Maxed Out - by Carly

    

     At the end of the semester, the word on the tip of everyone’s tongue is stress.  Just last night I was surrounded by books and study buddies, and we were all nervous for the biology exam in the morning-7:30AM no less!  We sat there crunching numbers trying to determine the lowest possible grade we could get on the final to maintain the grades we had labored over all semester.  At two in the morning, we all finally looked at each other and just started laughing.  Those giggles turned into tears of stress, exhaustion, and pure insanity (it was 2 in the morning!).  After our outburst, we seemed to have things under control and went to bed.  About four hours later it was time to wake up and take on the day we had stressed about.  The test was not as difficult as anticipated, but was that late night studying really worth it?  Was the anxiety necessary to grasp the concepts in thirty chapters of ecology, evolution, and animal phylums? 

     It is now one in the afternoon, my test is complete, and I have arrived home, for Elizabethtown is only an hour from my town.  I’m lying in my backyard sipping on a Capri Sun and soaking up the long anticipated rays of summer.  So was it worth it?  I can honestly say that the late night cram session was not worth it.  One exam is not going to determine the success of my future, but it can ruin life’s precious moments.  I missed out on my last night with my new family all for a test.  My mind was maxed out with endless vocabulary and concepts.  I wish it had been maxed out with the love of my friends and one last night of adventure. 

     Every day I try to remind myself of the truly important things in life, and an exam is not at the top of the list!  It is so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day rhythms of life, but taking a minute to soak up the beauty around you makes things just a little bit sweeter.  To everyone stressed out with the busy weeks of spring time, remember that it all works out in the end.  You will survive and come out stronger than before.  Stay strong, and enjoy each day, for it is truly a special gift.


 Carly Henry is a college freshman at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania majoring in biochemistry with a minor is business. Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Carly was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania for 2012. Learn more about Carly here!

Sweet Leadership - by Carly

 

Scholarship, leadership, and talent are the three platforms that truly define Distinguished Young Women.  These three words define what the program is about, but after the program I knew I wanted to be able to continue living by these principles.  Sure, continuing to pursue my love of violin and being a good student would easily fulfill scholarship and talent, but where would being a leader fit in?  The answer to this question came quickly when I found an organization on campus called the Office of Student Activities.  Within this organization is a branch called S.W.E.E.T. (Students Working to Entertain E-Town).  S.W.E.E.T. plans all kinds of on-campus events and trips for students to attend.  I began working as a programmer this past semester, which was the perfect opportunity to get involved.  A week ago, the position of S.W.E.E.T. coordinator opened up, and I decided to apply!  The coordinator oversees the entire S.W.E.E.T. branch and serves on the leadership team for the Office of Student Activities.  I was the youngest person to ever interview for coordinator, but I thought I would give it a try!  An application and interview later, I had the job! 

                Being so young, I had my qualms about taking on such a big leadership role, so I spoke to my advisor about what would happen in the next year.  She started by saying that being a leader is easy.  Now, some would say that being a leader is one of the hardest things you can do!  But, when you break it down, all a leader has to do is what they say they’ll do.  A leader does not have to be extremely intelligent or creative; they just need some courage and strong will power to stand by the promises they make.  A leader does not need to be in the spotlight; in fact, some of the best leaders put their followers in the spotlight and humbly reside in the background.  A leader is true to themselves and self reflects on their actions constantly.  The most powerful wisdom that my advisor had to share was that you do not have to be “in charge” to lead.  Just because you do not hold the highest title of them all, does not decrease your ability to positively influence those around you. 

                When it comes down to it, leadership is the easiest of the three principles of Distinguished Young Women.  I thought that I needed to start all over and find a new group to lead in school to still be a leader.  But I have come to the realization that I have always been in a capacity to lead.  Just being human makes you capable of leading your peers.  Every day is your opportunity to step up to the plate and be the example.  After all, leadership is easy.

 

Carly Henry is a college freshman at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania majoring in biochemistry with a minor is business. Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Carly was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania for 2012. Learn more about Carly here!

 

It’s Just a Letter - by Carly

We've all heard people say that size is just a number.  Well, when you get back an exam, that little mark at the top of the page is just a letter.  It is so easy to get hung up on that one red letter at the top of a paper or test!  But, I am here to reassure you that your life does not depend on one grade. 

I am living with all of the honors students at school this year; so, when exams role around, everyone gets a little antsy.  Non-honors students do not seem to stress about one exam, but the honors students act as if their lives depend on it!  I myself used to stress about each and every test, but I’ve realized that it is not worth the anxiety.

Sure, it is VERY important to do well in school.  Solid grades help you get into college and graduate school.  But, learning valuable skills in school is even more important!  When you enter the real world, your employer will not care if you can ace an exam.   They will want an employee who can be personable, organized, and hardworking (the list goes on and on, but “excellent test taker” does not top the list!).

A few blog posts ago I talked about my professor who encouraged me to go on an adventure and explore the world around me.  If you are too busy stressing about grades, those experiences will fly right past your nose.  Whether it be a new friendship, networking opportunity, or an internship, you can’t let an obsession with grades blind you from what is really important.  

I encourage everyone to keep working hard and studying, of course!  When that test is placed in front of you, take a deep breath and know that you can handle it!  After that huge term paper or midterm, treat yourself to some “me” time.  Why stress about each and every question that you may or may not have done incorrectly?  One assessment will not determine your success!  Take a look around and find the big picture happening around you.  You may be surprised to find that those little red letters are out of sight in the grand scheme of things.


 Carly Henry is a college freshman at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania majoring in biochemistry with a minor is business. Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Carly was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania for 2012. Learn more about Carly here!

Home - by Carly

Home

Six months ago I left my childhood home.  Those first few weeks I was a little homesick, but then things began to change.  After a semester and a half of college, I no longer became homesick; because I am already home here at school.  Now, the house on Ironstone Hill Road that I grew up in is still my home, but I have a new one as well.  For, I have learned at least one thing from my college education—home is where your heart is.  It is a total cliché, but it is the truth!  I have discovered that home is not a house or a college; home is a million and one different things!  Here are some conclusions about what I now understand home to be:

A) Home is where you feel safe.  If I’m looking for some safety, I travel to my safe haven on top of a horse.  Believe it or not, having 1,000 pounds of animal beneath you can be pretty calming.  Since I learned to walk, horses have been my home away from home.  

B) Home is wherever your bunch of crazies are (quote from Pinterest!).  We all have those crazy friends—those are your bunch of crazies!  As long as I have one of them by my side, I can conquer the world.  The same goes for my family.  They are a little quirky, but I love them dearly.  Without those crazies life would be dull.  I like to keep my friends and family close by because then I always feel at home.

C) Home is where your soul can smile.  I was raised in a lush valley in Pennsylvania, so rolling pastures, green forests, and starry nights put my soul at ease.  No matter where my life will take me, Pennsylvania will always hold a special place in my heart.

Home is a word that holds so much meaning for each individual.  Learning to make everywhere you travel a little bit like home, will make you beam from inside out.  Coming to college has taught me to roll out the welcome mat in each and every new place.  Because of this, I now look fearlessly into the future with high hopes of adventure because home will travel wherever I go. 

 Carly Henry is a college freshman at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania majoring in biochemistry with a minor is business. Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Carly was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania for 2012. Learn more about Carly here!

Ticking Time - by Carly

We are all familiar with those deadlines that seem to haunt us in our sleep.  Deadlines for papers, tests, applications—I could show you a list of about fifty that I already have on my calendar for this semester!  The big deadlines, though, like graduating, grad school, and getting a job inch towards us with each passing day.  When I came to school, these big life deadlines seemed to become amplified.  Everyone seemed to have a plan for their future, and I thought I did as well.   However, these goals seemed to set up a concrete timeline for the rest of my life.  I would get my biochemistry degree, go to medical school, enter a residency, start a family sometime in there, and, oh, I can’t forget to be happy while I’m losing my mind trying to accomplish all of this!  As a college freshman with dreams as big as the sky, reality hit this past semester.  Would I be able to live a fulfilling life on my path to the clouds?  It always feels like there are never enough minutes left on the perpetual clock we call life. 

However, I was talking to my organic chemistry professor the other day about where I was headed in a few years.  I immediately started spouting off the timeline I have had constructed for years, and reluctantly ended by telling him I was becoming unsure if I could really do it all.  He looked at me with a sarcastic smile and asked why I was in such a hurry.  His question took me by surprise.  No professor or adult had ever questioned my plan!  In fact, I was usually commended for being “so prepared.” He went on to pass on some valuable wisdom I will remember forever.  He said to just live for the experiences, and go into the world seeking adventure.  It was just time, and in the end it would all work itself out.  Time will keep ticking away, but it is about doing what you love because that will lead you down the right path.  I left that meeting, and for the first time all year, I noticed a nice bench on the academic quad.  The sun was shining for the first time in days, and I decided my study session in the library could wait. 

I want to pass on this message to all of you.  Whenever it seems like life is getting to be too much to handle, I encourage you to take a look around.  Try not to get bogged down by deadlines, because in the end, you will arrive wherever you are meant to whenever you are meant to.  Go on an adventure, experience something new, and maybe even take a seat on a bench. 

Carly Henry is a college freshman at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania majoring in biochemistry with a minor is business. Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Carly was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania for 2012. Learn more about Carly here!

Cyber Snapshot at Life - by Carly

Most of us spend excessive time on the internet.  However, most of my time is spent on one website, Pinterest!  This nifty little website offers a sneak peak at all the things I like, whether it is clothes, recipes, or quotes.  Every night over Christmas break my mom, sister, and I all sit in our basement with iPhones or laptops in hand, and we explore the different pages of this spectacular site!  For those of you not familiar with Pinterest, it is like a virtual bulletin board that allows you to “pin” things you find on the internet or “repin” other things pinned by people onto different boards.  The site sorts pins in all kinds of categories, from weddings to humor.  My favorite pins are about fashion, workouts, home décor, and wedding plans.  For me, it is like window shopping and future planning all in one!  Another cool thing, is that you can follow your friends on Pinterest, see what they pin, and then repin their posts on your own boards.  My mom is by far the follower who repins the most!  Let me show you some of my most recent pins…

Fun necklace charms that represent different organic compounds—I’m a biochemistry major, so I think these are pretty awesome!

Blueberry, coconut breakfast cookies!  They’re vegan too!

The cutest puppy I’ve ever seen!  It is a cockalier spaniel (Cocker Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles, and Poodle)!

My DREAM closet!

Sperry boots that I wish were in my closet right now!

And finally some encouraging words to bring in the New Year!

Pinterest is full of all kinds of things for everyone.  Whatever you are looking for, guaranteed it is on Pinterest.  Whenever I want a new recipe or a craft to do, Pinterest is there to offer some ideas.  If you don’t have a Pinterest, then I encourage you to sign up!  It offers endless hours of entertainment.  If you already have a Pinterest, look me up!  All of my pins paint a picture of what my dream home looks like, crafts for a rainy day, an exquisite wardrobe, and recipes to warm your belly.  Pinterest is there to offer all kinds of inspiration to celebrate the start to a brand new year!  Happy Pinning!

Carly Henry is a college freshman at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania majoring in biochemistry with a minor is business. Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Carly was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania for 2012. Learn more about Carly here!