Sunday, April 13, 2014

On Reading Slumps & College Visits

Over the past month, I feel as if I've been more absent from the blogosphere than present.

Sorry. 

In all honesty, I've been in an odd form of a reading slump. Granted, I haven't been reading the best of books, but even when I do pick up a great book and give it a high rating, I don't feel fulfilled by the novel in the least. I feel as if I'm still searching for the perfect book to get me out of my strange moods and unhappy reading funks, but I can't seem to find it yet. I feel as if my inability to become wholly immersed in a story is due to my own mental and emotional turmoil. Usually I can distance myself from the issues of my day-to-day life by reading; I can devote myself completely to a new world and unique characters and different dilemmas. Usually. 

Ever since I got back from Disney World in late March, I've been receiving acceptances and rejections from colleges which, obviously, has been hard. I didn't get into my top choice school. None of my friends got into their top choice schools. In fact, my very best friend and I - who have been neighbors for the past decade and inseparable friends for at least the past five years - aren't even going to the same college. On some level, I knew we would all wind up on our own separate paths, but it suddenly feels so real. I have six Mondays left in the school year. Six. And then I'm done with high school. 

Weird. 

Anyway, the point of this post is this: I am taking a short break to visit colleges in Boston, so I will be back with (hopefully!) more frequent posts on Thursday. I did, luckily, get into my second choice school, so after a quick visit I have a feeling I'll be ready to put down my deposit and commit. Even though I didn't get into my top choice school, I have a feeling I'm going to be a LOT happier at the school I did receive admittance into and I'm really very excited about visiting. I'm even staying overnight with a friend of mine at her dorm, so it should be a great trip. :)

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend filled with plenty of coffee, sunshine, and books. And I hope the start of this new week is just as wonderful and exciting for you as it will be for me. 

See on Thursday, dear readers!

26 comments:

  1. :(

    I know how you feel. I did get accepted to my first choice but all my friends are staying home for school and I'm going to Montreal (provided my average doesn't drop significantly...). I'm trying not to think about missing my friends and family... it's tough though. And senior year is almost over! It doesn't feel real. I'll be visiting next week. Hope your visit goes well! Boston seems like a gorgeous city. :)

    -P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex

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  2. Good luck with this venture, Keertana. I hope you'll get in wherever you wishes to go. A bit of a scary thing - staring at the future with such an alarming certainty/uncertainty but I'm sure you'll do great. :)

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  3. I'm sorry you weren't accepted into your top choice (they don't know what mistake they did though) but I'm sure you'll enjoy in Boston! :) They should be happy to have you :) You'll see, starting college was huge for me to and I didn't even move from my city but later it gets easier. Also I'm sorry you and your best friend won't be at the same college. You'll find some new friends for sure. I cannot wait to hear your impressions :) Good luck! :)

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  4. Awww I'm so sorry to hear you're going through a reading slump and that you didn't get into your top school. I remember all too well the college application process, and it was not fun in the slightest, but it gets so much better once you're attending classes and making new friends. It's a huge adjustment, I know, but the stress will decrease (except for exams but that's another thing entirely). I'm sure your close friend and you will stay in contact, and you'll be able to make new experiences apart from each other while also remaining good friends. And for all you know, maybe this other school is a better fit for you. Who knows? I hope you get out of this reading slump soon! What matters is that you're taking a huge step in your life and following your dreams! That's scary but also wonderful! :D

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  5. Good luck with college and life, I am sure wherever you end up will be great

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  6. I hope you find a college well suited for you, Keertana! I'm going to graduate in two years and I feel apprehensive. I can't imagine how you must feel right now.

    Hope you have fun touring for colleges! Just remember you lose friends in life but your true friends will always find a way of coming back into your life.

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  7. I hope you find a college well suited for you, Keertana! I'm going to graduate in two years and I feel apprehensive. I can't imagine how you must feel right now.

    Hope you have fun touring for colleges! Just remember you lose friends in life but your true friends will always find a way of coming back into your life.

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  8. Keertana, I'm so sorry you weren't accepted into your top choice. On the happier note, you did get into your second choice school. I have exactly gone through the same while applying for my grad school.You and your BFF in different school, sounds hard, I'm sure you'll have new friends and there is always ways to stay in touch with your BFF so cheer up!!. Have a great time in Boston!! Wishing you Good Luck, dear. (:

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  9. I'm sorry that reading hasn't been able to distract you from the stress of everyday life Keertana. I haven't felt up to much reading either lately, I think I finished like one book in a week :/ I hope everything works out for you college-wise and don't rush back, sometimes a break can make such a big difference *hugs*

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  11. Oh man, I completely understand where you're coming from, Keertana--we've all been there with senior years and college applications and rejections, and the general confusion and sadness that can come with things changing in our lives, too. I know it feels like a lot, and it should because it IS a lot. But you will get through it, and you'll be all the better for the experience....and you'll be where you were meant to be.

    I relate to the reading slump, too. After being sick for so long over Christmas, I haven't really ever regained my momentum with YA. I've been reading tons of romances and fluff, and I nodded when you said that even books you rate highly aren't ones you felt completely fulfilled by, either. I'm hoping I get over this soon, and I hope you do, too! ((( hugs )))

    Have a good break, Keertana. It's important to take the time to recharge every now and then.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  12. Good luck in Boston, Keertana! There are great schools there, and you WILL get into an amazing college, I'm sure! xo

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  13. I didn't get into my top choice of school either Keertana, but the school I ended up at turned out to be the perfect place for me. I have no doubt that will be the case for you as well, these things have a way of working themselves out. That's not to say it's not disappointing of course, I remember getting my rejection letter in the mail, so I'm sorry that happened to you. Boston has some extraordinary schools though, I hope you have an amazing time on your visit!

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  14. I'm sorry you didn't get into your top school, but that's wonderful you think you'll be happier at this other one. that's always a big aspect of college! I'm sorry your friends are all going on different paths, but you can still be friends and making new friends is always exciting. I love my high school AND college friends. :)

    -lauren

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  15. Aw, I'm sorry you didn't get into your top school but I know you'll pick one that will really work for you and that you'll love. I wound up loving my whole college experience. The seniors I teach are freaking out a bit right now, too. Six Mondays isn't a whole lot...and then life completely changes. Scary but awesome. You'll do fabulous!

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  16. Sometimes that second pick is SO much better than the first. Perhaps you will just fit so much more seamlessly. ((HUGS)) on your transition, but I have no doubts you will thrive in your new environment. Have fun!

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  17. Change is so hard no matter what it is and it sounds like you are going through a lot of it right now. I'm sorry you didn't get your top choice, but you'll end up where you were meant to be. It just works out like that. Boston has so much to offer! It's a fantastic city! Such a melting pot of cultures. Lots of authors. Plenty of things to do and history to see. Lots of snow if you like that....Take a break. You are allowed! It's your blog. Find some fluff to read and then maybe finally find something that truly blows you away!

    Be kind to yourself!

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  18. I COMPLETELY sympathize with your slump, and also with real life bleeding into book life sometimes. I've been feeling unhappy with the books I'm reading as well, and like I cannot keep up with all the blogging I need to do on top of that. But I'm working my way through writing reviews and visiting blogs this week (look out for me today and tomorrow!).

    I honestly cannot believe that you are continuing to read this much and maintain your blog while finishing high school and applying to college. I definitely did little to zero reading at that point, or during college semesters. It was too much for me to handle! You amaze me and definitely deserve a break. I'm sorry that you didn't get into your top choice, but I hope you will see that where your path leads is actually the best for you.

    Are you really in Boston?! You MUST tell me if you go to school here, and where, because then we will have to meet up at book events and get together!! I live outside of the city, but travel in frequently for bookish things (plus my husband works on BU's medical campus). I wish you many wonderful things as you end this part of your life and start your next one.

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  19. Congrats on graduating high school. I'm going to college as well :D, I understand that it is daunting to imagine. I don't even have any friends that would go to the same school as I do. But it'll get better. I hope. :D

    Jules Bookshelf

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  20. That's a lot of changes to go through and really a lot to take in. I can see how reading might not be a top priority, or exactly easy to focus, for that matter. I get like that when I write my doctoral thesis, which isn't nearly as often as I'd like.
    Good luck to you, things will look better soon, I'm sure.
    On the upside, Magic Breaks is a pretty spectacular book and the disappointment that was Magic Rises is all but forgotten. It might just be the book you need. :)

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  21. aww hon sorry to hear that I understand perfectly how inner emotions can interfere with reading. I had that lately as well, and it's been hard to separate feelings.

    I went to a different college then my own best friend as well, it wasn't easy ;/ but I am sure you can make the friendship work.

    Sorry you did not get into your first choice of school but second choice sounds just as exciting!

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  22. Aw, Keer! Finishing high school is a really big moment in a teen's life, so I think all your blog readers will understand. I was disappointed with my choices when I finished, too, but things worked out ok and I have no doubt that your college will be awesome!

    Read some light, fun books and don't worry about the need to review them! Or take some time out and watch a good movie xox

    Mands @ The Bookish Manicurist

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  23. So sorry you were not accepted but have a great college road visit road trip . I'm also graduating this year in August . I first have to my pass my exams in June . I can do it . Have a lovely time , keertana

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  24. Keertana, as I wrote in response to your comment on my post, I am confident that you will succeed wherever you go and that you will make the most out of every experience college brings you. Even when you're not posting as regularly as you usually do you still outdo a lot of other bloggers; not just in quantity, but in quality too. I'm excited to hear about the adventures you have in college, the books you read, and just more of your writing in general. Once again, congratulations on reaching the end of the college admissions process. (:

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  25. Saw this and it made me think about my own HS years waaay back in the 90s :-) I was voted most intelligent in my HS class, had some kind of crazy 4.3 GPA, and killer SATs. And then I got wait-listed for my first-choice school, which was Duke.

    I reapplied as a transfer student for my junior year, and even though it's much harder to get a transfer slot, I got accepted. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford it, but just being accepted healed me a little bit psychologically. If you really, really want to go to a certain school, and you meet their acceptance criteria, think about giving it another shot.

    Best of luck. PS I can't believe how young you are. You reviews truly read like the work of a grad student, and I mean that in a good way.

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  26. I am so sorry to hear that, but you have such a positive way of thinking about how everything turned out and I feel so proud of you.

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