change, growth, and all things in between.

as most of you probably know, i started college in august of this year. for some people college can be an intimidating change to go through, but for me it wasn't at all.

at first i was worried that i would miss my mom, my dog, my job, etc. (which I DO!), but honestly i don't even have time to think about home. being in a different environment than where i grew up and went to high school has helped me in so many ways. i've made new friends, joined different clubs/groups, got a new job, learned how to live on my own (because no roommate for me), and so much more. staying at home would have been absolutely boring to me. here at college i am constantly being challenged in my studies, in my faith, and in every other aspect of my life. however, not everyone has this good of an experience during their first couple months at college. with that being said, i thought i could use my happy experience to uplift those of you who need encouraged in this area.

ways to make a crappy situation a little bit better:

1. embrace the change! change and growth are inevitable in life, so you might as well embrace the stage you are in instead of hiding from it.

2. make some new freakin friends. my college friends are some of the greatest humans i have ever met and i swear to you they will all be in my wedding one day. and you wanna know how we became friends? one of us literally just asked the other, "hey, you wanna go to dinner together?" or "hey, you wanna be friends?" IT'S NOT THAT HARD. everyone wants a new friend, trust me.

3. find a cute place to call your own. for my friends and i, it is obviously a coffee shop. but whatever you may be into, find one and go there to hang out/do your homework/eat. it is kind of sweet having a little place to go to regularly.

4. don't forget about Jesus. if you are a believer, then you cannot forget about Jesus! it is super easy to be too busy for anything God-related. trust me, i know, but you have to make time for Him. read your bible/devotional, go to a church service, attend christian events, or join a group that hosts bible studies.

5. call your momma. i know you have million other things to do, but it will make her day hearing from you. and as much as you won't want to admit it, it will make your day, too. hearing a familiar voice is nice and comforting.

6. take care of yourself. you probably will get a cold, because with a ton of college students all together in one place there is sure to be some kind of virus going around. but actually take care of yourself. drink plenty of water, so that you don't dehydrate walking a million miles to your classes. eat plenty of food. work out here and there, because it's good for your muscles and your heart. do things that make YOU happy. if you aren't happy, you can't make others happy. and if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of others.

7. have fun. i swear to you, these first couple months of college have been a freakin blast. my friends and i are always together doing something and i love the heck out of them. we are like a little family and it's so cute. and i have eaten so well, (because with that unlimited meal plan you know I am eating goood). you are only going to be in college for so long, so you might as well make it count. eat food. drink coffee. spend money. laugh with your friends. do it all over again the next day.

my classes, friends, social activities, and sleep schedule have kept me so productive in other areas of my life that i haven't had a chance to sit down and write blog posts like i could at home. but don't worry, i will keep writing as much as i can. ;)

i love you guys so much. xoxo Cass.