#9 Overcome one of your biggest fears (or at least face it)

The sight of a roller coaster, even if it was just in a commercial, used to make me want to throw up. The few times I went to an amusement park before this past summer, my heart was always thumping as audibly as a frat's speaker system the second someone would bring up the idea of going on one.

The origin of this fear isn't completely clear, but it probably began during my first big time roller coaster experience. My mom took my brother and I to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH when I was probably ten or eleven, and we hung out with some family friends from Michigan who were complete thrill seekers. I will never forget how eager they were to go on every single ride, and the way my stomach seemed to do fifty flips each time they asked me to tag along. It only took three rides (two of which were considered kids rides) for me to never want to go on a roller coaster again. Actually it probably only took one but they pretty much made me go on two more.

I was utterly terrified of any form of a cart on a track that wasn't a little scenic railroad tour, and I was pretty content with remaining that way for the remainder of my life.

But somehow I ended up in the line for The Whizzer (which is also considered a kids ride but that's an insignificant detail) with six of my friends encouraging me not to run for the parking lot at Six Flags Great America on a humid Monday last June.

We started small with The Whizzer, which I only went on because there were five year olds in front of me and if I bailed I would have felt as if I wasn't mature enough to go to college two months later. I survived. My hands were shaking uncontrollably, but I survived...and it was kind of fun.

With one ride under my belt, we started to work our way up the thrill scale in terms of intensity. Next, we went on The Demon which was my first corkscrew coaster. I was shocked at how much I actually enjoyed it. Who knew being flipped upside down while on a fast moving cart could do more than just make me want to give up my lunch? After that was The Viper, the tallest wooden coaster I'd ever been on, and that one wasn't as fun because I kept getting slammed into the side of the cart on every turn and the pain slightly sucked the fun out of it. But that's beside the point. I didn't cry. I didn't close my eyes the entire time (only for part of it...). I did it. It rocked.

A new sense of confidence washed over me...until my experienced coaster-riding friends decided that next, we should just go straight for the newest and arguably scariest ride in the whole park: X Flight.

We had waited probably a little over a half hour in line, and the entire time I couldn't stop wondering what the hell I was doing.

I'm gonna die. Why am I doing this? How did I even let them take me here? Yea, sure I can do a few smaller rides but this thing is fricking intense! I don't think I can do this. OH MY GOD WHAT AM I DOING?! 

Now I forgot to mention that I was with five guys and one other girl besides myself. Of course the majority of them thought it was pretty hysterical how terrified I was, but they seemed genuinely concerned when they saw the look on my face as I finally sat down. The boys kept telling me I could do it, and I didn't want to be "that girl" who's just a total wimp and needs the sympathy of the guys so I did it.  And I'm so thankful that I did (especially because after that, I was brave enough to go on Superman and that ride flipping rocks).

Forgive me for being so dramatic, but I swear I was a different person when I got off that roller coaster. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt that much of a rush, and it was an even more powerful sensation knowing that I had officially gotten over a fear that had been such a big part of my life until that point. I mean I'm eighteen years old, and the fact that I had been missing out on this for so many years actually made me sort of mad!

Regardless, I was ecstatic. I went on every single roller coaster except one (only because we ran out of time and had to get on the road) and somewhat sadly, it felt like my biggest accomplishment of the summer.

I don't know about you, but college has been all about fears for me. Leaving behind all that you know so well and making a life for yourself in a completely new place is scary, and so is making completely new friends and learning to live on your own without your Mom to be your alarm clock/chef/laundromat/personal psychologist. But it feels so good once you get the hang of it. So why not conquer another fear while you're at it?

#8 Take a vacation (somewhere tropical, perhaps) with your best friends

Last March, I saw the ocean for the first time in four years.

In the large scheme of things, this isn't that big of a deal. I know there are plenty of people who don't get the chance to travel or vacation, never the less visit the ocean. And I'm very thankful that I got the opportunity. Especially since I grew up in a suburb of Chicago where seemingly every family goes to Florida or Mexico for spring break and my family and I always appeared to be the only living souls remaining in town for that week every year.

So, if you can put off vacationing for a few years and save up some money like my family did, I recommend taking a trip with your closest friends. College friends, high school friends, whoever it may be. You will never forget the experiences you share with each other, and it may just make your friendship stronger.

I was fortunate enough to travel to Punta Cana, a resort town on the eastern most tip of The Dominican Republic, for my senior year spring break trip (my first spring break trip in six years, so I would have been happy going to a farm in Nebraska, imagine how insanely happy I was that it was the Caribbean). The trip was five days long and we stayed at an all inclusive resort called the Bavaro Palace Deluxe.

This was my second time out of the country, and first time in a real resort. I found myself questioning the early bird steal of a cost we had gotten from the travel agent once I walked through the lobby and was immediately offered a fruity beverage on a platter. My mouth continued to drop and nearly ooze drool when I took a look around and saw the three pools complete with half submerged chaise lounges and a swim-up bar. When we got to our room and I saw the porch with the jacuzzi and view of the Caribbean sea, I wasn't sure if I was still awake or not. When I first stepped onto the beach and felt the warm beige sand underneath my feet, I looked at my Mom with the biggest smile to cross my face since I had found out that we were going on this trip. We both deserved this, and we couldn't have been more exuberant. 

The view  from the porch of me and my Mom's hotel room

Now, going on vacation with ten girls is bound to get a little dramatic. I'll be honest, there were a few small bumps in the road when someone was left alone at the bar, forgotten on the beach, etc. But I would do it all over again because the positives far outweigh the negatives. I got to go shopping at a beach side market, dancing at a real club (which we could actually legally get into on the resort, being eighteen) kayaking above tranquil turquoise water, windsurfing in the rain on some not so peaceful waves, and dancing in the sand during a hotel salsa class where I watched my mother attempt to shake her hips (which was interesting...) And, I did it all with my best friends. While getting tan. And a little burnt.

One of my good friends Christine and I doing some kayaking

The moms and daughters taking a salsa class!

What more could you want?

Whether you go to a flashy all-inclusive out of the country or take a road trip in the good old U S of A, being in a new place with old friends is something that all college students need to experience. It's a blast, and you learn a lot about yourself and the people you thought you knew really well along the way...traveling can bring out both the best and the worst in people! So start saving now and do your research, because an unforgettable experience is in order.

My friends and I just being ourselves on our last day

#7 Tailgate, for real

Now that I've seen tailgating from a college student's perspective, I know that there are two types.

1) Tailgating at the frats, which is basically a form of "Fropping" or frat hopping, which is traditionally a nighttime activity, done during the day before the game as an excuse to get some more drinks in. Personally, I've never experienced this type of tailgating and I'm alright with it because I would prefer to be able to make it the game itself.

2) What I call REAL tailgating, which is done either in a parking lot by the stadium or next to one of the sidewalks leading up to the stadium with truly dedicated fans. Also, it typically involves free food, and what college student doesn't live for free food?

Again, this is just my opinion, but I think that all college students need to experience the second "REAL" form at least once in their college career. Nowhere else will you find such a sense of genuine school spirit than on your home turf with both alumni and current students.

My friend Veronica has brought me to her uncle's s game day tailgate a few different times this semester, and it's quite the experience. Whenever there is a home football game, her uncle drives his big RV down to Columbia the Friday before and parks in the lot next to the basketball arena. He spends the night and wakes up bright and early the next day to get the grill going and the drinks flowing. 

This is the perfect example of American sports fan culture. Only our fun loving country is home to the type of people who are willing to drive two hours-or if you're as dedicated as some of those other SEC fans, maybe over seven-just to toast to your team before kickoff. 

I mean I ate a lasagna muffin at the last tailgate, and it doesn't get much more American than that.

Tailgating with your family is also a must. For my sorority's Dad's Weekend I brought my dad to his first state school tailgate and he had a blast. He fit right in when he walked up and accepted the first beer that was offered to him.

I would also recommend checking out the tailgating scene at a friend's school. Last weekend when I was home on Thanksgiving break, I went to the Northwestern vs. U of I game in Evanston, IL and it was very interesting to see how different of a vibe their tailgating scene had. I mean it still involved plenty of rowdy/just plain tipsy adults and students, but the parking lot we were in was so far from the stadium that we had to take a bus to the game. I had a great time and got to meet a bunch of new people, but I missed the sense of excitement that comes with tailgating right by the stadium.

 (And if you ever get the chance to tailgate at your friend's school, try and catch a game that's against another friend's school. As you can see I really enjoyed being the completely neutral third party.)

#6 Experience the great outdoors in Michigan

I'm a camper. It's in my blood.

My Mom went to summer camp in Indiana every summer during her childhood, and it's how she grew up. I was destined to be a camp girl from birth, basically (she took me to a "camp fair" towards the end of elementary school to decide where I would be doing my growing). Thankfully I actually really enjoyed it.

There is simply no other experience that can compare to watching the sun set over a calm lake, or seeing the stars shine at their full potential, away from all the polluted suburban skies.

These are the sights I was lucky enough to behold every summer from the ages of ten to eighteen. At Camp Newaygo, I did all the cliche summer activities such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, singing around a camp fire; basically anything Lindsey Lohan did in Parent Trap. But I also did so much more. I learned to fence and to windsurf, to sail and to groom a horse. I learned how to pitch a tent and build a fire, which later developed into a lesson on how to feed ten hungry young mouths as a counselor. I learned how to live in close quarters with others, and how to deal with being away from home for long periods of time. I learned how to be independent, and how to make friends with girls who came from completely different backgrounds. I learned who I was.

As it should now be evident, going to summer camp was one of the most valuable experiences of my life thus far. But now it's too late for college kids who haven't had this experience to be campers, so I suggest this: if you love working with kids and need a job, consider being a camp counselor. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Already have a job? Simple. Go camping.

Now in reality, it really isn't that simple. You obviously need to plan it out and know what you're doing, but with the right equipment and a good location, you can have yourself a truly amazing time.

Another warning: camping isn't for everyone. I would challenge all college students to at least try it if they've never been, but it's true that some people will just end up being more miserable than happy if they spend a long period of time in such personal contact with nature. It's not for everyone.

But EVERYONE should at least spend some time exploring the beauty that is the Michigan wilderness. Now, I'm biased because I've always spent so much time there each summer, but I think nature holds a special beauty in MI. The way the sunlight shines gold through the dense forests at the end of the day is a memory forever ingrained in my head, and so is the sight of the breathtaking bluffs along the shore of Lake Superior after a twenty eight mile hike around Grand Island in the Upper Peninsula. There's a certain peaceful grace to nature's beauty here, and it's only understood by experiencing it for oneself.

#5 Visit a friend at a different school

So I go home Friday for Thanksgiving break (CAN'T WAIT) but I had been talking to one of my friends in my sorority about visiting Wash U in St. Louis together and we decided that this past weekend would be perfect. We basically decided that if we couldn't go home yet, we might as well get a little slice of home and see some people we miss (a friend of mine from jr. high/high school and her cousin both go there) and I'm so glad that we did.

Visiting old friends and seeing them in such a new environment is pretty weird, I'm not gonna lie. It's just weird hanging out with someone you spent so much time with back home, then spending so much time with them and their new group of friends. It's odd, but actually a really cool experience as well.

I guess I'm lucky that it was a positive experience for me because I loved all my friend Kaci's new friends, and was really happy to see how much fun she has with them. It just makes me happy when I know that my friends have found a school where they feel comfortable, and seeing first-hand how well of a fit Wash U is for Kaci made the visit that much more enjoyable.

Another plus was that Wash U, or WUSTL (Washington University St. Louis) is absolutely gorgeous. The buildings are breathtaking and they all have that old campus charm, and the architecture of the campus coupled with the amazing old mansions in the Clayton, MO neighborhood surrounding the school are super fun to stare at and dream of living in while driving by. And, to top it all off, I was told that the kids that live in these neighborhoods are very down to earth and don't act as if they live in million dollar homes. Now I don't actually know enough people from this town to know if that's true, but if they're all as cool and down to earth as Kaci's suite mate from Clayton, I'd say that it's a pretty accurate generalization.

Now, this was my first time in St. Louis and although I didn't get to see much of the city, I'm in love with the area that I was in and I would highly recommend a trip there to anyone who hasn't seen it before, especially if you're a college student at another school in Missouri.

On Friday we had dinner on "The Hill", and as a girl from the Chicago suburbs who knows nothing about St. Louis, I was given the comparison of Little Italy as an explanation of what the neighborhood is like, which I think was fairly accurate. We knew we were on The Hill once we were immediately greeted by Italian flags marking every light post, bearing the name of the neighborhood in big black letters, and as we got deeper into the area I started seeing restaurants mixed in among the little houses (one completely decked out in Christmas lights already). We soon pulled up to one called Cunetto House of Pasta, which my ride/friend Madison claimed, as a frequent visitor to St. Louis, is the best. I have to say, I wasn't really disappointed. We tried the Toasted Ravioli-a St. Louis classic-as an appetizer and I got the Fettuccine Alfredo as my main entree, which I figured was a safe bet. Although I was first introduced to "toasted rav" at school in our dining hall because of all the St. Louis kids that go here (I was such a t rav virgin that I didn't know you're supposed to eat it with your hands instead of a fork...I got laughed at for that one) this version definitely had more flavor and I know understand why so many of my peers are obsessed. My pasta was very good as well, but I felt like I had inhaled a small child after getting three quarters of the way through my plate-the portions were quite generous-so we had plenty of leftovers.

The rest of my weekend was spent hanging out on campus and exploring Clayton/University City's downtown area, which they call The Loop. For lunch on Saturday we went to Cheese-ology, which must have been made by God himself, just for me because it was literally a restaurant with only Mac and Cheese. Delicious. I had the four cheese and was in heaven.

After lunch, we did some shopping down the street from the restaurant, and my favorite store was a thrift store called Avalon. The best part of this place was that we couldn't even tell that it was a thrift store at first, but we were so intrigued by the bold outfits on the mannequins in the window that we decided we had to go in. While they had their share of wacky clothes that seemed only fit for a costume party, they also had enough steals that I wanted to buy more after I had already paid for my black $16 Forever 21 cocktail dress. Kaci got four sweaters and I had to convince her not to get more! I saw what looked like a brand new pair  of sheepskin lined moccasins for $15, a Juicy Couture jacket for $60 and a  whole wall of purses-many designer brand-of which I wouldn't allow myself to look at the price tags for fear of buying all of them.

To end my weekend, Kaci and I ate brunch at the "Bear's Den" dining hall right by her dorm, which they affectionately call DB. After stuffing my face with bacon, hash browns, an omelet, yogurt parfait and slice of "apple and cheddar breakfast pizza" (that was interesting), it was time to say good-bye, but it wasn't too hard knowing that I would see her in just a week and a half. It also helped that after meeting all her friends, I know that she's in good hands.

#4 Hang out with-and get to know-an international student

Okay we're getting a little off track from the whole "101 Places Every College Student Must See" but that's okay because I've decided to change it to "101 Places and Things Every College Student Must See and Do". Cool beans.

The subject of this entry all began when I decided I wanted some extra credit in Anthropology 1000. (With a promising reward of 60 points, who could say no?) My professor told us that all we had to do was became an Intensive English Program conversation partner, which entails meeting with an international student learning English once a week so they can practice the language, and write a paper about our experience at the end of the semester. Now, points aside, I really did like the idea of getting to know a student who would be so different than myself. Two of my best friends from high school immigrated here and are still not American citizens yet, and they'll be the first to admit that I'm very curious when it comes to their cultural background and life prior to living in the U.S.

I love learning about other countries. I love meeting new people. I want to be a travel writer, so heck why not try it? Thank god I did because joining this program has probably been one of the best decisions I've made during college thus far.

Danhee is the IEP student from South Korea whom I meet with once a week, and lately I've started to refer to her as my "friend" in conversations with others instead of my "partner". After knowing each other for just two months, I have gotten to know so much about her and Korean culture that I will be forever proud of myself for making the decision to be a part of this program. Danhee and I have shared stories, Facebook photos, and even created memories of our own, such as making a tutu last minute for my Halloween costume... three hours before I was supposed to be ready to go. She has proved to me that you don't have to always understand people perfectly to know how they feel, or to get to know them as an individual.

While we've had a few (expected) moments of confusion, today marked the first time I sat down across from Danhee and listened to her speak about her culture without having to worry about what I was going to ask her next. I sat back and heard her explain the differences between American and Korean fashion for almost an hour without having to jump start the conversation at all because she was so excited to be talking about her home that she didn't get caught up in translation. It was the most proper English I had ever heard her speak-she even corrected herself and said "my brother and I" instead of "my brother and me"-and I felt a warm sense of pride in knowing that I had been a part of her improvement.

We come to college to learn. To grow as individuals, and learn what it really means to be independent.
For me, being independent means getting away from any preconceived notions you may have had about certain people during your childhood, and taking the time to test them out and really see what people are like. I think that there's a great deal of students at this school who come from towns where there is little to no diversity, and technically my suburb could fall under that category. But not everyone who comes from this background takes the time to immerse themselves in the diverse culture of their college campus when they have the opportunity, and I challenge all college students, regardless of their background, to put previous mindsets aside and get to know the unique group of students around them.

Switching it up a little: #3 Experience a presidential election in a college town

Alright so this isn't a place that college kids should visit, or some specific sight which they should behold. It only happens once every four years, and some won't get this opportunity. But it's an amazing experience.

Be on a college campus someday on election day.

This was the first election that I have ever felt a part of, and although I wasn't able to vote (I'm eligible but long story short, I'm registered in IL and not MO and figured the logistics out too late) I was surrounded by people who did and were, for the most part, extremely passionate about their decision.

Tonight I sat in a crowded lounge on the second floor of a college dorm in Missouri. I sat among Republicans and Democrats, guys and girls, informed voters and slightly more ignorant ones. But despite our differences, we all watched the results live on our tiny TV together as eighteen year olds who were also seeing our future unfold before our eyes.

Being a college student, especially during election time, you come to realize how much you can accomplish as an individual. And although there weren't much of us left in the room once Obama finally came out to give his acceptance speech, those of us who were watched in silence. A silence of respect for the man who has had so much to do with our education, our health care, and all the other main aspects of our lives up until this point, and will continue to for the next four years.

No matter what your beliefs, everyone needs to feel this sense of being a part of something bigger while in college. It's the most effective medium of unification out there.

So, in the words of our re-elected president of this great nation, remember;

"We are an American family and we rise and fall together as one nation, one group."

#2 Take a day trip to the dunes with friends

What student doesn't love summer? While there are always a handful who continue to take classes during break, no one dislikes the time of year when the sun is shining, flip flops are flopping and a sense of freedom seems to breeze about in the humid air.

This past summer, while one of my most busy because I was working, was also the most liberating. My friends and I would stay up late having bonfires and watching movies, doing late-night runs to McDonald's and even having water balloon sling-shot contests after midnight. It was my last summer as a high school kid, or at least it felt like it even after I'd graduated. I felt young. I felt free.

We all felt this way, and that is exactly why we made a summer bucket list with forty activities that we wanted to do together before we all went off to the seemingly scary adult world that is college. Our time left as "kids" was limited, and so we did nearly everything on that list, including a trip to the Indiana Dunes.

Now, ask people my age from the Chicago suburbs and they might tell you that the Warren Dunes in Michigan are more fun, but I don't really think it matters. The point of this entry is to tell you that one thing every college student must do one summer is load up the car with as many friends and food items as possible and make a trip to Lake Michigan to find some dunes. Take a few hours to wade in the water (but don't bring an inflatable inner tube or the lifeguard will yell at you) and then, when your feet aren't burning on the coal-like sand, try and run up the dunes without falling. Race your friends to the top. Push each other down. Laugh at the friend who's lagging behind and can't catch their breath. Yell at the one who made it up there first and won't let you forget it. 

When you all are finally at the top of the seemingly endless hill, explore. Follow the trails without searching for a real destination. Feel the sand turn to grass underneath your bare feet, and avoid the potentially harmful plant life that might be lurking ahead. Play camp counselor and make your friends follow you around as you force them deeper into the woods. Don't keep track of time. Let yourself get lost. Listen to the sounds around you; you don't hear these everyday. 

Finally, retrace your steps and sit at the top of the hill. Take some time to appreciate the view in front of you. Let yourself call it an ocean instead of a lake by accident, because at that moment that's truly what it seems like. 

Be young. Be free.

Let's get this blog going

So, my mother is a genius and gave me a great idea for this blog. From now on I will be talking about items on my "101 Places Every College Student Should See in the U.S. Before They Graduate" list. Some of these will be from personal experience, and some will be places that I've researched and would really like to visit based off of other lists I've seen. I'll talk about the place and the #1 activity you MUST do there, along with a few other things that everyone should experience as well. Let's start now.

1) Eat a Cafe du Mond Beignet in Jackson Square (New Orleans, LA)

Two of the things I love most in this world are dessert and old, picturesque city scenes, and Jackson Square has them both. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is most famous for the St. Louis Cathedral which serves as its centerpiece. Nestled between the colorful and wrought iron adorned buildings that are so characteristic to this area, the cathedral makes for a beautiful photo-op, yet placed anywhere else it would probably seem a bit plain.

Regardless, the square was the perfect spot for my mom and I to enjoy the best dessert that New Orleans has to offer; beignets from the famous Cafe du Mond. Now if you've ever heard of Cafe du Mond, you've probably heard that while the restaurant is famous for its delicious pastries, it's also known for its infamously long lines. My mom and I both agree, however, that the half hour or so we spent in  anticipation was 100% worth it once we finally got those little pieces of dough heaven into our mouths. Hands down one of the best desserts, I've ever had. They're so good, we went twice within the two and a half days we were there.

College kids love food. College kids love a fun, party atmosphere. AND we love things that are cheap. These are three solid reasons to visit New Orleans. My mom and I had a free plane ticket that was going to expire so we looked up numerous different cities that we could visit for a weekend, and after looking at all the commas associated with NYC hotel prices, my mom immediately jumped at my idea to visit her birth home of New Orleans instead. It's a trip that has it all; a beautiful and historical city, good food, and fun and interesting people. This is somewhere everyone, especially college kids should visit if they get the chance.

Flash from the Past: Clip from Creative Writing class last year

High Dock (non fiction "flash")

I had never seen water so calm. It was far past lights out, and I heard only the occasional splash of water along the dark shores of my summertime escape. My presence, and that of the five girls around me, was unnatural; a disturbance to the simple solitude of the night.

Yet we relished in the peacefulness of the black mirror. This is where we belonged. We lied on the refurbished dock, admiring the timeless beauty of the stars and their reflection. For a long while we sat in silence, gazing up at the endless sea of white dots (merely a creek back home). In other moments we chatted quietly, reminiscing and trying to predict what the remaining weeks would bring. Our voices dipped to a low whisper as to not awaken the adults, whose footsteps I swore I could hear every few minutes (even though they lied in their beds, way at the top of the tree-lined hill).

The night is dark in the middle of the wilderness, miles from real society. I could just barely make out the faces of my companions between the shadows of the moonlight. But I didn’t need to see their faces to feel it.

Friendship was a familiar sensation, but sisterhood was something that God chose not to bestow upon me. Until then. My fellow Counselors in Training had conquered a twenty-eight mile hiking trip with me. They encouraged me when I couldn’t muster up any confidence for myself. They sang silly songs with me, and did ridiculous dance moves in front of a hundred chuckling little girls. They reminded me that I’m beautiful, and capable.

They loved me and always will.

And so on our last night together, we stayed close, taking the leap from campers to counselors; hand in hand.