5 Quick Tips After One Fast Semester - by Keyna

Having just finished my first semester of college, I decided to compile a small list of things that have helped me out!

1. Don't Procrastinate. 

I'm not going to lie, this is definitely advice that I need to take. I have a huge tendency to leave things to the very last minute, and this can get to be very stressful! It is way better to get homework and projects done ahead of time and not pull all-nighters in order to get them done on time. Believe me. It is really difficult to take dance classes after staying up all night! You will thank yourself for all the free time you'll have after doing your work early. 

2. Take time for yourself.

It is so important to make sure to take time to yourself! Take a break from the stress of the day, even if it is just for five minutes, and relax. Listen to music, just breathe, watch a movie, or my personal favorite, take a nap! School can be overwhelming sometimes, so it can be really helpful to just take a step back and relax or treat yourself!

3. Step outside of your comfort zone. Don't be SHY!

Let's face it. We all want to be included and have friends, but sometimes it can be hard to put yourself out there. I am super shy when I am meeting new people, so it can be hard to make new friends. But, when you go to college, everyone is looking to meet people and make new friends so join in! No one wants to be the girl who spends every weekend alone in her dorm room. Introduce yourself to new people, join a club or organization, or audition for a show. You will definitely meet some incredible people!

4. Take weigh-ins seriously...but not TOO seriously. 

Yes, I have to weigh-in for my major. It can be stressful whether or not you're going be at your "recommended" weight, so some people do crazy things to make weight, such as basically starving themselves the week before weigh-ins. Weight is NOT everything! You are beautiful because of who you are on the inside, not because of how much you weigh. Eat in a way to stay healthy--plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, balance, etc..--the whole semester to avoid the need to do crazy things to make weight. 

5. Fro-yo with friends is fantastic!

Even dancers need to treat themselves every now and then! Frozen yogurt restaurants are a great place to hang out while enjoying delicious treats. I have had some of the most fun socializing with new friends at the local frozen yogurt bar! Yum!

I have had a wonderful first semester full of incredible new friends. I am so blessed to be able to go to school for dance and pursue my dreams of performing, all while meeting and working with so many amazing and inspiring people! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Keyna Hoselton is a college freshman at Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma majoring in Dance Performance with a possible minor in History. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Keyna was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of North Dakota for 2012. Learn more about Keyna here!

Reflecting on Tragedy - by Stephanie

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, from work to school to sports to music lessons, it is so easy to lose sight of what’s really important.  In doing so, it is too easy to take for granted what you have been blessed with in life.  I am, without question, oftentimes guilty of this myself.  Not returning a missed call from a relative or answering a text from a high school friend because it’s late and I have a biology lab to finish and a chemistry exam to study for...this is something I’ve been guilty of more than one time over the course of the last semester.  However, on Friday I was reminded in a very harsh way that the things and people that mean the most to you should not be taken for granted.  I had just completed my final calculus exam and was rejoicing with a fellow classmate about the fact that we were finished with our most difficult class of the semester.  As we walked into the dining hall and sat to enjoy our lunch, continuing on with our happy chatter about winter plans, another friend, who was wearing a somber expression, sat down to join us.  At the first pause in our conversation, he asked quietly, “did you hear about the shooting?"  Taken aback, both of us just looked at him, mouths agape, making sure we heard him correctly.  “Yeah…this morning in Newtown, Connecticut at an elementary school.”  After that, the conversation virtually subsided except for the occasional “how could anyone shoot innocent children?”  After the quiet meal, I proceeded up to my room to finish reviewing for my chemistry exam the following day and tune into one of the many local news stations that were reporting on the tragic incident.  For the next few hours, the realness of what had happened began to sink in.  Of course in the past few years when tragic events happened across the country, I was interested to hear about them and saddened for the people whose lives were immediately affected by the incidents.  However, attending the University of Connecticut, many of my closest friends that I’ve made in the past three months are residents of Connecticut and many had direct connections with Newtown and the people that live there.  To name a few, a good friend of mine tutors young children from Newtown and surrounding areas and another girl that lives on my floor has lived in the town since middle school.  Not only hearing about the event, but seeing first-hand the direct effects of tragedies such as this was a true reminder to me to cherish what you’ve been given.  I’ve been reminded to never take anything for granted and make sure to make it clear when you appreciate someone because you may not always have the opportunity to do so.  Furthermore, I’ve been reminded to not only do this during the holiday season, but during the entire year.  Wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe holiday season and sending my blessings to those who have been affected by the Newtown tragedy.

Stephanie Brady is a college freshman at the University of Connecticut in Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut majoring in pre-pharmacy. Originally from New Market, New Hampshire, Stephanie was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of New Hampshire for 2012. Learn more about Stephanie here!

Top 5 Favorite Things to do for Staying Energized - by Marin

Being a dance major in college is no piece of cake. My first class starts at 8 a.m. everyday, and my last class ends at 4:45 p.m. Not only do I have to stay physically fit for my dance technique classes, but mentally fit for my academic classes as well. Throw in some late night rehearsals, and crewing for shows, and you have yourself one tired college freshman. Having this hectic schedule, I had to learn the hard way that coffee is not always the best source for constant energy. So, here are my top five things that I do throughout the day/week to keep myself (healthily) energized, and ready to take on anything!

1. Drink water. It’s so simple, yet it is neglected all the time. Our bodies are made up of almost 80% water, and when we deprive ourselves from this liquid, we become fatigued! I’ve noticed the more H2O I guzzle, the more aware and awake I feel throughout the day (especially during hard Anatomy exams!)
2. Beware of the Cookie Monster and his sugar. Just kidding about the monster. Sugar is a great source when you feel tired because it will automatically give your body a boost of energy. But, it does not last long, and you will end up having a “sugar crash.” Try natural sugars in foods like apples and oranges! I know when I hit that 2 o’clock slump, I grab an orange for a fresh, sweet boost that definitely gets me through the next three hours of dance classes.
3. Four words: Thirty second dance party.  Whenever I feel like I just can’t make it through the day (and my bed looks so inviting) I stop what I’m doing, and I dance around. No, not “technical” dancing, but fun, “throw your arms all over the place” type of dancing. This burst of energy automatically wakes me up! P.S.- It’s even more fun when you do it with friends!
4. Read a little. It’s important that every night, you get solid sleep. Whether that’s six hours or ten hours, every hour counts! Instead of staring at your phone screen texting, or looking at Facebook on your laptop before bed, grab a book! I’ve found that reading before bed puts me into a more relaxed mood, and I’m able to fall asleep easier!
5. Don’t stress (if only it were that simple!) But seriously. When we stress about the small things, our mind can’t focus on the present and we end up exhausting ourselves without even noticing that it’s happening! When something doesn’t go as planned, just step back, take a deep breath, and continue. I know that when I stress, I begin to feel mentally and even physically drained! But, I have learned to overcome it by counting my blessings, and remembering that everything will work itself out in the end! Plus, it’s more fun to not be stressed out, right?

Marin Helppie-Schmieder is a college freshman at the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania majoring in Modern Dance. Originally from Carrollton, Texas, Marin was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Texas for 2012. Learn more about Marin here!

There’s No Place like Home…Except for The Other One - by Sierra

One of the definitions for ‘home’ is a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household. There has always been and probably always will be an on-going debate of where home truly lays. There’s the literal opinion of what a home is and then there’s the opinion of the emotional connection that we have with a certain place and/or shelter. Recently, I have found myself straddling the fence of this debate.

As my wonderful, memorable first semester here at Troy University is coming to an end, I begin the struggle of packing nearly all of my things to board a plane to return back home. I am overjoyed to be able to go home since I have not been back to Maryland since August. However, I find myself also saddened by the thought of leaving. Yes, I am returning to family and friends, but I am also leaving a close group of friends that I can call family. So now I am trying to decipher what most far-from-home college students go through: Which one can I call home?

Of course I feel at home in Maryland, but over these past five months, I have grown more and more comfortable with my environment here in Troy, Alabama. At first, I figured I would just be a college student in Troy that is from Maryland. Now though, I see myself becoming an involved citizen in Troy that once lived in Maryland; which is completely okay with me, but I don’t want to leave Maryland behind.

Here at school, I proudly represent Maryland, but anywhere outside of Troy, I proudly represent Troy. When I went with the marching band to Nashville, Tennessee, I did not hesitate to say that I was from Troy. I practically forgot that just a few months ago, Maryland was all I knew. At first, I felt as though there was something wrong with me. Thoughts like, “Oh really, you don’t remember all those years you lived in Maryland? Five months in Alabama and you forgot all about home”kept filling my head.

Then, I found another definition of home: an environment offering security and happiness in which one’s domestic affections are centered. This helped me to realize that home is not black and white or something that can be wrong or right. Home is simply where I feel at home, and I don’t have to have just one. Both my home in Maryland and my home here in college give me comfort and happiness.

So I have finally made my decision. Instead of trying to resolve my internal fight of where to call home, I accept the blessing of being able to call two different places that are far from each other, home. I just have to remember, home is where you want it to be, not where everyone tells you it is.

Sierra Terrell is a college freshman at Troy University in Troy, Alabama majoring in Psychology. Originally from Waldorf, Maryland, Sierra was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland for 2012. Learn more about Sierra here!

Light up the Night - by Julia

NASA recently released captivating new satellite photos of the Earth at night.  These new photos show the light that illuminates our planet when the sun goes down.  It is funny how, even without the presence of the sun; we, as a human race are capable of illuminating the world we live in.  There is something to be said for the ability to create light in the absence of that which is supposed to illuminate the world.  Without a doubt, the sun is a wondrous thing that I am sure we are all thankful for.  On the other hand, the ability to create your own light is an invaluable skill.

Picture yourself in a remote forested area, the sun is setting, your time is limited, and before long you will be left in not only the dark, but the cold as well, and without much shelter.  You’re best option is to use the remaining time you have with the sun to create a fire.  As time goes by you frantically scavenge for bits and pieces, which could help you build something; anything at all that could be used to produce even the smallest light.  It is the final few minutes of light, and as you scrape sticks together over a pile of twigs, you see a spark, and then another, and another until you have built a somewhat measly but present fire.  You wait a few minutes and allow the fire to strengthen before you add some more sticks and even a few large branch pieces you have been able to find.  As the fire gets larger you are able to see more of what is around you and you are able to gather a pile of wood to use when the fire needs to be replenished.

The setting in the forest is not so foreign to most as it may seem.  For anyone trying to find his or her way in this world, doing it without the comfort of the “sun” is neither a small or simple task.  For me in particular this situation is relatable to my college transition.  I knew my time in the comforts of my home, city, and even state were coming to an end, and so as the clock ticked I did my best to prepare myself for the unknown by building my best fire.  It just so happened that I found the best quality about fires; they help you see the things around you so you can find other fires.  As I discovered other people that were struggling to do the same thing that I was, we were able to form quite the light!

Moving out of your comfort zone where your worries are minimal and you know what is coming can be extraordinarily scary.  At the same time however, it is the moments in life that force you out of your comfort zone that allow you to see all that you are capable of, and discover new experiences and people.  My hope is that we would all get the courage to step away from our comfort zone and see what we could accomplish when the sun goes down.  My bet is we would be able to make our world so bright it wouldn’t even compare to NASA’s satellite photos.

Julia Carlson is a college freshman at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota majoring in Biology with a minor in Management. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Julia was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska for 2012. Learn more about Julia here!