Author: Guest

In this guest post, we are thrilled to introduce our wonderful friend and writer, Sam Dilley! We both met Sam during our sophomore years at UGA and simply cannot imagine college or life without her. Over the past few years, we have seen Sam intentionally create impact on campus, foster a community, and pursue her goals with conviction. Her dedication shines through her commitment to sustainability, global experiences, and involvement across campus. Beyond all of that, Sam is an incredible friend who is compassionate, silly, and so fun. Oftentimes when we’re facing a dilemma or trying to make a decision, we ask ourselves “What would Sam do?”. More often than not, we end up going straight to her for advice because she has great insight. One of the qualities we most admire in Sam is her ability to balance her personal, academic, and professional lives, which is why we asked her to share her approach here. Her tips are helpful no matter what stage of life you’re in, so keep reading!

Hi! My name’s Sam Dilley and I’m a recent graduate from UGA. I met Dawson and Saanvikha in my sophomore year when actually applying for a scholarship, and we’ve all been great friends since. I asked Dawson to get coffee as he was a family friend’s RA, and we talked all of winter break, of where I got to meet Saanvikha! While my path is a bit different from theirs, focusing more on corporate sustainability, we all have intersecting interests in economics, consulting, and policy.

In college, I majored in Ecology and Economics with a bunch of certificates and emphases focused on skills needed for the corporate world (leadership, data, sustainability consulting, etc.). With that, I had to balance all of these course requirements while seeking out opportunities that gave me knowledge and experience in my niche field. It took a lot of time management, networking, and intentional balance to create the time for everything I wanted to do. I’m going to be writing about balancing everything you want to do in college while setting yourself up for the future!

During my freshman year, I was overloaded with all of the commitments I had taken on. I joined a sorority, was the EcoRep for the community council, planned social events for my living community, was in Model UN, and started volunteering. It got to the point where I was having weekly breakdowns, and I had to drop commitments I had made, like conferences or volunteering. My boyfriend, Rohan, sat me down one night and told me about a method he had been using at Georgia Tech (yes, ew) to make sure he was balancing his time and being intentional about his commitments. I’ve been using it every semester since then and told all of my friends about it (hence Dawson and Saanvikha asking me to explain it to you guys!)

So, here’s the math:

5 days of classes = 120 hours

MINUS:

• Time spent in class (50/75 minutes added up and turned into hours)
• Time spent sleeping (I aimed for 8 hours/night)
• Time spent commuting/walking to and from class
• Time spent doing homework (8-11 hours/week for me)
• Time spent cooking, eating, doing chores, showering, getting ready (I did 10-15 hours)
• Time spent doing extracurriculars (changed by semester for me, but normally 5-10)
• Time spent on research/internship (2-10 for me depending on semester)

For example, this was my Fall 2024 calculator:

• AKPsi: 3 hours/week
• UGArden: 2 hours/week
• Classes: 10 hours/week
• Walking to class: 5.5 hours/week (I added up the hours per day)
• Homework: 11 hours/week
• Internship: 10 hours/week
• Chores: 2.5 hours/week
• Eating: 5 hours/week
• Showering/getting ready: 4 hours/week
• Sleeping: 40 hours/week

= 27 hours of free time

Rohan explained that the remaining number of free time hours you have should be close to 30 hours. ANY semester, when I was below 30 hours, I started to feel more stressed and had less time. And yes – 30 hours seemed like a lot, but even in my Fall 2024 calculator, I found that I started to skip UGArden much more because I needed the extra two hours per week. This time is really important to buffer for hanging out with friends, studying extra for an exam, or doing miscellaneous tasks/chores. For me, I really cared about being social during college, so I had a lot of plans during the week that definitely took up a large chunk of those 30 hours. But, this could change depending on where you’re at – I spent time applying to internships one semester and scholarships a different semester using some of that free time. Creating that free time for myself allowed me to go on a fully-funded study abroad to Germany and get an honorable mention on a national scholarship that helped me get into grad school

Having a set time limit really forced me to be intentional about what I was spending my time on and which opportunities would best prepare me for post-grad. When I had more opportunities than time, I had to look at which one I thought was most valuable for me and turn down others. I turned down research opportunities, stopped an internship sophomore year (I was working beyond my summer term), dropped my sorority, and stepped down as president of the Sustainable Business Society before my senior year to make time for what I cared about. Looking back, I don’t regret any of the decisions I made to free up more time for myself and have fun. But, beyond having fun, I also needed the self-motivation to think about my future. What did I want to do? How could I find a career in sustainability where I could make an impact and feel like I was helping the planet?

While it took a lot of self-motivation (and some of those 30 hours!) to seek out opportunities that allowed me to make that impact, having numbers and a stopping point was the most important thing for me to have intentional balance. It forced me to ground myself and think about what I wanted and how my involvement helped me to get there. It didn’t have to be completely focused on a career – AKPsi provided me with lifelong friends, and my internship gave me a chance to make a difference at UGA – but I did things that fulfilled me. And that same fulfillment focus applies to my career in sustainability. While many of my peers are going into research or nonprofit positions, I saw the corporate world as a space to make a difference. I found a job that allows me to help corporations, local governments, and higher education institutions claim tax credits and save money on their sustainability projects. Hearing my clients on calls, saying that they wouldn’t be able to reduce waste in manufacturing or take carbon out of the air without financial assistance, helps me to be at the forefront of changing an industry that doesn’t prioritize sustainability.

The key takeaways from this, as someone who found their own interest and path at UGA, is:

What fulfills you, and how can you make this time for your present and future self?

If you struggle to say no or set boundaries, it may be through your time calculator. Or, it may be intentionally journaling and making pros/cons lists of the opportunities in front of you. It may be you being brave enough to not continue your involvement in something the next year if you realize it doesn’t work for you anymore. But, college goes by in a flash – and you only have so much time to make the most of it. Be intentional about what you want to do with your life, while balancing who you are now and how to prepare for your future.

In a time when young people are constantly inundated with the latest trends and news from the Internet, sometimes this endless access to information that our devices give us seems like more of a burden than a privilege. Between the endless expectations from school or work that we navigate throughout the day and the time we spend scrolling through our for-you pages to “decompress,” it feels like there is no time to catch up on what’s going on in the news. Worse, though, no one wants to catch up on the news. And I get it. The Pope died. The price of eggs is high. And the Gulf of Mexico is now apparently the Gulf of America. It’s some grim stuff. And it’s hard to escape all the grim stuff on the news, because… well, that’s kinda what the news is for, right? To bunch up all the grim stuff of the day and offer it up for your viewing pleasure. 

So, sure, I get that it’s tough. 

But (and hear me out, now), it’s really important to still pay attention to the grim stuff. Because when you pay attention to the news, not only does it make you more aware of the world around you, but it also helps you. For example:

• You see on the news that the president of the United States has decided to raise tariffs on all foreign exports.
• You (initially) become very concerned over how this will impact the economy. Maybe you chose to pull out of a few stocks and/or start buying certain foreign products in bulk.
• You also decide to save some of your money in case the impact of these tariffs becomes larger than you anticipate (it never hurts to have some rainy day cash).
• You continue to follow the news on these tariffs, and see that the president has now decided to lower (?) the tariffs for some countries, but increase (?) them for others. This leaves you confused, but you certainly feel less panicked, and now you have the extra money you saved and the products you bought.

Now, this is by no means a foolproof example–it certainly lacks nuance. Still, it demonstrates how the things that happen locally, nationally, and internationally impact our lives (if you’re interested in this, I suggest reading this article about how the Russia-Ukraine War has affected gas prices in the U.S.), and furthermore, it demonstrates how critical it is for people like you and me to pay attention to it. Especially as young people coming into adulthood, establishing the habit of being familiar with current events and news is incredibly important.

But, as we’ve been over, it’s tough!

So, as someone whose livelihood depends on current events (I’m an international affairs and public relations major hoping to go into international journalism so I’m literally begging you to interact with the news), let me offer you a few tips (make sure to click on the arrow next to each tip for more details!) on how to stay well-informed without having a mental breakdown.

Turn on a news podcast whenever you want!

Listening to your news is hands-down the best way to get it, and I’m not talking about cable television here. It is so easy to throw on a podcast during your morning commute to work/school, or even as you go about your house doing chores or cooking. News podcasts span various times, but my go-to has been (and always will be) NPR’s Up First. This podcast comes out early every morning and gives you three headlines for your day in about 15 minutes. I, personally, have a parasocial relationship with the hosts (Steve Inskeep, Michelle Martin, Aye Martinez, and Leila Fadel), which is not something I say lightly. They do a wonderful job of asking the right questions and displaying the real-life implications of the news. They also occasionally have corny banter at the beginning of every episode, and I love it. 

Honorable Podcast mentions include: NPR News Now (national news, 5 minutes); Morning Brew Daily (economic-focused news, 30 minutes); The Daily (intensive dive into one story, 30 minutes)

Get the headlines with news alerts!

If you feel like you can’t get your news all at once, I would highly recommend getting it in small doses with news alerts. All you have to do is go to basically any news publication’s website and sign up to get breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email. Different news outlets push alerts at various frequencies though, so here’s a quick guide to set you off in the right direction:

• Not very frequent: NPR (will send you news alerts about primarily political news)
• Semi-frequent: The New York Times (will send you news alerts about things they recommend or actual news alerts)
• Frequent: AP (will send you alerts about anything from sports to celebrity deaths to political news)

Another great thing about news alerts is that it keeps you in the know about major headlines, but it’s up to you to decide if you want to dig deeper into them.

Skim a summary of everything you need to know in a newsletter!

your news delivered straight into you inbox every morning with a newsletter. Newsletters are much akin to news alerts, but are much longer and a bit more involved. To be completely honest, newsletters are great when you have the time to sit down and read them but it’s also super easy to start ignoring them. And when you do, they will start to clutter up your mailbox. Still, I think it’s a very helpful way to get the news. Besides, you can receive different kinds of newsletters at different frequencies (daily, weekly, etc.) on different topics (political, economics, pop culture, etc.), and they include fun pictures/designs to keep you engaged. 

You can certainly subscribe to the newsletters from the outlets I recommended for news alerts, but I would also suggest looking into The Skimm and Axios. The Skimm is a daily newsletter that always draws on fun pop culture references while delivering the news. Axios, however, is a bit of a lesser known news outlet that covers stories that you’ll see in mainstream media, but also the ones you won’t. 

Follow news outlets on social media!

I truly cannot recommend following a few news outlets on social media enough, and this is genuinely the easiest tip I have on here. News is so easy to see once you put it in your feed! If you’re spending hours on social media anyway (and maybe seeing random news posts from unreliable and unaccredited sources), a post in your feed from The Atlantic, Washington Post, or literally any other news outlet will give you the headlines in a visually appealing way. Plus, the frequency of news sites posts on social media is very high, so the likelihood of you seeing at least a fraction of the content they put out every day is very high.

Do an old-fashioned daily news scroll!

And last, but most certainly not least, just look it up and read it yourself. To be honest, we could all be doing this a bit more. But, hey, we’ve got other things to check out online (myself included). Seriously, though. You can certainly take 5 minutes to look at the headlines posted on the websites of at least 5 different news outlets. You don’t even have to read the articles that go with the headlines all the way through. Just look up any news outlet that you enjoy, and skim!

Consuming the news sometimes feels hard, but we have to remember that it’s more important than ever to stay up-to-date with what’s going on. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that misinformation and disinformation are real dangers online, and huge threats to our generation as well as all the generations that will follow. We need to start learning media skills and literacy now, so it doesn’t come back to hurt us later. 

But, hey! At least now you have these amazing tips to help you navigate the increasingly scary information space! You’re welcome. 

In all seriousness, though, I do want to say that it’s ok to get overwhelmed by what you hear on the news. It happens to me more often than I’d like to admit (I find myself having one-sided arguments with Steve Inskeep a little too much for my liking). But despite how awful whatever I hear or see about the news may be, I am always grateful to know and understand, rather than remain in the dark.

For this particular post, we thought it would be best to introduce our wonderful guest writer, Mary Wahn, after you had a chance to read this important piece. We met Mary while studying abroad at Oxford University last fall. We all clicked quickly and spent several nights in the library chatting, traveled to Castle Combe together, and shared fabulous meals. Mary is genuine, loyal, brilliant, and one of the most incredible friends. We constantly feel challenged to be more knowledgeable, generous, and loving humans around her because she embodies all of these qualities. In a time when many people dread the news headlines, we wanted to put out a piece that emphasizes the importance of staying informed. And we couldn’t think anyone better to write it than Mary because, honestly, we’ve learned so much from her about this topic over the past year. Learn more about our amazing friend below!

About the Guest!

Mary Wahn is a student at the University of Georgia studying international affairs and public relations. From a young age, Mary has always been interested in global events, and throughout her college career, she has gained insight into a wide variety of other international issues, ranging from nuclear non-proliferation to food security. Today, Mary is most passionate about journalism and access to information, specifically as a pillar of democracy. Mary currently works at The Carter Center in its Rule of Law Program, where she assists with access to justice, access to information, and gender equality initiatives and programming across West Africa.

We are BEYOND excited to introduce our next guest writer: Kate Hall! Kate graduated from UGA this May with a degree in Public Relations, and she was the 2025 Commencement Speaker. Kate is extremely involved and has made a name for herself on campus. Most importantly, she is a genuine and loving friend. Dawson met Kate freshman year through SGA, and they have been close friends ever since. Saanvikha met Kate through Tate Society the spring of their freshman year but bonded a lot more through UGA at Oxford last fall. From afternoon tea, botanical garden tours, to Tate banquets, we’ve really gotten to know each other well. In this post, Kate dives into her experiences with service and community during her time at UGA, so join us in reading her beautiful story!

Dear Reader,

Hi! My name is Kate Hall. I just graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations. Currently, I’m wrapping up my time as the communications intern at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, looking to move to Washington, D.C. later in the summer to pursue public affairs communications. 

While it was a journey finding my place at UGA, as it was for so many people beginning college, I am so thankful for every bit of it. I’m honored to get to speak on my experience with two of my dearest collegiate involvements: First Year-Forum and the State Botanical Garden. Through both of these organizations, I experienced the transformative power of service and community in helping you find your passions and grow into a leader. 

Servant leadership.

I remember hearing this phrase repeated over and over again as I sat in my first Forum meeting, an intimidated freshman who just wanted to find a place where she could belong, a place where she could really impact her school. My directors may have explained the dictionary definition of the phrase “servant leadership” at that very first meeting, but I learned what it meant to me– and got to see it in practice– throughout my first year in the Forum. 

Servant leadership is serving others first, prioritizing the well-being and growth of your community. First-Year Forum, a branch of UGA’s Student Government Association created specifically to develop freshman students into community leaders, is the epitome of this phrase. The directors of the program assemble the freshmen (usually around 40-60 students) into small groups, all led by two Peer Leaders. Together, the small groups and their PLs partner with a community organization and serve with them every other week for the rest of the school year. My group was assigned to a local rehabilitation center for women who have been victims of trafficking or are recovering from addiction. I’m not going to lie to you, that first orientation was really hard for all of us. Sitting down in a cozy living room meant to make you feel right at home, while listening to the vivacious woman who greeted you at the door nearly break down while telling you the story of how her child got trafficked…it was heart wrenching. But, at the same time, it was such an important moment. It was one of those moments that stirs something inside your heart. One of those moments where you leave knowing you will never look at the world the same way again.

I walked out of that house and I knew I had found the right place and the right purpose in college. Forum quickly became my home– a foundation for growth, connections, service, and so much joy. After my first year wrapped up, I went on to be a PL in my sophomore year, and had the honor of being one of the three co-directors in my junior year. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, one that was so challenging yet so fulfilling. I grew in ways I never even imagined, and each one of my three roles taught me lessons I’ll always hold close, and gave me friends I’ll care about for a lifetime. Now, I walk into the next chapter of my life, knowing that I have the tools to seek out underserved issues, have the conversations needed to bring light on these topics, and fight the good fight to make the community better. The world isn’t just going to fix itself, and I am so thankful that my circumstances led me to acknowledge this and yearn to do something about it. If I hadn’t applied for that “random” SGA club, if I hadn’t circled Forum as my top choice for freshman programs before my interview, if I hadn’t returned to be a PL or director…who knows? I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I’m so thankful that my college journey led me to Forum. I found a family, a second home for a little while, and I found a passion. The reason I have my sights set on DC is because I want to be a part of telling stories that matter; stories that can change the world for the people they impact. I want to do whatever I can to use the technical communications skills I learned in my undergraduate schooling to make the world a better place. Sounds cheesy, but I mean it. I am so thankful for the impact service had on my college experience, and it’s a value I will always prioritize and recommend to others. 

I didn’t achieve all of this personal growth throughout college on my own, however. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without the communities I have been a part of. From SGA to the Dean William Tate Honor Society to my Public Relations cohort to my UGA at Oxford friends, I have been lucky enough to be in rooms with some of the most brilliant, creative, inspiring people on campus. My peers have encouraged me and made my college experience so much better. That’s one thing I’ll miss about being in school: how easy it is to plug yourself into organizations and find new friends! To anyone who is still in school, or has yet to begin: don’t let this gift go to waste! Join that club you’ve been thinking about, try out for that team, try to make genuine connections with the people in your group project. You never know where it could lead. 

One of my favorite communities during my undergraduate experience has been the State Botanical Garden. I began working as the communications intern during my junior year of school, and two years later, I’m wrapping up my time at the garden. I genuinely could not have asked for a better college job experience. From photographing events, to working two garden balls, to designing Georgia Pollinator Plant of the Year materials, to directing a photoshoot of Hairy Dawg at the Winter WonderLights show, to writing my first published article, I have had the most wonderful, developmental two years. I would not have been able to do any of it without the mentorship, trust, and guidance of my supervisor, and the encouragement and help of the entire garden staff. From the very beginning, they welcomed me into their community, and I got to experience what it feels like to have a working environment where everyone genuinely cares about each other and supports each other. Even though the garden is separated into different branches (Communications, Education, Horticulture, etc.), it takes everyone working together to be successful in creating a beautiful public garden for people to enjoy and visit time and time again. I am so thankful to have gotten to be a part of this community for a couple years, and for all of the personal and professional development that bloomed from my experience. Once again, I urge you: try to plug yourself into a community, whether it be an organization or just trying to get to know your coworkers better. It could bring you so many new relationships and connections. 

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading my story! Service and community are two aspects of life that are so important to me, and the fusion of these two things are so special. All of the words I’ve poured onto this page are a little bit of my heart that I hope you can take something away from. To sum everything up, please consider these takeaways: 

• If you’re in college: join a service organization. You will never have an easier way to get involved and give back than you will right now. So why not? Give it a try. Make your college community a better place; after all, you may only live there for a few years, but the people who call it home forever will remain. And as an additional benefit, maybe your service community becomes an impactful community in your life! Maybe it brings you friends who will make your life and your college experience so much richer.  
• If you’re already a working professional or anywhere else in your life where service isn’t as easily accessible: seek out opportunities to serve! Something as simple as a quick online search could turn into a whole community of like-minded individuals who go out and try to make their corner of the world a little bit better. This could be a great way to find friends in the professional world, too! 

I challenge you all to do one thing in this next week to make someone’s life a little brighter. Random acts of kindness might seem simple, but they are the difference in turning someone’s worst day ever into the day they remembered the joy of life. Be that light in someone’s day. I hope you’ll be so glad you did. 

With love,

Kate