Dealing With Change

Our blogs over the past few months show that college comes with a lot of “new:” new classes, new environment, new friends. For the first time you may really feel like an adult, taking charge of everyday choices you may not have thought about as a high school student. But without the familiarity and comforts of home, it may seem impossible to face all these changes, let alone handle them. However, with some perspective (and these handy tips from The Huffington Post), you’ll find you can handle anything this new phase of your life will bring.

Photo credit: The Huffington Post

Accept It: The first step is realizing that your life won’t be the same—and that’s okay! Denying or ignoring the change won’t make it go away. Focus on all that’s new and exciting at college—opportunities, friends, snacks at 2 am—instead of what’s at home.

Reflect: Taking a moment to pause and think about what’s going on is extremely important. Whether it’s talking with a school therapist or family member, going for a walk, or meditating, reflecting on what’s changed will help you sort through the chaos. It will give you the opportunity to figure out what about the change bothers you and provide different ways to look at the situation.

Baby Steps: Dealing and accepting change won’t happen overnight (or within the week). Take your time and slowly move through this process. Don’t get consumed by missing your old life and worrying about your future; take one day at a time and set small goals to accomplish so you can see the progress you’re making. If it helps, make a list of short-term and long-term goals to quiet the worry.

Find A Mentor: Having someone who’s “been there” before can be a huge help. Talk to a family member or friend about your worries and ask them how they got through it. Having someone on your side who understands and can give valuable advice will make the transition better.

Be Optimistic: A small shift in mindset can make a noticeable difference. Thinking in terms of positives rather than negatives will help you see changes as opportunities. Be optimistic in knowing that the confusion and fear won’t be permanent—they’ll soon be replaced with excitement and passion for everything you’re discovering!

Don’t get stressed if you seem to be struggling with change. Everyone’s feeling it, even if they don’t show it. Allow yourself to go through this process, and you’ll come out the other side ready to conquer the next four years!

Passion

When you’re in college, sitting in your first semester classes, millions of thoughts are running through your head. “She has a cool notebook,” or “I wonder what’s for lunch in the café today.” Do you ever really sit and think about what’s next? You have your major set, but is it the right one for you? Does this major help express your talent or passion? What are you great at and could see yourself doing for the rest of your life? These are the questions to sit and ask early on before getting into a major and deciding to change it at the last minute. Need help figuring out your passion? TGHT has you covered.  

Create a Career

Many people don’t know the difference between a job and a career. When choosing a career, you are choosing the kind of work you do based on your interest. It’s more long-term; even if you switch companies or organizations, you’re still in the same field. Do you want to jump from job to job without honing in on a particular skill-set or do you want to know all there is to know about a particular field and type of work? You’ll choose this path for yourself, and college will help you turn your passion and talent into a career you love.

When you speak…Listen

What do you enjoy doing? When you’re sitting alone, relaxing, where does your imagination lead you?  Take notes when you have free time and answer this question. It may be a tough one to answer, but everyday take notice of the things that interest you. 

Be Open

Yes, you’re in college and you have your major set. Even though you have your classes planned for the next year, stay open to new ideas. A new opportunity may arise where you can take an extra elective course. Take it! Find something that interests you and don’t be afraid to step out of the box.

 

Find a Mentor

Do you know someone in your family, community, or university that interests you? A person that talks about the same interest you have and seems so passionate? Don’t be afraid; express your interest in learning more and ask them to be your mentor. People are usually thrilled to teach someone or have a person to talk about their passion with. 

Photo Credit: Forbes.com

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within yoru the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." Harriet Tubman

Tips For Staying Healthy and Happy in College

For an incoming freshman, one of the greatest perceived college fears is the thought of gaining the “Freshman 15.” Teen magazines and TV shows have instilled this fear in us since elementary school, to the point where it seems inevitable that we’ll suffer this fate. However, a 2011 study found that most college freshman only gain between 2.5-3.5 pounds their freshman year. While it also showed that students can consistently gain over the course of these four years, and even after they graduate, it doesn’t have to be this way. Follow these tips to stay healthy, energized, and ready to take on your first year of college!

Photo credit: health.downtowndevil.com 

• Know the culprits behind the Freshman 15: This is your first time living away from home, which means that you’re responsible for choosing what to eat, and when. College dining facilities have a variety of food options every day, and many of the tastier ones are higher in calories and fat. In addition, the stress, anxiety, and homesickness can lead to overeating or stress eating in some people. Knowing these causes will help you make informed decision about when and what you should eat, so you can eat smart and still enjoy a treat.
• Keep snacks on hand: To avoid that midnight run to the convenience store or that coffee break in between classes, stock nutritious snacks in your room that you can take on the go or enjoy in your room. If you have a mini-fridge, keep fruits and veggies chilled that you can eat alone or with hummus or peanut butter. Yogurt and whole grain cereal or bread are also good to have on hand. These snacks have proteins and carbs that will keep you fueled longer than something sweet or salty.
• Eat breakfast: Grabbing fruit, toast, a granola bar, or eggs before your 8am class will give you the energy you need for your day and prevent you from getting super hungry and overeating later.
• Scope out the cafeteria: Take a look at what your cafeteria or dining hall regularly offers at meal times and learn what items will be nutritious and satisfying. The salad bar is always a great place to start—grab some lettuce, veggies, and your favorite vinaigrette dressing. Look for food that is grilled or broiled, or in a light sauce. Creamy, richer sauces and crispy or fried items will be higher in fat. Fruit makes for a great dessert or snack, and you can grab one on your way out with a piece of bread for breakfast the next morning. Enjoy those tasty but rich foods in moderation as a treat at the end of the week or a night out with friends!
• Get active: While college brings a whole new meaning to the word “busy,” there are plenty of ways to stay active on campus. Join an intramural sport or see what your school’s fitness center offers. Take a walk on a treadmill or around the campus. There are many ways to sneak in a little exercise, like walking to class and taking the stairs. You can even do stretches in your dorm room! Being active will help you stay energized , balance your mood, and reduce stress. Exercise your friends for even more fun!

Remember—a number on the scale or a pair of pants doesn’t determine whether you “conquered” the Freshman 15. The most important part is that you lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle that keeps you happy and enjoying everything college has to offer.

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. 

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!