Let's be real, although living on your own for the first time over the summer promises excitement and independence, it also promises plenty of hilarious, overwhelming, and crazy moments. Listed below are 11 moments that I'm sure every college student has or will experience during their first summer of living on their own.
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Student LifeAug 27, 2016
11 Moments Every College Student Experiences During Their First Summer Alone
When sleep and ordering pizza become your best friends.
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2. When reality strikes and you realize that you're completely on your own.
3. When you eat pizza for the third night in a row because cooking your own meals is hard.
5. When you discover how much free time you have and don't know what to do with your life.
6. When you make a new summer friend and wonder where they've been all your life.
7. When you realize that you are completely broke and need to get 283648 jobs to pay for rent and groceries.
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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Pixabay
It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.
1. The Christmas decorations
I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.
2. Christmas movies
I love watching Christmas movies. It reminds me of when I was a kid and I could watch them with my parents when things were a lot less stressful. Besides, in my opinion, someone is never too old to watch Christmas movies. It puts you in the holiday spirit, and it helps that Freeform (ABC Family) has the 25 Days of Christmas.
3. Spending time with family
Since I have moved out to go to college, I have realized that I miss my family a lot when I am away. My parents may absolutely drive me crazy when I come back because I am so used to the independence that comes with being almost 5 hours away from them, but I still love to go back to visit. My brother and I used to fight all the time and now he is the person that I miss the most while I am away. I'm really glad that him and I got closer because now he is someone to confide in.
4. Christmas cookies
They are delicious. Need I say more?
5. Egg Nog
Whenever I start to see egg nog in the stores, it's a sure sign that Christmas is quickly approaching. Since this is only a seasonal item, I tend to overindulge. But since it's only around for a short period of time, I don't feel to guilty about it.
6. Christmas presents
When I was a kid I cared about this one A LOT more. I remember being that ridiculous kid who would give my parents not just a few suggestions of what I wanted for Christmas, but a two-page list for them to pick from. Needless to say, I've matured a lot since then. As cliche as it sounds, now I am just grateful to be with my family again and that all of us can be happy and healthy together. I've lost a lot of family, so this is quite a blessing.
7. Snow
While I don't love how cold it gets during the winter, I do love how snow looks on the ground while I am sitting in a warm house spending time with my family. There is nothing quite like a white Christmas.
In conclusion, I love Christmas because it is a time where everyone can just be happy. The holiday season may bring a lot of stress, because of the pressure to get the perfect present for that special someone, but once its all over, there is nothing quite like the joys of Christmas.
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Lifestyle
If You're A Christmas Addict Like Me, You Can't Stop Doing These 8 Things
We are well aware that it's not even Thanksgiving yet.
10 December
2173
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter
1. Decking the halls AKA decorating before Thanksgiving.
First things first, THE TREE IS UP. Or at least you're clearing up a spot in your living room, bed room or where ever to make room for your Xmas tree. I mean its the first day of the Christmas season and you have to start it right. But ya know, if you're being a grinch and waiting 'till after Thanksgiving to put up a tree, then in the very least your lights are up and all of your pillows are festive.
2. Playing Christmas music all day long.
The one time of year where Michael Bublé comes out from under a rock is when you truly come alive. Your Spotify playlist is loaded with a mixture of the classics with Sinatra singing I'll be home for Christmas to Grandma got run over by a reindeer. You've got to appeal to the masses here. Either way, whichever songs you have on your list, you've got that jolly jingle on BLAST and no one can stop you from bringing the musical holiday cheer where ever you go.
3. Christmas movie marathons.
Honestly, did you ever stop watching Christmas movies from last year? I mean yes we know we have seen each and every Christmas movie about a hundred times but guess what, we're still not sick of them. Elf, anyone?
4. Getting offended when someone hates Christmas.
First of all, no one asked you to be Scrooge this year. If you're getting your tinsel in a tangle from all of my Christmas cheer than you can go FA LA LA yourself in the corner. As for the rest of us who have never had coal in our stockings, we'll be over here having a jolly good time. *Cranks up Jingle Bells*
5. Drinking holiday themed drinks.
Basically, you now live at Starbucks have a collection of red cups from 2005 and are running off of Eggnog lattes with a hint of peppermint.
6. Buying ugly Christmas sweaters.
Yes, we know you have a plethora of chunky ugly Christmas knits, but have you seen this new one target put out for this year? I mean whats one more sweater to keep you warm during this chilly time of year. Definitely a need for this holiday season.
7. Using every chance to talk about Christmas.
Pretty much, anyone who has spoken to you since the beginning of October, or when the temperature dropped into the 60's, your mindset has been on straight Christmas mode. By the end of the year, you'll probably have said "Christmas" over a million times. A major bonus for yourself is anytime you can throw in "Bah humbug," or "Sweet Christmas."
8. Baking Christmas cookies.
Cookies here cookies there, cookies are everywhere and you cannot stop. People swear you own a bakery, and you love it.
Merry Christmas to my Christmas lovers out there! Remember, it's never too early to spread good cheer, no matter what those little grinches say. Keep being the jolly to my holly!
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Project Eve
Mistakes are something we all make, no matter how old we get. Most of the time, the mistakes we made are little and sometimes due to something out of our control. Yet, there are mistakes that are bigger than others. Personally, I have mistakes that I wish I could go back and undo. Here they are:
1. Not seeking help.
There are times where we as individuals need to go to someone, professional or not, and ask for a little help. Sometimes all we need is someone to talk to and bounce off all the thoughts that are racing in our heads. Over time, not talking to someone about the emotions I was experiencing, lead me to have an emotional and mental breakdown. Yet, the worst thing for me was that I was in public. It was the first month or two of my first year away at college, I didn't have many friends and well, that didn't matter. Not because I didn't want friends. but because I was too stubborn at the time to reach out to anyone, friends or not.Since then I have learned that it is ok to talk to a professional or even a friend. It's okay to need somebody.
2. Put my happiness in someone's hands.
No one should be in control of your happiness but yourself. Once you put that in someone else's hands, you are pretty much guaranteed to be unhappy. Why, you ask? Well, people can be mean, and well, they tend to put themselves first. Another reason is that they have their own happiness to control as well.Lastly, it is YOUR happiness! Only YOU know what does and doesn't make you happy and you're the only one who fully understands your emotions. Save yourself the pain and focus on figuring out your happiness on your own. It may take a while but it will be worth it.
3. Declaring a major BEFORE going to college.
Declaring a major before actually stepping foot in a college classroom was one of the worst decisions I made. I was only seventeen at the time of applying to colleges, and there was (and still is) so much for me to learn. The major I currently have, I didn't even know I would be interested in! Of course I know that many people change their majors and that is okay, but having a major I wasn't 10000% in love with at the beginning of college meant that I had to take classes I didn't love, and as a result I didn't do my best. My GPA suffed as a result. Luckily those classes also counted as general requirements so no time was wasted, but I wish I entered undeclared.
4. Trusting everyone.
I've learned that trust has to be something that others earn from you and vice versa. Giving out trust to just anyone, purely because you want them to like you and befriend you, is a terrible mistake. Often times those individuals who are given someones trust instantly, abuse it. At least, that is what always happened to me until I learned to not just trust anybody and everybody. Before trusting someone, make sure you get to know them first and earn their trust as you let them earn yours.
5. Being on Tinder.
If you're not looking for an instant hookup then get off of tinder. In my experience it is full of guys who want to claim to want to have sex with you but as soon as you politely decline for any reason, they go and tear you down emotionally. Save yourself the trouble and meet people in person.
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Student Life
5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper
Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.
04 December
12377
Unsplash
Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.
Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?
Why put yourself in this horrible pit of doubt? Here are five things that are better than writing a paper.
1. Meditate
What’s better than sitting in a criss-cross position, doing nothing? Not that paper! Meditate and focus on your breathing, relieve the stress in your life. That paper has a lot of negative energy and you, my friend, deserve nothing but the best.
2. Groom yourself
Enjoy a day at the spa or do your nails at home. Everyone loves a well-groomed person and thinking about that paper has made you forget about personal hygiene. Don't let yourself go for an inanimate object. Make sure you are doing well physically before giving your energy to other people or things.
3. Eat lots of chocolate
Chocolate makes the world go round, so have as much as your heart desires. Indulge in some luscious milk chocolate or even white chocolate, but if you dare say you love dark chocolate we will have a problem.
4. Go for a walk
Walk outside and enjoy the view! Walk your dog, cat or go out with another human. Enjoy your surroundings, take a whiff of that fresh air, get those muscles moving! Keep the mind sane while getting nice toned glutes!
5. Netflix and chill
Netflix is a drug. The best drug ever and the only thing that you should be doing in your life. If any of the other options don’t sound appealing, Netflix always sounds like a good time.
Now, of course, you will have to get that paper done sooner or later, but these five things will help you eventually get to that point. If you don't take care of yourself and make sure that you're are doing well first, how do you possibly think you could successfully get a paper done? Where you stand in your mental and physical state mirror how well you will do on any assignment. Give yourself a break, relax for a bit, and then get grinding on that essay.
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Relationships
10 Reasons Why Sisters Are The Best
Who could be a better friend than your own sister?
04 December
7535
Taylor Hooper
I can barely remember back when I was the only child. Most would say it’s because it is extremely difficult to remember things as a toddler but I would say it's because I was bored until my sister came along. My mother always says how important the "sister bond" is and with every year that passes I realize how right she is. Instead of writing a novel about all of the wonderful things there are about having a sister I decided to list a few of them instead.
1. She's your number one fan…and you're her's.
"L" for LOVE!
2. It feels like you guys can communicate telepathically at times with just a look.
....
3. Fights last for about two minutes because you find something funny and have to show them.
Hey come look at this video of a cat talking.
4. Concerts in your car are a regular thing.
VIP only.
5. You have an innumerable amount of inside jokes that are always funny.
If they don't seem funny its because you had to be there obviously.
6. When she gets clothes it's like you're getting new clothes too.
SHARING IS CARING.
7. She's seen you at your worst and doesn't judge you…but has taken pictures to remind you.
You look cute but do you know what's even better? This picture of you with frosted flakes in your hair, come look.
8. She always knows just what to say to cheer you up…or what food (or drink) to make you if words aren't working.
Mac and cheese and whatever bottle is open coming right up.
9. She's the first person to jump to your defense.
God Bless you and good luck if you've wronged either one of us.
10. You have a permanent best friend.
Because no one knows you and loves you like your sister...also you live together so its hard to escape.
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