Dear College Freshmen: 5 Life Hacks For The Next Four Years

Hello to college freshmen everywhere!

First, before we can even get to anything else, I’m going to need you to do something for me. Breathe. Sit down if you need to. I know you’re probably nervous — maybe even terrified. I hear lots of you are stepping into the world of higher education over the next couple weeks (that is, if you haven’t already), and those hallowed ivy halls can be panic-inducing. I get it because I’ve been there. Suddenly, you’re a small fish in a gigantic pond, and you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. And for most of you, this new journey is about so much more than textbooks and midterms — though those things aren’t to be overlooked, either. It’s your first taste of early adulthood, of that elusive freedom that you, until now, had only heard about on TV shows like Friends.

Well, I’m here with some good news: You’ll get through it. I promise. Sure, the entire landscape may seem intimidating (Hello, popular sorority girls and their PINK wardrobe! Hello, broad-shouldered football quarterback! Hello, massive library!), but once you learn the ropes, things will be a piece of cake! A couple months ago, I talked about life after college, but this advice is all about you, you beautiful undergrads! So in the name of college success, keep these 5 life hacks in mind…

1. Hit the books and go to class: I know, this one seems like a no-brainer, and I’m sure your high school teachers drilled this one into your head. But you’d be surprised how many people miss class for a variety of reasons — they overslept, they partied a bit too hard the night before, they didn’t finish a paper, they’d rather hang in the dorms and play video games than listen to a lecture on early American literature. You (or your parents…) spent good money on classes — why not make sure you get your money’s worth?

2. Get to know your professors: No, I don’t advocate stalking them, but don’t be afraid to ask for extra help! Make use of their office hours — they’re there for a reason. When I was a newspaper adviser, I can’t tell you how many days I’d sit in my quiet office! Professors are pumped about what they’re teaching and love to see students get excited too.

3. Get involved: Working on my college’s newspaper was one of the best decisions I ever made in college. Not only was it a great learning experience, but I also met some amazing people who loved journalism and writing as much as I did. What are you passionate about? Chances are, there’s a club that matches your favorite hobby! Get involved and have fun!

4. Know where the library is: Sounds basic, I know, but the library is a pretty happening place if you give it a chance — and not just because people apparently like to make out in the stacks. It’s quiet enough to get lots of work done, and librarians are like walking encyclopedias. I’d say the library rivals any frat party any day.

5. Call home on the weekends: Of course you’ll get homesick. My mom always likes to tell the story of how she called home every day for the first month. Hearing familiar voices will help ease the transition. One no-no: Don’t call just to ask your parents to send more money and clothes. That will get really old really fast.

So sharpen those #2 pencils and go forth! I promise these next four years are going to go by before you know it. And who knows — come 2018, maybe you’ll be the one doling out the college success tips! Knock ’em dead! xoxo

P.S. Don’t forget to enter this year’s BIC Back-To-School giveaway — lots of great office goodies await one lucky winner!

[Photos via We Heart It]

Body-positive ads

Marie Claire Australia asked six ad agencies to come up with the perfect print ads all in the name of self-acceptance. They wanted to teach women to love their bodies and see how creative the advertisers could get without any sort of restrictions. The results are pretty darn amazing…

Bravo! Aren’t these ads amazing? They really make you think about all the little subconscious things we do every day to sabotage our positive body image. No more! What do you say, friends? What will YOU do today to show yourself some love? xoxo

[Via The Frisky]

Wise Words From Readers: On sibling advice…

Oh, siblings! What an interesting role they play in our lives. No matter your place in your family, what your childhood vacations were like, who’s smarter or more sensitive, there’s no denying the stamp your siblings leave on you. You might fight, say some not-so-nice words or even vow that you’re never, ever going to speak to them ever again, but deep down, you know that vow of silence won’t last long. And it doesn’t. Because even when we don’t want to admit it, we know we need our siblings close by. They’re always primed and ready with a good dose of advice, too, as you all shared this week…

*The BEST advice I ever got from a sibling is “always be yourself” — so simple, but so important to remember in life — not only when you are young, but through the decades.

*Sell the big house. It will become an albatross.

*Advice on the best stereo components under $200 in 1979.

*Your life mate should be someone you can imagine yourself sitting on a front porch with when you are 85 years old.

*Go tell Mom…she’s calling you!

What wonderful advice! Even though Janelle is the younger sister, I’ve always felt like she was the older one in a lot of ways. She’s so much smarter than I could ever hope to be, and she’s taught me so much about being a compassionate person — especially during all my childhood surgeries. It’s most definitely safe to say that I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for her shining example in my life. I hope she knows what a positive impact she’s had on me. Anyway, here’s next week’s question…

Do you have a pet? What’s your favorite memory with them?

Visit So About What I Said on Facebook and Twitter to share your smarts — and don’t forget to use hashtag #WiseWordsFromReaders. See you there, friends! :)

[Photos via We Heart It]

Wise Words From Readers: On personality traits…

Remember when you were a kid and it was so easy to name your best personality trait? It was as easy as rattling off your favorite food or your favorite color. Maybe you loved how you always gave great advice to your friends or the fact that you were always the peacemaker. Or maybe you were proud of the fact that you never gave up.

But somewhere along the way, we seem to lose that wonder and introspective knowledge about ourselves. At the very least, we have a pretty hard time nailing down what exactly we like about our own personality. Sure, it’s so easy to see everyone else’s good qualities, but yours just seemed to be hiding, refusing to come out. So, I was so glad this week when some of you weren’t shy about singing your own praises…

*I have a sense of humor that I don’t always get, but hey if it makes people laugh I’m fine with it! We all need cheering up.

*Kindness. It has seen me through some tough situations!

How true! I was thinking about my own personality recently and am pretty darn proud of my fearlessness. It’s had it’s up and down, especially since my father died, but I feel like now, it’s on a permanent upswing. Being fearless gives you this sense of strength even if you’re completely terrified. That’s a comforting notion, isn’t it, friends? Anyway, here’s next week’s question…

What the best advice you’ve ever received from a sibling? Why did it mean so much to you?



Visit So About What I Said on Facebook and Twitter to share your smarts — and don’t forget to use hashtag #WiseWordsFromReaders. See you there, friends! :)


[Photos via We Heart It]

Let’s Try: The 24-Hour No-Complain Challenge

Think about this for a minute, friends: How many times do you catch yourself complaining every day? Think hard about this one. Why? Because we probably all complain a lot more than we realize. It could be something as little as grumbling as you get out of bed in the morning (which I did today because I overslept!) or something as big and monstrous as stressing over family issues or a looming work deadline. Yes, whether we like it or note, the act of complaining is hard-wired in the fabric of our DNA.

And as it turns out, science isn’t on our side. Stanford studies have shown that being exposed to just 30 minutes of complaining every day is enough to cause physical damage to the brain; it damages the neurons in the brain that are responsible for problem solving and cognitive functioning. That’s not all. Even if you’re not the one doing the actual complaining, just listening to someone complain quickly zaps your energy — I think we’ve all been in a situation like this, haven’t we?

Yikes! Well, NO MORE! After seeing a No-Complaining Challenge posted on Facebook, my mom challenged my sister and me to see if we could go 24 (whole!) hours without complaining. And each time we do complain, we have to write it down. So we’re going to try it! Tomorrow is the big day! We were joking all weekend that we’d better get all of our complaining out of our systems while we had the chance — trust me, we did!

I’d love for you to take part too, friends, so let’s make this a blog challenge, shall we? I’ll be sure to take notes of my experience — and of course, all those time I *accidentally* complain — and post a write-up next week! Are you game? Let’s goooo!! xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]