The Top Five Things Freshman Year of College has Taught Me

As Friday, the last day of blogging, approached this week, I was becoming increasingly worried about what I would post about. It was only during a conversation with my friends tonight that I figured out what I would write this week. As one of my friends took down her photos from the wall of her dorm room, we all discussed how quickly this school year flew by. That's when I realized that college was the biggest "new thing" that I tried this year, and that is probably the case for all of you reading this.

So, that is what I am going to be discussing right now. College. The thing that we all looked forward to for so long, struggled to reach during applications, and finally arrived to on the weekend of August 18th, 2016. This post is going to be a little different, because this time I am doing it in list form. Here it is: the top 10 things I learned this year in college.

Courtesy of Clip Art Panda

1. Independence is the best gift college gives you
   I was terrified of all of the responsibility that would come with being a college student. How would I be able to handle everything without the help of my parents and friends who I had grown up with my whole life? The first two weeks was definitely a learning curve, but now I can proudly say that I can take care of myself successfully without freaking out and calling my mom every chance that I get. If you still haven't gotten a complete grasp on how to be independent, don't worry. All it takes is time.
2. Putting yourself out there is KEY
   Taking a few seconds of courage for my sometimes awkward self to go up to a table in the HUB and ask about the THON special interest organization that they were advertising saved my college experience. My best friend is from Axis, that THON org I saw in the HUB, and so are about fifteen of my other closest friends on campus. If I never put myself out there and asked when Axis's meeting was, I don't know how I would have found friends and experiences.
3. School spirit is a never ending good time
   Penn State could quite possibly have more school spirit than any other high school or university in the world. If you did not attend any football games or tailgates this year, either go to the Blue and White game or get season tickets for next year. It is always fun to celebrate how much you love your school with people who share that same love.
   
   

   

   Courtesy of Fansided

4. Powering through the tough times isn't always easy, but it is always necessary
   Some exams, papers, and projects that we have to do for classes are the worst. I am sure we have all had a few times when we want to do anything other than homework. Or maybe it's a fight with your friend, and all you want to do is complain to your mom about it, except you're four hours away. This year I learned that if you don't take time to get over those things and cope, you'll never move past it and it will start affecting everything you do.
5. Spend your money wisely
   DO NOT SPEND ALL OF YOUR MONEY ON ACAI BOWLS AND BRUNCH AT THE WAFFLE SHOP! Can you hear that quiet sobbing in the background? Yeah, that's my bank account crying about my ridiculous purchases from first semester. Spend it on experiences instead of items that will disappear in minutes or seconds.

I know that those of you reading this can understand all of the struggles and benefits that college provides to you. Going to college can be scary at first, but hopefully, like me, you have ended up loving it. Let me know in the comments how you ended up choosing to attend Penn State and what you think you have learned here outside of classes! WE ARE!

Spring Cleaning

The beautiful weather this past Wednesday had me living what I like to call my "best life". I woke up early for our beloved 8 A.M. class to print out my paper and thoroughly enjoyed the somewhat sunny morning weather, knowing that the temperature was only going to rise throughout the day. If you left your room at any point on Wednesday, I'm sure that you know what I am talking about- the good mood that comes along with good weather seems to be universal.

After my 8 A.M., I headed back to East and got a quick breakfast, and then went right back to my room, as I do every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I walked into my room in a state of happiness because of the weather, only to be greeted by my absolute disaster of my side of my dorm. I stood there, in the darkness of my room, looking at the clothes that covered my desk and floor, the loose notes littering my desk, and my blanket bunched up on the corner of the bed. Then and there, I decided that it was time for some serious spring cleaning.

Credit

I went to my math class at 11:15 and arrived back to my mess around 12:30. I put all of my stuff down and got straight to work. This was not a simple cleaning situation. It wasn't just picking up some garbage and putting some clothes into the hamper. For the next hour and a half, I walked around my room putting away clothes, organizing my drawers, fixing up my closet, and Lysol-wiping every surface on my side of the room. It was liberating. 

Every time I have walked into my room since I cleaned it up, I have felt significantly less overwhelmed. Having tons of space to walk around feels much more incredible than you would think, and having space on my desk to do homework makes my life a whole lot easier. 

Part of my newly clean room!

I know that someone reading this has had some flashbacks to their messy room, whether it is at home or at college. After cleaning my dorm room, I had visions in my mind of the mess that I left at home in Connecticut. If you have a messy bedroom either on or off campus, I strongly recommend, as soon as you are back in that room, giving it a deep clean. If you're already a cleanly, organized person, go grab some Lysol wipes and wipe the inevitable dust around your room or organize your closet a bit. 

Spring cleaning cleared my mind like you would not believe. As someone who has always had a messy room, I did not expect to actually enjoy the process of cleaning a room and the end result of having nothing in my way when I'm walking around. If your mind if a little frazzled sometimes, it might be time to simply reorganize and collect yourself by cleaning your room. 

Cleaning your room is such a simple, easy task that can change your daily life for the better. Please confirm to me know in the comments that I am not the only person on the Penn State campus (or beyond!) who can't seem to handle keeping my room clean!