1. Trust Has Never Been Stronger
GiphyBeing in a long distance relationship means trusting each other, even when you don't always know what the other one is doing. Trust is essential and will bring you closer together even across distance. You have no other choice but to trust each other wholeheartedly and this is beneficial to any relationship.
2. There Is Always Something To Talk About
GiphyNot being together all hours of the day works out for you in this case and makes for some of the best conversations in the world. There's nothing better than conversing for hours about each others days and ranting about the most random things imaginable. At the end of a long day, you always have someone to vent your heart out to even when it means no sleep for either of you.
3. You Experience The Best Of Both Worlds
GiphyYou get to experience all the wonderful perks of being in a relationship while also being able to do your own thing. You are both apart of each other's worlds and that makes the experience all the better. It's a great feeling when you both genuinely care about each other and are able to share your best times and your worst times.
4. You Will Become Stronger
GiphyDistance creates obstacles in the sense that you won't always have the immediate support of your significant other when something goes wrong. Even though you want a shoulder to cry on, sometimes you won't always have that. However, through this, you will be able to learn to deal with problems on your own more effectively and make the most out of what you have. When the time does come when you finally do close the distance, you'll both be the strongest versions of yourselves, making for an even stronger relationship.
5. Technology Is Always On Your Side
GiphyWith modern technology, long distance relationships don't involve writing letters or patiently waiting by the landline every time you want to talk. Now no matter where you are, your loved one is only a call, text, email, Snapchat, FaceTime, or Skype away and being in long distance relationship has never been more convenient.
6. Care Packages
GiphyNeed I say more? Whether it be a box full of your favorite snacks or a hoodie that smells just like your S/O, there is nothing better than receiving something in the mail meant for you. There's something that's just so romantic about love letters in the mail and knowing your love spans over the farthest distances. Care packages are just one of the many ways to show your affection for each other.
7. That Moment When You Finally See Them
GiphyYou may find yourself counting the months, weeks, days, minutes and sometimes even seconds until you can see your significant other again. When you finally see them again nothing else in the world matters and it's one of the best feelings in the world. To finally spend time with them again after so long may feel weird at first but after a few minutes, it's as if you've never been apart. While you're together you make every second together count because you both know how fast time flies.
8. In The End You Can Say You Made It
GiphyWhen you finally close the distance gap, you can both genuinely say you've been through it all. Nothing puts a relationship more to the test than distance, and now that you're finally together you know you can make it through anything.
1. Take A Hot Shower
A simple solution that works for many: the hot shower. Taking a hot shower relaxes your muscles and your mind, almost as if you can feel the stress fading away. A shower is effective, but if it's not for you, there are many other ways to de-stress.
2. Go For A Walk
Getting outside to nature and away from everything that is getting you down helps give you a new perspective and allows you to forget about life for a moment. When you return, you return with a new attitude and are more relaxed.
3. Make A List
Making a to-do list can help you organize everything you need to do and make it more manageable, so all that information in your brain can be let go. Without having to keep remembering each specific task, you will feel more free, and paired with the satisfying feeling of crossing off items as you go, you feel much better.
4. Play Some Relaxing Music
Music is another great de-stressor, even when played in the background. I have found that any sort of music, especially calm music, helps me stay on track and keeps me motivated to do my work, while keeping me from getting exceedingly stressed.
5. Swap Coffee Or Another Drink For Water
There are a lot of coffee enthusiasts out there. And energy drink enthusiasts, too, among others. But both of those drinks are stimulants and can contribute to your stressful and overwhelming feelings. Water, on the other hand, has a serene quality and is also good for you.
6. Take A Short Break
My personal favorite solution, a break. A short 5-10 minute break can be effective in taking your mind of a difficult task and helping you relax. Take a minute to stand up, walk around, drink water and come back with a fresh mind. Be careful not to let this turn into procrastination, though.
7. Meditation
I honestly do not like meditation, but it is an effective method of managing stress for many. Deep breathing paired with an empty mind can help for managing any emotion, not just stress. However, meditation is not for everyone.
8. Watch Funny GIFs
Watching funny GIFs is great way of shifting your focus for a moment. Take a moment and laugh out loud, another method of de-stressing. I recommend animals and babies especially for funny GIFs; they contain the best material for laughter.
We all have different paths
GiphyIt will take different amounts of time and energy to follow your own path.
Always be yourself
GiphyIf you don't, you will be too busy trying to keep up with all your lies instead of having fun.
Know what you see on social media
GiphyIs not how it is 100% of the time. They are only showing the good parts of their lives.
Happiness is not a place
GiphyIt comes from within you. Don't keep saying "I'll be happy when I get this job.". Be happy with what you have and then you will be happy for the rest of your life.
1. "You're going into a dying industry. Who even reads the paper anymore?"
This is most definitely the number one thing that all journalism majors hear, and while it is partially true, there are multiple outlets where journalists can have careers. While many people are not reading print newspapers as much as they used to, there is still TV journalism, radio journalism, magazine journalism, social media, and online publications. The news is news, and people consume news every day, whether it's from a notification they get on their phone or by watching the evening news at night.
It's not a dying industry because there will always be news. It's that simple. Actually, according to data from The Pew Research Center, "In the U.S., roughly nine-in-ten adults (93%) get at least some news online (either via mobile or desktop), and the online space has become a host for the digital homes of both legacy news outlets and new, 'born on the web' news outlets." This data shows that news through digital media is very popular and the industry isn't dying, it's just changing.
"Not everyone will understand your journey. That's okay. You're here to live your life, not to make everyone understand."
2. "Journalism is such an easy major. Try being a STEM major."
College is hard, no matter what major you're studying. While it may not be operating on a human being, it's a different path that still requires knowledge and steps. There are many paths within journalism, including sports journalism and investigative journalism. Imagine memorizing ALL of the rules that go into various sports, or constantly trying to find out what people don't want you to find out. These various tasks can be quite difficult. Imagine having to build relationships with all of your sources, where they have to trust you enough to tell you the information that you're looking for. It doesn't come easy, and sometimes sources never even get back to you.
In addition, the AP Stylebook becomes your best friend, and you pretty much have to have all of the rules drilled into your head. Lynn O'Shaughnessy, a columnist for CBS MoneyWatch, said on her column, "Journalism is alive and kicking, it just looks different." It's a great major to major in, and it does come with its difficulties.
3. "You're going to make no money as a journalist."
Now, while a journalist may not be on the list of the highest paying jobs, it's not terrible, either. Journalists don't get into the profession for the money, they get into it for the passion, hoping that they do become big and earn an amazing living. The average pay for journalists also ranges, depending on what type of journalist you are and how high you are on the ladder.
According to PayScale, journalists make an average yearly salary of $39,396, and it can range from $24,181 to $72,302. These numbers are enough to make a living and enough to be happy, and in the end, it's not all about how much money you make, it's about doing what you love. Add a Pulitzer Prize or two and you'll be making even more money. The bigger you get, the more money you make, so it's about always pushing yourself up the ladder. Journalists do make money, just maybe not as much as a surgeon does.
4. "Anyone can do what you're doing."
Oh, really? Can anyone be bold enough to try to uncover what people want to be hidden? No. It takes the curious and the passionate to do so. Tasks that journalist carry out are researching to create news articles, looking for articles that are relevant and will grip the audience's attention, pitch story ideas to management prior to the research being carried out, looking for leads by gathering tips and by looking at what other news outlets have published, and carrying out interviews to make the news stories more relevant.
Securing an interview can end up being difficult, and it can require some persuasion for people to agree to be a part of an interview. Sources who you are reaching out to may also not always respond as quickly as you need them to or simply just never get back to you. Deadlines are also a major part of journalism, which can be very stressful.
Lastly, all content needs to be put together in a coherent and gripping manner. Overall, there are many responsibilities that come with being a journalist, and it's not for everybody. Not everybody can do it, otherwise, it would be easy.
5. "Interview me since I'm your friend."
In the world of journalism, you're not supposed to interview your friends. It pretty much goes against the rules. While it does happen, this can be seen as a form of bias or a form of ruining the independence. All journalists should make sure to remain independent when writing an article, making sure they have nothing to gain.
According to the Ethical Journalism Network, journalists can "sometimes create cozy relations that are ambiguous and can easily undermine the ethical base of their work. Powerful sources have their own agenda and accepting what they say without question crosses an ethical line and compromises newsroom independence." The job of journalists is to get the information they need, not to get too cozy or comfortable with your source.
6. "Your finals must be so easy."
Not true at all. All finals are hard because you have to study, memorize things, and drill things into your head. A final is an exam that usually tests you on EVERYTHING you learned in the semester, therefore it's on a lot of information, no matter the subject. Journalism finals so far have consisted of a LOT of writing and knowing the rules that go into journalism. While there aren't any questions surrounding the topics of math and science, it's a lot about critical thinking, observing, and analyzing. Finals are finals.
7. "So you want to work in a cubicle all of your life?"
Personally, I love office spaces. I love cubicles. There are many things to love about cubicles including the space to brainstorm, learning how to stay organized, the energy of the cubicle environment, the social aspect, and the opportunity to decorate. Newsrooms overall can be a thrilling environment, especially when there is a breaking story or investigation.
Every person that majors in journalism won't end up in a cubicle, as there are many other routes. It's just the stereotype that is portrayed in TV shows and movies. TV broadcasters work at a TV studio, sportswriters will work at the sports desk, editors of newspapers end up having their own office, and many times journalists are on assignment or in the field reporting. It can range, but either way, if you're going into journalism, you pretty much have an idea of where you're going to work in terms of space. So, trust me, we are aware.
8. "You're going to be a contributor to fake news."
While fake news is a thing, journalists are taught to fight against it. News literacy is the basic component that all journalists need to learn because our goal is to put out information and articles that are both reliable and verified. There are three defining attributes of reliable news: verification, independence, and accountability, as taught in the News Literacy class at Stony Brook University.
Verification is the process of establishing or confirming the accuracy or truth of something. Independence means the news source has freedom from the control, influence, or support of interested parties, coupled with a conscious effort to set aside any preexisting beliefs and a system of checks and balances. Accountability is when journalists stand behind their work with bylines that both identify the reporter and often contain an email link. Journalists develop their accountability by always providing the truth and correcting their mistakes if they have made any.
"Journalism organizations generally recognize this principle of accountability by admitting mistakes and correcting them promptly, as called for in SPJ's Code of Ethics," said the Society of Professional Journalists in an ethics position paper. Overall, journalists should strive to verify, be independent, and be accountable in order to be considered reliable. You won't be a contributor to fake news if you make sure to abide by journalistic rules and ethics.
9. "You're not going to have any time for a family."
What about a surgeon? Will they have all of the time in the world for a family? Probably not, but they are still going to try to make it happen. If you truly want something, you'll eventually get it, with hard work and dedication. However, according to a survey conducted by Hold the Front Page, most journalists are working longer hours than stipulated in their contracts. While it is true that many journalists end up working hours beyond their contract, it isn't always the case. There's a time for everything, so if you truly want a family, journalists can also have them.
10. "Your major doesn't mean as much as mine."
What did you say? When people say this, say all of the reasons above, because journalism is truly important and means something. Being a journalist has so many great aspects, including being able to travel the world, the opportunity of meeting big names and celebrities, getting paid to meet interesting people, getting paid to read and research a lot, and you're always learning.
According to MediaGuide, "The most important function of journalism is to convey information. Conveying information is an important part of the democratic decision-making system, as it brings transparency into society and for its part makes sure that the made decisions go along with the people's sense of justice." For those that still do not agree that journalism and the job of journalists are important, "thank u, next."
'Friends' is extremely relatable!
GiphyFrom relationships to finding jobs, each episode of 'Friends' teaches us life lessons even through a comedic way!
Reaches the audience of all ages
Giphy"Friends" reaches the audience of many people in their twenties but as well as younger and older crowds. There is a lot of lessons and life relatable events to relate to for a variety of ages. Relationship struggles, getting fired from a job, starting a family, joining a book club, etc.
The classic theme song
GiphyThe theme song is so catchy and you know every word and makes you want to go jump in a fountain with a bunch of your friends!
It never gets old!
GiphyNo matter how many times you binge watch "Friends" it never gets old even if you watch it every day!
No show compares!
Giphy"Friends" is one of the most watched shows out there, there is not a show that comes close to comparison with "Friends" and its characters.
Uproar of the fans!
GiphyThe backlash Netflix received from the "Friends" fan base when they announced they would not be renewing the show. Renewing it was obviously the only way to wash out that storm from the fans!
Number of viewers
GiphyIf Netflix went through with taking down "Friends" they would have lost a huge portion of their viewing base, there are so many "Friends" fans out there that watch it every day. Taking the show off Netflix would have harmed Netflix instead of benefiting Netflix.
Even 24 years later it is still a big hit!
Giphy"Friends" fan base grows each new year and still is growing all the time. Even after 24 years of being on television, it is still one of the biggest hits! Drawing in audiences from all around!
The characters!
GiphyLets face it our life's would not be complete without characters like Joey or Candler to make us laugh everyday!
Even years later it still has one of the biggest fan bases and still has relatable content within the show to reach viewers of all ages and backgrounds! Life would not be the same without this show, Netflix made the best choice by renewing "Friends" for another year!
