5 Steps to Finding Your Personal Political Views - by Hannah

With so much going on in the media surrounding the upcoming political election, I feel that young people—especially juniors and seniors in high school—should begin forming their OWN political opinions.  If you are 17 or 18, it will be time to register to vote soon, and if you are voting, you should know about whom you are voting for and why you are voting for them!  Many young people don’t know their own political views and will sometimes simply vote for someone based on another’s opinion (ex. Parents, teachers, etc.).

 
So…. It’s time to figure out your own opinions!

Step 1: Start watching the news.

I recommend watching Fox AND CNN to get both sides of the story.

Step 2: Do a little research on who is running in the election. Learn their qualifications, views, etc.

Step 3: DO ask for others’ opinions!  

Just don’t base your thoughts completely off of someone else’s.

Step 4: Know that you DON’T have to be in a political party!  

I have never joined one and vote in every election!

Step 5: Register to vote ahead of time for the election and GO VOTE!

Hannah Roberts is a college freshman at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi majoring in Biochemistry with a Pre-medical emphasis. Originally from Mount Olive, Mississippi, Hannah was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi for 2011. Learn more about Hannah here!

Do You Have "Margin" in Your Life? - by Kinsey

Hello, my most excellent friends!

May I preface this post by saying that everything I’m going to write in the next several minutes is also a reminder directly to myself.  I’m about to address one of my biggest challenges in life; and believe me, solving this problem does not get easier the older one becomes.  Not to be depressing or anything ;)

I want to talk to you today about the importance of having margin in your life.  To me, having margin means having free, unscheduled, open time that is dedicated solely to relaxing, meditating, strolling along a hiking trail, napping, baking….the list goes on.  Too many times we are involved in so many activities that we only focus on running from one thing to the next to the next.  Ladies, this is detrimental in so many ways!  If we don’t have margin, it’s nearly impossible to execute the activities we DO participate in with excellence, because we are too over-scheduled to devote our full attention to the task at hand.

I remember one time in high school; it was about 11 p.m., meaning I was emotionally unstable to begin with (I like my sleep!).  I was sobbing to my Dad about this Chemistry test that I had the next day, along with rehearsal for the latest theatre production, a meeting for Student Government, and a voice recital I had coming up.  I was totally overwhelmed, impatient, irritable, and just generally freaking out.  After I had thoroughly soaked my poor Daddy’s t-shirt with my tears, he gently reminded me that I was going to have to start thinking about my commitments and begin planning ahead to build margin into my schedule.  His point was, unless you intentionally plan for time with no plans, it won’t happen.  He is so right!

Building margin into our lives is essential to our productivity, happiness, success, and well-being.  I’d encourage you to find time at least once a week to spend a few hours doing something quiet and alone; it’s so calming and healthy to have a chance to reflect.  I personally like getting up a little early on Saturday mornings, spending time journaling, reading my Bible, and praying; it allows me to be rejuvenated and take on the day.  Embrace peace!  My words to you end today with what Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 


Much love,
Kinsey

Kinsey Crow is a college freshman at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama majoring in Nursing. Originally from Mount Vernon, Ohio, Kinsey was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Ohio for 2011. Learn more about Kinsey here! 

In Everything You Do, Celebrate You! - by Alessa

I’ve been twirling since I was in 3rd grade and one of my favorite things to do is coach. Today while coaching one of my students, I began to listen to the lyrics of the song that she has chosen for her latest routine. 

As cheesy as it may be, the song is entitled “Celebrate You” by Corbin Bleu (Yes, the High School Musical star that we all secretly love!). The song is about taking the time to recognize all the awesome things that you have done.

Sometimes, I think we all get too caught up in the “I’m not good enough” mindset and we forget all the amazing things we have accomplished.

It is never easy to deal with rejection or disappointment or anything else negative, for that matter. But, in those moments where you feel like everything is going wrong, don’t forget all of the good things you have going for you.

Here are some of the things that I always try to remember!

•    I have an amazing and supportive family.
•    I have great friends.
•    I was lucky enough to be accepted to Drake University.
•    I love my major of Elementary Education.
•    I am blessed to be a part of Distinguished Young Women.

The list could go on and on!

What would be on your list?

Don’t forget… “In everything you do, celebrate you!”

Alessa Strelecki is a college freshman at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa majoring in Secondary Education and Mathematics. Originally from West Des Moines, Iowa, Alessa was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa for 2011. Learn more about Alessa here!

What To Do When There's Nothing To Do - by Allii

1.    Game Nights - sometimes just pulling out good old Monopoly or going bowling can really save a night that seemed hopeless, into a night of fun and laughter. And with so many different versions of Monopoly now a days, there has got to be one just right for you and your friends!

2.    Start a Band/Music Group - That’s what I did! I am in two music groups now and between practices, recordings, and performances, I always have something to do at night. Singing never gets boring for me!

3.    Do Community Service - For a while, I was doing Community Service at a local Church because I needed it for a grade. But once my hours were finished, I kept going to that Church to help out at a youth group because I loved it there! Something that was mandatory turned into something I wanted to do! Visiting nursing homes or spending time at an after school program could really open up new doors and give you something to do with extra time! Make a difference!

4.    Try Something New - Whether it be the gym, a new instrument, a club, or a sport, trying something new is never a bad option. You can meet new friends, get active in a community, and just have fun! There are so many options that there HAS to be something right for you! Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons.

5.    Take a Nap - If you get bored, take a nap. You probably need it! Most young adults and Teens don’t get as much sleep as they need. Between homework, school, activities and everything else us teens do, sleep is often overlooked. Next time you’re bored, just catch a little shut eye.

6.    Fuel Your Imagination - For me, whenever I get bored, I start to write a story and it usually gives me a constant flow of thought where soon enough I forget that I am bored. Unfortunately for me, I usually start a story, don’t finish and then start a new one the next time I am bored. One day I learn to finish one! But you should try it!
 

7.    Act Silly - Whenever I was home alone in the house, or even now when I am alone in my dorm room, I blast music and jump off my bed and dance or sing in the mirror. It can waste time but yet you still have fun and get to act like a kid.

8.    And finally….GO OUTSIDE! - With the past week being absolutely beautiful, it gives hope that the upcoming months will be as well. Whether it is snow, rain, sun, or wind, you should go outside and have some fun. Build a snow man, jump in a puddle, go swimming, or fly a kite. No matter the weather, there is always something to do. Leaving the computer for an hour or so, taking a break from homework, or just getting out of the house could really change your mood!

Just remember, being bored is your choice. There is always something to do, you just need to find it!! And if you’re a junior or senior girl and you’re ever bored you can always check out www.distinguishedyw.org and find a whole new world that will ALWAYS keep you entertained!

Allii Fontaine is a college freshman at Elmira College in Elmira, New York majoring in Nursing with a Pediatric tract. Originally from Burrillville, Rhode Island, Allii was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Rhode Island for 2011. Learn more about Allii here! 

Friends With Benefits/She's Just Not That Right For You - by Megan

Everyone who has read an advice column or spoken with an older friend about college has heard these two words of advice for the future: “Don’t room with your best friend,” and “It’s ok. You’re never friends with all the same people next semester anyway.”
 

The truth of the matter is you’re going to find that both of these quotes are true AND false. While I haven’t personally experienced rooming with my best friend, I know of multiple occasions where this has worked out. However, I encourage you to keep an open mind and think of the possibilities rooming with a stranger could create. Yes, you may end up with someone completely opposite from you, but you could also end up finding a life-long friend as well. As a student of the largest freshman class in Belmont University’s history, I was put into a room made for four people with six of us. Initially, I was terrified. My roommates were from all over –California, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Colorado, and Illinois. I was afraid my down-home West Virginia roots may not mesh with someone used to Colorado life; however, I was (thankfully) extremely wrong. I went into college unaware of anything about any of the five girls, but now, they’re all an integral part of my life and I don’t know what I would do without them. Even though my best friend went to Marshall University back home in West Virginia, I’m thankful that I was forced to room with strangers here. In the beginning, yes, there were conflicts. The sleeping schedules were erratic, we weren’t used to each others eating habits, and we definitely weren’t used to not being able to leave our dirty clothes in the middle of the room. Now, in the second semester, we’ve learned to coexist a lot better. So much even, that next year, we’re all living together again. The level of friendship I have with these girls is beneficial in numerous ways: when I was sick, they knew exactly what groceries to bring back for me; after my first college relationship ended, Ben & Jerry’s was waiting with six spoons; when doing homework, they were ready to offer their skills to help. What can I say? We’re “Friends With Benefits.”

I cannot stress enough how important the relationships you make can affect your college experience. Make sure you choose your friends wisely. Here’s a list to help you ensure that the good ones remain for semester two and the bad ones disappear. This can help you identify when “She’s Just Not that Right For You.” (Also the “She” can be a “He” too!)

1.    If the only thing you have in common is a crush, “She’s Just Not that Right For You.”
 

My roommate and her two friends seemed to instantly click. They wore the same size, bought the same make-up, and liked the same boys. After months of sneaking behind each others backs in order to ‘get the guy,’ she finally realized “She’s Just Not that Right For You.”

2.    If they leave you alone, “She’s Just Not that Right For You.”
 

At 3 a.m. the three of us who stayed home received a text saying “They left me.” What had started as a night of fun, ended in the others leaving for a “better” party and my roommate being stuck where no one could find her. Fortunately, a classmate helped her get a cab home; however, the next morning we realized “She’s Just Not that Right For You.” 

3.    If they pressure you to be under the influence, “She’s Just Not that Right For You.”
 

Don’t feel uncomfortable not meeting up to go out with someone again who pressures you. Remember, your friends are a direct reflection of you. If all she wants to do is party, “She’s Just Not that Right For You.”

4.    If they don’t make an effort to be your friend, “She’s Just Not that Right For You.”
 

My roommate had a friend first semester who would constantly ditch her for her boyfriend. After about two months worth of trying to hang out, we finally realized “She’s Just Not that Right For You.”

5.     If they don’t make you happy, “She’s Just Not that Right For You.”
 

Surround yourself with people who make you smile. Everyone has their days, but there’s no reason to trouble yourself with someone who’s “Just Not that Right For You.”

 

Megan Jack is a college freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee majoring in Entertainment Industry Studies with a minor in Mathematics. Originally from Moundsville, West Virginia, Megan was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia for 2011. Learn more about Megan here!

Dorm Decor 101 - by Ann

 
Ann Clancy is a college freshman at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. Originally from Ferrisburgh, Vermont, Ann was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Vermont for 2011. Learn more about Ann here!

10 Places I Want to See Before I Die - by Jacky

 

Jacky Arness is a college freshman at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota majoring in Political Science/International Relations with a minor in Theatre Arts. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Jacky was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of North Dakota for 2011. Learn more about Jacky here!