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Accomplishments.

Summer is well and truly over. In fact, it had ended over a month ago, but only in the past week have I fully accepted that the weeks of going out in just a t-shirt and shorts are finished for the year.
To say that my summer was an adventure would be an understatement.
Interrailing across Europe, flying out of the continent for the first time and getting a place at university... These past three months have been simply unbelievable.

As I closed that Mathematics exam paper for the last time on 24th June 2016, I had little idea that my summer would be the whirlwind that it was.
One week on, and I had flown to the Netherlands for the beginning of eighteen days of walking 30,000 steps a day, train journeys and simply incredible sights.
Four weeks on, and I had flown to New York City for, undoubtedly, my greatest holiday.
Five weeks on, and I had flown inter-continent to the Sun State of Florida.
Seven weeks on, and I had received my A-Level results, which I was fortunately absolutely delighted with.
Eleven weeks on, and I had begun university.

This all sounds very boastful but, frankly, I have no shame. The accomplishments I have made this past summer are ones that I had been aiming for for years. Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to visit the U.S. so to have the opportunity to spend three weeks there was astounding. Interrailing was another feat that I had been aspiring towards for the best part of seven years, since starting Year 7 and already looking forward to 'the big summer of Year 13'. A-Level results. Well, I think it's fair to say that, at times in the education system, you feel as though you are living just for those results and for the work to pay off is just the best feeling.

With all this excitement comes fear for what's to come. Three significant things completed. What next?
Over the past month, I have been experiencing the beginning of university life. It was not an easy decision to decide where to go, what course to do and whether to go at all. However, I am here, and still with the ultimate ambition of becoming a journalist.
I know that I am very, very lucky to have had the summer that I have had. I am so grateful for everything that allowed me to get to this point and certainly do not take these things for granted.


Here's to what is next to come.


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