Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
I would definitely say that writing has come easily to me over the years, but when I was younger it was hard. I write so much nowadays anyway that I feel much more comfortable than I did in middle school or high school. I was not a good reader, but I was a proficient writer.
You see, the thing is was that in my school, at least, we were taught specific ways to read, analyze, infer, and explain sorts of things that we were learning about—seems like any other school curriculum. My school was driven on the basis of standardized tests, like many schools, so what they wanted from students (in terms of writing) was the average five paragraph sandwich essay with little room to elaborate on our own thoughts because using "I" was forbidden.
I don't resent my English schooling, but I wish it had been different because what I have learned from my own writing and college is that none of it is important (for the most part). What we should be learning is correct grammar and that is still something I struggle with constantly. Kids do not know how to properly comma splice or even the difference between "its" and "it's."
I'm no "grammar nazi" and I definitely don't discriminate based on how well or poor you write because I know that everyone is at a different level and pace when it comes to writing—a lot of people hate it. I guess my background with writing and being surrounded by English majors kind of swayed me a bit into the passion. The freedom of using my own words and thoughts to talk about whatever I want, especially on my own platform, has been one of the most gratifying experiences in my life. Writing is a part of me and always will.
Many people ask me how I can handle writing freely, with writing for my college blog and editing, as well as, managing five to six-page papers on a weekly basis. All I can say is that when I'm in the mood, I'm a writing machine. Words can just easily flow off my fingers. I think it's not only therapeutic but introspectively reflective and releasing.
My college writing, for one thing, has been more about my own interpretations, so instead of research and context-based writing I did in high school, I actually get to think about things on my terms not relating to a certain article or opinion of somebody else. There's no "second meaning" and my professors aren't forcing us to make wild inferences about certain metaphors or what deeper meaning something has. High school focused too much on the content and I think it strayed our abilities to create our own understanding of the texts.
I guess the trick or key to prideful writing is that you can't really compare yours to everybody else's. I know there are far better writers than me out there, but I think recently I've gotten really comfortable with my voice and that's proven some really great work that I've made. Maybe it's also a mentality, too. My mood, for one thing, has been pretty positive lately and that's really affected the way I write and go about writing. Some weeks I feel like shit and lack the inspiration I can normally find.
Since I have basically been writing nonstop this past couple of months, there's without a doubt that I've improved on some aspect of my writing. I still have trouble using "big" words, sentence variance, and everything else. However, little by little I've noticed that it's easier to form my complex ideas and connect them all so I don't fall astray from the main concept of my writing—or at least I think so.
I'm the biggest critic of my own writing and no A or B on a paper can tell me whether or not I really did a good job. Of course, I make mistakes in my writing, could elaborate more on certain subjects, fix the structure of my thoughts, and so forth, but I know whether or not the writing I did was created with full effort and purpose.
One of the biggest things I've learned with writing is that simplicity is a strong suit. Learning how to write less with concision is probably the hardest things for college students and writers in general. A lot of people feel like they have to say so much about everything, but you really need to get to the point and move on. It takes time to develop your style, voice, and comfortability with writing. It takes time, patience, and effort. I'm constantly learning and I hope everybody takes the opportunity to do the same!
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I am in shock by how fast this month has gone by because Halloween is in literally a day. I swear it was September like yesterday. I keep talking about time on here and it is still so surprising to me just how quickly it all changes and how unbelievably fast experiences go by. That said, I thought this post could be a little reflective on all the fall-related things I've done already because it's been a very eventful season.
Near the end of September, my family and I went pumpkin picking at a rural pumpkin farm in Illinois. It was a little disappointing for my mom especially because we always try to look for those family owned and uncommercialized "pick-your-own" pumpkin patches. However, a lot of the ones close to using either has too many people now or already has pumpkins picked for you—or both.
Our tradition of going out into the field and looking for the perfect pumpkin is something my family and I love doing. We even brought my dog Cooper along because we also love taking fall pictures while we do it. We did end up bringing home about five big ones, but it still wasn't entirely the same this year and I guess it was okay.
So, after that, I actually got a chance to go visit my Grandpa in Michigan over a weekend. I love making special short trips to see family and it was really nice because I also saw my uncle and my dad's best friend who I've known since I was really little. Small reunions like that are always so sweet and I'm glad I got to go with my dad and my older sister, Melissa.
Over this past month, I've really become family oriented and have realized how much I value family and make those efforts to connect with people I care about. I've always had that personality trait, but just recently it's been very evident and that's always a great thing to have.
Later this month, I did something I wouldn't normally get myself into. My sister invited me to go to the 13th Floor Haunted House in Chicago. For some reason, I casually said yes and we all ended up there that night. It was me, my younger sister, her boyfriend, and a few other of our friends. I think part of me just wanted to be scared and do something adrenaline pumping and I was for sure on edge.
If you love to get spooked and creeped out, this is the place for you. Obviously, there are actors and designed sets in there, but it makes it even more fun when you just play along and let yourself be scared. A lot of work and time goes into the creation of many haunted houses and my friends and I were talking about the art of scaring and how much goes into it. I let out a few screams ;)
I also got to carve my pumpkin just this past weekend and roast some of the pumpkin seeds. I am not sharing what my pumpkin looks like because it honestly backfired and fell inward on itself, but I did carve the boogie man from A Nightmare Before Christmas. That's probably one of my favorite Halloween movies and I'm surprised I haven't watched it at all this month or any other Halloween movies really. I have been watching more classic horror movies like The Shining, though, which I love.
This weekend, or Hallo-weekend, I had a costume party with some of my closest friends and I went as Tom Cruise from Risky Business. Thankfully, it wasn't too cold out to wear shorts under my dress shirt I bought from Goodwill. I think this October has fulfilled my fall checklist of things to do and I'm amazed that it's almost over and the next thing we know it's Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a safe and spooky-ookey Halloween! 👻🎃
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"The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go." -Anonymous
One of the most redeeming qualities of fall is the ability to start over. So much has happened this year, good and bad, but knowing that you get a reset button is the most humbling and refreshing feeling. It's a warm hug from the universe. Anything you think is going wrong in your life at the moment will work itself out in the future and everything will be at peace.
We hold onto relationships, grudges, memories, stress, and everything else. Nobody is telling us what is and what isn't important to hold onto. Having a chance to reflect and remember is great, but dwelling on the past and what is out of our control will only serve pain and regret.
A lot of the times I try to take control of things. I think many people can relate to that and we all do it subconsciously. We all want what's best for ourselves and in some ways, it can be a really great thing. Taking initiative and going after things is never bad. However, when we try to take more than what we can handle, it becomes chaotic and stress-inducing.
At least I've noticed that so many people, like me, are in fifty places at once all the time—nonstop. It's great to have momentum in your life, but when there are thoughts that pinch your nerves and make you have many double-takes, your mind can really mess things up.
Just these past couple of weeks I was having basically an existential crisis. The fact that I'm almost halfway done with college is a scary thought. Me trying to make every moment count tries to overachieve and put many things on my plate all at once. The anxiety that comes from it is not worth it. I've realized worrying about things out of my control just makes life more difficult than it needs to be. The smaller things that bug me won't affect me in a week, month, or year from now; it's something I forget constantly. This season has definitely brought me great insight as to who I want to be and what I need to focus more and less on.
It's not an easy thing to do. When so much is happening to you all at once, I know that trying to find a sense of release and content is not always ideal. For me, this feeling comes in phases and different times of the year depending on what's happening in my life. I've noticed that the best things that have happened to me came out of nowhere when I wasn't looking or expecting them too. It's like when all is good and I'm more to myself doing things I love, others around me reflect that and things tend to work themselves out.
I find that when I release those dwelling thoughts and obligations, I can take my best foot forward and move onto the next best thing. That's all we can hope and there's no better way of looking at it like that. Finding ways to improve from your past, acknowledging it, and never looking back or second-guessing yourself. Life can be so much simpler. I promise.
"Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be."- Sonia Ricotti
I love updating you guys on what goes on during my weeks and I thought it would be the perfect time to reflect on this past weekend full of fun. I can't believe it is already the middle of October. I don't even have Halloween plans yet! Sadly, this weekend I came over with a very bad cold and sore throat, so I've been tackling that while all of these events took place over the weekend. NyQuil has indeed been getting me through. Get vaccinated everyone! It's that time of year.
My weekends are really nice at school because the way my college works is that most classes are Monday through Thursday. I have a three day weekend every week and normally I take that time to study, babysit, chill and hang out, explore the city, or go home to the suburbs. It's a nice time to regroup before the busy week ahead.
On Thursday afternoon, my friend Emily and I wanted to venture out and find the pop up Glossier shop downtown and get some goodies before they leave October 28th! It's located in the West Loop and was just a quick 'L' train transfer. To be honest, that was the day I really didn't feel good, but it's what you gotta do for Glossier!
If anyone is new to Glossier or has never heard of it before, it is a minimalist makeup brand focused on the individual—in other words, "Glossier was founded on the fact that beauty isn’t made in a boardroom—it happens when the individual is celebrated". Their products focus on enhancing everyone's individual beauty and I could not wait to have a chance to try whatever I wanted.
I knew that I wanted the Boy Brow because I had already been in need of a new eyebrow filler. The applicator is small, but the way you naturally sweep it over your brows creates an effortlessly full brow. It thickens, fills, and sets my brows in place without feeling sticky or leaving any residue! I also have been drawn to the Lid Star cream eyeshadow in Cub. It's the most beautiful copper color and gives a dewy and glimmery look without creasing. So, that was a very fun girl day to try out some makeup and all of the workers there were so helpful with finding products. I would recommend checking it out!
Over the weekend, my mom scheduled a family photoshoot with one of her friend photographers. My mom especially loves getting our pictures taken and the last time we all had done a photoshoot together was probably more than five years ago. So, it was nice to get updated pictures and have Cooper join us, as well!
We went to Fullersburg Woods which is not so far from my hometown. It was the perfect fall Sunday and we thought we were supposed to get rain, but we were so lucky. Cooper was such a good boy and I think we got some great pictures, which I hope to share with you all soon.
Finally I got to visit a close family friend in the city before I went back to school for the week. My parents and I made a quick stop in Chinatown so I could pick up some Chinese pastries for my roommate and I to have for breakfast this week.
My family friend lives in the South Loop and has an apartment with an amazing view of the lake and Solider Field. You can see all of the changing trees and of course I needed a picture. It's these types of weekends that I love and living so close to home and surrounded by friends is so comforting and great. Going to school in the city has brought so much opportunity and I am so happy I get to have cherishable times like these. What was your weekend like?
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In honor of Mental Health Day, which was yesterday October, 10th, I took it upon myself to dedicate a day to my overall well-being and mental state. I needed a day to myself and I think that it is totally okay to make time for yourself whenever you need it. I did some yoga, had some introspective thoughts, and am back to writing and getting shit done.
While it can seem so easy to just turn off and take a break as a part of your normal routine, not many people have that ability. I know we are go-go-go crazy humans and if we aren't doing anything we feel like the world is just moving so fast around us—crazy what stress society puts on us amirite? With the entire political climate, media climate, social climate, and actual weather climate changing it can seem like there's no space to catch a breath, step back, and re-evaluate it all.
I believe that everybody's attitudes, moods, and feelings effect everyone else's—I mean, of course they do because when we communicate, we express ourselves and our thoughts. People are so fearful sometimes to open up and tell someone that they're hurting, or stressed, or overwhelmed. As a result, we build up these emotions, not benefitting ourselves or those around us.
If you haven't already read in past articles, I've dealt with the fact that I worry about everybody else in my life all the time. I'm always "other-analyszing". When I really should be self-analyzing. You cannot resort to comparisons and making yourself feel worse because someone else has something you don't. It's self deteriorating. We are comparative creatures and we are always in search for the next best thing. The next best Iphone, Lipkit, job, grade, accomplishment, or what have you.
It is imperative to our health to take breaks. When we work out too hard, we increase our ability to get injured and when we overwork ourselves, we increase the ability of mental breakdowns. People just don't feel like taking breaks because they feel fine and that's when they realize they really need a break once they've hit the extreme. It's definitely not a healthy routine if you ask me.
Like my schoolwork, personal life, hobbies and writing, and everything else in between, I make an effort to put my mind in a place where I feel the most joy and content. I know what I'm like when I'm overly stressed and anxious, so I pace myself. Taking breaks from my blog and making priorities come first, especially my mental health. I make time to exercise, get my work done, work a little, socialize a bit, and decompress at the end of the day doing something relaxing and not physically inducing or strenuous. I try to eat well, drink water, and also treat myself when I feel like it. Finding balance in all of these things is going to positively effect the way you feel and think at the end of the day.
When you get into that low place, because we all do at some point, remember that there is help and people who support you. We all are moving through the world with different mental capacities and different struggles. It is important for you to know that it is okay to reach out and ask for help and to tell someone you are hurting or conflicted. I know you are strong, exquisite, worthy, capable, important, and I will listen to you.
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The ever anticipated room tour post is now officially up for all to see. I know it was a long time coming, but with getting settled into school and adding some finishing touches to the space, I like how it's all come together and am ready to reveal it. I know it won't really stay the same, as I love to add pieces and touches here and there, but for the moment I really like how my room looks.
If you came here to see a full apartment tour, this is not it. For the sake of my roommate's privacy and a pretty underwhelming apartment, I thought it was best to skip the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. It's pretty basic and has everything I need—that's all you need to know. I thought it would be nice to at least show you all how my bedroom has turned out.
So, my apartment is actually an on-campus apartment that was once an old condo building, so it has a lot of history and character. Every door in my apartment is different and we probably have five different types of door knobs throughout the space. This year I have my own room, instead of sharing it with two other people, so I got very excited to have the freedom to just do whatever I wanted with this little square space.
While I had kept a lot of the decor I had from last year, there were some more things I brought from home. If you know me, then you know I always change up my decor a lot and spend excessive amounts of money on textiles and pieces. It's just something I love. This year, I wasn't feeling the pink and green floral comforter I had from last year. I needed something a bit more practical, sophisticated, and neutral.
I know that I probably won't change my bedding after this, but I was inspired by Kate Spear's tufted comforter and love the minimal texture of the design. It actually took me the entire summer to find one like it that wasn't over fifty bucks. I was really bargain hunting guys because bedding is so much money nowadays.
This bedding was the Lauren Conrad Swiss Dot Comforter from Kohl's and I'm not sure it is still available in grey, but the time I got it I was able to apply so many coupons on it, so it was definitely a great deal. The cozy knit throw was from HomeGoods and I can't remember what brand it was, but here is one similar.
I had inspriation of what sheets I wanted and some throw pillows I imagined to go with it. The long embroidered and embellished throw pillow is from HomeGoods. The mustard box pillow and cover are from Ikea. I'll just plug in my favorite store, Target, for their incredibly soft blue microfiber sheets. And then my very fluffy bedrest pillow I bought from Target last year, as well.
As for my desk area, I knew I wanted to stick with my gold wall grids again because I just love them so much. They're the perfect way to take up some wall space without having to really damage the walls and make hanging up pictures so much easier. I added this pom pom garland for an add of texture. Pom poms are coming back into interior design and I think I'm obsessed.
By the way, I decided I needed something over my bed and I was originally going to put the pom pom garland on the wall above it, but realzied that my wall is kind of beat up, so this Vintage Washed Tapestry did the trick. The great thing is that it was on clearance at Target and I think it fits in the space really well.
It was pretty easy finding places for everything and I managed to know exactly where to put my Rifle Paper Co. Yucatan 2018 calendar. I absolutely adore how artistic and detailed these calendars are and I ask for one every year for Christmas. Along with my calendar above my dresser is a basket with my makeup mirror and some products, a jewelry tray, and a canvas that says "explore".
Something that I added this year was this eyelash mirror to my desk. Mainly because it was a bit too heavy to hang on the wall with a Command Strip. I love the way eyelashes look and how they're coming into a lot of designs lately. And it's gold, so what more could you need?
I also have this pom pom dream catcher that I just randomly found at Five Below. I needed something to fill up the wall space above the radiator, as well as, something to cover this awful pole that takes up space in the corner of my room. I opted for a fake garland and some fairy lights to make it more appealing and cozy.
I know my little room is cozy, and I apologize for how poorly lit it is, but it's my little space and I'm proud with how it came out. I know that I'm probably an ad for Target, but I have to say they have some pretty amazing stuff. I hope this has inspired some of you guys living in dorms and apartments because I know sometimes the spaces at school can be hard to decorate or fill when you have no idea how to.
I've seen many dorm room tours and how intricate people make their spaces, but keep it true to yourself because not everyone has the "perfect looking" dorm room and it can become pretty costly. I know I'm always changing things up, but I'm content with how it is now and it makes me even more comfortable living here.
I'm not one to really talk about finances or anything on here, but I am a college student and I have bills to pay like many other college students. In fact, it's probably one of the main concerns when it comes to situations.
Money has inevitably shaped the way our culture goes about the world. Nothing is free and that's why I feel like I should share with you all something that I picked up over this past summer that has helped me save so much money.
So, basically I use this app called Poshmark. It's a buy and sell website for all things fashion and beauty related. It's kind of like Ebay, but more catered towards clothing. There are also other buy and sell fashion apps that I've looked at, but Poshmark seemed the most easy to handle and navigate. I discovered it a while back and couldn't really figure out how to use it, so just recently I gave it another shot.
It's almost like an Instagram for all the things you are selling. I'm an advocate for donating and I would encourage you to donate clothes, however, some items that are of higher value in your closet that you really can't seem to giveaway, can find a home through this app!
In fact, it's probably one of my favorite resale sites out there. It's recycled clothing and I think we need more people to realize that it's better for the enviornment to purchase resold clothes. There is so much clothing out in the world, many people without clothes, and so much wasted material, money, and labor.
Once you get the hang of the app and can navigate the tabs and all that, people start following you instantly. Everyone is trying to sell their clothes, so the more people to notice you the better. I would say that overall, within the past five months, I've probably made about a thousand dollars. Now this is considering the amount that I've spent as well.
The clothes I tend to sell are mostly clothes I never wear and brand named items that I simply can't part with and know that I can get some extra cash for them. Sometimes, I "Girl Boss" the heck out of thrift stores for brand name clothes and resell them on Posh. I bought a cheaper pair of Ray Bans for around $60 bucks. It's amazing what you can find on Poshmark and I know I will continue to use it as long as I can!
You simply take detailed and quality pictures of the product on your phone and make sure you disclose all the information needed. You can make discounts, offers, and bundle items from your listings! It has definitely taught me a lot about the fashion industry and consumer marketplace. You see trends and what people like and don't like. You also get first hand communication with the buyer and seller, so you can make sure your questions or concerns are answered.
I have not had any problems with using the app because Poshmark is very helpful and reimburses you regardless of any shipping mishap or if a box ever does get lost in the mail. You also get free shipping labels which is nice. They make sure people get what they paid for and I have trust in using it.
I know this isn't everyone's idea of making money, but it definitely has been an awesome tool to use to make the extra bucks. Especially, for a college student, I know many people have clothes building up in their small dorm wardrobes that could be parted with. I would highly suggest trying it out. Check out my closet, here, if you're interested!
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There's something about this Autumn equinox and sense of crisp air in the atmosphere that makes me want to reflect on some of my feelings as I've begun school and the new season is changing. I want to be honest here and say that I've become a bit frantic in my thinking lately and there are so many things going on for me to process.
I know it can seem normal for me to feel this way because I have in the past, but more than ever have I felt the need to be doing something always. I am always anxious when I have nothing to do, so when I have a to-do list, my mind is focused and I know I can get somewhere when I'm being productive.
I know most people, especially my age, would love to have as much free time as possible, but not me. I am undoubtedly the most overly ambitious and erratic human being when it comes to reaching for things I want. You know some people take it slow and that's fine, but I feel like I'm always pushing myself almost over the edge sometimes. I give myself breaks and try to be healthy in that way, but as soon as school started I had a checklist of things I wanted to get done by the time I graduate. Pretty scary stuff.
I've realized that the more I push myself into things, the worse I feel. I work up emotions and nerves that just don't serve me. Adrenaline does, but anxious nerves do not. So, I've applied myself more to things so far like joining PRSSA (the public relations student society of America), I'm now the editor of HerCampus DePaul, and I've felt like I still don't have enough "experience" to be successful in the future. Some shit like that.
I've slapped myself in the face because I'm in that mood where I become comparitive of myself and worry about what everyone else is in and doing. I've said it before in my previous post, "Pushing Away Negative Thought Clouds," but we can find ourselves in a trap of comparing ourselves to one another. I need to realize that the things that will come to me in the future are beyond my control. As of now, I need to focus on what I love to pursue now.
Thanks to my mom and some of my good friends who have talked to me about this feeling, I know I'm definitely not alone. I've talked to my parents about my goals for the next couple years and we are going to figure it out together, which makes me reassured. My friends also can relate to this feeling that we all need to committ to a plan and have an idea of where we wanna be, what we wanna do, or who we wanna be with at some point. I just can't think like that in the obsessive nature I am.
The more that I talk and write about this, the more clearer it becomes. It's okay to be all over in your thoughts. It's okay to think about and prepare for the future, but you cannot live everyday worrying about things you can't control. You are going to get the experiences you want, you are going to reach the goals you dream of, and you will find a path when you accept the fact that not everything is going to go as planned.
You are not going to have the same experiences as others in this because it is what you make of it. It is okay to have off days. Motivation does not always have to be there. It is okay to not know where your life is headed. I know this sounds super sappy, but this is something I need to hear more than anybody else. As my dad says, "Why don't you listen to your writing, dude?". I'm trying. It seems so much easier said than done.
I have found, though, that documenting my feelings or at least staying up late and texting a best friend about this has been extremely beneficial to relieving the doubts and thoughts that I have. I know I've already had a great three weeks at school, but the unknown of the future has hit me hard this quarter. Also, treating yourself a little bit and making sure you have time for yourself is very important.
I at least know that my writing has been pretty good since I've started looking a bit more introspectively on myself and showing that on my blog. The response seems really well, too. So, I know I'm at least doing something right. That's all I can hope.
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I'm already halfway into college and I'm still fathoming reasons I made it through high school and how that all even happened. I had one of the most positive roller coaster rides in high school and managed to survive and experience as many things as I possibly could. Two years later, and I don't know what the hell I'm doing or would like to do yet, but that's okay because it all works out in the end. Or so we hope.
I spent half of my high school career wondering what my purpose was and the other half wondering what my purpose was going to be when I graduated. What I was going to do and where I was going to go. High school stressed me out the most sophomore and senior year. Mainly because I didn't make the softball team and I was waiting on a scholarship I heard back from a week after I graduated. So, you can say things got a lil crazy in my mind. And now my youngest sister is going to graduate this year and I thought this would be a nice post for her to look at (if she even dares to).
There are some things I wish were put into perspective for me before I left for college, but gradually I managed to figure these out on my own. Even if you aren't going off to college, maybe these help remind you that there are some things we need to accept in life. I'm going to be honest here and say that there will be difficult things that happen to us in this transition and you will be okay.
You are Going to Get Through It
In high school and in college, you are going to have bad days. You might get a D on a paper, you will get lost, you may feel stranded at school, you will want to come home everyday when you can't, you will miss your family, but it is all going to be just fine. There is someone there supporting you and ready to listen to you whenever you need. These little obstacles will pass and you will find a sunnier day ahead.
The Little Things Do Not Matter
You will stress over a group project, worry about how you're going to eat in the dining hall alone, not have best friends right away, or any other small stress that might bug you. You cannot let yourself sweat the small things because they will not serve you in the future week, month, or year from now.
You Will Lose Friends
You are going to lose high school friends and that's just a part of everybody leaving home and growing up. You need to know that not everyone is going to "stay in touch" with you forever. While it is easy to Snapchat and all that with your friends, it will never be the same as meeting up in the lunchroom everyday and having that same group of people to talk to. Your entire friend sphere will change and you will have to accept a new diversity of people into your life because college is all about new perspectives.
The College You Choose Does Not Matter
Any college you end up choosing will give you the education and experience you want no matter what because it is what you ultimately make of it. My college experience so far has taught me to see the world differently more than high school ever did and I want you to not worry about the superficial things such as the college you pick or the fun parties everyone else is going to. There is so much more to college.
Not Knowing Your Path is Okay
You are going to get confused and feel like everyone else knows where they're headed. You can't think this. The way we compare ourselves to others gets the best of us and distracts us from what we need to focus on in our own lives. The more we worry about others, the less we achieve. Why put that much pressure on yourself?
You Will Have Regrets
You are going to second guess yourself at times. You will ask yourself if you could have done things differently in high school and made other choices in college. You might regret not auditioning for something, putting in more work for an exam, or all of the above. Worrying about what happened and what could have happened is not entirely in your control.
You Will Fail
You are going to totally not understand a chapter and completely bomb a quiz or a test. However, using these failures as growth will only help you succeed. Accept failure, but don't get discouraged from it.
Money Does Not Always Leave You in College
I thought that I was going to be broke my entire time at college, but there are many ways you can generate money throughout college that made me feel financially secure enough. Budgeting and taking note of expenses for one thing will help you not blow all your money, but finding an on-campus job, babysitting on the weekends, or selling clothes online are great ways to make extra cash. Your wallet can survive if you are smart about it.
You Will Feel Alone at Times
It is going to feel totally scary and awkward when most of your days are without the normal crew of people you see and talk to. You will not be with your best friends and you are going to feel like there is no one around to be your friend. In reality, everyone is in the same boat looking for someone to eat with, talk to, and to feel less uncomfortable with at school. Say hi to someone, but also embrace getting to know yourself more by yourself. College is about learning to be alone with your thoughts.
People are There to Help and Support You
No one just hands you the batan and says, "you're on your own forever". You have a family back home that loves you and a school of advisors and professors that are there to help you and to make your college experience worthwhile. There is no penalty for asking for help. No one will make fun of you. No one is going to judge you. Do not feel embarrased for being homesick. It takes time to adjust and you are not in it by yourself.
Emily, I hope you have a wonderful senior year and I know you will succeed in your college adventure to come. Things will come and go, challenges will arise, but great things are going to come out of it all. You are smart, beautiful, and strong enough to tackle anything and everything you set your mind to. I love you derp.
Your big sis,
Natalie
It's the beginning of the school year and all things are going good: you got new clothes, new classes, new friends, new professors, and a new kick in your step as you glide on through your first couple weeks of school. Sounds like the perfect beginning to an easy and smooth school year. Right?
For some kids, it might be this simple, but for the average and anxious college student like me, fireworks are going off in my head. New things means more work. More work means more energy. And more energy means stress. Now I've addressed taking breaks from the internet and all that, but I don't think I've really stressed about how to take a mental break—an emptying of your mind and all bad thoughts that do not serve you whatsoever.
Now I have to admit, I have had a pretty great beginning to my sophomore year. I've moved into my on-campus apartment, everything is pretty much settled and decorated (there will be a room and small apartment tour up at somepoint), I've started my major classes like public relations and my minor which is spanish, I have become the editor for my women's campus blog called Her Campus, and I just recently became a member of my college's Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
So, lots of things have been going on recently and I have been a busy college girl these past few weeks. I have so many things I would like to share about my experiences in these things so please stay tuned! I thought that this post would be a nice refresher as to what is going on in my life at the moment and what plans I have for the future.
And you know what, not making plans is fine, too. I feel like a lot of college kids get so ahead of themselves with all their passionate "dreams" (ahem, like me) and try to apply themselves a bit more than they can handle. Not saying many people can't, but it can be easy to over-involve yourself very quickly when school begins.
I'll be honest, I've even signed up for more than I think I can handle. While, it was my goal this year to be more involved, there comes a time when you have to accept the fact that you can't do everything all at once. You have to prioritize a balance of things you need to do and the things you want to do.
It's time to take a break. I know we can find ourselves comparing the things we have and don't have or the things we've done and haven't done with that of others. I'm guilty of it too. However, when I have these negative thoughts, I do something in my mind that makes them instantly go away...
Picture these negative thoughts as a stream of air or part of a cloud. Your mind is a blue sky and your goal is to put those thoughts into that puffy cloud and blow them away to make it clear again.
Especially when I'm doing yoga and I get distracted for the smallest moment, I do this and instantly come back to focus on the importance of the present moment. Not comparing myself to others, not thinking about past interactions, and not worrying about what I have done or have to do the next day. Clearing our minds, especially as a young college student, isn't always easy, but taking just a moment to come back and ground yourself will always be mentally rewarding. What's been on your mind lately?
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Congratulations! You've made it a year into college. Now what? For many college sophomores, this is the time when you ask yourself, "what the hell am I doing?". It can seem pretty overwhelming for a lot of college students because this is when we start our major classes and getting into our future goals. There may be things you want to join that you didn't freshman year, plans you want to make for the next couple years, and things you need to start to make those plans happen. It might feel like a time bomb is ticking.
If you're anything like me, an ambitious "freak," I feel you. I definitely have things I want to do within the next three years of college and I can't just sit on my bed and watch the world go by while I'm afraid of taking the next steps and getting out of my comfort zone a bit. That's one part of it.
In college, in order to be a part of things, you have to put yourself out there. I understand how it can make a lot of new college students feel a bit anxious and scared because it's a whole new scene of people that you're not used to. One of the ways I look at it is, "who cares?" The fact that no one knows your life story, makes it even more reassuring that there won't be any judgement...right? At least that's what I think.
Whether you want to join a new club, audition for a music group, apply for a job, or anything else, you need to apply yourself and try it out. It's always worth trying, applying, and trying again. I think you'll regret it if you don't. You might even meet new people along the way.
I don't mean to scare anyone off from trying new things—that's not the point. However, I have definitely felt like I need to start pushing some things that I want to achieve while I'm at school. It's hard for me to stay motivated and focused at times, so this year needs to change.
Use Your Resources
One way of starting this change is by going to see your advisor. It's always a great idea to get a different perspective on things and to talk out your goals with him/her in order to start on the right track that's best for you. A lot of people do not take advantage of the great resources they have, and I would highly recommend emailing and setting up an appointment with them. My advisor, who's a rockstar behind the scenes, has given me connections to many helpful resources on campus and has helped prepared me for things I want to get done before I graduate.
Get More Involved
Another way of tackling things is to get more involved, meeting more people, and networking. Now, not many of us have the desire or need to get more involved, and that's totally okay. I would recommend visiting your college's involvement fair and at least signing up for a couple organizations or clubs that interest you. If it didn't work out freshman year and nothing looked good, come with an open mind, find out more information, and just go to a meeting. You never know, maybe acapella was something you were destined for, or even a service institution would bring you closer to more people and the community.
There's no harm in trying new things at college.
I felt like last year I never stepped out and explored enough. Freshmen, though, also need time to adjust so I don't want new students to feel like they have to overload their busy schedules either. I was also figuring things out and this year I am more confident in myself about the things I truly want to be apart of. Getting too involved can set yourself up for disaster. I would rather be passionately involved in a few clubs than loosely involved in many clubs. The great thing is, if a club or organization is not for you, you are allowed to leave. Life happens and people can get over it.
Pace Yourself
Sometimes the best way to find opportunities is to stop looking for them. Yeah. That's what I said. When you are too focused on finding extracurriculers or resume builders, you lose focus of school work and the reason you're at college—to learn and earn a degree. There are so many great opportunities at college that come when you are least expecting them to, so go with the flow.
The best things come when you continue to focus on your top priorities with an open mind. Sometimes planning everything makes us expect to gain a certain goal or objective, but the reality is that we need room for change and that is totally okay. Take a deep breath, and stop thinking about what everyone else is doing.
Not everybody's college experience is or will be the same. We all have our own ways of moving about the world, so why worry about others? Comparing your college experience to someone else's will only set you up for a more stressful year.
Explore Your Purpose
College is here for you to explore new things and explore new things about yourself. If we all had the same exact experience at college, what fun would that be? Different intellectual minds coming together, sharing new ideas, learning various perspectives, and seeing the world in another point of view is what college, at least to me, has shown.
Whether you are a new student, or a frantic sophomore, or even an upperclassmen, I want you to know that everything will work out just fine. If you take the steps outside of your comfort zone a bit, reach out for help, utilize resources on campus, pace yourself, and go with the flow, you will find that not everyone is trying to "beat you" or "show up" your college experience.
Your college experience is what you make of it.
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Living in the midst of the digital age has its ups and downs. We get to be with people and connected almost immediately at the touch of our buttons. You can say hello to literally anybody. Find out any information you want and—you've heard it all before.
About a week ago, I woke up to a very inconvenient misfortune that a lot of people are dealing with or have dealt with right now—being hacked.
Hacked.
Now I may sound a bit dramatic, but it's been awhile since my personal accounts have been compromised. I know I was hacked because a common trend among these hackers are when they are hacking people's Instagram accounts and changing the emails and some profiles, luckily mine was not. So that was a fun thing to wake up to.
I've gone through all the emailing and trying to contact Instagram, and I'm sure they're aware that this is happening to a majority of users, but it seems like they just don't care unless you're a verified public figure or influenser. So my schedule has been a bit crazy dealing with moving back into school and this is the last thing I wanted to deal with. Which, I feel like is understandable.
I have now since made a new Instagram @natrohman, not @natalierohman, because I have no access to my other account. I went through the two-factor verification process to ensure my account stays secure and I wish I could have known about that before it all happened.
Now I have a blank account and am starting from scratch. Zero followers and all. However, since this all went down, I have not once felt the desire or urge to get back into Instagram. I've honestly enjoyed this break from it and not worrying about who has posted what. I'd say my presence on social media is very regular and going into college without that has made things a bit more free flowing. I'm not worried about who's where or doing what. Not saying I won't be on it anymore, but it has been second nature for me to be on my phone all the time.
I have talked to some of my friends about the issue and ranted to them about losing all my "followers" and worrying about a hacker posting random things on my profile, but I've realized that it all doesn't matter.
Cue Gushiness
Cue Gushiness
No matter the followers or likes you have, you cannot be defined by something as superficial as a number on your profile, salary number, price tag, scale number, or any other number. At the end of the day, I still have those relationships with people that are the most important in my life. Instagram isn't going to leave. People are going to be on it all the time and they probably won't miss me. There are so many other interesting people on Instagram (hate to break it to you).
Ten years from now, my Instagram followers won't effect the person I want to become and the things I want to do. People my age get so caught up in developing a following and creating an "image" for themselves—for other people to perceive them as.
We curate ourselves to be our best selves online.
I don't know if this hacking was really a bad thing. Besides the fact that my personal information was taken away from me, it was time for me to realize that there is so much more to life than living behind filters and screens. The moments I experience and memories I create don't always have to be shared to everybody because those are special to me.
I don't want this post to resonate badly in regards to my views of using social media or others using it, but I also want it to be a post where you can reflect on your own usage or over usage of it. Does being on social media sites really spark joy in your life? How much do you depend on it? Does validation from your peers make you a better person or is it valued to you more introspectively?
I know I don't get many views on my blog, but that doesn't justify the work and effort I put into it. I do it for myself, as well. I try to be a better writer, content creator, and a story teller every day. However, counting our likes and followers can sway our views of ourselves and make us compare our worthiness to other people. To me, that sounds like digging yourself into a deep, dark hole. If there's anything I want you to really take away from this it is that you cannot allow others to define who you are or what you want to become.
Ten years from now, my Instagram followers won't effect the person I want to become and the things I want to do. People my age get so caught up in developing a following and creating an "image" for themselves—for other people to perceive them as.
We curate ourselves to be our best selves online.
I don't know if this hacking was really a bad thing. Besides the fact that my personal information was taken away from me, it was time for me to realize that there is so much more to life than living behind filters and screens. The moments I experience and memories I create don't always have to be shared to everybody because those are special to me.
I don't want this post to resonate badly in regards to my views of using social media or others using it, but I also want it to be a post where you can reflect on your own usage or over usage of it. Does being on social media sites really spark joy in your life? How much do you depend on it? Does validation from your peers make you a better person or is it valued to you more introspectively?
I know I don't get many views on my blog, but that doesn't justify the work and effort I put into it. I do it for myself, as well. I try to be a better writer, content creator, and a story teller every day. However, counting our likes and followers can sway our views of ourselves and make us compare our worthiness to other people. To me, that sounds like digging yourself into a deep, dark hole. If there's anything I want you to really take away from this it is that you cannot allow others to define who you are or what you want to become.
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