College Tips: 6 Freshman mistakes to avoid

Like all posts I write, this may or may not apply to you. However, these things are all pretty general so don't get offended if you're a freshman and have done these things. Let's just get into it!

1. Declaring your major - You may think you know what you want to do for the rest of your life, but more than likely you will change your mind at least once! And I know you may not believe me, but I have seen too many people do this (myself included). I beg you to take most of your general requirements your first year, and take some time to really figure yourself out. Take an elective of what major you're thinking you want to see if you can handle it or if you really even like it.  If you take major classes and then decide to change your major, it's a waste of your time and money. It will also mean you will be in college for five years instead of four, if not more.
2. High school mindset - College is different. Whether you think so or not. You can not just suck up to your professors and ask for an extension on an assignment 1 day before its due. Don't be that person. No one is going to hold your hand and walk you through it. It's time to grow up. I say that out of kindness and love.
3. Stress over grades - Your grades are important, yes. But they do NOT define you as a person. If you're passing your class, be grateful. I'm not saying don't strive for A's, by all means please do that! Work hard to get good grades. However, don't be devastated if you don't get the grade you want on an assignment or in a class. The world will go on and you will survive. 
4. Not keeping in contact with your friends and family back home - You will regret this. Call your parents at least once a week and text your friends when you can. If you don't your relationships will die and you'll be wondering  what happened. College is a great place to make new friends, but that doesn't mean you should forget about your old ones as well. It will mean a lot to them and your parents if you just keep them updated on your life and how you're doing.
5. Forget that it's okay - Fail an assignment? Miss class? IT'S OKAY. You have time to make up for your mistakes, and no matter what it will always end okay. Like I said before, your life will go on and ten years from now the fact that you missed that class won't even matter, nor will it cross your mind.
6. Partying too hard - It's okay to have a little fun and party every once in awhile but don't get out of hand and party EVERY weekend. Staying in with friends is just as fun as going out with them. And if your friends are the type who only want to party and that's their only priority, you should probably surround yourself with different friends.

This list could go on with things to not do. But I'll just leave this here and hope that you guys can figure the rest out yourselves. Please fill free to leave your own tips in the comments if you have them! 

Until next time..

College Tips: Things to do the first week of classes!

It's that time of year again and there's a new group of freshman at every school nervously starting their first week of classes. I look back and remember my first week of college classes two years ago and I almost laugh at how nervous I was compared to how I feel now. As time goes by I promise things get easier and you become less nervous. Unless your a nursing major or pre-med because then classes just get harder from here on out, I won't even lie to you about that one.  Nonetheless, it's almost always the same for some people the first week. You contemplate and think about all the things that could go right - and all the things that could go wrong. It's totally normal to feel this way and if you don't I am a little surprised! I still do this from time to time and I am a junior now! Now don't be mistaken, these tips aren't just for freshman, they can be applied to anyone in any year. So if you're not a freshman, still stick around :) 

1. Introduce yourself to your professor - Most colleges have at least 100 people in their classrooms and the professors will more than likely not remember your name or sometimes even your face. Become more than just a number to them and actually introduce yourself in person (not over email!). Shake their hand and tell them your name and if you have any questions about the class then this is the perfect time to ask. This will make you stand out and it will show them that you care about having a work relationship with them and it will come in handy when midterms roll around and you're feeling overwhelmed with some of the material.
2. READ YOUR SYLLABUS - I usually save this for last, but I am not sure you will read until the end of this post (which I hope that you do!), but in case you don't I need you all to know this one. Reading your syllabus is key to succeeding in college. It tells you when you have assignments due, reading before class, when you have quizzes and tests and even the teachers expectations of you. Basically, your survival guide for that class. READ THE WHOLE THING! 
3. Write down all of your assignments, tests, etc. - If you don't have a planner already, then I highly suggest you get one. And if a planner isn't really your thing then use your phone, computer, tablet or even buy a lot of sticky notes and put them in places you will see them. Writing things down in a planner or any type of organizer can really help you remember and you will see it ahead of time and it will be a reminder for you to get started on studying or any other project you may have to do for your class. You'll thank me later, just do it lol.
4. Sit towards the front - If you sit towards the back of the class then you're more likely to get distracted and not pay attention to what's going on in your class. I know it may not be your favorite place to sit, but let's be honest, you need to at least pay attention the first day of classes. And it doesn't have to be where you sit the rest of the semester, but try to avoid the back unless for a good reason, like being late, but don't be late!
5. Make a friend - In any of your classes you should introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you or just anyone in the class. They could end up being your study buddy, and if you have to miss class for whatever reason, they could give you material you missed. You'll thank me later for this one too, I promise! 
6. Bring materials to class - Don't show up to your class with nothing in hand. It's not like high school where you just read over the syllabus and bond with your classmates the first day (although my high school never did that). You are more than likely going to start work right way. So bring your computer, tablet, notebook, or whatever you choose to use for notes, because you WILL need it. And if you don't end up using it, at least the professor will see you came prepared. Bringing a jacket to class is also important because those classrooms can get cold!

That's my list of things you need to do in order to succeed the first week of classes! I hope they're helpful to you & if there's something you do the first week or day comment it below, I would love to hear them!  Until next time,

Venice Beach Adventures

I have so many things that I want to blog about and not enough time to actually write the posts! It's almost frustrating, but it's okay but in a few days I will have time! Until then I'll just share about my day at Venice beach with some friends of mine!

I haven't been to Venice in a long time and it was nice to go. There are always very interesting people there and I am always surprised by them when I go. Although this time I didn't get to see as many "interesting" people as I usually do. That was due to the fact that we didn't stay very long.

It was a short trip to Venice, but we had a mini photoshoot so I could test out my new camera :)  Of course I had fun doing this because I haven't been able to shoot recently and it just saddens me when I go so long without taking pictures. It's almost as if it helps keep me alive lol. 

Anyways, it was a really good trip because I got to catch up and hang out with Caitlin, Kelsey, and Talisa, who I have not seen in a very long time. I used to blog more about them when we all went to school in Hawai'i there, but Caitlin is now the only one still going to that school! Kelsey, Talisa and I all transferred to different schools in different states so it is hard to keep it touch. But we make it work when we can! It was such a good time honestly and I am so happy I went.

Until next time..

Useless Updates

Long time no talk, my friends! Thanks so much for being so patient with me this summer. I know that I haven't posted in a long time but as stated before I was working at Camp Ponderosa Ranch and I didn't have much time to update the blog. Although it was nice to get away from technology for awhile and kind of have a break. But have no fear, I AM BACK!

First off I just want to talk about how beautiful the drive to the camp was and how it was such a great experience to be able to see this part of Arizona.

Second, look how beautiful the camp itself was? Can you believe I was in this place for two months?! God is so good you guys. I can't even begin to explain what amazing things happened in this place. I will have a separate posts where I attempt to though so be looking out for that. I don't have much to update you guys on this week honestly. I've only been back from camp for a week now and I am still having withdrawals, but I do move into my on campus apartment next weekend so that's exciting for me! I'll be posting about that as well later! But until then check out this video I made from orientation week at the camp  Camp Ponderosa Ranch Orientation Week Until next time,