I had a dream the other night...

I had a dream the other night that I was walking in a garden. This garden was laid out on either side of a stone path and no matter how hard I tried, I kept trampling the flowers. I would straighten and water them and watch the plants grow for a time but in the end they would all die. It seemed like years of hard work that all amounted to nothing. 

Suddenly a hand reached out to me and offered help over to a new path. As I walked it, it didn't matter what I did to the flowers. I could step, kick, or pull at them and still they refused to be destroyed. Instead of being maddening it seemed entirely comforting. I had worked so hard on my little garden and yet nothing I did helped the little plants grow. Here I was in a place where I didn't have to work; everything was already done and nothing I did would stop it from happening.

Now bear with me as this is how my mind associates things. I'm at a time of my life where I'm working through several aspects of my life. Relationships, getting ready to graduate college, finding internships and a job, balancing friends and work; it's all overwhelming at times. However I always find myself giving the same advice to others and not really doing all that well at following it myself. It usually starts with God has a plan. We can kick and scream and fight but it's already been laid out. We can see it as frustrating or choose to see it as comforting because no matter how far we fall, the plan is there. He sees and knows everything and in my weakest state, He has a plan.

So my garden dream was a comfort in these days of wandering. It reminds me that anything I touch will wilt and fall away because thus far, everything has. However God is a gardener and everything He touches will flourish and grow even more beautiful than I can ever imagine. It's in His hands so why worry?

Welcome Summer

I'm positive I am not the first person and will not be the last to say this, but college absolutely drains all of my time. Of course I work, go out with friends, and take time to live but many parts of my life get pushed to the back burner during the school months. One of these just so happens to unfortunately be music. This means that during the summer I spend a lot of my time just catching back up on new music, CD releases, and exploring the hidden parts of Youtube.

One of my best friends, Baylen, and I are both music junkies and have had an ongoing music swap since freshman year. I don't like to admit it but he gives me pretty great artists to listen to. Tonight I was feeling the restlessness of not going on a late night drive since being at school. Almost as if he could sense it, he sent me Cherry by Luna Shadows. Everything about it is so lovely and exactly what I needed for my anxiousness. I then got curious about the Youtube channel it's on and found Swim by Valley. Now spoiler alert: it has been a very long time since a song has made me laugh out loud. This isn't a funny song in the slightest, it just made me that happy. If you are looking for some extra songs for your summer playlist then I recommend these two songs and the Youtube channel "IndieAir". If you are looking for stars out, windows down, your love sitting in the passenger seat then get ready to be pleasantly surprised. Let summer commence.

35 days

Ah the sweet smell of the semester winding down- or picking up? As it gets to the end I can never quite tell whether it slows down or speeds up. As of today there are 35 days remaining of my junior year of college and I have to say that some days I am ready and others I close my eyes and just hold on tight.

Being in a place for too long makes me antsy. During the school year I work at my school's rock wall and sitting in the small place 18 hours a week can drive me insane on slow nights. Working in the rock wall is kind of like life for me. When things are the same day after day, I'm ready to move. I have to stand up and walk away for a little bit. The end of the semester is very much like this. I'm getting tired of sitting behind a desk and studying for something new every night. I'm ready for late nights at camp with my man in the car next to me. I need late night drives and swimming pools and no anxiety from impending tests.

There's 35 days remaining of this semester and even though I am very much burnt out; I want to make it worth something. I don't want to count down the days until the weekend or the summer. I want to study hard while I can and pass the exams coming up with ease.

So here's to 35 days and not counting I suppose.

Hiking the Days Away

If you guys are anything like me, you get the winter blues pretty badly too. It is so difficult to stay motivated during the colder months. Once it warms up though I want to spend all of my time outside! This last weekend I was sitting in the cafeteria with my best friend and we were contemplating what to do for the day. It was slightly chilly and overcast so we weren't too keen on being outside. However, we both a text from a mutual friend wondering if we wanted to go hiking with her and another friend of ours. It was the perfect opportunity!

Where we were headed, I had been to my freshman year and it is one of my favorite spots. There is a broken down castle, a cave, wildlife, and this one spot where you have to climb over 300 steps! What was amazing about the day is that the sun came out when we arrived and it turned into a gorgeous 70 degree day; perfect hiking weather! We were lucky enough to see beavers and several turtles sunning on the rocks.

The next day, I was asked by my good friend, Baylen, if I wanted to go to the same park and hike with him. This time we took different trails and I was able to see another part of the state park that I had never been on before. Again it was a gorgeous day and I got to see otters for the first time in the wild.

I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such great friends and be able to see different parts of the country. Missouri has become my home away from home and I cannot believe the semester ends in thirteen days! 

The Kind Word Challenge

Over winter break I went through a bit of a withdrawal from just about everything. I needed a break from school and people and kindly enough my family let me. For the entire month and a half I was able to relax and prepare for the last stretch before summer break; it was heaven. Right before I was meant to fly back to school, my dad pulled me aside and I was able to have a heart to heart with him. One of the things he reminded me was that kind words can fix just about everything. One of my worst bad habits is how awesome I am at comebacks. This however means that I can hurt people pretty deeply with very few words. Over the years I have been able to tame it immensely but every now and then it slips out. Because of the stress of last semester, this habit had been creeping up on me and I was becoming overwhelmed.

My dad is pretty great about bringing me back to earth. He gives me the space I need and then lets me talk it out. Usually, he can get me to see something from a different angle than I had previously. It is pretty easy to notice when other people are treating you badly. It's harder to see how you are treating other's badly. Every now and then I just have to remind myself to take a step back and look at the situation differently. Just because I feel like I'm not being treated fairly does not mean that I have the right to attack. Kind words have done wonders for me in diffusing situations.

One thing I want to challenge you to do is to take a step back. Are there any places in your life that you can lend a kind word? When I walk into my cafeteria, I always try to hold a conversation with the student working the front desk. One of the girls stopped me one time after I asked her how she was and told me that she appreciated the way I always conversed with her. To me, it was of little importance but it made an impact on her. I never realize how much of an impact I can have with just a few words. Angry words are not the only words that stick with people. So my challenge for you is to lend a kind word. Tell the stranger on the street that you dig their sweet sweater. A classmate got a new haircut? Maybe they're self conscious and need someone to tell them how much they rock their new hair. Kind words may seem insignificant to you, but little words here and there could make a huge impact on the world.

Positive Thoughts Part 1

Can I be honest for a moment? Being positive all of the time sucks. It can be so emotionally draining to feel like you can never be down. Does that make sense? When I first came to school I was a ray of sunshine. I had my moments certainly, but mostly I was fairly cheery. I am still happy but over the last few months a lot of events have dampened my mood. It became difficult to always be cheerful or positive and when everyone expects that of you, it's draining. I never felt like I could have a bad day because others would call me out on it or say that they were going through something worse. Why is it that we are so quick to say that we are worse off than the person next to us? It's like a competition to have a crappier life! So you feel better because you have a worse life than another, but really it is a bad thing because you're life is not good. It all hurts my head. For once I wish that instead of comparing two and two, we would listen with a caring heart and then be heard by an equally caring individual. 

Because I am a fairly competitive individual, I fall into this trap. When really, maybe an event is taking a toll on someone differently than it would me. Lately this is something that I have been working on. I have been trying to place a kind word somewhere maybe I would not have before or attempt to make someone feel like they are being heard. In this way, my hope is that person will pass this on. If they don't, that's alright. I just hope to lift one person even slightly. 

Learning to find the middle ground between being positive and negative can be tricky. I struggle with it every single day. Everybody struggles and everyone needs to feel heard. So if you're reading this, I hope you know that it is okay to have a bad day. It's normal to not always feel like you can smile. Do not let anyone tell you that you are not allowed to hurt or be sad. On another note, don't let anyone tell you that they hurt more than you. Yes, the circumstances might be different than yours. No, that does not mean that your troubles are insignificant. Be compassionate but don't allow yourself to be told you aren't allowed to hurt. Take a mental health day because it is good for your soul. Recoup and get back out there. 

Fall 2014

Over fall break Luke and I were lucky enough to catch good enough weather to go to a pumpkin patch as well as the park! We took advantage of the nice weather, set up my tripod, and got some fall shots together. This was our first Halloween together so we wanted to make it memorable. We went to the zoo (twice!), carved pumpkins, watched a plethora of Goosebumps, threw leaves at each other, and got lost in a corn maze. All perfect ways to spend our first fall together as a couple! Here's a look into how we spent our October.

Halloween 2014

Happy belated Halloween everyone! Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I'm not sure if it's the cute little pumpkins, putting together a costume, or the unlimited candy but I would definitely be okay with celebrating it more than once a year! Last year my roommate, my suitemate, and I decided on a group costume (the top right picture) and I walked around crowing for at least two days. This year, my best friend, my boyfriend, and I decided again on a group costume; Anna, Olaf, and Sven! If you can't tell, I tied my pumpkin design into my Halloween costume- Anna! We had all planned on going to the Zoo for a Halloween event but Luke was unfortunately called into work at the last minute. Instead, Kyra and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful (freezing) night together and we traipsed around in our costumes and got to see some zoo animals!

 It was such an amazing night! Even though we didn't get to see a lot of the animals, we still had a fantastic time seeing all of the little kids in their costumes. I counted at least twelve little Anna and Elsa's! What was your costume and if you're anything like me, what are you planning to wear next year?

You Got This

If you were looking for your daily dose of motivation you found the right place! Everybody gets down- it's a natural way of life. We're up, we're down, and continue.

I'm here to tell you that you are awesome. Whoever you are. I know that things get tough and we got to stick together. If you find yourself overwhelmed just take a step back from the situation and breathe. Figure out a few ways that help you relax. My favorites are netflix, my animals, and a nap. Everything always looks better after a good nap! When you feel up to it, give it another go.

There are going to be times when you feel like the world is against you. There are going to be days where your alarm doesn't go off, your expensive cup of coffee spills on your new blouse, and you failed a test you thought you had aced.

Breathe. Things can only go up. Apologize for being late, buy a new and fantastic smelling laundry soap scent, and find out if you can do extra credit.

You will get through this. You are a strong and no one is more capable of being you, but you!

So grab the bull by the horns, seize the day, jump back in the saddle (when you're ready), and whatever other cheesy cliche you can think of.

You got this.

12 Long Distance Relationships Tips for College Students

The summer between freshman year and sophomore year Luke and I hadn't been dating for very long but luckily we were friends beforehand. I wont lie, being early on in our relationship made it rough to be apart for the summer. We talked a lot about it but when it came time to say goodbye, I don't believe either of us truly knew what we were getting into. He lives in Iowa and I live in Pennsylvania so there was over a thousand miles between us.

Being in a long distance relationship is not fun all of the time. It sucks getting used to having to send a text or call your significant other to tell them something rather than turn your head and speak. This was probably the hardest part for me as I really like to tell stories. 

Every relationship is different and ours is no exception! We do things that wouldn't work for other couples and vice versa. However, it did ease our minds a bit hearing about other's long distance relationship success stories. Long distance relationship sites were comforting as well as advice from our parents. You never feel completely prepared however. 

If you are in a long distance relationship or are leading up to one, I hope these tips will help to ease your mind! A LDR can be done. 

1. Trust trust trust! Being so far from each other is difficult because you almost never know what the other is doing right when they do it. Trust is key in order to keep from worrying yourself sick all of the time over what your significant other is doing or not doing. 

2. Don't betray that trust! Trust is fragile and is easily lost. Don't take advantage of the trust that is bestowed upon you. 

3. Understand that your SO's schedule might not match up to yours! There could be hour differences, summer jobs, family and friend events, and more that might keep both of you busy. Learn to work around them and be lenient when your SO has something. 

4. Keep yourself busy! Not to the point where you're never relaxing, but if you're noticing that you are constantly waiting around for your SO to call- you might need to find other things to keep your mind occupied.

5. Letters! Luke and I did a pretty poor job of sending letters as frequently as we had previously hoped, but it was still fun! Nothing is the same as getting a handwritten letter in the mail. 

6. Don't text all day if you're going to call at night! In the beginning of the summer we would text continuously throughout the day and all of our stories were taken up before we talked at night. Leave stuff to talk about!

7. Don't feel obligated to talk every night. We definitely didn't! We both understood that the time difference sucked and one of us may have had a rough day. As long as you're not leaving long lengths of time where you're not talking you will be fine. 

8. Never let yourself get to the point where your SO is just a voice. Towards the end Luke and I forgot this often. We would get into an argument and rather than remember that we were talking to the person we loved, we were awfully harsh with each other. Your SO is still human and deserves to be treated like it. Skype is a great tool so use it!

9. Spend your time wisely! Yes, being apart sucks but take advantage of it! Use the time to pick up a new hobby or sleep. I made a bucket list and attempted to get them all crossed off. Sometimes it's hard to find time to spend on yourself when you're always around your SO. Don't just sit around grumpy- get up and use the time to your advantage.  

10. Love. Never forget that this is the person you fell in love with. A long distance relationship is tough but obviously you chose it for a reason. Yes, some days are going to be awful. However when you finally get to be reunited everything will be forgotten. Make the time apart worth it.

11. Keep the bickering to a minimum; especially over text! Tone changes over texting and it's hard to make out how the other person truly said it. If it's a huge deal, talk over the phone or Skype. Every couple bickers but it increases when your apart. If you can, nip an argument early and keep it from getting out of control. We had to learn how to forgive with a hug, kiss, or touch at all. Just words alone. Definitely a learning experience!

12. Schedule dates! Just because you can't physically go out together does not mean dates are out of the question. Find a time that works for both and watch a movie together over Skype. You could also eat a meal together! 

Overall, just love on each other. An LDR is difficult from both sides and it takes a lot of compromise and an understanding heart to get through it. Luckily we only had to make it through the summer, but to go from seeing each other every day to only Skype contact was rough! Figure out a method that helps keep both of your sanity and keep the negativity out. An LDR is stressful but if you can make it through, everything else is worth it. 

Bucket List

My bucket list is something that lies pretty close to my heart. I would love to get everything knocked off, but realistically I know that I'm just going to keep adding on items as I go. That doesn't make it any less fun though to say I completed an item! Speaking of completing an item, in the last two days of summer I was lucky enough to knock off two of the items on my list. Those happened to be "be a bridesmaid" and "fly first class".

I was asked by one of my closest cousin's if I could stay home for an extra week and be one of her bridesmaids at her wedding- and I'm so glad I did! Being able to stand with someone who was one of my closest friends as a child was such a blessing and I couldn't be happier for the bride and groom. They had a beautiful ceremony and from my eyes, everything went perfectly (besides the songs that the bridal party was supposed to dance out to but I'm better at improv anyway). 

The second item I completed was one of those that didn't really matter if I checked it off or not. I've flown both by myself and with others multiple times but this flight I got lucky with a deal to upgrade my seat to include three free bags for only 20 or so dollars more! My thoughtful parent's surprised me with it and it was perfect because it was actually cheaper to pay for the upgrade rather than pay for the two bags I already had and the shipping costs that would have had to been paid for what I would have to leave behind. 

Do you guys have bucket lists? And if so, what's one item that no matter what you are going to check off? 

College After Hours

If you were wondering what goes on at college at night, look no further. Right now it's 3 a.m., I have an amazing boyfriend fetching me more to drink, and an already filled out study guide for health that I probably won't read through again. Why you might ask am I still awake on a Monday night when I don't have class until 9:30? It's due to the fact that my i.d. may or may not be sitting on my bed in my dorm room. Hopefully, anyway. I'm not really positive where it is at this point. Luckily for me, at my school the side doors lock at midnight and boy's i.d.'s don't work on the main door after midnight. Brilliant. Times like this are when I miss my partner in crime who used to stay up with me all night at McDonald's at least once a week last year and then let me back into the dorm when I would forget my wallet.

However it makes me think about the things I'm going to remember years from now. I wonder if I'll remember the time I accidentally forgot my i.d. and my awesome boyfriend who loves his sleep willingly gave it up to spend the night with me camped out in McDonald's. If I was a cliche kind of person I would probably be saying YOLO right about now. As cheesy as that sounds, it kind of has some truth in it.

I mean sure, I probably could have gone to bed at ten instead of having a much needed talk with the boy and woken up an hour before my first class in order to get some extra studying in for my test, but nights like these are needed occasionally. Nights like these are the ones that I hope to remember one day.

So YOLO, seize the day, grab the bull by the horns, and whatever else stupid and cliche saying you'd like to hear. You may have had a great night of sleep, but I had a night that I can laugh about.

Or cry. Especially after my test.

Also, Luke says hi.

What to Listen to When Studying

You've probably heard it all by now; some have told you to only strictly listen to instrumentals while other's have sworn by their ear drum breaking beats. I'm here to tell you to have the best of all the worlds! Here's a couple of stations that are a go to for me when I'm studying.

Songza:

Songza is a site I refer to a lot when I don't have any particular song in mind. It's great because it caters to whatever is going on in your life! Like the pictures state, you can choose what time of the day it is, what you're doing, and  then it will give you song suggestions!

8tracks

Another one of those awesome music sites but instead you can instantly play someone's playlist that they have so carefully put together for you!












Rainy Mood

Nothing is better than the sound of rain. I play rainy mood all the time- by itself, with other songs, when I'm sleeping, studying, any time.

http://idobi.com/radio/player/

Let's be honest, the Gunz Show on idobi radio is probably one of my favorite stations to listen to. I usually have it open when the show is off air, but the interviews are definite perks.


Pandora

I'm sure you knew I wouldn't skip this one! Pandora is one of the easiest music sites to use. Simply put in an artist or song you'd like to listen to, and it will give you songs or artists like it. My favorite stations right now are Disney, Pitch Perfect, Mayday Parade, and love songs.

Other sites worth checking out!
http://www.stereomood.com/
http://www.soundsleeping.com/index.php

The great thing about these sites are that you can change the music you listen to depending on your mood or activity. Find the music that works for you- whether it be loud, quiet, instrumental, or lyrical. You'll study much better and retain more information if you work with music that you're comfortable with. Even if you don't listen to music and study, that's cool too. :)

How to Lose Friends With Grace

Surrounding myself with good friends is something that I have always worked towards. I'm not the kind of person to be comfortable in the midst of negative and fake people. For me it's exhausting and draining. I never know what's being said behind my back and I dislike that. I'm a pretty confident person, and while I don't care what people think of me, I do care if something I do or say is awesome to their faces but behind my back is the worst thing they've ever heard of. Who needs that negativity in their lives?

With that being said, I have had my share of best friends over the years. Some I have lost because of distance, but most because we don't see eye to eye on things and so one of us pulls away from the other. Even at college this has happened! It doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. Growth is good. You start to figure out what and who you need in your life and what you would rather do without. 

I had friends who knew nothing about my relationship with my boyfriend but would go to him and tell him that I treated him wrong and he needed to break up with me. To my face, nothing was said. They never tried to get my side of the story and just assumed what they wanted. It's frustrating because these are the people I trust. A lot of them if I tried to come to them with a problem they would brush me off. And then when a mutual friend would sit with me and just listen to me, they would turn on both of us and rush to my boyfriend to say that I was being influenced wrongly. But they weren't willing to listen! I'm not the person to be easily influenced. I'm pretty stubborn and not swayed at all by other's. If I don't believe it's right, it won't be done by me. So for someone to say that I'm easily influenced is insulting. These people who I trusted with everything were spreading rumors saying that I was cheating but when gently called out on it, denied it profusely. 

Here are some signs that you might want to rethink your relationship with somebody. 

• Everything they say is negative. Everybody likes to complain, even me. I'm the worst at it. There's a difference though in complaining occasionally about class and talking crap about everybody. If they can't be there to defend themselves, don't say it. 
• They put you down. Whether to your face or behind your back, this is not okay. Especially since they are supposed to have your back not talk behind it! 
• They constantly bail on you to hangout with other friends. I had a friend who did this a lot towards the end of our friendship. We would have plans and then suddenly she couldn't hang out because she would rather hang out with other girls. Occasionally skipping out on plans is okay, but not every time. If you have plans, try to be the person that almost always sticks to them. 
• When confronted, rather than talk and listen they will immediately get defensive and make it out to be your fault.
• They always expect you to drop everything for them but don't return the favor. 

Nobody's perfect and some of the time your friend might not even be sure they are doing anything wrong. Before immediately jumping the gun, try talking to them. However if they don't want to hear what you have to say, consider walking away from the relationship. You deserve to be happy and you deserve to be surrounded by people that make you feel that way. Do yourself a favor. 

This quote basically sums everything up. 

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5 Ways to be Successful in College

With school back in session I figured now would be a great time for some tips on how to make your semester awesome!

1. Go to office hours.

Office hours is the designated time that your professor sets aside to answer your questions. You can also use this time to get to know your professor. Find out what their grading standards are, if they offer extra credit, how much homework they will assign, and what you can do to get the best grade you possibly can in their class. At first it might be uncomfortable, but teachers remember their students. They pay attention to who sits in the front of the class, who attends office hours, and who answers their questions in class. Bonus points: If you get to know a teacher in your major really well, they may be able to help you network and also give you an awesome recommendation. Alternative: If you aren't comfortable or can't go to office hours, email your teacher. You may be able to get a lot of what you need out of the syllabus, but it's always good to build some kind of a relationship with your teacher. They respect a student who puts in a tiny bit of extra effort.


2. Find a place to study. 

Whether it be the library, bedroom, study hall, the forum, student union, or a friend's room; find that space! It is important to figure out how your mind focuses best and then to utilize that knowledge. If you know that you need quiet, go to the library and find a quiet room. Work best while talking to others? The student union, forum, study group, or a friend's room might be ideal. Or if you need quiet but don't mind some interruptions, your room could be perfect for you. Find that place and try figure out it quickly. It might take a little trial and error but once you're settled you will notice that

My Study Life: An app that keeps your schedule in one place. I prefer to write it down in a planner but I also like to have it available whenever I need it.

3. Eat and drink. 

If your school is like mine, you'll figure out really fast that meals aren't exactly awesome all the time. To get around this, find out what will be served and when. I like to get each weeks meal plan and then figure out ahead of time what I'm going to eat. Do your body a favor and please eat! Sure you could use that extra time to sleep, but your body needs it. I have a horrible habit of putting off breakfast and lunch and so to get rid of that I bought a mini fridge/freezer for my dorm and a cooler for my backpack. That way I don't have to venture all the way to the caf for my meal.

My typical week 
For breakfast: Bagel with peanut butter and a sliced banana around the top
Cheerios and an apple Omelette with green peppers
Bagel with egg and cheese on top
Muffin with a banana
For lunch: Bologna and salami wrap with lettuce, spinach, and green peppers.
Ham/turkey and cheese sandwich on wheat bread
Chicken and cheese quesadilla
Sides: apple sauce, yogurt, salad, or fresh fruit
For dinner: Typically whatever they are serving that doesn't sound awful. I usually try to stay safe with pasta, a large salad, or soup. I'm super picky about the meat I eat so I usually try to keep away from it. Although, on Sunday nights the only thing served is hamburgers and I definitely get on board for that.

Water is also as equally important! I try to stay away from juices all of the time because even though fruit juices sound healthy and awesome, they are also packed with sugars. Carry a water bottle with you to class and do yourself a favor.

WaterIn: This app is awesome for monitoring your water intake! I've used it for awhile now and it definitely takes some remembering, but how cool is it to physically see how much water you've taken in?

Food Planner: Keeps your meal plan, grocery list, inventory, and recipe collection in one place. So helpful!

4. Rest. Sure you have that test at 8 a.m. tomorrow and you've been studying your butt of for six hours already but you really could go over the flash cards 11 more times before you crash. But what is this really doing to your mind and body? You can only hold so much information and the more rest you give yourself after studying the better off you will be. And I mean, staying out until four a.m. sounds awesome but how much better will you feel if you get those couple extra hours of sleep? Your body and mind needs the rest so you should be kind to it.

Rainy mood: This site is my favorite go to when I can't sleep. The sound is soothing and you can even add background music to it.

5. Get involved. Motivation will be one of your keys to doing well in college. What better way to stay motivated than to get involved on campus? Find a club, sport, or organization and get your butt in action! You'll meet new friends, try out something new, or help some people out. Alternative: If school work is keeping you so busy that you find you don't have enough time for something like this, incorporate it into your school work! Start a study group instead or get to know the kids in your class! That way you're still involved but still have time to get all your work done.

Have a great year!

Aspiring to be Anna: College Packing List

Tomorrow morning bright-eyed and bushy tailed freshman are going to be rolling up at my school and will be preparing to take on their first year of college. Almost a year ago to the day exactly, I was one of them. Welcome week was one of the best weeks of my life! Exhausting, but amazing! Between late night ice cream runs, paint slip and slides, community service, and the constant irritating pull of the lanyard they enforce you to wear around your neck (I shoved mine in my pocket mostly sh) you barely had time to breathe before you had an early breakfast to attend before more activities ensued. Flash backwards a few hours and I was passed out in my car during our seventeen hour car trip. Go back a few more hours to about four a.m. when I was still packing my bags!

Let's face it. I am a huge procrastinator. If you give me a deadline, I will wait within the hour to complete it. I'm one of those perfectionist procrastinators where I feel like I don't want to start because I want everything to be just perfect but then have to throw something together anyway because I ran out of time. Whew I suck. So that's why almost a year ago today I was also weary eyed and less than bushy tailed and shoving t-shirts into a suitcase that I had already filled three sweatshirts ago. 

To save you from this and also me (because let's be real) I have put together a list that I'm going to use and maybe it'll include some things you hadn't thought of yet or you find just in time to shove that last random item you absolutely cannot live the semester without. 

Please keep in mind that your dorm may not allow you to have some of these items or you may not have the use for some of these items. For instance if you use a community bathroom at school you might not have need for a toilet cleaner. It's just a guideline that you can edit to fit your needs :)

Bathroom                        

Loofah

Towels

Hand towels

Washcloths

Shower caddy

Shower shoes

Shower curtain

Shower cap

Rug

Trashcan

Febreze
Rag towels

Bedroom

Mattress pad

Comforter

Sheets x2

Pillows

Pillowcases (double whatever you bring)

Extra blankets

Accent pillows

Favorite stuffed animals

Alarm clock

Rug

Head board 

Febreze

Door stop

School and Desk 

Lamp or clip on light

Drawer organizer

Printer

Chair

Mouse + mouse pad

Ethernet cable

Printer paper

USB drive

Calculator

Notebooks (One for each class)

Pencils 

Pens

Sharpies

Highlighters

Index cards 

Stapler + staples

Paper clips

Rubber bands

Pencil sharpener

Scissors

Folders 

Tape

Glue

Colored pencils

Crayons

Whiteout

Calender

Bookends

Bookshelf

Ruler

Hole punch 

Binders

Loose paper

Backpack

Laptop

Planner

Post it notes

Blank CDs

Power strip + Surge protector

Extension cord

Personal

Makeup 

Make up remover

Make up bag

Contacts + Case

Glasses + Case

Sunglasses

Blow dryer

Extra hair ties, bobby pins, headbands, hair bows

Brush

Straighter

First aid kit 

Medicine 

Prescriptions 

Organize

Storage ottoman (For seating also)

Under bed storage

Closet storage

Desk storage

Hangers (Scarf, shoe, skirt, pant, belt)

Bed risers

Cork board or dry erase board

Pins or dry erase markers

Batteries 

Light bulbs 

Tool kit

Sewing kit

Duffle bag

3m hooks 

Bedside storage

Cleaning 

Toilet cleaner

Broom + dust pan

Paper towels 

Wipes 

Hand vacuum

Trash can bags

Decorations 

Full length mirror 

Picture frames

Wall art 

Washi tape

Toiletries 

Shampoo 

Conditioner

Body wash

Hand soap

Shaving cream 

Razors

Deodorant 

Lotion 

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Mouthwash

Floss

Toothbrush holder

Nail clippers 

Tweezers

Tissues

Nail polish + Remover

Feminine products 

Vaseline 

Toiletries bag

Hair dye

Laundry  

Laundry Detergent

Dryer sheets

Bleach pen

Stain stick

Laundry basket or bag

Hamper

Clothing drying rack

Iron and ironing board

Lingerie bag 

Kitchen stuff 

Water bottle 

Coffee maker 

Travel mug

Tea bags

Coffee

Coffee filters

Dishes or paper to simplify

-Plates

-Bowls

-Mugs

-Utensils 

-Cups

Fridge 

Microwave

Hand towels

Sponges

Dish soap

Food storage containers

Chip clips

Snacks to start

Fruit

Granola bars

Freezer meals

Cheese

Yogurt 

Peanut butter

Bread

Cereal/Oatmeal

Little snacks (Goldfish, cheez-its, pretzels...)

Milk

Water pitcher

Ice cube trays

Miscellaneous 

Umbrella 

Rain boots

Sleeping bag

Headphones

Camera + Charger

Phone + Charger

I-pod + Charger + dock + Cord

Flashlight

T.V. 

Fan

Keep With You

Health insurance card

License

Student i.d. 

ATM card

Emergency cash

If Needed or Allowed 

Step stool 

Tent 

Athletic bags 

A few books to read for fun

Duffle bags 

Suitcases

Instruments

Extra seating (bean bag, cube, fluffy chairs)

A few movies/cd's

Incense 

Shower curtains 

Pictures

Floor lamp 

Ear plugs

Bathing suit

Pool/beach towel

Hope this helps ease some stress you may be feeling and I hope you have an awesome year!

Losing a Pet While at College

This topic is something that I am unfortunately pretty familiar with. My first semester as a freshman was about halfway done when I got a call that my male shepherd was not doing well. I had been blind to the fact that while I was getting older, completing high school, and starting college my dog was getting more grey whiskers and aching more in his hips. Gunther was a rescue from one of the local SPCA's and kind of tore your heart out to look at when we first brought him home. He was thin and underweight for his age, didn't bark for months after we got him, and was terrified of any loud noises. We're not sure what events brought him to the shelter but we can guess. However it never felt like we adopted him. It was more like he adopted us. Even though he went through whatever he did, he still let us into his heart. He trusted us with everything he had and loved us with everything he was. A little while after I got the first call, I was on fall break still out at school when I got the second. This call I only vaguely remember. All I really recall was that when my parents woke up, as Gunther always slept in my parents room, Gunther didn't. I was heartbroken. Especially because he was my family. Gunther was my extra sibling growing up, my guard dog who would raise his hackles and scare the daylights out of anyone you didn't like, and a warm old soul who was the best for telling secrets to. Losing him was losing a family member and when I was finally able to get home over Christmas break I definitely lost it when I realized that for the first time in over a decade he wouldn't be there to welcome me as he always did with thundering and happy barks. The other day my female shepherd was barking and without thinking I called her Gunther and asked her to hush. Definitely strange. Losing a family member like that will still take some getting used to.

Fast forward a few months and it's the day before I'm scheduled to come home for summer break. I remember that around the time Gunther wasn't doing well, my cat Mr. Man had also been struggling with a tumor. My family had it taken care of and it was pushed to the back of my mind because I would rather think of him as being healthy. So when I get the call, I'm sitting in the library lab furiously finishing with my works cited page for my English final. I'm surrounded by classmates who are also trying to finish their paper before the deadline in a few hours so imagine their shock when I get the call that my cat is going into emergency care. When my mom woke up and went downstairs, Manny wasn't doing well with circumstances that are hard to repeat and was rushed to get help. When I got called he was being seen but they had already been told that it would be best for him if he was put to rest as to ease his suffering. Again, I missed out on a time where even though my pets had been there for me all through my life and hard ships I couldn't be there for them to say what a good boy they were and how much they were loved. Luckily the vet was amazing and kind and let my parents skype me in the office in order to see him right before to tell him how amazing he was and how much he meant to me. He was so perky when I was talking. Mr. Man was born in my bathroom when I was in first grade. I was good at getting away with things and so I was the only one allowed in there and so I was there when he was born. He was a sickly little guy and we actually almost lost him. Since that moment he continued to be a fighter. Also a sweetheart. He knew if you were upset and would curl up with you. He loved to curl up under blankets, on your chest, at your feet. He especially loved his morning coffee and Bible readings with my mom. He was such a love bug.

A few days later I left school to meet my family at my grandparents in Florida. I spend a few days with my grandparents before they arrived and the day my family got there we got a call from my brother who had stayed behind. He was watching our female shepherd, Bella, and our two adult rabbits and three baby rabbits. He was calling to tell us that one of the babies had passed away. I had never met the little guys but they were my sisters and oh so small so that tore her up. For the third time in a year I was away from home for something like this and it ripped open the not even close to being healed sore from both Gunther and Bella.

My family has definitely felt the holes left by these guys and it was a little tough being away for that transition because some of my friends at school just didn't understand. So if you're like me and going through, went through, or are fearful that something like this will happen; know that you aren't alone. Luckily I had amazing friends who listened to me and cried with me. Also my family was a huge help. They did everything that they possibly could to help my love bugs and knowing that they did everything possible helps. Maybe only a little, but helps. Anyway, if you're reading this far and want to know how I coped I have a few ideas.

1. Cry. A lot of people didn't understand why I was so upset and that's fine, but I lost best friends who I had grown up with. I was alone for all of fall break because I live so far from school but one of my best friends came into my room the day she came back and found me upset and just sat with me and cried and listened. It was the best therapy in the world.

2. Find somebody who knows what you are going through. Your family will know best of all but find someone at school who you can talk to. A few months later I was talking with one of the seniors on my softball team and she mentioned that she had lost a dog also. It was sweet to be able to talk about how big an impact animals can have on our lives and also have someone who understands exactly what I went through!

3. When the wounds aren't quite so sore consider adopting again. As I'm typing this a new ten week old male shepherd puppy named Koda is snoring at my feet. He doesn't fill the huge hole that Gunther left but he has his own place in my heart. No one will replace my boys but it's nice to see a puppy who is still growing into his feet being mentored by our female shepherd who had once pestered Gunther as a puppy. It's bittersweet.

I still miss them every day. As previously stated, I still call my other dogs Gunther. I still think I hear Manny's little pattering feet walk down the hallway at night. I'm always going to miss them but I am so so thankful for all of the years they spent with me. It doesn't matter that they couldn't speak English. They were exactly what a little girl needed growing up and I will never forget them.