It's been way to long, but you have been on my mind. I have made some renovations to my blog, which I think makes it much simpler and tied to my overall mission.
My life has taken some major twists and turns since we last chatted, but I'm growing as an adult, woman, and overall human being. I have encountered people and conversations that have made me laugh and cry and feel everything emotion in between.
With all my college buddies returning to school this week, I have found my emotions on a roller coaster ride. I am also moving this weekend, not back to college, but into my first place. Although I should be nothing but completely happy and excited, I can't help but feeling overwhelmed, lost, and more importantly confused.
I'm trying my best to be the responsible, down to earth girl I have always been and it's getting me no where. But I have decided to trade my tears in smiles and let this Friday afternoon/beginning of the weekend wash over my soul and cleanse me.
All I want is a big plate a comforting Chinese food and a good fortune welcome me to my new place tonight, while I watch tv from the floor in my new living room. Is that too much to ask for?
Somewhere along the line things have changed. They got way too complicated and weird. Growing up isn't all that I thought it would be, but then again things never are. I won't give up, because I never do, and I will give myself the trust I deserve. I won't get scared and I won't cry. I deserve better than all that, I deserve to smile about my accomplishments and new endeavors.
This new chapter seems scary, but I know it really isn't. I just have to take everything one step at a time and stop letting everyone else get in the way of my happiness. It may sound bad to say, but sometimes before you can worry about other people's happiness you have to worry about your own.
So I am flipping the script, and putting it all in perspective. I will be happy, just watch me.
Friday, August 26, 2011
It's that time again...BACK TO SCHOOL!
StageofLife.com Lists Top 10 Back to College Tips
YORK, PA--(Marketwire - Aug 3, 2011) - Every teen worries about starting college. "Will I make friends?" "How will I know where I'm going?" "Is it lame to get home sick?" You get the picture. StageofLife.com compiled a quick guide to help incoming freshmen get ready for college.
1. Meet your roomie
- Call, Facebook, or meet up to avoid the awkward first introductions. This way you'll know if you're going to be "BFF's" or want to avoid each completely.
2. Pack plenty of clothes
- Business casual is a necessity for class speeches, interviews, etc.
- Avoid clothes/accessories that can be more pain than beauty.
3. Take rolls of quarters
- Mom's not there to do your laundry anymore, and it's a long time until Thanksgiving break.
4. Bring a coffee pot/mug
- Some will drink it for taste, procrastinators will use it to fuel an all-nighter.
5. Invest in organizational storage
- Bed, Bath & Beyond has a cool over-the-bed storage piece.
- Don't forget under-the-bed storage for clothes, shoes, or food.
6. Go to class
- Screwing up the first semester can set you up for G.P.A. disaster, get your butt out of bed.
7. Get involved
- Greek Life, on-campus employment, clubs, etc. Without friends, you're just that weird kid on campus that no one knows.
8. Eat healthy
- You are what you eat. You'll need energy so avoid fast food, high sugar snacks and other wasteful food items.
- Know where your dining halls are located, hours of operation, and payment options
9. Reduce stress
- Exercise your body and don't gain the freshmen 15... Americans are fat enough as is it.
- Exercise time management -- don't cram
10. Recreation
- Large groups attract attention, but never go out alone.
- If you're not 21, you simply shouldn't drink. But the reality is that many underclassmen will. Having the "parentals" see your name in the newspaper for an underage drinking citation will not be an enjoyable experience. Be smart and be aware of your surroundings.
StageofLife.com is a free blog for college students featuring writing contests, college resources and My Life Rewards®, a free discount program providing printable coupons and coupon codes for students and every stage of life.
Have you ever been bullied?
StageofLife.com Reports 91% of Teenagers Have Been Bullied
YORK, PA--(Marketwire - Aug 25, 2011) - School's starting and teens once again face the ugly reality of bullying. StageofLife.com, a free blog for high school students, reached out to teenagers during its national essay contest to ask high school and college students, "Have you ever been bullied?"
Over 1,000 teens participated in the survey and writing contest, and StageofLife.com collected scores of courageous testimonials from students.
From the survey, StageofLife.com revealed the following bullying statistics:
- 91% of teens have been a victim of bullying
- Top five bullying reasons were: Looks/Size (23%), Being Smart/"Nerdy" (19%), Interests/Hobbies (13%), Race (9%), and Family (6%)
- 3% admitted to having been a bully and now regret their actions
- 6% have never been bullied
- Other reasons identified for the cause of the bullying: being poor (5%), being rich (2%), having physical or learning disability (4% combined), sexual orientation (2%), and receiving food assistance from food stamps or a food bank (1%).
From the essay submissions, StageofLife.com revealed five bullying trends:
1. Confidence: Teens learned that the best way to overcome bullying is to be proud of yourself; have faith in who you are as a person.
2. Friends: It's important to have a friend who helps you in standing up for yourself, or at the very least, understands what you are going through.
3. School Officials: Sadly, many teens expressed frustration that school officials did nothing to stop bullying, even after it was reported. This has been a crisis in many school systems, who wave bullying off as a "he said, she said" situation.
4. Racism: Teens are frustrated and surprised that in a melting pot like America, people could still be this intolerant.
5. Body: The majority of essays submitted dealt with bullying because of looks, body shape, or body size. Several wrote about their therapy or hospitalization because of harsh bullying.
2. Friends: It's important to have a friend who helps you in standing up for yourself, or at the very least, understands what you are going through.
3. School Officials: Sadly, many teens expressed frustration that school officials did nothing to stop bullying, even after it was reported. This has been a crisis in many school systems, who wave bullying off as a "he said, she said" situation.
4. Racism: Teens are frustrated and surprised that in a melting pot like America, people could still be this intolerant.
5. Body: The majority of essays submitted dealt with bullying because of looks, body shape, or body size. Several wrote about their therapy or hospitalization because of harsh bullying.
The winning essay was entitled, "I was bullied because of my acne" written by Ann Sangeun Cho from Westlake High School in Austin, TX.
A summary report is available at http://www.stageoflife.com/TeensandBullies.aspx with survey results, links to over 100 teen essays about bullying, bullying prevention resources and more.
StageofLife.com is a free blog for all generations with free lesson plans, writing contests, and My Life Rewards®, a free savings program providing printable coupons and coupon codes for every stage of life.
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