What an interesting time to be a woman, furthermore, what an interesting time to be alive! Over the past decade there has been a surge within the millennial generation to fight on this pursuit of "feminism". However, I am angered to say that many have manipulated and twisted this pursuit into being a battle of the sexes; an extremist movement where woman are called to claim power and dominate. This is not how this movement was intended, and that is not my feminism. The definition of feminism is the social and political equality of the sexes. This means man and woman, and any pronoun in between, stand together, united and equal. To me feminism means empowering ourselves to be limitless, to be free and capable to accomplish anything that we choose to. Yes, women deserve equal pay to men, but no, we do not demand so because we are greater. This fills me with such distaste and reaps all of us who look toward feminism as an outlet for hope and a means to find a voice in this divided and prejudiced world. Ladies, don't stop shaving your legs and body hair because "men have expected us to be hairless cats" or to spite them and prove something. Grow out your hair because you like having body hair, do it as a reflection of yourself and no other. When we act in spite of another, against "the man", we aren't claiming power, only giving it away. I am proud to be a woman, and have come from a long line of intelligent, strong, nurturing and resilient women. One day, I hope for my daughter to be proud of her femininity as well, but not because women have united and torn apart men in order to accomplish a sense of superiority, but because she feels proud of the skin she bares and the mind she's grown, on her own terms. To me, feminism is an opportunity for men and women to seek their differences and celebrate them in themselves and each other. It is not a competition, because at the core, we are all human beings, and it is only society that adorns us with these labels. It is purely social construct. It is my hope for feminism to empower women to seek their strengths and gifts and to use that to create happiness within themselves and give their greatness to serve the world around them. If each of us could do that, there would be no sexism, no racism, nor words of hate spewed across news castings, social media and unto others. We need to realize that there is no you and he and her and that and them, the only person you have control over is yourself and your own destiny. Yes, we should have equal opportunity to fulfill each of our dreams, but we must realize that this is an individual pursuit. We as human beings were created equal and born unto this world the same way as that man or that women, and it takes every single one of us to comprise a society, to accomplish peace, and we will never find that path so long as we remain divided. So here I am, an equalist, calling for a reclaiming of feminism as it was truly intended to be, calling for all peoples to be the goodness and the love and the uniqueness of their own spirit. I call all men and women to stop radicalizing this movement as a need for women to dominate, and to put down men, and to stop men from doing the same to women, and come together in celebration of our homogenous humanity.
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Transitioning from high school to college can be a stressful experience, especially if you're like me and hate change. Over the past two years I've realized there's many things I couldn't get away with in High School that are typically applauded in college.
1. Eat
In high school, you can sometimes get away with eating snacks in class. In college? Professors don't care what you eat. Soda in your 8 AM? Acceptable. Late night snack in the library? No second thoughts. It doesn't matter where you are, food is always acceptable.
2. Be seen running across campus
Waking up at 7:57 for an 8:00 AM class and realizing it's the one day of the year you shouldn't miss... Yeah, sprinting to the other side of campus is acceptable. Suddenly I realize how my days at the gym have paid off. In high school? You get in trouble for being late, but you also get written up for running in the hall. No winning.
3. Sleep
In high school, I could go from school to sports practice to drama rehearsal. Don't get me wrong, I took a few naps before practice in the hallway... But there was always at least one person who would have a comment to make about it. In college? You can sleep anywhere without any judgement, usually without so much as a double take. It's kind of expected in a college environment.
4. Skip Class
Is skipping classes the brightest decision? Probably not... But you really don't miss anything and most professors don't even take attendance anyway. High school on the other hand... I once got written up for skipping a class when I was dismissed early for a funeral. The freedom on this end makes college life almost bearable.
5. Blurt out
In high school, you were raising hands and taking turns. In college, on the other hand, if you raise your hand, you don't get a chance to talk half of the time.
6. Wear dresses
Trying to get through a day, in high school, in a dress is a nightmare. Between friends, teachers, and people you've never even seen before, the "Why are you dressed up?" question tends to get a little infuriating. In college, wearing a dress is not that out of the ordinary. Instead of the inquisitive responses, compliments are actually given out.
7. Wear Crocs
Even better than dresses being socially acceptable... Crocs. Do I still get the occasional joke made about my Crocs? Yeah, but nothing compared to wearing them in high school. They're definitely making a comeback and the comfort of my feet are eternally grateful.
8.Run on 4 hours of sleep
Getting through the day on 4 hours of sleep becomes the norm, and that's on a good day. In high school, I was once told that I looked like I had been hit by a truck. In college though, it's not out of the ordinary to look that way.
9. Use a Laptop
I honestly don't know how college student use pen and paper for taking notes. Professors change slides before I can get the first bullet point down. The freedom of technology in the classroom honestly saves my GPA.
10. Crying
If you're seen crying in high school, you may as well just take a video to send out - everybody finds out. Crying on campus, on the other hand, totally acceptable. Often encouraged. It doesn't matter why or where, it's always okay to cry in college.
1. “When I first met you, I thought you were a b*tch.”
I get it, my face is less than welcoming and now that we’re friends you think it’s cool to tell me that when you first met me, you thought I was the wicked witch of the west. Why can’t you just lie and tell me that when you first met me you thought I was hilariously funny and devilishly good looking?
2. Somebody asks you if you’re mad at them at least once a day.
No, I’m not mad at you. This is just my face.
3. You always look unamused. Even when you are very amused.
Your body may be saying, “Justin Bieber concert,” but your face will always say, “Taking an economics midterm.”
4. Anna Wintour is your spirit animal.
Because she makes your b*tch face look like a straight up smiley face.
5. You are never approached by people who are tabling on campus.
Nobody on campus is going to stop you to ask if you’ve voted, are registered to vote, would like to sign a petition or if you want to join the dance club. Nobody.
6. You have to practice smiling before you get your photo taken.
Sitting in front of a mirror and practicing your most natural smile can be a daunting task.
7. The word “judgmental” is thrown at you on the daily.
(Judgmental is code for b*tch.)
8. You make people visibly uncomfortable in section by glancing at them.
You may be very interested in what the girl behind you just said in section, but by staring at her, you just gave her mad anxiety.
9. Your parents thought that this was just part of a teenage phase, but this is actually just your face.
You’re 20 and your face is still as sour as can be. Sorry Mom and Dad.
10. Your face could get you out of jury duty.
Your face reads, “I have no mercy.” Nobody wants you on jury duty.
2. Trying to take easy classes to make it out alive
If the professor does not have a 2.0 or less on Rate My Professor for level of difficulty, I don't want them.
3. Does attendance count for a grade?
WWHHHYYY? I have never understood this rule my whole four years. If they don't want to come you cannot make them.
4. Skipping once won't hurt me
Once becomes twice, twice becomes 10 times, and then you forget that you even had the class.
5. Wait that is due?
Here is to doing the assignment right before turning it in.
6. I'm just trying to graduate
One semester down, just one more to go.
7. I'll just do this assignment during my other class
I can do my Biochem homework in my Immunology class and my Immunology homework in my Biochem class. IT IS FOOL PROOF.
8. Patiently waiting
It is just two more months.
9. Rejection
Oh boy, this is the period of rejection letters from grad schools, internships and even jobs!
10. Accepting that you might have gotten a degree for nothing
How long will it take for me to climb the ladder of a local fast food joint?
11. Probably should have studied for that test
I know I binge watched every season of Master Chief Junior, I just couldn't say no to their little faces!
12. Sanity > class
I thought I took easy professors! I didn't want to be stressed out.
13. Finally an acceptance letter
Look ma, I made it!
14. Oh yeah, finals
The only thing that could stop me in my path.
15. Graduating!
I did it! I survived four long years of blood, sweat, tears and lots and lots of money. I can finally enter the adult world!
All in all, graduating from college is a huge accomplishment. It is a bumpy road, but if it is what you really want, it will all be worth it in the end. Do not give up on your dreams because of one rejection letter or a single hard class. Just keep going and do not be too hard on yourself.
1. "Should I skip class today?"
Or "Can I drop out of college yet?" both are usually a daily occurrence.
2. "Did you hear ________ is engaged?"
I swear every time I open up Facebook another person is engaged, married, or pregnant.
3. "When are you coming home?"
Soon, but not soon enough.
4. "I finally talked to the cute guy in my science lecture."
Usually followed by responses like "Ohh what did you say?"
5. GIFs, on GIFs, on GIFs.
Throw a couple of memes in there too.
6. "I saw the cutest puppy on my walk to class this morning!"
Sometimes this even includes a picture of said dog and makes our hearts melt.
7. "Do you remember when we ________ at ________?"
Ahh high school memories, man does time fly.
8. "I miss you."
I miss you too.
See also: 13 Things All College Students Should Always Have On Them
1. Spending their money - when they actually don't have any.
$0.33 in your bank account but Chipotle sounds way too good to pass up right now.
2. Take naps. Lots of naps.
Bad day? Take a nap. Good day? Celebrate with a nap. Bad grade on a test? The answer is obviously to nap.
3. Staying up late binge-watching a Netflix show when you have an early class.
See also:The 16 Virginia Colleges As Characters From 'The Office'
Well, yes I have to be up at 8 but it would obviously be sinful to go to bed without finding out who the killer is.
4. Skip a class to do something completely unnecessary.
Sometimes class is really the last place you want to be, so what if you skip it once to head down to the beach? One day can't do too much harm...personal days are a necessity.
5. Putting all your homework off for the night before it's due just so you can do nothing for a night.
You're slammed all week, so if you have a potential night to do absolutely nothing, that is definitely worth taking. Sure we'll regret it tomorrow, but for the night you're carefree.
6. Going out on a Thursday night when you have a test the next day.
We've all done it, and most likely felt completely terrible in the morning, but at least our Snapchat Story from the night before is a perfect replica of the previous night's activities.
7. Making impulsive decisions.
So you're telling me it is frowned upon to splurge online and spend $74 on clothes in one sitting?
8. Write an important paper in one night.
It seemed like a good and manageable idea at the time, but little did we know we would stay up literally all night - falling in and out of sleep - writing it.
9. Classifying Ramen as your main food group.
Such a perfect and easy meal. Sure, sometimes we'll get completely tired of it, but at least it's always there for us as a go-to when we need it.
10. Going on late night food runs - and I mean really late.
It's 2 am but for some reason you just really can't shake the thought of some late-night fast food. So naturally, you go out and get it, without much of a second thought.
11. Having more than 3 cups of coffee a day.
Because one definitely wasn't enough and you still have three classes ahead of you.
12. Doing really dumb, irresponsible things when out with your friends.
You'll probably regret doing most of them in the morning (or not), but at least it was all seemingly worth it at the time. Those kind of memories are priceless.
13. Finishing an entire show on Netflix in less than a week.
Listen, it's really not as hard as it sounds. There's so many addicting shows out there. And, are you really in college if you haven't done this before?
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