Procrastination Killed the College Student

This statement is not a joke. The longer you wait to do something, the more stuff piles up. You should see my room right now. But luckily spring break is here!!!!

When you put off writing a paper, you keep putting it off "I'll do it tomorrow, or Saturday." And next thing you know its due in 14 hours. Once you get an assignment, write it down in your planner or on your to-do list (I have both) and put a deadline before the actual deadline. You will not feel as stressed. I promise. Let everything build up for a week and then try to get it done in 2 days on top of work if you have that and on top of having a life.

Get your stuff done, on time, so you can have fun on the weekends. That's what they are there for.

Peace and love.

Marina

Having a Bad Day

So from time to time you may have a bad day. Maybe you showed up late for a test due to traffic, failed a test miserably, almost got ran over and into 2 wrecks at the same time (I'm not meat to your car sandwich, I am bigger than you). Can you tell I had a bad day yet? I feel its important to let everyone know that the day is only 24 hours and it will eventually end. Yes, I vented to everyone, but it reassured me that its going to be okay.

So I didn't wake up late but traffic decided to be so much worse than usual today. Fortunately, I have a pretty cool professor and he still let me take my test.  That wasn't the test I failed, yes, I understand I can't to amazing on all of them but shit. That grade made me cry! I have never done that bad. I emailed my professor and he is going to help me of course, thank God. On top of that, I was telling a friend from that class and we had planned to study for that test together, but I had work. I told him how horribly I did and he demanded I take off work for the next test, he did MUCH better than I did. So this is so helpful to study with someone who knows but they are doing.

Idiots on the road cannot be helped. And I don't understand why people can't just keep moving forward when driving. Whatever.

At the end of the day, there is a new one coming around the corner. Don't be upset for too long, its one day. Venting to someone or everyone helps. Screaming in your car helped a good bit and just breath.

Stay happy and stay healthy.

Marina

Advocating and Organizations

My journey at the University of Houston really has just begun. Last week we had the Carneval of Cultures showing so many different aspects of so many different cultures. I was truly amazed by what I never knew about everyone else. Of course 25 different cultures foods mixing together didn't smell too good. But I started noticing since then the diversity of organizations and clubs around campus. LGBT, Invisible Children, Vision School, etc. I am not a lesbian or bi sexual but I am for equal rights and signed a petition for faculty to receive the same benefits as straight faculty, which I thought was awesome for students to do.

Lately, and most of you may have noticed, Joseph Kony is becoming very famous. For those of you who do not know who Joseph Kony is, YouTube "Kony 2012" and the first result is what you should watch, have 30 minutes to spare to watch it though. This campaign to save children from Uganda and many different countries is Africa. Joseph Kony is destroying families and countries. The only way to take him down is to make him famous and that is exactly what the goal of one man is. Let's help Africa and take this man down.

Visit www.invisiblechildren.com for more information.

Get involved in campus organizations if you aren't already. It's a great way to meet new people, add to your resume, networking and possibly some extra credit for your classes.

Always and Forever,

Marina

Rommates

Can't live with them, can't live without them.
It is really a case by case thing. One of my friends had the most unlikely roommate. Everyone thought they were going to clash so bad. But turns out, they were the perfect roommates. But for some, I don't know what goes through the peoples heads that do the roommate matching. My first roommate was awesome and she was clean and not annoying. The only thing was that she went to bed way earlier than I did and got up earlier than I did. My friend, who became my second roommate, didn't really get along with her. She was messy and never cleaned up, actually was never even there. It wouldn't have been that bad, if she had just kept her side clean. So my second roommate and I thought it would be a great idea for us to room together. Most, if not all schools, allow room switches. Which is what we did. My first roommate didn't have a problem with it at all and worked out really well.

But of course, no matter how good of friends you are, problems will come with it. My roommate and I were so alike and go along very well. Went to sleep at the same times and woke up the same times. We even went home together on breaks and her family would come pick her up from my town. She had a boyfriend, that was very sweet and would come visit and I had no problem with at all. But when there is a boyfriend, there are phone calls and fights at night. Although I did not mind giving her advice and was there for her when things went wrong, but late night phone calls suck. I love my roommate to death though. We have hung out during the summer and are planning trips to go back to Austin to visit our friends. We have made friends for life and I couldn't have asked for a better roommate. But no one is a perfect roommate.

Sometimes your roommate will just not care and "hook-up" with someone in the bed right next to you. Awesome, right? Probably not, my advice if that happens is to put in head phones, turn the other way and think happy thoughts, lol. My friend told her roommate the first day they moved in that no hooking up was allowed and they both agreed. That did not work so well and they both broke the agreement. But no harm was done and jokes were played on each other, lol. Maybe you can have some fun with it.

Then some roommates suck. Another friend of mine was so angry that she had the roommate she had. She was mature and just ignored her and told her self it's just this year. This girl was something else and I felt so bad for her one night, I let her stay in my room. This girl had brought home a guy that STUNK. It smelled from the hallway and I was just like omg, get your blanket and phone charger and come to my room. Turned out that we had a Legally Blonde night, sometimes things work out. Some roommates complain to no end, some are super dirty and stinky. Some are just plain annoying. You get the luck of the draw when it comes to roommates if you don't request for one.

First, just try to work things out. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. Most of us from my hall made friends for life and we will never forget our freshmen year of college.

Peace and Love
Always and Forever

Marina - Your go-to-girl for college advice

What's in My Backpack?

Disorganization is a huge problem with tons of students. Personally, I am on the verge of OCD. I am so picky about how everything is organized in my life. But I will tell you what I do to help me stay organized and prepared in class and around campus.

First thing is first, a large enough bookbag with pockets. Most girls like to use shoulder bags, because it is fashionable. Yes, they are cute, but they aren't sturdy, don't hold as much, hard to organize and actually bad for your back. That's all up to you though.

Next, componets of the bag.

• Tons of students like to take their laptops to class, I only took it to one of my classes. I have a 17", which I regret getting. It's huge! I can watch videos on here pretty well, but carrying it everywhere stinks. Plus, I can't find laptop bags for it that are cute. I'm thinking of getting a plain ugly one and decorating it myself, no one else will have it.
• Notebooks, binders and pencils. Personally, I think binders are a waste of money, they always break. Like I said in my first post, I reuse spirals until they are dead. Typically students do not use 150 sheets of paper in one class. So either you just don't write on the cover and reuse them until they are done for OR duct tape has gotten fashionable (cheetah, zebra, demask, etc.) So I taped over where I wrote on the spirals. I am not a hippie (although I was in Austin for a year,) I just don't like being wasteful. Use the spiral until all of the paper is gone, use it for rough drafts, a journal (which I find stress relieving) or doodling.
• Writting utensils. Pens, pencils, highlighters, sharpies; you name it, get it. I may have an unnecessary collection of Sharpies, but they do come in handy. Pens are usually what professors want you to use, to a good collection is always good. Pencils of course are necessary for labs, math, etc. Highlighters are good for note taking. I always have some lead in my bag or just extra pencils. People throw away pencils once they are out of lead, it's cheaper to buy lead than new pencils everytime you're out. I constantly say this, but we are broke college students, unless you know how to save.
• PLANNER! OMG. So many students don't have a planner. I don't know how they know what's for homework or any due dates. But studies show that those who do carry planners are more organized and make better grades, something to think about for college students. I keep everything in my planner, EVERYTHING! (I am posting pictures soon.) Once you get your syllabus, write down due dates and quizzes, tests, everything. I write down my work schedule, homework, how many horus I need to study, and my to do list.
• Depends on where you live, but an umbrella. In Texas, we never know when it's going to rain. Right now, it's looking like never.
• Gum, studies show, chewing gum helps you concentrate. And when you're hungry and you have more classes to go and no time to grab food, it curbs your appetite.
• Lip balm, lip gloss, make up, "feminine products," head phones and hand sanitizer. Essentials to some, not all. But head phones are great for when you're waiting for class or walking to class. Sanitizer, as beautiful as St. Edward's was, I don't trust that everything is clean and health is so important.
• Water. Get a reusable bottle and refill it at lunch, breakfast, dinner. Water is free people and way better for you than sodas. Freshmen 15 will creep up on you.

I think I have covered everything in my bag. Tell me what's in yours. Did I miss anything?

Check me out at YouTube, there will be a post soon, I promise!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/MARiNALEiGH10?feature=mhee

Peace and Love
Always and Forever

Marina -  Your go-to-girl for college advice

First Day of Class

You're first day of college is near and advice is needed.

1. Double check your schedule and make sure you know where you are going and what time.
2. Get plenty of rest the night before, it might be like Christmas and you are too excited for your first day of college.
3. Get to class early (everyday.) When you walk in late, teachers will burn a hole through your butt staring at you. Plus it's rude and you get a better seat.
4. Sit at the front. If you make the first 2 rows your usual seat, it will keep you going to class. Instructors notice when their front row students are gone and it helps you to always go to class.
5. If you are in a small class, introduce yourself to your instructor after class ends. Let them knwo who you are and how excited you are for this class, teachers love it!
6. Read the syllabus and mark down important dates in a planner. Mark everything in a planner, or a wall calendar. Make sure you look at it all the time, make sure you have everything ready on time!
7. Make sure you have the correct books and supplies.
8. Take a jacket to class. For some reason, they think that we are blazing hot (no matter how cold it is outside) and they feel the need to keep the rooms at 68.
9. If you are a student who likes to take your laptop, be oh so courteous and sit in the back. It's distracting to others.
10. Make friends with people in each of your classes. Study buddies are the best and if you miss class, text them.
11. NEVER EVER EVER EVER email a teacher and ask "What did I miss?" or "Did I miss anything important?" Wow my Bio teacher went on a rampage about a student asking her that. She told them, I wouldn't be up here if I didn't have anything important to say. You always miss something important.
12. When you miss class, you miss a lot. So don't miss class, not even if you have a headache. Take some medicine and go. If you miss class once, you tend to make it a habbit. Wake up at least an hour and a half before you have class. You are awake and ready to go.

I don't think I missed anything, but if you have questions, feel free to ask! Make your first days special and memorable. College won't be any fun if you don't make happy memories.

Next blog is about roommates, so stay tuned soon!

http://www.youtube.com/user/MARiNALEiGH10?feature=mhee

Take a look at my YouTube channel. More is coming!
Peace and Love
Always and Forever

Marina - Your go-to-girl for college advice.

Move In Day

Move in day will be the busiest day of your life! Every other Freshman is trying to move in with you. Some colleges have move in times and others, well get there early. If you have a rolling cart/ flatbed dolly, take it. Most or all of the ones provided will be taken.

No matter how aggrivated you are with your family trying to take control, let them. Because after this day, you are in control of yourself. Let them have the joy of controlling you, lol. Don't worry about unpacking until you have moved furniture around and you and your roommate are both there. Moving furniture AFTER you have unpacked, sucks. If your roommate hasn't shown up yet and you can't move furniture around, unpack. First come first serve. There isn't much to dispute about, it's a small room.

Hopefully, by now you have found out who your roommate is and have contacted them. Work things out, maybe one can buy the fridge and the other the microwave. Figure out when each other is moving in, room arrangements, etc.

The first day or weekend, will be the most fun. You will meet so many people, possibly the school will have a BBQ, you take a huge step in your life and learn about so many clubs with endless possiblities. If you love school spirit, join their spirit team. No, not cheerleading. At St. Edwards, we had the Hillraisers, we went to the basketball games, soccer games, lacross, etc. Cheerleaders but from the stands and no tumbling. It's a great way to show your school spirit, possibly free games and food, and it goes well on a resume when applying for jobs on campus. Going out for clubs is a definite plus on your resume. So join what interests you or start a club that interests you, maybe you start a new school tradition and big brownie leadership points for you!

Now the sad part, leaving your friends and family behind. Know that they are just a phone call away and that they won't forget about you. Even though they might not call every second, they are thinking and probably talking about you. So when your ear is burning or ringing, it's them. Keep them updated, even though you don't want them in your business, be responsible and let them know your progress. They will be the person to call when you aren't doing so well in a class. They will push you to do better and possibly scream saying "I am not spending all of this money for you to mess around!" I've heard it and it made me work harder. It isn't my money going down the drain, it's my grandma's and the governments. We complain that they suck at budgeting, well don't let them know by you not doing well in school with their money. If you didn't sign the FERPA form, then tell them what's going on. They will find out one way or another. It shows them that you are being mature and are trying to build that adult relationship with them.

Miss your friends? My best friend and I wrote letters often. If you did all of your homework and want to be an awesome friend, write them a note and send it to them or wait till you see them next. Skype/ Oovoo, call, text, Facebook, keep up with them. Not talking to them will lose them. Send pictures of what you do. My bestfriend and I actually had pictures taken with each other and we each framed them and had them on our desks.

Don't get stressed. Family is forever. Be mature and build an adult relationship with your parents. Most importantly, have fun and know what you are doing is great! School will help you go far in life! P.S. Make sure you have gotten school supplies and books! :) One of my friends forgot.

Peace and Love
Always and Forever

Marina - Your go-to-girl for college questions