4.0 BAC vs. 4.0 GPA, What's More Important?

4.0 BAC vs. 4.0 GPA, What's More Important?

We all have a vision of what we want our college experience to be like
Erin Sweeney
Erin Sweeney Jan 15, 2017
37
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We all hold certain expectations when entering college. Some are from the stereotypical portrayals we get from movies and TV shows and others we set for ourselves and then, of course, we have those few expectations set by our parents. No matter where they come from or what they are we all have a vision of what we want our college experience to be like and we can set the bar pretty high or low for ourselves.

1. Classroom Expectations

We all like to think that classes are going to be easier than expected and our high school study methods and habits are gonna help us breeze by these next four years just like they helped us skate by the last four.

We'll nail that 4.0 in no time without any struggle. We'll be able to share our Dean's list accomplishments on Facebook for the parents to see and be proud of. Still be able to go out and have a good time so all our friends can see we're living it up. Basically living the college dream.

Reality

Yeah well for science majors, it's not so easy and for those that do get that 4.0 and make Dean's list without any struggle and still maintain a perfectly balanced social life, workout, and have time to decompress, my hat goes off to you.

But for those whose college reality hits hard, it's not the end of the world that you don't start off your first semester perfectly because no one does. You're still figuring it out and that's okay. We all are.

2. Social Expectations

Frat houses, sports team parties, clubs, bars, hot bodysuits and heels. Crowds of friends hung around you with that perfect half dazed smile in order to share the perfect party pic on Insta so everyone can know just how cool you are. Going to Project X type parties with people jumping from stairs onto tables with the 40 second keg stands and all. You are living the college life and you want everyone to know it.

You want to be best friends with every frat, every sports team, have the biggest group of friends on campus, you want everyone to know your name. You want the comfort and size of your high school friend group within the time period of three months.

Reality

I may be the bearer of bad news but you're not going to have the perfect social life within your first semester. College is not always like the movies with you swinging from a chandelier in a frat house with everyone chanting your name. I've never seen that happen in real life, just saying.

It's okay to stay in a few weekends and have some time to yourself. It's okay to remember the night before and not have any funny or hot pictures to post just to make it look like you have an ideal social life. Forget social media and the need to have a friend group the size of Texas because you will find your truest friends in groups of 4's, 5's, 6's, even 2's.

It doesn't matter the size, surround yourself with quality people and your college experience will be the best you can imagine. Go out and have the time of your life with your new friends for life, dance on tables, shotgun a few, but don't feel the need to post your every move to make yourself feel like you have it all.

3. Workout Expectations

We all want to beat the freshman 15. We all make it our goal for college to be the time of a new "us." We're gonna basically be pro body builders by the time we finish first semester complete with a set of abs and quads and glutes of steel.

Reality

Then we realize all the amazing food at Linda's at 1 a.m. and suddenly that goal seems further and further away and the muffin top becomes more real and real. We all do it. We all get caught up in the good food and good times with our friends. And it's 100 percent okay.

That's why there are spin classes and kickboxing to work off those mac n cheese bites with your girls. Take the funny memories and the bad ones and use them as motivation to get those buns of steel and never feel bad for treating yourself.

4. Parent Expectations

I don't know about a lot of you, but my parents tell me all the time the only thing they expect is for me to "do my best." It's pretty simple if you ask me, but for some reason in my little mind I feel like I have the entire world on my shoulders and I have to do everything in my power to prove to them that I'm the best thing to ever happen to them.

Get involved in every club, hold a position in everything I do, have professors tell me how amazing I am and to pass it on to my parents, get the best grades possible, etc. Make sure I have encouraging Facebook posts so they know I'm doing okay.

Reality

But honestly the only thing most parents want for their college kid is to not get arrested, not fail out, and just do the best they can. So you may be freaking out about your parents wanting to kill you, but as long as you're putting in some effort they're not gonna be mad.

We're all on our own for the first time without them basically swimming in the open ocean without a life preserver so they'll be happy if, in the wise words of Dori, we just keep swimming.

So don't stress buttercup. Your life doesn't need to be a movie. Wake up in the morning and be thankful for the people in your life, your health, and the good things you're surrounded by whether you notice them or not. You got it pretty good even if you may not always feel like it.

College doesn't need to be like a hit reality TV show for you to be happy and enjoy yourself. Be you and be awesome.

Cover Image Credit: http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/174811/How-To-Host-Your-First-College-Party-In-Your-Apartment
Erin Sweeney
Erin Sweeney Jan 15, 2017
At Sacred Heart University

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5 Perks Of Having A Long-Distance Best Friend

The best kind of long-distance relationship.
Schlea Thomas
Schlea Thomas Jan 25, 2016
282751
views

Sometimes, people get annoyed when girls refer to multiple people as their "best friend," but they don't understand. We have different types of best friends. There's the going out together best friend, the see each other everyday best friend and the constant, low maintenance best friend.

While I'm lucky enough to have two out of the three at the same school as me, my "low maintenance" best friend goes to college six hours from Baton Rouge.

This type of friend is special because no matter how long you go without talking or seeing each other, you're always insanely close. Even though I miss her daily, having a long-distance best friend has its perks. Here are just a few of them...

1. Getting to see each other is a special event.

Sometimes when you see someone all the time, you take that person and their friendship for granted. When you don't get to see one of your favorite people very often, the times when you're together are truly appreciated.

2. You always have someone to give unbiased advice.

This person knows you best, but they probably don't know the people you're telling them about, so they can give you better advice than anyone else.

3. You always have someone to text and FaceTime.

While there may be hundreds of miles between you, they're also just a phone call away. You know they'll always be there for you even when they can't physically be there.

4. You can plan fun trips to visit each other.

When you can visit each other, you get to meet the people you've heard so much about and experience all the places they love. You get to have your own college experience and, sometimes, theirs, too.

5. You know they will always be a part of your life.

If you can survive going to school in different states, you've both proven that your friendship will last forever. You both care enough to make time for the other in the midst of exams, social events, and homework.

The long-distance best friend is a forever friend. While I wish I could see mine more, I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Cover Image Credit: Just For Laughs-Chicago
Schlea Thomas
Schlea Thomas Jan 25, 2016
At Louisiana State University

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There Is No 'Right Way' To React To A Shooting

Everyone is different.

Lisa Lilianstrom
Lisa Lilianstrom Mar 22, 2019
21
views

After the shootings this year in New Zealand, Brazil, and close to home for some of us Aurora, people have been reacting in different ways. With some offering their thoughts and prayers, donating money to help pay for the funerals of the victims, fighting for action in regards to ending gun violence, candlelight vigils basically anything that can help them in this time of grief.

There is no right or wrong way to react to a shooting — everyone grieves in their own ways. We should not judge one another for how we grieve in a tragedy.

People have been saying that thoughts and prayers won't do anything. However, maybe it can be a comfort to some people—a way to let people know that they are thinking of them and that they care.

Sometimes people may want to donate money or blood to help out any survivors who may have suffered from blood loss or create GoFundMe accounts to either help out with medical expenses or to pay for the funerals of the victims or even start charities like Islamic Relief USA. Donating your time and money is a good way to help out because you are making a difference that is a form of action you are taking.

There is also grieving in the form of vigils. One example of a vigil is this guy who makes crosses every time there is some kind of tragedy. Vigils are often a good way to remember the victims, to pray for the healing of the survivors, to talk about what they were like as people.

Some people even want to take action by demanding that the laws change a good example of this would be March for Our Lives, which happened after the Parkland shooting last year. This march was fighting for gun control or should I say changes in the gun laws America currently has.

Some people also do acts of solidarity, for example, wearing a hijab like the prime minister of New Zealand did when she went to go visit the Christchurch shooting survivors. My community college had something a couple of years ago called Hijab Day to help show solidarity with our friends. I participated, and it was quite an experience—no one should ever be afraid to be who they are.

There is never a right or wrong way to react, and no one should ever criticize one another for how they react. It's not a test where there is a right or wrong answer—everyone is different and that is okay.

No one should ever have to be afraid to go to school, go to work, or go to their place of worship or wherever they decide to go. Whatever we decide to do to make a change, as long as we are taking some kind of action, is good enough for me.

Nothing ever gets done by sitting around and doing nothing, so whatever it is you do, get out there and do it. As long as you are showing support it doesn't matter how you show it.

Lisa Lilianstrom
Lisa Lilianstrom Mar 22, 2019
At University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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