This week has been long, probably one of the longest of my life. Yet, at the same time, it’s also been one of the best. I started 6 new classes, got ahead in my workload, had 5 great workouts, ate at least one meal with my friends a day (discounting Thursday due to the Basketball game), and got 8+ hours of sleep every night!

Last semester, this would have seemed impossible for me to balance, and with all honesty, it’s hard to balance band life, social life, and academics, plus a rigorous workout schedule and sleep schedule. All that being said, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than on campus this semester. It’s not perfect, nothing ever is, but it’s mine, and this life I’m building here is something I’m proud of.

For so many years I tried just to fit in wherever I went, never really stopping for a second to consider the question “Who is Chris Behre?” Well now the time has come where I’m becoming Chris Behre, not the façade I put on in High School, not the loner from Middle School, and not the scared mute from Elementary School.

Life has been a journey so far, and while I’ve had my ups and downs, I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone or anything. If I were to give any advice to someone reading this post who may be in a similar situation, whether you’re in High School considering a double major, currently attending ODU, or even just someone random who’s had a whole bunch of things piled onto their life recently, my advice is this: Life is tough, but so are you, more than you know. Keep your head up, take things one day at a time, and I promise you, it’ll be worth it in the end. And while my journey may only be beginning this semester, I know now that nothing is going to break me. Not a horrific toxic breakup, not bad grades, not rumors spread about me, nothing. I am stronger than my adversaries, and so are you.

Keep your heads up Kings & Queens, I’ll see you next soon.