Candy Corn, Costumes and Pumpkins...O MY

     October is a very fun-filled month. It brings in fall, changing leaves, pumpkin spice everything and most importantly Halloween.
  
      Halloween is a very exciting holiday. It is filled with fun, friends, family and of course candy. It is also the one day of the year when you can be anyone in the world, other than yourself.

     In college, Halloween is especially more exciting because you are surrounding by all of your friends and the atmosphere is just full of excitement

     Some more reasons why Halloween is more exciting at college:

• It's more than just one day, it's celebrated over the whole weekend = More than just one costume choice.
• You could do group costumes with your friends, or a couple costume with your cutie.
• There are countless Halloween themed festivities and parties on and off campus.
• Candy
• Decorating your hall or house with other residents or roommates.

     This exciting and spooky holiday is this weekend and nothing is more frustrating than trying to pick a costume, especially last minute. What's better than being an influential woman for Halloween.

     Here are some DIY (Do it yourself) costume ideas:

• Amelia Earhart
• Frida Kahlo
• Rosie the Riveter
• Cleopatra
• Hilary Clinton
• Beyonce
• Katniss Everdeen
• Joan of Arc 
• Lisa Simpson
• Daenerys Targaryen
• Sonia Sotomayor
• Peggy Olson
• Kimmy Schmidt

     Some of these costumes can be made with small things from Walmart, or your nearest super store.

    

    A great tip for picking your costume, is not to stress over it and have fun choosing it!

  

 

Major Decision

     We have all been asked the question, "What are you going to major in?", at least once or one hundred times throughout our college years. Not having the answer to this important question can sometimes be a very confidence burning thought.

     Thinking about your major brings you to essentially think about your whole future and its success.

     Some questions that probably go through your mind:

"Will this major make me money in the future?"
"What are the career opportunities for this major?"
"Will I be happy the rest of my life in a job that relates to my major?"
"Why do I specifically want this major?"
"Will I be academically good in this major?"

     When coming into college there might be a sense of pressure to instantly declare what you think you have interest in, yet it takes more than just a liking. A lot of people declare their first semester of college. On the other hand, you have approximately 2 years before you have to declare, which gives you time to review the options and decide.

     The number on thing to keep in mind while reviewing major choices is that you shouldn't just seek a job that is going to pay well. Its great to be getting paid well but you never want to just settle for money and not enjoy what your doing.

     When trying to pick your major, you have to make sure you are passionate and love what you will be studying. Homework and classes won't feel draining because you will be doing something that you are pursuing. Eventually in the future when you score the job of your dreams in the field you studied and loved, a job won't feel like a job.


     Sometimes parents will get in the way of what you truly want to study. If it alters in any way, the image THEY have of YOUR success, they will do anything to convince you that you will be wasting your time.

    Its always great to take parental advice but at this point in your life, you have to think about yourself. Your parents aren't the ones who will be working the job for you, and as stated before, you don't ever want to be in a workplace where you wake up hating your job everyday.

Here are some myths about picking your major:

"Most students entering college have already decided their academic majors"

"Once a student decides on an academic major, he/she will stick to it."

"A career/personality assessment or career professional can tell you what to major in and what to do with your life."

"A major will limit career options."

     Pick a major where you see your future self thinking, "I love what I do!"

A Sticky Note A Day, Keeps The Doctor Away

     Staying focused on your health in college is very hard to do when there are so many distractions around. Health doesn't necessarily just pertain to physical health.

     These are the top two health topics to stay focused on:

• Mental Health
• Physical Health & Food and Nutrition

     Food and Nutrition:

     

     On a college budget, the least of your concerns is what nutritional food you should buy from the super market. Let's be honest a 6 pack of Mac and Cheese is cheaper than some vegetables, therefore it is more convenient to eat foods that aren't good for you. 

    

     A great app to budget your grocery shopping is "Wunderlist." Usually when you make a list before hand, you avoid buying stuff out of your context. 

    When making that list make sure to include:

•      Produce
•      Protein 
•      Healthy Drinks

Hercampus.com has a great story on specifically the best things to buy for each of these categories.

      In relation to this, physical health is also important. Eating good and keeping in tune with just how your body feels on the outside can make a huge difference on the way you are motivated and confident.

     Try to go to the gym three to five times a week for about one hour to an hour and a half. A great routine to follow is:

30-45 minute cardio
30-45 minute routine switch focus workout (Abs Day, Arms Day, Leg Day)
Stretch!

It is important to take those break days in between or every other day, depending on level of fitness.

     Mental Health:

     Stress, anxiety, insomnia and depression are prone to come with the course load of work in college. Mental health is one of the most important aspects to stay on track of because it is the basis of how you stay on top of everything else.
       

5 Ways to Stay Mentally Happy :)


1. MOTIVATE YOURSELF: Find ways to motivate yourself every single day. Change your wallpaper on your phone and computer to say anything that brings your spirits up. Write sticky notes or buy artwork with positive messages and hang them all over your room. As soon as you wake up every morning you will see one and instantly feel motivated.

2. FIND TIME FOR YOURSELF: Nothing is more soothing and stress relieving than staying in and getting some alone time. It is very important to find that comfortable space with yourself: read a book, binge watch Netflix, sleep or anything else you need to do in order to just wake up the next day and feel rejuvenated.

3. STAY ORGANIZED: Keeping organized can make you more time efficient. Plan out times to do specific homework, keep tabs on your to do list, make time for friends and socializing. Writing everything down allows you to always make sure you know what to do, even if you aren't able to do it.

4. KEEP IN TOUCH WITH LOVED ONES: Nobody is more motivating in keeping you on your stuff than your parents or caregivers. They want whats best for you and are your number one supporters. When you are feeling down and completly unmotivated, try giving someone you love a call.

5. GO TO THE GYM: Going to the gym gives you a sense of control of yourself even if it is only for a few hours. You can clear your mind, and feel like everything you are doing at that moment is to completly better yourself.

Healthy Mind + Healthy Body = Amazing Heart, Confidence and Attitude!

   

Feminista

     Coming into college, I had no idea what feminism was. I knew of the word, but nothing of its meaning or importance.

     Feminism is perfectly defined here by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
   
     In actual definition terms, according to wgs.eku.edu, feminism "aims to interrogate gender inequalities and to effect change in areas where gender and sexuality politics create power imbalances...feminist political activists campaign in areas such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, gay marriage, and workplace issues such as family medical leave, equal pay, and sexual harassment and discrimination."

     The video below shows exactly why we need feminism.

     It is very important to have women studies as a general requirement class for college. It teaches women and especially men the everyday challenges women face and have faced for hundreds of years.

     Some misconceptions people have of being a feminist:

• "All feminist are lesbians and bra-burning radicals who hate men."

• "Women can't be feminine and be a feminist at the same time."

• "Feminism is only for middle-class white women."

• "Feminism only liberates women at the expense of men"

     All of these myths that come with being feminist, have absolutely nothing to do with being feminist. 

    Some truth behind being a feminist: 

• "Feminist not only believe in equality between men and women, but also in equality between every gender, class, race, and sexual orientation."

• "Feminism is fundamentally about giving women choices, not about finding new ways to limit their self-expression."

• "Feminism doesn't just liberate women; it also liberates men by breaking down the standards which society has put in place for both women and men."

     Recently in women feminist and empowerment news, Amber Rose released a video called the "Walk of No Shame."

    Rose released this video in light of "a completely backwards representation of society's reaction to women openly having sexual relations; it demonstrates the big deal that people make out of women having sex," stated by hercampus.com.