A thing or two to remember at college

I can't believe that it's been a little over two years since I graduated high school and started college.
What I can't believe even more is my little sister is starting her first semester of college this fall. I also know a lot of others who are moving out, some traveling far, and starting their college experience for the first time.

I wanted to leave you with some things that I have learned:  

• Don't give up. And stay positive. College can be as good or bad as you make it. This is one of the best times. Become the person that you want to be. You are the only person who can be you! Don't change for anyone else and stay true. 
• Do what you like. Do the things that you are interested in. One biggest regret I have is just waiting to long to get involved. There are so many things to be a part of on campus. Go to one of those fair thingys and sign up to join organizations! You meet a TON of people and make some great friends!
• Get the most out of college. In college you will have a lot of opportunities.They may seem like a lot of work at first, but you can have the greatest experiences. If you want to study abroad, then GO! Take that internship. Audition for something. These experiences will shape you and you can discover a lot about yourself. 
• Have an open mind. About everything: your classmates, professors, roommates, and  your future...Don't be afraid to change your major! I was so set on what I wanted to do since at least halfway through high school. Yes, I am pursuing that major now, but I actually went back and forth on what I wanted to do a ton of times! I met with advisers and read up on other majors. I took classes that interested me and discovered a lot. I had teachers who tried to persuade me to go to PA school or stick with Child Development. I looked at my options. I'm really glad I did, because now I feel even more confident about my major.
• Balancing time. It's a huge deal. Everyone thinks they're going to be a pro at it their first semester. I sure wasn't because it's easy to get caught up with everything going on. You're schedule is a really big change. Make time to study. Find your ideal place to study and just get things done. I change my spot I study every semester. Don't be afraid to use a tutor. They are a blessing. Then make time to go out and be social. Have FUN!

I have heard a lot of "This just isn't working out. This is going to completely ruin college." Whether it's because you didn't get the class you wanted/needed or living where you wanted to, etc. I promise that things will work out. You may not be able to see it in the moment, but it's happening that way for a reason. Realize and accept the fact that there are going to be hard times. Times when you are going to be really stressed. I had a couple of meltdown moments when I wasn't accepted to nursing school the first time I applied. Push through. It's all a part of a plan and it will work out in the end! Remember you are not alone, you are child of God. As long as you have the drive, it will all work out and get done. God wants you to succeed!

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. 

So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. 

You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. 

This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” 

–Steve Jobs

Smile. Be happy. It's an exciting time!

Congratulations to the Class of 2013 and good luck in college! 

just ask me if you have any other questions!

Highlights of fourth college semester!

ummmm, best semester ever.
here's some pictures to prove it.
(in order of happenings)

This all should really have it's own post. I started out the semester being apart of "Get Connected." I spent two days with an amazing group of people getting ready for it. Then the new freshmen arrived to campus. I was able to serve them with my partner and help new students move into their apartments, find their books and help lead all the new student orientation and activities. I have enjoyed getting involved on campus so much, I stayed apart of it as an Involvement Rep for the rest of the semester. Now, I'm super excited for Get Connected this next semester. 
3 more weeks! 

 

IMAGINE DRAGONS CONCERT

ahhhh yes this really happened! I skipped a day of my busy nursing life and left. Just left. The day before competency testing too. I went to my classes still, thank goodness they all stared 7:45am and were done by 11. Then I drove 5 hours to Boise and saw Imagine Dragons in concert. It was all kinds of amazing. They were SO good! The venue was outside in a beautiful open field with the stage set up. We got as close as we could to it! 

Taken right after I finished my first clinical at the hospital as a student nurse and SURVIVED! 

one semester down, three more to go

 

I ran my first 5k! WOO! The Color Run came right to Rexburg, Idaho. It was SO much fun! We were all so excited. I'm glad so many of my friends got to do it too, that definitely made it the best. It was a motivation to keep running so you could get color thrown at you haha. After the race there was a huge party with color being thrown EVERYWHERE!

4th of July was such a blast this year! We went floating down the Snake river in Ashton, Idaho. And yes, that is 3 store bought tubes on top of my little Kia. Ghetto, I know. haha. But you betcha it worked and I invested and now own my own inner tube! (the things I keep accumulating in college, jeez) The river was awesome and the view was gorgeous! We enjoyed sweet fireworks too!

This semester would not of been so great without my neighbors, ward, and FHE group. 
Twister paint, pudding fights, hallway parties, picnics, ice caves.
Can't forget drinking LOTS of Mountain Dew ;) 

My awesome roommates deserve their own collage of pictures, too! 

I truly believe I was able to get through this semester with the help of the people the Lord has placed in my life. I believe that we meet people for a certain reason. Everyone was a huge support to me, whether they realize it or not. Something else that I grew to love this past semester is the people in the nursing program. We joke that by the end of the program we'll all either be sick of each other or be the best of friends. When you spend so much time together and share the same frustrations with classes you become friends and get to know each other real quick! (we gave bed baths to each other about the second week, real close quick I tell ya. not to mention trusting each other to give shots to one another) They're a great bunch and I'm happy to be in the program with this group! We all encourage each other and work hard together. 

Countdown: Rexburg 18 days

what do words say about me?

The principle of having good, kind language has been on my mind a lot lately, ever since it became a high goal during my past semester. I made a plan to have positive, uplifting language each day. This included not complaining, gossiping, or inappropriate sarcasm. It started as an assignment for a class and it grew into so much more. I've also been thinking a lot about the effect our language has on others.  

So, I ask myself the question, "What do words say about me?" I believe there is a direct correlation between the way we speak and our character. How we speak and the language we use is molding our character. When we speak kindly and positively about others we can fulfill the Lord’s commandment to love one another. 

I brainstormed and came up with 10 ways to accomplish this goal

1. How do we know if our comments and jokes are really offending someone and upsetting them? I thought a lot about this question. A way that we can tell if our jokes and comments are offending is how many times do you have to follow up with the phrase "just kidding!" I think people have this idea that they can say whatever and then everything will be okay if they say “just kidding” afterwards. Try noticing how many times you say "just kidding" in a joking conversation. You really begin to think about how your words affect others. 

2. Recognize that everyone is different and that differences can be good.

3. Try giving a compliment to 3 different strangers a day.

4. Don't ignore someone.      

5. Get to know people instead of just listening to what others say about them.

6. Apologize when you have made a mistake.

7. Forgive others for things they have done.

8. Serve the people around you! What better way to learn to love someone than to serve them!

9. Remember that everyone is a child of God.

10. Strive to become more like our Savior!

I also read the talk by Elder Holland called “The Tongue of Angels” and I recommend it for everyone. Of course, it's a huge slap in the face from Holland. One section that really stood out to me says...

“A woman’s words can be more piercing than any dagger ever forged, and they can drive the people they love to retreat beyond a barrier more distant than anyone in the beginning of that exchange could ever have imagined. Sisters, there is no place in that magnificent spirit of yours for acerbic or abrasive expression of any kind, including gossip or backbiting or catty remarks."

All I could write after reading that was "Wow." Like Elder Holland says in his talk, when we are negatively speak about someone we start to negatively think and our actions, along with our words, become negative also. Even if the words that you are saying about someone else never reach their ears, I believe that is still dampening your personal countenance and I believe dimming the light that you have. 

Of course, my thoughts went right to Dieter F. Uchtdorf's simple, yet powerful, counsel... "Stop it."

I could see a change in my life as I strived to work at this goal. Something that I kept in mind is how would I react if someone was saying unkind words about me? I want the way I communicate and speak to reflect the Daughter of God that I am. Everyone is a child of God.

Alright, my rant over this topic is over :)