The Life of a Working College Student

As a current junior in college, I like to look back on my college career and realize how far (and fast) I've come. I'm finishing my undergrad in 3.5 years and working my butt off to do so. Most people would be overwhelmed with that alone. Not only am I loaded with coursework, but I also work a full-time job.

I work as a Resident Assistant. For those of you who don't know what that means, I'll explain. A Resident Assistant, House Fellow, Peer Advisor, or Collegiate Fellow is an advisor that lives in residence halls on campus to help guide current students. I currently work full-time for my housing as a Resident Assistant and help my residents everyday.

As an RA, I have to be continuously available for my residents. No times are off-limits for me at work. It's definitely not a 9 to 5 job that you can go home from.

If there is anything that working full-time and trying to graduate early has taught me it's that hard work and dedication can get you further than anything. Everyday, I wake up knowing that my perseverance will get me far.

Sometimes, life is tough. What distinguishes you from the pack is how hard you work and how far you work. Attitude is everything. You have to believe in yourself and put in the time and effort to reap the rewards. Work hard and believe in yourself.

Love life and love yourself.

-Cass💜

5 Sayings That Inspire Me

Since starting my second semester of college, I can definitely say it's a challenge. Some days you just don't feel like putting in the effort. Push through that. You have to, it'll pay off. At least that's what I keep telling myself.😉 But seriously, some days you just need a little inspiration. So, I compiled this list of 5 quotes that I think of when I'm having "one of those days."

1) "If you can dream it, you can do it." -Walt Disney
Of course, it's Walt. Did you expect anything different? This quote is all about putting in the hard work and dedication to make your dreams come true. I always remind myself that that's why I'm here, working my butt off, putting in endless study hours, cranking out assignment after assignment; to make my dream come true. If you keep at it, you'll get there.

2) "Remember how they raised you." -Me
Thought I'd throw an original into the mix. If you didn't know already, my family is very important to me. They've been my support system for as long as I can remember. My parents raised a smart, stubborn, caring, and dedicated girl. Whenever I feel like I'm losing myself or the workload is too much or that I can't get through something, I remember that my parents did not raise a quitter.

3) "And though she be but little, she is fierce." -Shakespeare
I've always loved this quote. I first heard this quote when I entered high school and immediately proceeded to put it in all my social media biographies. But it really is more than that. It means, for me personally, that even though you may feel small sometimes, you can make a bigger impact than you know.

4) "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." -Babe Ruth
Granted, the first time I ever heard this quote, I was 7 and it was in "A Cinderella Story" starring Hillary Duff. But even my 7 year-old self knew it was good advice. Fear is a natural part of life. What makes you brave is overcoming it.

5) "This is just a blip on the screen of life." -My Daddy
I saved the best for last. My dad is someone who pushes me everyday to be my absolute best. He's a man of honor, stubborn pride, and most importantly someone who I aspire to be like everyday. He's the strongest person I know. Whenever I feel like something in life is too difficult or I feel like giving up, he tells me this, and that I'll get through it. Every decision I make now since I've been on my own, I ask myself, would he be proud? So here's to you Dad.

I hope some of you find solace, inspiration, or even comfort in these as I do.
As always, love life and love yourself.

-Cass💜

10 Things I've Learned From My First Month of College

The summer before college is probably the most exciting, yet terrifying time in a girl's life. I know it was for me. I had so many questions and doubts swirling around my mind.

"Will my roommate like me?"
"Will I be able to find my classes?"
"What happens when my parents leave?"

If I'm being completely honest, I was excited to live on my own. To forge my own path and all that jazz. So, here are a couple things I've learned from my first month of college.

1) Learn to "let it go"
Let go of the doubts, let go of the nerves. Of course it's perfectly normal to worry about one's first day of college; who doesn't? But after that first day, give yourself a pat on the back, because you earned it, and let it go. Let go of the worries. You made it.

2) Forget about high school
Literally, don't even think of it. Who you were in high school was the old you. Be a new you. A better, more hard-working version of yourself. College is your chance to reinvent yourself. TAKE IT.

3) Prioritizing is important  
This is one of the more important ones. College is fun, definitely. It is also hard and very easy to fall behind. Remember why you are here; why you're putting yourself in crippling student loan debt. You are here to better yourself and to get a degree. I promise if you choose to stay in and do homework rather than go out, not only will you be less stressed and better off for it, I guarantee you didn't miss much.

4) Never lose your College ID
Like seriously. Don't lose it. Your ID is like your soul in college. Take it everywhere with you. The times you need it the most are the times you realize you forgot it at your dorm. Just make it a habit.

5) Make your bed everyday
Speaking of habits, get into the habit of making your bed every morning. Not only does it force you to get up, it forces you to stay up. Once your bed is made, it symbolizes you won't get back in it until you go to sleep that night. It gives you a set routine in the morning to start your day. Just trust me on this one.

6) Stock up on healthy snacks for your dorm 
The dining hall is great, but it's not open 24 hours a day. In college you learn to eat on the go and snack all the time. Half the time, I guarantee you'll be too tired or lazy to get up and walk to the dining hall. Just invest in some easy and healthy snacks to keep around. They'll save your life (and your tummy.)

7) GET AS MUCH SLEEP AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN
This is so so important. You will be tired 24/7. If you have a chance to go to bed early, DO IT. Don't go out if you know you have an early class the next morning. I know its tempting, but just don't.

8) Call your parents
Call your parents at least once a week if not more. You may think you're doing it for them, but you'd be surprised at how much better you feel afterwards. Even though we're all technically adults now, we'll always be their babies.

9) Learn how to study
If you're like me, you were the kid in high school who just improvised tests and quizzes and didn't really study because you were smart and thought you knew everything. Well, college doesn't work like that. The sooner you learn how to study and actually force yourself to do so, the better off you'll be.

10) Don't take it for granted
Now I know why people have always said college is the best time of your life. It's also a very difficult part. It's the time to discover who you truly are. The time to meet new and different kinds of people. The time to grow up and grow into your personality. The time to have fun and make yourself proud.

Love life, and love yourself.

-Cass💜

Inferiority

So, recently I've gone through some things in my life that have opened my eyes to some lessons that I'd been missing.

1) It's okay to trust, but don't trust with everything you are. Trust is a key factor and I, unfortunately, have the habit of trusting too easily. But what I've learned is, you can't wholeheartedly trust someone and just expect them to respect that. Just because you trust them with everything doesn't mean they won't turn against you.

2) Emotions are what make us human, but sometimes they need to be guarded and not so open for everyone to see. Personally, I'm a very emotional person. I feel things so deeply and follow my heart rather than my brain at most times. But recently, I've learned that maybe I should guard my emotions rather than lay them out. Yes it's still okay to feel, just maybe guard your heart and only let a certain few special people in through that wall. 

And finally,

3) No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Yes, they can turn on you, break your heart, and lie, but they cannot make you feel bad about yourself without your permission. Only you can do that. And I've realized that instead of being down and depressed it's so much more uplifting and healthy to just love yourself instead of hate the one who hurt you.

So love yourself. Look out for you. Because you're beautiful.

Revelations

So I had a thought. A rather important one. Sometimes people, including me, are so caught up in their lives that they forget that they're living it. Let me explain. 

Your life is short and you only get one. That's it. So why not make the most of it? Why hold onto grudges, or hold hate in your heart?

So I had a thought and this is what it was.

Screw negativity. Screw selfishness and games. Screw people being fake and having hidden agendas. Let's get back to being real and humble and kind. Making people happy and being positive just for the sake of it. Rid the world of hatred and anger and anything that isn't looked upon as a blessing because life is too damn short to be anything but happy. 

And it's so so true guys. Why waste time on things that don't make you happy? I know I won't any longer. Why not live life like that? I know I am. And I will cast aside any negativity that attempts to contradict it. 

So here's to being happy❤️

Week 5

So this is the last topic for this month. I'm still debating whether to carry this into March or not. Well, this week's topic is: what I want my future to be like. That's easy. I've been planning my future since I was five years old.

I want to get accepted into a beautiful and nice university and obtain my bachelors in Business Management and Marketing. Then I want to get a Disney Internship. I'll move up in the company until I'm in a prestigious corporate position. And if Disney doesn't work out, the CEO of another major corporation.

I want to be well off. I'll support myself off the money I've made and hopefully along the way I'll meet the man of my dreams. We'll settle down and have kids and I can give them the life every kid wants. While still teaching them humility and graciousness of course. 

There you have it. What I want my future to be. We'll see if any of it happens😂

Week 4

Today's topic...things I want to say to an ex.

Okay, well. FYI this topic was given to me by my friend who just went through a break up herself. It's actually one I've wanted to do for a while but every time I start writing it I run out of things to say. So, here goes😂

1) It was both of our faults. It really was. We just didn't fit as a couple no matter how many times we reassured each other we did. It was bound to end sooner or later.

2) I used to wish it wouldn't have ended so badly but now I'm kind of grateful. I know that sounds bad but hear me out. Trust me, I'm not saying I enjoyed the social media slaughter or the dirty looks in the halls, but the bad break gave us a chance to heal on our own. We gave each other the space to live our own lives.

3) I miss the old you. The one who made me laugh. The one who was my best friend. I know that person doesn't exist anymore, or maybe never did and it was all an act. But either way, I miss having someone there to have my back like you did.

4) I don't hate you. Know this. I don't. No matter who says I do or what rumors you hear. I really don't. What you did was awful but ,then again, I did awful things too. But you were a life lesson, one I needed to learn. And in a way I'm thankful you broke my heart, because now I know that I'm strong enough to come back from it and be a better person.

5) Finally, I wish you well. I hope you find happiness. I really do. Everyone deserves to be happy. And I hope you are. In fact, to be honest Hun, I've forgiven you. For everything, for all the heartache and tears, everything. I may not forget, but I do forgive. 

So there's a list. Pretty heavy stuff. Unfortunately, people come and go, but I promise the right ones will always stay.