While I am not one to usually brag, I am quite excited about some recent events in my life.
About two months ago, I decided to make a very brave choice and switch my major in my junior year of college. I previously was a Human Development and Family Relations major. As of July, I am a Marketing major. Since making this decision, I have encountered a few new jobs that I am incredibly excited about.
As of May, I am a Marketing Intern for Shop Fishie. During my time in this position, I have attended to many aspects of a marketing job. I have designed graphics for advertisements and for the website. I have helped promote the boutique via social media outlets. In addition, I have participated in research for new designers, brands, and businesses for Shop Fishie partner with. With this job, I received a code to share with family and friends. This code, which is 3P5Q5, gives the user 20% off of their purchase at shopfishie.com!
As of September, I am a Campus Representative for A Girl Without A Bow. This is a small business started by a young lady to make money through college. The business has grown quite a lot since she began. She sells various items such as headbands, tutus, bow holders, keychains, and more. Her main focus, as it states in the name of the business, is bows! For this business, I help promote the business and various sales. Again, I have a code to share with family and friends! This code, which is EMILY10, gives the user 10% off of their purchase! You can place an order by e-mailing agirlwithoutabow@yahoo.com. To see what type of items you can purchase, you can go to facebook.com/agirlwithoutabow or check out @AGirlWithoutABow on Instagram!
I am also a Campus Representative for Pura Vida Bracelets. This company helps provide jobs for individuals in Costa Rica. The main product that the company sells is bracelets. They have lovely bracelets of all colors. My favorite category of bracelets that this company produces is their Charity bracelets. A portion of each bracelet sold goes to a certain charity. They have categories such as Animal Awareness, Environmental causes, disorders, cancers, and many more. This company also sells keychains, festival bags, coin purses, hats, hair ties, and many more. Their newest product is the Live Free Water Bottle! However, it is already out of stock! Again, I have a code to share with friends and family! The code is CONLIN10 and gives the user 10% off of their purchase at puravidabracelets.com!
I did not expect to get all of these positions, but am very thankful that i have them! Each company is unique and has a new aspect to bring to the world. Feel free to check out all of these websites! I hope you come to enjoy the products that these companies produce as much as I have come to!
As a junior in college, I conveniently sometimes forget that I was once one of the annoying freshman that I now complain about, as I did in high school. I try to forget that, yes, I cried every single night for a while because I was so homesick. And that I called my parents at least twice a day for the first couple of weeks. And that I told my parents at least five times a day that moving away from home was a bad choice and that I was coming back home and going to community college (which I swore I would never do, no matter what).
However, I stayed in college, made friends, and figured out how to be independent for the first time in my life.
Now, here I am with a little sister who is now starting her very own freshman year of college and is just as scared as I was. However, she has it worse because she is a 24 hour drive away from home when I was only 3 hours away from home. Not only does she have to figure out everything on her own, but she can't even come home to my parents for a relaxing weekend to de-stress.
Over the past few months (with a heavy focus on the last two weeks), I have lightly shoved advice in her face and hoped she listened to me. Sometimes she does, mostly she doesn't (but if my boyfriend or brother says it to her, she's all ears)!
With her in mind, I write this post with some few random pieces of advice for incoming freshman.
1. It's okay to miss home!
Everyone does, just some are more open about it than others. Your parents have been there for you 24/7 since the day you were born. Most nights you came home from school or work or practice or whatever, and saw your parents. You talked to them about what happened that day. I didn't care who knew that I missed my family. I wasn't ashamed at all. And you shouldn't be either. Skype/FaceTime your family, or just call or text them. Send them an mail or write on their wall on Facebook. If people make fun of you for missing the people that you have constantly been around for 18 years, they are incredibly ridiculous.
2. Don't listen to anyone else.
People are going to make fun of you. They are going to pick on for you for things that make absolutely no sense. But what anyone says to you does not matter (unless they are giving you compliments!). People say things out of jealousy or spite or anger or are lashing out at you for a situation that has nothing to do with you. Orrrr they just suck. The only opinion that matters is your own. Do what you want, when you want, how you want. It is your life.
3. Get organized
I can't stress this enough. Buy yourself a planner, some sticky notes, a note pad, and highlighters. Get an extra folder for your important documents-financial aid letters, scholarship letters, letters from the bank for loans, anything see of that sort. Write yourself notes and write down what you need to buy next time you go to Walmart. Write down all of your assignments and their due dates. I can't tell you how many times I've missed homework assignments because I didn't write it down in my planner, and when I checked my planner I thought I didn't have homework.
4. Have some fun
My first semester of my freshman year, I went out to parties a grand total of 1 times. I didn't drink alcohol or do any other recreational activities. I felt like an outsider among the rest of the people in my dorm. I spent most of my weekend nights on Skype or watching tv. Occasionally, I would do some homework. And every weekend, I felt lonely. Whenever anyone else decided to stay in with me, I was beyond excited. It wasn't until my second semester that I realized I didn't need to drink if I went out in order to have fun. I became a lot closer to the people on my floor when I went out with them on the weekends and had a good time. I also was happier and had more fun.
5. But don't forget to study, too.
So many freshman think that their classes are soo easy and that they can breeze right through classes, like they did in high school. Some people are right. Most people are wrong. Take some time during the day light on the weekends to do some work, and don't leave it all until Sunday (you'll regret it time and time again). Go to the library to do work, put your headphones in, and turn off your phone. Don't blow off your work to spend time with your friends, most of the time it isn't worth it. Go to class.
6. Keep an open mind
Don't judge people too fast. The people in sororities and fraternities aren't stuck up assholes. The athletes care about more than just sports and how they look. The people who are always in the library tend to be the ones who are crazy on the weekends. Be open to new people and new experiences. Don't be afraid to try something different. Different is usually good.
7. Stand up for what you believe in.
No. Matter. What.
