Tag: college

10 things I wish I knew as a freshman in college

by Olivia

As I head into my junior year of college, there are a number of things I wish I had known as a freshman. For anyone in college this may help you, and if you’re out of college, maybe you can relate.

1. You hear a lot of freshman roommate horror stories, but they may just turn into your best friend. But, if they don’t become your best friend, you will find your person or people.

2. You won’t like everyone and not everyone will like you.

3. I’ve noticed college is in no way like high school, so stop being judgemental now.

3. R-E-L-A-X, the small things won’t matter 5, 10, 15 years from now.

4. Apply yourself. Join organizations on campus and get involved. You’ll meet great people and make your college experience so much better.

5. College is practice for real life. It’s OK to make mistakes.

6. Go for positions or internships you don’t think you can get. You’ll surprise yourself with what you can do and what you can get.

7. NEVER. PUT. GUYS. BEFORE. YOUR. BEST. GIRL. FRIENDS. Some boys are temporary, friends are most likely forever. Chicks before _______.

8. Yes, spend your money but remember to try and save it too.

9. Remind your family often how grateful you are that they were able to send you to college, many people don’t have the privilege.

10. HAVE FUN. You only go to college once and it only lasts four years.

I know college is an exciting yet also nerve-racking time. If you’re an incoming freshman and you’re not going to your first choice, it will be OK, better than OK it’ll be GREAT. Try and keep a positive mindset, even if you have a number of worries. Trust me, I was hesitant and worried too, it’s normal.

When I visited Loyola University Maryland, I thought I was for sure going there. But, the world had different (better) plans for me. Honestly, Loyola didn’t give me any type of academic scholarship, and I didn’t want to put my family through that tuition.

I went back and forth between Quinnipiac and Loyola, but in my heart I wanted to go to Loyola. Heading into my third year of college, it’s nothing short of a blessing that I’m a student at Quinnipiac. I haven’t thought about Loyola once. So for everyone, go into college open-minded, you got this!

Best wishes!

A reflection on my sophomore year at Quinnipiac U

by Olivia

Last year, I posted a reflection on my freshman year at Quinnipiac University, here I am with a reflection post on sophomore year.

These past two semesters were undoubtably the most challenging, not in regards to class work but sometimes it felt like I was juggling a THOUSAND things at once and forgot to just breathe. It took a toll on me. But with ups and downs throughout the year, my friends and I constantly said, “it is what it is.” It turned into 52B’s motto. Honestly, it’s so true. Whatever happens, life moves on and in 5, 10, 15 years the small things we stress abot now, won’t matter. That’s something to always remember.

I love living with roommates and realized I do not like living alone. I also struggled with a lot of sleepness nights worrying about the future. I’d get very anxious or worry about things I couldn’t control. My two roommates and I would get into our beds usually around midnight and end up talking about everything under the sun until like 2a.m. Yes, the next day I was tired. But, I appericated the conversations and care we had for one another.

So whats changed this year? Not much and I’m happy about that. My core friends and boyfriend remained the same, and my new roommate turned into a great, close friend. So FYI, don’t be afriad if you need to take a random roommate one year, they may turn into a best friend! But, I also continued being a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta and being a member of student media at QU.

Q30, which is Quinnipiac’s television station, caused me the most stress during my academic year, but it’s also one of the most important things to me at Quinnipiac. It has brought me lifelong friends, my boyfriend and has given me a lot experience in regards to TV news.

I had my first intership at WTNH News 8 in New Haven, CT during my spring semester. Word of advice, if an internship says you have to be a junior or senior, do not hesitate to apply. WTNH says on their site that they only want juniors and seniors, but I got a call and they made an exception to take a sophomore student. I got incredibly close to a few reporters. I’m so grateful that I was able to get to know them and go out on stories with them. They’re what made my experience at WTNH so good.

Journalism is in no way the most challenging major, and trust me, health science and nursing majors will make that clear to you…But, I’m choosing to spend my college years involved in so many organizations. I am just as busy, just as stressed and will be just as succesful. I encourage everyone to get involved with organizations on campus, they will make your college experience.

Next weeks post will be, “what I wish I knew as a college freshman.”

So here’s what I have to say. College is chaotic, stressful and can be (is) mentally exhausting, but it has brought me endless opportunities and so far, it has made up the best years of my life.

August

Greek fair, for anyone interested in rushing

Bid day 2018

October

Dinner at Livi’s house. It’s always a good idea to unwind and relax with those who are more like family than friends

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A Reflection on my Freshman Year at QuinnipiacU

by Olivia

To think I almost didn’t attend Quinnipiac. That thought now seems unimaginable. Coming to Quinnipiac has been life changing. I am so appreciative of all this school has done for me so far.

Coming into my first day I had no idea what to expect. My heart was still in Baltimore, Maryland, where I thought my home was going to be. Move in day was hectic and overwhelming. Would I be okay without my parents, would I make friends, would I do well in school? My mind frantically ran through all of these scenarios, but I kept a strong face. When it was time to say good bye to my home, New Jersey and my family I did, even if I didn’t want to say good bye just yet. Little did I know the year I had infront of me.

My direct roomate is more than a best friend to me and what a relief that is. In dorms you hear all the gossip surrounding your hall and a lot of times girls who are “best friends” become distant, problems arise and that friendships fades. That wasn’t the case with Cara and I. Our first hall meeting there was a talkative, energetic girl who for the life of her could not get her TV to work. I welcomed her into Commons Room 139 to look at our TV and the rest is history. A life long frienship began. Through rocky roads and stressful days, these two have been my backbone. These two constantly push me, better me and are there for me whenever I need. I have never met individuals like them before.

Outside of my dorm I had so many other things to be grateful for. One being my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. The news paints a harsh picture on what Greek life is like, but Greek life here is nothing to be scared of. The girls apart of move in crew had on bright pink hats with “theta” written across the front. The Kappa Alpha Theta girls were so sweet and we began chatting. Little did I know a few months later I would be initiated into Kappa Alpha Theta, a place that felt like home the moment those girls moved me into my dorm. Months ago I attended orientation where I was broken into a small group of incoming freshmans, we were assigned two groups leaders who were older students. Their job was to get us excited about going to Quinnipiac and make us feel welcomed. I instantly got close to my orientation leader, Erica. Fast forward 3 months later she is my big in Kappa Alpha Theta. She is the closest thing I’ve ever had to an older sister.

Q30 is my home away from home. A family, away from family. I can’t explain it any better. To those unfamiliar, Q30 is Quinnipiac student run televison station. Q30 covers, sports, entertainment and news. I worked as an Associate Producer for the Newscast, but I look forward to working more within sports next semester. Q30 is so much more to me than just being Quinnipiac’s television station. The people I have met are the most genuine, caring and hard working individuals. They each strive for greatness. A lot of people strive for greatness but don’t actually work towards it, that is not the case for people in Q30.

From formals, to nights in and nights out, this year at Quinnipiac has been more then I ever imagined. The quote, “everything happens for a reason” is something I never believed in until now. Loyola wasn’t meant to be and it all makes sense now.

Quinnipiac, you will be missed. I’ll see you in August.

Bid Day for Kappa Alpha Theta: September 4, 2017

Surprise of seeing who my big is: October 16, 2017

Mom visits: September 29, 2017

Celebrating mine and Cara’s birthday: March 23, 2018

Interviewing President Lahey: March 28, 2018

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Honey, I’m Home

by Olivia

When you come home from college there are two things you want to see. One being loved ones and two being good food on your plate. You come home exhausted from the frozen, fried and foul food you’ve been indulging in while at school. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is better than biting into freshly made food. Going out to eat is the most extravagent of occasions for me these days and oh have I missed the food by the Jersey Shore. I’m all for a home cooked meal, but I treasure a moment to put on an outfit not consisting of leggings and a pullover (my college uniform) to go out for a bite to eat. Going out to eat  and catching up with friends makes coming home for spring break so much sweeter.

With just a week home, I knew I had to take the 20 minute drive to Stay Gold. The coziest beach cafe found in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The smell of freshly made coffee fills the space and immediately I feel at home. They have everything from coffee to freshly squeezed juices, from burgers to acai bowls.

Now on nearly any day of the year you can find me on the beach, but when it hits 30 degrees and the wind is taking me like a kite, I just can’t get myself to step onto the sand. Thursday, Rosie and I drove up the beach from Belmar to Point Pleasent. For a moment I forgot it was the middle of winter. Thankfully, the beauty and charm of a New Jersey beach is not seasonal.

In just two days spring break has ended and I head back to my other happy place, Quinnipiac University.   I have about seven weeks left of that delicious college food. The countdown to summer and good Jersey Shore food is on.

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It’s Almost That Time…

by Olivia

It’s almost the time where I place my graduation cap on and walk to get my diploma! Officially ending high school is starting to freak me out, it’s crazy to think in less than three short months I’ll be moving to my new home, Connecticut. Due to my crazy busy end of the year schedule, I haven’t been able to take any pictures for a fashion post so I thought I’d collect pictures from the last couple weeks to put together a current lifestyle post!

The first pictures are from a college night my friend hosted. Basically, we celebrated all choosing our college! It was an exciting and super happy night for everyone. The second group of pictures is from my senior prom. My dress was a berry, wine colored Jovani dress which you can find here. It was a little different than my usual style and color choices but I am so happy I took a chance on it. It feels nice not having to stress about hair, nails, makeup or dress anymore! Onto new stress, FINALS!! Ugh, I’m ready to graduate..

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