Let me start this out my saying this isn’t how I usually am. I am all about organization. Bullet journals, calendars, outfit prep, meal prep and some more very tedious things I do just to make myself feel more put together. When it comes to college however, I won’t touch the topic with a two foot pole. But I’ve recently come to find I’m just playing myself. It’s more of a facade really, I just keep on making excuses. And at the heart of my excuses is the fact that my parents have very strong opinions on what I should do with my future- neither of those opinions interest me in any way because the way I see it, if you aren’t paying for my college, I'm not going out of my way to please you! My dad believes that I should wait to go to college because I don’t have a set career plan or even a direction in majors. The way he sees it, don’t waste your money on useless classes. My mom on the other hand, wants me to go to community college until I figure out what I want. And while money is a big factor in most of the decisions I make in life, if I stay in York much longer I am bound to become another one of the countless people who just end up waiting too long to get out of their hometown and stay forever. There’s nothing wrong with that, but that is NOT what I want, at all. I want the college experience, I want to see parts of the world I have never had the privilege to see. I want to assess my options before I settle. How do you decide on your food at the restaurant when you haven’t even looked at the whole menu yet? So, yes, I waited out of fear of change. But change is also all I want. So maybe my lack of motivation comes from a fear of settling. I mean, college is pretty much the pregame to adulthood. What you study, where you go, your grades, all affect what you will be doing for the rest of your life. I know it’s odd to go through your midlife crisis at the age of seventeen, but how can you not when by this time next year, I’ll be thousands in debt and studying something I’m essentially expected to pursue until I’m like sixty and ready to retire. I know I sound all “F*** THE SYSTEM!!!” but this is the reality. We go to school to work, then work to pay off our schooling. Fair trade I suppose, but I just don’t know if it’s for me. Yet I know if I wait to go to college until I figure out what i want to do with my life, I’ll be waiting for a lifetime. So here we are, going through the ins and outs of college applications. It would be nice if I were granted with an epiphany soon, just so I could lay out my life plan but that’s not always the way life goes. So in this blog, you will see me (hopefully) take on some good habits, and apply everywhere I need to!
Why I am applying to more than two colleges: From what I have heard from my friends and the teachers I have talked to, the more places you apply, the better. Now that isn’t to say you need to waste your time on an application to somewhere you know you wouldn’t belong. That’s another reason why touring your colleges you are looking at is better. If the time comes and the campus doesn’t fit your wants or needs, you’ve got a miserable four years ahead of you. Another good reason to apply to a wide variety of schools is so you can see where you will get the most money in aid and scholarships. Money is a big factor for me in almost all of the decisions I make. I am paying for almost all of my education and I’d much rather take the time to apply to multiple places and try for scholarships, opposed to waiting last minute, doing the bare minimum and then paying a full price for tuition. Obviously another reason that comes to mind, is that it is always a safer bet to have a few fallback schools, just in case the school you’re hoping on doesn’t accept you. It is always beneficial to have an open mind, because you never know what opportunities will follow.
Why consider a Bullet Journal? I am a full advocate for using these things. I've always been into journaling and art, so once I heard about bullet journaling I was instantly all for it. If you don’t know, bullet journaling is basically doing a homemade planner. This way, its personalized to all of your needs and your style as well. I first started bullet journaling in July and I haven't really stopped since then. It helps me utilize my time, feel prepared, and stay creative. It’s practically a glorified coloring book, which can be very calming when stressed. Planners are great for staying on track when it comes to deadlines. Though you can do these sorts of things on your phone, straying away from the glow of a screen is always healthy. And personally, I remember more when I write Another thing I love about my bullet journal is the additional pages you can structure to stay on top of the other things in life. For example, I have a money managing page where I track my paychecks and what I spend them on, just to make sure im prioritizing correctly. I also schedule every weekday and give myself a daily list of “To Do’s” so I am prepared for the day after that. These tasks could be school work, or just simply cleaning my room or getting gas for my car. Balancing a job and high school classes is hard enough, but college is even more trying.
Why Shop Smart? Honestly, I have come to find that many things in life are easily avoidable. Growing up in a household run by a single mother, I witnessed first hand how bills and grocery lists can take a toll on your way of life. My mom is the queen of consignment, coupons, and budgeting in general. One thing she always reminds me, is that it is better to go to three stores than one if it means that your bill won’t be as big. Learning to take the time out of your schedule to shop smart is difficult to do. I mean, I live in America. The home of the fastest fast food and most convenient of convenience stores. Waiting for things can be tough. But at the end of the day, if it’s helping your wallet, what's not to like? Shopping for winter clothes before or after the season, for example, will help you find the best sales. Going to grocery stores that sell Great Value brands (in my area, this includes places like the Grocery Outlet and Aldi) can also benefit you and your wallet. It can be worth it to take the time to truly hunt for what you want and for college especially, it’s a good habit to take on. When in college, though ramen is usually abundant, it is good to meal prep and shop with a purpose.