Yesterday it hit me that I am in week 5 of my JUNIOR YEAR!!! I'm not quite sure what happened to the last two years, but cue my usual freakout about time flying, possibilities passing me by, ect. But then I paused panic mode for a minute and thought what if I just brainstormed a few things that could make me feel as though I was making the most of my time here. So that's just what I did.

Here's me accomplishing goal 5!

Anyone who knows me well could tell you that I am obsessed with lists. I have bucket lists, lists of things I've done, lists of things I like, lists of things I don't like, and at any given time I probably have at least 5 to do lists floating between my planner, phone, and post-its on my desk. So I just did what I do best, and made a list of the things I hope to add to my life and do more of in order to make the most of this semester!

1. Try one new recipe per week. We'll see how this goes because my schedule might make my life crazy, but I'm getting pretty tired of chicken and broccoli..

2. Go to more coffee shops. Call it basic but there's nothing I like more than a nice afternoon in a busy coffee shop with my overpriced coffee. So here's to more of that!

3. Say no more. I need to learn how to say no when I don't want to do something rather than feeling obligated to go because of friends encouraging me, my general fomo, or my classic "make the most of your college time" mental reminder. But I know myself and when to say no, and this honestly lets me have a few quiet nights to myself and I love and appreciate that.

4. Say yes to the fun things. At the same time that I need to say no when I need a break, I need to say yes so that I don't drown myself in work all the time. I have a bad habit of not relaxing, and with this semester there is always more homework and reading to be done, but I need to learn how to say yes to leaving those books behind for a nice dinner break or night with my friends!

5. Keep exploring SF. This is a big one for me! With all my business I forget that I live in this captivating place. Especially with my car here this year, I need to take the time to add adventuring into my weekly schedule. It keeps me inspired, see below for today's adventure!



6. Finish decorating the apartment. Last but not least, I want to at some point finish decorating our beautiful apartment! We are currently at a standstill on the brainstorming because I would like to go with a sorority house vibe, while my older brother was thinking more post-grad simplicity. So we are stuck currently somewhere in the middle with twinkle lights on a blank wall. Eventually we'll figure that one out!

7. Do well in school! This is something that is always on my to do list and the top of my priorities during the school year. This semester we are focusing on psychology and community and mental health, which isn't my favorite topic, but with a little effort I should be able to muster up some interest!

And there we go, I feel better already! These 7 things may seem small, but I hope by adding them into my daily and weekly life I will feel like I had a more well-rounded semester! Stay tuned to see if I actually get around to accomplishing this list!

1. My home: I say this first and foremost because its the most common thing I hear from girls going through recruitment, and the main thing I was looking for as a lost freshman. Coming to college is scary. It meant leaving everything I knew and being thrust into a new environment alone and not quite sure who I was. I knew I didn't like my school very much. I knew I was grateful for the 3 friends I had made, but was aching to be back with my friends from home whom I hadn't parted with in the last 15 years. So that turned me to looking desperately for a group of people similar to me, which led me right to the doors of Panhellenic recruitment. From where I sit now I am happy to say I have found a home in DZ that has made USF feel like home as well. I am now excited when I get to come back to school, and already know I will miss this time and place when it passes.
2. My people: This is probably the one I'm most grateful for. I have found my best friends, my study partners, my family (ily littles and twin), my idols, my mentors, and everyone in between. I am currently a part of a chapter of over 200 girls, all of whom I am happy to also call friends. There have been people whom I've met in Dz who have challenged me, academically, emotionally, and as a person. There are also people who have supported me at my emotional and physical lows and celebrated and happy-cried with me at my highs. These are the people I know I will be friends with for my whole life. We have traveled together, cried and laughed together, and loved each other like real sisters. And this goes for my Theta friends too, Greek life has given me friendships that disregard what organization we're in! 
3. My growth and leadership: Through all these experiences, I have grown immensely. I have become more of a team player, a preserver of tradition, an inspiree and an inspirer. I have been a big sister and a little sister, a cousin, an aunt, a niece, a grand little, a chapter member, a leader, one who belongs. I have been challenged as a leader to take on assistant roles, then bigger roles. I have learned to work with people I don't agree with and have been made better for it. I have been at my lowest, and at my highest in these last 2 years, and my sisters have stood by me through it all. Thankfully I am happy to say I am truly the best version of myself today because of that. 
4. My excitement for the future: Delta Zeta gives me a hungry excitement for the future. Just this past Monday I looked at the faces of our 83 new members and saw change and inspiration and the future. It causes me to look for the next thing that will help move us forward, the next challenge that will help move me forward, and to have the confidence to know I will always have people by my side who have my back.