The Sarah Project

A blog dedicated to my journey through college and everything that comes along with it. Oh, and easing the pain of the college admissions process.

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

Change. For the Fifth Time.

This is at least the third time I have written something similar to this post on my blog. I have promised again and again that I will write here, but I have continually failed to do so. The truth is, life is insanely busy. My semester was extremely difficult both academically and emotionally. The good news: My GPA went up .2 points and my professional goals are actually becoming a reality. The bad news: I had to stop doing a lot of things I enjoy doing, like writing and blogging and researching random topics, in order to accomplish my goals. Was it worth it? Yes and no. I was able to achieve what I set out to do but also had to give up some things. 

This semester was hard for me for many reasons. It wasn't even the studying that got to me. Some of my coursework was difficult to work with because of emotional reasons. Other times the underlying competition my friends and I to do well was stressful. Certain things were unrightfully taken from me which resulted in me having to find new ways to cope with my new life. 

Rather than announcing a schedule or a plan I am going to say this: Things are changing a lot for me. This blog is changing along with me. I am keeping my URL because I have some weird loyalty to it. The name of my blog is changing along with my design in the coming days. I am not solely blogging about the college admissions process because that is not what I think about all the time anymore. However, I will still gladly answer all college admissions questions. This blog will now serve as a place for me to talk about my professional life too. I have been given many opportunities this past semester and this coming semester to grow my skills, so why not blog about my experiences? While my ventures from this past semester will come to light during my writing, I guess I should let you all know what I have going for me this semester. In Janurary I will be moving to Washington, D.C. until the end of April. While there I will be interning for my Congresswoman in the House of Representatives. This is a position I have been yearning for a long time. I told myself that regardless of where I end up attending school if a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arises I must take it even if it means leaving my friends and family for a semester. Cheers to new adventures.

Sarah

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

Biggest Lesson I've Learned So Far This Semester

Worrying does not do any good for anyone. If you're going to worry about something, worry hard about it for five minutes then let it go. 

[smilerinserepeat]

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Life's Roughest Storms Prove the Strength of Our Anchors.

Not everything is fair in life. If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here, and there are plenty of people who are willing to listen to you. I promise. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Don't ever give up.

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

I Move Into School in a Week and a Half

and I haven't even started packing yet. I haven't figured out what clothes I'm bringing; I haven't found a rug; I haven't gotten my wall decorations yet. I just bought my comforter the other day. Part of me wants to just take all the stuff I had last year and bring it with me, but I want another fresh start. I don't necessarily want new things-mainly because it would be too costly-but I want something different. I've written down my packing list countless times but I always get so overwhelmed when I'm staring at everything in my room. Last year it was so much easier to figure out what I'm taking. I had everything separated out in a spare room at my aunt's house. Now everything is mixed together in my room at home and I don't even know where to begin.

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

About the 2014-2015 Common App:

I really love how much easier to navigate through each section of it is with the side bar.

It's really annoying that one has to wait a few moments for the section to load...why doesn't it just pop up?

Everyone can write an essay about one of the topics they give.

[theprospectblog]

We love a good list.

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It's Time to Live Blog the Common App

Hi Everyone!

In a few short hours the 2014 Common App will officially come out. I'm not here to try to advocate to do it ASAP, but for those of you who are interested in reading my reaction to it stay tuned! As soon as it comes out I'm going to make an account as if I was a prospective student applying to colleges for the first time. If you have any questions along the way let me know!

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

This Blog's Second Birthday!

Hi everyone!

I would like to take this time to thank all of my readers over the past two years. I never thought that anyone would read what I have to say. From this blog I've been given so many opportunities and I will forever be thankful for everyone who has read the words I've written. Your support is amazing and I hope to help you out in the future.

Rather than go on for paragraphs about how the Common App comes out in less than 24 hours, I figured that I'll leave you all with words of wisdom from some of my co-workers over at The Prospect.

On the college admissions process:

"It's smarter (with exceptions) to go to your best fit school rather than the best school you got into." -Grant Roth

"Something I wish I had done more in senior year was think seriously about why I was going to college; I wish I had contemplated a gap year so I could work on doing what I want to do for a year (or save up money) instead of taking classes for 17 years straight (yes college is more fun than HS class-wise, but you still have requirements)." -Lillian Horan

"Apply for as many scholarships as humanly possible. Senior year of high school is prime scholarship time." -Olivia Cunningham

"Don't worry about what people from your high school will think of your college decision. For a while, I wouldn't admit to anyone where I was going to college because I was worried about what people would think. It was a complete waste of time and energy because what matters is that you're making a decision that works for you. Plus, you probably won't talk to people from your school much after high school and I don't think they actually care much about your decision anyways. College admissions season felt so competitive to me; people were constantly bragging about test scores and colleges and I let it weigh me down. Remember that you have a life outside of your test scores and GPA and relax a little bit. Don't worry about what your classmates think. Oh, and dropping in class rank isn't actually the end of the world, either." -Paige Sheffield

"Stop thinking academic pursuits are the only valuable pursuits; stop thinking you're better than someone else because you got a higher grade on a hard test. That kind of thinking will--pardon my language--bite you in the ass. Especially when you get your first C on an exam that you thought you aced in a subject you thought you were going to major in. College. Is. Hard. And it's a whole different world than high school. The quicker you learn to value people for their personal strengths and not judge them on their ACT scores, the quicker you'll become a better team member and a better person. Competition is still like.. a thing. But after high school, and after college, grades are just one small facet of a huge picture. You might learn this faster than others if your GPA in college takes a nosedive, which very well may happen... because college and money and time management and ramen and friendships and life" -Jasmine Russel

"Just because FAFSA says you deserve a certain amount of help doesn't mean you'll receive it. It's unfair and awful, but some of us just don't get lucky on the financial side of things. Don't sneer at your state school because it may be less prestigious than your dream college - look into the honors programs it offers as well as its unique traditions and personality. If you let yourself be charmed by it, you can save so much money it's unreal." -Elizabeth Watson

"DO NOT SLACK OF SECOND SEMESTER OF SENIOR YEAR!!! My friend did that and she got rescinded from USC. You earned that spot, but don't forget, colleges have every right to take it back if you don't keep up your grades." -Fatou Bojang

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

On Writing Thank You Notes

For many people the college admissions process is filled with interviews upon interviews. Even if you think you've aced an interview it's still just as important to write a thank you note at the end. If you cannot find the address to send the card, send an email. But always, always send thank you notes.

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

I miss school so much. In less than one month I will be back in upstate Connecticut surrounded by cows and grass and trees and people I genuinely love and care for. One month cannot come soon enough.

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

Dear Summer...

Time has flown by. It feels like it's been summer for three years rather than three months. While I'm not that excited to go back to taking quizzes and tests every week I am thrilled to go back to school!

This summer has been a lot of fun. I worked long and hard at my summer job, made connections and help improve programs at my internship, and I've done a ton of traveling.

I traveled to Indiana University (it was my first time being in the Midwest hollllaaaaaa) for a conference concerning Greek life called UIFI. The UConn Panhellenic Council provided a scholarship to me and six other women, four of which happened to be in my sorority, to attend. Two of the women from my chapter at UConn who received a scholarship also attended my session and we had an amazing time meeting other Delta Gammas from around the country. We were given the opportunity to bond with fraternity men and sorority women from around the country and it was truly an eye opening and life changing experience. I completely re-prioritized my life after UIFI. Here are a few pictures from the week I spent there!

my Chapter 8 Family (nine minds, one heart, plus our amazing facilitator):

Delta Gammas from around the nation!

A few weeks later I went to see Beyonce and Jay Z in concert with one of my best friends from school and her friends from home!

A week and a half ago I went to NYC for Her Campus's annual National Intercollegiette Conference, Her Conference! It was amazing. I was able to meet fellow bloggers and writers, I made many connections, and I got to hang out with some of the content creators for The Prospect!

The Prospect girls:

My roomies for the weekend, Ashliegh and Allison, and fashion blogger Larz!

My roomies and I plus Caroline at Columbia where the conference was held:

There's still so much left to summer and I'm so excited for the next month, but I just wanted to thank everyone who has made this summer fantastic. From my friends, to my sisters, to my family, to my coworkers, to my fellow bloggers and writers, I have never been so motivated and inspired. 

Dear summer,

I'm excited to go back to school, but please don't end too soon.

Xoxo,

Sarah

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

A Broke Girls Guide to Dorm Shopping

Because let's be real, none of us have a ton of money and chances are your parents aren't exactly that excited about dishing out tons of money for you to basically furnish a whole new room. Shopping for your dorm room will cost you some money, but remember that there are many places to shop at that won't break your budget.

Target, Walmart, and Home Goods are all great places to buy your dorm goodies at that won't break the bank. The only downside to shopping at these stores is that it's pretty likely that you and your roommate/floormates will end up with items that are very similar if not identical. If that doesn't matter to you, then go crazy at these stores. Run wild through the isles and pick up anything your heart desires. But be careful, randomly putting junk into your cart isn't wise nor will you have room for it.

I'm a total clutter bug. My mind is messy and therefore so is my room. My desk at school always had stuff on it. I think I only used it a few times. I only live 45 minutes away from my school so my thinking was that if I brought anything I didn't need then I could either send it home on move in day or have someone come pick it up. Looking back I should have done the opposite. Less is more in a dorm room. There's very little space, so the less junk you have the more room there is. Anyone who has lived in a dorm can tell you that one. In order to save space on your desk either buy inexpensive shelving like what they sell at Target. Or, you can do what I did and buy a free standing three-tiered metal shower caddy meant to be used in a bathroom. I know it's weird, but I was able to save room and save money. It only cost $12 for it. The bowls I used to store my markers, crayons, and other office supplies were ones that I took from my room at home. I used glass sauce jars as storage containers too (they looked so cute after I painted them!). This all freed up so much room on my desk; I wish I thought about doing this earlier than second semester.

Your part of your room is supposed to express who you are. Unfortunately, this can also mean that the decorations you buy to show off your personality can be expensive. Rather than buying new items, take ones you already have in your room and recycle them into something new. A few years ago I had a calendar that had a new sassy, empowering phrases every month. I cut out my nine favorite quotes and made a collage and hung it on the wall on top of my desk. Rather than buying a pack of new lights to hang up in my room I asked all of my family members if they had any extra Christmas lights and sure enough one of them did. Here's a video I made for Her Campus about what you should and shouldn't bring to college. Watch it. Visit the sites I talked about. Lastly, don't over pack. Just don't do it.

If you have any questions feel free to message me!

Xoxo,

Sarah

Please note, this post is not sponsored. These are my thoughts and my thoughts only.

[passivemanipulations]

[saxifraga-x-urbium]

A list of female chiefs of government of Independent States and Self-ruling Territories from the 20th century

A list of female Nobel Prize laureates

A list of women CEOS of the Fortune 500

A list of Olympic Medalists (women)

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

This is important.

[tastefullyoffensive]

[aaragon]

[onlinecounsellingcollege]

You have to live your life according to your own light and you have to move wherever life leads, without any compromise.

Osho (via onlinecounsellingcollege)

[livebloggingthecommonapp201-blog]

Dear readers,

I know that I have promised time and time again that I will update this blog regularly, but I've been lacking the motivation to do so. I hate making excuses, but between working full time and interning part time it's been difficult to find time to keep up this blog. However, I'm not quitting. In fact, this is really truly a new beginning. This blog is going to change a lot. I want to be a resource for all of you an for my future readers. From figuring out what to put in the activities section of the Common App to celebrating acceptances to figuring out what decorations to put up on your walls in your dorm room to breaking down during finals week, I want to be there. I want to be the person you can all rely on. And from here on out, I will be. 

In the past I have come up with schedules, the whole "on certain days I'll write about this, that, and the other" type of thing. Now, there will be a schedule. However, it will be looser. I will post three times per week about the following: the college admissions process, preparing for college, and what my life looks like right now. They will be put out in that order each week. In between I will post my answers to questions and write about any other topic that comes to mind. I will also promote pieces that I have written for other websites, so get ready for that.

I hope you're all as excited as I am!

Xoxo,

Sarah