You NEED To Be Pumped Up At The Halfway Point In The Semester

You NEED To Be Pumped Up At The Halfway Point In The Semester

I feel ya, 100%.

Victoria Tarkington
Victoria Tarkington Oct 31, 2018
7
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It is halfway through the fall semester. Normally this would be a time for celebration because you're that much closer to Christmas. And while you're definitely excited about the impending break, you're also just plain wore out because let's face it-this is the time of the semester that really sucks.

You're burnt out on school. You're tired of feeling stressed. You dream of a world where you have people waiting on your every need and you have no responsibilities that resemble schoolwork. Let me tell you-I feel you. I am right there with you. So here is the pump-up you need to finish the semester strong.

First of all, let me just say that I realize I live in a country where education is not only a privilege, it's almost expected of you. I know I am so incredibly lucky to be able to attend college, but that doesn't mean that it isn't stressful. But y'all, we can do this. Remember how you felt those first few days of school? How excited and ready to take on the semester you were? You can restore those feelings. Those feelings are good feelings. And here's how you're going to do it.

Don't do this by scaring yourself. Don't tell yourself that you better get it together or else you have no future. Instead, remind yourself how excited you are about that future and how succeeding in said class(es) will increase the likelihood of that dream coming to fruition. Reward yourself when you do well on a test by watching a Netflix episode, getting a manicure, or going out one night. Have the mentality that you can and you will succeed in the tough classes (and the easier ones too for that matter). These positive thoughts will pay off in the long run.

So I know you are all wishing your worries and struggles away at this point in the semester, but I promise you that the work you put in now will pay off in huge dividends later on down the road. When you see that letter grade that is higher than the one you were shooting for. When you receive a scholarship that is possible due to the grade point average you now have as a result of doing well in that class. So do well, my fellow students. School is difficult, stressful, challenging, and intimidating all rolled into one. But if you keep on pushing, even at this point in the semester, it is so worth it in the end. Keep fighting my fellow students. Your future self with your dream job will thank you.

Victoria Tarkington
Victoria Tarkington Oct 31, 2018
At University of Arkansas

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For Camille, With Love

To my godmother, my second mom, my rooted confidence, my support

Haiden VanDerlaske
Haiden VanDerlaske Feb 15, 2019
950
views

First grade, March. It was my first birthday without my mom. You through a huge party for me, a sleepover with friends from school. It included dress up games and making pizza and Disney trivia. You, along with help from my grandma, threw me the best birthday party a 7-year-old could possibly want.

During elementary school, I carpooled with you and a few of the neighborhood kids. I was always the last one to be dropped off, sometimes you would sneak a donut for me. Living next door to you was a blessing. You helped me with everything. In second grade, you helped me rehearse lines for history day so I could get extra credit. In 4th grade, you helped me build my California mission.

You and your sister came out to my 6th grade "graduation". You bought me balloons and made me feel as if moving onto middle school was the coolest thing in the entire world.

While you moved away from next door, you were a constant in my life. Going to Ruby's Diner for my birthday, seeing movies at the Irvine Spectrum and just hanging out, I saw you all the time. During these times, you told me about all of the silly things you did with my mom and dad, how my mom was your best friend. I couldn't have had a greater godmother.

In middle school, you pushed me to do my best and to enroll in honors. You helped me through puberty and the awkward stages of being a woman.

Every single time I saw you, it would light up my entire day, my week. You were more than my godmother, you were my second mom. You understood things that my grandma didn't.

When you married John, you included me in your wedding. I still have that picture of you, Jessica, Aaron and myself on my wall at college. I was so happy for you.

Freshmen year of high school, you told me to do my best. I did my best because of you. When my grandma passed away that year, your shoulder was the one I wanted to cry on.

You were there when I needed to escape home. You understood me when I thought no one would. You helped me learn to drive, letting me drive all the way from San Clemente to Orange.

When I was applying to colleges, you encouraged me to spread my wings and fly. You told me I should explore, get out of California. I wanted to study in London, you told me to do it. That's why, when I study abroad this Spring in London, I will do it for you.

When I had gotten into UWT, you told me to go there. I did and here I am, succeeding and living my best in Tacoma. I do it for you, because of you.

When I graduated high school and I was able to deliver a speech during our baccalaureate, you cheered me on. You recorded it for me, so I could show people who weren't able to make it to the ceremony. You were one of the few people able to come to my actual graduation. You helped me celebrate the accomplishments and awards from my hard work.

When your cancer came back, I was so worried. I was afraid for you, I was afraid of what I would do without the support you had always given me. When I was in Rome, I went to the Vatican and had gotten a Cross with a purple gem in the middle blessed by the Pope to help you with your treatments. It was something from me and a little bit of my mom in the necklace, the gem.

Now, sitting so far from you away at college just like you wanted me to. I miss you. I wish I was there to say goodbye.

I'll travel the world for you, write lots of stories and books for you, I will live life to the fullest for you.

You are another angel taken too early in life. Please say hello to my parents and grandma in Heaven for me.

Lots of love,

Haiden

Haiden VanDerlaske
Haiden VanDerlaske Feb 15, 2019
At University of Washington

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Hey ECU, We Really Need Some More Parking, But Sure, Go Ahead And Spend The Money On ANOTHER Student Center

Seriously, who decides what our tuition should be spent on?

Lily Philbrook
Lily Philbrook Feb 15, 2019
54
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I get the "I'm here" text, and I bound down the stairs and plop myself into my friend's car. "Where can I park?" Craning my neck to search for an empty spot, I reply, "Wherever you see an open spot. This is war." We spend the first 15 minutes of our visit together driving around, waiting for those blessed white lights to signal someone leaving.

Later on that night, my friend mentions they're hungry. I hype them up to go to the new student center, given all the options. "Should we drive to it?"

I laugh, "And give up our spot?" We pull up the bus schedule and wait for the next one.

While munching on Canes' chicken, we sit and talk. "This place is HUGE." I shrug, and then they ask, "You don't like it?" I sigh and proceed to tell them what I'm about to tell you.

I love the student center. It's cool. A nice place to do homework, and it does give more options for food. But I remind my friend about our parking ordeal. "We need more parking but… Did they spend our money to build this instead? We didn't NEED this."

This may not seem like a big deal, but this isn't the only problem students have on campus.

We are shocked when we have hot showers. We are paying literal thousands to be here, and yet hot showers is a treat. Isn't that kind of a basic expectation?

There are about 400 students living in my residence hall, but we only have about 16 clothes washers and dryers. People won't move their stuff in a timely manner, so we have to wait (or some people just take your clothes out).

My friend is having to go on the "Elimination Diet", due to the fact that she constantly breaks out into heat rashes all the time, which may actually be allergic reactions to some food she's eating. But how can she even maintain this when the dining halls really offer no healthy food options?

Buses are continuously overcrowded. But we will see buses continuing routes, with the words "NOT IN SERVICE". People stand around and wait for the next one.

When walking to the library from my dorm (because the bus is overcrowded), I can spot an unfinished, unnecessary sidewalk that ends in the middle of… nowhere. They took the time and resources to build a sidewalk with no purpose.

I'm not trying to complain. I'm trying to bring attention. We have a new student center, but we can't have hot showers?

I feel like things need to be re-prioritized.

Lily Philbrook
Lily Philbrook Feb 15, 2019
At East Carolina University

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