Releasing the Pressure

Posted on February 8, 2021 by madl2021
Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

We are three weeks into the semester and I’ve begun to feel the pressure of it. I’m often finding myself panicking over the amount of assignments I have to do this semester and honestly it gets to me. I have days where I’m just overwhelmed and it often gets me spiraling into a state of confusion and worry. I’ll admit, this semester is the most important to me since as I’ve said before, I’m a senior and will be graduating this semester so I’m striving to end my undergraduate studies on a strong note. However, I do have certain methods to relax myself so I don’t keep spiraling into a hole deeper than I should be.

Starting on assignments: This is one thing that I often do just so my mind is occupied with an assignment instead of freaking out over results that haven’t happened yet. I recently started an assignment that isn’t due until next month because I wanted to get the information out in the air while it was fresh in my mind; I somewhat have a schedule for the assignment so that I could finish it in time without stressing over other assignments. So this method helps me focus my energy on something academic related so that I can finish the semester strong.

Watching videos: Most of us already do this method even when we’re not in school just so we feel entertained or at ease. I do it for both; I may watch different videos based on how I’m feeling on a certain day. I may watch videos about video games, videos about random posts on social media, or videos about TV shows I watch to name a few. This just helps me maintain my mental state so I can keep going through this semester with a clear and sound mind.

Talking with loved ones: This method truly should be used by everyone. I do have a significant other who I do speak about my stresses and he’s attentive towards my feelings and ensures me to just take things one at a time so i don’t overwhelm myself during the semester. This gives me some comfort since I know I have a support system to help me but I am aware that there are others who might not; so I want to suggest USG’s Center for Counseling and Consultation. The CCC has virtual meetings with their clients and ensures they have someone to speak to for help; here’s the link for anyone whose interested in having a meeting with a counselor.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, let me know in the comments and I’ll get right back to you on that! Thank you for reading the blog and I’ll see you in the next one!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Posted on February 1, 2021 by lynnmayo21

Imposter Syndrome is when you feel you are not qualified or deserve to be where you are despite all of your skills, talents, and accomplishments. The first time I experienced imposter syndrome was a few weeks before I transferred to UMBC, but I did not know then it was imposter syndrome. I was worried that I would not do well in my program or everyone else in the program would be more experienced than me. I also kept thinking I did not deserve to be where I was. I was in shock that I had made it to the next level of my education, attending university!

When I began my first social work internship last fall, I began to feel the imposter syndrome work its way back. I felt that other students would be able to do a better job than me. I loved my internship and felt privileged to be there but kept feeling that I did not deserve to be there. I learned to accept the challenge and make the best of my experience. Let’s look at some things we can do or remember imposter syndrome attempts to make its way into our heads.

Putting the Thoughts into Perspective: Recognize what you are feeling and dispute the feelings. You would not be where you are if you did not deserve to be. Remind yourself of your accomplishments, qualifications, and positively reassure yourself. You are worthy of this. It may feel like you just got lucky, or it is too good to be true but even if that was true would you want negative thoughts to keep you from experiencing incredible opportunities?

Photo by Amer Mughawish on Unsplash

Talk About It: Try not to let imposter syndrome take over. Speak with a mentor about how you are feeling, they most likely experienced it as well! Be open with your friends as well, especially those in the same field as you. I felt such a relief learning my social work peers were experiencing the same feelings as me. Seeing a professional can also be beneficial. Remember, USG’s Center for Counseling and Consultation is open for virtual appointments!

Take Protective Measures: In my last post, I suggested writing a “for when you’re doubting yourself” letter as a Valentine’s Day gift. I want to suggest this concept again but in a different way. I want you all to get a mason jar and fill it up with positive affirmations about yourself. Begin with your thoughts such as “I am organized” and “I am bright”. You could even include obstacles you have overcome. Then I want you to ask those close to you to provide you with a few and write who said it. Keep this in your workspace for positive reassurance. 

 It’s so easy to look down on ourselves but we have to remember that we are worthy of the good things we obtain. If it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you. So learn to take constructive criticism, take this is as an opportunity to grow. Remember it is okay to not always be the best.

If you are looking for an internship or employment opportunities in your field check out the Career and Internship Center! They have wonderful career coaches and were so helpful with my resume and cover letter last year.

Posted in students, Work Experience | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Staying Positively Positive

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Laura DeMarco

The first week of the semester is almost over! Lots of people find this time of year exciting, and rightly so! New classes, new chances to learn, new challenges–it’s undoubtedly going to be interesting if nothing else. That said, some people also feel a lot of anxiety at the start of the semester. (“This syllabus has a lot of stuff on it. Can I really do ALL of that?”)

I get it. Full disclosure: I’m one of those people. But being pre-stressed out isn’t exactly fun, so I’ve made a list of good things to think about instead. Here goes:

  • Professors who respond to emails quickly
  • Classes that don’t have final exams
  • Extra credit
  • Libraries. They’re quiet, they’re useful, and everyone can find help regardless of social class. What’s not to love? The one here at USG is pretty darn great, if I do say so myself.
An ornate library in Chantilly, France, filled with several hundred books and lit by candles.
Image: an ornate library in Chantilly, France. Photo credit: Gabriel Ghnassia via Unsplash
  • Koalas
  • That feeling when you have a song stuck in your head, and after several days of not remembering the name, you finally figure it out.
  • Finding out that the class you just started taking is much cooler than you thought it would be
  • Dogs (especially rescues)
  • Cats (especially rescues)
  • Good hair days
  • Tutoring (Check out the Macklin Center for Academic Success for more info!)
  • Sparkly things that don’t shed glitter everywhere
  • Working hard on a project and then getting an A
  • If your professor likes your work on a project so much that they ask you if they can use it as a model for future students (That happened to me once in eighth grade. My teacher wrote the request on a sticky note that I still have pinned to my bulletin board.)
  • Reading a story problem in a textbook and noticing that one of the characters has your name.
  • Having a test shortly before your birthday, so you don’t have to spend your special day studying for it.
  • Geodes
A geode with a boring, rough outside and a sparkling, bright blue inside.
Image: a geode with a sparkling, bright blue center. The outside of a geode looks like an ordinary rock, but the inside looks like a galaxy. Photo Credit: Robert Ramsay via Pixabay.
  • For those of us with a difficult to spell/pronounce name, the feeling when someone either gets it right or takes the time to ask you.
  • Referencing something you like in public and people picking up on it, especially when it’s something niche
  • Going to a professor’s office hours for help on something and learning that you were actually on the right track the whole time
  • When you’ve been stuck on the same level in a video game for ages and finally make it to the next one
  • Finding a lucky coin on the ground
  • Working out with the Campus Recreation Center and, better yet, beating your personal best
  • When your friend sends you memes
  • And finally, when you mention something you used to like as a kid and someone goes, “Oh yeah! That was the best!”

What’s on your “List of Good Things?” Let me know in the comments down below! And, if this list can’t make a dent in your new-semester anxiety, contact the Center for Counseling and Consultation. They can probably find something that will.

Posted in Academics, Campus Activities, Fitness & Wellness, Life at USG, students | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gaming the Winter Away

Posted on January 25, 2021 by madl2021
Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay

As the winter break comes to an end, I’d been trying to keep myself occupied since I don’t have five assignments due in one day (maybe a bit of an over exaggeration…more like three) Although I am a female, I enjoy playing video games whenever I get some spare time. Video games have been a huge part in my life; whether it was watching my older brother play his games or if it was me who played on my own, I always appreciated how video games can often help people destress and get us occupied with something during difficult times. So here are some video games I’ve recently played for the past month.

GTA V: For those who don’t know this acronym, it is Grand Theft Auto Five(V). I had this game for over a year and I had spent part of my winter break completing the main storyline for the game. It was difficult for me as I’m not used to these kinds of games but in the end, I made it and accomplished my goal of finishing the storyline before school started. I’ll give myself a pat on the back since all those hours of frustration paid off.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars: This game is available for the Nintendo Switch and it consists of three Mario games, Super Mario 64(1996), Super Mario Sunshine(2002), and Super Mario Galaxy(2007). Since these video games made up most of my childhood, I had to snag this one before it was too late. I decided to play Super Mario Sunshine first to feel the childhood nostalgia of watching my older brother play the game; now I wanted to try it on my own and see if I too can collect all 120 Shine Sprites (I have seven so far :D) The controls are a bit off but still somewhat manageable.

Animal Crossing New Horizons: I know I’m late to the party with this one but hey I didn’t get the Switch till about October of last year. This game is one I’d play if I just want to chill out and hang out with friends on their islands or on mine. I already have a store, museum, and new plaza built; I even have five residents living on my island already. Now I just maintain my island, search for fossils or more, do daily tasks, and look for things to sell to make my pockets full of Bells(game currency)

USG offers a B.S in Simulation and Game Design under the University of Baltimore for those interested in game development. Here’s a link for those interested. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, let me know and I’ll get back to you on that! Thank you all for reading my blog and I’ll see you in the next one!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Routine is medicine

Posted on January 21, 2021 by lmayo95

A routine is, “a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program”(Definition from Oxford Languages)

Next week is the start of a new semester. Winter break was great! Getting to relax and do things that normally I wouldn’t have the time to do because of classes. Rather than abandoning all the activities that have brought me joy over break, I am going to try to incorporate them into my routine. Making it a priority to workout, paint, cook, bake, go for a hike… I already am constantly making “to-do lists” or scribbling things down on sticky notes. A routine creates a bit more of a structured outline to the mundane tasks, hobbies, and big projects day-to-day. Before the full workload of classes begins try to establish a routine, a plan of action to be successful while also maintaining your relationships and your emotional and physical well-being. Let’s start the semester off strong!

Image taken by Cathryn Lavery on unsplash.com

A routine is kind of like a rough draft – sometimes the final draft steers off in another direction and that’s okay! It’s not about perfectionism. The rough draft provides a skeleton of how you envision your day or what you’d like to prioritize in that day or week.

Steps to create your routine to have productive days:

Step #1: Find a notepad, journal or calendar

Start off with getting a a notepad, journal and/or calendar to jot down your routines each week.

Step #2: Brain dump

Create a list of all the things you’d like to accomplish in that day/week. It doesn’t have to be organized. Just list whatever would make you feel fulfilled and productive in that day/week.

What to include? Small tedious tasks to big projects. You could include brushing your teeth, watching a show, reading, attending a class, coffee date, cooking a meal, going for a bike ride, calling your mom… whatever will lead you to accomplishing your personal and professional goals, maintaining your well-being, and nourishing relationships. What creates balance in your day?

Step #3: Structure out your day

Beginning, middle & end. What does that look like? For my routine, I’ve included the amount of time that I would like to work on said task and I try to stay within that framework. It can be as detailed or broad as you would like. It may look like something similar to this…

Morning

7:30am – wake-up, brush teeth, skincare, shower, coffee

8 am – breakfast, walk dog

9am – class til 10:15am, work on 12pm classwork

Afternoon

12pm – class til 1:15pm, lunch

2pm – run, listen to podcast

etc…

But remember no matter how planned out and detailed your routine may be – leave room for flexibility because life happens! (Tip when planning out your week – highlight or star things that are important and need to get done THAT week. For example if you have a big test coming up the following week – prioritize getting in that studying… or you need to get an oil change on your car ASAP highlight that. These are things that take priority and are time sensitize).

Image taken by Emma Matthews on unsplash.com

Step #4: Test it out

After a week or two check in with yourself. How do you feel? Would you like to add anything or take something away from your daily routine? Is something consuming too much of your time? Is there a balance or do you feel burned out? Maybe keep track of your thoughts and feelings at the end of each week in order to reflect back on. Make necessary tweaks and apply them.

Personally when classes start up I typically spend all my time working on classes and leave little time for other activities or hobbies. Typically this results in a burnout about mid way through the semester. I am going to try to stick to routines this Spring semester and I encourage you to give it a try as well. Start off the semester strong and set-up your days and weeks for success in all aspects of your life!

Routine: The Unexpected Power of Habits, Practices, and Rituals – Jan Stanley
Posted in Academics, Fitness & Wellness, Life at USG, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Valentines Day Gift Guide

Posted on January 18, 2021 by lynnmayo21

I have always loved Valentine’s Day ever since I was kid. Valentines Day does not have to be just for those with significant others! This is just a day to express love and appreciation. So let’s talk about different ways to gift your loved ones based on their love language!

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Physical Touch: If their love language is touch they feel immense comfort from physical things. Some things this person might enjoy as a gift may be a massage. You could think get a couples massage together or you could give them a gift certificate to get one on their own! Another nice gift for them may be a weighted blanket. These blankets feel as if someone is hugging you. Another way to personalize this gift is by getting it custom made with a picture on it! 

Words of Affirmation: If their love language is words of affirmation they enjoy others expressing their affection for them. Some great gifts for this group would be handwritten letters. You could make a few with themes such as one titled “when you’re having a bad day” or “when you’re doubting yourself”. Another gift idea for this group could be a jar filled with reasons why you love them. One more special idea for this group would be making them a playlist of songs that makes you think of them.

Quality Time: If their love language is quality time they enjoy not only being in your presence but doing activities where you’re actually together. Some fun valentines day gifts for this group would be a get away day/night. Take them on a get away to a cabin or a new environment just the two of you. This group may also enjoy doing something challenging together such as going to an escape room!

Acts of Service: If their love language is acts of service they enjoy feeling taken care of. Some gift ideas for this group are items that will help make their lives easier. This group of people would enjoy a gift card to places they visit often. If they have been mentioning something they have been needing or wanting such as a coffee maker this would be a great gift for them. This group will enjoy the little things such as cleaning the house for them as well. 

Receiving Gifts: If their love language is gift giving this does not necessarily mean they like materialistic things. This group of people enjoy the thought and visual representation of your love. Some nice gifts for this group of people may be jewlery. This allows them to wear it regularly and think of how you got it for them. You can personalize the jewelry by engraving something special such as the date you met. They may also enjoy something as simple as flowers. You can take this gift the extra mile by getting them one of those chocolate covered strawberry boxes that are trending on social media.

My best friend gave me this for my birthday and I felt so special

It’s honestly just about the thought and genuine love that’s put into the gift. I hope you all have a happy Valentines Day taken or single. Comment your love language and a gift you would like to receive!

Posted in students, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Spring (Semester) Cleaning Time

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Laura DeMarco

Welcome, one and all, to Spring semester 2021! For some, it’s time for a new chapter at a new school. For others, it’s time to look ahead to their next steps. However, for all of us, it’s time for a fresh start. And what better way to begin 2021 than by cleaning out your closet? It sounds like a chore (because it is), but cleaning is beneficial for your mental health. Organizing your closet is a healthy practice for avoiding “should” thinking. (Such as, “I should keep this because I don’t like shopping.”) Plus, it feels much more relaxing to be in an organized space than a cluttered one, even if you’re only in there long enough to grab your favorite pair of jeans. So, here are my tips for spring cleaning in January.

My closet, with clothes organized by type and much more space in here than there used to be.
My closet, now with clothes and accessories organized by type. Two weeks ago, I couldn’t even step foot in here without having to move something!

Plan your time wisely.

If you’re like me, it could take one or two days to get through everything, so make sure to carve out enough time and stay focused. I promise you it’s worth it.

Utilize all of your space, including furniture.

Make the bed, then pull all of your stuff out and organize it into categories. Maybe you stack your t-shirts near your pillow, then dresses (if you wear those) near the foot of the bed, etcetera. This way, you can see what’s ahead of you and tackle the “Keep or Not Keep” debate in chunks.

If you aren’t sure whether to keep something, don’t.

I don’t mean this in the “I can’t remember the last time I went out in this” way because that’s partly #quarantinevibes. I mean, if you aren’t sure whether you feel good wearing something, then you probably aren’t going to wear it in the future. Save that space for something you need (like a go-to job interview outfit) or something you love and will use.

Organize the clothes you keep into outfits.

No muss, no fuss, no last-minute realizations that you had the perfect tie to wear to work, but it clashes with your shoes, and you’re running late. While you’ve got organization on the brain, save Future You the hassle and coordinate outfits now. I had the idea to label my hangers with little cards that say things like, “Work outfit. Summer. Pair with a white skirt.” Alternatively, just hang the elements of your outfits next to each other.

Donate or sell your clothes afterward.

If you’re looking to donate what you give up, check out Charity Navigator and find an organization you feel you can trust. If you’re short on money, try selling your things on sites like eBay or thredUP. You can also find secondhand stores that give cash for clothes, but these places only buy what they can sell, so check their websites to see what they want.

A large pile of stuff to donate. On top of the bags sits a play conveniently titled You Can't Take it With You.
All the stuff I decided to donate, including 2 boxes of assorted objects and 3 garbage bags worth of clothes. On top of the bags sits a play conveniently titled You Can’t Take it With You.

That’s all I have! Best of luck, and may the year 2021 be a bit kinder to you all.

Posted in Fitness & Wellness | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Starting Up Again

Posted on January 11, 2021 by madl2021

Hello everyone and welcome back to the “Around the Grove Blogs” We all missed you very much and are happy to be resuming the biweekly blogs! We finally made it to 2021 and many of us will be starting the spring semester by the end of this month. We’ve all probably decided that we will do our best to make this year better than the last so here are some things you can focus on to try and make your year better.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Academic Goals: Students like myself will always try to set goals for their academic semesters. If you intend on improving something like using the correct citation format for papers or how to use certain applications for classes, the Priddy Library often has workshops on how to cite in certain formats like APA and can tell you where you need to go if you have other questions.

Personal Goals: Many of us have probably made a goal or two that is meant to help improve our well-being; I, for one, have been doing so since mid 2020. Always set a reasonable timeline of how you want to improve your well-being. For example, “I want to lose five pounds by February 20th of this year” this will motivate you to try and keep going and once you get to that ideal weight before then, you’d be more proud of yourself. I made the goal to lose ten pounds before 2021 began and I was able to achieve that goal and more since I made it clear to myself when I wanted to get to that goal.

Workplace Goals: Work is something that many of us will have to take on in order to sustain ourselves and the ones we live with, love, and care for in our lives. Maybe you have a bunch of projects to complete and you’re unsure where to begin or maybe you might be trying to work with co-workers on a task and you might not know too much about them. Rank the importance of your tasks so you know which tasks need more attention; also be sure that you connect with your co-workers so that you could have a team to guide and help you with anything that is if they too are willing to help.

The USG community can be a community that can help you with any goals that you have now or in your future and that truly is something to use during 2021. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please let me know and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible! Thank you for reading and I’ll see you all in the next blog!!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

What to watch over winter break?

Posted on December 11, 2020 by lmayo95

At this point we are amidst the chaotic time in the fall semester with finals, research papers and group projects – these past couple weeks have felt nonstop just go, go, go. As we wrap up the semester, we are already planning for the spring semester; signing up for courses, internships, etc. The spring semester means jumping into new classes, routines, schedules or even graduating for some!

BUT before then we have a bit of a break. I am definitely looking forward for winter break to reset and take a breather before taking on the spring semester. I’ve compiled a few of shows, movies and documentaries to get into over break – to relax, unwind and take a mental break from classes. Most aren’t holiday themed just shows, movies and documentaries I’ve enjoyed throughout the year!

Schitt’s Creek – This is definitely a good laugh! The storyline is based in a small town called Schitts Creek, where the once wealthy Rose family ends up. They are forced to leave their high maintenance lives in NYC and rebuild their lives in a small town. If you haven’t already watched it… its a quick watch, lighthearted and humorous!

Schitts Creek cast

The Queens Gambit – This is a must watch whether you are into chess or not. Its a story about a young orphan girl who discovers her intense love of the game of chess. Beth Harmon, a young chess prodigy, plays the lead role of the series. Through the course of the show we follow Beth’s journey of becoming the world’s greatest chess player while struggling with past trauma, emotional problems and unhealthy dependencies.

Behind the Scenes of creating The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix

The Social Dilemma – This is a 2020 American documentary. It examines the serious issues of social media and the effects on mental health. Its definitely worth watching and will definitely have you reflecting on your own online and social media habits. The documentary goes into themes surrounding social media addiction, depression, fake news and the effects of the algorithms. What I liked about the documentary was that we get the perspectives of individuals who previously worked at big tech companies (like Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc). The individuals didn’t realize the impact of social media and the negative impacts it would have on the world. The documentary explores the dark side of social media and how these big tech companies control and monitor the information we are being fed.

The Social Dilemma – Official Trailer

Holidate & Happiest Season – If you’re in the mood for a christmasy romcom… These are a couple chick flicks I’ve watched to get in the holiday season mood!

Holidate – Its about a women (Kristen Stuart) who plans to propose to her girlfriend at her girlfriends families annual holiday party. Little does she know her partner hasn’t come out to her conservative family yet.

Happiest Season – Another romcom! Its a about two strangers who make an agreement to be each others platonic plus-one for holiday parties and festivities throughout the year – until they both start to catch feelings…

Best of luck to everyone on their end of semester finals, projects and research papers! I hope everyone enjoys their winter break and takes some time to relax and reset for next semester. If you have any show, movie or documentary recommendations please comment them below 🙂

Posted in Life at USG, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Happy Winter Break

Posted on December 7, 2020 by lynnmayo21

I can’t decide if I feel as if this semester felt longer or shorter? Either way, it was a tough semester! I have been ready for winter break to begin since midterms, who’s with me? I’m personally going to use this winter break to refresh. Some serious self-care is instore this winter break. Let’s look at some different forms of self-care!

Physical: This form of self-care is where we take care of our bodies. This can be practiced in many ways such as eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep. This winter break I will be practicing physical self-care by having a healthy sleep routine. I will be working on my sleep hygiene majorly!


Emotional: This form of self-care is where we recognize our feelings and cope with them in healthy ways. This can be practiced by journaling, learning to express how we feel in healthy ways, and recognizing what we can be grateful for. I am planning to practice this by picking one thing I am grateful for each day and writing it in my planner each day. This worked well for me in the past, and I sadly broke the routine. I am excited to get back into it!

Intellectual: This form of self-care is where we expand our knowledge and intelligence. This form of self-care is also about having a positive mindset. This may be practiced by reading, finding new hobbies, or learning new things. I plan to practice this form of self-care by reading books related to my future career and creating New Year resolutions that will help me grow intellectually. This can also be practiced by attending USG events such as De-Stress Week which kicks off today!

Photo by Nong Vang on Unsplash

Social: This form of self-care is where we manage our social relationships. This type of self-care will look different for different people. This form is where we manage our social boundaries, ensure we have good support systems, and are using social media positively and healthily. For my workaholics, this form of self-care gets pushed to the side severely. We don’t get to see our friends as much as we like, but making time for friends is important so we don’t feel burnout. I will be practicing this form of self-care by spending more time with my friends and family. This is most likely the form of self-care I am most excited to work on!

Self-care should always be a continuous practice but it’s easy to think that because we are busy we should sacrifice it. Although it was a tough semester I’m thankful I didn’t completely sacrifice my self-care. I made it to the end without burning out. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for any of us, but we made it everyone! Comment how you’ll be spending your winter break 🙂

Posted in Life at USG, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment