25 November 2014

PUDM 2014




There's not much to say but WOW! This weekend was one fore the books- 33 hours without sleep, on my feet at least 18 of them, and a final reveal of over $1 Million raised for the second year in a row!! I've got to get back to reality now with an exam tonight before I drive back home for a wonderful Thanksgiving break :)

I hope you had a great weekend, but I can almost be sure it wasn't as good as mine LOL! 

20 November 2014

Put this on Your To-Do List!


I'm not kidding. I've been working on so many applications the past month and I am constantly reminded of the fact that what I put out on the internet "can and will come against me". So I decided to check into it myself. What will future employers/ anyone who might get my resume see if they Google me? It's easy enough to check it out! 

What I got was hardly what I'd say is going to "break" me. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at my top 3 results. A fundraising page for the awesome student organization and fundraiser, PUDM, my Facebook, and my LinkedIn. A few results down were popular blog posts and my Twitter. 



While the results probably are more important once the links are clicked on (what is physically on my Facebook and Twitter), the immediate results aren't too bad! I like that it shows off a little of who I am- philanthropy, my blog, and links to my personal Facebook and my professional LinkedIn. So, when everyone else is telling you to keep an eye on what you put on the internet... of course don't put anything that may be a red flag for employers, but also take advantage of the ways that you can represent yourself online!

The big threat can actually be your biggest asset!

18 November 2014

Reflection

In today's technology-driven age, journaling has taken a back seat to tweeting and updating statuses. In essence, they aren't completely different. The mind associates memories with the senses, so going back and reading old statuses and tweets can and does bring up memories. I jokingly say that my twitter is a source for the writer of my future biography, which isn't necessarily false. But I've been reading so many biographies and autobiographies lately and they all reference personal journals, something that I had just kind of forgotten about.

I used to keep so many journals. I'd journal my trips, the boys I liked, what I did each day. Essentially, I was a 30 year old woman as a kid. But I love going back and reading through those. They're my personal thoughts about each day or experience I had. Key word there- personal. Nobody else was seeing what I put in there, and that's what makes all the difference. Personal reflection is good and doesn't always need to be shared with the Twitter-verse.

On the flip side, journaling is a commitment! I don't want to look back and think "hey, I skipped this day! I wonder what was going on!" How sad is that? So, in an effort to not skip any days I just didn't journal at all. ever. Even more sad.... until I saw this new method that I just love!

Rose. Bud. Thorn. Okay so maybe I'm just way behind the curve or something and this is a well-known way to journal. But I read about it and just loved it! Firstly, my middle name is Rose, so it was kinda made for me ;). But seriously, all it is is this: each day you write down three things from that day.
Rose- for the good. 
Bud- for something you're anticipating or is to come. 
Thorn- for the bad. 

Perfect, am I right? It's seriously so easy and now I just keep my journal on my desk and try to write an entry each night as I wrap up doing my homework. 

A big You're Welcome to the writer of my future biography. 

13 November 2014

Let's Talk "Perfect"


This is something I have and probably always will struggle with-
the notion of perfection. Or, mainly, that others think I'm perfect. 

Let's make one thing clear: 
there is absolutely nothing about me that is perfect.
I think it stems from the fact that my family has been blessed beyond measure. As a 20 year old, I've had opportunities that many people only dream about doing, and I try to reflect on that daily. I come from an academically gifted family, so that makes me well-traveled, morally intact and smart, which is probably the holy-grail of "perfection". And then, to add on top of that I'm a "normal" size (whatever that means) when it comes to clothing. From my years of observation, that's what's gotten me to be perceived the way I am. Those factors are what make me "perfect" to my friends and acquaintances, and it's something that needs to be addressed. 

The label has been with me since high school, and I've been able to alleviate it some since I came to Purdue. But it still hold true in some regards, and I hate that I'm seen that way. It puts me in this awkward position- I want to open my heart and build relationships with people, but too often I'm hindered by their feelings that I'm "too good" or "so put together". Which I'm not. It's just not true.

I need to address one thing first:  that I make mistakes. I straddle the line between two worlds on a daily basis. I have thoughts flying around my head at a million miles a minute. I read Vogue between taking Organic Chemistry practice exams. I study for tests while on the elliptical. I wake up two hours early for class so that I can take my time getting ready and make myself presentable. And, I take time to prioritize my well-being over school when needed- do my nails or participate in student organizations. But it isn't easy.

What people see as "perfect" on the outside takes a lot of determination and work. I couldn't do it without the support of my family and friends, who always have my back. There are so many things I wish I could say but just can't see to find the words that work, but what I want to end with is this:

Not a single person is perfect, and I know that. I try not to use the "p word" when describing people, because it adds pressure and stress- which that person is probably already under. 



11 November 2014

The College Search


I'm an ambassador for the Purdue School of Pharmacy, which means that my job is going to get much busier. That also means there are countless high school students visiting college campuses. I love talking to students about Purdue... and college in general. I thought I'd answer some of the most common, generic questions that I get here for anyone who might be going into these visits a little overwhelmed. 

1. At a big school, are you completely on your own? 

NO!!! I don't know where or why this rumor started, but it's absolutely not true. I can't speak for other schools but I can speak for Purdue when I say that the professors want their students to succeed. In every experience of mine, professors and course coordinators have been happy to help me in any way necessary. While passing grades are not handed out, they are available to those willing to work hard.

2. Do you get all the classes you need? And how many classes are taught by TA's?

Yes. I get every class that I need. I might not get the times that I prefer (ugh, I hate getting stuck with 7:30's) but I get the classes I need. I was warned that classes could be cut-throat, but never in my experiences or in those of my friends. IF a course does fill up, many times new sections will open up. I really don't ever worry about that. As for the TA's, only the really popular gen-ed classes and recitations/labs are exclusively taught by TA's. 

3. How bad are the dorms?

Not bad. Not great. Every building (and school, I'm sure) is different and there are pros and cons to everything. Yeah, the bathrooms aren't great. But the RAs are great and the social environment is like nothing you've known before. Some of my greatest memories of freshman year are from running around in the dorms, cramming 15 girls in a room for a movie night, and ordering cheesy bread at 1 am. They're only as bad as you make it. 


I get so many questions, but these are among the most common. Again, these answers may not be universally correct. But I can't imagine these answers would be too far off. Be sure to ask any questions that you have- ambassadors volunteer to do admissions events for a reason! We love answering questions and making our experiences available. 

Best of luck on your visits! 

06 November 2014

Top 5 October 2014

It's been a few months since I've done a favorites post.
Mostly because my "favorite things" have mainly been sleep and my school books...
  exciting life, I know.

anyways, let's get to it!


Reading
I've really been trying to spend less free time on technology and more in the worlds of others. I like to have physical books, and I've taken a liking to buying used books. Nothing more charming than opening the cover and finding a note to the previous owner...



Halloween
How cliche. But seriously, last year I totally missed out on halloween all together. I had a wedding to go to, and didn't really know of anything going on during halloweekend, so I certainly missed out. I took advantage of that fact and went all-out this year! I made a trip to IU and saw some long-lost friends from high school. It was an awesome weekend that I'll never forget (or remember ;) ). 


This. Album.
So the past couple of Taylor Swift albums have been so-so for me. They've been more annoying than enjoyable. But this one. Oh, this one is on repeat. That's no exaggeration. I have dance parties for one in my dorm twice daily, and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. Thank you for turning my life into music, T. 

Nars Lip Gloss
I mentioned this a couple weeks ago, but I seriously have fallen in love. This gloss is glossy but not sticky, comes in a million shades, and is almost to the point of a stain. I've used it alone for more casual days and on top of lipstick to give lasting, glossy power. 


Bean Boots
It's that time again. This has been one of the wettest Octobers that I can remember. I feel like the ground has been soggy for a month! I've been rotating between these and my rain boots, and it's not going to stop anytime soon. With socks, they're so warm and so comfortable. 


So... that's what I was loving this past month. 
What were your favorites? 

04 November 2014

0 to Christmas, Real Quick

Halloween is barely over, but the holidays are quickly approaching.
The gifts shops here at Purdue already have their Christmas trees up (not kidding), Starbucks has holiday drinks and cups, and... Burberry has done it again.


The past couple of years, Burberry has been making these holiday short films. They're the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit, which is sad and exciting at the same time. Because I'm so in love with the fashion house, I have to share.


Don't worry, no Christmas music yet...
which makes it a little more appropriate :)

Business Casual







flats // pants (old, but similar) // jacket  (similar) // scarf // watch // bracelets (old, similar)

It takes a lot for me to get dressed up for class... not because I don't love wearing cute clothes or feeling great about my outfit, but because there's just no point. I either have long days with labs where I don't want to wear nice clothes and risk spilling something or I have short days which I don't see the point in wasting a cute outfit for. 

So you see my dilemma. 

Luckily, there are those few times that I have to dress up. So I take full advantage of it and make sure to take pictures. I've been doing quite a few admissions events lately, and this weather is just so perfect when it comes to looking nice. I love flats and scarves and sweaters, and that's pretty much what I wear. Of course, I add my own flare: my pants are plaid and my accessories are patterned, but I think that's the perfect way to look professional without looking too old.