A Letter To My Awkward High School Self

Dear Awkward High School Me, You'd Be Proud Of What We've Become

We're looking past those Brazilian pants days.

Ilana Mekler
Ilana Mekler Nov 18, 2018
498
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Dear past Ilana,

When you started high school in 2007, you were frightened, a little excited, and also a bit awkward. Okay, you were a lot awkward, and you still have your moments now, but that is not the point. High School is a strange land because we're growing up, trying to find out who we are, what we want to do with our lives, where we want to go to college and it's just really overwhelming when we're trying to balance all of that with friendships, studying and extracurriculars.

You were always known as that shy girl who was always nice to people and did all of her homework on time. You definitely didn't have a problem making friends and achieving good grades in your classes. What you were missing was your confidence. It didn't help that you were a tad socially awkward, but in your defense, nobody really teaches you how to approach people, especially the ones you liked. (To all the guys I ever had a crush on that I came off weird towards, I'm so sorry, I didn't know what I was doing). You were so worried about your friendships that you weren't paying attention to how some people were treating you. Eventually, you broke off those friendships and the ones who stayed are the ones who became family to you and stayed by your side.

When you got your braces off and you finally got contacts, you felt different. Your confidence was building, you felt more grown up and beautiful. You started to dress better, too. You traded in those dreaded Brazilian pants and Abercrombie t-shirts for jeans and nicer shirts that fit better. You traded in your ratty white sneakers you wore with every outfit for sandals. You were like your own Cinderella, in a way, transforming into someone magical.

While I look back and cringe on many moments from those teenage years, I'm thankful for them because they made you who you are today. It made you grow into someone who pushed herself to get into the university you wanted to go into, to move two hours away from your family, even though you lived as an only child your entire life. You broke out of your shell and would walk up to strangers and strike up conversations. You joined organizations on campus that pushed you out of your comfort zone.

So, Ilana, even though you were shy, didn't have the best fashion sense, and maybe got made fun of one too many times, you were the one who came out on top. You figured out who you were and you would be so proud to see your future self now. Stay real.

Ilana Mekler
Ilana Mekler Nov 18, 2018
At Florida Gulf Coast University

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Let's Talk More About Lori Laughlin Facing Up To 20 Years In Prison When Brock Turner Got 6 Months

And he was released three months early for 'good behavior'... after sexually assaulting an unconscious girl behind a dumpster.

Ella Lucente
Ella Lucente Apr 23, 2019
5338
views

To start, Lori Laughlin messed up royally, and I don't condone her actions.

If you live under a rock and are unaware of what happened to the "Full House" star, here's the tea:

Lori Laughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli — and like 50 other celebrity parents — were found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud, and paid a $1 million bail on conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and honest services fraud. You don't need to know what these mean except that she paid $500,000 to get her two daughters, Bella and Olivia Jade Giannulli.

I know you're wondering why they did it — tbh I am too — however, these parents paid the University of Southern California to give admission to her daughters in through the rowing team on campus, despite neither one of them actually playing the sport ever in their life.

Yeah, Aunt Becky messed up and should face punishment, but why is she facing up 20 years when men like Brock Turner are sentenced only six months for raping an unconscious woman behind a dumpster at Stanford?

I hate to bring up the gender card, but I'm pulling it: Why is Lori Laughlin — a woman who with bad judgement who used money to give an upper-hand to her entitled daughters — face more prison time than a man who willingly raped a woman who wasn't in a right state of mine (or any at all!) behind a dumpster of all places.

The answer? Because the system is a mess.

Yeah, Aunt Becky paid for her daughters to get into a school, giving disadvantages to students actually deserving and wanting to attend a college. Her act was immoral, and ultimately selfish, but it doesn't even compare to what Brock Turner did, and it doesn't even effect others as much his rape survivor.

The most that will happen to the Giannulli girls is an expulsion and a temporary poor reputation, however, Emily Doe (the alias of the survivor) will feel the consequences of the attack forever.

There should have been a switch:

Lori Laughlin and the Target guy should have had to pay other students tuition/student debt while facing prison time, while Brock Turner should have had to face over 20 years with more consequences.

But, that'll never happen because our system sucks and society is rigged. I guess our society would prefer a rapist walking around more so a woman who made a poor choice by paying for her daughters to go to a college.

Ella Lucente
Ella Lucente Apr 23, 2019
At University of Washington

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10 Pieces Of Advice From My Parents That Have Helped Me Survive This Thing Called Life

I don't like admitting that they're right, but they've helped me through more than they'll ever know.

Colleen Finney
Colleen Finney Apr 23, 2019
246
views

As I've entered my 20s and have made it halfway through college, I've learned that life can be hard and challenging at times. Like many kids, when I was growing up, I could care less about what my parent's advice or opinions were. Nine times out of ten, I would do the complete opposite of what they said. Once I got older and actually started listening to their advice and put it into perceptive, I learned that they're right more often than I'd like to admit.

1. Don't take things for granted

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I've learned to cherish what I have because I might not always have it. It's easy to take life itself and many things it involves for granted. They've taught me to take a step back from this crazy life sometimes and be grateful for all that I have.

2. Don't be afraid to put your heart on your sleeve

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My parents have taught me that if you feel something, don't be afraid to say it or embrace it. If you love someone, then tell them. Don't be afraid to put your heart out there just because you might get hurt.

3. Be vulnerable

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In life, in relationships, in your work. Take risks, get shot down, and then try again. Being vulnerable is scary yet so powerful.

4. You can never have too many shoes

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Otherwise known as it's okay to treat yourself. Life is hard, so take care of you. If that means going on a shopping spree every once in a while, then so be it.

5. You're going to be okay

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Whatever it is you're going through, you're going through it and you're going to come out on the other side. It may seem horrible now, but you'll learn from it and be okay in the end.

6. You have to have friends in life

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It's important to have people to lean on, especially on your bad days, and to celebrate with on your good ones. You can't just have you or a significant other to rely on.

7. Never be afraid to share your opinion

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Don't be afraid to put your thoughts and opinions out there because they might be wrong. They could have a huge impact on someone or something.

8. Don't stress over things you have no control over

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Everyone is on their own path, which means everything will work out the way it's supposed to, even if it doesn't make sense right now. Again, you're going to be okay.

9. Happy, healthy, wealthy, wise

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My dad always says if you tell yourself every day that you're happy with yourself or your life, you're healthy and strong, you're wealthy in love and surrounded by great people, and you're knowledgable or wise, then you can achieve anything in life.

10.  S*** or get off the pot

pitch perfect

My all-time favorite piece of advice. Making decisions can be hard and scary, especially if the outcome could be getting hurt in the end. So, you either make a decision and roll with it no matter the outcome or you walk away.

Thanks, mom and dad for always being a phone call away when I need it! Just know that your advice and words of wisdom don't go unnoticed. For others, your parents have been on this planet much longer than you have and most likely experienced the same situations that you're dealing with. They don't have all the answers, but they are there to help.

Colleen Finney
Colleen Finney Apr 23, 2019
At University of Kentucky

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