Naomi: I feel like it is an unwritten rule that the seat we sit in our first day of classes becomes our assigned seat for the rest of the semester. As I walked into my first Business: Project Management class of this semester, I made it a point to find my seat in the front of the room. I settled into the chair that I would soon call home for the rest of my time in this class. Glancing around the room, I searched for familiar faces soon realizing I was one of seven girls in a classroom of 40 people.

Kate: I grew up with a single mother who was the sole breadwinner for my family, and that was my normal. As I got older I heard stories from her years in business. Throughout her career in technology sales my mom has had to fight for her place at the table and for her voice to be heard in a career generally dominated by men. Eventually I had the opportunity to go to college and discovered I wanted to follow in her footsteps. The foreign concepts of a glass ceiling and barriers for women in the workplace became something I wanted to familiarize myself with as business would be my world post-graduation.

In recent years with the rise of the third wave feminist movement, the conversation about women’s roles in the workplace has been a hot button issue. We have found there are traditionally two schools of thought. Some believe that women are oppressed by society at large or even men specifically, while others feel as if women don’t have the resources to get to where they want to go within the workplace.

Why is it that companies with women in leadership are more profitable, yet studies have shown that only 4.8 percent of Fortune 500 companies are led by women? In a study conducted by the MSCI World Index, companies with strong female leadership generated a return on equity of 10.1 percent per year while companies without women in leadership generated an equity of 7.4 percent. And if countless more studies emphasize this idea, why aren’t companies making any changes?

Kate: The truth is, they are. This is not to say that every company is striving to reform their organizational strategy or has done so already. Rather, this demonstrates that there are a multitude of external factors that have limited these changes and caused growth of women in upper leadership to be stagnant despite growing awareness for this issue.

For example, throughout time women have struggled to balance the responsibilities that come with performing the role of CEO and mom. A study performed by Girls Who Code, a non-profit seeking to increase the number of women in computer science, found that 74 percent of women showed an interest in STEM. Yet, when it comes to fields such as computer science, only 18 percent of undergraduate degrees are earned by women and even fewer eventually find themselves in the C-Suite.

Many attribute this disconnect to the inability for work life balance not only in STEM fields, but more specifically in upper leadership in these fields. For me, having a working mom meant that she was often not present for junior high volleyball games, and school lunch was favored over a packed lunch. There were many sacrifices my mom had to make in order to provide for our family, and as the years have passed I have grown to admire her for doing so. The way she was able to balance these two worlds has driven me to follow in her footsteps. It is obvious to me, though, why many women would be deterred from this life if given the option to stay home with the ever challenging and rewarding career of motherhood as their full-time job.

Naomi: This is one of the many realities that discourages women from moving forward in the industry as a work and life balance is seemingly impossible to attain. Forbes Magazine released a report that stated when interviewing for a job or promotion, men will confidently press forward with only 60 percent of the experience needed. On the contrary, women will typically only go for a job if they have 100 percent of the necessary qualifications. I resonated with this, equating it to how I have felt in the classroom but on a much larger scale.

Egon Zehnder, a professional services firm, recognized that this barrier may be because only 54 percent of women have access to senior leaders who act as mentor in their career. Time and time again professors will encourage their students to seek mentorship; however, this can be extremely intimidating when you encounter what many people refer to as “the boys’ club”. I have found it is especially hard to navigate forming a connection with potential mentors as there are less women available for mentorship in my field of study. With this in mind, I have found it particularly challenging to then navigate an appropriate connection with the men that act as leaders in my academic and professional life.

In reference to the #MeToo movement brought to the forefront in late 2017, The New York Times stated, “In one unintended consequence, executives and analysts say, companies seeking to minimize the risk of sexual harassment or misconduct appear to be simply minimizing contact between female employees and senior male executives, effectively depriving the women of valuable mentorship and exposure.” Even as I am still in college navigating business in the classroom, I often find it a challenge trying to network and contribute my own insights when I am one of few women. This statement by the New York Times is unfortunate, as there is undoubtedly a benefit in learning and working with male superiors (my dad is easily the biggest inspiration and supporter of my career).

At the surface, these statistics are daunting and may cause women to doubt their opportunity. At Student Activities, we feel privileged to work for women who have set forth an example of what it looks like to operate as a leader in a culture where this is sometimes unusual. This atmosphere has inspired us in our own careers, teaching us invaluable lessons that we will carry for a lifetime. Our hope is that in reading this, people will further appreciate the women in their lives and empower them to take on challenges that have not been endeavored upon before.

References

https://www.businessinsider.com/women-hold-just-11-of-executive-positions-at-silicon-valley-tech-companies-2015-1
https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/19/the-first-comprehensive-study-on-women-in-venture-capital/
https://observer.com/2017/06/women-in-tech-statistics/amp/
http://www.ddiworld.com/ddi/media/trend-research/womenatworkgendergap_br_ddi.pdf
https://www.forbes.com/sites/elenakvochko/2016/01/04/women-executives-in-tech/amp/
https://www.businessinsider.com/sheryl-sandberg-quotes-women-careers-2014-8?op=1
https://www.msci.com/documents/10199/04b6f646-d638-4878-9c61-4eb91748a82b
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/reports/2017/05/21/432758/womens-leadership-gap/
https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/10/the-lack-of-women-in-tech-is-more-than-a-pipeline-problem/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2017/06/24/women-mentoring/#296526b122db

When it comes to cooking, what was once a tradition and artistic expression for older generations has seemingly become more of a burden and inconvenience to Millennials. Having the ability to not only choose what will be on your plate, but also having a hand in making it is a great privilege that shouldn’t be taken for granted. That’s why I’m writing about cooking and the important stress-reliever, creative outlet and recharger it can be after a long day.

In an age where unrest is constantly in the headlines and at the forefront of our minds, it is no wonder that Generation Z’ers and Millennials (16-21 and 22-39 years old, respectively) are on average more stressed than previous generations.^[1] While there are pages of factors that play into this, there are also pages of stress-relieving tips that studies suggest will help alleviate the stress of the world we encounter every day. As many studies propose, diet plays a key role in reducing levels of stress and anxiety.^[2] Not only can maintaining a healthy diet help cut stress from your life, but the act of preparing and cooking your meals can help reduce stress as well.

Speaking as someone who desires creativity and an artistic outlet at his core (hello all you Enneagram 4s), I found that cooking is my strongest tool for combating the buildup of stress and anxiety that the world throws my way. I grew up cooking with my mom and dad. Food has always been at the center of any family gathering; whether it was a big meal or not, food was present. One of my favorite Christmas traditions with my family is making Christmas day Reuben sandwiches. As someone who generally struggles with patience, especially when I’m hungry, this process is merciless. The beef is cured in a brine for a week before being cooked and placed between homemade rye bread – compliments of my brother in law – and then topped with sauerkraut and Russian sauce. This sandwich is without hesitation my favorite and I have weekly dreams of devouring one.

Cooking never seemed forced or inconvenient, at least until I got to college. In the midst of classes, work, intramural games, and other social events, cooking dinner suddenly became just another task I completed, or even worse, something I avoided.

Over the past year I have been attempting to break that mold. Today, given my slimmer budget and kitchen resources, I find myself making slightly simpler meals as opposed to my family’s Reuben sandwich – from scratch like soups, Korean BBQ inspired chili (my roommate and I won a chili cookout with this… not to toot my own horn), or even lemon and rosemary chicken and risotto if I feel like stirring rice for 40 minutes. By being intentional with my meals, I have turned grocery shopping and cooking into a calming ritual that I now look forward to. For a couple hours after work every day, the only thing I worry about is what and how I am going to make dinner. It has become something similar to meditation. For a brief period of time, I am able to intentionally focus on just one thing. Rather than getting caught up in the cycles of everyday life, I am able to recharge.

In my never-ending quest for more culinary knowledge and inspiration, I have found these tools to be useful:

Cooks Illustrated Online Subscription – I actually subscribe to the magazine and get physical copies as well, but the online subscription costs $1.47 a month and gives you access to thousands upon thousands of incredible recipes. Why should you care? These guys run “America’s Test Kitchen”, where they discover what recipes work and why and run tests on kitchen equipment to find the best out there. Regardless, for under $1.50 you get access to a ton of knowledge.^[3]

Gastropod – This podcast dives deep into the science of food and cooking. This is always interesting and almost always useful.^[4]

Family – If you have any family members that are good at cooking, learn from them. Learn to perfect those family recipes and carry on tradition. My family is what got me interested in cooking and I hope to never stop learning from them.

So whether cooking seems like rocket science to you or it is something familiar, try branching out and leaning on your own cooking abilities. Don’t worry about being perfect or making difficult meals, just get in the kitchen and be consistent. Really dig into it and you just might be surprised by what you are capable of. The reward is relaxation, creativity, and a warm (or cold) meal.

References

^[1] https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2018/11/13/stress-levels

^[2]https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2014.08.004

^[3] https://www.cooksillustrated.com

^[4] https://gastropod.com

Written By: Luis Rodriguez 

Next week I will be finally heading home for Christmas to the Dominican Republic. My country is a small island in the Caribbean with a tropical climate characterized by an everlasting warm weather that makes our “winter” be just like our summer. For many others students just like me, winter break means much more than just a few weeks of rest. To me, it means going to the place where I left my heart before going to college and finally seeing my favorite people again. First, I want to discuss how I dealt with change in my move from country to country, and then I’ll talk about why I love my country so much.

I came to Liberty in Fall 2017 from the Dominican Republic. I love my country and I couldn’t see myself not living there anymore. It was hard at first; I missed my Dominican coffee, my Nana’s food and our year-long summer. But shortly after being at Liberty I realized something very important: great things happen outside my bubble. Coming to Liberty was a big change for me. Leaving my country and being part of a new culture wasn’t easy. But now I see clearly how God has used this to shape my vision.

Whether it is remodeling a room, starting a new project or moving to another city, change affects everyone. Some people, however, are more open to big changes and can even find them exciting. In the beginning, this was my case. I felt very excited to start this journey to college by myself and I didn’t consider that the change would affect me much.

I quickly realized that I wasn’t in my comfort zone anymore. Instead of waking up to see my mom and sister, I was now waking up to my roommate and his several alarms. Instead of having lunch every day at 2PM with my family, now I had to eat quickly by myself in between classes. Soon it all started to feel overwhelming and I began to doubt my purpose for being here. Doubt is something we usually don’t pay much attention to. Being undecided about some things is normal. But constant doubt, in my opinion, can reflect what’s going on in your heart.

For most of my life I had been very confident about every decision that I made. But now I was scared to go outside my bubble and try new things. This situation reminded me of Joshua when he was commanded to lead God’s people and conquer the promised land. When I read the first chapter of Joshua, I was reminded that God is with us everywhere we go. Knowing that God is with me in every moment was crucial to face my fear and doubt.

Even though I missed my culture, my family and my incredible friends, I knew that God had sent me here for a reason. I didn’t want my fears to keep me away from the great things God had planned for me, so I started being intentional with my choices. Instead of complaining about the things I didn’t have anymore, I started being grateful for the new blessings I had. Sure, I still felt nostalgic at times, but with this new mindset, I was appreciating everything God had given to me much more.

Every day of this semester I’ve dreamed about the day I finally return to my beautiful island. Christmas has a different meaning to me after having left my country and being away from it for so long. When I was younger, the holidays were just the time when I could ask for an obnoxious number of things and not be judged because of it. I never really paid much attention to the meaning behind it. The whole story of Christmas is based on the greatest event in human history – the birth of Jesus Christ. But for most of my life I made this season all about me. Now that I see Christmas in a different way, I am able to enjoy it to the fullest.

One of the few things that most people know about the Dominican Republic is that it is a top vacation destination and I don’t blame them for it. Our beaches, mountains and ancient colonial cities make my country a great place to relax and enjoy the incredible view that the island offers. Even though these are all amazing features about my country, the things that make me love the Dominican Republic are not usually known to our visitors.

The first thing I do after landing in my city, Santo Domingo, is eat some empanadas with my mom and my sister at the airport. Then I will go to Los Jefes Street Food and eat my favorite burger: The Classic Elly. I could talk about what I will eat for the rest of this blog, but I’m sure you would enjoy more knowing other things about home.  Something that is important to every Dominican is baseball. Dominicans run on baseball and during the game season, the country is divided into our six local teams and the spirit is on. When we won the World Baseball Classic on 2013 we couldn’t believe ourselves and we all came together in a country-wide celebration like no other. Going to a baseball game with my friend is always a priority on my to-do list during winter break.

Nightlife is an important part of our culture. Whether it is going out for dinner or visiting the colonial zone, my city is the most beautiful at night. Our colonial zone, founded in 1502 by the Spanish colonizers, makes the best hangout spot for people that enjoy good food accompanied by fine Spanish architecture. I often go there with my friends and family to tour the city on a bike or a Vespa.

The last and main reason why I love my country so much is the people. I have never seen another culture like the Dominican. It’s great to see how people that don’t know each other can call themselves brothers and always be willing to offer a helping hand.  Even far from home, bonding with other Dominicans always fills my heart because of the warm welcome they always give. I think is beautiful to see how despite many issues there might be, the Dominican people will always greet you with their best smile.

You don’t have to leave your country for God to start working on you. You just have to be mindful of the opportunities that are out there waiting for you. Living outside your comfort zone is not something that happens instantly. It requires effort and persistence. In many occasions, I feel tempted to do whatever seems easier or more comfortable. But I know that I might be missing out on something much better.

If you can relate to this but you would like to change, try starting with small steps. Serving your community, helping out a classmate on a project, trying a new milkshake flavor at Cook Out and even stopping by the Student Activities coffee table and chatting for a while are examples of things you could find very uncomfortable to do. But you will see how continuously putting yourself out there will eventually make it easier for you to step out of your comfort zone and let God use you the way He wants to.

I can’t contain my happiness knowing that I am days away from being home again. Nos vemos pronto Quisqueya!

Written By: Naomi Bower 

In just a few days I will be off to my favorite place in the world – home. I am very happy that I chose to attend school on the east coast, but it’s one of the strangest feelings having so few friends who know or understand where I am from. While Arizona makes up the collection of our 50 states, I have only met a handful of students who are from or have visited my state.

So here’s what I want you to know.

The weather in Arizona is excellent. While everyone will be enjoying their Thanksgiving dinner with the potential of snow in the forecast, my family and I will be eating our meal outside in what I believe is the most ideal weather. What’s better than a little Thanksgiving picnic?

On top of that, there are so many things to do in this weather – one of them obviously being our mountains.  There are so many places to hike, from the White Tanks (located just a few miles west of my home) to the famous Grand Canyon. My personal favorite place, however, is Sedona. This is a view you won’t find anywhere on the east coast. Sedona is fascinating not only for the incredible red rock structures, but for the town itself. Just a few miles short of the hiking trails you are greeted by a variety of unique shops and restaurants. One of my favorite finds is a little hole in the wall called Tamaliza. I have had quite a few tamales in my day, but I would drive back to Arizona tomorrow just to have another one from this shop.

But what else do you do? Great question. Phoenix is our capital for a reason. Not only is there great coffee from places like Press Coffee Roasters, but there are so many great places to eat. My ideal day in Phoenix would most likely include brunch at The Henry followed by a trip to Roosevelt Row. Roosevelt Row is the heart and soul of all the fascinating art that Phoenix has to offer. This is by far one of my favorite things about Arizona because the culture is not only diverse, but everything is altogether progressive. You never know what you will find.

I am often surprised to discover how unaware people on the east coast are of our culture in Arizona. I feel honored to live in a place where I can experience a culture much different than my own on a day to day basis. Roughly one-third of Arizona is Hispanic and it’s evident in the simplest of things from the authentic Mexican food to bargaining at the Public Market. This is a privilege I am happy to experience.

I recognize I am a little biased as anyone would be with their home, but I hope that in reading this you find your way out west even just for a short while.

Written By: Kaitlyn Skarstein

The start of slavery in 1619 tore America to shreds and redefined our future as a country. As we look back on those horrible times today in our history classes, we often think to ourselves, “Why did no one stand up or do anything?” Yet, a lot of times the same people who ask that question today are the ones who are allowing human trafficking to happen right in front of their own eyes by not doing anything to help fight this injustice.

Human trafficking is defined as modern-day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.[1] Human trafficking is broken up into three groups: sex trafficking, sex and labor trafficking, and labor trafficking. According to the FBI, “Human trafficking, believed to be the third-largest criminal activity in the world, is a form of human slavery which must be addressed at the interagency level”.[2] Human trafficking is not just a global issue, it is something that is happening right here in Virginia. In 2018, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 98 cases of human trafficking and have received 191 calls about it just in Virginia this year.[3] Since 2007, there have been 4,248 calls and 1,025 cases in Virginia, but a large majority of people are still naïve and uninformed of the epidemic that is going on.[3]

In Lynchburg there is an organization called Freedom 4/24 whose mission is to “bring freedom and justice to victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking through raising awareness and education and providing financial support for frontline organizations working to end these forms of modern-day slavery”.[4] Freedom 4/24 was started by a college-aged student, just like most of us, who was passionate about making a difference in the world after seeing the red light district in Bangkok, Thailand.

I was given the opportunity to volunteer for this incredible nonprofit organization last year and it changed my perspective on human trafficking. I was able to fight against and bring awareness to this issue through working the Run 4 Their Lives race right here on Liberty’s campus. This is an event where people from the community come out and run a 5K in support of the women and children enslaved, while becoming more educated. I think the coolest thing about this event is that each person writes a girl’s name on their arm to represent who they are running this race for. For example, I wrote Fa’s name on my arm. Fa is from Samut Sakhorn, which is southwest of Bangkok, and she was working in the red light district to be able to support her family financially after her father left. Her friend told her about Home of New Beginnings, which is a “holistic relational ministry in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand, that seeks to address the spiritual, emotional, physical, and educational needs of women and children who desire to leave the sex trade. It is a place of safety and hope that builds trust and community around faith-centered healing and education”[5], and ever since then her life was changed because she left the sex slavery business.

Written By: Gabi Cormier & Josiah Frisbie

In Romans 12:2, Paul instructs us not to be conformed by the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of our mind. We want to explore this concept in music and recognize the influence that music can have on us and our minds, and how we can listen to a song and understand the gospel in a new way. We believe God created music; therefore, we should be able to enjoy that gift as a whole.

Thankfully, there is a genre of music for everyone to enjoy. Whether your genre of choice is gospel, country, classic rock, rap, indie, etc. Music is truly a gift from God, and if you are anything like us, then you love all types of music, from The Beatles to Drake, from Disney classics to party hits, from old Taylor Swift hits to Queen… we love a playlist that is filled with variety.

There are many upsides to different types of music. From a Christian perspective, knowing music that is not necessarily by a Christian artist can create common ground for everyone, and it can also impact our walk with the Lord. God has given us music and we desire to enjoy that gift as a whole. Sometimes a mainstream love song can still be sung to God, even though it was written for another person. A great song can be utilized to bring God glory, whether it was written to be a worship song or not. Some of the best beats, melodies, and lyrics come from mainstream music. As Christians, we can listen to today’s top hits and think critically about how it compares to Christian music and how it affects our beliefs. We want to encourage you to listen to what all of your favorite songs are saying and ask yourself, “Do these lyrics bring glory to God, or are they hurting my walk with the Lord?”

What Paul is saying in Romans 12:2 is to not continue living our lives the way that we did before we were Christians, but to live a life reflecting who Jesus is and what He did for us (Romans 12:2, NLT). How does this relate to music? As we’ve stated, our duty as Christians is to be mindful of the lyrics that we are singing and listening to while also recognizing that we can utilize music of all types to bring glory to God, because we are called to live a life of worship.

Our goal in this blog post is not to persuade you to stop listening to the music you love, but to understand the impact that music can have on you. Mainstream music is not a bad thing to listen to, we just need to take the content that we put into our minds seriously.

We wanted to add some of our favorite songs from the SA Staff in a playlist for you all to check out. Enjoy! Mindful Mixtape

Written By: Kay Torres

For four years, Lynchburg, Virginia, became my home.

Liberty University is what brought me and most Lynchburg residents to this small Virginia town. Liberty: it’s where we had our first taste of independence, our first roommate, our first college classes, and maybe for some you, your first (and hopefully only) “ring by spring”. Driving through University Blvd. and seeing the Blue Ridge Mountains is something I always took for granted going to school at Liberty. Those crisp spring evenings watching sunsets fall behind the Welcome Center are something that only a Liberty student will understand.

Liberty is a place where we meet lifelong friends and have life-changing experiences – all of this occurring within just 7,000 acres. The memories made on this campus will be held close to the hearts of Liberty students and alumni for the rest of our lives. This is where we learned who we are and how we want to influence the world.

Homecoming allows us to come back and re-live those memories, whether they’re not our favorite (late nights in the library) or they are (those late night Cook Out runs). Homecoming is a chance for us to come back and enjoy a walk down memory lane. Check out the new stadium, grab a bite at Reber-Thomas, and join us October 19^th-20^th for Homecoming weekend! Friday night we’re bringing back the Homecoming Bonfire – including food trucks, Coach Gill and more! Then on Saturday join us on University Blvd. before the football game for the Homecoming Parade!

Written By: Mikayla DiSarle

When proposed with the idea of playing a college club sport that I had never before played, let alone heard of, my immediate answer was “absolutely not.” I said those two words just three weeks before starting my freshman year at Liberty University. That’s why I was elated when it was raining the day of tryouts. The only reason I considered showing up to tryouts was out of respect of giving my word to the girl who invited me just several weeks prior. I texted her and asked if tryouts were still on. “Yep! We play rain or shine. See you there,” was the reply. My stomach flew to my throat. I thought of every excuse I could as to why I wouldn’t be able to make it but, finally, I grabbed my stuff and made my way to the field.

What sport was I terrified of, you may ask? A sport that combines grace and grit. A sport full of competition and fun. A sport on the rise. A sport none other than Ultimate Frisbee. The minute I stepped on the field at tryouts, I felt accepted. The Ultimate community is what drew me to the sport and has kept me coming back ever since. Whether I’m playing here at Liberty or back home in South Florida, I have been given encouragement and constructive criticism to help me reach my full potential. One small critique can completely change the way you play Ultimate. That’s why our team verse is Luke 16:10, “One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much,” or as we like to say, “Faithful in the little things.” As a team, we believe that if you are diligent in how you practice and strive to perform your best, your hard work will pay off in the long run.

Ultimate is built off a few things: respect for the game and for each other, athleticism, and communication. Our coach constantly reminds us that “Communication is the key in life, marriage, and Ultimate.” Before playing, I knew sports to be refereed by an outside source. That way, if a call was made, it would be based on someone proficient in the sport who saw the bigger picture. Ultimate, however, is a self-officiated sport. Players abide by the “Spirit of the Game” which involves the golden rule – meaning you will treat others as you want to be treated. This concept blew my mind. Not only can I practice my communication skills in class or at work, but now I can practice a different aspect of communication on the field. I have learned how to articulate my position, respectfully express the rules of the game, and to stand my ground when necessary. These skills are as much a part of the grace and grit of the game as athletic ability.

As a Christian school, our team at Liberty strives to show the love of Christ in our sport. After every game, we invite the opposing team to join us in a group spirit circle. We thank them for playing, highlight any strengths we see in their team, and then ask if we can pray with them. They are all given the option, and no one is forced to stay. Most players will join in our word of prayer. No matter who won the last game or what calls were made, as representatives of Jesus Christ and Liberty University, we show respect to our opponents knowing that we are all united under the love of God.

As we walk to the end zone line to start the point, I look to my left and to my right and think about where we all started – as individuals. I was someone who came into the sport not wanting to play, skating along as the player that shows up to practice, does what is required, and leaves right after. Now, as I look at our team, I see a family. This is the family that I have needed as mine has been so far away. This is the family that has taught me winning is not everything, but it is pretty sweet. This is the family that always points me back to God, and He shows us what it truly means to win. As the disc is launched from the opposite end zone, we take off running, ready to take on whatever comes our way. Together. So, if you see some frisbee happening on our campus fields, come join in the experience and see where the disc will take you. Who knows, it may even guide you to your future family as it has with me.

Written By: Trae Christian

If you are like me, you probably accept the fact that you spend way too much time using technology – especially on social media. As a college student, I know how important it is to manage my time wisely, and scrolling through Instagram can very easily cut into time that should be used to complete homework. The temptation to be glued to social media is strong, but when I think about how many hours a day I spend on my phone I do get a bit concerned. When I was in high school my mom would always tell me not to spend so much time on my phone, but it wasn’t until this summer that I realized how important it is to manage my time with technology. Unplugging is not easy, especially since having a phone and laptop has been a part of my life and so many people’s lives for so long now. However, there are so many benefits to stepping away from technology for a little, and those benefits point back to the importance of unplugging.

Did you know that spending too much time using technology affects mental health? The facts about overly using a device is mind-blowing to me. I honestly don’t want to know how many times a day I check my phone, because I know the numbers will disgust me. Often, I find myself pushing my home screen button for no reason, hoping that I will be greeted by some sort of notification. This behavior is common, according to Psychology Today, which states, “Dopamine causes you to want, desire, seek out, and search.” When we do check our phones and see a notification from someone, this dopamine is being released in our brains, making us desire to check it again and again. The dopamine release shows how difficult it is to unplug, and it makes me happy to know that I’m not the only person who really enjoys the activity that happens on my phone. To keep myself from checking my phone a lot, I try to keep it in a separate room or in my backpack while I’m doing homework so I don’t get tempted to waste time on it.

Whenever I use my phone for an excessive amount of time I can feel myself becoming anxious. While researching for this post, I came across wise words from the Becoming Minimalist blog. The blog says, “In a world where outside noise is coming quicker and louder than ever, the need for solitude becomes more apparent… and easier to overlook. True solitude and meditation will always require the intentional action of shutting off the noise and the screens.” I find solitude by setting moments aside each day to spend time alone and talk to God, and this simple act brings me peace that helps me get through the rest of my day. A great way to practice solitude is to simply take a walk alone to give yourself time to process what is happening around you. Another great practice is to set aside time in your day to pray and read the Bible. This will not only help your spiritual life, but it will also bring you peace and solitude, which is seemingly difficult to come by in our world today.

Another downside of using social media continuously is that it may cause you to struggle with comparison. The United Kingdom’s Royal Society for Public Health surveyed 1,479 people ages 14-24, and one respondent said, “Instagram easily makes girls and women feel as if their bodies aren’t good enough, as people add filters and edit their pictures in order to make them look ‘perfect’.” I know this has personally been a struggle for me in a different way, which is that I see my peers moving into sought-after internships and jobs after college. While stepping away from social media has helped me in this situation, I have also had to come to the understanding that people mostly post the best parts of their lives on social media, so their lives are rarely what they appear to be online. A practice that has helped me is turning to Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” You may have heard this verse a ton of times like me, but it always helps to be reminded of this truth.

Overall, social media and technology aren’t bad, you just have to know how to manage it properly. It is important to point out the key areas that excessive use of technology could affect in order to effectively make a change. I hope this blog post helps you work towards becoming a healthier and more productive student. Personally, I realize that spending time on technology is not bad, but it can be if it is not done in moderation.

References

7 Important Reasons to Unplug, Find Space, and Fight Technology Addiction

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201209/why-were-all-addicted-texts-twitter-and-google

https://time.com/4793331/instagram-social-media-mental-health/

Written By: Kate Dolan

Let’s talk about plants, baby.

If you have been anywhere on social media lately, whether that be on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, you have probably seen the current trend that everyone seems to be gravitating towards – indoor plant care. Regardless of if the reasoning behind the trend is solely for appearances or if it is truly a genuine love for all things foliage, no one can deny the draw to become the proud owner of a small cactus or aloe plant. I recently purchased eight plants at once on a whim, and I am quickly learning it is not all fun and games when it comes to plant care and maintenance.

Though owning and keeping something alive can be hard if you have never had much experience prior, the benefits are numerous and widespread. Dr. Jonathan S. Kaplan with Psychology Today states, “Having plants, going for a walk in the park, or even looking at a landscape poster could produce psychological benefits, reduce stress, and improve concentration.”* If you are anything like me, increased concentration and reduced stress do not seem like bad ideas in the midst of the hectic and demanding life of the average American college student. If you are not completely ready for the responsibility of a plant life resting on your shoulders, even pictures of plants in your living areas will suffice to change your outlook on school and life in general. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the power of plants.

There are numerous additional benefits to having plants in your general vicinity, according to Dr. Kaplan, that include but are not limited to:

• Increased attentiveness
• Improved attendance
• Raised productivity (by up to 15% according to Sophie Lee with NBC News*)
• Improved sense of well-being
• More restful sleep
• Lower levels of anxiety 
• Raised job satisfaction

I don’t know about you, but after looking at these benefits I’m left wondering why this indoor plant trend is just now becoming popular among young people. In a society where dissatisfaction, anxiety and lack of motivation run rampant, giving plants a try doesn’t seem all that crazy. And when it comes to sleeping, plants also play a positive role. More specifically, succulents, orchids, and snake plants emit oxygen while you sleep, leading to more restful and better sleep in general (according to Sophie Lee).

As an active college student, you may be thinking, “Kate, I can barely remember the assignments I have due every day, let alone keep track of watering and caring for something!” Well, I am here to tell you not to worry and that you are in luck. There is a vast amount of beautiful plants that take little to no maintenance yet still yield all the benefits. Being a generally forgetful person myself, my plants mostly consist of mini cacti and succulents, which I leave on my windowsill and forget about most of the time.

I do have a few plants that require a bit more TLC, and learning that has been a fun but also a humbling experience. If you want to spice up a room visually, Ferns, The String of Pearls, The Golden Pathos, and the Split-leaf Philodendron are among the best plants that are worth a bit more of your efforts.

I don’t pretend to be under the impression that plants are miracle workers that will help you win the lottery or get a date with that guy or gal you’ve been crushing on since freshman year, but they have proven to better the time spent indoors exponentially. Not to mention, plants also teach the responsibility that can only be learned from having to keep something alive, or in my case, from keeping eight things alive.

We all know the benefits of time in nature, but for those days when the only option is to stay inside and hit the books, why not try your hand at plant care and bring the great outdoors inside?

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/urban-mindfulness/200903/plants-make-you-feel-better

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/indoor-plants-can-instantly-boost-your-health-happiness-ncna781806