14 THINGS I LEARNED IN MY 14TH YEAR

My name is Lexy Biederman, and this blog is for my class, MMC 2100 at the University of Florida. I want this to be a platform for people the same age or younger to learn from some experiences I have been through as a student. Obviously, everyone’s time in college is unique to them as an individual, but sometimes it’s nice to feel like you’re not alone in what you’re going through.     

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

THE IMPORTANT THINGS YOU’LL LEARN YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR

There are countless articles, blogs, posts, etc. about everything that will happen in your very first year of college, but why doesn’t anyone talk about the second? Every year in school is a new learning experience no matter what year it is or where you are. I strongly believe my 2nd year of college has been the most transformative year of my life and I know I will keep growing until my last.

This year has been a roller coaster of emotions. At the beginning of the year, we had to come back from being home all summer, just another teaser, and another reminder that we are getting older. Then with open arms we had to welcome the freshman class that we so desperately wanted to be again. With 2nd year, comes 2nd year responsibilities.

It’s no secret that with each passing year of school, being an adult in the real world gets a little closer. But this blog isn’t meant to scare anyone, as much as it is to share experiences. There is no time like the present. Getting excited for things to come is the only way to avoid feeling like you’re drowning in responsibilities.

“Get involved!” That’s a phrase you will hear over and over until your ears bleed. But, in what? What if you tried all of last year and never got anything you applied for? You’re not alone. One of the worst feelings is looking around and feeling like everyone is already involved in these amazing clubs and organizations, but they’re not.

The overwhelming aura of involvement is one that discourages lots of people. But trust me when I tell you, everyone you’re admiring has faced countless rejections as well. It just means you need to keep trying. And by your second year, you should have a decent resume and some experience in application questions.

Your sophomore year is a time for learning about yourself mostly, but your school and everything around you. Educate yourself on things happening around you, dive into something new, and try everything. Rejection is life and it happens to everyone, but experience doesn’t happen without effort.

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

SOPHOMORE 15 IS A THING TOO

One of the biggest changes you’ll notice in college are those in your body. There is no escaping, denying or hiding from this. Maybe you’re so proactive that it changes for the better or maybe you have succumbed to the freshman fifteen. Changes in your body are natural and they happen with age.

If you spent all summer ’18 working off those extra lb.’s, I commend you. I can’t say I did the same, but what I can say is that – it might happen again. The environment change is the first thing that might shock your body. As active as you may feel, your body needs to adjust to what it’s surrounded by.

In this paper, Body composition changes during the first two years of university, done by Sareen S. Gropper et. Al, we see that the first two years of college are when a woman’s body changes the most. More so in freshman year, but sophomore year is not out of the question. It is proven that these changes lead to increased health risks in women.

Taking care of your body, meaning being active and eating right, is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Not only will you look better but feeling better is half the battle. This comes with trial and error because not everyone has the accessibility to make home-made meals every day.

But, trust, there are ways. I live in my sorority house where all my meals are provided on weekdays but then all hell breaks loose on weekends when I have to fend for myself. It’s so easy to settle for less healthy when there is a cheaper, easier option. But that’s where conscious decision making becomes important.

Staying active should be pretty easy because walking is the best way to commute on a college campus. However, that’s not always enough. Most universities allow students access to their gym facilities at pretty flexible hours. Even so, there are more options. Running for at least 30 minutes a day could make all the difference. According to 8 key ways running can transform your body and brain, it will not only transform your body, but it can also lift symptoms of depression and has been proven to improve your mood.

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

YOUR SORORITY/FRATERNITY OR LACK THEREOF SHOULD NOT LIMIT YOU

Greek life is a huge presence on my campus and most public universities. It truly is an amazing community, in my experience. The rush process can be challenging, but they really mean it when they say everyone will find where they’re meant to be. I know people that found this to be true on their second try, but they found it, nonetheless.

From the outside looking in, it can be a little intimidating. And on the other end of the spectrum, it can be easy to find yourself wrapped up in participating in Greek only activities. There is so much more to a campus than that.

My first two years of college I was in all online classes. I was able to rush and join the sorority I wanted, and I absolutely loved it. If you’re interested in learning more about joining a sorority, you can visit the NPC Website. However, I made the mistake of thinking that was as far as I could go, as it dominated the majority of my schedule. Getting involved within your Greek organization is easy and can take up a lot of your time, but it shouldn’t prevent you from expanding your horizons.

I have also met people not affiliated with the Greek community that tend to stray from the people involved and the events they put on. This negative approach is what keeps the stigma and separation alive on campuses across the nation.

For example, almost if not every single philanthropy event put on by Greek organizations are open to any and all that want to participate. These events are fun ways to get out of the house and also meet new people. Some philanthropies consist of dinners, late night dessert events, kickball tournaments, paintball, and many more.

But, most importantly, seeking immersion outside of this world is what will make you feel less trapped. Getting stuck in a rut or routine is not what college is for. By your sophomore year, you will most likely feel established in your college life but branching out beyond that is what will make your four years unforgettable.

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

FIND YOUR FAMILY IN YOUR FRIENDS

Homesickness is a real thing. It can prevent a lot of people from growing into themselves during their college years. This does not change in your second year. Focusing and dwelling on what you’re missing at home can lead to never making a life for yourself in your new [college] town. This is especially true for people who left something there, like a boyfriend, girlfriend, pet, or a really good friend.

In this article, The Science Behind Homesickness & Nostalgia, Angela Keele denotes the origin of homesickness and why people experience it. She said, “it is about longing for something familiar; a sense of comfort, security, and (as part of typical human nature) belonging.” When we first come to college, there is almost nothing familiar and feeling secure is near impossible.

This is an endless cycle for students who don’t force themselves to get out there and meet people. There is nothing more important in your years as a student than finding the people who will be by your side for the rest of your life. Finding a second family in your friends at school, to put it simply.

I have always been someone who has a set best friend or friend group and those are the people I rely on most. When I am having a hard time or even missing my family and my home, I know they are people I can always go to. These people aren’t always easy to find, and I will be the first to admit I didn’t feel secure in my friend group until my second year.

Missing home and feeling nostalgic about your high school years will fade gradually with time, but a lot of people expect that to be gone after their freshman year. It’s hard leaving the place you grew up in and established a life in for eighteen years. Missing that life is only natural, but once you’re able to accept that you can create a new one, you will be able to thrive.

There is no doubt that you might have to search long and hard for these people. Best friends, the ones that you can trust and go to with anything, are hard to find. But, at the end of the day you picked your school for the right reasons and you will be able to find people like you wherever you are, so long as you’re actually trying.

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

IT’S TIME TO SET A FINANCIAL PLAN

Freshman year is a year for mistakes. But sophomore year is about learning from the ones you made the year before. Money is one of the dominant subjects discussed on a college campus. Being careful about your spending and keeping track of expenses is absolutely necessary if you’re going to make it last the duration of the year.

There are countless resources like this article, Financial Planning For College Students from The Balance that can talk you through getting started on a real plan. This article includes things like how to create a budget, suggesting resources like downloading a budgeting app. It also advises against avoiding accumulating debt.

Debt is very common in college students. Everyone has heard of the famous student loans, which depending on your situation, might be inevitable for you. But the only way to minimize the damage of that situation is to not spend too much outside money, besides tuition costs.

Everything costs money, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there is always a cheaper way. Coupons, sales, free things, these are things that will benefit you a ton if you’re on the lookout for them.

Blowing money might be the easiest past time in the world. Everything from splurging on a snack when you’re hungry or buying a new dress for an event is fun easy to do carelessly. This is where the costs start to add up right before your eyes. All the conscious decisions of eating leftovers or borrowing a dress from a friend is the only way to prevent a financial crisis by the end of the year.

At the beginning of my sophomore year, I planned out my current financial status, adding in expected income and expected expenses. This kept me on track throughout the year and held me accountable. Like when I spent too much one weekend, I knew I would have to resist the next. Setting a plan your second year will make you that much more inclined to keep following it for the rest of your college career.

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

The Beer Garden in Downtown Gainesville was right next door to the Food Truck Rally and open for guests of all ages to sit and enjoy their food. The seats and twinkling lights created the perfect atmosphere to bite into whatever you were sampling that night. 

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

Lydia Bicknell, 19 and a student at UF, said that she goes to a food truck festival whenever there is one. She is a big fan of “all food groups.” Bicknell enjoys that there are events like this in Gainesville and believes more people should know about/attend them more often. 

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

Kaiya Sarmenta, 19, sampled from the Taco Truck. She ordered the taco bowl with chicken and “had to splurge the extra cash for the guacamole because it just looked so fresh.” The excitement in her face says it all!

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

Sabrina Chang, 20, bites into her loaded hot dog, fresh off the stove inside the Apps truck. The hot dog was not your typical Ball Park Frank, loaded up with bacon, cheese, a garlic aioli sauce, and even pineapple chunks. Paired with a basket of what Chang referred to as “the best fries (she’s) ever had.”

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

Each truck was unlike the last. The assortment of options ranged from American style, like burgers and hot dogs, to Hibachi style, with fried rice and more. In this photo, Sabrina Chang, 20, is completing her check out from the Apps Food Truck.

[alexandrabiederman-blog]

The people of Gainesville gathered in the downtown area on Saturday, March 16th, 2019 for a Food Truck Rally benefitting “HEAROES FOR HEARING.” In this photo, it is clear that the gloomy weather that evening did not stop people from coming out and sampling from all the different cuisine options.