And That's All She Wrote

Well, it's time for my blogging career to come to a close...at least for now. I've been reflecting a bit on what I learned through this exercise; here are three of my key takeaways:

1. I learned (and hopefully you did too) that there are an infinite number of positive role models for young teen women. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely a lot of not-so-great people to look up to, but in the grand scheme of things, there are so many incredible, inspiring women across the globe and the role model effect can really empower young women.

2. It isn't easy to get young girls interested in and reading about politics. This type of change requires continued focus to create a cultural shift. We really need to figure out how to make it cool to be interested in politics. 

3. Blogging is tough!! It's hard to make posts conversational and personal, while still being concise. I would like to think I improved at this over the course of the project as I learned what worked and what didn't quite work.

I guess that's all for now. It's been wonderful to have this as a sounding board. Thanks for listening. I'll leave you with the following food for thought:

via: http://ct.politicomments.com/ol/pc/sw/i59/2/2/6/pc_b658cf2c63b814f5453468f3fb3f3605.jpg

You can be whoever or whatever you want to be--don't ever let anybody tell you different. Until next time....

xx, Julia 

JSA: Be The People

I joined The Junior Statesman of America (JSA) my freshman year of high school for ALL the wrong reasons, but I luckily fell into a great decision. In all honesty, I joined because I had a gigantic crush on one of the junior boys in JSA....BUT actually ended up learning so much from it.

If you haven't heard of it, JSA aims to teach high school students about democracy and our government in order to encourage involvement and leadership for life! Students involved in JSA learn with and from each other through debates and simulations on critical political and social issues. 

via: http://shsjsa.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/0/9/6109080/9424601.png

via: http://jsa.org/wp-content/uploads/JSA_Congress_header1-1024x474.jpg

JSA Fast Facts:

1. About 10,000 members across the country

2. Over the course of the year there are overnight conventions where you get to meet and work with students from other chapters--one of them each year is a massive Congress simulation. There are also awesome summer programs at Georgetown, Princeton, UVA, Stanford and one in Beijing!

3. Female students were more likely to say JSA programs drastically improved their overall knowledge and skills. Over 65% of female students said that JSA seriously improved their confidence to speak up in class.

JSA had a big impact on my life and maybe it could have one on yours too (and help you get into college)! If there isn't a chapter at your school yet, you should found your own!! Click here to learn more.

Gold Medal Girl

Just a few hours ago, 18 year old American Mikaela Shiffrin won AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL in the women's slalom.

via: http://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/02/22/sports/22ski-SUB4/22ski-SUB4-superJumbo.jpg

After winning, Mikaela said : "I’ve just got to keep going. To win an Olympic gold, it’s something I’m going to chalk up as one of my most amazing experiences of my life. But my life’s not over yet"

This girl has got some awesome ambition!! Huge congratulations to her...you go, girl!

You can read more about her win here.

Women Who Make America

I was browsing the internet (read: procrastinating) and came across this awesome website called Makers: Women Who Make America. The project aims to compile the stories of trailblazing women from across the country through tons of video interviews. Makers looks to document the paths of women in all kinds of different fields, especially in those usually dominated by men like business, technology, sports and politics. It is a great, empowering way to put off writing my essay. 

Anyways, one of my favorite interviews is with Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House. As the first female Speaker, she had no choice but to learn how to make her voice heard in a room filled with men. This is one of my favorite videos of her...

                   

This quote especially resonated with me: "It's in everybody's interest, Democrats and Republicans, to have many more women in all parties represented in Congress, and in government, and in business, and across the board.  I know that nothing has been more wholesome for our political system, for our government than the increased participation of women"

It's so powerful to hear from someone on the inside of politics just how far we as women have come  and how much more we can do. It really makes me want to go out and get involved. Like right now...

Watch some of the other interviews on Makers and let me know which are your favorites!

Recruiting 101

During my junior year of high school, I started coxing. Probably 80% of you have zero clue what being a coxswain means, so for a brief explanation: I sit in the back of a boat with eight guys rowing and yell at them. I also steer, motivate, correct technique, etc. but the best part is definitely the yelling.  

Little did I know, less than two years later, I was a recruited Division I athlete competing at a national level. Being recruited completely changed my college admissions process, so I wanted to give you all some tips on how to get recruited:

That's me in the near boat!!

1. Contact college coaches early and often to let them know you are interested in them and to stay at the front of their mind (while always following NCAA rules).

2. Make sure your high school coach is willing to talk to college coaches about you.

3. Have someone record you while competing, so you have something tangible to show college coaches.

4. Study hard for your classes and standardized tests: This will make you a more attractive candidate to coaches, especially at universities with high academic standards.

5. Don't forget your #1 goal is finding the school that's the best fit for you. Remember, you're going to college to be a STUDENT-athlete.

Celebs Like Us

It's incredible to me how stars are able to balance being celebrities with going to college. I totally admire their dedication to getting a solid education!

via:http://cdn.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/164460630.jpg

iCarly's Miranda Cosgrove is a Sophomore at USC

via: http://putu.us/hollywood-beauties/dakota-fanning-hollywood-beauties/dakota-fanning-arrives-2013-americans-arts-gala-ny/

Twilight's Dakota Fanning is a Junior at NYU

via: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/1Bxn1DMyuRx/Moet+Chandon+Suite+2013+Open+Day+6/1Dnr8WmaCVI/Graham+Phillips

The Good Wife's Graham Phillips is a Sophomore at Princeton

via: http://www.filmoria.co.uk/2013/10/emma-watson-team-director-stephen-chbosky/
Harry Potter's Emma Watson is a Junior at Brown

Read more about these celebrities in college and more here!

Big (Wo)man on Campus

via: http://www.makers.com/ruth-simmons

Who? Ruth Simmons

What?  Formerly Brown University's 18th President, first black President of an Ivy League, second female president of an Ivy League, mother of two

Why? Ruth has been an incredible force in breaking the glass ceiling for both women and African Americans in academia. Born to a sharecropper in Texas, Ruth was the youngest of 12 children. She went to college on a full scholarship, which launched her into the world of academics. Prior to her presidency at Brown, Ruth was the president of Smith College, the largest women's college in America, where she helped to start the first engineering program at an all-female college in the United States.

On growing up: "From second grade onward, I was reading all the time. My sisters and brothers used to complain there was something wrong with me...As time went on and I progressed through school that was pretty much the pattern. I was an odd duck...I think I found teachers who supported my oddity and I kept working hard and I managed to rise to the top of my class in high school."

Best advice she received from her mother: "Never consider yourself better than any other human being… Always act as if you have respect for another person even when you disagree with them."

On being a working woman: "I went to my supervisor and I said 'I discovered the salary of my colleague. He is being paid considerably more than I, while I am the senior person of the two. And I only want you to know one thing: I know that this is unfair and I will never feel the same way about working for you again' And that's all I said. So I was always unable to sit and take it, you know? I always spoke up for myself and it worked for me."

You can watch more of her interviews here and here!!

#ShineStrong

I know it's an advertisement, but I just think this video has such a powerful message for women and had to share it with you all....Enjoy!!

FOMO: Fear of Missing Out

At college, there is ALWAYS something fun you could be doing (or missing out on). My freshman year, I really struggled to figure out how to balance my time. I felt like I was being pulled in so many different directions. Whenever my friends were doing something fun, I would be so afraid of missing out that I would completely abandon my work for the next day, so my grades slipped. I haven't been able to overcome my FOMO, but I've learned some really good tricks for time management...

via: http://thepassionproject.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/fomo.png

1. Make lists on lists: Whenever I start getting anxious about the all things I have to accomplish, I make a list of what I have to get done in order to be caught up with my work and my life.

2. Planners are your best friend: On my iCal, I keep an up to date schedule with classes, practices, meetings, and any social events, so I can instantly know when I have free time. Additionally, I have a Life Planner from Erin Condren that I use to keep track of all of my assignments. By keeping two planners, neither gets too cluttered!

3. Eat & study with friends: By working in the library with my friends or taking study breaks to get meals with them, I can hit two birds with one stone--I'm getting my work done and getting to spend (fun) quality time with my friends. Make sure they have work to do too though or else it will just be a distraction! 

4. Don't spread yourself too thin: One of the easiest ways to let the time slip away from you is by getting involved in too many activities. Freshman fall it seems like this is your one chance to join every single club. DO NOT DO IT. I promise almost all of the opportunities will still be there later. Get involved in 1 or 2 things and you can always ramp up from there if you want to.

Do you have any other great time management tips?

xx

Beating the Winter Chill

As a California girl, I was not at all prepared for New England winters. I had no choice but to learn to walk very quickly and layer up. I've found that hats and scarves make a huge difference. Also, when it gets really frigid (like today), I will even wear tights or thigh high socks underneath my jeans--big game-changer. It's always tough to strike a balance between staying warm while you are outside and not getting too hot when you're in the very heated classrooms. Anyways, here's what I'm loving right now...

New England Winter Essentials

Introduction: Julia

Hi, all! My name is Julia. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm now a senior government major at a college in New England. My main activity at school is being a coxswain for the Men's Heavyweight Rowing team, so I'm the person who gets to yell at all of the big, tall boys. I am also a member of a national sorority and a member of the Executive Board of the Panhellenic Council, which oversees all eight sororities (and the +1,000 affiliated women) on campus. I am a HUGE foodie, and I also love fashion and art, so I am incredibly excited to be moving to New York after graduation!!