Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Balancing It All

When you’re all settled in your dorm and that first month of college has flown by, you have so much school work but still want to hang out with your new college friends. When in college you have your freedom and parents are not there to make sure homework is done before catching a midweek movie with friends. Papers due, lab reports to be submitted, but you want to attend your schools rival football game. What’s a girl to do!? Let’s find balance. When you figure out how to balance your school work and social life, college becomes just a little bit easier. ToGetHerThere is here to help.



Get Organized: Do you own a personal planner? Planners help with due dates, holidays, and scheduling your social life. You are able to check availability before planning trips with friends or volunteering for a highway trash pickup. School assignments come first and with your personal planner you’re able to make sure all work is completed before the due date sneaks up on you.

Study Spot: If you’re studying in bed while your roommate is blasting her favorite song, it’s time to rethink your space. The library should be your go to spot; you’re a lot less distracted and sometimes private rooms are available for study sessions or study groups.

Exercise:  Believe it or not, exercising is a big stress reliever and also keeps you energetic. Take some time out of your day for a quick yoga class, a run around campus, or on the treadmill.  This will give you time to reflect on your day and get your thoughts organized.

Sleep: Are you staying up late for cram sessions before a big test or laughing and watching late night movies with those new dorm buddies? Getting the proper amount of sleep is very important as a college student. Not getting rest can lead to a weak immune system and also hurt your classroom performance.  Make sleep a priority and try to get between 6-8 hours a night.

To Do List: Creating to do lists can not only help you stay organized and prioritize.  List also helps you to stay focused on one task and completing it before moving to the next. When you wake up, create a list: meeting, study for midterm, grocery shop, and sleep by 10p; there’s no better feeling than crossing off everything by the end of the day and feeling accomplished.


Have fun and enjoy your college experience, but also make sure your priorities come first and you’re not crossing yourself off the list. 



Monday, July 29, 2013

Why Be A Volunteer?


Photo credit: www.sprypub.com

Did you know that in 2012, the volunteer rate dropped by an astounding 30%? While many do understand the importance of lending a helping hand in the community, large numbers underestimate what volunteering their time to a good cause can do in their life and in the lives of others.  

College is the ideal time to volunteer. It’s so tempting to fill the space between classes and your social life with never-ending naps, but why not use that space to boost your résumé? Aside from being fulfilled, volunteering while in college helps prepare you for an even more promising future.

When applying for jobs, companies and organizations want to see that you've dedicated yourself to something other than what you were required by your university to do. They see that you take initiative by seeking ways you can apply yourself and impact your community, and that gives you an edge over a potential competitor, especially if you’re seeking a position in the field in which you volunteered. Even better is that you’re showing time management skills; you are able to balance class, a social life, a part- time job (if you choose to), and an unpaid position. It’s impressive!

You also never know who you’ll meet while volunteering. Perhaps the volunteer coordinator wants to offer you a full-time position after you graduate? Maybe someone in your volunteer group is in your major, and can help connect you with professors who can propel your academic career? The possibilities are endless, and you’ll meet people who are equally as passionate as you when you spend time doing volunteer work. Those are the people you want to connect and network with while in college!

Finally, volunteering helps shape the person you’ll become throughout and after college. You’ll grow a sense of compassion for others, become selfless, and thrive off of seeing needs in your community fulfilled. You’ll begin to see that change truly begins with you. With just a little of your time and effort, you can change people’s lives for the better. And you’ll slowly notice that one of the people’s whose life you’ll change…is your own.


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Finding Your College Friends

With only a few weeks left until your first day of college, you may feel like you've heard everything anyone has ever said, thought, or felt about the next four years of your life. You've told family and friends about your college of choice, what you may want to major in, everything you've managed to pack in your trunk, and your roommate/suitemates’ names. However, the one aspect that often gets left out of these conversations is the social part of college—making friends. While your relationships naturally changed and evolved from pre-school to senior year, this may be the first time (in a while) that many of you will make new friends again. And while this may seem harder than figuring out college classes or where the library is, we have some things to keep in mind as you find your new group, and yourself.

Photo credit: www.thecollegehelper.com

  • Check your hometown: Even if you live far away from your college, chances are there could be someone nearby who’s also attending. Check your school’s website or Facebook for meet-ups in your area. You’ll get an opportunity to meet your future classmates and have a friendly face or two when you arrive on campus. If there aren't any meet-ups nearby, organize one yourself! Pick a familiar restaurant or park where everyone feels comfortable and can get the chance to know one another
  •  Email those roommates!: Get to know them before you arrive and learn about their interests. You may not be the best of friends by the end of the year, but you’ll never know unless you try!
  • Participate!: Those pre-orientation activities may seem lame, but they’re a great way to meet people. Sign up to take the city tour or join a volunteer activity; you may find someone that has similar interests. And if not, at least you’ll have people to chat with in between classes for the first few months.
  • Get involved: Leave your room and sign up for an intramural sport or campus organization. Look for something you already love or are interested in learning about. Chances are, the people in these groups will also have other interests you share and you’ll click instantly.
  • Be patient: It’s perfectly okay (and even normal) to not have your best friend by the end of orientation week. Some people will be best friends with their freshman roommates all four years, and others will have different friends over the course of their college careers. Know that you’ll find your people if you keep putting yourself out there and do what you love.
  • Be yourself: This is our most important tip. Let your brilliant personality shine through! People will be drawn to it, and you’ll meet the friends you’ll truly connect with. College is a time to discover yourself—learn about what you like and don’t like, and be comfortable in that. People will notice if your behavior seems unnatural for you. Embrace yourself for who you are, and others will too. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Let's Get Along

When entering college, you’re excited about all the new opportunities and experiences it may bring. You will no longer be in the private room at your parent’s house; now you’re sharing a small space with a stranger for a year or more. Before receiving that piece of paper in the mail with your roommate’s name and address, you may have tons of questions. Is she shy? Do we share the same interest? And the biggest one of all: will we get along? ToGetHerThere has some tips to help a year living with a stranger run smoothly.

Photo Credit: http://education.seattlepi.com


Calls: When given your new roommate’s information, write a letter or give her a call to chat about the upcoming year. Find out her interests, what her major is, and get to know each other before move in day. This is also a great time to go over color schemes if you want to match your comforters. It’s okay to find your new roommate on social media, but do not judge before actually talking to them; Facebook and Twitter can be misleading.

Problem Solving: Do not wait to address any problems with your roommate. Handle the problem as soon as it arises, but when the time is right. Have weekly conversations/meetings with her to ensure you’re always on the same page. These meetings will help things run smoothly when it comes to problems within the room, and they will also help to set room rules so you both can respect each other’s space.

BFF’s: You do not have to become best friends with your roommate; as long as the two of you respect each other’s living space, things will run smoothly. A lot of incoming freshman believe that you must be BFF's—if you do, that's great, but it’s pretty common that your roommate will be just that—your roommate. 

Rules: Within the first few conversations with your roommate should be a conversation about "house rules." This will be very helpful in the long run—less questions and concerns when it comes to cleaning, having company, playing music, or overnight company. Each dorm has a Resident Assistant (commonly called the “RA”) that will meet you and share the dorm building rules; these may be a great start for room rules also. 


Remember: communication is key! Keep an open line of communication with your new “roomie” and the year will fly by with amazing experiences every step of the way. Enjoy being a freshman and your college years—don’t stress about something you can easily resolve with a friendly chat!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Get Up! Get Involved! Volunteer!

     

(Photo credit: centralbrooklynncsa.wordpress.com)

     Getting involved in organizations and dedicating time to volunteering within your community is not only rewarding, but you’ll find that lifelong connections can—and most times, will—be made. College campuses are a home to hundreds of organizations, and you can guarantee that you’ll find an organization that encompasses both your passions and your interests. Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose in your community. Whether you’re helping out at a nearby food bank or volunteering with a local Girl Scout troop, you’ll find that giving back and getting involved really helps give life more meaning.

     So, why get involved? In terms of building your résumé, being a member of an organization(s) shows that you’re devoting your time in college to something meaningful, and you seek opportunities to apply yourself and your skills to something outside of the mandatory curriculum. Find a club or organization that aligns with your interests, and commit yourself to staying active. Run for an executive board position! Be a leader. College is the time to map out your future, and participating in organizations is certainly a great start. On top of building your résumé, you’re allowing yourself to have a deeper connection to your university. You meet students and faculty you wouldn’t normally meet, attend school functions as a representative of your organization, and have continual opportunities to connect with the student body as a whole during recruitment expos and organizational events. Becoming an active member on campus allows you to create your own unique college experience, and you have the chance to make an impact on your university as a whole.

     Volunteering opportunities are available both on and off campus. Oftentimes, your organization has it written in their constitution that the members will commit to a certain number of community service hours, and they often take trips into the local town to volunteer as a group. Food banks, the local Boys and Girls Club, and nursing homes are all places that you’ll find various orgs accruing hours.

     Want to volunteer outside of your university? Try volunteering with a local Girl Scout troop. Not only will you have rewarding experiences and take unique trips, but you’ll have the chance to impact a girl’s life, so that she, too, can follow in your footsteps and give back to the community when she gets to college. And because you’re not too far removed from the girl scouting age, you have the ability to connect with them, proving to be someone they can chat with, relate to, and view as a friend as opposed to simply a Girl Scout volunteer. You have more wisdom than you think you do, and girls love looking up to someone who understands what they may be experiencing at their age.

     So, how do you get involved? Within a couple weeks of the semester commencing, be on the lookout for events like Student Org Night. Here, every organization sets up a booth with information about what they stand for, what types of events they put on, and why you want to get involved. Don’t be shy; mingle! Visit each booth (there will be a lot, so keep a record of which piqued your interest the most) and get to know the executive board and members. They’ll have a sign-up sheet, so provide your contact information so you can stay up to date with meeting dates, time, and locations.


     Want to join a local Girl Scout troop? Easy! Once you’ve gotten settled into your schedule, visit www.girlscouts.org/councilfinder and find the council nearest you! When you sign up, you’ll be ready to get involved with girls in your area. Volunteering and staying involved create such a unique college experience—don’t let those opportunities go to waste!


Monday, July 15, 2013

Creating Your College Schedule: How to Stay Happy and Focused (And Sane)

It’s several weeks before the start of school--you've sent in your deposit, you have your roommate’s email address, and you have (almost) everything for your dorm room. Now is your next big college task to accomplish: the college schedule. While high school was fairly regimented (you had to take these classes at these times in order to get that diploma) college gives you way more freedom to create the schedule that works best. In no time you’ll be looking through your college’s course catalog trying to plan the perfect first semester. However, talking with current students can make registration seem more like a horror movie than anything else. To avoid the stress, keep these tips in mind to create your best schedule.

Photo credit: cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com

  • Check your requirements: In most schools, freshman can only take certain classes. Look at the 100-level classes offered at your school and start making a list of those that you’re interested in. See if there are any prerequisites, or classes you need to take before taking another. Also look at any major requirements (if you have a major) and see if any beginner classes are open in the fall. Another good thing to check in to is your General Education requirements. These are your math, science, history, and English classes you need to take in order to graduate. See what options are available and if there are any pesky prereqs. If you’re struggling, talk with an academic advisor at your school. They've seen many students like you before—a fifteen minute appointment or email to them can help you get on the right track and excited for your first semester.
  • Decide when you want to take classes: Here’s the beauty of college—you don’t have to go to class at 8am if you don’t want to. Decide when’s the best time to take your classes—all in the morning, nights, three days a week. Be aware: some classes are only offered at certain times. Make sure you take this in to account (and also make sure you don’t register for two classes that meet at the same time!).
  • Make a timeline: If you meet with your academic advisor, it could be a good idea to map out your year (or all four years) so you have an idea of what to take and when. That way, when your last semester rolls around you won’t be worrying about missing a gen-ed requirement or not having enough credits in your major.
  • Have backups (and backups of backups): The classes you want may be filled by upperclassmen by the time you get to campus, so come with alternates lined up. That children’s lit class may be filled, but the class on American short stories could have one space left that you can take. This way, you’re not stunned when half of your options are gone and everyone else is scrambling for another class to fill their schedule.
  • Go to registration on time: Whether you’re registering online, by mail, or in person during orientation, make sure you arrive on time with your plan. Being early will give you a better chance of getting the classes you want and will prepare you for future registrations.
Happy Registration!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

College Dorm Room Checklist

We know you’re excited about entering college and getting that “college life” experience first-hand.  You’ve probably received tons of graduation gifts, gift cards, money and advice on your next steps. But what do you really need when you’re headed off to college in August? We’ve created a Dorm Room Checklist just for you!

Photo Credit: www.skywriting.net - (via Google Images)

Get creative and let your dorm room scream, YOU! Whether you’re able to chat with your roommate beforehand to coordinate comforter colors or you have your own direction for your living space, be sure to give it as much of a home feel as possible.  
  •  Bed sheets, comforter, blanket
  •  Pillows and pillow cases
  • Under bed storage
  •   Mini fridge
  • Surge protector 
Most dorm rooms have a desk set up for you to store all your computer related items. This will be your personal desk for all your long nights of writing papers or gathering class material, so make your space comfy and full of exciting colors.

  • Computer, printer, headphones
  • Lamp
  • Ink, USB flash drive
  • Printer paper, notebooks
  • Calendar, folders
  • Pins, pencils, markers, glue, stapler
  • Waste basket
Make sure to start a storage bin or trunk early for all toiletries, bath towels,  wash clothes, detergent, and all other home essentials you’ll need while in college. It’s a great option to drop things in as the summer days fly by, because before you know it, you’ll be headed off on a new journey.

Remember: This is the perfect opportunity to express yourself creatively, so have fun!

Make sure to keep an eye out for full college dorm room checklist at popular stores in your area.




Monday, July 8, 2013

Choosing a College Major


(Photo credit: blog.peertransfer.com)

     High school graduation seems like the end, but it’s really only the beginning. It’s the first day of the rest of your life, and from here, the possibilities are endless. What’s most exciting about college is that the future—the career path you choose to take, the activities you’re a part of, and the lifelong friends you’ll make—is in your hands.  

     One of the most important decisions, you’ll find, is choosing your college major, and it also tends to be one of the most difficult. Where do you start? How do you narrow down your selections? Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science? Don’t get overwhelmed; ToGetHerThere is here to help!


  1. Explore your options. What majors are available to you? Take a look at what your university specializes in (Business? Nursing? Engineering?).
  2. Think about your interests and passions. What you study prepares you for the career path you’ll take, and you want to study something you’re passionate about and interested in. 
  3. Decide on a desired career path. Have you dreamt of becoming a biologist? An English teacher? Taking a job in Public Relations? Perhaps majoring in Biology, English, or Communications, respectively, is the path you’d want to take. Carefully think about what path you’d like to embark on, and choose a major that supports that.
  4. Talk to your academic advisor. As college students, we know a lot, but not nearly as much as we think we do. Take advantage of the academic advisor your university or college has put in place for you; he or she has the experience, knowledge, and wisdom you aren’t privy to yet, and offers excellent perspective as you set out to map out your collegiate career.
  5. Don’t rush into anything. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision during your first semester. Being “Undeclared” is common amongst college freshman—this is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your lifetime, and you want to be fully confident that the next four, five, or six years are spent working towards a degree(s) that you believe in.

     If you need time to find that path, take it. Take the time to make the right decision, and knock out those prerequisite courses in the meantime!


Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Before You Say Goodbye: Four Ways To Have Fun With High School Friends Before College

In a couple of months, you’ll be in a new city, new state, or just down the street beginning your college experience! You and your friends will be busy these next weeks, going to orientation and furiously packing your life into giant plastic containers. While all of you are pumped for what the fall will bring, you may be feeling sad that the people you shared third grade field trips, middle school dances, and high school classes with won’t be sharing your journey with you. Instead of letting it get you down, use your free time in between work or college prep to spend some quality time with your pals before college begins.

Photo credit: flickriver.com


·         Explore your hometown: Go take a walk with your friends around your neighborhood or the local park. Pack some snacks and take plenty of pictures as you uncover the hidden gems in your area. Use the time to catch up on everyone’s summer plans and college excitement, and get to know your town a little better before you say goodbye.
·         Take a road trip: Ask your parents for the car keys and hit the road! Drive to the beach, state park, amusement park, or city to see the sights and create your own adventure. When you’re missing them in a few months, you’ll have this summer day to brighten your mood and remember how much you care about each other.
·         Spend a night in: Plan something casual and fun that’ll be easy on everyone’s budget. Bring your sleeping bags, make some microwave s’mores, and camp out in the backyard, or grab some popcorn and have a movie marathon. Even something simple will allow you to see old friends and bond in a familiar environment.
·         Try something new: Learn to dance, play soccer in the backyard, create pottery masterpieces, bake a complicated dessert, whatever you want! This will allow you to step outside your comfort zone (something you’ll all have to do when you arrive on campus) and provide plenty of laughs.


As the summer winds down, you’ll finish your packing, say one last goodbye, and begin the next chapter in your life. You’ll feel sad leaving these people behind, and that’s okay! Feel happy knowing you spent a great summer together and that all of you support each other as you head to new and exciting experiences. Have fun your first semester so each of you has great stories to tell the others over winter break!