The Best Years of Your Lives: A Letter to College Freshman

Nothings better than finally getting that acceptance letter. That sigh of relief because you're finally going to college. Seems like something you've waited your whole life for is finally here. After the excitement calms down a bit, you now begin to be anxious maybe even a little scared. You realize that this will be nothing like high school and mom and dad won't always be around when you need them. I'm here to tell you this is the start of the best years of your lives. College will be everything you make it , don't expect too much, go with the flow and have fun. School work should definitely come first and don't worry about being peer pressured to not do work because an "A" feels a lot better than a hangover,trust me. Here's a couple tips to how to successfully get through your first year of college.

Social Life.

As a freshman, don't strive to know the "popular" people. you'll end up looking crazy and not many people will want to be around you. Get involved!  be around positive , fun people and you just might end up being the popular one. You don't necessarily have to be at every outing or event but don't be closed in. Even if you don't know anybody, don't hesitate to go to things happening on campus. That is the perfect way to get to know people and for others to get a great impression of you. Network !

Work Ethic.

Strive to create a great work ethic. it's all about balance. Know when to study but also know when to take a break for yourself. Try to never ever make laziness apart of your daily routine. Push for greatness, graduation should always be the first thing on your mind.

Stay Humble.

Don't let the college life make you forget where you came from. Call home weekly, let those know at home if you're doing well or not. It's easy sometimes to get so caught up in your college life that you forget about your home life.

Relationships.

If you end up in a relationship the beginning of your freshman year ,like I did, lol or if you are beginning college in a relationship my biggest piece of advice is to take it slow. Understand that you both are at a new stage in your lives and  it will not be the easiest. Don't be discouraged by the up's and down's ..true love will always prevail .

Last but not least , takes these years to better know yourself.. every semester you should feel growth in yourself. Your friends may go and come , your major may change but it's all in the beauty of growing up and becoming your own form of success. 

photo

what is CONFIDENCE ?

Today I volunteered at an assisted living home that my mother works at. It was a great experience to work with the elderly.Even if we only played bingo it was just a natural sense of wisdom in the room. It was amazing to look at these beautiful women and just imagine that everything I am going through now is just a sweet memory to them now. As I walked out of the facility on a natural high, the receptionist tells my mother "wow, she's very confident". I smiled, because it wasn't my clothing, my hair or any materialistic thing that caused her to notice my confidence as i was wearing just a T shirt, jeans and my hair was messed up by the fan blowing in the bingo room upstairs lol. Confidence is not a look or anything you can buy, it is simply a state of mind. It is how you think of yourself.  Looking beyond your appearance. SELF LOVE is confidence. Loving yourself regardless of your mistakes you've made in life. We were not made to be perfect people . We were made to grow and learn. Confidence is not knowing how you are going to get there but knowing where you want to be. Understand the road will not be easy but knowing it is worth it. Confidence is finding your peace and to know that absolutely no one can take it away. Confidence is talking to God and knowing a blessing is coming your way regardless of what the situation is. Confidence is SELF ACCEPTANCE. Loving every little weird aspect of yourself, smiling at what others may judge. Know that if they're judging you, it simply means they aren't confidence with themselves. Last but not least STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS. That is the biggest flaw we have as young women unfortunately. Once you just look at yourself and say that  " I am irreplaceable and there is no one like me' who can tell you any different !? Confidence does not come out of compliments is come from loving , accepting and being yourself. Suddenly you will start dressing the way YOU want to, doing the thing that YOU want to do and the compliments will come naturally. Do remember compliments are not important just focus on being the best you. 

xoxokaneica

Being a "Young Woman"

photo cred

What is being a young woman to you ? As a college junior to be , I've seen it all. For some odd reason being "Young" as women in our generation okays negative behavior because "were just being young". We have to realize as beautiful young women we are the doorway to the next generation to come. We are the one's who have the children , we are the nurturers to be. We have to realize that if we don't hold ourselves up , no one else will. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask "What am I worth ?". Depending on what comes to mind , as women we need to reevaluate our motives and our values. There is nothing wrong with being independent .Now let's talk about what being independent is . Being independent does not mean , acting like one of the boys which is another misconception we make as young women today. Sleeping around and being a self proclaimed "player" does not make you independent. Being independent is being happy with and for yourself . Young women ,we have to come together to make this difference in how we are being viewed in society. Not every woman will understand the change that is needed but it takes oneself to look within and ask yourself again " what am I worth ?". Am i worth an education , am i worth having a good job, am i worth being in love and being treated right by a man ? As young women ask yourself these questions ...apply them to your lives and GROW. It is okay to make mistakes , we all do and we all will. God is an open God and he will never forsake a child that comes to him for guidance. Find your faith. Be around other women who drives you to do better but will not judge you for messing up. It's possible ladies. Let's prove this generation wrong. 

xoxokaneica