I kind of need to just write what is on my mind. I know it’s super whiney but writing is slightly like therapy. Very inexpensive therapy. Thank you all so much for being patient with my bratty-self. College will soon be over for you too and I will blog about other things!
What you don’t see in these photos is that I’m already overwhelmed this semester. It’s only been a few weeks and I am constantly on campus for more than 10 hours a day, driving home and then sleeping and waking up to work and then do another 8 hours of classes.
What you don’t see is that this week I’ve worn yoga pants and KU t-shirts on campus and pretended I wasn’t a blogger. I would slightly die of mortification if you guys saw the state I have been in, this early in the semester.
What you don’t see is that I feel horrible that I have basically ignored Andrew for a week because I’ve been too tunnel visioned about projects both in school and in my personal life. Andrew has been the reason why I’ve made it through college (well, that and being able to vent to you guys) and I feel horrible that he’s not been my first focus.
I feel like I’m going through a senior year crisis. Did I chose the right major? What if I hate my career? Did I choose the right college? How will I go after the things I want in life? What if I wake up one day and realize I’ve wasted my life? To be honest, it kind of sucks. Like a lot.
Eloise Georgia Mae (formerly Jazzlipsandtulips)
Girl i know exactly what you mean.. I got into this hole last year and have avoided my college (uni where i am) best friends for the last 4 months! I recently read this article about loving what you do rather than doing what you love and it gave me a massive boost of confidence and detirmination for my future (buff.ly/M8WFeI ) Also its reassuring to know other bloggers are in a semi permanant uniform of yoga pants. xE
Mili
Aww, I feel ya. Whining on the blog is the perfect way to vent. Hopefully things calm down at school soon! On a positive note, I love the color combo of this look, and the cute touch of the leopard belt 🙂
Mili
Pat
First off love this outfit! I just read somewhere on the internet of course, the "correct" way to wear bright colored jeans. As if there is really a right way to wear anything. Still I read on, and your outfit hit the nail on the head. The article said to keep the rest of your outfit more neutral with a few pops of accent like your belt and shoes. Nice to know you're on target, ha! jk You always look adorable & I'm sure even in sweats your sunshine and confidence shines. As for the "state you're in", not having gone to college I can't say for sure I completely know where your coming from still I have had times in my life when I'm feeling panicked about the direction my life is taking. I feel these times are part of knowing what you want, realizing you're close to the finish line and that can feel very scary. Big decisions are looming in front of you and you want to make the right choice. After all you've put a lot of effort to get where you're at. One of the things I've learned from being in this particular kind of place is it's all a learning experience. And you can't succeed without some failure in there somewhere. Doesn't mean that's whats going to happen to you, just means you need to be willing to put yourself out there. Learn from your mistakes and realize you have a long life ahead of you and it's ok to change up your plans no matter what your past has been. So that's my ramble. ha! carry on and here's to your success 🙂
Rachelle (http://pinksole.com/)
Love these bright pants, you look adorable as always. Now take a deep breath, you are putting way too much pressure on yourself. Remember in life we can only do our best, we don't always remember that but the panicking will only make it worst. And I don't mind the venting, everything will be fine at the end.
xo
PinkSole
Nina Piccini
Girl take some time for yourself!!! and you look fab in this very Jcrew like outfit!
xo, Nina
http://afterthe40barfinish.blogspot.com/2014/02/hangin-tough.html
Breenah A
Love this outfit, especially the shoes. I hope that you can de-stress (at least a little!) soon. It's understandable, though, you're doing a lot!
Citrus - Refreshing Fashion
obsessed with those shoes!! and of course everything else! thanks again alissa for the tips! u truly are a blog inspiration for me 🙂
XO Meghan
citrus fashion
Oh hello, Love
First, take a deep breath and keep reminding yourself "I got this" because you do. Positive self-talk is always a good idea. Second, this notion of making a career out of something you love is really actually quite new. In the past, a job was a means of paying bills and there wasn't this idea that it should be fulfilling and that you should find your passion and get paid for it, etc. So it is really quite a blessing that we live in a time where people are encouraged to find jobs they love and feel passionate about. That being said, you most likely won't find it the first time around and that is totally fine. My dad used to always tell me that I just needed to get out of college with a degree and then find your way after that. His degree is in psychology and he built his own engineering company. You'll find your way. Just relax and enjoy your last semester of college. Things will fall into place after that and if it's not exactly what you love, then move along to the next job. But remember, you will be fine. Good luck today. You got this!
Jessica
First and foremost, awesome outfit. Second, I've been out of college for several years now and while I've started my career, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. It's easy to sit and say that everything will work out for the best (which it will), but I know that doesn't help in the meantime. I found it easier to break things down into smaller portions of time/or tasks instead of always focusing on the big picture. You will get there. 🙂
26 and Not Counting
Maya McDonald
Ummmm…..do you know what I wore to college everyday? I was a total slob – and sweatpants were my JAM. And as for landing the dream job and knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life – GIRL, you've got so much time! I graduated with a teaching dregree, taught for 6 months and then realized that high schoolers were evil. I turned out pretty okay despite my quarterlife crisis 🙂 You'll get there – just relax and enjoy your last semester! xx
TheTinyHeart
Believe me, you don't need to have it all figured out just yet! Don't put so much pressure on yourself, or you'll give yourself an ulcer. Try to enjoy your last semester!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Ali Hval
Alissa, Alissa, Alissa! You are amazing. You don't need to be stressed out and worrying about wearing yoga pants to class everyday. Totally acceptable. As an art major who dresses like a sloppy bag of turd every day, I know the feeling of hoping nobody sees you and not wanting to explain how you, yoga pant paint-splattered face gal, have a fashion blog of all things.
You're gonna do awesome things. Just look at all these people who come and read your blog every day, and who scroll through your archives! When a job comes it will come and there will be people who will support you until that happens. Until then, focus on your schoolwork (tunnel of evil sounds about right). I'm sure that Andrew will understand exactly what you're going through as long as you tell him what's up. Learn what you can while you're in school and worry about finding what to do with it later. GOOD LUCK I LOVE U
Ladies in Navy
trust me lady, that crisis doesn't end. i still regret my college major, college choice, everything… it didn't turn out to be lucrative. but guess what??! it doesn't really matter because i'm happy, love my life, love my job. i had an unemployed spell after college for a summer, i went to a publishing school that turned out to be a waste of money… and above it all i still found an awesome career. keep your head up. imperfect comes together very often to create perfect
ladies in navy
Elena
I totally know how you are feeling. And unfortunately, it probably won't go away, at least not permanently, for quite a while. I loved my college experience but to this day I have quite a few regrets about it, including my choice of major. Fortunately, it's never too late to make changes! Sure, it would probably be a waste of resources to go back and get a Bachelor's in another subject but that doesn't mean my graduate degree can't be different, or my career for that matter. I know it really seems like the choices you make at the beginning set the stage for the rest of your career/life but while they can be influential, nothing is ever set in stone!
As for Andrew, I'm sure he understands and supports you working so hard. It will all work out in the end:)
P.S. LOVE the outfit!!
the20-somethingproject.blogspot.com
Darcy
The last semester is so stressful on it's own because it's a time of lasts. You want to make sure you soak up every bit of it because you won't get it back. But you have the added stress of hard classes, applying for jobs, etc. And for you just add on a blog to all of that! It's definitely hard, but you can get through it :). And as for clothes, I'm sure you in yoga pants is the same thing as all of your other classmates are wearing! In college if I was "dressed up" (in jeans a simple v-neck) people were always like, "Why do you look so nice today?" hahaha. Don't sweat it! Keep your head up 🙂
http://www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com
Rachel Lynne
Such a chic combo lady! I would never think to pair navy + red, but I LOVE this. Definitely pinning to my work wear inspiration!
A Silver Snapshot
Awww, you are such a trooper, Alissa! Thanks for sharing and getting if off your chest, so to speak. Keep at it girl. You can do it! Happy Wednesday!
Silver
A Silver Snapshot
asilversnapshot@hotmail.com
Lindsay Truax
Cute outfit and lovely smile. Good luck with your classes.
pinkandnavystripes.com
Kristina
Just remember Alyssa that it's just one semester and it will be over before you know it. You can and will get through it.
Kristina does the Internets
Sofia Donatelli
Great nautical look on you. You look beautiful.
Love,
Sofia
stylishlyinlove.blogspot.com
Danielle Doerr
I've been feeling a lot of these same things too. I'm not having ANY luck finding a summer internship and it's been a little disheartening…to say the least. I can't wait to have cocktails with you on Saturday and we can whine together!!
Danielle at Framed Frosting
Nikki
Ok, first of all, you look adorable. Love this look!
Second, you have got to calm down. I have this conversation ALL of the time with my overly stressed hubs. He constantly worries and stresses, and I keep telling him he can't think about the future – he needs to focus on what he has to do now. So same goes for you. Just think about what you have to do right now. Don't worry about later – it will all work out and it fall into place. Just breathe!
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
awhite
I hear you- and I've been there. (And still find myself there now and again- only in an office-setting.) So much to do, so little time, all this pressure to perform and finish and SUCCEED and you just want to scream.
What I can say is that you WILL push through it, and you'll be tougher because of it. Somehow, you'll get everything done and you'll survive all this craziness. In the meantime, take some deep breaths (so cliche to say, but they really work), and tackle some of the smaller to-do's to free up some time to take on the big chunks. We're all rooting for you, of course. 🙂
(And PS, so cute. Loving the embellished slipper flats.)
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
Libby G.
This post is speaking to me right now! I am feeling everything you're saying! All of my friends have jobs or grad school plans already and I have no idea even where to look for jobs or what city I want to be in! Plus when school gets crazy I feel like a failure because internship/blogging/friends take the back seat. Hang in there girl!! I know it will get better for you!! I just try to take it day by day – it's helping for me 🙂
Libby
Stylin' Iowan Blog
Heather Lamar
Girl life right after college is hard. I totally understand. I spent the first 10 months after graduating working at a coffee shop and a clothing store. Both of these things were fun and things that I was good at, but when it comes down to it 50-60 hours/week is plain exausting. The job that i'm in now came a great time and it's where I need be. All that to say, sometimes it takes time to truly get where you want to go, but the wait and the time spent pursing your dreams will always be worth it.
Although it can feel pretty shitty at the time.
You're doing incredibly well, wear those sweats like they came straight out of Vogue!
Ps. Thanks for being so upbeat, inspiring, and real at the same time. 🙂
Krysten Gautreaux
Lady, these thoughts and feelings are TOTALLY NORMAL. I'm 30 and still don't really know what I want to do work-wise. Right now I just want a steady paycheck and some benefits. You aren't alone!
LyddieGal
It's totally okay to be freaking out over what you are doing with your life. I do it all the time. But you will be fine. You are almost done with college and I know you will make it out, not only alive, but on top. Andrew knows you are busy and stressed, and will be by your side no matter what. Wearing sweats does not make you a failure either! I'm sure you have adorable sweats.
Meanwhile, I am loving this outfit, and need to duplicate it!
Chic on the Cheap
fleurani
Alissa, I really enjoy this maritime look. The sparkle loafers are just the perfect finish touch to this ensemble 🙂
ani
http://www.fleurani.blogspot.de
Sara Strauss {Sincerely, Sara}
You definitely don't need to have anything figured out!! Believe me, it's normal to be freaking out and be concerned about what you'll be doing with the rest of your life! But that's just it — you have the rest of your life to figure it out! There's no rush! Go your own pace and enjoy your last semester of college!
~Sara
tastefulstyle
Just to reiterate what others have said–you're not alone in feeling the way you do. I'd be hard-pressed to find a friend who didn't feel a stressed/scared/crazy during her last semester of college. Rest assured that you don't have to have all the answers and have your life planned out by graduation day. I hope you're able to relax and enjoy this weekend!
Inge Jane
Hang in there girl! It is totally normal to feel this way when the pressure builds. The fact that you care means it will all get taken care of in its time. And cut yourself some slack, this stuff is hard.
Lisa - respect the shoes
It's OK to freak a bit, then take a deep breath and prioritize. If some things need to slide so that school and your BF have priority, that's OK. Figure in a few years when you're long out of school and well into your career, you can look back at these times with fondness and not even remember the freakouts!
Jen Dang
The good thing about you asking yourself all of these questions now is that you've got plenty of time to answer them! Your feelings are completely normal before any major change (ahem graduation!). I say work hard, but enjoy the moment!
xo Jen
Skirt The Rules
Priya
on a lighter note- this look is preppy perfection! I love it!!
I totally understand how you feel! It wasn't long ago that I was in the same spot as you. After I graduated, I had about 5 months of working part-time, job-hunting, and generally freaking out about what I was doing next. I wish I had appreciated that time more, looking back. Remember that is is TOTALLY natural to not have the next step (let alone, the rest of your life, calm down!) planned out after graduation. If you have a job lined up after college you're one of the lucky ones! I know this seems cliche but don't let those worries ruin the last little bit of college you have left (though it sounds like you are working your tail off!). Best wishes to you, and a blog is always a safe space to vent. We're rooting for you, Alissa!
♥ perfectly PRIYA
Laura Toeniskoetter
I understand this perfectly. I haven't seen friends at all this semester because I'm so busy with life. It's been a rough semester and it's not even half way done. I'm only on my fourth semester of college, and those are some of the questions I ask myself every day. Do I have the answers? Well, duh, of course not, but I've learned that things will work out in the way best possible, even if you don't believe it at first. You got this girl!!
KP
Love the color combo!
But on another note, don't try to rush the process as much as it stresses you out.
I know people can always tell you to be patient, but truly all good things come with time.
It took me two years to finally find something I loved in my career, the right job takes time. Once you find it, it was like it took no time at all. Keep chugging girl, you got this!
xoxo, KP
Eleventh & Sixteenth
Sonya Mann
sending many hugs <3