Tag: ramble

Thoughts on being (almost) halfway through college

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

I doubt any of the following thoughts will be unique but I still find it important that I type them out anyway. (Wow, that start sounded a lot more sardonic than I intended). What I mean is, I think most people are feeling what I’m feeling when I say that it’s all going by very quickly. Not in a bad way mind you. It just sort of surprises me.

I know I would depressed if I were standing still. If I weren’t making progress. But it’s only normal that I feel at least a little sad as I find myself already halfway through my time at college. Everything is so fast paced. I make friends in classes but before I know it, we’ve moved on to the next semester which brings on new classes and even more new friends.

Time drags but goes so fast at the same time. I think that midterms will never be over but once they are, I realize that there are only 6 weeks left in the semester. It’s very odd.

I think these thoughts occur mostly because there is a part of me that is pretty scared of what the world has in store for me beyond graduation. I feel like a “fake” adult right now. I don’t have a professional job and I’m mostly working on school. And school, though hard, is something I’m familiar with.

Growing up is so weird.

I want it to happen but when it does, I can’t help but think “I didn’t mean for it to all happen this fast.”

For me, growing up has been characterized not by being sad so much as being disoriented and confused. I don’t feel ready, but at the same time, everything I’ve been doing since grade school has been done to prepare me for this challenge of getting older. And I fully intend to meet it.

And it helps that I know, somewhere deeper than my feelings and bones that everything always ends up working out in the end.

So ready not, here life comes.

Making A Difference

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

Often, when people are asked if they can make difference, their minds turn to big things. I could become famous and advocate for just causes. I could become a scientist and make big, important discoveries that aid the entirety of mankind. I could become a scholar and help spread knowledge throughout the world. And while all of these things are fine, statistically speaking, many of us aren’t going to be famous. Many of us are going to work jobs that many people consider menial. And I am of the firm belief that there is no shame in that. Because I have learned making a difference isn’t just about the big things but the little things.

The little choices that we make day to day are how we make a difference. Little decisions that pile up. Little things that make the world just a little bit better. Things that make the world just a little bit brighter.

Little choices like choosing to be kind. A smile will go a long way. And while a bad attitude is contagious, the same can be said for a good attitude. Small gestures of kindness can completely flip someone’s day around. You never know how you might impact someone, by simply being kind.

Little choices like choosing to be honest. The dishonest may seem like they obtain their goals quicker and easier, but in the end, your integrity matters, even if it’s just to you. Because when you choose to obtain your goals by being honest and working hard, even when others aren’t watching, it allows you to appreciate the value of hard work. Make your promises and handshake mean more then pen and paper. Show people that hard work and honesty is worth it in the long run.

Little choices that allow you to better yourself. Choices like choosing to get up early. Choices like choosing to work out instead of watching TV. And of course, eating healthy. But bettering yourself is not just limited to physical achievements. You can better yourself emotionally by choosing to let things go and choosing to be happy. Choices like these not only make your world brighter, but can encourage others. Because the quicker the world realizes that everyone has the choice to be happy, the better the world will become.

Little choices like choosing to support what you believe in and standing up for it. When you believe in something, stand up for it. But in doing so, don’t keep your ears and heart closed. Listen to the opposing position. Think about what you believe and test it to see if it holds true. And if it does, hold onto it and support it. Not just with your words, but your actions. Too many people believe in their position, but not to extent of actually doing something about it. Their belief will never make it beyond their phone screen and therefore never make a difference. Take what you believe in and act. Make your beliefs not only posses your mind, but your hands.

This all goes to say, that the sooner you realize that a big difference comes from a lot of little choices, the more likely you are to make a difference. Big differences are composed of many little events, many little people, and many little sacrifices. This is why I am of the firm belief that anyone can make a difference.

Just a thought…

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

You might have heard  that courage isn’t the absence of fear, 

But knowing something is worth doing despite it.

But have you heard… 

that confidence isn’t the absence of insecurity, 

but knowing your worth it despite them?

Have you heard that happiness isn’t the absence of bad things, 

but knowing life has beautiful parts regardless?

Or that being powerful and strong,

Isn’t about exerting one’s strength but knowing when to hold back and let things go. 

Have you heard that love isn’t about the person’s lack of imperfections,

But caring about someone so deeply despite their flaws?

How about that forgiveness doesn’t mean you’re not hurting anymore,

But being willing accept their apology and love them despite that?

Or that being successful, 

Or being a winner,

Isn’t about never failing,

But picking oneself up again and again in spite of having failed?

Or that true wisdom isn’t being enlightened or educated,

But is found in knowing that there is so much that you don’t know. 

Have you heard kindness isn’t the absence of unkind thoughts

Or even frustrations,

But choosing to be gentle and patient anyway?

Because all heroes are capable of being villains but instead chose not to be. 

The 6 Stages of a Study Session

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

Steps of Studying

1. The Motivation

Whenever I need to study for something, at first, I’m pumped. I tell myself this’ll be a breeze and I’ll ace the test and I’ll be so scholarly and wear cool glasses even though I have perfect vision… but when the breeze turns into a hurricane, this motivation quickly leaves, leading me to step 2…

2. The Procrastination

I am a procrastinator. If getting distracted was a sport, I’d be on a Wheaties box. I suppose you could say I’m a pro (crastinator). In this stage Youtube is my biggest enemy and friend at the same time.

3. The Guilt

All through step 2 you are probably pushing back this nagging guilt. In step three this feeling resurfaces, leaving you on the edge of panic. If you are good student, then you’ll probably get your rear and gear and actually study but if you’re anything like me, you will proceed to step 4…

4. The Rationalization

This step is how you get reality to go away when it knocks on your door…

You will rationalize with yourself that you have plenty of time to get your book work done! One of the signs your a rationalizer is you use phrases similar to these:

Just one more episode of Andy Griffith and you’ll study…

Just another game of free cell…

It’s not procrastination if your drinking coffee… it’s procaffinating.

Well, another sentence read! I should reward myself with another study break and another box of pop tarts!

I wonder if iisuperwomanii came out with a new video….

They say if you say something enough, it’ll come true but what about if you ignore it? It’ll go away right? That’s how real life works, right?

Then comes along inevitable step 5…

5. The Realization/Panic

When reality goes from knocking on your door to repeatedly ringing your doorbell, to breaking the door down like some sort of Ninja Chuck Norris. But reality always seem to do this at the last second when you are an hour away from taking that test and you realize you are not toast, but charcoal that is covered in gasoline and gun powder that is on fire as it’s being thrown into an active valcano that is about to errupt! This is when you hit full on panic mode… and when you’re greatest ideas and inspiration comes, leading you to step 6…

6. The Scramble

No, I’m not talking about eggs. This step is also known as the cram. This step is usually about one morning as far time. This is where you cram so many factoids down your brain’s throat (I don’t even know how that works), that it practically shrieks in protest. In this step you burn like 12397 brain cells which is really sad considering you could of killed those cells doing something a lot more enjoyable, like watching Gilgan’s Island or smelling gasoline.

Then you usually end up taking the test, get a passable grade, and then come home, realizing, that the only thing you learned is… oh wait! You didn’t learn anything because all these steps are repeated the next time you have to study for a test! Live and don’t learn, that’s humanity for you!