Where has the time gone…?

So, recently I’ve had what I like to a “mid-college-life crisis”.  Last week, for the first time in my college career I actually felt old… which worries me considering I’m not even 21 yet!  It all started when I received the news that my little brother got accepted to UCF. Don’t get me wrong, I was obviously thrilled and could not be more proud of him! He’s still waiting to hear back from a couple other colleges but he will most likely be attending UCF this coming Summer, 2014.  With that being only a semester away, it got me thinking…WHERE THE HECK HAS THE TIME GONE?  It seems like less than a year ago I was finishing up my first year of college and now I’m almost half way through my junior year!  I remember my little brother’s first year in high school and now he’s about to graduate and start college.  

In my panic stage of my “mid-college-life” crisis, I of course started thinking about the future; What am I going to do when I graduate?Will I graduate on time? Then I started thinking about my life right now; Am I happy with who I am?  And finally I began reminiscing…Looking back now, even though these two and half years of college have flown by, a lot has happened. From my very first day as a college freshman to right now I have learned so much about myself, what I’m capable of, and the person I want to be. If I were to graduate college tomorrow I could honestly say that my time as a student at UCF has been incredible and even better than I imagined.  If there’s one thing you hear about college that’s true it’s that, it is the best and quickest four years of your life.  I still have a little ways to go thankfully but I would have never expected it to go by this fast!  My advice for kids like my little brother who are about to start their next chapter in life, is to embrace every minute of it.  It’s a chance to meet new people and figure out the person you want to be.  College is without a doubt a fun time but it’s also serious.  Figure out what it is you love to do and prove to yourself and others that you want a future for yourself.  For most people, college is a one time thing so don’t let anything pass you by! 🙂

Trick-or-Treat!

Today happens to be one of my favorite days of the fall semester! For those of you who don’t know, today at UCF is TOTOGS…which stands for Trick or Treat on Greek Street!! TOTOGS is an event held by UCF greek life where each house decorates according to their assigned theme and has candy, crafts, or games for the children. TOTOGS was created for children in the Orlando area who live in neighborhoods that aren’t safe for trick-or-treating on Halloween. There is no better feeling then putting a smile on every kids face when you hand them their candy or help them make a craft.
As college students our idea of Halloween is dressing up in vulgar costumes and getting blackout drunk…am I right? Not that I have anything against a little partying on Halloween but try to think back to your childhood and how exciting Halloween use to be! It was a chance to get all dressed up in your favorite character, whether it was a super hero or an elegant princess, and then walk around the neighborhood with all your friends collecting pounds of candy in your pillowcase. I remember having enough candy to last me until the next year! For me, TOTOGS brings back these childhood memories and reminds me that this holiday was not originally for getting dressed up and drinking. With TOTOGS I want kids to be able to look back and remember their Halloween like I did.
If it were my decision, TOTOGS would not be just limited to greek street at UCF, I think this is something that should be done everywhere! There are so many kids who live in unsafe neighborhoods or don’t even get the chance to go trick-or-treating, which is why I think there needs to be more events held that allow them to.

Save the TATAS!

As some of you already know, October is national breast cancer education and awareness month.  For those of you who don’t; during this month organizations, businesses, schools, and support groups all over the country join together to raise awareness and help fight breast cancer!  You may have seen football teams, including UCF, wearing pink jerseys for one of their games, or food restaurants such as Tijuana Flats who make pink tacos during this month.  Both are examples of ways people and their organizations help support the cause.  

I am a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority here at UCF and our philanthropy happens to be breast cancer education and awareness!  This is one of my favorite parts about being involved with my sorority because of what a huge philanthropy it is.  Every year we host a Lip Sync competition for which all donations and ticket proceeds go towards the fight for breast cancer!  We also participate in UCF’s Race for the Cure walk, which is this Sunday, October 6th.  Anyone can participate in the race and you can also make donations online. (I will provide a link below for anyone interested.)

Today, almost every American is affected by breast cancer in some way, whether it is a close relative or someone they knew.  This is what makes this philanthropy such a big deal and is the reason why I am so passionate about it.  You may say to yourself, “Well my work doesn’t participate in this.”  Or “How would I get involved?” The solution is simple.  There are tons of other ways you can help support breast cancer education and awareness on your OWN time!  One way is by collecting Yoplait pink yogurt lids, every lid you collect you will be donating to the Susan G. Komen foundation and Zeta Tau Alpha’s breast cancer education and awareness philanthropy! 

So, if you’re feeling a little philanthropic this month, join the fight to cure breast cancer!  ANY type of support is appreciated, and with your help we can make a difference by expanding the education and awareness of breast cancer.  

If you would like to make a donation to Zeta Tau Alpha’s breast cancer education and awareness philanthropy, copy & paste the link I’ve provided below into your Internet browser. 🙂

https://www.zetataualpha.org/cms400min/idonate/ifund.aspx?Dist=DEFAULT_NOSELECT&swCh=f&pghdr=Foundation%20Giving&bBO=PA&tlmid=23

 

 

~You’re one work out away from a clear mind~

Lately, I’ve taken a great deal of interest in my physical health.  I have never been the type of person to be full of energy and motivation 24/7, I also have a bad habit of sleeping really late, which is never good to do.  Before I moved off to college exercise was something that never even crossed my mind, simply because I played soccer my whole life and that alone kept me in great shape.  Now, I don’t have time to play soccer because of school and I’ve realized how out of shape I’ve become over time due to my lack of exercise (aka laziness).  So, I finally said enough is enough and was determined to get back to the physical condition I was in when I played soccer.  

I’ve been managing to go to the gym for a little while now and usually go about 4 times a week, it’s not some insane, unbearable workout but it’s not easy.  What I’ve realized over the past few months is; working out gives a feeling of accomplishment that can completely change your day around, after a tough hour at the gym you feel awake, alert, and motivated to keep up the productiveness.  It only takes a small amount of time to make going to the gym a habit in your daily life you just have to stick with it.  You may be like me who has trouble with self discipline but that will change!  The satisfaction after a workout is what kept me going.  I have found that being fit is EXTREMELY important for not only your physical health but mental as well.  After I started working out I was able to wake up way earlier and I felt better throughout the day! 

So, my advice to you all is; if you’re looking to get active and improve your physical/mental health then go to the gym!  Whether it is a light cardio session or an exercise class, as long you sweat a little and get your heart rate up.  If YOU truly feel accomplished after your work out, I promise you will feel 10 times better then before.  

So give it a try, fitness is the key to being stress free 😉

So true, read this! You never know who could be looking at you on social media!

The privacy problem with posting photos in social media.

First blog post EVER!

Hi, my name is Kate Hardwick, I’m new to the blogging world and this is my #firstpost! I am 20 years old and currently a junior attending the University of Central Florida.  My major is Advertising/Public Relations.  I am also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at UCF.  I’m originally from Palm Harbor, Florida, where I grew up very close to the ocean.  This is where my love for the beach and boating essentially came from.  I was also involved in sports for most of my life, specifically soccer, which I played competitively for 12 years.  My ideal life after college would be to find a job in the Public Relations field with either a well developed company or possibly a sports team.  Although, I am still very new to my major so my plans for after college are very likely to change as I learn more about the Ad/PR field.