I grew up in a household with two teachers for parents. My education has always been extremely important to me. Most people aren't necessarily concerned with their GPA, as long as their passing all of their classes. I've always strived to maintain straight As. Doing this throughout high school, wasn't extremely challenging for me, but I knew coming to college was going to be a different story. In an attempt to maintain my straight A streak I read every chapter assigned, got tutoring when needed, and did every extra credit assignment available.
I can't describe the number of crazed, droopy-eyed students I see around the last few weeks of the semester. Everyone's working on five final projects, one for each class. People have gone days with too little sleep, too little food, and too much stress.
I don't know if it's senioritis that's kicking in, or if experience has just helped me realize, but enough is enough. Professors claim they're helping us get "real world" experience and college is helping to prepare us for what's out there. Welp, I'm calling your bluff. I'm currently a full-time student taking five classes, working 40 hours a week, and involved in three different organizations on campus. This all-together, including time spent doing homework, etc. adds up to approximately 70+ hours a week. I don't need your petty assignments and busy work to help prepare me for the real world, I think I can manage, thanks. Needless to say, I've come to learn that there are a few things that are more important than my education. Underclassmen, take note:
1. Sleep
I've always had difficulty understanding how some people can run on five or less hours of sleep. I'm a zombie if I don't get at least seven. And unfortunately I've had many experience in which I didn't get off work until 10:30 and was up until 1:00 doing homework then got to wake up at 7:00 for an 8:00am class. It gets even worse when this happens two or three days in a row. My friends make fun of me for taking so many naps, but seriously, how do you expect a girl to survive? You can't function without sleep. I've made myself sick from lack of sleep because of all the homework and extra-cirricular activities I've had to partake in. And honestly, it's just not worth it. So, if you're ever wondering if you should study or just go to bed... Go to bed.
2. Physical Activity & Nutrition
This past summer I actually had a "real" job. I got out of work at 5:15pm every day, went for a run, made a healthy dinner. So please, professors, explain to me how your obscene amount of homework that barely gives me the time to stop at McDonald's down the street is helping to prepare me for my "real" job. Nutrition, physical activity, and sleep all go hand in hand. If you're not eating right and taking care of your body, once again, you're going to become sick. So, feeling stressed about all your reading? Run it off. People can influence your mood and workload, but no one can take your run.
3. Your Social Life
"Sorry guys, I can't come out this weekend, I have way too much homework." Been there, done that. The fact that I can't go out and socialize with people and be around people isn't doing me any good. I can't talk in class because I'm supposed to be listening, I can't talk after class because I'm doing the unGodly amount of homework you gave me, soooo, what am I supposed to do, talk to myself in my sleep? Cool. Just so you know, this "real world" you're preparing me for, it's going to involve me having some interaction with human beings. Forget the reading and go forget your problems with a drink in your hand.
4. Your Sanity
Sophomore year I was taking six classes and doing an internship at the same time. Talk about no life. If I wasn't at the station I was sitting at my kitchen table doing homework. Literally. I was miserable, irritable, and constantly cranky. I didn't even want to be around myself, so I couldn't imagine who in their right mind would? When you're constantly stressed and lacking sleep, you become a huge bitch. And I mean, it's truly not directly your fault. Because your body is lacking the care and energy it needs, you can't function like normal. I can recall on numerous occasions throwing books, yelling at my cat, and just ignoring people because I "wasn't in the mood." If that's what your life is coming to, put the books away and take a break.
5. Your Friends
If you're cranky and moody you may not treat your friends as well as you should. But last time I checked Aristotle and his book of ethics aren't gonna be able to console you when the guy you've been dating for the past year breaks your heart into pieces and stomps them into the ground. Your friends will understand that you have homework to do, but every now and then it'd be nice if you chose them too.
Life is a beautiful thing and we only get one chance to make it spectacular. Don't let it pass you by because all you did was homework. Cause let me tell you- AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
A Senior's Survival Guide to Graduation
And the realization of graduation hit me like a brick. Don't get me wrong, like, I knew it was coming. But seriously, where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was moving my life into M-53 (RED HALL, WHOOP!) and dreading the year ahead of me after seeing I had to live with some girl named Kate Baker who couldn't even climb to the top bunk (no joke). Don't worry, she later took care of the issue by having the beds debunked, completely changing the feng shui of the entire room. Talk about a rough start.
But that rough start has turned into a beautiful journey, one in which I never could have predicted. I have met and befriended some amazing people, held some fun and interesting jobs and internships, traveled the world, and learned so much academically and about myself as a person. Sounds great, right? Which is why I think I freaked. Well that, and this whole "real world" "job" ordeal. A big thank you to those seniors who already have their post-graduation jobs set in stone. You truly made it easy for me to rationalize the extent of my panic.
But after my freak-out and a viewing of "Tangled" to calm me down, I was able to rationally come up with a few guidelines to help me remain calm and survive the rest of my semester with minimal worry (hopefully).
1. Apply EVERYWHERE
I've set a rule for myself that I will apply for at least 5 jobs at week. If I do 5 at minimum per week, that ends up being 80 jobs over the course of the semester. And out of 80 jobs, I HAVE to be hired for one of them, right? Well, I hope so. If not, I might go into an extreme depression which will lead to my admittance into a mental ward. Maybe this rule isn't as great as I originally thought?
2. Network, Network, Network
I go to a school where they teach "it's not what you know, it's who you know," for crying out loud. I've had so many internship opportunities over the past few years and I've formed some amazing relationships. This is where the phrase "never burn your bridges" comes back to haunt you (if you have). Time to start sending out those e-mails and, well, quite frankly, sucking up. By the time I've reconnected with everyone I'm going to be so high-wired after all the cups of coffee I've drank.
3. Don't Settle
I'm pretty much applying for any job I THINK I'd be interested. So as many jobs as I'll be applying for, I guarantee I'll walk into some interviews and be like "you want...what?" I'm an advocate of doing what makes you happy. I don't want to wake up every morning thinking "ugh, time to go to work." I want to be excited. Who cares if you turn down the offer? If it's not right, it's not right. And hey, if nothing else, it serves as a confidence booster that you are desirable for other employers! How does the saying go? "If you find a job you love, you'll never have to work a day in your life."
4. Consider Grad School
Ha. Yea, right.
5. Don't Stress
My one day of freak-out was more than enough. One of my biggest fears with this semester ending is moving away from the people I've met here. I have connected with them in a way a never connected with the majority of my high school peers. They are genuine, fun-loving, down-to-earth, whole-hearted people. And I worry I won't be able to find that wherever I go. By stressing out and over-analyzing everything I'm going to miss out on spending some of my last days with such a great bunch that when I look back on my last semester I'm going to realize how big of a fool I've been. So far everything has worked out for me so I can only assume things will continue to play out the way they are meant to be!
But that rough start has turned into a beautiful journey, one in which I never could have predicted. I have met and befriended some amazing people, held some fun and interesting jobs and internships, traveled the world, and learned so much academically and about myself as a person. Sounds great, right? Which is why I think I freaked. Well that, and this whole "real world" "job" ordeal. A big thank you to those seniors who already have their post-graduation jobs set in stone. You truly made it easy for me to rationalize the extent of my panic.
But after my freak-out and a viewing of "Tangled" to calm me down, I was able to rationally come up with a few guidelines to help me remain calm and survive the rest of my semester with minimal worry (hopefully).
1. Apply EVERYWHERE
I've set a rule for myself that I will apply for at least 5 jobs at week. If I do 5 at minimum per week, that ends up being 80 jobs over the course of the semester. And out of 80 jobs, I HAVE to be hired for one of them, right? Well, I hope so. If not, I might go into an extreme depression which will lead to my admittance into a mental ward. Maybe this rule isn't as great as I originally thought?
2. Network, Network, Network
I go to a school where they teach "it's not what you know, it's who you know," for crying out loud. I've had so many internship opportunities over the past few years and I've formed some amazing relationships. This is where the phrase "never burn your bridges" comes back to haunt you (if you have). Time to start sending out those e-mails and, well, quite frankly, sucking up. By the time I've reconnected with everyone I'm going to be so high-wired after all the cups of coffee I've drank.
3. Don't Settle
I'm pretty much applying for any job I THINK I'd be interested. So as many jobs as I'll be applying for, I guarantee I'll walk into some interviews and be like "you want...what?" I'm an advocate of doing what makes you happy. I don't want to wake up every morning thinking "ugh, time to go to work." I want to be excited. Who cares if you turn down the offer? If it's not right, it's not right. And hey, if nothing else, it serves as a confidence booster that you are desirable for other employers! How does the saying go? "If you find a job you love, you'll never have to work a day in your life."
4. Consider Grad School
Ha. Yea, right.
5. Don't Stress
My one day of freak-out was more than enough. One of my biggest fears with this semester ending is moving away from the people I've met here. I have connected with them in a way a never connected with the majority of my high school peers. They are genuine, fun-loving, down-to-earth, whole-hearted people. And I worry I won't be able to find that wherever I go. By stressing out and over-analyzing everything I'm going to miss out on spending some of my last days with such a great bunch that when I look back on my last semester I'm going to realize how big of a fool I've been. So far everything has worked out for me so I can only assume things will continue to play out the way they are meant to be!
Friday, January 4, 2013
A Northerner's Guide to Southern Lingo
It seems as Americans we're always enamored by the exotic characteristics of foreigners, especially Europeans. The thing that gets us most? Their accent. Don't even pretend like you haven't met a Brit and fallen in love with their accent. The way they say "the lou" and the various terms they have for our everyday words always gives us great delight. We're amused so easily by the lingual differences.
Well boy, do I have great news for you. No longer do you have to wait for someone to travel over from Europe to bask and enjoy in the differences of speech. Oh, no! While they may not be quite as "exotic," our southern counterparts sure do have a language of their own. I have spent a lot of time in the south over the past few months and always joked with my friends that I was going to have to start a dictionary of southern terms and phrases. Below you will find a few phrases that may bring extreme confusion when heard for the first time.
1. Britches: An informal type of trouser
Example: "Claytus, pull up those damn britches of yours."
Northern Synonym: Pants, jeans
2. Whale: In a good or satisfactory way; in good health
Example: " Whale, butter my butt and call me a biscuit."
Northern Synonym: Well
3. Tin: The number that comes after nine
Example: "Eight, Nine, Tin. Ready or not here I come!"
Northern Synonym: Ten
4. Buggy: A vehicle with four wheels, typically used to carry your groceries around the store
Example: "Gary Lee, when we get to Walmart, grab us a buggy!"
Northern Synonym: Shopping cart, cart
5. Lawd: The big man up in Heaven
Example: "Oh my lawwwwwd."
Northern Synonym: Lord
6. Tater: The part of your body that rests atop your neck
Example: "This hat won't fit on top my tater!"
Northern Synonym: Head
7. Toboggan: A winter hat, especially one that resembles a Russian winter hat
Example: "I found the warmest toboggan today at Walmart!"
Northern Synonym: Winter hat
8. Fixin': To direct one's efforts; concentrate; to prepare
Example: "I'm fixin' to bushhawg the field."
Northern Synonym: "Getting ready to"
9. Jaeatyet: A phrase questioning whether one has eaten a meal
Example: "Jaeatyet?"
Northern Synonym: "Did you eat yet?"
10. "Bless his heart": A phrase that cancels out anything negative you say about someone
Example: "Bless her heart, but she the ugliest broad I ever saw."
Northern Synonym: None
11. "Whale ain't that nice": A sarcastic phrase essentially meaning "Who gives a shit?"
Northern Synonym: Cool story, bro
Well boy, do I have great news for you. No longer do you have to wait for someone to travel over from Europe to bask and enjoy in the differences of speech. Oh, no! While they may not be quite as "exotic," our southern counterparts sure do have a language of their own. I have spent a lot of time in the south over the past few months and always joked with my friends that I was going to have to start a dictionary of southern terms and phrases. Below you will find a few phrases that may bring extreme confusion when heard for the first time.
1. Britches: An informal type of trouser
Example: "Claytus, pull up those damn britches of yours."
Northern Synonym: Pants, jeans
2. Whale: In a good or satisfactory way; in good health
Example: " Whale, butter my butt and call me a biscuit."
Northern Synonym: Well
3. Tin: The number that comes after nine
Example: "Eight, Nine, Tin. Ready or not here I come!"
Northern Synonym: Ten
4. Buggy: A vehicle with four wheels, typically used to carry your groceries around the store
Example: "Gary Lee, when we get to Walmart, grab us a buggy!"
Northern Synonym: Shopping cart, cart
5. Lawd: The big man up in Heaven
Example: "Oh my lawwwwwd."
Northern Synonym: Lord
6. Tater: The part of your body that rests atop your neck
Example: "This hat won't fit on top my tater!"
 |
| The hat on Gary's head would be considered a "toboggan". |
7. Toboggan: A winter hat, especially one that resembles a Russian winter hat
Example: "I found the warmest toboggan today at Walmart!"
Northern Synonym: Winter hat
8. Fixin': To direct one's efforts; concentrate; to prepare
Example: "I'm fixin' to bushhawg the field."
Northern Synonym: "Getting ready to"
9. Jaeatyet: A phrase questioning whether one has eaten a meal
Example: "Jaeatyet?"
Northern Synonym: "Did you eat yet?"
10. "Bless his heart": A phrase that cancels out anything negative you say about someone
Example: "Bless her heart, but she the ugliest broad I ever saw."
Northern Synonym: None
11. "Whale ain't that nice": A sarcastic phrase essentially meaning "Who gives a shit?"
Northern Synonym: Cool story, bro
**Special thanks to all my friends from the south who made me feel at home this past summer and made me want to keep coming back! I have learned so much from you (more than just linguistically) and look forward to continuous visits.**
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