hi! here’s a get to know me

Hey everyone! Since you loved getting to know me a little, I wanted to dive deeper into some of the things that make up my life right now. It's been wild turning 20, and with my 21st birthday just around the corner (only 4 months away!), I feel like I'm stepping into a whole new chapter. Being a 20-year-old college junior is definitely an adventure! Most of my days are a mix of classes, studying for exams, and trying to balance my social life with my academic goals. As a middle school education major, I'm so incredibly passionate about shaping young minds. I spend a lot of time observing in classrooms and planning mock lessons, which is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. My dream is to create a fun and engaging learning environment for my future students. It's a journey, but I'm learning so much every day about what it takes to be an effective teacher. What are your biggest dreams right now? Speaking of balancing everything, staying active is super important to me, especially with college life! While I wouldn't call myself a fitness guru, I really try to incorporate movement into my week. It's not just about looking good, but feeling good and managing stress. Whether it's morning runs around campus, hitting the gym with my boyfriend for a quick workout session, or even just long, brisk walks with Gunner (my adorable 3.5-month-old black and white puppy), I find that it helps me de-stress and stay energized for my demanding schedule. I'm always looking for new workout ideas, especially ones that are quick and effective for busy students, so drop your favorites below! And yes, you read that right – my amazing boyfriend! We’ve been together for 1 year and 3 months, and it feels like just yesterday we were celebrating our first few weeks. We took a big step this May and started living together, which has been such a learning experience. From figuring out groceries to decorating our first shared space, it's been an adventure. It's so much fun creating a home together, navigating adulting, and just having my best friend by my side through all the ups and downs of college and life. Any tips for living with your significant other and making it work seamlessly? My little shadow, Gunner, is truly the sweetest boy. He's still just a baby at 3.5 months old, and puppy energy is no joke! From zoomies around the apartment to learning new tricks like 'sit' and 'stay' (most of the time!), he keeps me on my toes. He loves to snuggle up on the couch and is definitely a big part of our family now. Potty training and teething have been an adventure, requiring a lot of patience and puppy pads, but seeing his happy face and wagging tail makes every challenge worth it. What are your favorite puppy moments or tips for new puppy parents? So that’s a bit more about my world as Allyson, a 20-year-old figuring things out, loving my studies, staying active, and cherishing my little family. I hope this gives you an even better glimpse into my life! What else would you like to know or what have been your biggest life updates lately? Let me know in the comments below!