By: Malin Borjeson



When talking to my friends back home in Sweden, the most frequent question I get asked about going to college in the United States is, “Is it like American Pie?!”. While there are some similarities, college probably isn’t as crazy and party-focused as American Pie makes it out to be…. Or, at least, not for me! Living in the United States while frequently visiting Sweden annually has given me a set of perspectives where I am able to compare and contrast the two lifestyles. In this article, I am discussing PARTYING. 

We all know that bulldawgs love to party. I mean, come on, in 2014, University Primetime ranked us the #7 party school in America. However, ideas of “partying” here in America differ greatly from partying in Sweden and, really, Europe in general. Here at the University of Georgia I have noticed that a typical night starts off with a “pregame,” whether it is at an apartment, a house or even a fraternity party. This “pregaming” is then followed by going downtown and “bar hopping,” which means going to several different bars throughout the evening. I have thus concluded that a standard night of going out in Georgia involves crowded places with cheap alcohol and loud music, and many people love that scene. In Sweden, however, a night of going out usually starts out with a homemade dinner at someone’s house consisting of wine, beer and socializing. This dinner is then followed by going into the city and attending a night club. Typically, one does not “club hop,” but they remain at one club for the night. Comparing the two, I have realized that America has a much more upbeat party vibe but one can probably find both to be equally enjoyable depending on the mood. 

By: Gabrielle Grey



One of the greatest calls that life places upon us is to live fiercely and with a spirit of adventure. Our actions and the way we choose to carry out our lives are dependent on our perspective; how we look at ourselves and the world around us. The people we aspire to be, the goals we strive to accomplish and how we plan to live out our dreams all come down to us. So in this time of freedom and youth, it’s essential that we aim to widen our view; taking it all in and leaving not one moment un-cherished.  

As college students, we’ve been told numerous times that this time, a time of freedom and limitless exploration, is completely ours. If anyone’s ever taken a step back and really thought about where they are they’ve allowed themselves the simple pleasure that comes from the silence of taking it all in.  

Whether someone is a first-year who is biting off more than they can chew or a fourth-year who’s figuring out the art of bridging the gap between college and the “real-world,” it all comes down to perspective; how we assess where we are and what we intend to do with the life before us.  

Here we all are. Searching, loving, breathing, escaping, existing, trying and doing. These four years are an adventure. The speed at which time moves seems almost unfathomable when you take a step back and really think about what has already taken place and what still lies before us. The importance of realizing the task of life for one’s self is crucial to the fulfillment of that call. No matter what stage we’re in, the call remains the same to live fully and colorfully, maintaining our perspective along the way.  

By: Kalyn Wilson

Oh, finals week. It’s a wonder how the same cry is heard from the hearts of college students around the world. We dread this week when it arrives, even though we know it’s coming all along. Then we start on the harmful trek of all-nighters and caffeine diets just to make it through seven days of tough testing. But we make it. 

Fortunately, I’m overly interested in how to work smarter instead of harder, so there are a few things I have learned that can make finals week go a lot smoother. I’m also concerned about this because I witnessed one of my best friends work herself into the hospital after binge-studying for finals week, which was one of the scariest times of my life. The only person who can really look out for your health is you, and in spite of what society says, you don’t have to compromise good health for good grades.

First thing I would say is that planning is everything. A lot of people are caught off guard by finals because they didn’t really pay attention to the schedule until shortly before it begins. If you know that you have three tests on one day, then you might be more prone to studying earlier instead of waiting until a couple of nights before - or possibly getting some tests moved around. Do yourself a favor and know what you’re getting yourself into before finals week is upon us. 

Next thing is to relax. Every “hell” week I have ever been successful at were weeks when I was relaxed. I’m not saying be lazy or disengaged; I am saying don’t be frantic and work this week up to be more than what it is. I understand if this is a week of make-or-break moments, but approaching it with anxiety will magnify it. Instead, keep things in perspective and know that it’s nothing you can’t handle. Then, you’ll be level-headed and ready to attack.

For the actual studying part, I say figure out what really works best for you. This is different for everybody and sometimes takes time to figure out. For me, I love to study in the gym (because exercising releases hormones that increase memory recall and I’m burning calories - it’s a win-win). I also prefer to use flashcards on Quizlet and do group studying because I learn best when I have to “teach” it. There are several other methods, like concept maps, studying at certain times and in certain places and even altering your diet and sleep pattern. Do some research and devise a plan for yourself. This will help you feel more confident about the time you are spending on your studying, and, obviously, increase the effectiveness of your studies.

My last important point is to get rest. Seriously. Sleep is one of the most important aspects of memory retention. That’s when your mind actually processes and “saves” all the hard work you have done. I know it’s tempting to cram for as many hours as you can, but it works best when you work really efficiently and then get as many hours of sleep as you can. Besides, if you get enough rest to get you to the next day, you won’t have to depend on harmful substances to keep you going, which can lead to very costly consequences. 

The moral of the story is a successful finals week takes balance. It speaks to the idea that if you run yourself ragged, you won’t have your best self to give to the world. Fulfill and rejuvenate yourself so you’ll be more than full in order to pour into the world...and your tests. You are in college for a reason, so don’t doubt for a second that you can be successful. That way, you won’t be as tempted to exchange your health and well-being for it either. 

By: Kalyn Wilson

“Sometimes the wrong choices bring us to the right places.” -Anonymous

Ever felt like you just made all the wrong decisions? In your moments of self-reflection, have you been so startled at your discontentment that you convinced yourself that something went terribly wrong? I have.

Before I move on, I don’t want you to think I hate my life or anything like that. I really love my life and wouldn’t trade it for another’s, even if I was paid a million dollars for it. But I fall in the category of perfectionist planners who believe in setting life goals and sticking to the plan, so since everything has not lined up as I originally imagined, it’s been a tough pill to swallow. 

There are times when I sit back and wonder if I could catch my missteps and possibly get things back on track. All this worry stems from looking at my life like a problem to be solved instead of a journey to enjoy.

With that being said, the answer to this question - what did I do wrong? - is: nothing. This does not mean that I haven’t made any mistakes. Instead, it suggests that there is purpose in every mistake I have made, and that the mistakes I made are guiding me to where I am supposed to be rather than preventing me from it. 

That’s a tough mentality to have. Although many cultures and religions teach this idea of faith or destiny or fate, we are also taught that we are in control of our lives and we are to blame for most of what happens to us. However, to believe that all your mistakes have meaning merges the two contrasting ideas: yes, you make mistakes and matters are in your own hands, but there are reasons to all that happens and a larger plan unfolding beyond what you experience.

I like to think of it in terms of a GPS. Think about the times when you miss a turn on your trip. What does the GPS do? It reroutes you. It’s not over because there is no one set way to get to where you are headed. (Even if you have to make a U-turn, it’s possible). And you still reach your destination. I believe the same holds true in real life. You make mistakes, you learn from them and you “reroute” yourself. But you still get to where you are headed.

Whatever you do “wrong” - which is a completely relative - is really just a way to teach you and prepare you for the things up ahead, the things really meant for you. What you find sometimes, too, is that the things you really want often align with the things really meant to you, even when it takes a couple of detours to get there.