Ways to Use Your College Extracurricular Activities Professionally

Whether it be a club officer position, being a member of a club on campus, or in a leadership position within another capacity, college extracurricular activities are an excellent way to show yourself off. In college, I was personally victimized by overcommitment. I served in SO many leadership roles within my college years – read them all here – that it definitely has helped me in the workforce, too. Today, I will be sharing ways to use your college extracurricular activities within the professional world.

Ways to Use Your College Extracurricular Activities Professionally

  1. You know how to work with people of all kinds – when serving in a leadership position, you learn how to collaborate and work with people of all kinds. Not everyone has the same way of working, personality type, and so much more than ourselves. Needless to say, everyone is unique and working in a leadership role provides you the lens to work with people who are different from ourselves – something that is seen everyday within the work world.
  2. You can work better under pressure – A lot of the times, when working, others are relying on you to get the job done. The same goes for serving in a leadership capacity in college. When others are relying on you, that can bring about a whole extra level of pressure on your end. But, you learn to work under that pressure and that will help you to succeed at your finest professionally.
  3. You Gain Fundamental Communication Skills – When working, communication is vital to success on everyone’s part. College leadership and extracurriculars teach you how to communicate with others in a way similar to that of the work world and further connects the bridge into the work world. As basic as this skill is, it is one that is acquired over time and one that will serve you so well in the long run.
  4. You Learned Something New – Extracurriculars teach us A LOT about not only ourselves but as a leader too. We learn so much from serving others in a leadership position. What you learn from those extracurriculars can ALWAYS be used in future experiences too, especially in the workforce. The skills that we acquire will help us in SO many ways, even in roles that are very different than our previous one’s.
  5. You are Innovative – Have an idea?! Share it if and when you can! Extracurriculars allow us to be innovative on a regular basis – something that can set you apart within the workforce. Some of the best ideas can help get the job done professionally in the best way possible. Your voice can help so many others, simply from developing an innovative spirit back in your undergraduate days.
  6. You Get Plugged in within Your Company – For the most part, companies offer times for you to get together and know some of your coworkers beyond the working day to day life. My company has Affinity Groups such as the Women’s Forum and LGBTQ+ Alliance and Communities of Practice such as Women in Data and Accessibility Matters that allow for employees to be a leader in an extracurricular front. Not to mention, my company also offers several professional development opportunities and events that allow for me to have extracurriculars within the working world, too. Many other companies have similar extracurriculars, too!

Through it all, every single experience teaches us something whether we realize it or not. The ways that we channel our experiences into our future successes is what matters. Most importantly, none of us are perfect. Personally, I struggle with this concept within the professional world constantly, especially as a newer employee at my company. BUT, that is OKAY – none of us are alone either! How we take our experiences and run like the wind with them is what matters.

XOXO – Katie <3

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My First Month of College During Covid-19

To think that I would ever be going to classes while wearing a face mask or through Zoom is truly above me. At this moment, I feel extremely fortunate that Meredith College has not moved all classes permanently online for the Fall semester like many of the other colleges around me. While I feel really lucky to still be on campus a month in, it is still pretty tough to be taking on Senior year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Today, I am sharing my one month reflection of being at college during Covid-19.

It is most definitely weird to be back on campus without the social aspect that my professors, classmates, and I really cherish. At Meredith, social events play an extremely vital role in the college experience, just like at pretty much every other college. To say that I miss that part of being at college would be an understatement, as I am a social person by nature – actually very very very social. Pre-pandemic, I was definitely that girl who hosted parties and gatherings of all kinds in her apartment. Not to mention the several activities that I did with others off campus as well. At the same time, I do know that in-person social events are put on hold right now and for good reason. That being said, I have strived to make it work for the time being, with getting together with friends both a virtual and/or social distanced environment. While it most definitely is not the same for me this semester

In terms of classes, I have had a mixture of in-person and online – 3 in-person and four online. Over the first few weeks of classes, I decided to switch two of my in-person classes to all online. Oddly enough, I have really enjoyed the online environment for classes during the pandemic. Although it was forced, I really like having the flexibility and honestly not having to leave my apartment or even bedroom for that matter to accomplish what I need to. At the moment, I have one in-person class and I chose to keep it in-person, as I have a bond with my classmates and professors in it. This class is also a favorite of mine, so it really worked out to keep it in-person.

Since I do have a lot more free time on my hands, I have been using it in many different ways. First, I have truly been able to invest in my platform here on The Pink Chickadee. Having the ability to be able to share what I do with y’all has truly been a blessing during this entire pandemic! At the same time, I have been able to invest in looking towards the future, through making connections at potential graduate schools and with potential employers. I have been conducting a ton of informational interviews with graduate school students at programs that I am interested in as well as people at companies that peak my interest. In my free time, I usually spend it crafting, which has become a new favorite hobby of mine! To be able to invest in myself so much more than before has really been a blessing even while in classes during this pandemic.

Looking back on my first month of classes of my Senior year, there have been many ups and downs, but one thing that remains for sure is the friends that I made, the family that I have, and the degree that I am attaining. Senior year, Coronavirus edition, was definitely not in my plan for my four years of college. However, like many things in life, plans can and will change and we have to be OKAY with that. Even though there is SO MUCH uncertainty at the moment, I do know that things will always work out in ways that we could have never even imagined. Simply hopping along for the ride and knowing that everyone around me, even if it is virtually, is going through similar things is extremely comforting and the way to go!

XOXO – Katie <3

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15 Items I LOVE Having in my College Dorm/Apartment

With college move-in coming upon us quicker than ever, it definitely is exciting to make your lists and check them twice on what you need for your dorm/apartment. It definitely is daunting to be sure you have absolutely EVERYTHING that you need. Luckily, going away to college is not like packing your bags for a trip to Italy, as most likely there will be a Target nearby your college. As a college Senior, I have been through all of the ups and downs of packing and deciding what to bring to your new dorm/apartment. Throughout my time as a college student, I have figured out what products I LOVE having in my dorm/apartment, which I have listed 15 of them here!

1 – Bath & Body Works Wallflower

No one that I know likes a room that smells weird! Unfortunately, college dorms and even apartments can most definitely have strange odors from time to time. Luckily, Bath & Body Works’ Wallflowers are great to add a fresh scented aura to any small space. Upon moving into my Freshmen dorm, I purchased one of their plug-in Wallflowers, which can easily be refilled once every 4-8 weeks with a new scent. If you’re like me and you LOVE Bath & Body Works, then you know that they carry several super amazing scents from lotions to perfumes to soaps which of course are available for their Wallflower plug-in refills. Bath & Body Works’ Wallflowers have definitely been my favorite over the years, and I will definitely still be using them after college too!

2 – Throw Blanket

Nothing says I need to wind down better than cozying up with a throw blanket after a long day of classes. Over the years, I have LOVED having a throw blanket in my dorm/apartment. Not only does it make me feel really homey in my home away from home, but it also keeps me warm when the dorms/apartments are ridiculously cold (which they can be!).

3 – Cards Against Humanity

Cards Against Humanity has definitely been a classic card game amongst many adults of all ages, but especially college students. The majority of college-aged students that I know are big fans of Cards Against Humanity, which makes it an excellent social gathering. In fact, many college students host parties in their dorms/apartments just to play this awesome card game. That being said, it is definitely worth looking into purchasing a pack before you make the move to college.

4 – Fan

College dorms and even apartments are extremely weird with their heating and air systems at times. One day you may be living in a sauna and the next you may be living in what feels like an igloo. Keeping this fact in mind, I would definitely purchase a fan no matter the size before you go off to college, as you will have days where you need it. I sometimes even carry around mini battery-powered fans that I found for under $2 at Walmart during the Summer.

5 – Mugs

I feel that a persons’ mug collection tells a bunch about themselves and who they are. Mugs are such a fun way to have something that is uniquely yours while telling a bit about yourself. I know that I LOVE to collect mugs from my travels, as I have a few in my collection from when I studied abroad in Europe. Additionally, I also have a ton of mugs that are bright and bubbly with flamingoes and Lilly Pulitzer prints. Having a mug (or five) in your college dorm/apartment is a great way to tell a bit about yourself while also having something right in your own space that you can use to whip up your favorite morning drink.

6 – Air Purifier

Like any bedroom back at home, college dorms/apartments can get VERY dusty. Before I went to college, my mom invested in an air purifier for my dorm, and I am OH SO GRATEFUL that she did. Air purifiers are a lifesaver, as they simply purify the air in your dorm/apartment throughout the day – something that not all the dusting and mopping in the world can fully do.

7 – Fun Magnets

Like mugs, I LOVE to collect magnets from my travels! Magnets are just such a fun way to decorate your fridge or mini fridge with all your adventures from the years. Besides how fun they are, magnets are also extremely easy to transport and super duper affordable. That being said, one or even 20 magnets definitely will not hurt the budget and leave you with some super fun digs for your new fridge no matter its size.

8 – Vacuum

A vacuum has definitely been my saving grace during my college years! Having a vacuum has allowed me to keep my place clean and neat. Personally, I feel that this item is worth the investment for anybody moving into a college dorm/apartment without explaining too much!

9 – Decorative Banner

Bar carts, over the bed, and desk side, OH MY! The possibilities for where to hang a banner are ENDLESS. Decorative banners have always been a favorite of mine, as they are easy to transport as well as either make or order online. I have found that banners make for a fun nice touch in any place, especially one that you’re making into your second home.

10 – Anti-Wrinkle Spray

My step-mom bought me anti-wrinkle spray when I moved into my Freshmen year dorm, and it has definitely been one of the best things that she introduced me to! Anti-wrinkle spray is a simple and practical way to get rid of wrinkles in your clothes without having a use an iron. All you have to do is spray it on the garment where the wrinkles are, straighten out the wrinkles on the garment, and poof they are gone!

11 – Plates & Utensils

This one mostly goes for those living in a dorm, since having plates and utensils in an apartment is pretty much a necessity. When in a dorm, the dining hall food most definitely gets old, even after the first week. In my dorm, I most definitely made a ton of microwaveable dishes that required a plate and my own utensils. They were most definitely a lifesaver for me in my own dorm!

12 – Throw Pillows

Like a decorative banner, throw pillows definitely add a personal and fun spice to your dorm/apartment. I have found having throw pillows to make my dorm room extra homey while away from home too!

13 – Bar Cart

Whether for snacks or drinks, bar carts are definitely the way to go! I LOVE having a bar cart in my apartment, as I can successfully store all of the snacks and drinks that I enjoy throughout the days. The best part about a bar cart is that you can easily add a banner or frame and really make it your own. The possibilities are limitless with a bar cart!

14 – Coffee/Tea

Whether you love coffee or tea, I would definitely get a few of your favorite morning drink staples before heading off to college. Although I am an avid tea lover, I do know many people who LOVE coffee and have really benefitted from having their own Keurig. At the same time, the dining hall may only offer so much when it comes to coffee and tea and Starbucks/Dunkin’ adds up real fast. Whatever floats your boat in the morning when it comes to drinks is what you need to stay afloat throughout the crazy college days!

15 – Wall Art

Like a throw pillow, mug, throw blanket, or magnet, wall art is a telltale way to make a space specifically yours. While you may be moving into a space temporarily that many have lived before you and will live after you, having your own wall art sets your place apart from everyone else’s. Most importantly, wall art makes your space uniquely yours.

Even though college dorm/apartment can be hectic from time to time, it is also really exciting! While my list varies on categories of items that I cannot live without while away at college, each of these items has truly made me feel much more at home in my brand-new and temporary space. Hopefully, the items that I shared will provide you with some inspiration on what to get for your own college dorm/apartment as you make a new space your own too!

XOXO – Katie <3

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