champions, so everybody had help if they wanted it, and all the shirts look amazing! My roommate and I also tried to make Jello a few weeks ago, and even though we failed it was definitely worth trying once.

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Our failed, lumpy attempt at Jello. If you try this next year, good luck!

            All fun aside, I’ve learned so much this year. I came to Mines expecting myself to be an engineering physics major, and I fell in love with renewable energy. I’m so lucky that Mines offers an Energy minor, which will fit perfectly with my Chemical Engineering major. Our school really does allow students to find what part of engineering or science they love and to make a career out of it. Someday I hope to work creating energy-saving options, whether it is a new type of electric car or a seemingly unimpressive efficient light bulb. I just know that I want to help solve the energy crisis. The classes I’ve taken so far at school, including Nature and Human Values, Physics, and Chemistry, have really made me realize what I want to do with my life. Without Mines I don’t think I ever would have found my passion, and I can’t wait to start taking Chemical Engineering classes next year. I’m officially on my way to my career!