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“A Summer Body”

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“A Summer Body”

I can say it a million times over in a million different ways but you do not need to change your body for a season. The pressure of achieving a “summer body” has been a trend for ages. It’s superficial, the idea that being fit or in shape is something that we should only focus on when we are showing less skin. But this thought is so easy to fall into, many people associate looking and feeling good with being in a smaller body. Diet companies and fitness brands make money off of selling towards the idea of losing weight for the summer. And then we fall into the cycle of wanting to lose weight, eating less, restricting certain foods and feeling like shit mentally and physically.

Personally, summer is a difficult time of year for me regarding body image and appearance. Without fail, the thoughts of wanting to tone up and get “in shape” for the summer return and take over. But at the end of the day, summer is just a time of year. There is no one size fits all when it comes to a season and one body type should not be praised over another.

When I’m really struggling, I think about it this way. All of the goals you have for yourself, whether that is to earn good grades in school, be a top athlete, study abroad, get married, graduate, etc cannot be achieved if you don’t eat. It simply won’t happen. It can be so easy in the moment to want that instant gratification of skipping a meal or cutting down on certain foods, but it is so much bigger than that. Think of recovery as an investment to your future self and what you want your future to look like. Focusing on the long-term rather than day to day can be helpful and it motivates you to continue doing the right thing and not to fall into unhealthy patterns and behaviors.

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Blair Waldorf Quote
"DESTINY IS FOR LOSERS. IT'S JUST A STUPID EXCUSE TO WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM HAPPEN." - BLAIR WALDORF.

The world stopped in 2012 when our beloved show "Gossip Girl" ended. For six straight years, we would all tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. to see Upper Eastside royalty in the form of a Burberry headband clad Blair Waldorf. Blair was the big sister that we all loved to hate. How could we ever forget the epic showdowns between her and her frenemy Serena Van Der Woodsen? Or the time she banished Georgina Sparks to a Christian summer camp? How about that time when she and her girls took down Bart Bass? Blair is life. She's taught us how to dress, how to be ambitious, and most importantly, how to throw the perfect shade.

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Student Life

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

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too tired to care

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!

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Unsplash

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.

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students
rowanuniversitypublications / Flickr

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."

students
Sophia Palmerine

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.

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