Don’t Make Me Count to Three….

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The Winter season is fully upon us, as we’re quickly approaching Winter break.

My motivation is at an all-time low, and the idea of getting out of bed to walk to class, ESPECIALLY in the snow, is torture.

Here are some tips and tricks I’ve found to stay motivated ahead of finals.

  1. Wake up at a consistent time (helps give your body a consistent schedule)
  2. Give yourself things to look forward to (rewards are such an important part of our brain’s motivation pathway, and you deserve things for working so hard).
  3. Sleep enough and often (the only way things will get into your memory, PLUS it will give you motivation to get up and go to class!)
  4. Eat and drink plenty (pretty self-explanatory, but in order to be your best self, you have to nourish your body).
  5. Mix fun in with work (take breaks, do things with friends, enjoy life!)

I believe in us.

As always, #GOHAWKS and stay warm 🙂

Sophia

 

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How I’ve Built Community as A Freshmen

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I think one of my greatest fears as a freshman was that I wasn’t going to have any friends.

Actually, I know it was. I remember crying to my Mom about it the night before I left for school.

The transition and change can be so scary, so uncertain, especially if Iowa isn’t your hometown or state.

I’m here to assure you that building community is possible and easier than you think.

Here’s how I did it.

  1. Be outgoing during welcome week! Make friends with everyone you can. The friendships won’t ALL stay, but some definitely will!
  2. Knock on people’s doors/keep your door open during move-in! Everyone is SO friendly, 10/10 recommend.
  3. Join clubs, organizations, or any sort of group! Helps build friendships around shared interests.
  4. Talk to people in class 🙂

Iowa has a great community of people, and there are people for everyone.

Love,

Sophia

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Don’t Turkey Out

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Hello Hawkeyes!

As I’m writing this, it’s currently the Sunday before our last week of classes until Fall break.

One more week, or really 5 days at most.
Here’s your reminder, from one burnt-out student to another.

Don’t give up just yet.

You can still make it through the week, and it’s important to give it that one final push. That one last exam or two, quiz, or paper.

I have faith we can make it.

Best of luck,

Sophia

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Talk Dirty to Me (Not Actually): Keeping the Dorm Clean

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I think one of the biggest stressors my mom had before moving me into school was my ability to keep my space and the shared dorm clean.

To make things clear, I am not a dirty person in general. Messy? Sure. But I think everyone can be.

Nonetheless, I heard her concerns and was grateful when she took me shopping for cleaning supplies.

Living on your own is a lot different than living in a house where your parents probably do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of chores and cleaning.

Here are some of (what I think to be) the key cleaning essentials for the dorm:

  1. Bleach wipes: they’re so multi-purpose and good for bacteria, get them.
  2. Dust spray/glass cleaner: the room gets dustier than you think! Also, if you have mirrors, you’ll want to clean them.
  3. A vacuum/or broom: Especially for rugs. If a hard floor is more your style, a broom is the way to go.
  4. Tide pen!: This is so important, and I have used it all the time. Stains for clothes pop up way more than you’d expect.

Obviously, there is much more, depending on your living situation, and what you and your roommate(s) decide. But I hope you found these tips to be helpful.

As always, Go Hawks!

Sophia

 

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My Favorite Ways to Treat Myself During Midterms

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Midterms are here, and I know I’ve been feeling the weight of them.

Studying, taking tests, getting scores back, just to repeat the process every week, if not every day.

Exhausting.

Here are some of my favorite ways I like to treat myself during this time!

  1. Yotopia – Go get some froyo by yourself or with friends!
  2. Eat out at your favorite restaurant or fast-food chain around campus.
  3. Go shopping! Take a bus to the Coralville Mall.
  4.  Take a nap! Super simple, but always a good choice.
  5. Do something you enjoy for a study break, you deserve it 🙂

Even Hawkeyes need a break sometimes. Make sure you take care of both your physical and mental well-being.

Lots of love,
Sophia

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Studying With a Heavy Heart

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How do you study with a heavy heart?

The duality of college life, and how total our experience of living here is, means that life doesn’t slow down for you – even when you need it to.

Your classes don’t come to a halt when you have a bad day.

Or when you’re going through a breakup.

And the attendance policy certainly doesn’t care that homesickness feels more like heartache.

But there are ways to go about navigating this feeling, so let’s talk about it.

The most important part of your entire life, and entire experience here, should be you.

Full stop.

If you are going through a mental health crisis or a hard time, and it’s not getting easier.

Reach out to University Counseling, take a nap, take a warm shower, treat yourself to a meal outside of campus dining, call your parents, skip a class if you need it, or reach out for help.

Everyone here wants the best for you; everybody knows struggle in some shape or another. There is no shame in being vulnerable, especially during a hard time.

Take care of yourself, because you only have one you.

Lots of love,
and know that I’m right here with you,
Sophia

 

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Mom, I’m Sick

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It happens to the very best of us. No matter how much we try to avoid it, or how frequently you wash your hands, EVEN if you cover your mouth when someone coughs in a lecture.

Everybody gets sick.

So, what do you do now?

You’re away from home. You don’t have your parents to look after you, to go get medications. It can be hard. But it’s important to not let yourself be overwhelmed or too sad.

My best advice as someone currently in revival from the infamous dorm bug is to prepare in ADVANCE. Get basic medications (DayQuil, NyQuil, Advil, Cough Drops) prior to when you need them. And do the same for foods that you can make in your dorm! No one wants to stumble down to the dining hall for every meal when they can’t even hear themselves think.

Take a warm shower, call your parents, go to sleep, it’s going to be okay.

Rest up, Hawkeyes, the semester has just begun…

Sending health,
Sophia

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The World Doesn’t Hate You, It’s Just After 9PM

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Give yourself some grace.

In the simplest terms, that’s what I’m here to tell you.

College in itself is inherently such an anxiety-provoking experience, and it can feel isolating and overwhelming for many people, including me.

But if you’re having one of those days, or nights in particular, where it just feels like everything is going wrong. Maybe you have 5 assignments due, or you feel like everyone is making friends easier than you are. Or maybe you just liked how you looked better last week versus this one.

I want you to take a deep breath, go take a warm shower, get some food, put on a show or something you like to watch, and let that breath go. Because it’s really, truly, going to be okay.

Nothing is ever as scary or detrimental as it seems to be when you’re staring at your ceiling at 2 am. So don’t let the 9 pm scaries get to you. We’re all doing the best we can, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Lots of love,
Sophia

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