I have seen a few of my friends and others either writing a blog post or making a video looking back on their 2013, so I thought I would join them.
It was a hard and challenging year for me. I had moved interstate from Hobart to Melbourne in December of 2012 which I was really excited and happy about as Melbourne is my original home and most of my family and old friends live here. However when it came time to go to school, I realised that especially going into Year 11, moving schools is not that easy to do as it was for me at least in Grade 2. One thing I am very grateful and happy for is knowing at least one person to hang out with at break times. Having her helped me mix with the right people and build my foundation of making new friends. I am also happy with the friends I was able to make in my classes.
First term was going well, but once the first set of holidays finished, I realised how much I actually had to put in for one of my subjects and came to the conclusion that that subject wasn't for me and I had my first (of quite a few) breakdowns over school. Luckily once I started term 2, I was able to drop the subject and gain a study period which I am so very happy about. It gave me extra time to finish bits of homework so I had less to do at home. Second term was pretty good overall with rehearsals for our school production and kind of feeling like I did belong here. But it didn't stay that way.
In the winter break I found out that the guy I liked didn't like me back which really did hurt me as it was the first time I had told a guy I liked him and he was probably the first guy I had actually really like, and the weekend after I found out he was going out with a friend of mine so I decided to give them both space. I decided to stop sitting with that group and started to hang out with people I ended up feeling more comfortable with. The start of term 3 also saw the beginnings of a lot of unnecessary drama between my friends. During this time I was also losing a lot of motivation for school and I wanted to do other things and I seriously did consider dropping out. However mum pulled me back together and pushed forward.
It then came to spring break and during this time I decided to forget about all the bad stuff and focus on being happy. I only had one more term left before I finished Year 11 and it was a pretty short term. Exams were coming up so I didn't worry too much about what was going on and to just get the year over and done with. For most of my exams I am happy with what I got, but others I know I could have done a lot better in.
So, overall for school, 2013 hasn't been the best. There was too much drama than was necessary, my study habits dropped a lot and finding the right group of friends was difficult. However, there was a lot outside of school and a bit to do with school that was great!!
In school, I became a class captain for my homeroom, I took part in my school production and got to perform in a proper theatre and I have made some really great friends who have helped my settle in and get me through the past year.
Outside of school, I have missed my friends in Hobart so so so so so very much, but I have been able to Skype them when we feel we need to chat and I have also been able to have them visit me here. In April, my friend Alex came over and stayed with me for a weekend and in October my chummy, Sarah, came to stay with me for a week, during which we saw One Direction in concert. I could not have asked for any better person than Sarah to come to see 1D live with me. This past year I have also been able to see my brothers, Shaun and Kieran a great deal more than when I was living in Hobart. I have also been able to spend a lot more time with my two little nieces, Celeste and Louisa. It has been so lovely watching them grow this year and I look forward to watching them grow even more.
In 2013 I have learnt that school is hard work and in the last two years you cannot really afford to slack off too much, BUT you do have people that love you and will help and support you through anything and are always there to talk to when you need it.
Although for me, it has not been the best year I have had overall (I guess that happens every now and then) but there has been quite a few amazing and memorable moments and a lot more that I can use to learn from.
I am, to be honest, scared but also looking forward for what 2014 has in store for me and the people around me. It is going to be a massive year with lots and lots of hard work needing to be done, but I hope in a years time, when I most likely will be doing this blog post again, that I will look back on this year and say that it has been a great year.
Peace & Love,
Rachel xoxo
