Be A Successful Student In 5 Easy Steps

Going to college shouldn't be a passive experience. In order to be successful you must participate and be an active member of your campus.

1. Join a charitable organization- from Big Brothers Big Sisters to Habbitat for Humanity, there are tons of options on college campuses to make a positive impact of the community.

2. Get to know your professors- although not every professor is the nicest or most social, building professional relationships with your professors is a great way to network and maybe help you land a job someday.

3. Join a professional organization- no matter what major you are in there are pleanty of opportunities to get involved in a profession club or association on campus.

4. Find an on-campus job- even if you don't "need the money" you have to admit that having a little extra cash every two weeks is pretty nice. College is all about learning the balance of life.  Juggling classes and a job is a way to gain tangible experience.

5. Embrace friends- getting involved in many activites, from work to classes and clubs, will also help you make many different kinds of friends.  I cherish friends in my major, friends in my organizations and friendships I have developed throughout my time at school.

Do you have any other tips or comments? Please share!

keeping up with current events from my bubble in pa

As I watched the State of the Union last night from a friend's house, I couldn't help but feel slightly out of the loop. Last year I was watching with a group of students and friends in Washington, D.C. discussing everything from Obama's words to the impact of wearing a certain color tie to the event.  After last night, I've set a new goal for myself: read atleast the headlines of a major newspaper daily and turn on the evening news instead of E! News at night.  Being informed is important as I make the transition from student to contributing member of society. 

Here is a photo I took last January inside the Capitol.  It's a reminder of the freedoms and opportunities I have as an American and an inspiration to make an effort to be more informed in the happenings of our nation.

This is a photo of me with a WASP (Woman Airforce Service Pilot) and another person from my office in Washington.  Milly, served as a WASP during World War II and flew planes across the ocean to relieve fighter pilots during the War. After 80 years, she was finally recognized for her service.

Will Our Friendships Stand the Test of Time?

True Life: I have great friends. That is probably what I am most thankful for about my time in college. Friendships and learning how to be a good friend is key to having a happy life. Now that I am approaching graduation, I realize that these friendships I have forged will cease to exist as I know them.  Distance and changes in lifestyles will separate us in more ways than one.  I can only hope that the bonds we have formed over our time together will keep us close, though I know I must accept that the chances are slim that I will be able to keep in touch with all of the people I care about in college.

As I approach the end, my life as I know it is rapidly changing.  So for now I plan on enjoying the moment and taking a ton of pictures.  Some day maybe we will meet again and laugh and cry at the photos from days gone by. That's all for now. Class is calling..

ATTENTION ALMOST-ADULTS

Hello and welcome to my blog. My name is Claire and in a matter of four months I will be leaving college in the heart of central Pennsylvania and to pursue a long and successful career in...I HAVE NO IDEA! After years of good grades, clubs, internships and seizing any other opportunity college had to offer me I am left with the feeling that I have the world at my finger tips but nothing solid to grab onto.  So here I am, ready to put all of the knowledge and experiences I've had to good use.  Somewhere between enjoying my last semester with friends and taking class, I am going to figure out what I want to do and where I want to do it. I'll share my own experiences, offer advice, ask for it and hopefully before I graduate I'll have some answers.