Happy 2019!!! I need to set a reminder to write more. I journal a lot about what I do and VSCO all my pictures, but I just need to transfer everything over to here. A lot of people have told me over the years to just vlog and start a youtube channel, but that sounds like so much work and I really do not want to see my face for a long period of time while editing. I also feel like that is such a judgmental world, but who knows what 2019 holds!
I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to blog about because over break I took photos on my actual camera vs my phone, but they refuse to transfer from my camera to my computer, so unfortunately I cannot share how fun it was to have my best friend Lauren come visit me. I also can’t talk about my entire month of doctor visits and hospital trips because I don’t take pictures of that, but if you know me personally, you know all about it! Long story short, my lungs do not want to do their job and my body created its own infection that can’t be treated with antibiotics. So I am still sick and praying for just one day without coughing or throwing up.
However on a lighter note, all my senior friends are getting into college (shout out to Bella Riggione on Butler!!), and it is making me realize how clueless I was going into college. So, I’ve decided to write about somethings I wish I knew and some tips for your first semester in college. I just completed my second sylly week, which is the first week of each semester, and it is suppose to be fun and easy, but I for sure had three meltdowns and dropped my history class. In conclusion, college is hard and I’m here to prepare you.
Background: I currently attend Texas Christian University and I am absolutely obsessed with my school. I am a freshman biology major with a spanish minor, am involved with greek life, on dance team, and a bunch of clubs.
RUSH SUCKS
Whether your school rushes the week before school or second semester, it is going to be hell, to put it lightly. TCU has 13 sororities and each girl visits each house the first two days. To put this in perspective, there were so many girls, 1100 to be exact, that our meetings were in our basketball stadium. No one can really prepare you for rush; there is so much going on and no one can remember everything, but here is what I remember:
- You wear the same t-shirt for two days, so wear a lot of deoderant, body spray, and buy stain remover
- don’t get a spray tan just for rush, you are going to look bad and it is obvious it is your first spray tan and you didn’t shower soon enough.
- follow up to that, buy cute shorts and accessories to spice the outfit out and to make yourself memorable. Active members cannot call you by name, even if they know you prior to recruitment, and will rely on calling you by something you were wearing. I was told I was called necktie girl in some houses.
- You’re going to get sick. The actives have work week prior to rush and are sick already. You will be very close to them while talking in a cramped room, drinking out of water cups that are rumored to not be switched out between groups, awake for absurd hours, running in heels and, in my case, the rain. I got mono. I don’t really wanna elaborate on that.
- Try to shop in stores for your pref dresses. So many people were wearing dresses from Lulu’s and Tobi. I know this can be a grueling task to find a unique snappy casual cocktail dress, but it is really crucial to stand out. If you know an active, try buying your dress before May and sending it to them for approval.
- Do not focus on what houses are considered “top” or have a reputation at your school. I got really caught up in this and it ruined my experience. I ended up dropping a house I really felt was my home because I didn’t know anyone of my friends at other school who were in that house. I actually ended up dropping after pref day and didn’t bid. I did COB, which is where a house can continue to rush and ask you to come after bid day. I ended up in the house I wanted and dropped and couldn’t be happier. I’M HOME!
Study more than you party, sleep in between if you want
Okay let me elaborate. Beginning of the first semester, I went out A LOT. Like, it’s a Tuesday and I hear someone random down the street is having a house party with no one I know and I’m in pajamas but I’m going to go anyway a lot. Then I met my best friend Lauren. We go out a lot, but we both strive to get 4.0s and do really well in school, so I had more reasons to stay in and study with Lauren, other than go out with strangers. Finding one or two solid friends to do everything with is so much more fulfilling than having a huge group that just parties. I’ve had both and I can promise you that you only need a few really awesome friends to have a good time. Now the sleeping. I don’t have class till 11 each day, so I can sleep in, but last semester I had 9 am classes and I wanted to die. I took so many naps. I really haven’t figured out the sleep thing, but what I do is sleep after all my homework is done, which is usually midnight. So I really have no advice on that. One last thing on this, trust your gut. You do not need to do illegal things to go out and have fun. Lauren and I will go to a house party and dance around in the kitchen with our friends and stay out of trouble. Remembering what happened is fun too 🙂 Also TCU police is a bitch and I don’t want to deal with it.
Don’t Push Yourself
I had to drop a lot of things the first couple of months to really find a good balance. I kind of had the high school mentality that the more thing you get involved in the better, however this is not the case in college. Throughout the semester, I had to drop my math class, some bad friends, give up my youtube addiction, limit my volunteer hours, and drop the opportunity to be a TCU tour guide. I have always struggled with health issues and being in too many things while trying to make friends was putting my body at risk. At the end of the day, your physical, emotional, and mental health is more important than any grade and especially more than any party. Also, remember it is okay to say no to absolutely anything. Want to stay in and go to bed at 7 pm? Say no to the party. Friends want you to take an extra class to see them? Say no for heaven’s sake. Always do what makes you happy, these are the best four years of your life, but remember there are only 24 hours in a day and deadlines and homework are a thing.
Okay well, I think that is all the advice I have for now. Don’t be scared for college, it is a lot of work, but it is so much fun! And, if you go to SM, enjoy the last few months of wearing a uniform- it is really annoying having to pick clothes out to wear.
Thanks for reading and I hope you liked it! The adventures continue on my social media!:
VSCO: Camille Wold
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