When I was a College Freshman

Holy moly....this summer slapped me in the face and ran. It has absolutely flown by. My classes begin in just two weeks to start my junior year of college. My JUNIOR year....I might be having a quarter life crisis about this. When I was a freshman, upperclassmen always told me "it goes by fast." My naive, freshman ways did not think any thing of it! But they were right, they were so right. In just two years, I will be in the "real world"....this slightly induces heart palpitations and sweaty palms.

I wish upperclassmen would have told me more than just "it goes by fast." Below are a few things that would have been nice to know as a freshman. Good luck with college and have a great time!

Don't feel rushed to pick a major. I always thought I needed to have my life planned out, making sure "my i's were dotted and my t's were crossed." Before my freshman year, I felt like I needed to know exactly what I was doing so I picked a major. I found out rather quickly that it was not the thing for me. It is ok to not know what you want to do with your life. College is the time to figure out what you are passionate about. You do not have to have it all together and planned out as a freshman.

I can be weird with the best of them.

Explore. Like I said above, you do not have to know it all. It is your time to explore, figure out who you are: your passions, goals, strengths, weaknesses, etc. There are so many opportunities in college. You can join a club or an organization, take a class that interests you, join a sorority/fraternity, volunteer, travel, and so much more. Take advantage of the opportunities provided to college students, you will truly grow as a person and it will help kick start the rest of your college experience.

Balance. Class, sleep, meetings, homework, hanging out with friends, you are going to be busy. Time management is a key factor in being successful in college. Maybe use a planner with calenders and reminders to balance out your commitments, homework, and "you" time. Find what works best for you, you are now responsible for your life, no one else is going to take care of your responsibilities for you.

Student Discounts. College students are poor. Take advantage of student discounts. They will save you a lot of money. Keep your student ID in your wallet. Whenever you go to a store, ask the cashier if they have a student discount. If they do, whip that bad boy out like your the FBI and get your discount. Check out my list of student discounts (here).

Network, Network, Network. Nowadays, it is all about who you know, more so, than what you know. Get out of your comfort zone and meet people! You can do this by attending career fairs, being involved on campus, talking with your professors, networking nights, conducting informational interviews, just to name a few. Meet people, make connections, and keep in touch.

What do you wish you would have known as a college freshman? Any silly stories?

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Your Creative Responsibility {Linking Up with The Circle}

1. What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity is not just a way of thinking, but a way of feeling and being. It is where you can freely express yourself. It is where you are truly inspired by things that you love, in order to create new ideas and original thoughts. I believe everyone has a different sense of creativity and a special way of being creative. Creativity adds purpose and passion to life. Be creative; be yourself.

2. How do you stay creative? Who do you draw inspiration from? 

I am constantly inspired by the world around me. I always say I could sit on a bench in Central Park all day and people watch. People are incredibly dynamic and powerful. They say so much without even saying a word. My creativity stirs from observing first and creating second. Here are a few other places that I draw inspiration from:
-A good conversation -Travel -Reading books, newspapers, blogs,  magazines, etc. -Ted talks -Running -Watching movies -Pinterest -A powerful quote

3. What is a creative part of you that you don't share much on your blog (i.e. a talent, hobby, activity, passion, etc.).

I have not been blogging for very long, but, as of yet, I have not shared that I am very organized. You could say organization is a hobby or an activity, maybe even a talent, but it is how I keep my crazy life together. I am an avid list maker and note taker. I keep with me at all times a binder filled with calenders, to-do lists, projects, college information, workouts,....pretty much my entire life. I try to be creative with my organization from cute calenders, pretty pens, to colorful divider tabs. 

I am so glad to have done a link up and look forward to doing another one in the future. I also encourage you to do link ups as a way to meet other bloggers and spice up your content.  If you would like to do this July Link Up with The Circle, click on this link.

Book Review: What Would Audrey Do?

 Be informed, be curious, be engaged in life- that is the difference between a pretty face and a truly beautiful woman. -Pamela Keogh

I was raiding the shelves of the student book store and came upon one full of pink books. As an Audrey Hepburn fan, I immediately picked up the book, What Would Audrey Do? by Pamela Keogh.  Without even reading more than the title, I took it to the register and brought it home. 

This book is slightly like an autobiography and a life-guide. The background about Audrey's life shapes how Audrey would go about making daily life decisions and why. The book shares details about her childhood, family, career, love life, and philanthropic work. It provides Audrey-esque life lessons about love, style, and grace. If you are interested in learning a little more about an iconic woman and how to take on the world like she would, I recommend What Would Audrey Do?

 

If you have a chance to travel, to contribute, to improve someone's life in whatever small (or large) way, to go off to see the world, to ride a Vespa in Rome, or enjoy an ice-cream cone in the Tuileries one bright afternoon...Go- Audrey would encourage us today. -Pamela Keogh

Audrey Hepburn left an unforgettable impression on not only her time, but our society today. Ballet flats, who started that trend? Audrey, she was the first person to take them from the dance studio to the streets. Angelina Jolie was not the first celebrity to give their time and efforts to non-profit organizations. Audrey was a humanitarian before it was cool, spending the last years of her life as the spokesperson for UNICEF. She is an example of where humility, passion, selflessness, and a love for life can take you. 

I do my best. I wish I could do more -Audrey

Is there a person that you admire or aspire to be like? What qualities do they possess that make them a remarkable role model?