You are what you attract, a simple phrase many of us hear quite a bit. As much as you don't want it to be true, it is. The things you do, the thoughts you have, the people you hang out with on a daily basis. It was all attracted to you because of the things you do and the way you do them. If you want to be successful you need to surround yourself with successful people, and have the mindset to accomplish the achievements you imagine. Before I finally let myself believe this, I was working the same 40 hour a week job and I got tired of it. I thought to myself, how do I work this hard and continually sit in the same position that I have been stuck in? Because everything I was doing was for everyone else, and not myself. I was working to earn money for myself, but everything I did there was to help other people. Even in my free time or days off I was bending over backwards to help other people. I was undeniably unhappy, I had no time to do the things that made me more content. Yes the feeling was nice to help other people, but I wasn't doing what I knew I needed to do; and once I did things started to change. The attitude I was having was a service to everyone, therefore I attracted people that I would grow, but not grow myself. The craziest part about this is, the day that I made the decision that I'm going to focus more on myself, the people I needed in my life started with a Facebook friend request. He talked to me about a business called Wakaya, at first I was skeptical; thinking "alright who is this guy and why is he telling me about this?". I told him I would think about it, and the more I thought, him and this company was the solution to my problems. This guy by the name of Payton and his partner, Tycen, have helped me start paving the path to who I want to be. Not who everyone else wants me to be, or what other people made of me. Simply changing who I associated myself with has made the biggest difference in my life. Instead of me growing others and adding nothing to myself, I can now do both. I have built sensational relationships with people and everything I never thought possible is now within reach. One of the largest struggles I was having was with my depression and anxiety, which I have been battling since I was 15 years old. All I ever wanted was to be happy, something everyone strives for, and so many people I was around made it seem to me that it was easy to attain. I will never forget thinking to myself "What is wrong with me? Why can't I be happy?". I finally understand that the reason I was so unhappy was because that's the people that I was attracting, the ones that were going to make me unhappy and I was content with that. I now realize that I am deserving and capable of achieving so much more than I was settling for. Since I started associating myself with Tycen and Payton two weeks ago, I have not touched my medications for the disorders that controlled me for the past three years; and that's something that I haven't been able to say for over two years. The things that have changed and became possible for me are things I never thought possible. I wake up everyday to a life that I'm happy to live and excited to see what it brings. Just because I changed my thoughts. Change yours too and you will thank yourself. Life is a gift that is given to you to exceed the expectations of yourself and others, don't waste it.
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11 Moments Every College Freshman Has Experienced
Because we made it, and because high school seniors deserve to know what they're getting themselves into
We've all been there. From move-in day to the first finals week in college, your first term is an adventure from start to finish. In honor of college decisions coming out recently, I want to recap some of the most common experiences college freshmen experience.
1. The awkward hellos on move-in day.
You're moving your stuff onto your floor, and you will encounter people you don't know yet in the hallway. They live on your floor, so you'll awkwardly smile and maybe introduce yourself. As you walk away, you will wonder if they will ever speak to you again, but don't worry, there's a good chance that you will make some great friends on your floor!
2. Getting to know your roommate.
There are plenty of awkward conversations, because of course, you have to figure out how to not get on each other's last nerves, but since you are living together, it is very easy to get along and hang out constantly. However, make sure you get of your room and make other friends too.
3. Attending your first class.
You will get up for your first class, and while you may be nervous, you will be excited too, because all your life people and movies have told you that college is different. The classes are different, and you will feel ready for anything that first day of class can throw your way.
4. The good first experience with dining hall food.
Everyone warns you about the dining hall, so of course, you are wary to try it for the first time, but plot twist: it tastes good. You are so relieved because your college defies the norm of bad dining hall food -- for now.
5. Exploring the flaws on your campus.
It's pretty common knowledge that college dorms and buildings are not exactly pristine, so even if you aren't looking for it, you will find some damage. Hopefully, it isn't in your dorm room though.
6. Contemplating skipping a lecture.
There will come a time when you will not want to go to class, and whether it is because of the time of the class or the content of the class or whatever, the truth is that at some point you will skip a class. This is college, so it isn't big deal to miss class, but you will need to make sure that you stay on top of the content, even if you don't go.
7. Using college as your explanation for everything.
Whenever someone tells you something or you have to explain something, there will come a point when you just say, "college," as your explanation, because really, that's all it comes down to. You will change, because that's what college does to you: it pushes you to grow and mature.
8. Finally finding dining hall food annoying.
Honestly, if you make it more than a month without getting sick of the dining hall food, I will be impressed, because seriously, no matter where you go, the food will get to you at some point. When you are unable to consume dining hall food, you will turn to food trucks, take-out, and, most importantly, free food.
9. Getting mad at your roommate.
Let's face it, you will have less privacy, and even if you are good friends with your roommate, there will come a moment when you are just too annoyed to deal with them. The important thing is to talk it out, so that you can move past it and continue to be good roommates.
10. Feeling like everyone else has it all figured out.
When everything seems a little confusing and impossible to figure out, you will feel like everyone else is able to figure their lives out, but here's the truth: most of us are in the same boat. Don't assume that people's lives are perfect because it's quite likely that they think you have everything figured out too.
11. Feeling overwhelmed by finals.
The first set of finals in college can be a daunting task, and you will wonder how to study properly, because you probably didn't study properly in high school. It will be difficult, but the key is really using your time wisely and making study groups.
So, at the end of the day, to my fellow freshmen out there, we will make it through our first year. So, congrats! And, yes, we probably have had moments like this:
Or, even like this:
But, hey, we made it. We faced the awkward, the scary, the annoying, and the sleep-depriving, and soon we will have finished our first year of college. We seriously done good, and I'm proud of us.
As for my high school seniors out there that are reading this, some of these moments may seem terrible, but I swear, it's all worth it. College is a journey, and at least now you can say:
Yes, you will have more responsibility, but it's good. So good luck with your decisions, and don't fret too much, because at the end of the day, you'll end up at a college that is great for you.
21 Things I've Learned About College Life
College is not what everyone expects it to be.
The college years are a time for personal growth and success. Everyone comes in with expectations about how their life is supposed to turn out and envision the future. We all freak out when things don't go exactly as planned or when our expectations are unmet. As time goes on, we realize that the uncertainty of college is what makes it great. Here are some helpful reminders about life in college.
1. Time management is the key to success.
2. Don't leave homework for the night before it's due.
3. Create a relationship with your professors, especially those who teach the classes within your major.
4. Take advantage of school sponsored programs.
5. Go to events on campus.
6. Keep an open mind.
7. Study hard, even when you don't want to.
8. Go to the library.
9. Don't stress yourself out to the point where you can't have any fun.
10. Remember that one bad test grade doesn't define you.
11. Don't let people's opinions define you.
12. Go to sporting events, even if you don't like sports.
13. Stay in touch with your friends from home.
14. You don't have to go out every single weekend.
15. Actually, you don't have to go out at all.
16. Stay true to who you are; don't change for anyone.
17. You won't stay friends with everyone, but your true friends will stay with you forever.
18. Call your parents often.
19. Never give up.
20. Take risks and live in the moment.
21. These are the most important and fun years of your life. Smile, stay positive, and enjoy every aspect of it.
You only get four years of college, enjoy it because one day you are going to be sad it is over.
11 Partial Conversations Overheard In EVERY College Lib In The Last Week Of Exams
"If I'm wearing black tomorrow, it's because I'm mourning my grade."
1. "If I'm wearing black tomorrow, it's because I'm mourning my grade."
2. "Do you want to try ordering Chinese takeout to take back to the stacks?"
3. "This final paper has me questioning if this professor just sucks or is Satan himself."
4. "Is that person over there OK? They've been sleeping for a while."
5. "Why are you online shopping?"
"I want to motivate myself to study."
"Since when do you have money to buy something anyway?"
6. "I wonder how much I could make as a stripper."
7. "There are no stress relief dogs, and I feel conned. My stress today is worse than yesterday."
8. "Rate My Professor screwed me over."
9. "I wore these clothes yesterday, and maybe even the day before, but it's fine."
10. "I wonder if I could sneak a beer in here."
11. "I just really want chocolate chip cookies."
Dear High School Friend Group,
My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.
As much as I love every single one of you, it is not a secret that college and being apart has torn at our friendships a little. Each of us now have our own lives, new people to tell our secrets and gossip too and new people to do weird and goofy things with like we all used to. Things are getting harder in school as we come closer to figuring out what we want to do with our whole lives and that is a little scary. But anyway, we are busy, busy being successful women like we had always planned on doing.
Yes, this is all a little bittersweet. Maybe a little more saddening now that you're reading and realizing how much our lives have actually changed since graduating high school. But, I hope you understand by now that the change is OK! We may have drifted apart, but that is not the end of the world. I think it is important for us to keep in contact as much as possible because we have known each other our whole entire lives and know everything about each other to the tip of a needle. Those kinds of people deserve a spot in your life forever.
This is all becoming so clear to me as I approach the end of the first year of college. The friends I have made in college so far are wonderful and are people who have forever impacted my life and will be around hopefully my whole life. But something else that has come to me is how blessed I am to have you guys as well. Nobody, no matter how close you are to them, will get you like your friend group from high school does.
To my high school friend group, I will no longer call you guys my high school friend group, I will now refer to you as my best friends for life. Because congratulations, you have made it into the next chapter of my life and hopefully, more chapters to come. You all are more than just friends, you are family. I love you all more than you know.
Love,
Your Best Friend for Life
Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.
Here is College in Gifs.
Let's start with move-in day, aka Independence day (it is actually a pretty sad day):
Your parents might even ask you "are you sure this is where you belong?" As much as they might not admit it, they are scared too.
Your first day of classes:
While we all don't want to admit it, behind our brave faces, we are scared.
We are all scared of embarrassment or anything else there is to be scared of. The worst embarrassment ever is walking into the wrong classroom; it is horrible, especially if class has started. Plus, everyone knows that feel of using new school supplies.
All that walking:
Even small campuses seem huge when you leave even a minute later than normal to get to class.
Your first weekend on campus:
What you think you'll be doing:
What you are actually doing:
While many do party as much as they can, it isn't realistic to party every night of the week. You aren't always partying, especially near finals week.
Having so many food options within walking distance:
Some nights you'll feel like ramen, but most nights you will just take the walk to Chick-fil-a or Moe's and eat your little heart out. I mean hey, that's what a meal plan is for, right?
Also, food costs money, and balancing a job with college isn't for anyone, so some nights you would rather sleep through dinner than pay for it.
Finally, Final's Week/Homework all the time:
If you thought you wouldn't have any homework after high school, you are wrong. The difference between high school homework and college homework is that in college if you don't do your homework they don't call your parents, you just fail. Final's Week, you mean "Cry Every Night Week"?
In the end, you are bettering your life. You are ensuring that you have a great future, even if sometimes it is hard. College is an experience you never forget, but it's also a time of discovering who you are and who you want to be in the future. Think of all the people you know that went to college, I guarantee that they all miss their college days, and most of them wish that they could do it all over again. Love every second of college, because one day you are going to wish you took it more seriously or had more fun.
