-Insert Guide To Picking a Major Here-

When I was twelve, I wanted to be an author. When I was thirteen, I wanted to be an art teacher. When I was fifteen, I wanted to be an interior designer. When I was sixteen, my mom said, "You like web design, why don't you be a web designer?"

And that's when it hit me. The past six years have been aimed with my career goal in mind - but what if I never made that decision? What if I wake up one day and realize that I hate web design and don't want to do it anymore? As unlikely as that is, it's still a thought that crosses my mind from time to time.

A lot of people start college without knowing what they want their career to be. It's really a daunting task - deciding what path you are going to take for the rest of your life. (It's almost as scary as choosing a faction in Divergent - the book that I am currently reading) Luckily for you, making the wrong choice right now won't screw you over for the rest of the time you're alive.

College is about exploring. Most of us don't have the unlimited funds to truly explore all of our options, which is really a shame. It can be a little unsettling to be in an environment where everybody knows what they want to do and where they're going, while you just want to pass your math class and have something decent in the cafeteria for lunch that day. That's why deciding on your major is so important.

Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind:

01. Think about what makes you happy. What are your favorite things to do? What do you spend time doing that makes time fly, and how can you translate that into a job setting?

02. Travel. Experience new things and new places. There could be something out there that you had no idea existed.

03. Try something new. Take classes with subjects that seem interesting to you. Broaden your horizons.

04. General Studies. Start off college taking general studies courses. This gives you more time to figure out what you want to do while still working towards a degree.

05. Take a break. If you've run out of general studies classes to take, it's ok to take a break from school instead of spending more money on classes you might not end up needing. A break from school can help you clear your mind and realize what you'd like to continue studying.

06. Work. If anything, working a job you hate will inspire you to pick a better career path, and working a job you love will confirm what you want to keep doing.

07. Relax. I know it can be scary not knowing where your life is going, but it can also be exciting. If you don't have your life already planned out, then it leaves room for anything to happen. Just make sure you're able to pay the bills and doing something you love in the mean time.

Here's a little secret for you - even the people who have their lives planned out and know what they want to do right now will probably change their mind down the road somewhere. Life is unpredictable, and we have the ability to try so many different things in this day and age.

College Rule #12
College doesn't define who you are for the rest of your life. Now's the time to explore.

I can't tell you what to pick as your major. I can't tell you when you're going to know or how to get that lightbulb to click on. All I can tell you is that you don't have to live in fear of being left behind in life because you don't know what you want to do. It will come to you eventually - it's ok not to know. Explore your choices and go on adventures. Learn the meaning of hard work and being a good person. Defining who you are as a person will help you decide what you want to do with your life.

PS. I drew that Morph (from Treasure Planet, I'm saddened to find out a lot of people have no idea what that is) on Art Academy: Sketchpad for the WiiU. If anyone has a WiiU and wants to be friends, you should add me! - ohemjayy

Peace. Love. Explore.

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Insert Guide To College Relationships Here

How does one even go about making a guide to relationships? I'm certainly not in the business of analyzing other people's relationships (or even my own). I suppose there are a few things you should keep in mind when entering the wild world of college dating.

For starters, college isn't about dating. This isn't your last chance to find your soul mate. It is perfectly fine no matter what point of life you're in to be single. Just make sure that when you're dating someone, it's because you actually want to be with him or her, and not because you just don't want to be single.

Life Rule #2
There's nothing wrong with being single. Never force yourself to be in a relationship just because you don't want to be alone.

That being said, it's alright to explore your options. If you need a cuddle buddy, you don't need to go steady. I guess the term, Friend With Benefits (FWB), is often looked down upon, but it's a completely viable option. The most important part is that you set boundaries before you get into it. Make sure you and your friend both know how far the other is willing to go, and be up front with your feelings. I did the whole FWB thing with one of my best friends and it worked out great because we were up front about not wanting a relationship, and we were open with what we were and weren't comfortable with. It was similar to being in a relationship without the commitment or lovey-dovey feelings. If anything, it just made our friendship stronger, I think. So if you're feeling lonely, don't just throw yourself into a relationship. There are less serious ways to go about it... so long as you're careful.

But please, if you are in a relationship with someone from home, don't give into the temptation to find someone at school to be all cuddly with. You can skype, visit, text, call (etc) your special someone from back home, or you can decide the long distance isn't working and break up with him or her for someone you met at college... just don't do both at the same time. It's easier to cheat when you're away at college... but it's wrong, and you've got to make up your mind.

Let's get to my favorite part of this conversation, though. That would be mostly because it involves my boyfriend that I've been dating for 4 and a half months now. The hardest part about relationships at college is that you get so used to seeing him or her every day, and then when the semester's over, you go back home and barely get to see him or her at all. I have a hard enough time not seeing him for a day - I'm not looking forward to when summer rolls around. Of course, if you're lucky, he or she won't live too far away from your hometown.

Going to college with your significant other is about half way between being in the real world and living in the Big Brother house. What I mean by that is living on a college campus with your boyfriend is living on your own within walking distance of your boyfriend with your biggest responsibilities being going to class and doing homework. This leaves a lot of free time for you to be with your significant other. All this free time really gives you the chance to spend time with him or her and really get to know what he/she is like. Perhaps that's why my first college relationship lasted a month. It's such an intense level to get to know someone, though.

Of course, you have to be careful that you don't spend all of your time with your special someone. You need to have your own life and friends away from that, because if you don't, you could end up alone when you break up (or sitting around waiting for him while he's at, oh, i don't know, say soccer practice or something). As much as you will want to spend time with him or her (if you're like me anyway), it's important to spend time with other people, too.

It's funny that 3 of the 4 and a half months that my boyfriend and I have been dating has been during the summer. We started dating the week after school ended, so a majority of our relationship, I haven't been with him. Of course, ever since school started, there has not been more than a day that I go without seeing him. See how much college changes relationships? Anyway, I'd like to take this short moment to gush (even though I don't do this often... refer to rules about Jayy #5) about how wonderful my boyfriend is and how much he makes me smile. I'm sure you don't want to hear all about our relationship, but it's the best one I've been in thus far.

And that's the most important thing about relationships - it should feel like the best relationship you've ever been in. You should want to see the person. He/she should make you happy, smile, and feel good about life. Don't settle for anything less.

One last thing, always use protection when engaging in sexual activity. Whether you agree with premarital sex or not, anything can happen at any time. Shit happens, people change their minds, values and opinions change... college changes people in so many ways... just make sure you're prepared (mentally and physically) to handle all the repercussions of your actions.

USE YOUR MIND, NOT YOUR DICK/VAJAYJAY!

So yes. College relationships are a wonderful thing to experience. Just make sure you go about it in a responsible way. Although, let's be real... you're in college now, you're going to be irresponsible at least once in a while.

Peace. Love. Wrap it before you tap it.

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Insert School Interrupting Disease Here

That sounds like a knock knock joke, doesn't it?

knock knock.
who's there?
school interrupting disease.
school interrupting dis-
HA HA SUCKA YOU HAVE MONO!

Apparently it's also a joke interrupting disease. But I guess that would be part of the joke.

Have you ever missed mass amounts of school due to your immune system not doing a decent enough job and getting some kind of contagious disease that makes your whole body hurt, your temperature sky rocket, your stomach want to explode, your throat hurt because of all of the drainage, your body wanting to sleep all the time, and gives you an inability to drink water - the one thing you're supposed to do to get better? Oh, let's add in having your period on top of that. This, my friends, has been my past 2 and a half weeks.

The first week I wasn't really sure why I was constantly hurting. Headaches and sore muscles for days. I still went out and did things, like finishing my summer classes or hanging out with my boyfriend and his friend at the mall. Of course, I was slightly miserable and dying the whole time. But these were important things. That Tuesday was the last day I would get to see one of my best friends who is moving 12 hours away for college this year. Those are the things you can't miss, no matter how achy you're feeling. So I pretty much ignored the fact that there was something wrong with me until my fever was super noticeable, and I was sweating bullets.

The second week was when the dehydration hit. Once the dehydration happens, you're screwed. For three days straight, I was throwing up, feeling awful, and barely able to move. I wasn't sore anymore, but every time I tried to eat or drink, I just wanted to throw it all back up. It took me all last week to get back to a point where I could eat and be somewhat active again. And do you know how awful it is to see food, want food, love food, but every time you try to actually eat it, you want to vomit? Horrible, horrible punishment.

This week has been mostly just me dealing with crazy drainage and allergy problems mixed in with the need to sleep about 5 hours more a day than normal... I feel like a cat. I'll be doing fine and then all of a sudden I'm crazy tired and need a nap.

And what all of this and the blood work that I've had done (not to mention my clever knock knock joke) is alluding to is that I have mono. Which, you know, isn't the WORST thing that could happen to a person, but it's certainly down there. Besides the fact that I can't do any contact sports (let's be real. i don't do sports at all - contact or not. so not an issue) I have missed (or am in the process of missing) my first week of classes. On top of that, my blood work that I had taken THIS week (and I absolutely loathe needles) shows that my strain is still active, and therefore means I'm still contagious, and I just really want to kiss my boyfriend. So how long do I have to wait before it's ok to do that again? Because, that's quite possibly the worst part of this whole thing. Like come on, I have been single for 21 years of my life (all of my relationships collectively have lasted 11 months-ish), and I have to get mono NOW? I know, I know, first world problems, I should be more concerned with the DISEASE and missing school. But whatever.

Rule #11 About Jayy
She is terrified of needles. Hates them with a passion. But she has 6 piercings, and wants 3 more and a tattoo.

While I'm complaining (it's what I do best), I just want to throw out there that I have no idea how I even got mono in the first place. My boyfriend doesn't have it. I haven't been kissing anyone else. And I'm the type of person who won't share drinks or food or anything like that cuz it freaks me out. My whole life I would actually get made fun of for being a "germaphobe" because I wouldn't share drinks. It's not that I'm a germaphobe. Just the thought of it freaks me out. But when everyone in marching band started getting mono my junior year, I thought to myself, hey. at least I know I won't get it because I don't put my mouth on stuff that other people have. WHY HAS THIS LOGIC FAILED ME NOW?! Oh well, I guess we'll never know.

So now that I've sufficiently talked about myself (because it's another thing that I do best) let's throw back all that we've just learned to help you. Firstly, if you're showing any symptoms like I was, keep an eye on it. It's unlikely that it's mono, but you could just be super lucky like me. Secondly, if you do end up having mono, make sure you get in contact with your school and let them know. I'm pretty sure my mom just dialed the schools number and told them the problem until they connected her to someone who could help, because how does one even know who to inform in a situation like that? Keep in contact with your professors. Email them. Ask them to send you anything you missed, or what they suggest for staying caught up with class. Don't drop off the face of the planet just because you have some mystery disease (it's french! - gilmore girls quote of the day) School is important, so try to stay on top of it as best you can.

If you so happen to get it right at the end of summer and you miss move in day, because what are the odds, make sure your housing director knows about it, too. That way she won't call you up 2 days later asking if you're still planning on moving in, because you never checked in, and she's starting to fill in spots with people on the waiting list.

Most importantly, just get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. It's so cliche, and I've heard it so many times these past 2 and a half weeks, but it's true. The sooner you're better, the sooner you can get back to doing things normally. Plus, no one likes to feel sick anyway.

One last thing. If you're IGNORING the fact that you're sick because you just really want to go hang out with your friends or your boyfriend or something like that, please make sure you're ok to drive. If you're slightly feverish and not all there, you might accidentally hit a recycling bin not even a mile away from your house and take off your mirror and scratch the side of your car. I know driving isn't necessarily college related, but it's still something you should definitely take seriously and into consideration when you're sick. Sometimes driving while being sick is just as bad as driving while under the influence.

Oh, and because you might be wondering. The picture is from when I went to the lake 3 or so weeks ago with part of CIRCLE team. It was a super fun day, and I totally miss Alyssa and wish she were coming back. Of course I miss Sam, too, but I'm seeing him in 4 days. Anyway, just some photographic proof of how awesome I am. We just hung out at the lake all day - laid on the beach, went swimming, and went kayaking. We went to Sonic for dinner, and then I drove Sam home and we watched Percy Jackson and it was just a nice day.

So have a lovely first week of classes if you're back this week. If not, have a lovely week anyway. I'll try to write more about other college-y things soon, seeing as college is actually starting now.

Peace. Love. Mono.

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Insert FAQ Here

How is your first semester of college going? What college are you going to? Where is that at? I bet you don't miss it here too much. What are you majoring in? What classes are you taking? Have you made any friends? How're you liking the dorms? What about the food?

SHUT UP!
Please.
And Thank You.

Once you graduate high school, you start to notice a pattern. It's like the only thing people suddenly know how to make small talk about is your post mandatory schooling life decisions. It doesn't matter if you go away to college, stay home for college, take a year off, go straight into the work force, or spend all of your time sitting on that musty old couch in the basement playing video games 24/7 with no plans for the foreseeable future. People will always want to know what you're doing with your life, and 9 times out of 10 it'll make you feel like shit. Oh, you're going to college? How are you making any money? Oh, you're just going to start working for the rest of your life? You should really consider continuing your education. It'll help you get a better job, and they'll be some of the best years of your life. It's really a lose lose situation.

But for some reason, if you are completely unfazed by the questions people ask or the way they ask them, you will shortly grow to resent the questions. The number of times that I have heard What college are you going to? or some similar mind-numbingly dull question is enough to make me want to bash my head through a wall. And of course it's never the same person asking it, so you basically end up having an automatic answer saved in the back of your mind that you have to deliver politely with sincerity and kindness. (even if all you want to do is shout go the fuck away and stop asking me about school)

So as a new comer to the wonderful ways of post secondary schooling, I thought I would heed you all a grave warning,

College Rule #11
Be prepared to get asked about school time and time again. You will get asked so much, that you will actually prefer being at school where at least the only thing people ask you there is what major are you or what dorm are you in (although, that get's pretty old pretty fast, too).

In other news, I haven't written in the past 2 weeks because I was on VAY-KAY visiting THE FAM. Down in the sunny south, I didn't have much time for blogging or coding or artwork or anything of the sort. The lovely picture up there you are viewing is from the family photoshoot. The picture was too long to fit everyone in there, so you're only seeing me and 2 of my cousins. Sucks to be you, baby sister. I'm also becoming more and more addicted to reality shows like The Bachelorette, Big Brother, Project Runway, etc etc. Never do anything ironically, or you'll end up watching TV shows obsessively that you once mocked, or saying things like Yolo, Totes, Probs or making duck faces.

Hope you're all having a lovely summer (or winter). Only a month left for me til I go back to college. So tell me, what are you majoring in? Where are you going to school? What year of schooling are you in? What is your living situation like? See, I'm just helping you get ready for the steady flow of questions that are sure to be headed your way. Don't believe me? Give it a couple of months and then let me know.

Peace. Love. The Third Degree.

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Insert Guide To College Roommates Here

If you're going to college, you're going to have roommates - whether you are on campus or off campus, whether it's 5 other people or just your fish, Skippy - you will 9 times out of 10 be living with someone else. If it's your first year moving away from home and living with complete strangers, the thought can be pretty daunting.

Every roommate that you have will be different (unless you request to have the same one every year), every situation will be different. This being said, there really is no exact guide one can give to surviving your college roommates. I think the biggest thing is to be flexible, but keep your ground. I'm the type of person that is non-confrontational, so I will try to stay out of other peoples' ways and be a decent roommate - you know, thoughtful, clean, polite, etc. I keep to myself. That still didn't stop my roommates from first semester from automatically hating me. For some reason I had a target on my back from the moment we all started facebook messaging at the beginning of the summer. Maybe they thought I was weird, maybe it was because I'm older than them, maybe it's just cuz catty bitches gon' be catty bitches... I don't really know. All I know is that out of my 3 roommates, only one liked me.

At the end of the semester, she moved out. At that point I was like, eff no am I staying here. So I ended up moving to another place across campus for the second semester. I think know it was mutually appreciated among all of us. One of them tweeted "that just made my day 10 times better. #thankgod #goodbye" So yes, needless to say, we didn't get along. I pretty much went the whole semester without exchanging words with them - only when necessary.

College Rule #2
It's normal not to get along with your roommates. Just try to be civil with each other, and if it really makes you uncomfortable to be in your own room, talk to your RA or Housing Director. You shouldn't have to live somewhere where you don't feel welcomed. Remember, it's your room, too.

So for all of you first years who were a little shaky about the idea of moving in with strangers that I just scared, don't worry. The second semester, I moved in with people my own age. They were all nice and we all got along just fine the first few months. I ended up sharing a bedroom with one other girl - Casshole - and we became best friends. We started doing everything together, and talking all the time, and basically found out that we are so similar, yet different enough that as roommates and friends we really worked. Unfortunately, by the end of the semester, there were disagreements and arguments and guerrilla warfare going on, that I tried my best to stay out of. Once again, I'm non-confrontational, and I didn't have a problem with any of my roommates. I thought they all had valid points, and I certainly liked all of them well enough.

College Rule #3
Communication between roommates is super important. If you have a problem, talk to your roommates about it and try to work it out... don't be manipulative.

The last day of the semester, I was a little hungover (only slightly...). I was wearing a dress to my final as "business casual" for a presentation and whatnot. This happens to be my favorite white dress, the one whose zipper always gets stuck. I had each of my roommates try to zip it up for me, but it kept getting stuck half way. There I am standing in the bathroom, the temperature getting warmer and warmer, my stomach constantly being pulled at each time the zipper hit its sticking spot, all the while feeling more and more hungover. It got to the point where I had to say "I need you to stop." She asked if I was hurting her and I said, "No, I think I gotta throw up." and then proceeded to run into the bathroom and puke. She left for her final while I was puking, and I never saw her again.

College Rule #4
There is nothing classier than saying bye to a roommate by throwing up. Drink responsibly, kids.

Sometimes, you'll get really lucky, and move into a room or hall where everybody all hangs out and becomes friends. This happened with my boyfriend - his whole hall became friends and did everything together. They would keep their doors unlocked and just walk into each others' rooms. It was cool, and I was always jealous of that. If you make good friends with your roommates your first year, then by all means, room with them again. Even consider moving off campus, because it's nice not having people breathe down your neck 24/7.

Some of you are thinking, Well Jayy, I'm not going away to college. So this doesn't apply. Well sure, but I hope my fun little anecdotes put a smile on your face for even just a second. In actual reality though, you still will be living with people, most likely. Just because you've lived with your family for the first 17 or 18 years of your life, doesn't mean that things won't change once you start going to college. For example, your parents will start yelling at you not just because of your grades, but because if you fail out by skipping classes or not getting good enough grades, then you just flushed a bunch of money right down the toilet. It's super great. Be excited for those arguments.

Essentially, being a roommate is a responsibility. Be respectful. Be clean. Be conscious of others. Be open to communication. And definitely don't be that catty bitch you were in high school. You're in college now - grow up - people don't want to deal with that shit, and they certainly don't want to live with it.

Peace. Love. Roommates.

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