To My Best Friends:
There's a certain point in our lives where we all have to grow up. These are the days we couldn't wait for, but now that they're here it's like we aren't satisfied with it enough. We went through our senior year together, some of you were still juniors, and one of you were already graduated, waiting to leave for the service. I'll never forget all the times we had shared from years passed, and years to come. There was nothing better than a Friday Night football game together, a Saturday Night basketball game together, and even a mid week baseball game together. We always dreaded going to class, but we always ended up going. I'll never forget the last summer we all shared before we each took our respectful paths. To my best friends who are back at home, while I'm at college, it was not a "goodbye", it was a "see you later." I never want you guys to forget that. Your my brothers until the end.
The summer of 2016 was by far the craziest we had shared. We went to concerts together, went out together, and I know somehow, someway, we made the trip to a Steak N' Shake. We went on so many adventures that people wouldn't believer or understand. It makes me laugh, because we were always such a great group of friends. Whether it was swimming out on Elton, a fire at Hummel's Goat Farm, a party in East Canton, a Game 7 celebration for the Cavs, stranded on the side of the road in Akron because car troubles, sitting in a basement while big Bill came down to jump on us, or even sitting around in a living room together, we had the best of times, and I feel no summer with a different group of guys, will ever replace that. There's no more waking one another up when it early, and one of us try to sleep. There's no more enjoyable arguments on who has the big couch or small couch to sleep on. There's no more, "Watch the Mercedes" as we are pulling in and our of driveways, even though none of us own a Mercedes. We tried to be happy about our futures, however I always sensed the fright in our voices when we would speak about it. I can never thank God enough for placing all of you in my life. You guys' have always stood by my side, no matter what life has thrown at us. Even when one of us faced the, "Minor Setback Major Comeback."
It was the last concert we went to, and I knew our time together was coming to an end. With one of us being the first to leave for college, it all hit us when you left. We knew you were going to have a great time, but we only wish you never forget about us back at home. I know you're going to succeed as you further your baseball career. Next, it was myself leaving for college, and although I was excited for that day, I felt there was a lot missing. I always wondered what you guys' were doing back at home, but I knew you were all having a good time, and we were all looking forward to the next time we see one another. Then, I felt horrible when I couldn't wish the last of us luck, as you moved into college to play soccer. Lastly, I still find myself reminiscing with the ones who are still back at home, waiting to leave for the service, and who are working every day. I know things must be different for you guys as well. On the weekends you can't seem to find anything to do, it's not as simple as calling one of us, and showing up in twenty minutes or so. Now it's just all a plan, and we need to organize our schedules to even hangout with one another.
I have met so many new people here at college, I know you guys would like them when you get know them better. I can relate to a lot of them in ways I relate to you guys, and I like that. Although our childhoods' have come to an end, and we are now in the real world, I know we will always cherish the times we do have on school breaks, and most importantly summer. To my best friends, I know that several people can join in on the close friend ships I allow in my life, however nobody will ever be able to replace the guys I have back at home. They say best friends call for the best memories, and they aren't lying. I know whatever it is we all choose to do, whether it be college athletics, the military, the work field, we will all be successful, and nothing will break our friendships apart. If it weren't for you kinds of people, I wouldn't know where I would be in my life. We have went through it all together. Everyone can think of the special group that they hold close to them, and I hope they don't take them for granted, just like I never took you guys for granted.
College is different. It's difficult not knowing everyone in the class, it's difficult with all the responsibilities we'd help each other with, and even any minor troubles we'd encounter. In the end, I feel we all needed this, because without the time of separation, how will it be exciting to talk about our new experiences? To my best friends back at home, while I'm in college, I want you guys to know I am always here. It doesn't matter what the reason is, I promise to never replace you guys, because you are all irreplaceable. Just because we are all going our separate ways, doesn't mean things have to change. We have started a new chapter in our lives, and I don't think distance is a factor. I love you guys, and to my best friends at home, just know our time has not ended, this will be for a lifetime.
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1. The Freshmen 15? It's real.
WARNING: The buffet style campus dining spots are a TRAP. If you're eating and out drinking on the weekends, it is EXTREMELY LIKELY that you're going to gain a little bit of weight. Gaining weight isn't really a bad thing, but staying healthy is definitely important. Take a walk or a run to even out that junk food intake, but feel free to sneak that late night five-cheese panini at 1AM.
2. Make friends with some of your floormates.
Your first year of college is arguably the most memorable time of your college life. You live with your floormates for two semesters, and you see them in the hall all the time. Make it a point to say "what's up", it'll definitely make your year more fun.
3. College is hard. Don't sell yourself short.
Higher education. It's not high school, your professors are a little less prominent than your HS teachers. This being said, you are responsible for your own eucation. It's a little hard having all this freedom and responsibility for (probably) the first time in your life, but it's important to realize that it's a little harder because you're sort of on your own.
4. You don't HAVE to have sex to "get it over with".
This is IMPORTANT. Deciding to have sex when you get to college? Cool. Deciding you want to wait? Awesome. Having sex because you just want to get it over with? Hm, think about that. Your decision is your decision, but if you're iffy about entering the "college hook-up culture", PLEASE really think about how important it is for you to have sex.
5. Be careful who you hook up with and who you open up to.
As I said earlier: beware of the infamous "college hook-up culture". IMO, it's a chance for college guys or gals to lead the other on (the majority of the time). It's not possible to control your feelings, but it's possible to cut a hook-up off/talk about how you feel. Better for you in the long run, trust me.
6. Work around scheduling a class before 12PM.
You might have the idea that, "Oh, I got up at 8AM in high school. I can do it again." No. No, you can't. I have very little explanation for this. You'll enjoy the extra sleep. If you don't believe me, schedule a morning class, and see how you feel.
7. Dress how you want to dress.
You wanna dress up? Slap on some make up, put on some heels, and head to your lecture. You were up late last night? Roll out of bed in what you fell asleep in last night. The good thing about college? You realize that no one is really focused on you, so it's a good time to just "do you" and rock it.
8. The drinking every chance you get? Not healthy. Stop that.
9. When you DO go out, be safe.
Check your drink, make sure you're pacing yourself, don't wander home by yourself, etc. The essentials.
10. Spend your money frugally.
Living the ramen/ easy-mac life is a real thing. There's a reason why it's a college student's go-to: it's easy to make, and it's cheap as heck. It's important to practice money saving tips- even though it seems almost impossible.
11. Those events your RA hosts? Go to them. Some of them are awesome, some offer free food.
As a poor college student, the word free resonates in all of our ears. RA events are not only a gateway to free food, but are also a way to meet more people on your floor/ in your building.
12. It's not all about school- enjoy yourself.
College is a new time in your life where you're working towards your future, but it's also a time where you meet people and have experiences like no other. Let yourself breathe sometimes, and just enjoy this experience.
What about combined income from two minimum-wage workers? Wouldn't that put them above the poverty line? In a nuclear family with two working parents and two children, their combined yearly wage would be about $30,160. That's only $7,846 above the poverty line. Now, let's take into account rent, food, gas, utilities, car insurance, health insurance, school supplies, clothes, and tuition. Try and see how $30,160 would cover all those expenses in a year – it doesn't. The minimum wage is not a living wage.
The minimum wage is not a living wage.
StableDiffusion
Here are some myths that I would like to present and debunk:
Raising the minimum wage will kill jobs. This is false. In a March 2011 report, the Center for Economic and Policy Research concluded that raising the minimum wage would not only help workers but actually have the possibility of increasing job openings. Better pay leads people to spend more money, and the cycle repeats.
"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."
influential nations
StableDiffusion
On June 2, 2014 , Seattle changed the city's minimum wage to $15 dollars. Following that procedure, unemployment decreased 17.46 percent – falling from a previous 6.3 percent to 5.2 percent.
Raising the minimum wage will hurt small business. Not only has a higher minimum wage worked in cities across the United States, but a 2006 study by the Center for American Progress and Policy Matters compared small business performances and found that the small businesses who paid the higher wages were more profitable.
Mostly teenagers work minimum-wage jobs. Again, this is false. Half of minimum-wage workers are 25 years old or older. Most minimum-wage workers support their family on this income – and 28 percent of these individuals have children.
Raising the minimum wadge
The minimum wage is not sufficient to uphold and support an individual, especially individuals with families. I've often heard: "It isn't fair that someone working in a fast food restaurant will get paid the same as a college professional!" If we raise the minimum wage to, let’s say, $11 an hour, it would still be a lower amount than that of a college professional. Even so, someone not having a college degree doesn't make their worth any less valuable. Nobody deserves to live in poverty. Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet. We are a nation of equality and opportunity – it's time to let some of that opportunity flow.
What is the current minimum wage at the federal level?
Federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour. Many states also have minimum wage laws, and the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages. (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?
A higher minimum wage means less workers living below the poverty line, more workers being able to make ends meet and potentially spend beyond that, and workers would be more productive upon the increase.
What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?
California is at $15.50 per hour, Washington is at $15.74, and Massachusetts is at $15. These are the only states to have a $15 minimum wage as of Jan. 1, 2023. (The Economic Policy Institute Tracker)
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