Dear Athens, I Miss You.

It's nearing four months now that I've been out of college (115 days to be exact), but I think I'm just really grasping it for the first time recently. Up until a few weeks ago, it's been summer. For me, and for everyone. I'm never in school at this time of the year, and having so many friends living in New York for just summer internships made me feel like I was one of them. I was last summer, after all.

Somehow it was easy to think that come the middle of August, I would head back to Athens with the rest of my friends. Now it's so weird for me to grasp that my younger friends are sitting in class all day while I'm working and paying my own bills! I guess I had to come to terms with it at some point, but its funny that it took the start of the semester for me that to happen (how much longer can I talk in "semesters"?).

As much as absolutely love living in New York, there's a part of me that really misses sweet little Athens, Georgia. I knew people everywhere I went, I was comfortable in the same home for three years, and I had my safe routine of class and working occasionally... and a little part of me definitely misses that! But the more I think about it, the more I realize it's the just the memories I made in college that I miss. I wouldn't in a million years trade going to class tomorrow for going to work; I'm past that point in my life and it feels good. It's just hard not to miss the friends I made and the traditions that are still going on without me.

Another thing that's hard to swallow... this weekend is the first UGA football game. The first game I'll watch the bulldogs play as an alum, not a student. They'll always be my team, but it's weird to get in the habit of telling people "I went to UGA," not "I'm a student at UGA." It's an away game, so I wouldn't be at the game anyway (Oklahoma is too much of a haul, even for me)... but it's still a weird feeling. I'm used to watching the away games in my living room with my roommates; this weekend I'll actually be home in Sarasota, watching the game with my parents!

I know this is all part of growing up, and as the rest of my friends graduate and move on I'll have less of a pull toward Athens, but right now it's just really weird to realize that chapter of my life has closed.

100th Blogiversary

I had another idea for a post tonight but when I logged in I realized I've reached a milestone with my blog - this is my 100th post! Aaand let the nostalgic tangent begin...

I took a minute to read my first post, from the middle of December after a hectic week of informational interviews in NYC. I literally remember that night, staying up all night at my aunt's house in New Jersey thinking about where I would be after graduation. I was so determined to get back to New York after living here last summer, and that week in December was just the beginning of my journey to becoming a New Yorker. One of the interviews I went on was at Peppercom, and after several more rounds of interviews and writing tests, I'm so happy to be interning there. I'm learning so much from some incredible people in the industry I've dreamed about working in, and am having an even more amazing experience than I could have ever hoped for.

The second part to that dream was moving to New York by myself and supporting myself - which I think I'm actually succeeding at too! I have a lot of friends here, though most are just up for the summer, but I'm meeting new people every day and thanks to a few part time jobs I'm avoiding depending on my parents for the most part.

It's so cool to look back to just six months ago and realize how much I've done, and how I've truly accomplished everything I hoped I would by now. Happy anniversary blog, thanks for the memories!

Just a Poor College Graduate...

It seems like there has always been a stereotype of poor college students.  You know them, they eat pizza and Ramen noodles and go to whatever bar is serving penny beer that night.  It may be a newly emerging phenomenon, but why does nobody talk about poor college graduates? I guess up until recently it has been expected that the cheap lifestyle ends once you get a diploma and make a seamless transition into a career.  

Let's be honest... how many 2009 graduates actually jumped right into a full-time position?  I have quite a few friends who did, and I'm so proud and happy for them.  But of all my friends who just graduated, a ridiculous number of them are living at home or going to grad school.  These are the options if you can't find a job: either live with your parents (I couldn't do it), incur even more debt at grad school (hellooo, why do you think we're in this mess?), or throw yourself into the real world and try to make it.

I fit into that last category.  Maybe it wasn't the smartest financial decision to move to the most expensive city in the world right after graduation, but what can I say... I'm an optimist.  And I'm determined.  I know I'll make it and one day look back on my poor college graduate days and laugh.

For now, I'm enjoying being a poor college graduate.  I'm okay with having a budget, I think it's a right of passage.  I'm 21 years old, I don't need a huge apartment with a doorman on Park Avenue.  I don't need to go out for nice meals every night and go shopping on 5th Avenue.  I happen to love my tiny studio apartment that's still barely furnished, buying groceries from Trader Joe's and looking for sample sales to buy clothes.   

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

A month before graduation, I wrote a post reflecting on my favorite things in Athens. The day after graduation, I went to campus with my mom and took pictures at all of my favorite spots. I wanted to post a few on here, as I continue to reminisce about my amazing four years in Athens and prepare for my future after college.

The Victory Bell - traditionally rang by students and fans after winning home football games. Broken in 2007 after victory against UF.

Herty Field - where the Bulldogs played (and won) their first football game.

The North Campus Fountain - one of the most recognized places on campus, but it has been turned off since the summer of 2007 because of the drought in Georgia.  The fountain was turned back on a few days before graduation.

Terry College of Business - where I got degree number one, BBA in Management.

Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication - where I got degree number two, ABJ in Public Relations, and met so many wonderful people over the years.

Sanford Stadium - our football stadium, where graduation was held, and hands down my favorite place on campus.

Alma Mater, Thee We'll Honor... Georgia Hail to Thee!

I guess I finally need to stop saying it doesn't feel real, because it is real now. Yesterday was the Spring 2009 Commencement ceremony, and I am officially a University of Georgia alumnus.  I can't even begin to put into words all the emotions I have felt over the last couple of days, and I think my eyes have run out of tears because I'm past the point of being able to cry anymore.  

The Grady Convocation was held on Friday afternoon at the Classic Center, and was just as exciting as the big commencement ceremony.  After the speakers, each graduate's name was called and we walked across the stage of the Classic Center theatre to receive our Grady Society pin.  I loved being there with the friends I've made in my wonderful major over the last two years, and am so proud of all my fellow Grady grads.  I love you all, especially the C-Painers, and can't wait to hear about all the amazing things everyone accomplishes in the next stage of their lives.

Yesterday's ceremony was obviously less personal, but it was still so cool sitting on the field of Sanford stadium with the class of 2009.  I loved the speakers, and being able to stand and flip my tassel to the left side (twice - once for Grady, once for Terry) made everything feel worth it.  Not to mention, Grady was definitely the best section to sit in and we cheered the loudest when our dean introduced us!

The weekend was filled with celebrations, friends and family.  I was so lucky to have my wonderful parents and little brother here to laugh and cry with me, and to support me through everything.  So now it's over.  The best four years of my life have come to a close, and I'm preparing for the next step and my big move.  In two weeks, I will leave Athens to go home, say goodbye to all my high school friends, and then move to New York a few days later.  This is the most exciting time of my life, and I can't wait to see how things unfold.  

Cheers to the class of 2009 - we did it! As they pointed out yesterday, sure we're graduating into a difficult economy... but we're ready, and we have been prepared to handle anything life throws our way.  The world will now expect uncommon things of us, because WE are graduates of the University of Georgia. Congratulations everyone, and GO DAWGS!

Getting There...

Graduation is just a few days away, and somehow it still doesn't seem real.  Maybe it's because I've been so busy studying for exams, finishing up projects, and making the arrangements for my family's arrival that I haven't actually sat down to think about what this is all for.  My last exam of college is tomorrow at noon, and after that all I will have left are the final corrections on my Campaigns book and I'm done! 

I think when it will really hit me is when I have to start saying goodbye to all the amazing friends I have made over the last few years.  Because, as cliched as it is, college really is so much more than just classes.  Its a personal growing experience filled with friendships that will last a lifetime.  Maybe this is why the end of classes didn't really effect me, and why even after tomorrow I won't truly feel like college is over.  Let's be honest, I'm not that heartbroken that I'll never attend another college class.  I'm starting an internship in a few weeks, and I know I will continue learning new things about the industry I've chosen for the rest of my life, so the learning aspect of college will never truly be over.  From now on, I will be learning only the things that I'm interested in and passionate about.  I will never have to take another exam, or be forced to write a research paper on something I don't care about.  I'm excited to finally learn things on my terms, and not have to take any more pre-requisite courses just because they're required.

The things I'll be sad to leave behind from college will be my amazing friends and the charming little town I've come to call home after the last four years.  Between classes, part time jobs, and especially my study abroad program, I have met some unbelievable people in my time at UGA.  I'm very fortunate that many of my friends will also be moving to New York after graduation, and some others will be nearby throughout the Northeast.  Most of the rest of them will be in Atlanta, and I'm sure I'll be down to visit and go to a Georgia football game when I can.  But we will never all be together like we are now and have the freedom we do now.  After Saturday, my life will change forever... and I'm just waiting for it all to be real.

When Will This Feel Real?

Yesterday was my last day of college classes. Ever. One of my classes is completely done, and the only things separating me from graduation are 3 exams, a paper and the finishing touches on our Campaigns book.

I've put in my last day at work. 

I have boxes all around my room so I can start packing up my life, and I've sold the majority of my furniture.

In a week and a half, I'll be meeting with brokers to look at apartments, and in less than a month I'll be moving. 

But somehow, none of this has sunk in.  I don't know if I've just been so busy and caught up with school, work, and life in general, but I can't believe this is all really happening.  This is what I've been basically working toward for my whole life up until this point, and I'm really graduating a week from tomorrow and starting my independent adult life.  

I keep waiting to get emotional and start freaking out about everything ending, but it just hasn't happened.  I suppose it will sink in next week, when all is said and done with my exams and my parents get here to celebrate my graduation.  Until then, I guess all I can do is keep getting my work done and keep preparing for the next big step...

Just Keep Swimming...

Last Thursday, I was lucky enough to be able to attend the PRSSA Senior Banquet at Depalma's.  Although I haven't always been able to be as involved as PRSSA as I would have liked (between jobs, internships, etc.) I truly do feel close to so many of my fellow graduating PR majors and had a wonderful time celebrating with everyone.  Before going to a big school, I was warned by so many people that you simply get lost in the crowd and don't really feel like you're as much a part of things as you do at a smaller school.  However, Thursday night showed how being in such a great school as Grady can truly make you feel special and recognized on an individual level.  

PRSSA President Stephanie Perrett gave a great welcoming, which was followed by greetings from Dean Cully Clark and Dr. Karen King, the Head of the ADPR Department.  Dr. Parker Middleton also spoke and was so inspirational and amazing to listen to.  A few seniors were recognized (Katherine Strate, Kaitlyn Darr, and Leslie Emanuele) for their outstanding work with PRSSA over the years.  

As a graduating class, we have heard our share of discouragement about entering the job market in such a tough economy.  It was refreshing to be told how much people are supporting us and how amazingly qualified we are because we will be graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country.  I know I'm graduating with an incredibly talented group of girls (and a few boys!) that will accomplish such great things in the PR world and I can't wait to hear about everyone's adventures after college.  And for any of you who are still worried about the job market, remember the advice that was quoted from Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming..."

It's Always Something

Whenever I'm stressed out about school, work, or life in general I always feel better if I call my mom to vent.  Today was one of those stressful days, and after about 15 minutes of my ranting and frantically listing everything I need to get done in the next few weeks, she said something that really got me thinking.

She pointed out that as soon as I make it through graduation, it'll just be on to the next huge life changing event: finding an apartment. And then on to the next: moving 800 miles away.  And then on to the next: starting a new internship.  And then who knows what?  The point was, as soon as you get through one stressful event, it's already time to tackle another.  Don't get me wrong, these are all exciting things that I'm stressed out about in a good way.  I just have a lot to think about and my mind is going a thousand different directions and it seems like it's never going to end! 

This made me think about how I can cope better with my stress. What kind of life would it be to constantly be anxious about what is coming next?  I need to enjoy each thing for what it is, and not rush through these huge milestones just so I can reach the next.  In the next few weeks, I'm going to make a serious effort to relax and enjoy being a college student.  After that, I'll move on to the details of my move to NYC.  I just need to remind myself to take things one day at a time, one event at a time, and relax and have fun while doing it.  

More Advice for Graduating Seniors

Even though I've figured out what I'm doing after graduation (well, at least for the summer), I can't stop soaking up all the advice I can find for life after college. Last week was PRSSA's Senior Night, which was a small meeting geared specifically toward PR students graduating in the coming semesters. Speakers included Tom Strate (Strate Insurance Group), Mike Emanuele (Horizon Staffing), Lindsey Berryhill (Fleishman-Hillard), Kate Griffin (Kleber & Associates), Allie Carswell (Spanx), Nadine Randall (CDC), and Katherine Mason (Porter Novelli).

Unfortunately, I had to leave for work part of the way through the meeting so I only got to hear the first section.  Luckily, the meeting is summed up on PRSSA's blog.  Check out that link for helpful information on insurance, budgeting, networking, and proactively searching for your first job.

More "Great" and Less "Unknown"

A few days ago, I wrote about embracing my uncertain future.  After much anxiety about what direction my life would go after college, I finally decided to just go with the flow and stop freaking out about everything.

Well, you know how when you're waiting on food at a restaurant, it always seems to come faster if you leave the table to go to the restroom or something?  Well, this apparently applies to waiting on internships as well.  Four days after I adopted my new carefree outlook on life, I got the phone call I've been dreaming of for months!  

Finally, when people ask me what I'm doing after graduation I don't have to stare blankly at them or mumble something about the economy and the tight job market.  I will be able to tell them that I will be moving to New York in the end of May and interning with Peppercom for the summer!  I couldn't be more excited, and now I have so much to figure out and plan in the next month and a half.