While I’m not known for having tons of morals, standards, or values, I do know the difference between purchasing something and stealing it. However, for some reason, taking things without exchanging money at college is not considered stealing. It’s considered hilarious, thrifty, and even heroic in some cases.

Throughout the past four years I’ve improved my stealing skills and I can now easily slip an entire overhead projector into my pants while distracting my professor with nonsensical questions about alternative office hours. And the best part about taking things at college is that it’s not the use that’s important; but rather the obscurity. A traffic cone? Awesome! Frat Composite? Sick! A wheelchair? Stellar!

But now as I sit in my living room looking at the stolen fishbowl full of billiard balls, the cabinet filled with dining hall forks, and the freshman we took to do the housework, I’m starting to realize that it’s soon time for me to stop grabbing everything I can put my hands on. I didn’t realize it had become a problem until I was home over winter break in the mall and I found myself straining to pocket everything that wasn’t nailed down to the floor. I would walk down the supermarket aisle with my mom and whisper “pocket the apples, frozen peas in the purse.” She not only did not abide, but she questioned how she raised me so wrong. ( I have a long list if she’s truly interested one day, but that’s another blog.) Read More »

New Year’s Eve is almost here and I can’t wait! Not because I want to get started on those resolutions (drinking responsibly, organizing my life, hitting the gym 3 times a week…blech), but because it’s hands down one of my favorite holidays. This is the one holiday when you can get totally tanked, and it’s totally cool! I mean, think about it: sure we sneak booze at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but for this one we can do it out in the open!

And who doesn’t love getting all dolled up party clothes and going out for a fabulous evening on the town? I love getting together with my girlfriends to celebrate all the fun times we’ve had in the past year, while forgetting all the sh*t times and vowing to start fresh (which doesn’t always happen, but whatever, we try!).

There’s something about starting a new year that gives me goosepimples. You are balancing between the old and the exciting, unknown and totally awesome new; it is exhilerating. Thinking about all the things that happened in the past year (like finally breaking up with that d-bag boyfriend) and looking forward to things that will happen next year (like, “Holy crap I’m graduating college! Now what?”).

Not to mention, I’ve always thought that getting a midnight kiss from your special someone is one of the most romantic things EVER! Or just making out with a random might be fun too. How can anyone not love this night?

I’m in a constant state of post-graduation crisis, and I’m still a year away from graduating.

Honestly, I’ve been freaked out about the prospect of going out into the real world ever since I graduated from high school. I have no idea what I want to do with my life, where I want to live, or how I am going to make as much money as my ideal lifestyle requires. It’s a horrible state of suspended animation, college, but here are some books I’ve read that have calmed me down a little and turned some of that fear into excitement about all my future post-collegiate adventures.

1. I’m an English Major–Now What?

I saw this book and absolutely had to have it because I was an English major in my undergrad and I could relate to the title’s implied panic. It’s actually a useful book for anyone in the liberal arts and offers advice on how to break into magazines, newspapers, publishing, and, of course, the ol English major standby, teaching. This book also has a nice section on whether or not to go on to grad school that I found very useful in the beginning of my grad school process.

2. How to Survive the Real World

I love this book because it’s made up of advice from hundreds of people (naturally, as it is a part of the awesome ‘hundreds of heads’ series) who understand the difficulty inherent in graduating from college and striking out on your own, because they‘ve all done it to various degrees of success. There is advice on everything from how to find a job, to paying bills, to staying healthy, to cooking and other basic survival skills, to forming lasting relationships. My copy of this book is probably more highlighted and dog-eared than just about any other book in my library Read More »

After I graduated from college, I decided to treat myself to an expensive bag. I mean, afterall, my sweet sweet ride was no longer around to be the catch all of my many lip glosses and empty water bottles. So what better way to replace it, than with a durable and totally cute shoulder accessory? (You know you can relate to this kind of rationale!)

At the time, I just wanted a nice bag. I was tired of having to buy another one every few months one my previous cheapie purchase fell apart. Sure, it was nice to have a change, but I wanted something that would last.

So I set out shopping. I knew that I would have that feeling—that we are meant to be together instinct—when I found it. And I did… with the Anna Corinna City Tote: large, durable, versatile and better with age; she and I were the perfect fit.

It was a bit painful at the time to shell out so much cash ($396), but I was so smitten I didn’t even care. If it rained I would hold the umbrella over my bag and not myself, I would hold it close when on the train and make sure it didn’t touch the ground at bars. Of course, my overprotection faded but my love did not. As I write this, it has been almost one year since I purchased my City Tote and I have not once switched purses. (And this from a girl who has two crates full of purses.) Read More »

As I was walking across campus today, iced coffee in hand, the sun was shining and the sky was bright blue. I suddenly went into classic senior freak-out mode, a.k.a. I had a really sad moment where I realized just how much I was going to miss this place.

There truly isn’t anything like college. I mean, what other time in your life will it be acceptable to find any excuse to make matching t-shirts and conduct your own barcrawl on a Wednesday? Or go on a semester long vacation abroad? Or do the walk of shame at 1pm instead of going to class?

So, I give to you a list of my advice for anyone in the beginning stages of this wonderful thing we call the undergraduate experience.

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