What I Have Learned From BYU-I.

After two weeks of being at this place I feel like there is a lot of things that I have learned about myself and others. I think your eyes open up when you have to do things out of the ordinary and that are foreign. So here is a list of things that I have learned about myself and others! Enjoy!
1. People really enjoy the movie Frozen. Like, to a point thats nauseating. I swear every time someone says anything in my vocal anatomy class about letting go of your diaphragm and larynx that a chorus of people have to sing let it go from frozen. That movie is going to haunt my dreams forever and ever.
2. Everybody is either getting engaged, just married or going on a mission. It's so weird! I met a girl in my Theory class who has been here for two semester and is married.... Oh did I mention that she's younger then I am? Yeah. She JUST turned 18 like over christmas break. I was floored! Mom, could you imagine me being married at 17?!?! NO. Just NO. The other thing about this is that you start to have those feelings. I have never ever in my life wanted to be married until I after I graduate from college but seriously, I swear its the air here and the fact that everyone my age now is married. That's mormons for you I guess. Also in this category is the fact that my choir teachers keep saying how numbers are shrinking in choirs because of missions! My women's choir is 60 girls and last semester it was 112 girls. About 30 of those were due to being off track but the other numbers are from missions and just not taking choir. Thats like 20 girls lost from choir to go on missions! What the heck?! Missions are good things but everyone is going on missions! At least that air isn't getting to me yet, still haven't felt the pressure of going on a mission.
3. Sleeping is a reward. I haven't had a full 8 hours of sleep since Ive been here except last saturday. Ive been averaging about 6 hours nightly. Mentally, I am exhausted. Physically, I am exhausted. Every time that I hop into bed to go to sleep every night, I want to cry because it feels so good to be finally laying down and getting to go to bed.  It is probably the best feeling a college student can experience. Sleep is good.
4. Bunk Beds are never comfortable except when sleep deprived and exhausted. So bunk beds are actually quite comfortable.
5. The boys can treat girls like meat. It seems like the common goal here is to get married. Why? When you figure that out, let me know. Some guys here are really bad. You'll see them point at you from across class, you'll see them check you out as you are walking past them. Its disgusting! but the flip side is thats not every guy. Just most.
6. Pasta is good. Really good. If you don't like pasta, don't go to college.
7. People will ask what you're name is every time you see them. Thats not that big of a deal but its really funny when they act like this is the first time you've ever met and this is the first time you have talked when in reality, you've probably introduced yourself 3 times.
8.Studying is an all day thing. I come home, work on school work the minute I walk into the door and BAM! its 9:30 and I still have 3 hours of work to do. This is bound to happen if you are taking 15 credits which equates to 10 classes. It is a lot of work. Dedication is key and seeing the long term goal of the experience.
9. Sacrificing social time becomes very familiar. When I didn't want to hang out with someone back home, I would just make up an excuse and not hang out... Here, I have to find excuses to go hang out with people! I have to tell myself, this assignment will only take you ten minutes later tonight so why don't you go out? IM JUSTIFYING SKIPPING STUDYING.
10. Headphones are a beautiful creation to drowned out everything from Frozen, to drowning out your room mates. I adore headphones.
There is probably more, but this is a good place to stop at the moment I think.
Stay positive, Happy Singing!!
Love, Courtney Griggs