Tea Time and Deadlines
After one week of class I can confirm that this semester is going to be a busy one. Between my internships, classes, extracurriculars and every else that comes with college, you could say my schedule is packed--but it's packed just the right amount. When you first get to college you think that you're invincible, and can take on anything thrown at you. What I've learned is that you really have to take a step back and check your priorities. So word of advice to all you seniors in high school/freshman in college: don't overburden yourself when you get to college. Pick a few activities you enjoy and balance your academics with a healthy dose of socializing (a healthy dose, don't blow off your studies). :)
Washington University in St. Louis recently opened up their Whisper's Cafe in the library, a place where you can go and have coffee and tea with your friends between classes or studying. I got to help cut the ribbon for it, and that felt like a pretty monumental experience considering I had never gotten to experience the cafe before it's closing in 2016 (and everyone had been talking about it since its closing). I'm on the Dining Committee at the university which strives to ensure that allergies and dietary restrictions are being catered to while getting student feedback on new initiatives and services. I've been able to advocate for the gluten-free options, and have seen such a positive response from WashU. They really do care about accommodating students with dietary restrictions, making it easier to eat on campus. The best part about Whisper's Cafe is their firepot tea, which comes in a real tea pot and mug (not just a paper cup), because tea definitely tastes better in a mug. One thing you just always make time for is tea time--as it is the perfect way to get together with your friends and catch up, especially in these cold winter months.
-Sema