The New Must Have App on Campus: Save Money With Real-Time Deals on Food and Beverages

As college kids, we are always looking for a way to save a buck or two. Did I hear BOGO? ­– I’m in! So when my roommate told me about this app called Hooked to get deals on food and beverages around campus, I already knew I would be hooked. Hooked is a free app with real-time deals going on around campus (at UW-Madison).

Recently, I met with Kyle Nathanson, the Chief Sales Officer with Hooked, to give me a little insight on what all the hype is about with Hooked. Kyle wishes it were something him and his friends had during college, so they are helping us get the deals now.

Members of the Hooked Team at a launch in Madison

Hooked launched in Madison on September 2, 2014—the first day of school. They are also at the University of Texas, and they also launched with the University of Michigan the same day as Madison. Next Fall, Hooked plans to expand to additional large Universities.

With Hooked you can save money at places you might already go to—including Subway, Espresso Royale, Jamba Juice—or you can find new places through Hooked. Hooked partners with quality businesses to give you discounts worth your time. You can even find deals with food trucks, including Toast outside the Business School. Kyle says, “It allows you to not only save money at the places you already go, but to try out new spots that you may have never have thought to go or even hear of. You see it on our app, and you all of the sudden now fall in love with that place. It happens with our app all the time.”

Hooked is super easy to use. The deals are based on your location—so when you open the app the deals on the top will be the closest to you. As you scroll down the deals get further away, but all of the deals are within walking distance around campus. You can click the map icon in the top right corner to find deals that are live right now. As shown in the image of the map, the green pins indicate live deals. Hooked deals last for three-five hours, so all of the deals you are getting are fresh. Once you’re in the business, whip out your phone and pull up the Hooked app.

All you have to do is tap the green “Get Hooked” button and receive the deal. It’s as simple as that.

Unlike other deal-saving apps, you don’t have to build up a loyalty, you don’t have to enter your payment information or personal details, and you don’t have to wait! Kyle says, “Every time you use Hooked you are getting a deal.”

Like I said, Hooked is a free app that saves you money. So what are you waiting for? Go download it in the App Store now.

This post first appeared on Her Campus-Wisconsin.

MY FIRST TWITTER CHAT

Today I participated in my first Twitter chat! It was the Coffee Date Chat hosted by Coffee and Cardigans and Life, Love and Coffee Stains. It was so much fun. For my non-blogger friends, a twitter chat is a way for bloggers to connect and converse over Twitter about blogging or whatever the specific theme of the chat is about.

It's such a great way to meet other bloggers. I am so passionate about writing and blogging, and sometimes it's hard to talk about it with other people who don't understand blogging as much. So I have loved getting to know other bloggers recently. I also love finding new blogs to read, because there is so much out there.

One of my favorite parts about connecting with other bloggers is that you get to meet people from all around the country. While I may never meet most of the people I connect with in the blogosphere, I feel like I have a preview into their life. And, especially with lifestyle blogs, that can mean a lot. There is sometime a stigma towards meeting people on the Internet, because you don't really know the person behind the keyboard. But I don't feel like that at all with the people I have met through blogging. I have talked to some of the kindest, sweetest, and most genuine people. Through twitter, comments, Facebook groups, and kind emails, I have had the pleasure of talking to some wonderful people. Some of the comments I have gotten have made my day. Some of the posts I have read  have given me inspiration and faith. Some of the people I have met have made me feel like all the time and work I put into the blog is worth it.

Diving deeper into the blogging community was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has been such a positive experience, and it has encouraged me to grow my blog in ways I never dreamed of before. Blogging hasn't always been a big part of my life. Until this past summer I blogged infrequently, and didn't make much of an effort to share my posts other than copying a link to Facebook for friends and family. When I started to see what others in the blogging community were doing, I knew it was something I had to be a part of.

I am so glad that I decided to participate in my first Twitter chat. Confession: I was a tad nervous at first, because I had only ever observed them before. But once I got into it, I lost track of time, and I was sad when it was over. Thanks for the wonderful conversation, ladies. I can't wait to learn more about you through your blogs! #CoffeeDateChat

And if you this Twitter chat sounds like fun to you, check out Life, Love and Coffee Stains, and Coffee and Cardigans on Twitter. This was their first time hosting, and they will be back with another one in October.

Have you participated in a Twitter chat before? What's your favorite one?

WILL THE REAL TAYLOR SWIFT PLEASE STAND UP?

The haters gonna hate...hate...hate... Wait, hold up! I am not TSwift. You wouldn't believe how many times people have asked me if I am aware how similar my name is to Taylor Swift. Like. Oh. My. Gosh. I never thought about that before. 

 Love or hate her, Taylor Swift is still a big name in our culture. Her lyrics are pulsating throughout our radios. She is there for your break up--because you are never ever getting back together. Ever. She is there when you are turning 22--because apparently 22 is the new 21. And she is there shaking off all of the criticism, because the haters gonna hate...hate...hate... From the tear drops on her guitar to "this sick beat", she is making her mark on this generation of music.

One thing she's not doing is suffering from all the comments about how similar her name is to mine. Maybe someday we can do something about that when I am a big name in Hollywood (Power of positive thinking, right?). Until then, I continue to face the comments about this unfortunate coincidence. 

1. Did you now that your name is almost Taylor Swift?

What?! Mind Blown.
2. At first, I saw your name and thought it was Taylor Swift. But then I realized it wasn't...

Really? That must have been a HUGE disappointment. 

3. You've probably heard this a million times time, but...

Not again. 

4. I don't know about you. But I am feelin' 22. 

 
 Nope...

5. Can you sing like her? 

I am a professional car-singer. Does that count?

6. Just kidding. She can't sing--trick question. 

 Do you think before you speak?

7. Guys! My roommate is Taylor Swift. (Apparently my roomie liked to joke about this).

Yeah...sure.

 8. Wait, so did your parents mean to name you after Taylor Swift?

 She's not that much older than me... She definitely wasn't famous when I was born. 

9. I'm going to call you T-Sweezy.

 

  Um...please no.

10. *No reference to Taylor Swift*: "Nice to meet you, Taylor!"

Hey! I just met you, and this crazy, but thanks for not mentioning TSwift, Baby.

SNAPSHOT SUNDAY

This week I am participating in a link-up, "Snapshot Sunday", hosted by Jessica from Seeking Individuality.  I wanted to share some updates, and I thought I would show a few of the most interesting moments in the past week. 

//ONE//

Last weekend I endured the 5-and-half-hour bus trip home for a special occasion. A friend of mine got married. I have to say I didn't expect to attend a wedding for a friend this early, but it was such a beautiful ceremony. I am really glad that I was invited to be there. This sign was just one of the cute decorations that made their wedding that made me feel like I walked into a Pinterest photo. It was definitely an evening to remember. 

//TWO//

This Saturday we had our second home football game. The Badger games are definitely one of my favorite parts about fall at UW. They call it "The Sea of Red" as the crowds are gathered tailgating before the game all around you. Badgers of all ages are awaiting the "Let's Go Red!" cheers and the various forms of the wave to circulate the stadium. The school pride is contagious. As we crushed the enemies (Final Score--Wisconsin, Badgers:68 // Bowling Green, Falcons:17), the student section erupted in cheer and high-fives with every touch down. Something about the classic "Jump Around" being in the rain made it even more exhilarating.

//THREE//

My mom claims she couldn't get a good picture of her, because she wouldn't smile right. But I think this picture of my little sister on her first day of preschool is the cutest thing I have seen in weeks. Maybe I am biased, but silly face or not, I think it's adorable. Going back last weekend made me miss her even more, because I got to see how much she had already changed in a few weeks. At four-years-old she is constantly changing, and I am sad to be missing so much of it. But it makes our time together even more special when we get it.

//FOUR//

Salted Caramel {Deliciousness} Latte. Yum. This morning I woke up with a sweet tooth, and a need for a caffeinated beverage. One of my roommates had told me about a cute coffee shop just down the street from us. It's called "Indie Coffee", and I am in love. Have you ever pictured a "Hipster Coffee Shop"? (Or is that something only I have done?) Well, you probably conjured up an image similar to this place. It was the perfect atmosphere (and coffee) to start my day. 

//OTHER LIFE UPDATES//

I will admit that I was feeling a little discouraged after facing rejection a few times this summer, but I realized this week that the reason I didn't get them was because there was more waiting for me. I applied for a job over the summer that involved doing some office work, because it sounded more appealing than doing food service. Unfortunately, school started  and I had to return to serving food, doing dishes, and cashiering. I was less than thrilled. So when I came across a position for a local TV station, I thought This is it. This is what I need to start building a resume for working in the TV/Film industry. But when I started filling out the application I was intimidated, and almost didn't turn it in. Boy am I glad that I went for it anyway, because I am officially an employee at said TV station! 

You might have seen that I was also accepted to write for the Wisconsin chapter of Her Campus last week. And as of Friday, I was also accepted into the Her Campus Blogger Network. It was such an exciting week. I am so thankful--being patient is difficult sometimes, but my mom always told me the familiar phrase, "You make plans and God laughs." I was concerned with why things didn't seem to be going my way for a while, but know I know that it was because He had more in store for me.

How was your week? What are you thankful for right now? 

BLOG TOUR: MY WRITING PROCESS

In this past few months I have written about Why I Write and what it's like it's like to be "That Blogger Friend". I love talking about my writing, because it is such a big part of my life. Recently, Brittany from The Kardia tagged me in on this virtual blog tour, so I am happy to share the why this blog has become so important to me.

1. What am I working on?

Toward the end of summer I started to get a little bit restless about going back to school. I craved routine and something to keep my mind busy. But then I quickly realized why I barely wrote blog posts last year: there is not enough time. I wish I could blog four, five times a week, but that simply isn't possible. Recently, I also got accepted to write for the Wisconsin chapter of Her Campus. So I will also have to put my writing efforts to work for them, too. In fact, I have my first assigned feature coming up soon--stay tuned for more details on that. 

2. How does my work differ from others of its type/genre?

Having a "lifestyle blog" gives you a lot of a lot of flexibility to write about. I am not a "mommy blogger" or a designer. However, being a college student makes me reflect on my experiences and dreams for the future. Through this blog I hope to help others find what makes them happy and encourage them to go after it. My blog is called Life in the Lost and Found Bin, because I am constantly looking for what I think will make me happiest. The thing is that happiness isn't an tangible object that you can attain through enough time and hard work. It is something that is ongoing. You have to constantly search for it, and cherish it when you come across it. 

3. Why do I write what I do?

This blog started 3 years ago in my AP Comp class in high school. It was founded simply because it was an assignment, and it was they way that we posted weekly assignments. At the very beginning it was called, "Write Away," which was inspired by my teacher's blog "Yeah, Write." I love that blog name. If you ever met her, you would know that it fit her personality pretty perfectly, too. 

I was one of the few people in my class to keep blogging, and I am definitely the only one to take it this far. For the past couple years I have been posting here and there when I was inspired. Now, I have a more clear vision in mind, and in the past couple of months I have really been working on growing my blog. I started sponsoring blogs, connecting with other bloggers in the blogging community, and I am posting on more of a regular basis. I think the reason I decided to write a lifestyle blog (instead of choosing a specific topic) was because of AP Comp. We had a lot of options and variety in what we could write about. I love that! I want to be able to share whatever I think is important or relevant. In the same way, I hope that people can connect with my writing and get something out of it. It makes my day when people let me know that something I wrote resonated with them.

4. How does your writing process work?

 I read other blogs all the time! It gives me inspiration and motivation. I also love when other people read my blog, so I like to make sure that I spend a lot of time showing other people's blog love. If something someone else wrote really stuck with me, I will definitely give them the credit and link to their blog as my inspiration. 

As far as actually writing the posts, it can happen at any time and at any place. Over the summer I watched my little sister, so I would write before my mom went to work, while my sister was taking a nap, or late at night. Like I mentioned before, there is less time to write, but when I post whenever I have an open chunk of time and I am sick of doing homework/studying. 

I also use the "Wunderlist" app (you can download it on your phone and computer!) to keep a running list of my blog post ideas. After I write the post, I can check the box, and it disappears. Other times, I will actually start writing something and realize that I don't have much else to say. So I leave it as a draft, and I come back to it when I have found more inspiration.

Up Next!

These ladies reached out to me from a "Grow Your Blog" group on Facebook. We all have a common goal, and I am thrilled to share these wonderful blogs. I cannot wait to hear more about your writing processes!

Lily from From Lily With Love. We just met in the blogging community, but I already know we will be good blog friends--if only for our love of Friends and Gilmore Girls. She also has a great taste in music! And she has a super helpful post on getting up early--which is much needed for some us sleep-deprived college students. Sit down, grab a cup of tea, and join Lily for a great start to your day.

Julianne from What the Bride Wore. This blog is about weddings! Whether or not you are planning a wedding any time soon, it is fun to look at the beautiful wedding dresses and must-have beauty products for summer weddings. It's especially a great place to stop if a wedding is in your future.

Marissa from The Mint Green Mug.  It's an adorable lifestyle blog--filled with everything from about what she would do differently on her wedding day to her tips about making a house a home.  Make sure to check out her Etsy shop, as well!

What's your writing process like?

Her Campus-Wisconsin

I recently applied to write for the Her Campus Wisconsin chapter. Last night I got an acceptance email, along with another message asking to publish a couple of the posts I submitted! I am super excited to be a part of Her Campus, and I wanted to re-share my post for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Check out my "11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Freshman Year" on Her Campus. 

Look for more posts by me on Her Campus coming soon! Next up: "How to Deal with Change in a New Semester".

Also, I was tagged to write a post about my writing process by Brittany from The Kardia. So stay tuned this week for more on why I do all of this!

How Yoga Changed My Life

Original Image

Life is stressful. Someone cuts you off on the freeway. Work piles up, and your boss doesn't seem to get that you are human, too. No one else seems to understand what you are going through. Then one day, you say something that you don't mean to someone you care about, because you have bottled up your frustrations of the day. 

Yoga allowed me to see things differently. I see the stressful events in front of me. I might even feel a twinge in my chest or the anxiety approaching, but I stop. I take a breath, and I actively combat the stress with calming thoughts and soothing breaths. When I am actually in the yoga studio, it becomes even simpler. Suddenly, the worries shrink, until they disappear. My breath is louder than my thoughts, as I mentioned in my post "Breathe in, Breath out." And I am able to stay focused on the present poses.

Via The Mayo Clinic

Child's Pose// In child's pose you are faced toward your mat--arms stretched out, legs bent, forehead on the mat. Many of the instructors I have had start the class with in child's pose, reminding us to return to this pose if we are overheated (I do a lot of hot yoga) or out-of-sync with our breath. While I am not going to go into this pose in my everyday life, when I am fatigued or overwhelmed it serves as a reminder to stretch my body and calm my mind.

Downward {Facing} Dog// Whenever I have a conversation about yoga with someone who doesn't practice, they seem to bring up the downward dog if anything. It is the one pose that many people recognize, and sometimes like to poke fun at. But while they are laughing, I am reaping the benefits of stronger arms and decreased back pain. 

Active.com lists other benefits including,

• Stronger hands, wrists, low-back, hamstrings, calves and Achilles tendon
• Decrease in back pain by strengthening the entire back and shoulder girdle
• Elongated shoulders and shoulder blade area
• Decrease in tension and headaches by elongating the cervical spine and neck and relaxing the head
• Deepened respiration
• Decreased anxiety
• Increased full-body circulation

Cobra// I like to do yoga in the morning. Have you ever heard people say they work out in the morning, because then they are conscious about what they eat throughout the day? It's a motivator to stay healthy, because you don't want to ruin the benefits you gained from working out. Well, for me, yoga is a way to stay grounded and focused throughout the day. It is a reminder to remain calm and appreciative after my practice. The cobra involves you lifting your chest away from the ground, stretching your heart forward. With that in mind, I keep my heart open and full throughout the day.

The Art Of Living mentions benefits such as,

• Opens up the shoulders and neck. 
• Tones the abdomen.
• Strengthens the entire back and shoulders.
• Improves flexibility of the upper and middle back.
• Expands the chest.
• Improves blood circulation.
• Reduces fatigue and stress.
• Useful for people with respiratory disorders such as asthma. (Do not practice this yoga pose during the attack though).

 
Warrior Series// Even the name suggests strength. There is Warrior I, Humble Warrior, Warrior II, Reverse Warrior, and Warrior III. In Warrior II, I feel strength in my arms and legs. In Warrior III, I fight to balance (the more concentrated I am, the more likely I am to stay balanced). Yoga is not an extended version of stretching; there is so much more to it. It is mental, physical, philosophical, and psychological. Yoga is also about achieving courage, grace and peace.

Corpse Pose// This final pose, Shavasana, is often emphasized as the most important. Many yoga instructors encourage yogis to stay at least 3-5 minutes after the class has ended to remain in this pose to soak in the benefits of the practice. In yoga it is important to keep your focus inward. Nothing matters beyond the four corners of your mat, which includes not feeling discouraged by the practice of the people around you. It is in our nature to compare ourselves to others, but it is often destructive, and everyone is at different places. Some people are brand new, while others have been practicing for many years, so they might be able to push a little farther. This pose is meant to be even more about you. With your eyes closed, you focus on your breathing and the present moment. It is meant to be meditative and relaxing. 

Yoga: Art + Science shares benefits of these pose such as, 

• a decrease in heart rate and the rate of respiration.
• a decrease in blood pressure.
• a decrease in muscle tension.
• a decrease in metabolic rate and the consumption of oxygen.
• a reduction in general anxiety.
• a reduction in the number and frequency of panic attacks.
• an increase in energy levels and in general productivity.
• an improvement in concentration and in memory.
• an increase in focus.
• a decrease in fatigue, coupled with deeper and sounder sleep.
• improved self-confidence.

Via Pinterest

What helps you stay relaxed? Do have any other tips and tricks for combating stress?

Currently

What's new in the Life in the Lost and Found Bin?

Week one of sophomore year. Check. 

Loss of time management skills. Check. 

Updating Life in the Lost and Found Bin. Oops.

Today I am linking up over at A Mama Collective. I was actually inspired to do so after reading Jessica's "Collective" recently on Seeking Individuality. 

 
Thinking About// What I want to do with the rest of my life. The beginning of a new semester is always interesting. You meet new people, which leads to awkward small talk--which, in turn, leads to "so what's your major?" As I am undecided, answering this question is always interesting. Sometimes I say something like, "I want to do communication arts--the Film, TV, Radio track, and possibly double that with Strategic Communications through the Journalism school." For classmates who understand the majors better I might say, "Comm arts and strat comm through the J-School"--because short lingo is always way more fun. But more often than not, I simply reply "I am studying film and advertising." It is a a concise and understandable version of what I am considering the most. As I live a Life in the Lost and Found Bin, I don't have it all figured out. But it is nice to have ideas about what I am most passionate about.

Excited For// This weekend I am going home for a friend's wedding. I cannot believe one of my friends from high school is already getting married, but I am so happy for her, and I cannot wait to see her walking down the aisle. It will also be nice to be home for a weekend, even if it is a little earlier in the semester than I anticipated.

Reading// Class readings. So many class readings. My classes this semester all involve a large chunk of reading. It is obvious I won't be doing to much reading-for-pleasure this semester. The other downside of this semester is I have a lot of course-required writing, which that leaves less time for writing things like blog posts and short stories. My goal is to keep up reading a few blogs every day, and writing a post at least twice a week. Cross-my-fingers it works out.

Watching// I have been attempting to keep up with the end of my favorite reality show, Big Brother. Given that I spend most of my time reading and doing homework now, there is not much extra time to watch TV. When I have watched anything, it has been mostly for social enjoyment. After the football game on Saturday, my roommates and I came back and crashed on the couch to watch She's the Man. The only thing that might have been funnier than Amanda Byne's at her best was one of my roommates constantly complaining about how unrealistic it was. We had to keep reminding her many movies are not known for their realism, as they are often imaginary events.

Listening to// "One Night Town" by Ingrid Michaelson feat. Mat Kearney. This song made my summer a little cheerier. A good friend told me he swoons every time Ingrid sings, "Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh." These two are some of my favorite. I have even seen Ingrid and Mat at two different Basilica Block Parties. In my opinion, the singer-songwriter genre of this decade culminates in this uplifting duet.

 

What have you been up to lately?

Stand Up To Cancer

Cancer is something touches all of us. According to the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) site, "1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. We can change these odds." Tonight the Stand Up To Cancer program will air on over 30 networks with dozens of stars performing. WYZX, an ABC affiliate, says the program has raised millions of dollars since its start in 2008. From the 2012 broadcast alone, they raised over $81 million. 

This program aims to raise awareness and show how everyone is connected by cancer. We all know someone or have been personally affected by cancer in some way. It is an opportunity to unite everyone in battling this disease.

Celebrities like Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Gwyneth Paltrow,  Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell will show their support. In addition, performers will include Hudson and Ariana Grande, and more. 

Tune in for a powerful program that won't disappoint. 

Where Does the Money Go?

SU2C says, "Our mission is to fund collaborative, translational cancer research to bring treatments from the bench to the bedside faster, and save lives now."

Check out their TIMELINE for more information about what they have done so far. 

Look for the program tonight at 8 EDT.

Find Out More About Stand Up To Cancer.

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Donate

Dear Freshman

Warning: this post is going to poke fun at being a college freshman. I totally have the authority to do that now that I am a sophomore, right? (Well, I am going to poke fun at that, too--so hopefully that makes it sit better with you).

Now that my first day of school (aka two pretty brief classes) is over, I decided that I would leave a note to future freshman based on what I have seen. As someone who was a freshman once upon a time (last year), I understand what it is like to be in a new place with new people and have no idea what college classes are like. It's terrifying. All you know about school is now futile, because this is the major leagues. There isn't a school bell to tell you when you should be in class. The teacher won't be checking in to make sure you did your assigned reading. And for the most part, you won't be held accountable for doing any work until you get your final grade.

Inspired by #DearUWFreshman

 I hope no one actually fell for this. Freshman get this is a joke, right?

 This one would be cruel if you fell for it, because the first week (especially those first few days) was pretty brutal. Fans are a must.

Dear Freshman,

There a few things you should know before the first day of classes:

+You must show up to class at least a half hour before it begins.

+Make sure you go to all sections on the first day of classes (even if you got an email that it was canceled)--this is your first test.

+Have a notebook and pencil (#2 preferred) ready at the beginning of lecture. Make sure to copy down everything on the screen. After all, syllabus week is super important.

+Professors will be able to recognize all 350 of their students, so don't even try to miss a lecture. He/she will notice.

+Bring all of your textbooks to your first classes. You want to make sure you got the right ones. (Oh and have them covered--says someone who used the aforementioned hashtag)

+If you don't think you are going to make it across the road on time, run! You cannot, under any circumstances, be late to class. You might as well just go back to the dorm if you are.

+Think of cheesy ice breaker-games you can play with the people around you before class starts.

+By any means possible, avoid asking anyone where a certain building is. If anything, stay glued to your smart phone with the GPS volume cranked so that everyone knows you are self-sufficient.

Sincerely,

An Obviously More Experienced Upperclassman*

*I just finished freshman year a few months ago. It wasn't that long ago that I was in your position, too. So keep your head up. Make friends. Go to class. Freshman year was a whirlwind of crazy fun experiences, so don't spend too long being nervous or scared. Be excited, because before you know it you will be looking at all the incoming students, knowing that they are about to have one of the best years of their lives.

+If you took any of these seriously (or felt that they were pejorative), I am sorry. Since you got into college, I already know you aren't dumb, and no one thinks you are. We truly want you to feel welcome and comfortable on campus. But college is a big adjustment. Don't be afraid of making mistakes or embarrassing yourself by not knowing something about it.  It takes time to make the transition, and you will get through this.

For actual tips on what you want to know before freshman year, check out "11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Freshman Year."

How to Deal with Change in a New Semester

There are a few pesky things you can't avoid in life; change is one of them. Some people detest change--they want consistency and to be able to rely on the way things have been. It's more comfortable that way. Other people embrace it, and seek change in every way possible. These are the people who get drastic hair cuts and tattoos on a whim, because it is something new. Change can be exhilarating, but it can also be terrifying. It can be small or it can be life altering. No matter what is different, you have to learn how to accept it somehow, because things can't stay the same forever.

College presents change left and right. Over summer break everything can change, and I am realizing it has. It's over three months away from campus and close friends. That's a lot of time to change your views and make new decisions about what you want in life. It's months to lose touch with people or gain stronger bonds with others. 

With a new semester upon us, I have had a lot of time to reflect on the changes in my life and with my friends. So much is different, and things can't go back to the way they were. But hopefully these changes will be for the best and add more positivity to my life. What can you do to make change positive in your life?

Make a list of goals for the semester. When you're making decisions, think back to this list and ask yourself which choice will get you closer to achieving your goals. You don't have everything mapped out and perfectly planned. But if you have an idea of what you want to happen in the future, then you have something to work towards.

Focus on you. Sometimes being a little selfish isn't a bad thing. This doesn't mean you isolate yourselves from friends and family and only do what is best for you. It means that you can still be a good friend without going on every emotional roller-coaster that people you care about are on. Other people are going to go through hard times and lose themselves a little bit. Do what you can to be a good friend. Everyone needs a support system, but know that you cannot solve other people's problems. You need to focus on your happiness, too. The only way you can be a good friend is if you are able to take care of yourself first.

Get involved. Join an organization, a club or intramural sport, or find a club with that relates to what you want to study (this is a great way to meet like-minded people and see what other people are doing to achieve their dreams). Making friends is fun. You might meet someone that you connect with or find a new talent or leadership position. Take advantage of the opportunities you have on campus, because they won't be around forever. This can help you make positive changes in your life, even if it only means developing better time management skills from being busier.

Surround yourself with people who make you a better person. This might be one of the most important things you can do not only in college, but also in life. Your best friends should be the people who push you to be better and stronger. They should make you feel good about who you are as a person, and they should make you feel like you matter. If someone is causing you pain or distress, you probably don't need them in your life. They aren't worth it. Life is way too short to put up with people that try to devalue your self worth and make you feel like you have to be who they want you to be. No one can force you do anything or make you feel a certain way. Take control of who you surround yourself with, and don't let other people's negativity pull you down.

Always work on improving yourself. I read something this morning that said to have a pep talk with yourself every morning. It sounds kind of silly at first--why would I want to talk to myself, nonetheless be motivational or inspirational to myself? But when you think about it, it makes so much sense. I like to think about it as if I am looking back on this moment in five years, or 10 years, will I be happy with the choice I made? If I am not proud of a decision, why should I expect anyone else to be proud or impressed by it? We can all constantly do something to improve ourselves.

Live in the now. You have heard it a million times: there is no time like today. Try not to get too wrapped up in the past, because you can't change your story once it is written. Instead of trying to do a re-write, fill your future with stories you are proud to share. Accept the changes in your life, and do your best to appreciate a good thing while it's there, because it might not last forever. One of my favorite reality shows has the tag line "Expect the Unexpected"--that should be your life motto.

Everything you know will change at some point. Some of it will be good and some of it will be bad, but if you are striving to better yourself, you will know how to deal with it and overcome it. 

How do you deal with change? Do you have another suggestions?