Guest Blogger: Ivory Giraffes.

Hello my lovelies! I have your guest blogger, as promised! Here is her post:

I figure you'd want to know a little about the girl whose post you'll be reading today, so how about some generals about me? My name is Hannah and I'm 18. I'm a freshman at Bethel College, which I'm sure you've never heard of {it's near Notre Dame}, studying Music Performance. Piano is my concentration, in case you're a musician and were wondering. I like tea, and cozy sweaters. {Cliche? Maybe. True? Definitely.} I cannot go without painting my nails, and summer is my favorite season. I have the most wonderful boyfriend. His name is Hunter, and we'll have been dating for two years in about a month. I like Audrey Hepburn, reading books by John Green, and listening to Jesse McCartney on occasion. I blog, sporadically recently, at Ivory Giraffes about life, love, and sometimes clothes. Take a peek if you like. Now, onto the nitty gritty. 

I started my first year of college in August. It was scary. I was home schooled for most of my education and the thought of going into college was just terrifying. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep up, or if I was even ready for such a big step. I've only been in college for a couple of months, but I feel like there are some big things that I can maybe share to help you as you go into the next phase, the college phase, of your life. 

1) Organize. Organize. Organize.

In high school I was big into my planner. It had every single thing I needed to do for the day written down a full week ahead of time. Since coming to college I haven't used my planner all that much, but I have stayed organized in other various ways. On Saturdays I sit with my syllabi {a.k.a. you're bffl} and write on separate pieces of paper all the assignments due for the week and what day they're due, then I tape them onto my desk. Personally I like doing this better than using my planner. I just like having it all out where I can see it at all times. Then, every day I have written down everything I have to do for the day. Everything from the classes and assignments, to laundry, to practicing piano. Writing things down helps to solidify them into your memory and having everything laid out in front of you helps you to remain on task. Plus, it feels really nice to be able to check things off of your list!

2) Make you time.  

I know it's hard. The tests, the homework, the everything. It gets stressful. But, it's really important to make some purely you time. Even if it's only a half hour, just do something for you. Something that has nothing to do with homework, something that makes you happy. If I do everything I have to do for the day, the next day I get to take a nap. Another thing that I really enjoy doing for me is playing the piano {good thing, huh, being a piano major?}. It's something I find relaxing and it helps me put in some good practice hours. 

3) Bring homey stuff.

This dorm room is your new room. It looks like a jail cell and will remain looking like a jail cell until you change it. Put up posters. Inspirational quotes, song lyrics, whatever floats your boat. The other really helpful thing is bringing things that make it feel like home. Don't just bring that really cute comforter you just bought, bring the quilt that your grandma made you for Christmas when you were seven. Heck, I even have canned pickles that my grandma made for me. It reminds me of home... plus they're delish. 

4) Make the most of everything that is offered to you. 

How many times in your life are you going to be able to have full access to a gym? Or free counseling? Or free tutoring? Maybe not all colleges offer these, but chances are that they offer something that's not usually free. Take advantage of it. And your professors. If you have questions, ask. They're more than happy to help you with something if need be, and it'd be better to ask the question and understand something that never asking the question at all and flunking. 

5) Open yourself up to new experiences and friends. 

Going into college I had the mind set that I was here for college and that was it. I didn't need to make friends, I just needed to study and get good grades. If I had done that, I would have been missing out on so much. You know how everyone says that the friends you make in college will be your friends for life? I can already feel that that's going to be true. Open yourself to the new experiences that new friends offer. For the first time in my life I tried Chinese food {so good!} and found friends, girl friends, who understand and accept me for me. 

College has been one of the best experiences of my life. From the classes, to the friends, to the dorm life. My biggest piece of advice is to make the most of your time at college. Whether you're 20 minutes from home, or six hours.