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Name: Alex Land

Age: 19

Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee

Previous Residence: Atlanta, Georgia

Current Residence: Chicago, Illinois

Sophomore standing Freshman ('27?)

Major: Urban and Regional Planning

Minor: Spanish, Photography?

General: King of the ZaZa. Founding Father of Phi Kappa Sigma and Social Chair. Graduated from Lane Tech High School Summa Cum Laude or whatever. 2-time 16" Softball City Champion Pitcher. Award winning photographer. In the little spare time I get to myself I'm usually being harassed by my roommate or able to tune his bullshit out with noise cancelling headphones. I desperately crave to isolate myself most days.

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My Illini goal this semester and year is to be able to comfortably reach out to others whether it be casually or professionally as in for help. Whether that be work, school, or related otherwise I find it important to be able to more effectively communicate and be more open to meeting others. I struggle to want to open up to others for literally no reason, and I hope to one day overcome this unreasoned fear by trying to be the first one to reach out. Most of y'all would not want to be that guy either, at least no one wants to say hi to me first in my experience :D

This is important to me professionally, beyond just meeting friends. It's important to be able to collaborate and communicate with others at work who I may not know well, and as the social chair of my frat practicing getting out of my comfort zone will do me more good than bad. Plus, I might be that guy after all this work.

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I look adorable in my poncho. My partner also thinks my poncho is adorable. Safe to say I might be the only one rocking a poncho this year. Call me crazy.

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Say hi to Rio she's very self-conscious and in need of love. 

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My uncle Rob's wonderful dog Rio is basically mine.

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Picture of my moms that was shown in the art institute.

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Each day at Illinois I wake up and wonder how each day is going to play out. What people will I see? What activities am I going to be doing? What classes should I be running to and then what homework should I be completing? How much time should I be studying? What will my action (or inaction) result in classes and my socializing?

How can I better network and reach out to others? What other clubs can I go ahead and join for the heck of it? What resources can I take advantage of to live a healthier lifestyle?

I'm curious to know a lot of things both inside and outside of the classroom and with many people to reach out to and resources to use, it doesn't seem all too difficult to navigate. All it takes is a little action.

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To get out of my comfort zone I've joined a couple of clubs like the Hemp Club, Blinkd, and even a fraternity. I meet all sorts of people every day and have all sorts of deadlines to keep, I have activities in my spare time and a solid group of friends to kick it with already. I've learned to approach each day with a list of things to do and a plan to get them done, and that sometimes its ok to clear the schedule for some me time too. In the next few weeks, months, and years I hope to expand my horizons and network to other groups and clubs. Maybe an RSO that will have me coming back meeting after meeting. My fraternity has made it a part of my daily order of business to reach out to others, and networking is only natural and necessary in greek life. Using my position as social chair I hope to be able to organize decent events and get into contact with all sorts of people around campus and the country now.

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1. Use a calendar or spreadsheet. Make a weekly schedule of tasks, meetings, events, and deadlines. Make it visible and preferably physical before the end of the semester.

I need to better organize and then visualize my tasks, activities, and objectives for the week, month, and year. Mapping out what assignments are due and for each class will help keep me on track, on time, and in order. Furthermore, a written schedule will reduce stress and anxiety surrounding planning events or activities because it will be already visible the time slots available and a general idea of what can and can't be done.

2. Get back in touch with my creative side. Pick up the camera every once in a while. Pick up a pen and paper sometime. Writing, drawing, and/or photographing before the end of the semester.

There's no reason to end up bored here at Illinois, there's usually always something to do with others outside of classes each day. In the few moments I have truly to myself I'd like to get back in touch with my artistic side through photography and drawing in my own time too. I'd hate to see the skills learned and awards earned to begin collecting dust because I'm too busy. To make time I'll have to stay on top of my schedule then find that time some evening.

3. Eat 3 meals a day. Budget out meal plans for home cooking. Take advantage of the meal swipes I opted for. Make time for a nice meal out or two every week. No more gas station diet by the end of freshman year.

It's self-explanatory but taking good care of oneself is so important. I tend not to take care of myself as a result of being too busy or being too committed to things outside of my own life. Eating 3 meals a day is a start to getting back on track to living a healthier lifestyle even if it's not the best of food every time. Rather eat gas station food than starve, not sleep, wake up feeling like shit and do it day after day. Self-care is needed to get to the finish line.