The Seven Deadly Sins of College

     I've only been attending college for two semesters now, but after lots of observation and plenty of mistakes made, I've compiled a list of no-no's. Here are seven things to steer clear of during your final years of schooling--the seven deadly sins of college!

Sloth
     I'll finished that essay... tomorrow. I'll wake up early for class... next time. I'll study for the test... after one more episode of COPS. Does this sound like you? If so, get off your butt and get busy! With all the freedom you're given in college, it's easy to slack off. I've done it. You're no longer trapped behind a chicken-wire fence like you were in high school. Nobody is going to chase after you if you leave, and nobody is going to hold your hand and remind you to finish your homework. Since nobody is telling you what to do anymore, it's pretty tempting to fall behind and enjoy your newfound freedom a little TOO much. The best way to avoid sloth is to never start it. Don't skip any classes, because one turns into one-too-many. Don't put off your homework, because one night turns into waiting 'till the night before. Fight the laziness!

Greed
     For some students, college is all about the ca$h m0n3y. (Sorry about that.) Their main goal consists of earning a degree that will get them the highest-paying career possible, whether they actually enjoy what they're doing or not. To me, that seems all wrong. I understand it, sure! College prepares you for a job, which you'll use to support yourself. But don't make your college career revolve around money. Pick a major that you'll actually enjoy. I chose Journalism--not because it would make me the most money (to be honest, I'll probably end up struggling for a few years) but because I love to write. I'm not sitting here typing up this blog entry for school, and I'm not getting paid. I'm writing this because it makes me happy. Writing is my passion. Don't choose your major with greed as your main motivation. Choose something you will genuinely enjoy doing your entire life.

Lust
     I'm just gonna be blunt here--college is FULL of gorgeous dudes. Yes, when you're on a campus with thousands upon thousands of students, a good percentage of them are bound to be good-looking. However, only a small percentage of those good-looking guys are actually non-douchebag dating material. College is a time to have fun, so don't waste your golden years chasing after some idiot frat boy or dealing with heartbreak after heartbreak. Keep it light, and if you do happen to find that one person who keeps your flame lit for more than just one evening, take the risk. That being said, there is nothing wrong with dating and flirting around in your college years... Just remember to protect your heart and your body. Also, remember that nobody likes a whore.

Gluttony
     Luckily, my school is pretty good when it comes to healthy food and snacks. We've got little shops all across campus selling grape cups, fruit salads, healthy soup, smoothies, vitamin water, you name it. However, things get a lil' scary once you venture further back into the store. Rows and rows of candy bars, ten different brands of greasy chips, hot cheetos, donuts, and nachos with that nasty, neon orange cheese. We even have a make-your-own milkshake machine, no joke! When it comes to staying healthy during college, all you have to do is make good decisions. Don't just reach for the nearest bag of chips--stand there for a minute or two and decide which brand has less fat/sugar/evil chemicals in it. Grab a fruit salad instead of a hot pocket. Steer clear of the campus fast food joints. All it takes is a conscious effort.

Anger
     "Ugh, I hate this teacher!" or "I hate this class!" or even "I hate this entire college!" are just a few of the remarks I've heard classmates say this past year. I may have been guilty as well. Next time a teacher assigns you a crappy essay or 50 pages of reading, keep calm. You are in college for a reason, and that reason is to actually learn something. You aren't forking over tons of cash to the school system so you can skip class and skate by doing as little work as possible, are you? A degree won't mean anything if you never actually learn about the subject. So instead of getting frustrated with that huge Sociology paper due tomorrow, just buck up and get it done. After all, nobody is forcing you to stay in school--learn how to handle it or get up and leave!

Envy
     In my opinion, a little competition is a good thing. It gives you that little itch to work harder and become a better student. However, never let jealousy take the wheel... It will steer you in a bad, bad direction. They key to avoiding envy is not to be better than everybody else, but rather to be happy with yourself the way you are. If you like yourself as a person, accept that you're not perfect and know that you're trying the best you can to succeed, there is no need to be jealous of anybody else. Be yourself, because you are the only YOU there is. Nobody likes a copy-cat or a person who is uncomfortable in their own skin. Never be afraid to be your weird, lovely, amazing self.

Pride
     To be completely honest, I don't really consider pride as a "sin." I just don't think having pride is all that terrible. If you're good at painting, why not hang your work on the walls for all to see? If you've just gotten accepted into your dream school, why not shout it from the rooftops? As long as you don't let yourself get out of control or brag to put down others, what is so wrong about taking pride in yourself and all that you do? Flaunt it if you got it!

Back to School & Stupid Donut Ladies

 Tomorrow will be my first day of college all over again! New classes, a new schedule, a fresh start. I'm actually pretty pumped up and ready to get back in the swing of things. No more slippin'... I'm going to be on time, wake up early, and set aside plenty of time for studying. It may take a lot of energy (and a LOT of coffee), but I'm a pretty smart cookie when I want to be. I even got bored & made my desk all ready for work.

     In other news, this past month of Winter vacation has been a rollercoaster. To say the least. I'm not even going to GO there on this blog. If you're a friend of mine, you know whats up. If not, don't be afraid to ask. It's just a far cry from public website appropriate. Life is crazy sometimes, but it's getting better..

Kittenz & "Donut Storr" vanilla coffee, mmmm.

     The fucking lady in the donut shop was such an idiot. First off, the place was called the "Donut Storr." Sketchy. So we walk in & wait around at the front for a few minutes, fidgeting our thumbs. Where, oh where could the employee be? Finally a tiny little Asian lady emerges from the back and gives me a blank, 'what-the-hell-do-you-want' stare. "Can I get the hazelnut coffee?" I asked. Her answer was "NO." ...Alright then? "NO MORE HAZELNUT COFFEE." Okay, fine. So I ask for vanilla instead. "NO MORE COFFEEEE!" Uh... Okay. Then she points to this frostee-type machine and says "YOU WANT COLD?" I replied, "no... Do you have hot vanilla coffee?" "WE HAVE COFFEE, ONLY HOT!" Didn't you just say no? So I asked for the hot vanilla coffee again. "ONLY HOT!!! YOU WANT VANILLA OR MOCHA?" Vanilla, bitch. Did I not just explain this to your fob ass five times already? Jesus christ. Sometimes I wonder how people like this even have jobs in the first place. If you can barely speak English here, at least be kind and polite. If you're not gonna be kind and polite, at least be somewhat intelligent. If you aren't going to do any of the above... Get the fuck out of the donut shop, give an actual deserving citizen your job, and go back to your own haggard town where you won't ever have to be bothered about vanilla coffee again. Sorry for the rant, couldn't help myself. On a lighter note, the HOT VANILLA COFFEE turned out pretty tasty. Mmm.

My Top 10 College Essentials

     I've only been in college for a month so far, but I already feel like a seasoned university student. I've somehow become a world-class expert on catching buses, finding classes, speed reading and staying awake during Philosophy 101. It's been smooth sailing for me so far, but I definitely couldn't have made it through without these ten college essentials!

     1. Coffee. This lovely hot drink seems to show up on every list I make, doesn't it? Well, there's a good reason for that! Coffee is a well-known college lifesaver. Ditch those syrupy energy drinks (so high school!) and start your morning with a hot cup of flavored coffee instead. Grab an iced macchiato in the afternoon to put some pep back in your step. Take a shot of espresso in the evening to give your brain a buzz for a late-night study session. Yep, coffee comes in handy at all hours of the day for a college student. It's definitely an essential, at least for me!

     2. iPad. I strongly, strongly, strongly recommend that every college student out there invest in an iPad! This thing is a powerhouse, and probably the most useful item I've ever bought. It's a camera, an internet browser, a word processor, a video player, a note taker, a dictionary, a calculator, an iPod, a game player, a photo editor... Need I go on? Screw those people who say the iPad is just a big, awkward iPod touch. It's not. It's an amazing product that comes in handy on a daily basis, for just about everything. In fact, I'm typing up this post on my iPad right meow!

     3. Rosebud Salve. This little miracle product packs a big punch! Rosebud salve is an adorable lil' round tin full of pink, rose-scented salve that can be used for just about anything. Swipe some on your lips, elbows, ankles, knees, and just about anywhere else you have dry skin. I usually rub some around that weird bone you have on your ankle and pat a little on my lips from time to time. It looks like lip gloss, feels like lip balm. No fuss or stickiness. Rosebud salves usually go for about 5 bucks each, but one tin of this stuff will last you forever!

     4. Public Transportation. I'm fortunate enough to live right around the corner from a bus stop that goes straight to my school, a one way trip! All students ride for free as well, so it's absolutely perfect. Especially since I don't own a car. When you rely on public transportation to travel around town, you don't have to worry about parking permits or gas money. Get on the bus, get off the bus, get where you're going. Try it every once in awhile, it's not half as bad as people think!

     5. Leggings. Let's face it, ladies... We can't all walk around in skinny jeans 24/7. There comes a time in every college girls life where she just wants to be comfy. This is where leggings come into play! They're stretchy, they're cheap, they're perfect for studying or lounging around at home. They also make for an amazing yoga ensemble. Leggings should be a staple in every college girls closet! Just please remember that leggings do not equal pants. I've seen many-a-girl make this terrible mistake. If you're going to venture out into the wild with leggings on, wear a long tunic or a sweater that covers your booty!

     6. Filofax. A Filofax is basically a day planner taken to the next level. It's a little binder filled to the brim with calendars, note paper, envelopes, address papers, to-do lists, and pretty much whatever else your heart desires! I'm an organization maniac, so my Filofax helps tremendously with keeping up on due dates and remembering homework assignments. It's my little black book full of madness. I got mine for a high school graduation present after pining over it on the Filofax website and dropping subtle hints about it for months. (Hehe!) It was 99 bucks, a pretty steep price for a day planner! But it's made from real leather, which means it'll last a lifetime. Shiny, sleek, real leather. The thing smelled like a new car when it first arrived. I couldn't stop smelling it. People looked at me funny. See it below!

     7. Sunglasses. Every college student needs a pair of trusty sunglasses! Not only do they protect our peepers from the sun's harmful rays, but they can mask a hangover or a sick day in an instant. I've been sporting my brown tinted wayfarers (fake ones, of course!) for years and years. Mostly on my head. This might sound weird, but I always wear sunglasses on my head. Every day. Inside or outside. I'm even wearing them on my head in my college ID photo. I feel naked without 'em up there! However you choose to wear them, a good pair of shades will always come in handy. Sunglasses are adorable and timeless, they will never go out of style. Definitely a college essential!

     8. Tic-Tacs. One of my many, many addictions in life. Ask any of my friends! I rifle through packs of these tiny little breath mints like it's feeding time at the zoo. Tic-tacs are cheap, yummy, and less than 2 calories each. They're the perfect fix when you're sitting in class with a sweet tooth. Pop a pack in your school bag for a some quick little pick-me-ups throughout the day. The orange flavor is my absolute favorite!

     9. Financial aid. No matter what kind of financial situation you're in, always apply for financial aid! It's a huge help, and you never know how generous the government can be. I won't be giving out any details, but let's just say this: After tuition was paid for, I was left with enough money to buy my iPad with it's keyboard, textbooks, clothes, school supplies, pretty much everything in this post and food for the rest of the year. Long story short, I'm being paid to attend college. Pretty awesome, right? Financial aid is a wonderful thing, so do yourself a big favor and sign up ASAP!

     10. A big bag! I learned this lesson the hard way. Strapping a teeny-tiny bag around your shoulder, no matter how adorable it may be, is so not worth juggling twenty pounds of textbooks in your arms. College students typically carry a lot of weight, so a spacious bag with lots of pockets is key. All you need is one big, heavy-duty, reliable bag. Save your cute little purses for the weekend, and bring out the big guns when it comes to class!