As I have traversed the ups and downs of self-esteem and reflected on the "Freshman 15” phenomenon, I’ve discovered how freeing it is to live beyond the confinements of body image.
No matter what changes in my life — with school, my friends or my love life — my daily stop at Bodo’s is one constant, always providing me comfort, joy and, of course, bagels.
After we truly ended things, I did not jump right back into the dating game and find true love, nor did I become a self care queen who takes herself out on fancy dates.
I lived under an imagined spotlight for years, constantly worried about my perceived intellect and physical appearance.
Changing my hairstyle allowed me to reconnect with a version of myself who was carefree and always looking for the next adventure.
Biking made me realize how even silly commutes to class are filled with things that make everyday life more interesting.
I would not be the same person I am today had I never left China and experienced life outside of the country.
Sometimes, I think life would be a lot brighter if I allowed myself to tackle my days the way I would as a child.
Here are some simple yet effective ways to let your mind, body and social life prosper this spring.
Experiencing the full force of all four seasons for 21 years has made me reckon with the fact that winter is unavoidable.
Now approaching my fifth finals season as a third year at the University, the trick for me to survive this time has been to force myself to go out and have fun.
I think I’ll be a 22 year-old teenager forever.
While it may not be reasonable in every situation, I believe, if it is possible, walking is such an underrated option to get around Grounds.
How do I come to terms with the fact that the year is going by so quickly? To be honest, I’m not sure if I can ever really accept the reality of a fleeting fourth year.
It’s not easy to break routine, but there are too many exciting opportunities all around us to let our typical schedules trump everything and dictate what we do every single day.
Just as I spent too much time focusing on the mess the construction created in my busy and sad days, I also focused on my past and neglected the fact that my college life had already guided me forward.
Contrary to what my initial imposter syndrome would have me believe, my experiences before coming to the University and the work I put into transferring were the things that helped me succeed.
Something about the sudden shift away from the usual hustle and bustle pushed me to pay more attention to Grounds and contemplate my appreciation for the University community and my place in it.
Though I may always have an affinity for my Pennsylvania home — it is where I grew up and where my family is — I know that I do have my own University family and home to return to in Virginia.
When people ask me what it was like living in Japan, I always respond with gratitude. Not just because of the beautiful culture I was able to experience on the island of Okinawa, but the true connections I made there — especially with myself.
