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STAYING FIT IN COLLEGE

People always try and scare college freshman into staying in shape purely based on the fear of “The Freshman Fifteen”. Let me say this: though a scare tactic works for some, it doesn’t work for everyone. Many people, like myself, actually find that a scare tactic does exactly what it needs to do: scare. However, instead of working out, I began to resort to eating small snacks throughout the day so I would not need to eat as many meals. This worked for a while. Once I went in to a doctor because I needed some tests, my doctor told me that my iron count was low, and proceeded to ask me about my dietary behaviors. Long story short: I got scolded and told I needed to eat meals.

I am, however, very self-conscious about working out with people around me. It genuinely scares me. These tips are ones I picked up on during my freshman year that can help you try and stay fit while balancing school.

1. Do small workouts in your dorm

I did not like going to the gym we have on campus. Even though the use of it is free, the idea of people watching me while I work out freaked me out. Instead, I would do small workouts within the comfort of my room. These varied between ab, arm, and leg workouts. I would generally do 35-40 crunches, a 30-sec plank x 2, 20 triceps dips on the edge of my bed, 15 push-up, 15 lunges-per-leg, and then round off the workout with between 15-35 squats. This workout would never take me more than maybe a half an hour, but it should only take roughly 15-20 minutes. The reason it took me so long is because I would try and study while doing it. (I am a big believer in multi-tasking, so I tried this method) Though the workout was small, it was still enough to make me feel something.

2. Walk, Walk, Walk

College is nice because walking to classes is pretty much the only option. Walking actually helps with burning calories, even if you are going at a slow pace. The goal is to go slower for longer rather than doing what runners do which is faster for shorter. Now, if you are one of those people who wants to run to all of their classes, be my guest, but don’t get upset if professors or peers refuse to be around you because you smell like pure B.O.. Walking around campus with a backpack full of materials also helps to burn calories, as the added weight requires more core work, along with leg support to get yourself from point A to point B.

3. Avoid fast-foods

The convenience of having a pizza delivered to your dorm is a nice luxury, but don’t abuse it. During my second semester, I was eating pizza about twice a week, killing not only my wallet, but also my physique. Besides pizza, I was also willing to make a quick 1 am trip to a local gas station to get some hot food while studying. Though late night adventures are fun, be cautious of what you are putting into your body. The cheap option is nice on your wallet, but generally harmful to your body. Instead, keep your room stocked with snacks. Now, the snacks should be healthy, but as long as you are eating small enough portions, a small splurge every now and then will not hurt. Just do not splurge four days a week.

4. Try and eat healthy with the food options on campus

Many schools provide a form of food for students, and the variation between them is as varied as the school choices. I know at my school, we have a salad bar, grill, pizza & pastas, deli, and action station. Now, I pretty much lived at the salad bar and deli during the school year. These options were actually the best options available to a student who is trying to watch what they are eating. The deli option allows you to create custom sandwiches and wraps, along with the option of a hummus plate if you ask. Many schools will be accommodating with students, even if they have dietary restrictions. However, just go with this general rule if you are still struggling: get as many colors onto your plate as possible. The more colors, the more nutritious.

I know these tips are just small basic things, but sometimes people, like myself, need to be reminded of these things. The Freshman Fifteen is a real thing if you let it be. However, small behavior changes here and there can help anyone eat and stay healthy.

[darlingdawn99-blog]

WORKING WHILE STUDYING

I’m not going to sugar coat this: college is expensive, and supplies are not cheap. Higher education for any student who lives in the U.S. is beyond expensive, with schools having tuition as high as $100,000 for a year. Personally, my college costs me $53,000 a year, not including the cost of books and other school supplies. However, besides scholarships and grants, there are other ways to relieve the stress of financial strain.

1. Work Study

Many students don’t know this, but there actually is an option on the FAFSA application that allows you to apply for work study. The grant can be up to $2,000 a year, which doesn’t seem like much, but it does pay off. My first year I was able to find a job quickly, and actually got a second work-study job. I ended up quitting the job at semester because it conflicted too much with my schedule, but the extra money was helpful. The nice thing about work-study also is that you can adjust the deposits to take certain percentages for your financial account and the rest to your personal bank account.

2. Off-Campus Jobs

I know the struggle of balancing work and school. That was my last two years of high school, but I realize how important all of that money I saved up was. I wasn’t able to get a job off-campus during the school year, but that is one thing I will for sure be doing during my second year and continuing on. The payment that comes from off-campus jobs is much higher than that from the school from work-study. I know my college pays $7.25 per hour for work-study, but an off-campus job can range from $9-$11 per hour depending on where you work.

3. Surveys

Surveys online can provide compensation, however the demographic that surveys generally focus on are filled quickly. I have had some success with completing surveys, but generally the payout is not enough for me to continue coming back for more than just a couple of days.

4. Small Tasks

Some schools allow for the general public to post their own signage for anyone looking for work. I know that at my school, the area by the mail center is covered in flyers from local companies or even from parents, schools, and daycare centers looking for students who are willing to work with children or even do babysitting jobs. I also know that some local assisted living quarters will hire students to help with small maintenance tasks, along with simple things like handing out meals and helping move patients between rooms.

5. Donate Plasma

I know this is a joke to the vast majority of people who haven’t had to scrape every nook and cranny for money, but this is actually a very do-able option. I have donated plasma off-and-on throughout the school year and into summer. Let me say this: the extra money really does help. Many donation centers will do promotions for both new and existing donors. Within my first month of donating, I made over $250 from going twice a week. That extra money allowed me to buy my parents something nice for Christmas instead of just a crappy generic gift. So, even though many people make it seem like the epitome of needy college students, the payout is actually worth the little time that it takes to go and complete a donation.

I have used all of these options, and I know there are plenty more to help students make money during school. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to try and save up as much as possible during the summer to help with expenses during the school year. However, I do highly recommend an off-campus job during the school year. Though it may seem like extra work, it actually can really help in the long run, especially if your job can have you transfer to a different location during the summer and school year.

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RELATIONSHIPS AND COLLEGE

Relationships in college are something that everyone will experience at some point. Whether it is a high school partner or someone you meet in college, relationships do not get easier. Actually, relationships come under strain during the college years.

The strain comes from many different things, but the biggest stressor comes from distance. When I began my first year at college, I was in a relationship with someone I had been dating since May of my junior year of high school. At first, we kept saying that it would work and that nothing would come between us. Oh, how we were so wrong. Instead, our conversations went from daily to weekly, video chats were once a week, phone calls were maybe three times a week, texts were nonexistent, and the only form of communication we had was from the Snapchats that we sent each other throughout the day. Arguments became more frequent, and since I didn’t have a car at school, it was impossible for me to go home and see him. Instead, he would refuse to come and see me. The distance, however, made me notice something: he was very negligent of me. He never wanted to see me in person, and when he did he just wanted to pick a fight. Stress just built as our schedules became different. Eventually, he began accusing me of cheating every other day. Every unanswered phone call resulted in him leaving voicemails of him yelling at me. I quickly realized that I needed to to get out of the relationship and focus on myself. That actually turned out very well, and I am now in a happy, healthy relationship.

After my stressful relationship experience, I wanted to write this just to help those of you who may be experiencing similar circumstances with your significant other.

1. Before college, talk about schedules One of the biggest issues I had with my ex, even before college, was the discoordination between our schedules. My ex would call me every day at three-thirty, but the issue was that my classes didn’t end until four. The minute I could call him back I did, but that resulted in him not answering his phone. It became stressful when I began rehearsals and such for theatre. Also, since my ex is a declared video game addict, the chances of me getting to contact him were cut in half. His life and mine had two different schedules, but I was the only one making effort.

The best thing to do for couples attempting long distance is to have a schedule where at least once a week you set aside time to talk with that person. Though a schedule seems ridiculous, it actually is extremely helpful to make sure that you are talking with your partner during the week. This allows planning for visits and even seeing when both of you will be home or will be able to see each other.

2. Understand that people change When I was with my ex, I was a much different person. I used to be very passive and would allow anyone to treat me poorly. My ex very quickly took advantage of that. He would always make me feel bad about expecting him to not treat me poorly, along with getting mad when I would ask him to do something I wanted to do. My ex didn’t understand that when I got to college, I quickly changed. I didn’t allow anyone to treat me poorly anymore, along with calling out people on being selfish.

Remember that college does change people more than one may realize. Getting placed into a new circumstance with new people allows for one to grow and develop. The thing is: your significant other may not like the person that you are changing into. When that point comes, you have to make a decision: does this person actually love me even though I’m still growing? If the answer is no, then I’m sorry to say, but a serious discussion needs to occur regarding your relationship.

3. Trust each other When I went away to school it wasn’t even two weeks into classes and my ex accused me of drunkenly sleeping with someone else. This same thought process stuck with him, and that ended up being the demise of our relationship, with other things making the breakup so bad to the point where I chose to stay on campus over the summer as to avoid him, but that’s a story for another day. If you truly care about someone, you have to trust them. As a person who has had trust issues in the past, the biggest pet peeve of mine is when people do not trust me. If you accuse someone of doing something, they are more likely to because you have established how you will react. I know when my ex accused me of cheating I just wanted to go out and do something drunkenly so that way he would have an actual reason to get mad. An unnecessary reaction can lead to unnecessary circumstances. It’s really that simple. If you trust each other, things should run smoothly.

Relationships are hard, whether they are long distance or even if they are within 20 minutes of you. Difficulties still come. The best piece of advice I can give to anyone is to communicate. Talk with your significant other about what is bothering you when it is bothering you instead of bottling it up and later arguing an insane amount. I recently went through a big fight with my boyfriend regarding a friend staying on my couch. As I look back I actually understand that I was in the wrong for forcing him into a situation, and I did apologize for it. After that fight, we talked for hours and cried together about life and honestly, it was insane. I knew I loved him, but after seeing him break and crumple in front of me, I realized that the feelings I hold for him are something beyond just superficial feelings, but my heart is for him.

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GREEK LIFE: RUSH AND BEYOND

Greek life is something I never really looked into before I came to college. I was never concerned with trying to fit in with a large group of girls. This is purely my opinion, but I did experience rushing for my first year. I began by going to occasional events, and then realized I do not have enough time to make it work. However, one of my close friends got into a sorority, and she has made me realize the type of people who are considered to join greek life.

If you are considering joining Greek life, congrats! I mean that genuinely, because it takes a lot of work, but if you are dedicated enough, then go for it. I wish you the best of luck! Here are some notable values that most Greek organizations look for in pledges. 

1. Be positive

I know this seems like a very basic thing, but trust me it does make an impact on the types of people who get bids. Sisters and brothers are looking for people who will make their chapter shine. Positivity and excitement are key because if one person is positive about Greek life, then others will be too. People mimic the emotions of others, especially when it comes to happiness, but also negativity. If you are miserable during the rush, then it will spread. If you can be positive and excited, then any Greek life will try and snatch you up.

2. Be open and honest

These people want to become close to you throughout your life. They are looking for a new addition to their family, so being open and honest is the best way to join the family. Lying is one thing that no Greek life organization tolerates, so if you cannot be honest with them, then they will not want to have you join. It’s relatively simple with that. Also, do not talk badly about the organization you want to join, especially if it is the only one you are looking at. If word gets around that you hate a majority of the organization, then kiss your bid goodbye. These people are sisters and brothers, and if you talk badly about one of them, you talk badly about all of them.

3. Bond with your sisters/brothers

If you have made it past rush and are actually apart of Greek life, the congrats! That is a big accomplishment. Now, time to bond with your new family. Try to go as many different events as possible that are offered within your organization. I know I have had friends of mine who are in Greek life come to my room to personally invite me to events because they want me to look at joining. However, if you are already in, then just focus on your new family. Find similar interests that you have with others beyond just your shared value of philanthropy. Luckily with a small school, it is easy to find people who are pledging the same Greek organization as you, but for bigger schools it is a different story. If you are at a big school, try to stand out with your outfits because the pledge classes are so large it will be hard to remember names, but easy to remember outfits.

4. It’s okay to be nervous

When I was asking my friend about some of her tips for people who want to pledge, she said one thing she was when she first went in was nervous as hell. However, she said she was so excited to be apart of it. Nerves are normal when you are meeting a new group of people, especially when it is a large group of people. As long as you understand that everyone is just as nervous as you are, everything will be okay. That is one thing you can bond about with pledges and some sisters. If your nerves become too much, you can go and talk to the sisters because they want to know you, even when you are scared out of your mind. The nice thing is that if you are a pledge going to the sisters, this allows you to bond with them, along with getting stuff off of your chest to people who can give you sound advice.

5. Find what feels like home

I remember the night my friend had to decide which sorority she wanted to go into. She came back from the decision night bawling her eyes out. Not because she hated all of them, but because they were all so nice to her and made her feel so comfortable that she didn’t want to pick just one. However, she did decide to pledge to one sorority, and she said she is happy with her decision. The girls in her sorority make her feel like she is at home and is apart of a big family. One of the things that she noticed was that the people in her sorority were the type of people she wanted to be. The confidence that you can gain from joining a group of people with similar values can give you the confidence that you need to accomplish anything in life.

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ROOMMATE DOESN’T MEAN FRIEND

I’m not going to lie. When I was going through the process of moving into college, I was terrified. I didn’t have a roommate planned beforehand so I was going in blind. I was terrified I would be randomly assigned one and end up hating her. NEWS FLASH: You can pick your roommate and still end up hating them.

I was eventually reached by a person to live in a suite with three other girls. I agreed, thinking everything would be fine. I was so wrong. One ended up moving out because I did not play a sport and she had to room with a teammate, so we got a randomly assigned roommate. This girl ended up being the best thing to happen.

Now, you know a little bit about my roommate process, and I will say, everything was fine for almost the entire year. Then my roommate got into a relationship, and everything went downhill. This post is to help you handle having a bad roommate, and also to give you the confidence to stand up for yourself when they are acting irrationally.

1. Get to know someone before you room with them

This was the mistake I made. I didn’t take time to look more at these people and their lives before I agreed to move in with them. I just said yes because I was worried about having someone randomly given to me and not getting along with them.

Go on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and look up these people’s profiles. You can actually get large amounts of information just by scrolling through their Instagram. Psychology studies have shown that the more selfies someone has on their profile, the more introverted and narcissistic the person is. This sleuthing will also give you the chance to see the type of activities the person is interested in. Just remember, people are more honest when their face isn’t attached to it.

Another way to get to know someone is by meeting with them in person. My now ex-roommate lived half an hour away from me and I neglected the opportunity to meet with her in person. This could have saved a lot of problems, as the first day we actually talked when at school she said, “I’m a fake person. If I’m nice to you, it isn’t real so don’t get close to me because I can f*** someone over without caring at all.” Yes. I roomed with this person for a whole academic year and there were days I wanted to just leave because of her.

Just be sure you know a person before you room with them, because things can turn ugly very quickly.

2. Make sure you can adjust your roommate contract

Some schools require a roommate contract at the beginning of the year. At my school, since four of us were all together, we had two contracts for the A and B rooms, and then one for the entire room. The beginning of the year will be much different from the end, and I can guarantee it, as mine changed completely. My roommate and I had significant others who were 1.5+ hours away, so sleepover days were just down to four per month. However, at the end of the year, my current significant other, along with hers, is just five minutes away. She has slept in his room for over two months consistently, so I essentially have my own room. Now, the issue of guests overnight was never an issue before, and I told her I understand she has a bed there too, but my significant other was not sleeping in her bed. He was sleeping with me in mine.

Make sure your roommate contracts can be adjusted. Things change, and it’s really that simple. My roommate ended up spending all of her time with her boyfriend, and she told me that the section regarding sleepovers was not significant and could be dissolved. If things change between you and your roommate, change the contract throughout the year. Adjusting it is allowed, and if situations and circumstances change, then so can the contract.

3. Do NOT let someone try and make you feel inferior in your room

This is a problem I experienced all the time with my roommate. She would never be in the room, but the second she was, I was not allowed to do anything because she has more rights than I do. Okay, that is bullshit. You should never feel inferior in your room, and you should also be understanding of your roommate. Honestly, there were so many times that she and her boyfriend would sleep in the room with me in there and I would never say anything. The reason? Because it is her room too.

Make sure things are balanced. The whole point of having a roommate is having balance in the room. No one should feel like they have less value to the room because of the number of things that are one person in the room compared to the other.

If a roommate makes you feel this way, confront them. I can tell you right now, being passive does nothing. My roommate did that, and I got to the point where I helped her gather her stuff and move out. Sometimes, people don’t like being called out for being a bad person, and if they decide to take a drastic measure, just present facts. Simply show your roommate, and anyone else involved, that things are equal.

4. Hide anything valuable that is at risk of being stolen

Roommates who are mad, especially my roommate, will feel no remorse digging through your stuff to find something to get you in trouble. Now, I’m not going to hide the truth. I have had alcohol in my room with my stuff before. However, it wasn’t until my roommate decided to claim everything as hers that I had an issue. I walked into my room to find all of my stuff moved, containers open, and a can of Mike’s sitting on my desk. Luckily, I could put that into the care of someone else for the time being, but this really opened my eyes to the level people will go down to just to get someone in trouble.

Get a lock box and hide your things of value in there. Another way to avoid buying a lockbox is to make your own hidden compartment/container out of things that do not look suspicious. Also, do not give anyone the code to your lockbox. Things there are valuable. The only person who can have access is the owner of the box.

Also, keep an eye on your wallet and/or purse. I have walked in on my roommate trying to sneak a $20 out of my wallet, and when I asked her how much she took, she just gave me $60 and then walked away. Like I said, some people will stoop to such a low level just to try and mess up someone’s life. She is just a prime example of such a level.

I hope this post didn’t scare you about having a roommate but rather gave you a sense of how to avoid roommate dilemmas. Luckily, by your years beyond freshman year, finding a roommate you will get along with gets much easier, but this is just how to try and handle a roommate feud. Just be careful with the people you live with because they can show their true colors once it is too late.

[darlingdawn99-blog]

Hi There!

Hi everyone! I know this may seem like a dumb thing to do, but I am going to post an introduction for you so you can get to know me and understand the purpose of this blog.

I am a college freshman, and as I am finishing up my first year of college, I am here to give advice, tell stories, and allow others to connect through similar situations and circumstances. I am majoring in Psychobiology, so most of my posts will have some psychology underlying it.

Now, I am warning you, these things that I am going to tell you are all based on my experience with my first year of college. The chances of these things happening to you are slim to none, but I want to help and give you as much in your arsenal as possible to make sure that none of these things happen.

I am so excited to share my stories with all of you! And please feel free to ask me a question. I will even take questions and make posts about them if they are something I can help with!