thebabyperks

Second semester is much different than first semester
You'll be more stressed even though you're taking less credit hours  
  Honestly I don't remember why I wrote this because right now is supposed to be a super stressful part of the semester but I am on top of everything and all of my assignments are done already, so I'm feeling pretty good. From what I can remember when I wrote this, February (like always) was just a hard month.

You'll be thankful you didn't sign up for more classes
  Last semester I took 17 credit hours, this semester I planned on just doing 13 but then I added another B-block class so technically I'm in 14. My schedule this semester is a lot more spread out so it's nice that I'm not in any more classes. Also on Tuesdays this semester my only class is from 9:30-10:50 and it's great to be done by 11.

You'll feel overwhelmed
  I mean that was to be expected. It's a part of your life on the regular. This semester I've rediscovered how important working out is to me. The best way for me to clear my head is to just go to the gym and run in the mornings. Also, I can get fairly busy with meetings and other commitments. It's important to squeeze in time to just decompress and unwind from the day, even if it is just 20 minutes before bed.

You'll stay up until 1 am on a Monday morning with friends eating donuts, studying for a theatre test and talking about life
  Honestly this was probably one of my favorite nights all semester just because I wasn't expecting it. I was at the Sigma Pi house studying for a theatre test with Oliver, and Jessie and Jayne were there studying for French (I think??). Usually I'm in bed at like 11 so I was getting ready to leave but then a guy named Joseph showed up with a dozen donuts from Hurts. Overall it was just a really good night that I appreciate to this day. I think that's something, too, that I really value about my college experience-- it's the little moments you don't expect that really make your semester great.

You can say no 
... and you finally did
  Some people will argue that I still can't say no to joining an organization or getting involved in leadership positions in the extracurriculars I'm already involved in, however, I did say no to one club this semester so it's a start. I started to realize that I can only do so much and that I have to prioritize what I do.

You won't stop worrying
  Going back to feeling overwhelmed, the anxiety and worry in your life won't go away, even on your happiest days. I think it's important to acknowledge that.

You realized that some friendships aren't worth struggling to hold up
 Like I mentioned above, you need to prioritize the people in your life, too.

 But you will become even more thankful for the friendships that are great and worth it.



Hour-plus conversations on the phone with your mom make your week much better
  The only time I'v really been "homesick" was right before spring break when I just really wanted to be home and get a break. When I was feeling at my worst I would just call my mom and she'd reassure me that all would be okay and that I would be home soon. She is my biggest inspiration and she motivates me daily to be a better person. I hope that I can one day be just as great as she is.

It's wild to think that a place can become a home so quickly
  Early in March (or sometime around then) my parents told me we were moving. It isn't a huge move, we're still living in Winghaven, just at a smaller house. When people asked how I felt about it, I told them this; "Home is about the people, not the location." I have two homes, that with my family in O'Fallon and here at Drury. The people I have surrounded myself with at both these locations have really built my definition of "home". I never imagined I'd be this comfortable 3 1/2 hours away from my traditional "home", but I am so happy that I have been able to enjoy my year here and I can't wait to see where next fall takes me.

You can take time for yourself-- it's ok
  Sometimes you've just got to stay in one weekend (or two) and just hang out. As someone who is very introverted, I spend a lot of my time around people doing school/Kappa Delta things/the Mirror/etc. While I love what I do, sometimes I just need a Friday night spent watching Netflix and going to bed at 11. I've learned that you shouldn't feel guilty for doing this and that sometimes you've just got to do it.

You'll build up your relationship with God 
  As I discussed in an earlier blog post, I've reconnected with my Christian faith this semester, more so than I've been in a long time. It's easy to get caught up in the repetitive-ness of worship sometimes, but coming to Springfield and getting plugged in to a church here has helped reignite my love for God. I've also made it a daily priority to go through my devotional and just reflect on scripture, which I think has also made a huge difference. 

There are lessons in everything, good and bad
  It's easy to complain about that mandatory elective class you're in or the amount of meetings you have on (x) day of the week, but there are lessons to be learned from every situation. Some lessons are better than others and some are good, while others aren't as great. But from each situation we are able to grow. This semester has been full of highlights but also more difficult times. Learning how to apply the lessons you learn is how you can grow as a person and continue to be successful.

I cannot believe that this semester is already coming to an end. Like I mentioned above (a few times), I have had such an incredible semester and I'm so thankful for my friends and family. While I am sad to go back home for the summer and leave my friends behind, I'm also excited for a much needed break (I mean I'll be working a lot, but I'm trying to forget that). I think this summer will also make me appreciate how great my friends at school are even more than I already do.

Thanks for reading my crazy-long blog post this week, I hope you enjoyed it and got something from it!

Until next time,
Taylor xx 

It's so easy to get caught up in the trials and tribulations that encompass our lives. Here's a little overview of what my April calendar holds. 

Honestly it isn't even bad compared to how crazy October and February seemed to be. In between moments of the day, whether it be between classes or meetings, I have been reflecting on life. 

As I look back at the past year, or even just the past semester, I have seen so much change in who I am. I have grown exponentially in ways I did not even knew existed. 

I have been challenged, informed, supported.... College is such a unique opportunity to really share your values and beliefs with others. It's a time that should be celebrated but also appreciated, especially when times get tough.

When I think about how I handled my first year of college: the plethora of late night meetings, class projects, early mornings, etc, it all boils down to seeking peace in what I do. This can obviously be applied spiritually as in seeking peace with my relationship with Christ. However, it can also be applied to just daily college life. 

Sometimes everything on your (my) agenda can seem overwhelming. It's easy to get caught up in the number of items on your (my) to-do list. I have found that the best way to tackle these obstacles is to seek peace. Understand why you are doing what you signed up for. Obviously you can't get out of doing homework, but there are other times where it is important to prioritize where you're spending your time.

It took me a bit but I finally started reevaluating where I was putting some of my energy. If the things I were doing weren't fulfilling me, I slowly started to cut back on the time I spent in that area of my life. It may be a toxic friendship, a club you aren't as passionate about, or another commitment. Prioritize the things in your life. See if they help you become at peace with yourself and your life. If not, try to reevaluate and see what you can do to make a positive change in your life. It won't always be easy to say no, but these changes can really make a difference in your life.

I am involved in so many organizations that I am passionate about, so for me it was about finding people who supported me in my endeavors and understood my schedule. Work toward seeking peace in all you do and hopefully you can become a better version of yourself.

Until next time,
Taylor xx

One of my favorite TLC shows used to be "What Not to Wear", so today I'm going to do a twist of that which I would like to call "What Not to Pack" for college. I'll also talk about what you should pack. Now that I have under four weeks left in my freshman year, I've began to pack up my dorm room. Through this process I've seen what I have used and haven't used.

There are extremely detailed lists that already exist online and I'll link them below, although I'm sure you've already seen 99% of them. In this post I really just wanted to highlight what I found useful as well as things I shouldn't have spent money on.

It's funny to look at this picture now because my laptop has many more stickers and my desk definitely has a lot more stuff on it right now

Overall I would say my family and I did a pretty good job at not overbuying products. I would say I used about 95% of the things I brought with me to college, mainly because I did my research on my dorm room. So with that being said, before you go out and buy what I suggest be sure to check with your specific university. Something allowed at Drury may not be allowed at your college, and vice versa. 

Drury provides students with a mini fridge and microwave. So the two more traditional residence halls (the ones where you have a roommate and share a bathroom with suite mates) give you a mini fridge and microwave per room. In my residence hall I have my own room but I'm in a suite with 3 other people who also have their own rooms. We have two bathrooms, so I share a bathroom with only 1 person. Each suite has a shared fridge/microwave in this situation. Basically what I'm saying is that I didn't have to buy these items so I won't be listing them, however, if you can bring them you'll probably want them.

What not to pack:
- A lot of school supplies. You learn what works best for you within the first few weeks and then you can go out and buy the needed supplies. 

- A hanging cubicle attachment for your closet. My closet at school is pretty big and I found that this ended up taking up more space and I didn't really use

• Creative Commons/Target Hanging Closet Organizer

- Your entire wardrobe. I guess this depends on how far you will be from home... I started at school with just summer clothes but after Labor Day and then Fall Break I had transitioned to my sweatshirts and jeans. When I say don't pack your entire wardrobe I mean every single cute sweater/ cardigan/tank top. You most likely won't wear these things. If you are anything like me you will wear the same 12 tshirts and rotate through the same 4-5 pairs of jeans and/or yoga pants. There are a few times where I have to dress up for class but my go-to then is always a dress and boots or sandals. 

Parents' Day was yesterday and my incredible parents woke up at 5:00 a.m. to drive to Springfield for the day. That's one reason why I love them, and there are so many more.

Recently I did a survey that had me reflecting on my relationship with my parents throughout different stages in my life. I have a unique relationship with my parents. We have never really fought- yes we've had disagreements- but I can never recall a time where we got angry and yelled at each other. We're all pretty sensible and understanding people.

Parents' Day

People outside of our family joke about how close we are and how we all get along. They ask what our secret is or how we do it. While it could definitely be a multitude of factors, and I'm sure I could not pinpoint every single reason, there are a few I want to highlight.

First, we have respect for each other. Respect is something I highly value and from a young age I was taught to have. My parents respect my brother and I, and I respect them. 

Sophomore homecoming

The next value is as equal to or maybe even greater than respect, and that's trust. My parents trust me. I've never done anything to betray their trust. With trust comes communication. If you know me you know I like sleeping, and growing up I didn't have a curfew mainly because I wanted to always be in my own bed by 11:00 or midnight. However, if I did end up staying out later or going somewhere else I was sure to text my mom or dad just so they knew.

We also have a unique family dynamic. My mom teaches in the school district I attended and my dad is a firefighter/paramedic. Growing up my mom was always home with us during the summer. Also we had a developed routine through my dad's schedule of working 24 hour shifts. I think this helped us really prioritize the time we spent together. 

Christmas Eve 2016

I am so thankful that I have the parents I do, and that I have the relationship I do with them. Even during the most hectic times in my life I know I always have them to turn to, and for that I am forever grateful. They are my best friends and I love them unconditionally.

So mom and dad if you're reading this (and I'm sure you will at some point), thank you. In my eyes you have done an amazing job raising Hunter and I. 

Until next time,
Taylor xx 

PS: *I love you, I love you, I lovvveee youuu*