Finding My Place In College

This post is a bit more somber than I usually write, but I felt like I had to write about it. This weekend I accompanied a friend to the hospital. She had been drinking and had way too much. She ended up being ok and was driven home that night. These situations are completely terrifying for me to even think about. I'm a senior in college and she is a freshman. I hadn't been with her when she drank, I found her after. Amazingly, this experience was really eye-opening for me because I realized how lucky I had been my first year of college.

My roommate and I found each other through the incoming class of 2014 page on Facebook. We instantly connected by talking about our love for Harry Potter and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Although, we didn't always get along throughout the year, we understood each other. We became best friends through shared experiences and laughter. I had found a best friend at college who I am also living with this year, for our last year. I couldn't ask for a better roommate and friend.

Freshman year I was never peer-pressured to drink or do drugs. The first time I did drink in college was the first time I had ever drank and my friends respected that. It was just a small group of us. We stayed in one place. They took care of me and made sure I knew what I was doing. Therefore, my first experience with alcohol couldn't have been more perfect. It was low key and protected. And that shaped the rest of my experiences, I never was dangerously intoxicated. I never had to be in the hospital for myself. I owe all this to my friends and roommate. Without them I could have made bad choices, instead they taught me how to be safe. If there is only one thing that I will take away from college, it is that finding the right friends means everything. They really can help make your college experiences great and safe.

Thanks to all my friends freshman year and beyond who have made my college experience safe and taught me how to act in an emergency.

So Many Books So Little Time

In college there is so much required reading that it is hard to find time or the desire to read for fun. When I was in High School, I read all the time. I read books more than I watched movies. Now when I have free time all I want to do is sleep or watch TV, something completely mindless. This summer I was finally able to rekindle my love of reading after four years. I made goals for myself so that I made sure I kept reading for fun because it is important to love reading.  Reading opens a dialogue between different people who would normally have nothing in common. Books really can give you an escape, its all about finding the right book.

Here is some advice to help make reading fun again and sift through the books at the bookstore:

      1. Focus on a section of the bookstore.  I had an inkling that a young adult book would be a quick and easy read, so I made sure to only look in that section.  I literally covered the sides of my face with my hands so I wouldn't look at the other gorgeous books that sat there like temptresses.  

     2. Decide if you should try something new. A great way to rekindle love for anything is to try something new. Never read a mystery novel before? Pick one up! The associates at bookstores love to give suggestions and they've never steered me wrong!

     3. Treat yourself! If you don't normally buy books, let yourself buy a book instead of renting from the library. If you love coffee treat yourself to a cup'o coffee to have sit next to your side as you read. Whatever makes you happy will help!

     4. Designate a certain time to read. It's as easy as making sure you read an hour before bed! You don't have to read at the same time everyday.  I decided to try and finish a book every two weeks.  If I stick to that goal I will read at least 24 books this year!  That's pretty good.  Setting goals can keep you on track and eventually you get into a routine without even trying.

    5. Book Clubs! Form a book club or join one! A lot of libraries have book clubs and you can even follow blog book clubs. Either way it makes reading a social activity! Plus it gives you reasons to throw mini parties to celebrate a book! And who doesn't love parties?

I hope some of this helped! I am currently reading The Golem And The Jinni by Helene Wecker and love it so far. What are you reading?