Sunday, November 25, 2012

So I was just thinking...

I think I thought of the best advice for those looking to enter college...

Have a clear idea of where you want to go, or rather,  know what you want to get out of your education.

If you're like me and had a good idea about what you wanted, but then figured out maybe that area of expertise isn't right for you, so you change your major... then you do this other coursework for a bit and realize you don't really dig that much either.

So before you know it, you will have used a substantial amount of financial aid (or your own resources) and credit hours towards more uncertainty. Well, okay maybe not complete uncertainty... because at least you know some things you definitely don't want to do... however, is it really necessary to blow large amounts of financial resources to kinda narrow down what you want to get out of your education?

Nearly ALL students change their major at least once while attending college. But don't let uncertainty get the best of you, because before you know it four years will fly by and you'll wonder why you don't have your degree yet.

For instance, I am intentionally double-majoring so I can justify all my extra credits and time in school. I'm on my fourth year of college altogether (3yrs in community college, and my first at a university), and am only halfway complete because I changed my major three times. =\

Although my financial aid will run out in two years, at least I won't be charged time-and-a-half because of the Excess Hours statute in Florida!

Anyway, I just thought of this real quick and wanted to share it with you. Don't let uncertainty determine if you want to attend college (or drop out of college) because you can't seem to find something that can suit your interest as a career in the long-term. It just helps to streamline your time smashing your face into books and writing x-hundred essays for 4+ years.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Happy Birthday to meeee!

Yesterday was my 24th birthday! I was able to escape reality and have a ridiculous amount of fun luckily :) But now the day is over and I have two papers to write. I'm thankful though, because I really think that blowing off all that steam through birthday shenanigans will help me finish this semester strong.



*Yea I definitely lost it LOL I forgot today was Monday. Official birthday was Saturday.*

Friday, November 9, 2012

Forever and a half...

Sorry dudes, slacking over here.

Not much new stuff to report! Spring registration begins in a few weeks, and it looks like I won't get lucky enough to go to school for two days each week. Serious bummer.

One thing that sucks about taking higher level courses is the less availability of sections.. all the general classes have plentiful scheduling opportunities. Yet one polisci course is going to ruin it since there is only 1 section open (in the phys ed bldg, how weird is that?).

Otherwise, all is good. Except the general election but I'm sure you're tired of hearing about that. I had the opportunity to work the polls (insert stripper joke here) for both the primary election and the general election. I seriously recommend this to anyone! Voting is the foundation of our democratic republic, and to be able to take part in making it happen is a great feeling (and you get paid, too!). Plus I'm being promoted to either clerk or assistant clerk (clerk is the "head honcho" of each precinct) for the next election! Super stoked =)





Sunday, October 7, 2012

Hooray October!

Only two more months until the apocalypse!

Anyway..

So I'm still working on a "system" that works. Meaning, I'm still not in a good groove when talking about school + work.. it doesn't quite = success, but I'm still working on it.

I'm getting better though =)

Well, actually I can't even say that much because I literally got on my computer to start math homework, plus a quiz that's due at midnight... and here I am on Blogspot.

Oh, meeee... :finger wag:

Other than the obvious, school is doing alright besides my struggle for better managing my time. I did make it past the 2nd floor in the library today (go me?). Found a legit quiet study area so I'm sure I'll be frequenting it more often. It's like a real library (duh, because it IS a library) but the first two floors are literally like social hour, all the time. First floor has the circulation desk, computer lab, printers, group study area, Starbucks, more group study area, etc. Then USF just re-did the 2nd floor so that has (you guessed it) more computers and more group study areas (no 2nd Starbuck's though.. man that would be amazing). So I think everything above the 2nd floor is extra library-esque.

Ok I seriously have to do math now..

Serious.

For serious seriousness.

I'm going.






I swear..


Ahhhhhh!!


See?!

Geezus I hate math.

Ok I'm really going this time. Right now.. ready....GO!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

slacker

I feel like I've been slacking on consistent posts here.. so here's what's up in my world:

I'm sucking at school and need to work at it harder and more smart (i.e. time management).

The end.
(haha)

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

late night update

First thing's first:
 I withdrew from sorority recruitment on the last day before Bid Day. Long story short, I did not get the house that I thought was worth the price. I went through the recruitment process just for the sake of it, and if I would've gotten invited back on Pref Day to my house of choice, then it was a decision (and Pref Card) I was ready to sign on the dotted line. But, it wasn't. And I didn't want to join a sorority just for the sake of being in one. I went in with an open mind, met some great people, and had a fun experience.

Next:
I had my first trig test today... crash. and. burn. 'enough said. Nooo, no no no.. ok let's address this. I pushed it off. Guilty as charged. I went to the tutoring center literally one hour before my test to get a few loose ends tied up.. turned out that it was quite more than a few. First 6 problems, no problem. Subsequent 20, hah... yea ok, I'm done talking about this test.. all I can say is next time I need to be better prepared and balance my time to make sure ALL my homework gets done rather than being forced to prioritize your last remaining 10 hours or something.

Moving on:
Not much else going on. I'm still debating on if I want to get involved this semester, but I'm hesitant especially after bombing this math test. Maybe not this semester, but next. It's going to happen... it's just a matter of when (need it for med school apps!)

Finally:
I hope you are all doing well where ever you may be! Always feel free to leave comments and/or ask questions. If there's one thing that doesn't happen enough in the world is honest discussion.

With all that, I'm off to bed. It's 2:30am and I have to work tomorrow... also have a chem exam Friday to get ready for... and two papers to write... craaaaaap. See that's how it starts, I think of one thing I need to do then my brain nags at the rest which ultimately becomes a ridiculous laundry list full of un-fun work.

Oh well.

#collegekidprobs  ^.^

Monday, September 3, 2012

Rush/Recruitment, Round Two (Day Three)

So today we learned which houses wanted us back for more conversation. Although we started with 8 or 9 chapters, I was only invited back to 3. At first, it was kind of a bummer because I didn't feel like I clicked with two of the three that were listed on my schedule-of-the-day.

BUT! Now I understand why our Pi Chi's kept reiterating the fact that we need to keep our minds open, because although we (most of the time) didn't get picked by the houses we had hoped for doesn't mean that our home isn't with another house.

On Spirit Day (yesterday) one of the houses I talked with I didn't have a good conversation.. the girl was like on a different planet, not really paying attention and being really vague and just not an open and/or welcoming personality.. So instances like this explain why you speak with more than one member during each conversation session.

I ended up talking with a sorority member today who I spoke with in Round One (Spirit Day), so that was kind of cool. I know it sounds weird but seriously after talking to probably 30+ girls it was nice to see a familiar and friendly face.

I keep reminding myself to keep an open mind, stay positive, and be myself. The first two are a little harder than it may seem especially if you don't get picked by your "ideal" houses (i.e. the one's you had your hopes set on). Yes, it's a bummer.. but, again in the words of the almighty wise Pi Chi's, "Trust the process! Be honest and truthful, and you'll find your home. Because who knows, maybe that house you had your sights on wasn't what you thought it was after all..."

After thinking about it, I wouldn't want to form a life-long bond with a house that I thought seems great, but they may not see me in the same way. Or rather, they're inner ideals aren't compatible with what they saw in me. With the mutual selection process, you have to remember that as a group each of these houses are talking with each other at the end of the day about who can carry on their organization's mantra, legacy, ideals, etc. and who they will feel comfortable opening their hearts and home to you (practically as a stranger!).

On a similar note, I see where stereotypes come from.. I mean really, there wouldn't be a stereotype if there wasn't some truth to it. The houses that I saw myself in before this whole process started were based on what I could find on the web... because really I didn't know anyone from any of those houses (except for one, and she was super nice which is kind of what lead me to like her house before this process began) to base my decision on. So talking with these women over and over throughout the span of a week gives you a more realistic idea of who they are, how they feel about their chapter, and what they have to offer you (as well as what you have to offer them).

I trust the process. I feel at-home at one house in-particular already... so let's hope that I can concentrate on school during the week and wait patiently for Friday's next event, Sisterhood Day (round three). Then Saturday is Preference Day (round four), followed by the much anticipated Bid Day (the day you learn which chapter has extended you an invitation) on Sunday!

Ahhhhhhhh!!!! So antsy. Who knew I'd get this involved? I just wanted to see what it was like and how far I'd get, and what chapters would be interested in me... but really, why go through all of this only to say, "ok that was fun, bye girls!" ??

Why I decided to go through: It took me two years after high school to get into college because I thought that it was unnecessary in terms of finding a good job. When I decided to go I attended a community college and commuted. After getting my AA I transferred to a university for the 4-year degree (by the way, the year count is inaccurate. I was at a 2-yr community college for three years, and my boyfriend/fiance was at the university for five years. No doubt you can get it done in four/two, but you have to take a full courseload each semester, excel, and leave zero room for error). Anyway, yeah.. I feel like I never had that genuine college experience because I never lived in a dorm, didn't start at a university from freshman year, and started late. Joining a sorority, to me, will give me that wholesome experience I'm craving. I only have three years left, and I want them to be memorable, insanely fun, and have a lifelong bond with those that experienced it with me.