Crystal Amberlyn

Entering college, I knew my life would experience little change. As other students traveled to campus from hours away, I hopped in my car and drove a whole two minutes. As students said goodbye to their parents, met their roommates and decorated their dorms, I had the same house with the same room I had in high school. There was no need to say goodbye to my mother because I would see her every day. Commuting to college definitely has its benefits, but looking back, I wish I would have done things differently. No, I am not saying I wish I would have lived on campus. I only wish I understood the importance of change. As a freshman at Ohio Northern University, I wish I knew to go outside of my comfort zone and most of all, be myself. As a junior, I look back on the past two years and realize there is so much more I could have experienced. So many organizations I could have joined, and so many more friends I could have made. As a commuter, going home was more tempting than going to an...

When you commute to your campus from home, it can be hard to fight the urge to go home to your couch as soon as classes end for the day. I have personally experienced this. Entering college, I knew I wanted to meet new people and get involved on campus. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so to the extent I have wished. Going into my third year of college, I have ceased many opportunities to get involved. This year, I have taken up three leadership positions as well as joined three extra student organizations. I am currently president of AIGA , the professional association for design, vice president of Kappa Pi and the communications specialist for Polar Rhythms at Ohio Northern University. Kappa Pi is an art and design honorary fraternity, and Polar Rhythms is a student a cappella group on campus. The three student organizations I have joined are Student Planning Committee (SPC) , Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and True North PR firm. I am mo...

As a college student, I have heard a lot of awful roommate stories. Fortunately, I have never had to room with a stranger because I live at home with my mom. I must admit living at home has a lot of benefits.   My bank account surely appreciates it. Now, it may sound as if I am living the dream, but you have not met my mother. I do understand my mom has been through a lot so she has a couple loose screws. I know I should not get angry at her, but I still get irritated by the things she does. I might not have an awful college roommate, but I think my mom can be just as bad. You would assume most mothers are quite clean, but my mom breaks the stereotype. It surprises me how sloppy she can be. If my mom cooks, which is rare, she will either leave out the leftovers on the stove or she will shove the entire pot into the fridge. I guess she does not like to use Tupperware. That is probably because she can never keep the lids and bowls together after she washed them!  This ...