That picture seems like forever and a half ago. Welcome Week.  Now I'm at five weeks.  That's the amount of time I have until my freshman year at IU is over.  It has been the most encouraging, rewarding, exciting, fulfilling, and successful school year of my life!  None of what I just listed would have been possible without my failures though.  You learn the most through your failures.  It's okay to mess up and know that sometimes, life may knock you down... just don't let it keep you down.  I don't believe in regrets, however, there are some things I wish I would have understood as well as I do now while coming this year comes to an end.

NEWS FLASH 1: Parties will ALWAYS be there! It's Indiana University for crying out loud! The place with the most fun to be had on the planet.  Get your school work done first.  Have a "work hard, play hard" mentality, but never swap the two, because I promise you, going out CAN wait until the next weekend… the next Monday if you're that thirsty for fun! :)

NEWS FLASH 2: Spend time getting to know your professors.  It makes a WORLD of a difference! Teachers are required to hold office hours so use them!  Make yourself known, email them and set up an appointment.  Even if you have to pretend you have a question! Keep in mind that a huge part of success is about who you know;) You never know when you'll need a reference for an internship, job, resume...

NEWS FLASH 3: Don't get me wrong, grades are important, but relationships with friends and family are key.  College gets ROUGH... At the end of the day, they are what really matters.  A couple hours until I had to give a speech, I got a call from my grandpa.  I could tell he wanted to meet up for lunch which was the last thing I had time for.  But I went and it absolutely made both of our days! :)

NEWS FLASH 4: Get involved! Easy as that. Whether it is social, political, athletic... whatever! DO SOMETHING outside of class and hanging out!  If there is seriously not a club that fits your style, create it.

NEWS FLASH 5: Do what makes you happy.  Arguably the most important news flash I have for you... don't necessarily listen to others.  Be a leader, not a follower.  Chase your dreams, but learn how to turn them into reality.  Somebody's got to do it! Why can't that be YOU! Forget those who want to tear you down.  "Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." Never settle for less than you deserve in everything you do.  Think things through before you do it. Know what's important to you while you are trying to figure yourself out!

That's where I'm at right now, right on my YouTube Channel where I love to be!  The first picture I had no idea WHAT was about to hit me this year.   Now I'm working on my grades, making connections with people, getting involved, and doing what  I love to do!

-Alyssa :)