Find Your Niche

Whether you’re still in high school or a young college student it cannot be stressed enough how important it is to find your niche. I'm talking in terms of that thing you enjoy even though its challenging and can drive you crazy. As a Junior here at RSU I have found my niche. Whether that is participating and leading events on campus or working hard at graduating with a degree in medical molecular biology, I have found what I enjoy doing. Enjoying something makes the days seem shorter and the hours of work less difficult (even though you may want to pull your hair out after several hours of homework). If you like airplanes find something revolving around them, if you love to paint for goodness sake paint your butt off, if you enjoy biology like me become a doctor, marine biologist, or expert on yada yada yada. If you enjoy eating paste from a bottle like kindergartners, you should probably rethink your definition of enjoyment and other aspirations in life, but above all else find something you love.  Find something you love, work hard at it and success will follow!

Peak of the Week:

The weather finally change from snot-sickle cold, to a pleasant enough temperature to hit some golf balls in.

Challenge of the Week:

After 3.5 hours of working on 2 problems for Physics II they were conquered and correct!

Quote of the Week:

One of Arnold Schwarzenegger 6 rules to success: "Break the rules".

Don't break any laws! Be different and don't conform to others. Be an individual. Be a maverick.

Song of the Week:

Bloom by Pogo

Pic of the Week:

Boom Science! Getting to grow bacteria in lab- no big deal its just some easy going pathogens!

Swing Into Spring!

      Hello readers! Since our last post, our tour office has been making improvements due to the rush of spring enrollment! High school seniors are ready to bust out of their hallways and move on to college life, so RSU's Claremore campus tour schedule is booking fast! Call today to schedule your campus tour with one of our, now THREE, senior student ambassadors. You will get to see the inside of both our campus living villages and view the on-campus sights as well as tour our buildings and classrooms! Interested in a certain major or program? We will schedule an appointment for you to sit down with one of the administrators of that department and look further into the degree in which you are interested. Call now because early enrollment day is March 29! 

      As for our non-senior college readers, spring may not necessarily mean graduation and moving on to a new chapter in life, but it is definitely a time to work toward that goal. Classes may seem easy to skip, but every class skipped is another day behind. So, keep up with your work and stay motivated! You will thank yourself later when others are scrounging around for extra points and all you will need to worry about is summer vacation (after finals, that is)! It's time to make the most out of this new spring semester. Go to activities, make new connections, and most importantly, make memories! Time flies, so fly with it! 

Best of luck and wishes for warm weather, 

Kelsey K. 

Peak of the Week:

I attended the Pentatonix concert at the Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa with some pretty amazing people! Let's just say that if you don't know Pentatonix, look them up and be prepared to spend 3 hours watching YouTube videos. However, their videos do not even do their live performances justice! WOW! A big thanks to Cary and Willie for tickets! 

Challenge of the Week:

Remembering and mastering our new NCA Nationals choreography for RSU cheer! 59 days 'til Daytona!! 

Quote of the Week:

This quote helps me when I have a lot on my plate... which is always!

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” 
― Lou Holtz

Song of the Week:

Natural Disaster - Pentatonix 

Pic of the Week:

Again I couldn't pick just 1... we'll stick to the Pentatonix theme

Loved it!

Chips, Corndogs, Cookies, and... Celery?

             I bet you're playing that simple game with this post title, "Which one doesn't belong?" The answer is obvious, and that is the word "celery!" Whenever I get stressed with school and homework, or even just life in general, I want nothing more than to stress eat and consume that whole box of vanilla wafers in the pantry. I even sometimes convince myself that I don't have the time to think about eating "clean." However, truth is, those stressed-out feeling don't occur as often or make themselves as prominent in our lives if we eat healthy and take care of our bodies. Exhaustion is a factor that comes with everyday work and activities, but it can be handled by the installation of a healthy lifestyle.
              A healthy lifestyle can contain many different things. Hanging out with friends every day, making time for yourself (by painting, singing, writing or just having some quality thinking time with yourself), eating right, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep all play into how you feel about yourself at the end of a rough and mentally or physically challenging week! So do your body a solid, stay away from Zebra Cakes, the frozen section at Sodexo, and drink water instead of that sugary Mountain Dew. If you need an extra energy boost try putting an energy powder packet in your water or having a cup of coffee here and there! As for exercise, not everyone loves it, but everybody needs it! Go for a walk, play a game of catch outside, or swim a few laps in the pool; whatever you can be excited about long enough to get your daily dose of endorphins. Your body will thank you later without the need for that 2 p.m. nap tomorrow :)
            Put all of these things together everyday and eventually it will become a healthy habit! GO YOU!

Until next week!
- KK

Peak of the Week:

I made lasagna for 40 people! (Great-grandmother's recipe from Italy itself!) I feel like a big kid when I cook :)

Challenge of the Week:

Pushing through a 2-day fever/cold (still have the cold), 2 tests, 3 novels, and a HUGE presentation due next Tuesday. I think I can! I think I can! 

Quote of the Week:

This quote is a thinker... ready?

"Your body hears everything your mind says."
- Naomi Judd 

Song of the Week:

"Walking on Air" by Katy Perry

Pic of the Week:

 

I can't pick just one! I love my cheer friends AND Homecoming! :) 

Don't forget to take a break!

In the midst of trying to complete all of our end of the semester projects and study for finals, it's easy to get overwhelmed and end up way more stressed than any normal person should ever be! So take an hour or two each day to hang out with friends, go to the gym, watch a movie, or just take a nap. Not only will this reduce your stress and give you a break, but it will also give your brain a chance to finally process all the knowledge you've been cramming inside it for the past semester. Sometimes, blowing off a little steam is all you need to power through the end of the semester!

Peak of the Week:

Going to see Thor tonight!

Challenge of the Week:

Ignoring my Christmas fever.

Quote of the Week:

First we'll make snow angels for two hours, then we'll go ice skating, and then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie-dough as fast as we can.
-Buddy the Elf
(may or may not be my exact plans for Christmas break)

Pic of the Week: 

The family and I in Branson this past weekend!

Have a great week!!
-Taylor H.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!

Since I started my college career in 2011, the notion of writing thank you notes has been drilled into my brain by the wonderful Stratton Taylor himself! He has repeatedly stated that every opportunity that life throws at you deserves a hand written thank you note. Whether the opporunity was a job interview, or something like receiving extra help on an assignment, a hand written thank you note proves to everyone that you are truely greatful for whatever opportunity they have provided you. Not only that, but you will forever stick out in their mind when they go back to consider you for something like a job or internship. This theory has proven true in my own life, with scholarship and job interviews. So don't ever forget to say thank you! You never know just how much it will help you out in the future.

Peak of the Week:

It's Halloween!! Time for trick-or-treating and unlimited candy!!!

Challenge of the Week:

Choosing my classes for next semester....I'm out of easy classes to take:((

Quote of the Week:

Leave a little sparkle wherever you go :)

Song of the Week:

Words by Train!

Pic of the Week:

Some friends and I trying to stay warm at a bonfire this weekend! Gotta love fall weather!!

If You're on Time... You're Late!!!

  A specifically challenging aspect of college can be scheduling! Refer to Taylor's blog here!

 ---> http://rsuadmissions.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-balancing-act.html

from a couple weeks ago about balancing that busy schedule of yours! Today, however, I am referring to being ON TIME! If you were to ask my parents (or anyone who knew me in high school for that matter) they would describe me as rushed, or they would tell you that my internal clock just runs a little behind everyone else's. This created many jokes between me and friends or family, but I am here to tell you today that it is no way to make a reputation in college... or anywhere for that matter! My boyfriend's dad has said for as long as I can remember, "If you're on time you are late!" Specifically addressing me with that saying at times, he made an impression on me. During my first year at RSU I realized exactly what he was trying to tell me. For instance, your class schedule says you have Speech at 9:00 a.m. This means you get to class at 9:00 a.m., right? WRONG!!! YOU have speech class at 8:50 a.m. Your professor has class at 9:00 a.m. especially if you have one of those professors who locks the door at 8:59 just because he or she can... You do not want to be involved in the knock and walk of shame when you find yourself late and embarrassed. It definitely takes time to adjust one's lifestyle according to new and changing schedules, but if made a habit, you will feel your schedule open up and you will also feel your mind and body to be more at ease during the day.

Just remember this helpful hint: People love people who are on time! Use this nifty link to help yourself get started to the new, punctual you!

Peak of the Week

Enrollment starts today and I'm almost halfway through my Sophomore year! Time is flying by!

Challenge of the Week

My algebra test on Wednesday! Unlike my brothers and many honors friends, I was not born with the math brain!

Quote of the Week

"Lost time is never found again."
- Benjamin Franklin

Song of the Week

All Night by Icona Pop!

Pic of the Week

This is Kasey! This picture was taken after his very first Half IronMan in Lubbock, TX this July... He just completed his second one this weekend in Wilmington, North Carolina knocking 24 minutes off his Lubbock time. 70.3 miles! What a drive this guy has! Proud of you, Kasey Keoni!

Fall has Arrived!!

Fall is here and in full swing ladies and gentlemen! That also means that we are officially half way through the semester, mid-terms are over and we can finally take a break and enjoy this beautiful weather.  It's time for haunted hay rides, trick or treating and pumpkin carvings! So everyone do exactly that. Sleep in, watch some TV, see the fam, and get your halloween costumes ready because it is fall break and you deserve it!!

Peak of the Week

IT'S FALL BREAK

Challenge of the Week

Powering through the last of my classes and my third nursing test.

Quote of the Week

"There's power in looking silly and not caring that you do."
-Amy Poehler

Song of the Week

Royals
Lorde

Pic of the Week

Getting some quality roomie time in before we all head off to work!