Looking Back Fondly

And so…this is it.

As the semester starts to dwindle down, finally, two weeks to go until finals… it seems as though only yesterday we were all moving in, the hot August sun blazing down on us, (or in my case, the August rain pouring down on my parents and I as we pushed cart after cart of plastic bins to the second floor of Greenbrier.)

And now, its April, the flowers are finally blooming, the sun is FINALLY shining, the snow has finally stopped and excitement is in the air.

As the excitement starts to build for this school year to come to a close, I can’t help but reminisce of the excitement I had at the start of this year. As I look back on this, I realize that the excitement was well deserved because, although it came in some stressful forms from time to time, this school year was monumental for me. Not specifically because of awards, executive positions, or good grades, all of which I received, but because of my personal growth, and what I’ve achieved as an individual.

Now you may be laughing to yourself because this may sound rather cliché, corny, or just lame. But it’s true, and is a complete underestimation.

Throughout all of the ups and downs of the semester, I feel as though I have learned so much, not just from a textbook or a guest speaker.

"A new experience can be extremely pleasurable, or extremely irritating, or somewhere in between, and you never know until you try it out." –Lemony Snicket

Cody and I preforming the cup song at
the Mr. & Mrs. THON competition!

I've learned to step outside of my comfort zone and try new things. Forget being afraid of making a fool of yourself. I had always thought that, if I've never tried it before, I wouldn't be good at it... why try? But now, I've tried hard to branch out. I've preformed in front of my peers multiple times, and this is something that I convinced myself I would never do during my time at school. And yet, when the songs were finished, and I walked off the stage... I felt good. Accomplished. Proud.

“Don't be distracted by criticism.  Remember - the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you." –Zig Ziglar

In life, people can be really mean. There are going to be people that really couldn’t care less about you, or worse, they care enough to bring your down. But you have to grin and bear it. Grow thick skin and wear it proudly. There are mean people, and then they seem to be counteracted with good people, ones that care about you, want you to succeed and give 100% every time. But then the confusing part is when you find someone that is incomprehensibly in the middle. In my experiences, you can’t do anything except just smile. Or just try to. Just remember, “Don’t let the tall weeds cast a shadow on the beautiful flowers in your garden.”  (Unknown)  Ponder that for a little bit.

"Just remember... it doesn't matter how long you have known each other, all that matters is that he has kept you smiling from day one." –Unknown

All of the frames that I found at various
buildings and locations around campus!

This is something that I’ve found to be true, especially this year with the start of my relationship. In the beginning of September, fresh new school year, I was asked out in the most unique, creative, and caring way. I was led on a scavenger hunt all across the Penn State Berks campus to find picture frames, each with different clues on them.

When I finally got to the last clue, it was Cody himself holding the last frame, which read, “I can picture us together, can you?” Realizing a great photography pun when I see one, I started happy crying. I was happy beyond words.

Cody at the Labyrinth on campus,
with my last clue!

And on September 14, 2013 I said yes to date Cody. Best decision I’ve ever made. And I made it after knowing him for only about a month. Crazy right? Well it turns out that it wasn’t so crazy, and I wish I had met him sooner, because like the quote says, we have not stopped smiling since day one. And this has taught me that we all need to surround ourselves with non-toxic people, people that are going to support us and not bring us down. And Cody has been one of my number one fan, and number one supporter. He definitely brings out the best in me, and I like to think that I do the same for him.  I can honestly say that I don’t know where I would be this year without him. I love you!

I mean... just look at that
sharp dressed man!

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not to mention my friends have been so fantastic in supporting me and helping keep me sane. I am so appreciative of that. Thank you all.

"You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you." –Mary Tyler Moore

Abhar and I– posing for a picture but wishing we were watching friends...

Ali Cat and I, my suitemate next year!

Ryan and I at Semi formal–
you're the best Ry!

If there is one thing that I've learned from life that I want you to remember, it is this. There is a learning experience in everything. No matter what happens, good or bad, you need to take a straw, suck the knowledge out of it, and digest that knowledge until you can apply it to your life. We all go through things that stink. Like, really badly. But we also all go through fantastic experiences. So take the bad as learning experiences and make yourself a better person because of them. And then take the good, wonderful, fantastic, and amazing experiences for all that they are. Good, wonderful, fantastic and/or amazing!

So overall, I’ve really learned a lot about myself. Not to mention I’ve learned a lot of Communication Theories, the Geological Cycle, and writing a Radio Broadcast. My sophomore year was important for me, and I look forward to what my Junior year has in store for me.

But, let’s not forget summer that’s right around the corner… a summer that, hopefully, a lot of people are excited for.

SO, from me to you, have a fantastic summer, make good choices, have fun (but not TOO much!) and be yourselves, but that’s what is going to get you far in life.

Thank you.

-Katie

Why YOU Should Wake Up Early in College

College students seem to endlessly suffer from the inability to wake up early. When I was in high school, apart from falling asleep in class, I rarely heard people complain about having to be at school at 7:30 a.m. Monday - Friday. Now in college, here are a few things I have heard:

• "I can't take that class until next semester, because now it is only offered at 8:00 a.m. and I would probably fail it."

• "You have class at 9:30? Wow! My first class is at 2:30 p.m. I wake up between noon and 1:00 p.m. every day."

Does that sound familiar? Probably. It is a shame, but also pretty cool to be honest. 

I guarantee you that if you wake up at 5:00 a.m. or even 6:00, you could walk down your hall and see that practically no one is awake. You could check your Facebook or Twitter and see no posts. You probably aren't getting texts asking to meet up to study or meet for lunch. You will be left alone.

What is a better condition to go get things done? If you can't seem to focus during the day on one of your classes because of so many distractions, what is there to distract you now? It's not even light outside. Imagine being done your assignments for the day, or getting ahead in your classes, or even having laundry done before your roommate even wakes up! 

Look at how much your day can open up if you wake up early. If you can get the nitty gritty things done in the morning, that leaves you time to do all sorts of things, from exercise, hanging out with friends without being nervous of failing classes because you're not studying, or pursuing a new hobby. 

But some people claim that it's just impossible to wake up early. I can't do it, I just go back to sleep, they'll say. Do you know why that is? It's probably a number of things. One, they don't have the right motivation, and two, their sleep schedule won't allow it. 

If your motivation is right, that drive will carry you out of bed in the morning. Knowing you need to finish that paper, or study for that critical exam before other commitments steal your time is motivation for me. You must figure out if waking up early is for you. Weigh out the benefits that you could reap from doing so. 

Now onto another issue, the sleep schedule. If you're like me, you can easily fall into a crappy sleep schedule, where you go to sleep at 1:30 a.m. and cannot wake up until 10 or 11.  It's likely that one day, whether it be your job, role as a parent or spouse, or any number of reasons, that sleeping in until McDonald's breakfast is over probably won't cut it. Why not fix it now? 

Waking up at 5:00 a.m. is easy if you go to bed at 9:30 p.m. You just have to adjust your sleeping schedule to let it happen. From my experience, the way that I fix my sleep schedule into permitting waking up early is to just shock my system and then be consistent. If you're used to going to waking up at 10, just muster up the will power to get out of bed at 5, or whatever time you want one day, and start there. It'll be a tough morning. Grab some coffee. 

During this first day, just try to be productive. Get things done, work out, have a great day so that by night time you just want to drop early. Keep this going for a few days, and it will get easier. Trust me. I started doing this, and after a few days, I was tired and ready for sleep at 9:30 p.m., and woke up 10 minutes before my alarm feeling pretty good the next day.

Waking up early provides some amazing opportunity for productivity. It is definitely a good habit to adopt before you begin your college journey. 

- Taylor

Executive Position Life Lessons

I am very fortunate to say that, in my four and a half semesters so far as a student at Berks that I’ve had some fantastic opportunities to be a part of multiple clubs and organizations that have brought me happiness, networking opportunities, leadership experience, and much smiling and laughter!

Along with brining me happiness, smiles and laughter, my involvement with these organizations and clubs have brought me something else as well, and these are executive positions.

During my time serving as multiple different executive positions of different clubs and organizations, each title has brought me more than just another item to add to my resume. These titles have enlightened me and taught me “little life lessons” that I know will not cease to help in my day-to-day life.

"Success is achieved through sacrifice and great attention to detail." (Unknown) 

Secretary has taught me that you must be detailed with anything you attempt. Generally, the secretary of a club records minutes of what is talked about during the meeting so that it can be referred to and it can be accessed for future needs. It is ideal to take the best notes possible in order to give the best representation of what happened during a meeting. Likewise, if you are detailed and putting a lot of effort into everything you do, the results can amaze you!

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” (Charles Dickens)

Vice President has shown me that you must support others. As the Vice President, it is your job to not only support your board, but your president. If the president is unable to complete their duties for some reason, it’s your job to step up and support them, which usually tends to mean (but isn’t limited to) aiding them in completing what must get done. When your friend needs you, it’s your job to step up and help them. A vice president is to their president, how a friend is to another friend. You’re always there, having their “back”, so that when necessary, you are there and able to support them and are familiar with the best way to do so.

“When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it may be that they take better care of it.” (Cecil Selig) 

President has taught me many things, but one of the most important things is that, very similar to your attitude and your mindset, life is what you make it. It is your job to take initiative to change something that isn’t up to par. Many people look up to individuals in the role of president, and if you can take the initiative to act in a way that can inspire others, everyone can accomplish an incredible amount. If the grass looks greener on the other side, change that. Reflect on if you are taking the best care on your side. If you are not happy with something that is going on, do something about it. When others see you taking this initiative, they may feel inspired to act as well. Presidents are leaders, and must act like one, to not only inspire others, but also give a positive example for others.

“What I liked about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” (Karl Lagerfeld) 

Historian has taught me that moments and memories are too important to let slip away. As historian I was in charge of managing the photographs that our group took. These pictures allowed us to look back and almost relive the moment. Many of these moments were so special and could not be lost. It is important to do what is necessary to hold on to important moments and memories, whether it is taking a picture, saving a postcard, or anything in between

Overall, executive positions can help you develop as a person, not only professionally, but also mentally and emotionally. I wouldn’t trade these, or any of the countless other lessons I’ve learned for anything. They have all helped me develop as a person and grow as a student leader.  

-Katie