Worry used to cloak me the way red lipstick coats a shiny white tooth. Rare tropical diseases, imperfect grades, and the concept of forever were all frequent intruders on my attempt at mental peace and quiet. I longed for the day when I’d be able to face risks and let go without my swarming army of worries. And that day came. The funny thing is, it all started with a pair of shoes. A favorite pastime of the level...

“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house…” eyes twinkling, my grandpa bellowed from the deepest part of his throat. He was a tenor. “Not a CREA-ture was st-IRR-ing….” Aunt Jill piped, letting her sounds leap through the air in true soprano fashion. I watched intently as our yellowed Night Before Christmas storybook made its way around the colorful living room. Christmas would always be Christmas, and my family would always be a loving clan of whimsical cellists...

Some people dream of white Christmases or chocolate ice cream the way I dream of the University of Michigan’s Ross Business School. And I’d like to show that through a story. Great… sweat stains. Clenching my arms to my sides, I hid behind the thick fabric of my blazer and surveyed the room: hundreds of pens and pinstripes. I longed for the familiarity of my lavender tutu and the smell of rosin, crackly yellow powder that keeps pointe...

It's really popular at my college to join social fraternities or...

My favorite course so far...

Curious, eager,...

I would change...

I did not realize how much the cold weather would...

I would have focused less on "brand names"...