Tag Archives: friends

The Silent Group Chat and My Routine

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A routine is something that many of us cannot help but have.  It comes with the inevitable structure of our time, whether professional or academic.  We have class from 10:00am – 10:50am, then from 1:15pm – 2:30pm.  One day will probably work from 9am – 5pm.  I know that I am not the only one who creates a pattern in my daily actions that correlates to certain times of the day.  What I didn’t know, however, was how much I rely on that routine to get stuff done.  How did I come to this realization, you ask?  Parents weekend.

I love Family weekend.  Not only because I normally get free food out of it, but also because I enjoy the company of my family.  This Family weekend was a little different than my last, however, because last time my parents didn’t exactly come.  I am pretty sure they went skiing, which is honestly a fair alternative that I would probably choose over visiting myself given the opportunity.  This time around, I got the whole gang, including my little brother who happened to be touring both Pitzer College and Claremont McKenna College.  On top of my family actually being here, two of my friends flew home to Seattle to see visit home, and another two of my friends had their families come visit.

Now I can see how one would fail to find the problem in this scenario, but my friends play a huge role in the upkeep of my routine.  We get every meal together, go to the gym together, and do our homework together every day.  Yes, we are a productive group.  If something happens and someone’s schedule changes, we have the group chat to coordinate timing and meet-ups.  This past weekend, the group chat was silent.  I’ve never experienced the silent group chat.  Sure, I have no idea when I’m supposed to eat lunch, but everything’s fine.

So, without the group chat constantly reminding me of how my friends are managing their time, I somehow naturally forget how to manage my own.  The consequences consisted of spending an entire Saturday long boarding around campus with my dad and brother as opposed to writing a five page essay on the role of institutions within varying economic theories.  I do not regret procrastinating in order to spend time with my family, because this is just one weekend out of the year.  I do however realize the importance of sticking to my routine even when key factors to my schedule are missing, such as my friends.

The biggest consequence, at least for me, of mismanaging my time would be the emails.  I can make up for lost time when writing an essay, mainly because I simply enjoy writing, but ignoring my email for a day was the biggest mistake of my week.  I opened my computer Sunday morning to about 47 unread emails, each one a notification of a potential internship from job boards on LinkedIn and Glassdoor.

So the majority of my Sunday was spent not on actual homework but on catching up with internship suggestions and organizing my options.  With the added work of internship applications on top of our academic homework, time management becomes even more important.  While I love spending every moment that I can with my friends, I need to focus on my individual routine the next time I decide to ignore my work for a day.  It is great to have others to help support your organization and motivate you to go workout or write your essay, but I would advise not becoming too reliant on that support system, or you may have to read through 47 job emails.

All In This Together

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First of all, hello! My name is Dorie, and this is my first blog post for the site. I’m so excited to be a part of this team of insanely smart, talented, wonderful, blogging ladies! I thought I’d keep the topic of my first post close to my own heart, by touching on a very important issue that can sometimes be overlooked in times of heavy stress (hello, thesis!!!): having a strong support system.

Honestly, sometimes I feel like I’m trapped in one of those unfortunate, black and white infomercials where nothing is going right.

I feel you, girl.

As a senior (…it still sounds so weird to me), I feel like every time I see a fellow student—be it in-between classes, briefly in the dining halls, or loitering around Seal Court—the conversation goes something like this:

One of us: Oh hey, how’s it going?

The other one of us: *Dying whale noises, accompanied by various hand gestures indicating both complete exhaustion and an inability to properly articulate how busy everything is right now*

It boggles my mind how much we are expected to be juggling right now: thesis (for all of you taking it on this semester), all the work for our other classes, part-time jobs, thinking about and making plans for our futures, figuring out finances, applying to grad school, finding careers, moving across the country/world, networking, interviewing—not to mention the social and personal lives we are trying to maintain in the meantime! Between relationships, friendships, family things, and all the aforementioned things, it’s really quite overwhelming how much we have on our plates these days. This is not to say that only the senior students are feeling this way: definitely not the case. For me, it just seems like I am at this giant precipice in my life, and the various pressures that are pushing and pulling me one way or another can sometimes feel suffocating, limiting, and totally disheartening.

When I start to feel this way—sometimes hopeless, and often times lost in this sea of responsibilities, expectations, and life decisions I will have to make eventually—all I have to do is remember what that wise sage Troy Bolton once sang to me, all those years ago: “we’re all in this together.” Amidst all the midterms, thesis deadlines, and job applications, it is so easy to feel like these struggles are unconquerable, and that everyone around you is, somehow, handling everything just fine, while you are drowning under the sheer weight of everything you need to do each week. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s not just you. In fact, I’m here to tell you that you are probably handling everything way better than you’re giving yourself credit for. Trust me.

It is so important to remember that, as overwhelming as everything might feel right now, there are so, so many resources on this campus that are here to make your life easier. I’m not just talking about Scripps resources—although there are tons that you can definitely take advantage of (like the CP&R office!)—I’m talking about the strong, powerful individuals you have been learning, living, and laughing with for the entirety of your life here at Scripps. Be it the people you live with now, a study group you are a part of, or your roommate from freshman year that now lives across campus, there are people all around you, both on-campus and off, that are more than willing to help you through these tough times, if you give them the chance.

Look, I know better than anyone that asking for help can be scary—there is a certain vulnerability and weakness about opening up that can sometimes discourage you from getting the academic, mental, and emotional support you might really need, especially when the going gets tough. But, just remember that you’re not alone in feeling stressed, or inadequate, or even that there is no way you’re going to be able to finish this thesis by the second week of December (although this last one might be a little biased). And, if getting the support you need comes from someone that isn’t a part of the Scripps community—such as your family, or your friends from high school—that’s not weird, I promise, just do whatever you have to do! Checking in with your friends and family on how you’re doing can feel so reassuring, and even if you might not know how to begin the conversation, you will definitely feel better after the conversation ends.

So, just remember, we’re all in this together, even if it doesn’t feel like it. The next time you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, try and remember what a good friend of mine once said: “It’s okay to have no idea!” Just as countless numbers of students have done before you, you will make it through this. Will there be ups and downs? Absolutely. Will there be highs and lows? No doubt about it. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, and there are more people than you can probably think of who are all rooting for you, and are more than willing to go out of their way to help you get there. All you have to do is let them.

(Did you really think I could end this post without leaving this here for your viewing pleasure??? Please. You’re welcome.)

Work With Friends

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I love working at Phonathon, but something I have been thinking about lately is the dilemma that is working with friends.

NOPE! This is not a game people!

NOPE! This is not a game people!

Not only am I friends/friendly with everyone at Phonathon by virtue of being on the team for almost four semesters and being a manager, I also have a couple outside-of-work friends on Phonathon with me. This is both good and messy sometimes.

Elisabeth not LOVING something about Phonathon? How could this be?!

Elisabeth not LOVING something about Phonathon? How could this be?! PS: I love these two <3

Don’t get me wrong! I love having friends on shift with me and I am so glad that I work in a friendly and awesome environment. A friendly Phonathon is a happy Phonathon because you really need solid morale in the call center some shifts. Part of my job as a Shift Leader is to make things fun and to make sure that people are building rapport on and off the phones.

Okay, so no one looks like that while calling....no one.

Okay, so no one looks like that while calling….no one.

So I love making friends at Phonathon and having friends at Phonathon. But it gets messy because the lines between caller and manager start to blur and suddenly there can be a totally different tone in the call center–sometimes even out of the call center.

Realistic reaction to me in the call center....basically I don't dress up to go to the basement

Realistic reaction to me in the call center….basically I don’t dress up to go to the basement. DUH!

I really try to make sure that everything in the call center is the best mix of professional and friendly. I want all my callers to like me and for everyone to feel valuable to our team! Sometimes I struggle with the balance, but it’s good to know that I’m not alone in this. Our management team is trying as a whole to strike a good balance between a casual and professional work environment. We all want Phonathon to be fun and still a professional space. At the end of the day, I remind my friends, if an issue comes up, that I’m just doing my job and that they’re paid to do theirs.

But sometimes it still ends up being awkward.

But sometimes it still ends up being awkward.

Fullbridge Program Day 5: Delivering Business Pitches

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Today, I’ll pick up the itinerary again and move on to day five. Speaking of itineraries, it suddenly occurred to me it might be helpful to share the actual Fullbridge schedule we followed. Each day’s work became accessible to us only on the day of, but not beforehand. Looking at my calendar may provide you with better insight into the topics and goals of the Fullbridge Program.

(Click on the image for a closer look.)

Screenshot 2014-03-27 21.18.07

As for day five, we each worked individually on a simulated business proposal. Given pre-made spreadsheets, we figured out calculations using Excel, occasionally consulting each other when necessary. I personally found the mathematical assignments the most challenging of all our work; many of my colleagues voiced similar opinions.

After finishing our PowerPoint presentations, we practiced delivering our pitches within our teams. Our coaches made their rounds, sometimes stopping in for a friendly check in. Looking back on notes and documents from my work today, I came across the short response I wrote for the task:

reflection on my presentation:

“I think my presentation turned out better than I had anticipated. I did not feel overly nervous and my team was receptive and friendly. I asked my teammates about concerns I had with my presentation. For example, I was relieved to hear that I had not talked too quickly, which is an issue I have struggled with before in the past. Visually, the slide layout and images were appealing, and useful. However, I did not include any numbers, which would have greatly enhanced my presentation. In addition, I was told that the words I had used to shape a real-life environment—that of a Chief Marketing Officer addressing the board of two new founders—were effective and engaging. The audience was able to take on the role of the characters because I addressed them as such. And my polished manner helped my audience take me seriously as a professional.” (1-9-14)

Back in the main room, one representative from each group presented in front of everyone. Some of my colleagues volunteered to speak; others were chosen at random by the coaches.This exercise would be beneficial for those who wish to improve upon their oratory skills. Coaches and colleagues alike offered praise and constructive criticism in response. I have to admit– I was keenly impressed at how professional and well-spoken everyone was.

How do you feel about giving presentations? Love it? Hate it? Somewhere in-between? What would you like to improve on most?

My Scripps Story

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“I really don’t think I’ll be going to a women’s college,” I sighed, sitting in front of my open computer. “But, you should apply to at least ONE women’s college. You eliminate at least half of your competition that way,” my mother argued. We talked about this possibility for quite a while until I finally decided to apply to Scripps College, because 1) their supplementary application materials were minimal, 2) because it was one of only three or four schools I wanted to apply to in my home state of California, and 3) I HAD to apply to at least one women’s college. Little did I know the wonders and whimsy I would experience upon arriving.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. I had known the kind of college I wanted to attend since probably the middle of my high school career. Being the introvert that I am, I really appreciated a small, integrated school environment with a strong foundation in the liberal arts eduction. I applied to an many of these schools as possible, increasing my odds and potential yield (as any good college-obsessed high school senior will advise you). So when I didn’t get into many of the schools I was originally excited and enthusiastic about, I was obviously disheartened.

One of the few schools who responded well to my application was, wouldn’t you know it, Scripps College. I even remember getting a hand-written note from Dean Marcus-Newhall on my acceptance letter specifically mentioning my supplemental essay. I was pleased and interested, but still not convinced that a women’s college could win me over. It wasn’t that I had any particular prejudice against all-girls’ schools as a whole. I think I felt as if I somehow didn’t appreciate the women’s college experience as much as others. By attending a women’s college, I felt like I had to somehow embody a “women’s college” girl, which I both didn’t feel comfortable doing and felt like others could do better.

Nonetheless, I was accepted there, so, because of its close proximity, we decided to visit Scripps for its Admitted Students Weekend. As we approached the college, I sighed. I had spent the last two weeks traveling to two of the other colleges that had accepted me. I was incredibly excited about both of the institutions, but had been sadly disheartened about what I had found. I didn’t feel connected to either of the colleges and neither seemed like a place I could see myself going. Both my mom and I agreed about the two previous schools and were not exactly enthusiastic about visiting another, potentially disappointing college. Needless to say, the mood was lack luster.

The first thing I remember seeing on Scripps campus was the huge tower of green and white balloons meant to flag down prospective students and families. I was immediately taken aback by the welcoming atmosphere and smiling faces of the admission staff. It felt almost surreal as I was whisked away into Balch Auditorium with dozens of other women whispering in excitement. I don’t think my affect really changed until I met my temporary host, Maddie, who I see all the time around school today! She was really the first one who opened my eyes to the wonders of Scripps. She took me, nested within a bigger group of prospective students, to the Margaret Folwer garden. She picked some oranges for us as we walked up the quad. She brought us to her residence hall and introduced us to at least five or six of her friends who just happened to be walking by. And this is when I got the first inklings of why I truly love attending Scripps. Every person I met, be them current or prospective students, truly felt like a friend. I found myself itching for more, to be able to talk with everyone for even just a minute longer. The way I describe it today is that everyone at Scripps is a version of me, someone with whom I can relate. And while none of them seemed to be the head-to-toe “Scripps woman” I’d envisioned, everyone seemed to posses certain qualities of respectable, kind, gentle, and caring young women. It was only when pulled together that they embodied the true Scripps community.

I remember speaking to two of my new awesome friends (shout out to Emily and Moriah!) after the weekend was drawing to a close. One of them boasted that she had turned in her acceptance forms as soon as she’d arrived on Sunday. The other claimed that she was off to the Office of Admission right then to turn in her papers. Today, I constantly express the same enthusiasm that we all felt after experiencing Scripps for the first time. I try everyday to expose others to this fantastic community, only attainable through the contributions of everyone.