Dear Class of 2014

Dear Class of 2014,

Many of you will be graduating [high school] next month and I want to share with you some of the things I have learned as a first year college student.

First things first, do not wish this next month away. Cherish it. Cherish the free time you currently have because next fall you will not have any. Cherish the friendships you have now because some of them (not all) will last a lifetime. Cherish the money you have now because that too will soon be gone. Cherish your last summer before you move off (or not) to college. Cherish the lack of responsibility you have now because you will soon be loaded with more than you ever wanted. Cherish everything in your life now because the next year will be tough.

As the summer comes to a close and you are getting more and more excited about heading off remember to not bring EVERYTHING you own to college. I made this mistake and barely had room to store everything, and it will take me two truckloads to take everything back. Plus you will receive so much free stuff the first year you will automatically double everything you bring.

The first week of classes is easy (Syllabus week!) so use this time wisely, read your syllabus and record all the dates of tests and major assignments in an agenda. Do this for every class, even your physical education classes. If you do not have an agenda, buy one. It is the definition of a life saver when you are balancing school work, jobs, and student organizations. When midterms roll around and your brain is going at speeds unknown of by the rest of the world, it is nice to have everything planned out. You may thing your Pre-Lab quiz is not something worthy of writing down, but when you have 3 tests and 2 papers that same week you will easily forget it.  (and Hey, that's 5 additional points)

After the first week you will notice that people have friends already. If you are one of those people who already has a big group of besties then you are doing it right. However if not, you may want to look into joining a student organization. Actually, get up and go join a student organization. They need members and you need friends so it's a win win. For me, it was Greek Life. I rushed in the fall and found my group. I was one of the lucky ones who found a place where I clicked and met some really awesome people. However, if Greek Life is not for you there are many religious, service, recreational, and special interest clubs out there for you. I promise.

Speaking of religious organizations, if you are religious find a group that shares the same values as you and join. This was my number one shortcoming of my first year. I chose not to join a religious organization on the assumption that since I was coming in with a strong faith, I did not need others to keep my faith alive. Boy was I wrong. I found myself unhappy and angry for a good portion of my first semester, which continued into the beginning of my second semester. When I found peace was when I started tuning back into my religion and I realize much of the bad moments of my first year could have easily been avoided had I joined a religious organization and continued to study my religion and keep up my faith and values.

I mentioned being unhappy in the above paragraph. The number one thing NOT to do in college is be unhappy. Think about it this way, you are at a completely new place with new people. If you do not like a certain person, don't spend time with them. If you do not like an organization you joined the first week, you are not obliged to stay in it. If you are hating all of your classes, you can change your major. You do not have to do anything that will make you unhappy.

Changing majors is a big issue with many college students. I will have you know, I have changed my major three times in the span of one year and I am happy with that decision. College is a time where you will explore and be exposed to a multitude of new things. You will see the world in new ways and your view will change. Maybe you wanted to be a psychologist but you have now realized being a teacher is more your style. That is okay! I promise that too! If your choice makes you happy, then make it without regret. Many students are afraid of what their parents will say about them changing majors but ultimately it is your life, and your decision to make. This is not me saying disobey your parents, but kindly let them know that you are now an adult who has to make your own decisions.

Sometimes there comes a point where you realize that you may have chosen the wrong college or that college in general is just not right for you. Once again, this is okay. Transfer students exist for a reason. There are so many colleges in the world and choosing the right one is hard to do. I thought I had chosen the right college, but as it turns out I did not and will be transferring in the fall to a different college. My brother began college but was given a great job offer so he did not graduate. Both of these situations are in no way the wrong thing to do.

So Dear Class of 2014,

Make big plans but don't make yourself believe that you have to follow them out exactly as planned. That will not happen. You are young. You are just starting out. Your possibilities are endless.

Enjoy the ride!


Loyally,

Beth

Join The Movement!

So I am excited to announce that I am a campus rep for Pura Vida Bracelets! This means that if you use my referral link and discount code, you will save 10% on your entire order! I will also receive a small portion of the sale. This being said, I have decided to use the money I make through this to give back! So from now until May 5th all proceeds made will be donated to a Panhellenic sister at GSU, Kayla Wilkinson, for her Mission Trip to Asia in May! (BTW: Pura Vida Bracelets is a company that helps provide jobs for people in Costa Rica, so that’s completely awesome!)

Referral Link : https://puravidabracelets.refersion.com/c/f680

Coupon Code: JENKINS10

Coming Down from the [Jesus] High

You know those moments when life is just so great, you believe that nothing can bring you down? 

I recently lived a weekend full of those moments. 

3 Days

2 Missions

1 Christ

Plugged-In 

What started when I was a Junior in high school has occurred twice again and is "officially" an annual event anticipated by many pre-teens and teens in my community. It's a weekend of praising, worshiping, and serving the Lord, and boy let me tell you, it puts you on a "Jesus High." It may just be me but being around 50ish girls who are praying and praising really impacts my heart..in a good way of course.

But there comes a time when the "high" wears off and you are put back into the reality of society. You feel lost, unsure, and confused because the people here are not the same as the people you were surrounded by just days, maybe hours, ago. How do you deal with this?

In the past, I have come down from my high and gone right back to my no nonsense life. Going through each day without thinking twice about what just happened and not even reaching for my Bible. Not continuing my prayer and only sharing the "it was fun" details. Not getting down to the dirty with what happened. Not sharing the emotional ride I went through during my high. Basically, if you weren't there with me, it never happened. 

This time I knew it had to be different. It WOULD be different. I would come down from my high while sharing the wonderful ride that brought me to it. I would tell others about the tears I cried when I witnessed 50 young girls worshiping. I would share the happiness in my heart when I saw these girls cutting up shoes for SOLE HOPE. I would release all the emotions that had been placed in me during these days to anyone who would listen. I would continue to remember what had just happened and would continue to praise my Lord in the way that these girls did. Without shame. Without fear.

It's been 5 days and I am still going strong. I am still coming down from my high and life is becoming hard again. I am not in a blissful place 24/7 but I am creating bliss within me.

Join me as I create bliss within?

Loyally, 

Beth

Turnstile Tales

Today I feel like sharing a little bit about my job. I work as a member of Bearforce at the University Center on my campus. I usually am found in the fitness center greeting people and swiping their student ID cards as they enter the gym or cleaning the gym equipment. However, on occasion I will take a shift at the main desk. This position involves me greeting students as they swipe their cards and enter through one of three turnstiles... or attempt to enter.

It has been said that the best part of working at the UC is watching students fail to swipe their cards and nearly face planting when they walk straight into the turnstile. (See, if you don't swipe your card the turnstile does not work.)

I really didn't believe students would forget something as simple as swiping their cards, until my first shift at the main desk. It was nearing the end of my shift and in walked a student talking on his phone not paying a lick of attention to anything. I said my usual line "Hi! How are you?" and then WHAM! he walked straight into the turnstile. As he fumbled to regain his balance and swipe his card, I used all the power inside of me to suppress my laughter. How does that even happen?!?

It was about a week later and I was running late for my shift in the fitness center. I was power walking and worrying I would not make it in time (I stress about things like this!) when I came to the turnstiles. Without swiping my card I walked straight into the turnstile. I do not know how it happened as I usually pride myself on not forgetting to swipe my card, but i did. I nearly face planted and when I regained my composure I was both humiliated and humored. I tried my best to play it off but several people saw it happen, there was no hiding it.

I now understand how some people completely forget to swipe their cards to enter the turnstiles, but it is still funny when they don't.

I would up making it to my shift without a minute to spare... even with my previous slight fall from grace.


What's your most embarrassing work story? I challenge you to share it!


Loyally,

Beth

Your Sorority Sister Campus Rep

Today while at work, I opened my email and saw I had mail from Your Sorority Sister! I was so excited when I realized that I had been chosen as a campus rep for Mercer University to share my experiences with my sorority on this blog for girls world-wide to read.

I am quite excited to have been offered this opportunity, and I look forward to sharing my insights and experiences with sorority life with all of ya'll soon!

Loyally, 

Beth