Apartment Or Live At Home?! My Big’s Share Their Post-Graduation Housing Decisions!

Should I stay or should I go?! When it comes time to select your housing arrangements post-college graduation, it can be difficult. There are a ton of factors that go into deciding where you want to live after your college years and it all can be very tedious. My Big Sis’s Stephanie and Callie graduated in 2019. Both have very different post-graduation housing arrangements that are unique to where they both are at now. Stephanie and Callie have played a meaningful role in my college experience at Meredith and will continue to do so in my post-graduation life. So, Stephanie and Callie are both speaking on their own experiences with post-graduation housing arrangements and why they live where they live.

Stephanie

Tell me a bit about yourself!

Hi! I’m Stephanie Semaan and I enjoy watching reality TV shows, listening to music, and trying new cooking recipes.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?

I’m a Meredith College Alumna ‘19 (go angels!) and I studied Psychology and Communication. And, yes I can read y’alls mind… definitely joking!

What have you been up to since graduation?

After graduating I started my journey to receive my Master’s in School Counseling, and started my job with Academic Advising at the college-level. While I did attend Meredith in Raleigh, NC I decided to move back to my home state post graduation. A hobby that I started up again recently is playing the flute.

What made you choose to live at home post-graduation?

I was fortunate to have a few different options of applying to grad school or searching for a job or both in either NC or VA. I truly enjoyed my time in NC, but coming from a close-knit family I wanted to live closer to my family. And the licensure to be a School Counselor is state specific so since I ultimately saw myself moving home eventually that did play a role.

Pros of Living at Home Post-Graduation:

  1. Family! From game nights to movie nights, we’re all close by… literally.
  2. Multiple Hands! Unlike living on my own, my family and I cook together, and all pitch in together with around the home things like laundry and grocery shopping.
  3. Saving money! Living at home allows me personally to be able to save money for the future.

Cons of Living at Home Post-Graduation:

  1. When I first moved home, I kept operating like I was living on my own, but I learned I did not have to do everything on my own. So that was an adjustment.
  2. While I have a whole home to spread out all my things and fun decoration, it is not just your own space.
  3. And sometimes staying out late whether studying or hanging out with friends, you could feel like you keep the house up or wake the house up when you come home.

Callie

Tell me a bit about yourself!

I’m Callie Crawford, I love all things that involve Taylor Swift, the beach and Mexican food!

Where did you go to college and what did you study?

Meredith College class of 2019 major in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management.

What have you been up to since graduation?

I have worked as an HR Specialist since May 2019. I have achieved my SHRM-CP certification in 2020. I’ve gotten the chance to improve my cooking skills. I have continued gardening and taking care of my plant babies. I had the chance to travel to California and Tennessee for the first time.

What made you choose to live on your own post-graduation?

I was fortunate to get a job in Raleigh after graduation. I wanted to stay in the city so I would have a shorter commute to work. I also fell in love with Raleigh and wanted to have my own space in the city.

Pros of Living on your Own Post-Graduation:

  1. You get your own space! You can decorate however you want.
  2. You also have independence to do whatever you want, like in college but this time no homework or exams.
  3. You also get to figure out your post-grad self. You have the freedom to take up new hobbies or to choose how you spend your free time. It is a great time to decide who you want your adult self to look like.

Cons of Living on your Own Post-Graduation:

  1. Security is a big thing. You now have to invest in alarm systems or other methods to keep you safe because you are on your own.
  2. Money is another disadvantage. Rent takes up the majority of your pay check so that is an upsetting week.
  3. Even if you have a roommate, you can still get lonely. In college, there’s always someone but when you move everyone goes their own way. You have to be more intentional about spending time with friends and family.

With the Class of 2021’s graduation looming upon us, housing arrangements can be pretty tricky. Stephanie and Callie have provided some great insights that I hope will help you when choosing where you want to live.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Weekly Menu Round-Up: March 22-26

As I reach the home stretch of my college years, I am striving to stay healthy and fueled with my weekly menus. My final weeks of college will be filled with planning events, wrapping up research projects, and closing out my time at Meredith. So, I want to ensure that my body is fed well and remains healthy and fueled through it all, like with this week’s menu.

Fuel the Day Treat

To fuel my days, I will be enjoying brunch/lunch with avocado toast topped with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella or a fried egg.

Monday

To kick off the week, I am so excited to *FINALLY* be trying out air fryer salmon in my own kitchen! I plan to simply season it with some Himalayan salt and serve it with roasted broccoli and my favorite side dish – green bean casserole.

Tuesday

I have always been a lover of pizza!!! So, I will be putting my favorite dish to the test with a twist by serving a salami and pepperoni pizza on garlic naan. Garlic naan has become a favorite of mine, since I have fallen in love with the Indian food here in Raleigh! I will be serving my garlic naan pizza’s with my sautéed kale.

Wednesday

Being the seafood lover that I am, I am also super excited to try out a new tilapia recipe from Taste of Home – Red Pepper & Parmesan Tilapia. I will be serving this tilapia with some roasted sweet peppers.

Thursday

Ever since I was a little girl, like pizza, I have also had an obsession with pesto pasta. So, I will be enjoying this pasta favorite of mine in the form of gnocchi and adding some cherry tomatoes along with chopped mozzarella into the mix. On the side, I am going enjoy my Kale Caesar salad.

With my weeks getting busier than ever before during my Senior year of college, taking care of myself is more important than ever before.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Two Months of my Final Semester During Covid-19

It is hard to believe that my final semester has kicked off in the middle of a pandemic. On the flip side, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is coming a lot quicker than any of us have ever imagined. The sadness of loosing a lot of what I had envisioned my Senior year of college would look like is hard, but knowing that my first months of post-graduate life will look a lot more normal than I would have ever anticipated makes it easier.

Meredith College is filled with several social events and traditions. It has been really weird to not have an extremely filled social calendar with numerous events, outings, and fundraisers. Covid-19 has taken over all of our lives, especially college life, but only for some time.

About a month ago, I was really struggling with the fact that Covid-19 was taking over all of our lives and the remainder of my college experience. It was in these days that it felt like Covid-19 was NEVER-ENDING, despite the vaccine rollout. On the contrary, this past month has allowed for a ton of changes in our world and across the United States with more and more people receiving the vaccine. Hearing the stories of others struggling with the impacts of Covid-19 made those times so much harder, too.

Hope is near and even my college experience and campus policymakers as it pertains to the coronavirus have made that clear. The other day, I learned that my college is having an in-person graduation. It will be held outdoors and on-campus. While I do not know much details yet besides its weekend and location, I am still very excited that I will be given the chance to walk across that stage. At the same time, the Class of 2020 is going to get their graduation two weeks before my class’s, too. This one email which my classmates and alumni of the Class of 2020 and I had received made each of our days. We also know that the light is near and our hard work and achievements WILL be honored and celebrated by those at Meredith College, our family, and our friends.

While the past few months have felt like the ongoing pandemic would not ever end, I am starting to feel a lot of hope. With the news of an in-person graduation, my classmates are also feeling the same exact way. Knowing that we all feel the light coming onto us, especially with this amazing warm weather here in North Carolina, I am excited to see where this journey called life takes us all in a post-pandemic world!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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From Small Business Owner to Medical School: Interview with my Roommate Sophie

My roommate Sophie is one of my best friends and blessings that Meredith College has brought me. At the same time, Sophie has also restructured her life to aim for the stars in ways like never before. From an entrepreneur in high school to a med school bound college student, I bring to you an interview with my fabulous roommate!!!

Tell me a bit about yourself!

Current senior at Meredith College who is going to medical school in July!

What is your major at Meredith and what are you involved in on campus?

I am a double major in Biology and Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. I am an officer of both the Angels for Disability Advocacy and Meredith Advocates for Young Children as well as a member of other clubs on campus. 

Did you ever anticipate that you would select the major that you did looking back at your high school years?

Not at all. I started out coming into college wanting to be an engineer. When I actually saw and learned about what an engineer does, I realized I wanted to do more medically. Also, I further my love for children when I took my first class at the Meredith Autism Program and absolutely loved it! So, I decided to also be a Psychology major!

So, in high school, you and your sister had a brand called PinkyGirl. Tell me a bit about PinkyGirl!

It was a monogramming company on Instagram. We were international!

What made you and your sister want to start PinkyGirl?

Honestly, we started it just by chance of setting up an Instagram page! It took off by word of mouth.

I know PinkyGirl took off when you were in high school! Tell me about life as a female entrepreneur!

I was definitely busy, but I loved meeting my customers and the people and scientists involved in Susan G. Komen– we developed a partnership with Susan G. Komen.

How did you balance your high school life with running PinkyGirl?

It was a lot, but I had help from my family (Mom and Dad and of course my sister) and a few employees. We got so large that we had to move into a manufacturing facility and hire employees!

There are many highs and lows when it comes to running a business. What were some of yours?

Lows were keeping up with monogram orders, especially during the holidays. Sometimes, it felt like we were drowning. Highs included meeting customers and building meaningful relationships!

What were some of your favorite memories from PinkyGirl?

I absolutely loved having a booth at A Shopping Spree for being awarded “Entrepreneur of the Year!”

I know you went to Washington, DC as a result of your hard work with PinkyGirl. Explain to me a bit about that awesome experience of yours!

 I was flown to DC in order to be recognized for winning a young entrepreneur scholarship. I spoke with Thom Tillis and others about the importance of young entrepreneurship.

You do not run PinkyGirl anymore. Ultimately, you decided to pursue your dreams of becoming a doctor #FemalePower!!!! Tell me a bit about what made you decide to make that switch!

I have always had a passion for helping others, and I also loved learning, especially biology. At some point, I just realized that I wanted to do more with my life by directly helping people using my biology knowledge. The business route just wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life.

What piece of advice would you give to someone who is looking to start their own business?

Find a passion and stick with it, even if it is not the most popular at the time. Also, be unique!

I know you came in at Meredith wanting to pursue an engineering degree. What made you make the switch and realize that your dream is to become a doctor?

 I knew engineering was not for me when I truly got to experience what engineering would be like. I have always loved helping others, and I just did not get that direct sense with engineering. I wanted to do more and make a larger impact in people’s lives.

What would be your dream area specialization as a doctor?

Pediatrics or Family Medicine

You also are a Psychology major and have spent a ton of time working in the Meredith Autism Program (MAP). Explain to me about that amazing experience of yours at MAP!

I work as a teacher for children with autism to enhance learning age-appropriate academic and social behaviors. My duties are to implement behavior plans, analyze behavior data, perform discrete trial training, and communicate results. I earned my NC license as a Registered Behavior Technician. My time in this role has been monumental for my clients and me. Spending several years working one-on-one with children with autism has allowed me to develop my passion for helping others, especially young children.

Along with your work and involvement at Meredith, you also babysit a ton. Has babysitting helped affirm your decision to become a doctor?

Most definitely! It has influenced my wanting to become a pediatrician because I love working with children.

Explain to me the process of medical school applications

It’s a complex one that goes over my head! It was a lot–glad it’s over! So, you begin applying about a year before you want to start medical school. Also, you have to make sure you get the prerequisites fulfilled by junior year if you plan to go straight into medical school without a gap year. With this, you also have to plan out when you will take the MCAT and how you will study for it. Once everything is complete, it is basically just a waiting game of hoping to get an interview and then an acceptance. 

How have you successfully completed the medical school application process and what pieces of advice would you give to somebody who is wanting to or about to go through it themselves?

I would just say to start everything early and plan out! Have places in mind that you want to work at to gain clinical hours and also have some volunteering that you like to do and stick with it (even if it is just once a month for a few years).

As a fellow Woman in STEM, what is one thing that makes you proud of the STEM degree that you are about to accomplish?

I love knowing that I am able to use my STEM degree to make a true difference in the world!

What are the next steps in your journey to becoming a doctor?

Well, I still am waiting to hear from some other medical schools. Then, I will decide where I will be for the next phase of my life. Right now, I am really liking West Virginia where I just got accepted into!

Lastly, if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

To just know that everything will work out how it is supposed to. Don’t stress. (This is so hard to remember when you are in the midst of your busy, chaotic life!).

Through it all, Sophie has aimed for the stars and she will reach them in ways like never before moving forward!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Interview with Photographer Destiny of Destiny Eudy Photography

Hey y’all! Ever since starting The Pink Chickadee, I have LOVED getting to interview strong women and men about their life experiences in some way or another, whether it be running a business, sharing their talents, or personal experiences. Each and every one of us has something pretty extraordinary to bring to the table. Today, I am interviewing a classmate and friend of mine – Destiny. Along with running her small business Stickers By Destiny, Destiny is an extremely talented photographer who photographs some magnificent images and shares them with others. I have had the pleasure of getting to work with Destiny a bit while being a Staff Writer for Meredith’s Oak Leaves yearbook and seeing her around campus photographing students on Meredith’s campus. I hope y’all enjoy getting to know Destiny just as much as I have!

So, tell me a little bit about yourself!

Hello, I’m Destiny Eudy, and I’m a junior in the class of 2022 at Meredith College studying Mass Communications.

Where are you attending college and what is some of your involvement on campus?

I am attending Meredith College. This is my second year as the co-Editor for the Oak Leaves yearbook, and this semester will be my first semester as a section leader for the Meredith College Choir.

You’re the co-Editor in Chief of the Meredith College Oak Leaves yearbook, what has been a highlight of that role for you?

My favorite part of being an Editor for the yearbook is knowing that I have a hand in collecting and keeping the memories of each year alive.

Beyond life at Meredith and your photography work (feel free to drop your Instagram handles!), I know that you have a sticker business called Stickers By Destiny, tell me a little bit about it!

My sticker business started this past summer during quarantine as a fun way to make a little extra money. I started off by just making monograms and other vinyl decals with my cricut machine. I then began designing and making stickers as a way of learning how to use Adobe Illustrator for my new job. I have designed 32 different stickers since August including everything from everyday designs to holiday specific ones. My instagram handles are @stickers_by_destiny and @destiny_eudy_photography.

Now, tell me a bit about your photography work! What made you choose to get into photography?

I began falling in love with photography back in highschool. I also volunteered to take pictures for my nephews birthday parties, but it wasn’t until I joined yearbook in 11th grade that I realized how much I love photography. My school had a few cameras that we were allowed to check out to take pictures at games and events, and so every Friday I checked out a camera to take pictures at the football games. I loved the thrill of taking action shots of the players and the crowd, being out on the field where only having a camera in your hands would allow you to go, and capturing the moments that would forever be memorialized in the yearbook. In highschool it was the games that I loved to photograph, but after graduating that wasn’t much of an option anymore. It wasn’t until a trip to Black Mountain, NC during the summer of 2019 that I found my love for nature photography. On this trip I brought my camera and while my parents went into a store I followed a little bee around with my camera trying to get the perfect shot. 

What made you want to share your photography work with others?

I have always considered my instagram as a place to document my life. I started posting some of my photographs there, but realized that I had so many that it would just be easier to create a separate photography account to document and keep track of all my pictures. Sharing them with others is just a plus.

What are some of the inspirations behind your photography works?

It’s hard for me to actually pinpoint a specific inspiration. One of my favorite things to do is to go on a photography walk. I’ll go out walking around and let everything around me become the inspiration. Every season and place has its own unique beauty and I just try my best to capture it.

With your experience as the Oak Leaves Editor in Chief, what has been your favorite event(s) to photograph?

My favorite event that I have photographed as the Oak Leaves co-Editor is Alice in Wonderland. I loved getting to capture such a special and unique event.

One of my favorite projects that you did was photographing and sharing stories of women with PCOS. Tell me a little bit about that!

This project was for a class here at Meredith called Photography and Social Change. For my final project I wanted to tell people about PCOS, what it is, how it affects people, and share the stories of women that I know with the condition. The goal was to educate others through the stories and photographs of the women. In the pictures I wanted to highlight the beauty of these women with PCOS and not just the condition. If anyone wants to read the stories you can find them at https://cysterstories.blogspot.com/.

Beyond your roles at Meredith, what have been some of your favorite subject matters/areas of photography?

I love to photograph nature the most of all, and especially animals. I love taking pictures of squirrels, birds, bugs, and any other animal I come across. However with the abundance of squirrels on campus, I have found a real love in trying to take as many pictures of the squirrels as possible. 

I see on your photography account that you love to photograph nature and towns, etc. What has been one of your favorite place/thing to shoot?

My favorite place to shoot has to be Black Mountain, NC. My family has always called it a Hallmark town because of the adorable small town vibes that give you the feeling that you are stepping into a Hallmark movie. This town is also down in a valley so every direction you look there are beautiful mountain scenes.

My favorite image that you have shared is of two grey cats snuggling with one another. Share the story behind that image!

So the two cats in question are my cats that adopted me. I say that because they started out as feral cats that chose my backyard as their new home. They have been sleeping on the back porch for about three years now and I doubt they will ever leave. Their names are Socks and Pete and one day when I was outside taking pictures of the flowers around my house I saw them hanging around and thought why not give them their own little photoshoot. Snuggling and nuzzling their heads together is something that both of them are always doing, and every picture I took of them explains their personalities so well.

What do you envision that some of your future photography projects will look like?

I’m not really sure what types of projects I’ll do in the future. Majority of the pictures I take aren’t planned until I see the thing I am photographing. I’ve learned that it’s just easier for me to carry my camera around when I am going out and to just capture whatever is happening in the moment. I have however started paying attention to the moon and movement of the planets more and have been attempting lunar and planetary photography.

For someone that wants to get into photography what would be one piece of advice that you would give them?

Some advice that I would give to somebody starting out is to take at least one photography class or watch tutorials, and don’t worry if you don’t have a digital camera because a smartphone works just as well.

Lastly, what is something that you wish you could tell yourself before starting to share your photography with others?

I wish I could go back and tell myself to post pictures in the order they were taken. I made the mistake of just posting whichever ones I came across first and now they are out of order on my instagram.

As stated up above, each of us has something amazing to bring to the table! Destiny’s gift and eye for photography has taken her places both on Meredith College’s campus and beyond and she will continue to do just that!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Fall 2020 Semester Reflections

Fall 2020 will be a semester for the books, not just because of Covid-19’s occurrence but because of the great memories that I made. Yes, this sentence that I just said may sound like a joke. However, it is all very very true. Fall 2020 was one of my best semesters at Meredith. Despite everything that has all happened and been cancelled this semester and year, I am still very grateful for the experiences that I have had and the opportunities that have and are to come. Fall 2020 may have “sucked” in some regards, but it is what it is and as humans we have to continuously adapt and make it work for us.

Flashback to Spring 2020. I was anxious, sad, angry, and mourning the loss of my remaining “normal” college semester. When I say “normal,” I mean a semester that is filled with all of the typical things that college students do, such as outings with friends, large scale gatherings, and in-person classes on a regular basis. I thrived off of the social aspect of college as well as the academic aspect – they went hand in hand with my successes at Meredith. I became depressed and spent my days looking at old pictures and wishing for the happy memories that I had had in early 2020 and before to come back again. I wanted to make more memories just the way they were before. In fact, I majorly desired for it to occur.

As we all know, life is meant to change – it is our only consistency. With the changes that come with the coronavirus pandemic come adaptation. And adaptation takes time – it is not an overnight thing. Nothing happens overnight, especially coping with and dealing with change. Summer 2020 was a summer filled with self growth, knowing my self worth, and making the best of all of the harsh changes since March 2020. At the same time, I used my platform here on The Pink Chickadee to connect with others who are also fellow preppy fashion and Lilly Pulitzer lovers. The network that I have made has since grown into such a great blessing in my life. The Pink Chickadee truly helped me break out of my shell and adapt to the continuing changes in our world that have occurred throughout 2020 along with discovering to love my own self.

As I got into my Fall 2020 semester, I was nervous for what was to come. Nothing was going to look the same at the sweet college that I call my second home – Meredith. Meredith College is filled with a ton of large scale events known as Traditions that are unique to it. Each of these Traditions is super special to me and to my classmates. To watch the social aspect of Meredith that I saw before March 2020 disappear before my eyes made me sad and sometimes even cry.

Although I love the Traditions that truly make Meredith College Meredith College, my shift and energy has changed on what Meredith College means to me. With the current Black Lives Matter movement and momentum for inclusion of everyone, the ways that Meredith has run pre-Covid have not been the most inclusive for students of all races, sexualities, ethnicities, gender identities, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc. While I love Meredith Traditions and the memories that they have brought me, they have hurt so many of my classmates in the past. Knowing this information now helps me to realize that while I loved Traditions, they are not the best thing to have right now and that is okay. Currently, I am working to help my Class as Fundraising Chair, my Math and Computer Science Department as Canaday Math & Computer Science Club (CMCS) President, and Angels for Disability Advocacy (ADA) Vice President by providing all students with inclusive virtual opportunities to be present and involved on campus.

This semester, I have really been able to shine inside and outside of the classroom. The Pink Chickadee has not only flourished, but it has grown in ways like never before this semester. If I had been uber engaged in Meredith College social life, then I would not have had time to progress on my platform as much as I did. At the same time, I have truly been able to succeed inside the classroom. My interests within my Data Science, Statistics, and Website Development courses have ignited and shined now more than ever before. I am also working on my Honors Thesis this year and really enjoying working on my own research project independently while applying my skillset from within the classroom to grow as a future Data Scientist even more. At the same time, I also made the Dean’s List – a symbol of all of my hardwork and passion this semester from the classroom and The Pink Chickadee.

The biggest consistency in my Fall 2020 semester life, before, and after it has been my friends. Each of my friends and I have all gone through the same things this year and, while none of us like it, we are all in this together. My friends are the people that I can count on to be safe and for me to do the same for them. We truly have had each others’ backs since before the coronavirus pandemic hit and during. They have truly been such a blessing in my life, and the bond that I have with each of my friends is something that I will never ever take for granted.

Although Fall 2020 looked nothing like I had envisioned it to, I am still oh so grateful and blessed for the memories and bonds that I have made. Without this semester, I would not have been able to genuinely grow my platform on The Pink Chickadee and as a human being in the ways that I have. Here’s to a great but very different semester and one left to come!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Friend Shivani Speaks on Adjusting to Post-Graduate Life During Covid-19

From what my parents and friends have told me, adjusting to post-graduate life is not an easy transition. But, imagine that you are graduating college in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic? This has become the reality for several Class of 2020 and potentially Class of 2021 college students/recent graduates like myself. As I embark on this journey myself like many others around and before me, I decided to sit down with my good friend Shivani (a Class of 2020 college graduate) about her transition into the post-graduate world in the midst of Covid-19.

Tell me a bit about yourself!

So I was born in Boston,MA in the late 90’s and I lived in Delaware for most of my cognitive development years and life, then moved to Ohio and I’ve been in NC since 2014. My main interests are reading, dancing, working out, journaling, watching TV, and doing a whole bunch of nothing. I really enjoy now more than ever doing a whole bunch of nothing because I have a job now and I look forward to the time where I can relax. I went to two different high schools, and enjoyed both of them very much. And I graduated from Meredith College with a B.S. Public Health. I would love to have two Siberian Huskies one day and move back up north– North East area and settle down with my future husband and future kids!

So, I know you are also an influencer! What content do you like to share with others (drop your handle here too if you so choose!)?

I am all about mind, body and soul. So currently it’s a lot of selfies as I take social distancing and Coronavirus very seriously and I want everyone to understand the severity of our pandemic. Other interests include makeup and fashion! My handle for instagram is @shivanideva2020.

Where did you go to college and what was your degree?

I graduated from Meredith College in 2020 with my Bachelors of Science in Public Health with Minors in Biology and Chemistry.

How were you involved at Meredith?

I was heavily involved in Meredith in clubs and took up leadership positions. I wasn’t always this involved. My freshman year I took it quite easy and participated in clubs and made sure that my presence was known to the board members of the clubs. It’s because I did this that I was able to land a position on the MHPS board and move my way upward. Other clubs I was a part of were ISPE, SCUR, Tri-Beta.

So, you graduated in May 2020, what did Meredith do to commemorate you and your classmates’ achievements?

So since I graduated in the middle of the Pandemic I didn’t get a proper graduation. However most of us were able to get Graduation Pictures and I for sure certainly took mine!

Is there anything you wish Meredith could have done differently?

Honestly no, because at this point in time most of us have gotten the closure we needed and have moved on.

How did you cope with completing your degree from your house rather than at Meredith?

At first I was in denial because all I wanted was an extended spring break– senioritis in college is very real as well, hehe! But then it slowly sunk in that i wasn’t going to be ableto see my friends or socialize with anyone due to the pandemic and that doing my best to stay home and be socially distant was the only option I had. It allowed me to have to myself and really focus on my studies and finish it out strong and surprisingly my GPA was the highest its ever been!

Knowing that you graduated from college during a pandemic, how did you move beyond those college years into your post-graduation years all while mainly staying at home?

So for me looking for jobs was really hard because my initial plan was to go to graduate school within a year. After much consideration i realized that right now is not the time for more academia as I was really burnt out from undergrad. I took a SAS Programming course 2 months post and I was working towards a certification. And now I am employed at CCNC as a Case Investigator for COVID-19 and am working remotely!

What is one high of the past 6 months since graduating from Meredith?

Getting a job! Because it finally gave me the break I needed to get back up on the horse and start my career as well as use my degree.

What is one low of the past 6 months since graduating from Meredith? 

Well this is a heavy question but I have had to face the loss of a dear family friend alone compounded with the burden and fear that if I went out anywhere that I would get the virus and jeopardize my parents who are both at high risk for contracting the virus.

How have you stayed connected to your friends from Meredith since March? What suggestions do you have for others who struggle to remain connected to their college life?

Technology and Facetime are a GODSEND!!!!! Use that phone for something else other than watching the same YouTube Video over and over again. I kept in contact with all of those who are near and dear to me and they did the same as well! My advice for those who are struggling is keep making the effort and showing that you care about the other person; if you are meant to be in their lives and they yours then things will work out. Use your social media and constantly check in on one another, use your email to stay in touch with your professors–they still care and want to know what’s going on.

How do you stay involved at Meredith as an alumni? How can others get involved at their own alma maters?

 think having connections with professors and staying in contact with other alumna helps. Also have friends who are younger and are underclassmen and can get you on panels to talk to students!

What strategies did you use to cope with going into adulthood virtually?

Yoga, working out a lot, and not lashing out at everyone and everything. It was hard at first, bit a good thing that came out of journaling was that I journaled everyday and didn’t cluster together days or weeks. I also used my zoom classes as a way to see friends and looked forward to those meetings!

How did you process the fact that you missed out on the last weeks of your college experience?

This is again a very hard question to answer because truthfully I was in denial, and then I was angry. The anger lasted for about 3 months and I realized that I was fighting a battle alone that just had no end result or goal really. I couldn’t fight the pandemic on my own, the population of the GLOBE had to get it into their head that the situation is serious and it shouldn’t be ignored. But later i was able to reflect and honestly the pandemic gave me time to think. Most of my life has always been go-go-go, like running a race of some sort. So it was very nice to see how I had this time where there was no pressure on me to meet a deadline or attend a conference.

How did you move beyond college life during Covid-19 into your post-graduation life?

Again the time from graduation to getting a job for me was 6 months and during that time I kept myself busy. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop! So keep yourself busy and also think about life in the bigger picture and make plans for what your purpose is and how to go about fulfilling it! And I look at everything as a stage or phase of life. High School was a phase, College is one as well. Each and every step teaches you something so learn and learn honestly and take those lessons and move forward in life implementing them.

What are the major differences between college life and post-graduation life from your experiences?

So academia is a process and a progression whereas working a job is very boxed in and has a time frame. For example in college if you didn’t get to study for the material for an exam on a monday you still had time to do it the whole week before the exam–meaning you have to work outside of classroom hours. With work, all of your knowledge and work ethic have to be displayed and put to use during that 8 hour time frame, but afterwards you are free to do whatever you want to do.

For those who struggle with knowing what they want to do post-graduation, what would you say to them?

You are the creator of your own timeline. I listen to a lot of Jay Shetty and he has incredible wisdom so I recommend his podcasts to begin with. But with that being said as Jay stated, be in control of your own timeline but make sure it is fulfilling and busy for you. I wouldn’t not recommend sitting idle and doing nothing. Make vision boards, pick up a job, find a new hobby and see if you can make an interest of yours a passion and a career.

Our world is changing and has changed so much. What are some tips that you have for soon to be or recent college graduates with adapting to these new changes as they enter the workforce?

Looking for a job starts before you graduate. The job market is hard and so make sure you are going to networking events and make sure you stay in contact with those contacts. After a certain point it’s not what you know it’s who you know that gets you your job.

The Class of 2021 (including myself) is graduating in May and even December with mainly virtual college since March 2020. What is one piece of advice that you have for students graduating in December 2020 or May 2021 as they make this transition?

Take it in stride. This is not your karma or the universe trying to get back at you because you can’t graduate like the classes before you. Remember that you are and always will be strong to get through this. You just have to keep repeating it and believe in it and yourself.

Last but not least, what is one thing that you would say to yourself a year ago from today knowing what was about to come?

Reach out to those people who you were shy to reach out to or afraid to reach out to. More than likely chances are that they will remember you and want to say hi as well. Break the ice. And also don’t take for granted what you have before time makes you realize how precious it was what you had.

As Shivani has shared, remember to make the best of every moment even if that moment looks a bit different due to Covid-19. Chances are, you will not have that time ever in your life again. Most importantly, pandemic or not, the best is yet to come!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Meredith Angel-Owned Small Businesses to Support this Holiday Season

If you know me, then you know that I LOVE my sweet Meredith College. My experience so far at Meredith has been one of the best that I could ever ask for. As I started The Pink Chickadee and grew my platform, I watched my Meredith sisters around me grow their own small businesses. There is so much beauty in seeing my Meredith sisters and I’s successes grow. I LOVE supporting small businesses and especially those that are connected to Meredith students or alumni. Today, I have rounded up several of many small businesses that are run by Meredith women!

  • From prints to stickers that are all Meredith-themed, check out MH Paper Goods. The lovely lady behind the business, Maria, and I did a giveaway in August and she is also a Woman in STEM with a sweet and creative spirit!
  • Customization from monograms to even Ruth Bader Ginsburg ornaments/key chains, look no further than Greetings of Magic! Megan, the shop owner, is one of my best friends’ Lil’s and friends of mine and she is the sweetest thing! You can also use my code thepinkchickadee for 10% off your purchase (offer valid until December 31, 2020).
  • If you’re looking for all-things handlettering and the most fun designs connected to your favorite shows, movies, and even Enneagram type, shop at Lettering By Miranda! The lovely Miranda designed The Pink Chickadee‘s logo and she did an amazing job!!!
  • For the cutest masks, wine glasses, ornaments, and the funniest apparel, check out Cassie’s Designs! Cassie is also one of my best friends and she is OH SO TALENTED!!!
  • Who doesn’t love a cute mug and especially a Meredith mug?! The sweetest Anna Haddock of The Coffee Table Goods has the cutest Meredith-themed mugs as well as an adorable Christmas-themed mug in her shop!
  • Whether it be Meredith, NC State, love stories, or all North Carolina destinations, shop everything North Carolina-oriented at Pamlico Paper Company. Liz the shop owner is the sweetest and is always showing up at local North Carolina art/craft fairs to show off her talents!
  • If you want some of the most adorable prints that you will find, then definitely check out J Hall Designs! Along with her Etsy shop which I have linked, J Hall Designs is carried at The Local Squirrel, For Your Convenience Raleigh, Southern Home & Kitchen, and Katherine Beck Gifts. I studied abroad with the shop owner Julia Hall in London back in July 2018, and she is such a sweet soul!!!
  • For the cutest Meredith-oriented stickers among other things, definitely check out Laney Logan Design Co. The shop owner Laney is super sweet!!
  • Whether it be Meredith-oriented stickers, metal prints, or even a painting, Mountain Top Photos has it all for you. The shop owner Brittney was one of my Lil’s teammates!
  • To get the most adorable pet designs from stickers to prints to even paintings, then definitely check out Ashlyn’s Art. Ashlyn’s Art is run by my sweet Lil Sis Ashlyn! To place your order, then follow her Instagram page @ashlyns_artwc.
  • Rachel Norris Art has the most beautiful handlettering and graphic designs that are North Carolina-themed, spiritual, and *of course* Meredith-themed. The shop owner Rachel was a classmate of mine and she is oh so sweet!
  • If you LOVE hand lettering like myself, then definitely follow @_letteringbylauren on Instagram to see my Meredith sister Lauren’s hand lettering projects! While this endeavor of Lauren’s is not necessarily a small business, Lauren is extremely talented just like the other ladies mentioned in this post.
  • Two of my favorite things are Meredith College and Christmas! Liza’s Lettering Co definitely embodies two of my favorite things. The shop owner Eliza is also the sweetest thing!
  • The Local Squirrel is the cutest boutique! Located in Raleigh’s vibrant Cameron Village, this sweet boutique is owned by a Meredith alumni who loves supporting small businesses. Every time I visit The Local Squirrel, I end up having a great experience and cannot wait to go back!
  • For such unique and stunning pieces of jewelry, then definitely check out Raleighwood Beads; I am OBSESSED with the nutcracker necklace I recently got from there. I actually collaborated with the shop owner Carolyne on a fundraiser and social with our classes and it was super fun!
  • To get all of your custom print and sticker needs, then check out @claireannedesign on Instagram. The shop owner Claire and I are in the same class and have done Cornhuskin’ together over the years. Like Claire, I have shared so many special memories with all of the ladies in my class!

Shopping small has always been a favorite thing of mine, specifically when it involves ladies connected to sweet Meredith College. Whether or not you attend Meredith or have any connection to the school, these lovely ladies’ businesses are definitely worth it to check out. Not only are their talents shining at Meredith College and within the Meredith community, but they are also shining beyond Meredith College.

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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I Lived in London for a Month

Cheerio! As highly requested on my Instagram story survey a few weeks ago, many of y’all wanted to hear my experiences studying abroad. I have been lucky enough to study abroad in 3 different cities in 3 different countries: Sansepolcro, Italy (a small town in Tuscany), London, England, United Kingdom, and San Ignacio, Belize (a town in the rainforest region of Belize). Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing my experiences studying abroad in each country, along with some advice that is specific to each place. It is important to note that each of these study abroad programs were done through my school – Meredith College. Today, I will be sharing my study abroad experiences in London, England, United Kingdom.

When I was 12, I dreamed that I lived in an apartment right across the street from Big Ben. As cheesy as it sounds, even as a college student, I really wanted to live out my dream of living in London, even if it was temporary. Luckily for myself, that dream of mine came true in the summer of 2018 when I studied abroad for a month in London.

My Home: Heythrop College

While in London, my classmates, faculty, and I stayed at Heythrop College. Heythrop College is located in Kensington Square, right by the famous Kensington Palace where Prince William and Kate Middleton reside. When I was living there, there were several other programs with students from all across the world besides my Meredith classmates, faculty, and I. Although we did not really interact much with those outside of Meredith at Heythrop, it was still super cool to be in an environment with others from all across the globe. Since Heythrop hosts numerous programs, the rooms were essentially dorm style with a dining hall for breakfast and lunch where they served more traditional British cuisines. In England, dorm rooms consist of a private tiny single bedroom with a bathroom and shared shower. Living at Heythrop definitely allowed me to truly live out the British culture and way of life.

Heythrop College is located right by the High Street Kensington Tube station. The Tube is essentially the name for London’s underground subway system, which I took EVERYWHERE, in order to get around. Taking the Tube all across London truly showed me the city way of life, which I enjoyed. Besides enjoying the London way of life through taking the Tube, I gained a much greater sense of independence that I did not have before. I felt super free and able to go wherever I liked, through living at Heythrop College in a central location of London.

Courses I Took

One of the most important things about studying abroad is that you are there to STUDY. Meredith’s Office of International Programs staff member Liz ALWAYS emphasizes how study abroad is NOT a trip or vacation as you are there to study. Liz’s emphasis on study abroad as a time to study and learn and grow as an individual in a brand-new culture is extremely important to myself as well. Study abroad is a time for nothing other than self growth while having an educational experience in a brand-new country and culture. Personally, I find this very important to remember. While study abroad is exciting and may feel like a trip/vacation, it is anything BUT that.

The first of the two courses that I took while studying abroad in London was an Arts and Artifacts course that was specific to London as well as British life and culture. My professor Dr. Rodgers who has taught this course to Meredith students for years in London really prides on teaching about the diverse and lively life that the city has to offer. For example, as apart of this course we were all required to attend London’s Pride event over a weekend, which was an AMAZING and such a beautiful experience! Dr. Rodgers also had us visit several different sites in London, which made it such an incentive to truly explore the city as well as other parts of the United Kingdom. Besides exploring London, one of my favorite parts of this course was getting to learn from some Meredith alumni who actually moved to England after graduation. That experience of mine showed me the special connection that these alumni had to Meredith, Dr. Rodgers, and the study abroad program that I went on. Taking Arts & Artifacts London edition was most definitely an experience like no other, as it truly took me out of my shell!

Secondly, I took Shakespeare’s London with one of my favorite professors Dr. Walton. Dr. Walton has a passion for Shakespeare’s plays and performances, which is truly shown in all of his work and even simply having a conversation with him. While taking Shakespeare’s London, Dr. Walton had my classmates and I read and watch live productions of five different plays written by William Shakespeare: Hamlet, As You Like It, Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, and Othello. Getting to watch Shakespeare’s performances was such an awesome experience. My classmates and I actually saw two plays at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, which is a re-built version of the original Globe theatre. At the same time, Dr. Walton showed us how several variations of one play can take place. Since Shakespeare’s play scripts have remained the same over the years, people have created their own versions of his iconic plays with casting, props, and costumes to make it original and such a neat contrast to watch. Taking Shakespeare’s London definitely allowed me to learn more about Dr. Walton’s passion for Shakespeare, which truly ignited my own love for the English play writer.

Life In London

My typical day in London consisted of classes in the morning, lunch, and then off to explore the city. Usually, the evening was filled with dinner and a show of some sorts (more on what I did and saw in the next sessions!!!). Everyday was different than the next, which I truly LOVED!! Since there is so much to see in London, I barely got any sleep while there. However, I did get to truly see a ton of London, so it worked out for the better 🙂

Sights I Saw

Big Ben, Parliament, and the London Eye OH MY! As apart of my Arts & Artifacts course and just solely being in London amongst several sites to see, I got to tour A BUNCH of the monumental places in the city. My friend Kaylee and I made a list and checked it twice for what we wanted to see and do before we even left. One of the places that we both REALLY wanted to see was Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace only opens to the public for a few weeks out of the year when Queen Elizabeth travels to Scotland for her summer retreat. Both of us could not pass up the opportunity to go, so we went! Along with Buckingham Palace, I also got to see several more sites in London both with my study abroad group and with friends and myself. I have all of them that I can remember listed below!

  • Kensington Palace (including the Princess Diana fashion exhibit!)
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Parliament
  • Westminster Abbey
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • Shakespeare’s Globe
  • Harrod’s
  • Fortnum & Mason tea shop (the tea endorsed by Queen Elizabeth herself!)
  • The British Museum
  • The National Gallery of Art
  • Tower of London
  • Big Ben
  • The London Eye
  • Tower Bridge (what we refer to as London Bridge)
  • London Bridge
  • Chinatown
  • The Victoria & Albert Museum
  • ZSL London Zoo
  • Hyde Park
  • London Pride
  • Holland Park
  • Kensington Gardens

Shows I Saw

One of my favorite parts of studying abroad in London was getting to see shows all across the city. Unlike New York City’s Broadway, London’s performances are at a much more affordable rate for an entire family to enjoy and see together. One of my favorite memories was getting to see Mamma Mia! live and meet the cast afterwards. The same goes for practically every other show that I saw as well, which are listed below:

  • Dream Girls
  • Hamlet
  • The Merchant of Venice
  • Kinky Boots
  • The Lion King
  • Mousetrap
  • The Woman in Black
  • As You Like It (saw once at Shakespeare’s Globe and another at an outdoor theatre!)
  • Romeo & Juliet
  • A Monster Calls
  • Wicked
  • The Tempest
  • Othello
  • Mamma Mia!

Getting see each of these performances really ignited my passion for the performing arts even more than it was before. Moreover, knowing that I saw each of these shows in London truly makes me feel grateful knowing the current times with Covid-19 and how they have affected the theatre industry globally. My hope is to most definitely go back to London and see more performances someday 🙂

Excursions

Besides London, I was very lucky that I got to explore a few different places in England. These include: Brighton, Stratford Upon Avon, Bath, and Windsor. While most of them were done with my classmates and professors as a group, it was still super fun to get to explore and see new places in England. Each of these excursions taught me different things about British life and culture as well as allowed me to see England beyond the big city of London.

Brighton was the first of these excursions and the one that I did not take with all of my classmates and professors. I went with Dr. Walton, my friend Kaylee, and one of our other friends. Brighton is a notable coastal hub in England. While there, we toured the notable Royal Pavilion and got fish n’ chips at a seaside pub while also admiring the English coast along the British Channel and the gorgeous streets. Like Charleston, South Carolina, Brighton also has very colorful buildings that became an obsession of mine! At the same time, we joined Dr. Walton to see William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice at an outdoor play area. Going to Brighton was definitely a really great experience, as I got to bond with some of my friends while studying abroad as well as Dr. Walton.

Stratford Upon Avon is the home of William Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Coincidentally, we all toured Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home. The streets there are super adorable and filled with shops with so much merchandise *it was dangerous on my wallet let me tell you* . In addition to exploring the downtown, my group and I also saw Romeo & Juliet at the Shakespeare playhouse in town, as apart of our Shakespeare’s London course. I definitely hope to go back and explore this sweet, adorable town much more in the future!

As implied in its name, Bath is known for its site of ancient Roman baths. With it being the most notable site in town, my classmates and I each toured the ancient Roman baths as apart of our Arts & Artifacts course. While there, I learned about fashion during the Roman Empire as well as Roman Empire life and culture. Along with exploring the ancient Roman baths, I also went to the Jane Austen House and Museum, as she lived in Bath for some time, where I got to dress up as if I was living in the 18th century when Austen was living and writing her books. Lastly, my study abroad group and I went to have tea with a former Meredith professor and her husband at their house in Bath. All in all, my experience in Bath was most definitely one for the books!

My favorite of all of the excursions most definitely had to be Windsor, England. Windsor is known for Windsor Castle, which is one of Queen Elizabeth’s residences. It is also where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in May 2018. Growing up, I used to read my dad’s travel books, which included a book on Windsor Castle where he would go sometimes for business trips. Since then, I knew that I needed to visit Windsor, especially after Harry and Meghan got married there! After touring Windsor Castle and its several shops where I also did a lot of wallet damage, my friends and I went to the Prince Harry Pub and got some fish n’ chips. It was an amazing way to end an amazing day in Windsor!

Travel Breaks

Most Meredith College study abroad programs allow for independent travel breaks. On these independent travel breaks, students can travel to different cities and even countries (depending on the program) on their own. Personally, I saw independent travel breaks as a way for me to become more strong and independent as I navigate a brand-new place. While in London, I got to visit Edinburgh, Scotland and the Scottish Highlands on my first travel break and Paris, France and Giverny, France on my second travel break, which you can see my post on that experience of mine here! While I will not get into my travel breaks very much in this post (I feel that they are each better served in their own post as I have SO much to say about each), I will say that each of these experiences was extremely neat, fun, and rewarding!

Most Meredith College study abroad programs allow for independent travel breaks. On these independent travel breaks, students can travel to different cities and even countries (depending on the program) on their own. Personally, I saw independent travel breaks as a way for me to become more strong and independent as I navigate a brand-new place. While in London, I got to visit Edinburgh, Scotland and the Scottish Highlands on my first travel break and Paris, France and Giverny, France on my second travel break, which you can see my post on that experience of mine here! While I will not get into my travel breaks very much in this post (I feel that they are each better served in their own post as I have SO much to say about each), I will say that each of these experiences was extremely neat, fun, and rewarding!

Getting to study abroad in London was most definitely a dream come true! From my days of dreaming of living there as a little girl to getting to, I knew that I totally hit the jackpot! While I am extremely lucky that I was able to even go to England, I know that so many have not. That being said, I want to utilize my study abroad experiences in England and beyond to share with and empower others to go out and see the world while also learning about it. Wherever this world may take us, being able to learn about the various cultures and history that different places have to offer is extremely valuable. Not only does getting to travel somewhere brand-new help us to expand our minds, but it also helps us to grow into the strong and independent people that we are meant to be.

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