20 Tips from a College Freshman

These are just a few tips I have picked up since transitioning from a high school senior to a college freshman.

1. Checking the mail becomes more fun when you go off to school. UNCC has mailboxes outside of the dorms and I check mine almost everyday! It never gets old.

   

   I got these little treats in the mail today from my best friend!

2. You don't really get homesick until about a month after moving in. Things start to get real then.
3. Get used to walking, and walking, and more walking.
4. Take advantage of the free stuff ( t-shirts, food, fitness classes, sporting events, etc.) They're worth going to and worth the "college experience."
5. On that note: you make your own college experience.
6. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
7. Use the wifi! The "you have exceeded your monthly data usage" message gets old fast.
8. Homework doesn't become easier and you still never want to do it. That part of college is just like high school.
9. You can remove yourself from any situation you don't feel comfortable in. That's the great thing about being an adult now! (Wow, the whole 'adult' thing takes some time to settle in.)
10. Decorate. Decorate. Decorate.
11. Make friends - new life experiences call for new friendly faces!
12. Know how to do your own laundry before you move out of your house. Frankly, you should be doing it by yourself by now anyway. Also, know the difference between lights and darks.
    
13. The whole "broke college kid" thing is no myth. You might have some money, but not for long. Restaurant visits, shopping trips, and fueling up your own Ferg happen.
14. Go to class. Literally, people will tell you that time and time again. LISTEN TO THEM. Your grades do matter, your effort matters, and bragging about making the Dean's List makes you feel pretty good.
15. Sunglasses, headphones, and chapstick will help you out around campus - especially when you have back-to-back classes all day. Knowing how to keep yourself occupied becomes an art form.
16. Sleep doesn't come easy and it doesn't last. You never get enough, you will constantly complain about it, but you won't do anything about it. Who needs sleep anyway when there's a new series added to Netflix?
    
    These gems are great picks!
17. Don't lose sight of the big picture. This class might seem tough right now and that teacher might be impossible, but think about the future. Always think about why you're here and what you're going to get out of it. (#futureteacher)
18. Even though you're moved out and away from your parents, keeping them informed is still really important. Let them know what's going on with you and what you've been up to. They care.
19. Make a list of all the assignments you have to do for the week. It is so easy to forget a due date when you're busy doing something else.
20. Making your bed makes you feel ten times better. Is that weird?

Hopefully these were a little helpful and fun for you to read! I know you'll come up with your own when you take the next step into college. Maybe these apply to those of you who are already in college or have already graduated. Just prepare yourself and breath through all of the big problems. Realistically, those problems are just stepping stones in creating a future for yourself!

Thanks for reading!



Cold Queen City: Round Two!

After yesterday and today, I think I underestimated the amount of snow we would actually get in Charlotte. I woke up yesterday to what I thought was a TON of snow, a lot more than the last snow day anyway. I was completely wrong, today it was like a scene from a movie! It was beautiful, I saw that someone on Twitter said we had gotten 8 inches! I have not seen this much fluffy goodness since I was like 5. We completely took advantage of our snow days off and had some fun. Sledding, building snowmen, and making snow cream! Also, a lot of sleep, Grey's Anatomy, and food.

Picture time!

Snow Day One:

Let it snow!

Couldn't see my feet!

The snow the first day didn't want to stick together, so we unsuccessfully attempted to make a snowman. Boy, it was a fail. SO the instincts in us naturally went towards a snow sand castle! All thanks to Kels' brilliant idea and our recycling bin!

Snow Day Two:

Waking up to beauty this morning!

Meet Big Mama!

Kels and I brought a little beach to Charlotte this morning. It was mostly icy sleet last night, so the snow stuck together today! SUCCESS!

Big Mama selfie!

It has been an awesome couple of days off and school is cancelled again tomorrow! Maybe that would be the perfect time to catch up on some homework...maybe. For right now, I'm going to catch up on some reality TV (guilty). I hope everyone who was blessed with some snow this week was safe and made a bunch of snowmen! 

Thanks for reading!



Fresh Perspective

I'm sitting here in my little living room starting out my Saturday with a cup of coffee and a little MTV Girl Code. If you've never watched Girl Code before, you're missing out. It's probably the most relatable show I have ever seen - which is it's main purpose I guess.

Here's just a little example.



Anyway, in each episode there's like three or four topics five or six girls comment on. This episode had the topic of engagement in it. Just like every other girl out there, I am steadily planning my wedding on Pinterest and let me say it is top notch. But, there's one thing missing - the guy. Most likely a very essential part to the big day. Believe me I'm looking for him, but he's not walked into my life quite yet. Like every good teenage girl, I'm going to blame my problems on my parents because they have the best relationship I have witnessed, but maybe I'm just biased. My mom would probably agree, because she tells me and my brother all the time, "I have ruined both of you." I am all for her bragging about their marriage because they are just two people that work together. They have been together since the 80's (which probably makes them feel really old if they're reading this) and they'll be celebrating 24 years of marriage this year.

Anyway, back to my dilemma. I used to think it was a really big deal that I wasn't in a relationship or one wasn't in the works. In reality, it's not. Sure every once in a while you'll get a little panicky and think about the future, but that's when you have your other single friends to back you up and Pinterest boards to compare, because let's face it: you're Pinterest wedding is way better than theirs to begin with. Single is not the worst thing that can happen to you and it's a fantastic way to learn how a relationship is supposed to be - you know, the do's and don'ts. It's nice to have a fresh perspective on things. I can't worry about the future when I have the present to live in.

Happy Saturday!

Keepin' ya Posted!

Just a little update post!

Today is my big brother, Drew's 22nd birthday! I feel like he just turned 16 yesterday and I made him this silly little picture frame with cheesy phrases all over it like, "I don't act my age." Don't forget that sweet mini-van he had, either. Happy Birthday, brother! I love you! Did you get my card?

I posted this a little earlier through Facebook, but it's still relevant!

As ya'll know, Kels and I are doing the 30-day Squat Away challenge and we are successfully on day 13! We just put 75 squats to work! I'm pretty proud of us. We took our first spinning class tonight on campus. It was so fun and my goodness my butt feels it! Those seats are NOT comfortable, but we did 17 miles on the spinning bikes! WHAT? I know! I couldn't believe it either.

#waybackwednesday   -   Kels Edition




First Week at UNCC!

Graduation Day!



My Graduation Party!
 

The next few weekends are going to be super busy. My parents are coming to visit in a couple of weeks, I'm so excited to show them around! They haven't been here since move-in back in August (of course I've went home). I can't wait to see them!

A little throw-back to my grandparent's 50th Wedding Anniversary party!

**Incoming College Freshman Tip: Whether you're close or not to your parents or family (which I am) you will miss them. You'll even miss the little annoying things they do. The funny thing is though, when you go back and visit home, you'll miss your dorm room! Visiting never gets old. It's weird at first, basically because you're "visiting" your own home. But, that's growing up! The feelings are worth it. I would say don't go home the first month after you move-in, it's hard to come back to school after that. You're just getting used to your new surroundings.

I take the Praxis Core test this Friday, so prayers are much appreciated! I'm not freaking out about it per-say, but tests are tests and they're not fun. I just have to look at the bright side. One step closer to the College of Education and becoming a teacher! Speaking of, I cannot believe I am almost finished with my last semester of Freshman year. That's a little weird considering I just moved-in last August, that was like yesterday, right?

Anyway, this is just a quick post. I really want to thank every one who has continued to read Because College. I reached 900 views this week and that is amazing! I am so happy people are interested and supportive. You guys rock!

What's in my Bag?

As you all know, I'm a big gossip mag junkie. It's probably a really bad habit, but it's entertaining. There's another little blurb they do on their websites and I just love it! They see what celebrities are carrying around (like it's any different from the rest of us) in their bags, but I think it's pretty cool. Believe me, I'm not saying I'm of celebrity status, but I thought it would be a cute post to do as well! Also, to shake things up from my usual Week Re-cap! posts.

I'll begin with a new addition to my closet that I love to carry around from Bijuju! It was a present from my parents for Christmas last year and it's been a staple to my ensemble since!

 

It looks a little taupe-y in the photo, but it's more of a gray. It has a burgundy accent stripe on the edge with a black and white striped inside. It's a satchel type bag and it's cute arm candy!

 

Now to the goodies inside!

 

 

A little closer look.

 

 

I love a great pair of aviator sunglasses and they are essential on campus walking around in the sun. The pair above are from American Eagle (Thanks, Mrs. Kathy!), my previous pair were from Forever 21 and after a good 2 years, they were toast. To the right is my absolute favorite wallet I have ever had. It's from Fossil and it's fantastic. Of course out of what it holds, the two favorite things are on top of it - a Starbucks gift card (#commonwhitegirl) and a Valentine's Day note from my mom. She put them all over my room and car my junior year of high school and I have had it in my wallet ever since then (cue tears from my mama). Gum and sanitizer are a must! The turtle is a USB drive, college has taught me to always have one ready.

 

 

My little beauty bundle! I have never been a heavy make-up wearer, but I do carry these things with me for quick touch ups! Baby Lips chap stick by Maybelline is my thing! I love the original one, it's kind of like an "expensive" Vaseline honestly, but it's worth it. Lip gloss has recently come into my life. The one above is part of the Beauty Rush line at Victoria's Secret. It's a perfect nude-y color when it's on your lips and a little shine never hurt nobody! The EOS lotion fits like a glove in the pocket of my bag. I also carry around E.L.F. pressed powder (in the lightest shade possible - paleness is a virtue) and a brush to apply it. Quick and easy!

 

 

The monograms continue! My iPhone is my baby - literally it's like having a baby: you have to pay for it, take care of it, and not drop it or it will give you a little heart attack. My case is from Etsy, the best site next to Pinterest! I keep a notebook with me for those just-incase things I need to remember. I think I'm sort of an old soul, I can't just make a note in my phone. You will never know how important headphones really are until you get to college, or at least I didn't. They are used for more than just music, i.e. the library and Netflix. My car keys end this little "tour." They are to my navy blue 2009 Chevy HHR and she is the best thing! I couldn't imagine having any other car. If you don't know what they are, they're the cars that look like PT Cruisers - but, don't get them mixed up.

 

 

Thanks for reading and the continued support, it means a lot.

Have a great week!

 





 

 





 



Cold Queen City!

Yes folks, we finally got snow in Queen City! I was so beyond excited! I have not woken up to snow-covered ground since I was a little girl and boy did I act like one, too! We got about 2 inches and that was plenty. We played in it last night and this morning - Kels and I even did a little "photo shoot," if you will. I love it! I honestly think I could live somewhere it was like this all the time, I don't tan anyway...

Picture time!

A couple pictures from last night. We were so excited!



Baby Ferg did not know what to do with herself.

Aerial view of campus this morning! No classes! (SCORE)

Then some from our little "shoot."

Today has been a cold, but good one. We topped it off with a hot coffee from Starbucks and now I'm off to do some homework - tomorrow is back to reality and classes. I hope everyone who got some snow was safe and had fun!



Weekend Re-cap!

Before you go any further, this blog post is mostly about fitness today. I PROMISE THIS IS NOT A FITNESS BLOG. Just this post and a few updates every now and then! This could be a little inspiration for you to challenge yourself as well! It's also a little differently set up than most of my posts, I don't usually compile all of my days together either. Bear with me!

Here's my weekend re-cap!

Thursday:
If you know me, you know I am not much of a gym person. My usual line is, "I'm not much for any physical activity." Everyone knows about the feared Freshman Fifteen, luckily that hasn't happened to me, but Kelsey (suite mate) and I are starting to board the Fitness Train a little at a time. UNCC offers some really cool fitness classes free to students, so why shouldn't we take advantage of them? Tomorrow we are beginning a new routine, starting with pilates and a 30 day Squat Away challenge! You think we can keep It up? I hope so. Here is the 30 day challenge:

Obviously, scratch the May out. We modified our own version with a funny selfie, but that's a little too embarrassing for the internet.

(Compliments of Pinterest.)

 

We'll just see how pilates goes in the morning and how well this routine is going to stick. Tonight though, it's a lazy, Netflix-filled evening.

 

Friday:

Pilates was a success and a really good workout! Kelsey and I started our 30 day Squat Away challenge strong today, too! Now we're pretty beat and I'm sleepy. I'm not used to getting up earlier than noon (guilty) on Fridays because of the whole no classes thing. But, I'm proud of us so far! I'm not sure what the rest of the day holds. Laundry, Netflix, and coffee probably, maybe a nap. Boy, do I have my priorities in check. I love this three day weekend shindig!

 

 

    

Saturday:

Today has been so enlightening and fun. I got out of my dorm room and spent time with a new friend and future roommate, Laura! If you get a chance, her blog is pretty great too - check it out! We haven't really hung out together before today, but ended up spending the whole day just talking over Starbucks, Panera, and a little Target run. I couldn't believe how similar we are! It makes me so excited about our rooming situation next year, hopefully a Pinterest-perfect apartment. She's an aspiring nurse and hearing her tell stories about the profession let's me know that it is truly her passion! We're both very excited about our future careers! This is Day 2 for mine and Kelsey's Squat Away challenge, we're keeping up with it so far, if two days really counts for "keeping up" with anything! Now to do or not to do some laundry...

Another little highlight of the day:

My parents sent me a selfie today from a Charleston Stingrays hockey game. They do not know what "empty nest" syndrome is, these two kids are having all kinds of fun!

Sunday:
Today was another great Sunday. Kelsey, Robbie (Kelsey's boyfriend), and I went to Elevation Church this morning and had a delicious lunch at Olive Garden afterwards, thanks Robbie! This is Day 3 for Squat Away with Kels and I and let me tell you, we are kickin' butt and takin' names! 75 squats today. They are kinda kicking my butt, considering how sore I am, but hey, I'm still doing it! We did a yoga class this afternoon, too. Streeeeetching is the way to go. It has been such a fantastic and chill weekend. I'm excited to see what this week holds for me. Probably, a lot of homework - it's the procrastinator in me.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again sometime this week. Thanks for reading!