White Girl Basic

Why we need to stop saying “white girl basic”
First of all, nobody is ‘basic’. While you may be referring to the amount of selfies someone takes or how they like their Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes or that they wear Uggs or monogram vests we still aren’t ‘basic’. On Dictionary.com the definition of basic is “offering or consisting in the minimum required…” I can tell you, I am not basic. I do not require Starbucks, selfies, or monogram vests. I am tired of hearing people call others basic and I am tired of my own friends calling me ‘white girl basic’. I am not basic. I am human. I work hard, I am a perfectionist (and the last time I checked that isn’t basic or doing the minimum required), for the most part I am a neat freak, I have type AB personality, I turn my homework in on time, etc. Why should I be called basic? Is it because I wear a monogram vest?

What NOT to buy your college student?

https://shopping.yahoo.com/news/what-not-to-buy-your-college-bound-student-this-year-163415918.html

Yeah... about that..
Students SHOULD have a printer. My college professors want an electronically sent copy of papers and a hard copy. We also have printer money with the school but sometimes it's last minute and wandering towards the library at 4 in the morning is not a good idea when you can easily print in your own room.

Also, people should have a fridge. Maybe this pertains to me more since I have Celiac Disease but you always want to have some frozen meals available or something of the like.

I agree in part with the ironing board... although instead of an ironing board get a mini steamer (Bed Bath and Beyond sells one) and you can hang whatever you want unwrinkled on a hanger and run the steamer up and down it.

While YOU might not need an external hard drive you better be backing up your laptop when you go home on break. I've had friends who have had their computers crash at school and they've lost everything. EVERYTHING. You should have some way to back it up. Even icloud. Something!

End of Spring Semester 2014

 Fall 2014 semester will have SO much to post about!! I'll be sharing WAY more workout tips, health product reviews (realistic ones), what it's like to be a resident advisor, etc.
As I did in the Fall, I followed the tips outlined in this blog post about getting good grades: http://myjourneyuniversity.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-to-get-good-grades.html

AND.... my grades improved even more!! My Spring semester GPA was 3.6!! Not much happened over Spring semester. I met some new people, I declared as a Creative Writing major (and now changed it to be a Communications major). That way I can do PR on political campaigns, work for a television news channel, radio channel and so much more! I am still on the Elementary Education certification track (so no changes).. and I'm LOVING it! I can NOT wait until I get my own classroom filled with young minds!

I am applying to go to London next May (Mayterm). Most schools require a Mayterm, Maymester, Janterm, etc. It's a month where students do intense learning out of the traditional classroom setting. The London Mayterm would be for Education. 30 people are applying and only 10 get in, so wish me luck! I already have 35 hours of volunteer time in the classroom (I need 40 to go to London). I've taken the Praxis I (all math, blech), I have to pass, and I still have to take and pass the VCLA. Once that is done, I get my last 5 hours of volunteering in the classroom time done, I am free to finish my application for London!

I am going to be an RA next year on the floor that I lived on this past year (the Scholars' Floor). I will be there for 24 people! It's like sort of a classroom for older people! My advice if you are going to be an RA is to get as much done over the summer as you can. I've started name tags, my RA folder, Hall Program ideas, etc. Less stress once you get back to school. Just need to put the plan into action! The process to become an RA was pretty basic. I filled out a paper application, mailed it to the Res Life office, had a sit down- one on one interview, and then a group interview. About a week later I got the email saying I was chosen!

My Mother flew down to my school and we drove home. My betta fish survived (he spent the journey in my tervis tumbler, secure in a cup holder).

I will post more once the school year gets closer! :)

End of Fall 2013 Sophomore Semester

Well it really ended about three weeks ago and I still didn't post. I must say I used the strategies talked about in the good grades book (mentioned in an older summer blog post) and it really worked! My grades improved drastically! I have some tips I wanted to share to motivate you/ study tips that work wonders for me! Although you should always play around and see what really works with you as everyone is different! The things listed here are not listed in the book I bought but things I have just found helpful.

Some note taking/ studying/ getting to know your profs tips!

Ø     Hand Write notes in class.

Ø     At the end of every day type notes and print to put in designated binder.

Ø     At the end of each week on Saturday go over printed notes by creating note cards and spider diagrams to better understand the information.

Ø     If there are any questions after a class write them down and email the professor that afternoon/ evening.

Ø     Meet with each professor at least once a month.

Update: Grades, Dorm DIY

Well, I feel like a failure. I haven't updated as much as I'd hope I would. Some big news:

1. I have decided not to transfer! Despite being far away from home I like it here so why not stay?
2. I declared! I'm going to become an Elementary Education teacher! Whoop- Whoop! I've been running for so long I think it finally caught up to me. Oh, well.
3. I am running for President of my schools College Democrats club! Super excited! I find out tomorrow if I win!
4. I am transportation coordinator for the all singing group I am part of. Nobody volunteered and why not add more stress to my stressful life, eh?
5. I host lots of parties on my floor. I want to stress I mean NON-alcoholic parties. I live on the Scholars Floor this year which has been the best thing to ever happen to me here. It's a dry floor. Anyway, I've hosted a cupcake making party, Halloween party and an upcoming Christmas party where I will teach the party-goers about Hanukkah! Maybe I am supposed to be be a teacher... haha! I celebrate both.

On to pictures!

DIY Dorm Style!

Up first is bedding!

I bought new  bedding from overstock.com all for under $50! I bought white sheets, a duvet cover (to cover my hot pink comforter), a throw and a yellow throw pillow (not shown). I must say I think it looks better, more grown up I guess. I was afraid of white but whatever stains happen from shoes etc. wash out when you put them in the wash on 'whites' with a Tide Pod. Kind of scary they come out though, it makes me wonder what is in those Tide Pods....

And here is a before and after of under my bed. It looks atrocious before and oh-so much better after! I bought 2 yards of white fabric from Amazon for a grand total of $6 (including shipping). I'm a lazy college student so I did nothing to it, I just shoved it between the bed base thing and mattress et voila!

Finally Redo your wall!

I put these pictures on my wall and while I did like them, they began curling over and not staying on the wall so well. I measured each picture for approximate size. Then I went to Walmart and bought classy, simple black frames for .97 each. I cut the pictures so they would fit and then popped them in the frames. I hung them with tacks. I know it's against the rules but our Professor of the hall said it was okay because we are part of the LLC (living learning community). Still not sure why that matters...

My wall now (I'd say it turned out nicely)

News, Life Changes, Funnies and Food

My College has a formal dance each year and this year the theme was the Great Gatsby. I went to dinner with friends before but here is a picture before all that:

I recently started writing a quote a week on a little chalkboard that I put on my desk. It makes me think and I see it everyday. I  think it's pretty awesome! I've also started doing a conscious random act of kindness a day. Whether it's holding the door for something, complimenting their outfit; last week I wrote an email to a professor so they knew how much I appreciate their class. It's a lot of fun and you feel better at the end of the day.

The Governors Race just concluded earlier this month in the lovely state of Virginia but when it was going on I spent a lot of time out volunteering (phone banking and canvassing) to get people out to vote! So I created what I titled 'snack packs'. Pretty much trail mix, healthy bar and candy bar in one container. Someone joked I could sell them and make a lot of money. Nice idea, but I'd rather just eat them. You can easily make them too!

I don't think this sign belongs here... it was a giant hole in the ground.

And that is what has been going on! I've been applying the book I read over the summer (and mentioned in a previous blog post) to all my studies and can say quite honestly it has helped a lot. I know my grades will be better each semester!

Back at School/ Not your Average Dorm Breakfast!

.... AND I'm back at school. I moved in almost two weeks ago and I've been super busy meeting with professors, decorating my dorm (it took well over a week for a poster I ordered to come. Over a WEEK!), hanging out with friends, etc.

I have a single this year (no roommate! Wahoo!). So I bought a roommate. His name is Burton and he is a Betta Fish. He lives happily on my desk in a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter, heater, plant and hiding place. I think he's a pretty lucky fish considering most bettas get stuck in a tiny bowl their whole lives.

I am on the 14 meal plan. Which means instead of 19 meals a week I get 14. That means I need to eat 5 meals in my dorm room. I gained 8 lbs freshman year. Not the 15 I read I was going to gain, but still. I lost it all over the summer by eating right and exercising every day (started with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred). So I want to not gain 8 lbs this year and continue eating healthfully. I bought a fridge and stocked up on healthy foods and snacks and literally threw out unhealthy foods. Despite having my first class at 10:50 everyday I get up at 6:15 am and work out with a friend. We go to the gym do cardio abs and alternate arms and legs. If she weren't going, I wouldn't go. If you have a friend (which I am sure you do) make a plan to go to the gym every day! That way you have a friend who is waiting for you if you don't show up. Go!

Look at all that healthy food!! Carrots, sugar snap peas, blueberries, strawberries, smart balance butter, eggs, chobani snack yogurts! And in the door I have Horizon Chocolate milks. I keep healthy burritos in the freezer section along with frozen yogurt.

If you really don't want to go, ride the stationary bike and bring homework! I do every time I have a quiz or test that day just to refresh my memory! And I listen to an app with white noise so the gym music and people talking don't disrupt me.

For breakfast every morning I have an egg with fruit or GF Cheerios (I have Celiac Disease) with cut up apples and almond milk (or regular milk). Either strawberries, blue berries or apple. As you can see, I like taking pictures of food. 

And that is pretty much my life right now! All summed up with food, classes and exercise!

How to get Good Grades!

Why are you going to college? To learn! Well that and discover who you are, make friends, try new things, etc. Sometimes it feels like the classes and grades part is just the annoying side bit. But it's not. It's important to get good grades in college! I think I sometimes forgot that along the way... and would then remember... and forget. It was a nice pattern, but it needs to stop being a pattern starting this Fall! I bought a book on Amazon called 6 Days to Better Grades. It's by a professor I think. Anyway it is probably the best, most helpful book I could find about improving your grades! I bought a different one earlier and it was crappy. It was about basic stuff which let me tell you, you already know. This book was clearly designed to be like a class (pssst probably where the 6 days part comes in). You read each section, er day and the suggested supplemental readings (in the back of the book. I highly suggest reading them too!!). And then you magically know how to get better grades! I even looked forward to reading the book every day (and I am not some book loving person).

I know that college won't start back up again for another month and 9 days (yeah, I'm not counting how many days of freedom I have left or anything...) but I thought this semester had to be different. In high school I would always tell myself 'this year will be different'. Or 'this year I'll take harder classes.' But it never really came through that way. So I decided to get a head start! Because this time... I MEAN IT!

I bought the book and read it in about 10 days, I know, I know. It's called SIX days to better grades. But it's summer and I'm working at a cupcake shop. Give me some time!!

Then, when I was done reading I typed up all the notes I highlighted when reading that I thought were the most important to pound into my brain. I then printed them out, put each page in a clear plastic slip, and then stuck them all in a binder. Bam! Done! But not really... I look at the binder everyday. Every single day. I look at my schedule for homework, etc. Sometimes I swear my brain is trying to memorize it or something (that is not my goal by the way).

By looking at this schedule, you really won't learn much. The book explains everything and makes this so much clearer. Also! Do not be discouraged if you are looking at this and don't understand what is going on or you think it is too complicated. All I can stress is read the book (maybe your library has it!).


All in all this book is AMAZING. I was not paid to say that. If I was, someone would read this blog post and check and correct my grammar and spelling and punctuation. I can guarantee you not everything is spelled right or has the right punctuation. Bottom line: Buy the book. It's like $6. Think of that! That's like a dollar a day for a class. And as a result the classes you spend thousands of dollars on will thank you when you get better grades!


OTHER NON-BOOK RELATED TIPS!!!

Email your professors early in the summer (not too early like while you are still unpacking after getting home, but like July or June) and ask what books you'll be required to read. You can read them over the summer and re-read them again in the Fall. You'll have a great advantage. :)

Also! During the first week of school email your professors about meeting with them if you have ANY learning disabilities. I have a slight learning disability so I have a 504 plan (I get extra time taking tests, people can read questions out loud to me, if the class is over an hour I can get up and walk around {I never do that though, I would feel weird}). Meet with your professors about signing your sheet and get to know them (trust me, they want to know you). Even if you DON'T have a learning disability still make an effort to meet with your professors during the first or second week to get to know them, ask questions, etc.