Thesis Update

It's done!!

I had my thesis defense today. It was a lot less nerve-wracking than I made it out to be. I also got to wear a super cute new dress - a creme and black pin striped dress with a scalloped hem - which is always a bonus.

I passed with minor revisions - after I make the changes I get to turn in my thesis and be done with it FOREVER!!!!

Can you tell I'm excited? 'Cause I am! Senior thesis was a difficult challenge and I definitely learned a lot from it. I'm glad I didn't give up and was able to complete it! There were definitely times I wanted to throw my hands up and quit - but I knew it was the only thing standing in the way of my degree so I took it in stride.

Via

Are you required to do a senior thesis? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Thesis Update: This is WAY harder than I thought.

So, I'm still working on my thesis and it still makes me want to die a little on the inside.

I know I've worked on papers this long or longer before, but man this takes a lot out of you. I'm one of those people who likes to accomplish a task in one sitting, or at least a segment of it, and senior thesis is not a place to do that.

Part of the reason I'm so stressed out about my thesis is I feel like I don't have enough time to work on it and get involved. I've been setting my alarm every day to make sure I spend at least 1 hour on it a day, but once I piece together all of those pieces, I feel like I'm just stringing thoughts together, with no rhyme or reason.

That's what frustrates me the most... there is absolutely no way I could sit down and write this paper in a day and come back to it the next day and edit and move on.

This thesis is like a wedding cake. You can't just throw it together and carve down, you have to build it up.

First, you create a strong and steady base - your literature review. Then, add a few more cakes on top of it to make it hearty and proud - like your methodology, observations and findings.

Then, lay down some icing- an intro, conclusion and transitional paragraphs, pipe the edges with your format and finally at your cake topper- the abstract- at the very end.

Lord help you if you think you can just toss this together!

Via

As much as I want to do this project all at once... there is no way I, or anyone, could. That's why it's a semester-long class - you need ample time to complete it.

This last semester has been a total work out of large, continuous projects, which I think I'm no good at. So you can imagine my frustration! And with the due date quickly approaching, it's time to make sense of all my segmented pieces.

Wish me luck! Are you better at longer, drawn out projects or quick and efficient tasks? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Thesis Update: I'm Dying

Man oh man, this thesis will be the death of me!

My sorority house flooded this weekend after some roof repairs fell through. I gave myself a break Thursday from homework, which carried into Friday, and early Saturday morning the house flooded during a rainstorm.

Luckily, we had another dorm to go to, and student services came immediately. A disaster relief team was called to handle the emergency as well. I was definitely not happy about moving out 5 weeks early, but that's another story for another day.

Saturday morning, we had our annual egg hunt, so while packing up the house, we also hosted a philanthropy event! Talk about stressful! Then, that night was our annual formal. Sunday we all finally got around to unpacking our things... and we're still packing up our common rooms.

Geez Louise! So much going on. I ended up loosing 4 days of studying and work in all. Which is not what I wanted. Plus the weather has been FREEZING and we've seen snow flurries for two days. Morale is low.

Luckily, I got an extension for my first draft of my thesis, and I'm powering through the week to get all of my assignments done. I turned in an article this morning, a PR project is in its final stages, a podcast is in its beginnings and due in two days, I have three other articles due Thursday, and of course, my thesis draft!

There's a lesson here folks... take advantage of the time you have! You need time to yourself, true, but be careful! Time can slip away from you quite easily, and you can't plan for disasters and emergencies.

Are you near the end of any big projects? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Motivation

With the crazy weather and post-spring break blues, it's hard to stay motivated!

I've gone back to making daily lists, but it's still not enough. Where did my motivation go!? I seem to have developed a horrible case of senioritis.

Via

While I'm sure scientists are struggling to find a cure right this second, in the mean time, I'm stuck with a lack of will power. A big list and "no time" to spend on it. And by "no time" I mean there isn't a time I want to do anything.

So how can I, alongside the class of 2013, beat this case of the senior blues? So far I have little results, but I do have one solution...

Instead of procrastinating by fiddling on Facebook or twiddling on Twitter, I'm cleaning my room, doing dishes, and sorting through my clothes.

I've justified these actions by noting that a clean room is a happy room, and it's easier for me to work in since I'm not thinking about how dirty it is; clean dishes mean I can cook whenever I so desire and do not fall to the tempts of crappy food; and of course, I have a ton of clothes, and I need to clean out my closet anyway.

Of course, this isn't a substitution for actually doing my work, but it's nice to break in between activities. This, along with power study sessions at the library are slowly getting me through my last semester in school.

I'm slowly getting things crossed off my list. I'm sure I can tackle it all - and you can to.

Via

What do you do to improve motivation? Have any tips? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

The end of spring break

It's Sunday, which means my last spring break is coming to a close. I didn't go to the beach or travel, but I did quite a bit.

Friday through Sunday two of our close family friends visited us! It was two moms and two daughters - I had seen Mom #2 recently but I hadn't seen her daughter, my childhood best friend, in over ten years! We did shopping, wine and massages. It was a great way to kick off my break!

Monday I cleaned my mom's bathroom- I traded her a clean bathroom for a shirt. Tuesday I managed to laze about with the puppies and I started a sewing project!

I went to my dad's classes on Wednesday to do some homework outside the house. Afterwards, we went and renewed my license. No more "Under 21" bordering my picture!

And no more 16-year-old me duping restaurant servers.

Thursday I attempted to do more homework and met with my internship boss! Later, I started another sewing project. This time I used my boyfriend's mother's embroidery machine so my stitches were extra sassy.

Friday, one of my best friends and sorority sisters, Kegan, came over for a weekend sleepover! We spent the day at my boyfriend's house sewing, watching TV, snacking and generally enjoying each other's company. Later, another sorority sister joined us.

Boyfriend's brother models the letters I made!

Why a weekend sleep over? Because Saturday we attended the Atlanta Dance Marathon for Children's Miracle Network and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta!

FTK!

In total, $16,169.69 were raised for CHOA and CMNH. My team raised $1915 and of that I raised $215!

Sunday, Kegan and I slept in and had a late breakfast. Then, three more friends, their pups and my boyfriend came over. Kegan and I did homework while we all snacked and chatted. We had a delicious Sunday dinner together!

Now it's Monday.... sigh! Back to the ol' grind! I don't really want to go back, I'm having so much fun here! And that means it's only seven weeks until... graduation. *dramatic music*

When is your spring break? Are you planning for productivity or fun? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

PS: Happy International Badge Day! Wear your badge close to your heart!

Small towns and shoes: An internship update

As you may remember from earlier last week, I had an interview/meeting with another internship!

I was definitely nervous at first- I got off to a rocky start. But after meeting and talking, the position turned out to be just what I was looking for!

Originally, I was worried that doing an internship linked to another place I had already worked would have made me look like I couldn't find another place to intern. It made me nervous- would I look like too small town with this on my resume?

I asked my mom - guru of all things business - and she told me that actually  the opposite is true. It shows that you were wanted back, which is definitely a good thing.

And if you wanted to get technical... I'm interning for a show instead of the company. So that distinction can help if anyone attempts to peg me with small town syndrome.

Don't knock it til you've tried it....

I also thought that it would just be radio-centered, like the last internship I had been offered. But after meeting the host, it turns out I'll be doing a lot more than just radio work!

Not only do I get to work on a radio show, I also get to work on the website and social media. I might even be able to do some writing!

Needless to say, it's almost like this internship was made for me. I get to do all the things I wanted to do, it's local and it starts immediately!

There's a lesson to be learned here, as always. The shoe could be a perfect fit, but how will you know until you try it on?

If the shoe fits.... 

Have you ever experienced something that turned out to be exactly what you were looking for? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Spring break is finally here!

It's barely spring, but I'm finally on break!

This week, I'll be spending my time working on my thesis (I got a lit review to finish!), working on some assignments for classes (get ahead or go home!) and working on a PR project for my practicum class.

A lot of my friends are at the beach, but I'm back home with Mom and Dad (and the puppies!)

What are your plans for spring break? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Internship Update!

Recently, I was offered a position for the internship I had previously interviewed for. If you remember, I thought I didn't do well during the interview. Surprise!

Unfortunately, the Internship starts in March and I graduate in April... so I'm not entirely sure how that will work out, or if it will at all.

I continued my search to be safe. I found an internship for a radio show at a local station. The internship would be much closer and start immediately.

I'm meeting with the woman tomorrow to discuss the internship!

I'm a little nervous - I've definitely done a few things wrong so far. For starters, she called me to talk during an assessment day lecture so I accidentally denied her call! Talk about awkward.

Then I waited a while to email her back, because I was having second thoughts.

Learn from this! Even if you start getting nervous and having second thoughts, don't sabotage yourself. I don't think it hurt me in the long run, but it wasn't a good strategy.

This isn't a formal interview, but I want to look nice. I purchased a bauble necklace today from a local boutique and plan on wearing a button-down and khakis to our meeting. A safe outfit with sassy accessories will make your personality outshine your outfit.

Thanks, Dress Up!

Have you done a casual interview? What did you wear? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Thesis Update: Topics

Drumroll, please.... I've picked the topic for my senior thesis!

I've decided to discuss the pendulum effect of privacy on the internet. How private are the things we post, really? This is sort of my main focus, including a brief history of social networks and privacy laws.

Do you have a big project or paper this semester? What are you writing about? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Plan Positive: Organizing your planner

I recently purchased a new planner recently. I liked my old planner, but it was a little too small and I didn't realize that I would have so much stuff to put in it! So I transitioned into something roomier.

Did you have any doubt that it would be Lilly?

I've developed this system to organize my planners. It involves stickies, highlighters and book marks.

First, I have a highlighting key
Green - Class or Assignments
Blue - Work or Meetings
Orange - Extracurricular Activities
Pink - Phi Mu or Greek Events
Yellow - Fun things

Busy as a bee!

Then, I add stickies for busy days.

 I turn sticky notes into daily to do lists!

I use the larger calendar in the front of each month for special events, weekend long plans and birthdays.

Sometimes I like this view because it makes me feel less busy

Finally, I use two bookmarks. A paperclip in between the large calendar and the week I'm currently on. The second bookmark holds the previous months in place. In theory, I could get one large binder clip and ditch the other bookmark (but first I need to find some pretty ones! Any suggestions?)

Pretty sure I found this clip on the floor of my room. 

It doesn't have to be fancy! But I'd like to find a nicer one.

Do you have a system for your planner? Or do you stay organized a different way? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Desk for Success

I have a thing with desks. I love them, but my desks always look totally crazy.

I like having a specific workspace, but no matter how hard I try it always turns into a crazy mess! I have a love/hate relationship with desk drawers: I love shoving random stuff in them, but I hate not being able to find anything!

I had to come up with a solution... but so far, the only one that works is not using my desk drawers.

And with all of my papers slowly stacking up on the corner of my desk, underneath textbooks and clipboards, I realized it was time for a change.

The 'Desk for Success' Scavenger Hunt

Before... not so bad, but needs improvement!

Find: Things of Sentiment
Yes, I know the little notes your sorority sisters slipped under your door are sweet, but if it just says "Love, Jane" reconsider keeping it. Does it bring you lots of smiles? Consider taping it to the wall or put it on your memory board. Is it a gift tag and you use the gift every day? Toss the tag.

Secondly, is it on your desk because you were sitting there last when you looked it? Probably. Find a new home for your sentimental notes!

Find: Receipts
Remember why you kept your receipt. For online shopping slips, I keep them in case I need to make a return and because I paid with my card. For regular receipts, I keep everything except cash receipts.

I started storing receipts in a little accordion folder to keep them from going everywhere. After a year, I toss the receipts.

Find: Homework and Assignments
These are a challenge, but not with file folders. I simply stuff them into a manila folder with the class labeled on them and forget about it... until I need it. Then, all I have to do is open my desk drawer and rifle through the stack of folders. (Hint: Leave current assignments in a neat stack or paper tray)

A good use for a desk drawer!

Find: Chargers, cables and jump drives, not in use
I got Pinterest-y with this one. I had a fantastic Voluspa candle that smelled like peaches, so it was easy to burn down. I didn't want to throw away the black and gold tin (which just so happens to be my school colors) so I froze it and scraped out the remaining wax.

It looks like a fancy candle... but it's secretly my junky cables and chargers!

Then, I rolled up my cords and squashed them into the jar. Ta Da! A fairly attractive tech keeper. I plan on doing this again with all of my Voluspa candles and the pretty tins they come in!

Find: Cables and electrical cords, in use
This one is tough. Cables are unattractive 99% of the time. I usually just stuff the cables behind my desk and hope for best.

Sigh.

I was given a picture frame early this year and it's just the right size to cover up my surge protector.

Much more pleasing to the eye and still totally functional!

Find: Trash, snacks and bottles.
Sipping fresh juice out of your new Lilly tumbler? Great, but it's still sitting on your desk. Awkward... go wash that sucker and put it with the rest of your dishes.

Got a water bottle from your last work out? Is it empty? Drain it or drink it, then recycle the bottle. Trash from an earlier snack? You know what to do.

Did you find everything? 

Can you find the little whales that surprised me while cleaning? 

Can you also spot the two drinks I haven't finished?

What does your desk look like? Do you have your own organization system? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Build Your Own Salad, er, Resume.

I really love build-your-own salads. I can get the things I like and skip out on the things I dislike, leaving me with the perfect taste sensation.

Shouldn't your resume be like a build your own salad? Things employers like, minus their dislikes and leaving a metaphorical good taste in their mouth?

Obviously, you can't win them all. So how can you build a resume that's meaty but not over-bulked?

The Lettuce: Work Experience
Obviously, a resume needs to include work experience and education. Even if the job is meaningless, like your first job at a really lame mall store with a goofy uniform.

This is important because it shows that you've taken the initiative. You've had a job - even if it was totally unrelated to your field - which already puts you ahead of someone who hasn't had any work experience.

The Veggies: Education
Like your favorite veggies, education is also an important base. It adds more freshness to your Resume Salad. Like work experience, it shows your initiative, but also shows that you have learned important skills for your potential job and that you can and are interested in learning.

The Premium Toppings: Related Skills and Experience
Skills and related experience is like bacon or grilled tofu. It's a bit harder to come by and is a little extra to get, but it's worth every forkful. Related skills and experience help showcase your abilities and support your competency for the job.

The Cheese: Recognition
Lightly sprinkled, awards and honors are a great way to showcase your success. But be careful, too much and you come across... cheesy. Be sure to include recognition that is valid and not just goofy, as well as easily recognized as an important award.

Finally, the Dressing: Your Profile.
Some people like a lot of dressing, some people like theirs on the side. Your profile is really up to you - after all, it's a brief showcase of yourself. Think of it this way: If the recruiter or hiring manager only read your profile, what would you want them to know about you?

It's important to make sure your Resume Salad is balanced, just like your diet. Still having doubts? Ask your campus career counselor, your mom, or favorite professor to look it over.

Do you have a resume? How did you format it? Share with me in the commets below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Back in the swing of things

It's back to school for students all over, as spring semester began on Monday!

It's the last semester of my senior year - I'm so nervous! It's the wrap up of all four years and even though the classes aren't that hard, it feels so much more challenging because it's near the end!

I have to write my senior thesis this semester. So far, all I know is a vague topic: how social media changes journalism. I've got some whittling down to do - it's a bit too broad!

Writing my thesis means I'll have to be super organized and focused. I know I'll need to be even more organized than I already am and I'll need to budget my time exceptionally well. I'm best with tight deadlines (hence why I enjoy journalism!) so hopefully the long process of thesis won't lose my interest.

Are you tackling any big projects this semester? How are you planning on staying organized? Share with me (and give me some ideas!) in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson