20 Lessons I've Learned After College

It's been a full year since I left the paradise of Athens, Ohio as a college student. During my almost full year as a semi-functioning adult, I've learned some great lessons that I feel I should pass on to you readers. Enjoy.

1. Student loans are awful...like really awful.

2. Don't stress about not having a job when you walk across the stage. It'll come your way.

3. Nothing will ever be cheaper than college bar drinks. NOTHING.


4. Free food still exists in the real world. Thank God.

5. Friendships will fade but family will always be there with full support, even if they think you're doing something stupid.

6. Take risks. If that means moving to a place you never expected (aka my life), it will be worth it in the long run.

7. Don't stop networking. Keep it going in the real world. You never know what opportunities will come your way.

8. I'm almost 23 and I still have to call my mom to deal with adult problems, which is totally normal. Moms are superheroes. Mama Bell is a blessing.

9. Coffee and melatonin are still necessities in the real world and not just for finals week.

10. Don't just lose contact with friends, because you don't see them every day on campus. Keep in touch with them. Those conversations over FaceTime or through Snapchat are sometimes needed on a Wednesday at 1 a.m. when you're bugging out.

11. SAVE. MONEY. Seriously, learn to budget.

12. Accept other people and other cultures, even if you disagree. Differences in cultures, races, genders, sexualities and ethnicities is what makes the world so phenomenal.

13. I still haven't used the Pythagorean Theorem since algebra my freshman year of high school.

14. Try your best to learn about taxes, 401ks, retirement and benefits before you enter the real world and have to call your dad to explain it to you when you get a random piece of mail that makes no sense to you. Love you Dad.

15. Spend 30 minutes a day off your phone and just relax, whether that be a good breakfast, a nice cup of coffee or watching Seinfeld before going to work.

16. Treat people with basic human respect. You may not like the person, but they're still a human. Treat them as such.

17. Work does not equal a best friend club, BUT if you didn't know that before entering the working world, then you're already way behind.

18. Learn the basics of car repair, i.e. knowing how to change a flat tire.

19. Patience is everything. Yelling at a computer for freezing on you five minutes before deadline will not make the computer fix itself faster. Believe me, I've tried.

20. Love your job and love what you do. If you don't enjoy the job you wake up for every day, then why enter the working world? Get something that makes you excited to get up at any time of day and take on the world. Do I enjoy getting up at 6 a.m. on random days throughout the week? No, but the reason I get up, which is my fantastic job, is what makes it all worth it.

"You're Just A Woman"

What is the definition of the word "woman?' According to Merriam-Webster, it is the following: an adult female person. What is the definition of the word "female?" According to Merriam-Webster, it is the following: of, relating to, or being the sex that bears young or produces eggs.

I am not here to give you a vocabulary lesson. I am here to point something out to all of you. The ONLY difference between a man and a woman or male and female is biology. That's it. Women have different reproductive organs than men. That's how simple it is. Are there are different attitudes for each gender? Absolutely, but from a human aspect, biology is all that differs.

Yet, women are the target for ridicule, harrassment, public humiliation, and degradation, all being sexual.

Men can be targeted and are targeted, but it is women who bear the brunt of it. A woman can't wear make-up, because it's "deceiving;" a woman must wear make-up, because we must "impress men." A woman can't be curvacious, because it's not "trendy;" A woman can't be skinny, because curves are "sexy." A woman can't be a mother, because we're fighting for "female empowerment;" a woman must be a mother, because that's what "our future is." A woman can't have opinions, because that's "bitchy;" a woman must have opinions, because you can't be considered "basic."

Do you catch my drift?

Women are constantly playing this tug of war game with society to be the "perfect woman." If a woman posts anything that shows her pride in her work, she's fishing for compliments, but if a woman posts a picture of nature or a Starbucks coffee, she's considered basic. If a woman speaks out about sexual harrasment, rape, sexual assault, or invasion of privacy that she's experienced, she's ridiculed.

Take a look at the Erin Andrews situation.

She is a very successful sports broadcaster, who has worked her tail off to earn her success. She went through trauma when someone secretly recorded her naked and posted it online for the entire world to see. However, it wasn't the deplorable human being that was attacked when her settlement was reached; it was Erin. People attacked her, saying that she should be "thanking the person who recorded her, because without it, she wouldn't be famous". "She should expect this when she's always in the spotlight."

WHY SHOULD A WOMAN EXPECT SEXUAL HARRASSMENT FOR BEING SUCCESSFUL?

Because I have worked my butt off, made enormous sacrifices, spent money I don't have on a degree, and did everything asked of me to eventually become successful, I must expect sexual harrassment. Did you ever think for a second what harrassment would do to me, personally?

Instead of what the person thinks is happening (I'm, apparently, supposed to take harrassment as a compliment), I am thinking so low of myself. I believe that I am just a piece of trash that is kicked around in the dirt. I am worthless, useless, an object, just not human. Then, in Erin's situation, she had to relive that trauma in front of hundreds of cameras, bringing back all of those wretched thoughts and feelings, and then being ridiculed for going public with it.

Imagine if that happened to you, men.

Imagine if a woman said the most objectifying things you can think of, but in their mind, they're complimenting you. However, your mind is racing with thoughts about why this woman only sees you as her boy toy, as just an object, just something that has no worth, no use, and no point in this very human and real world.

But imagine you can't speak publically about it, because then you're just seeking attention...

That's what Erin went through. That's what all women go through. 

Treat others as you would want to be treated. 

I Did It

Best choice I made was coming here. pic.twitter.com/7R5xiWDIAa

— Karli Bell (@KarliBell33) November 25, 2015

Four years ago, I received a letter in the mail back home in Chicago from Ohio University, saying that I was accepted into the university and into the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Who knew that me making my decision to make the culture change from the metropolis of Chicago to the small town of Athens, Ohio would change my life for the better?

Today, I am an official graduate of Ohio University. I finished my degree in three and a half years and made lifetime friends while I was here. The memories I've made here are innumerable. From spending countless Friday nights in the newsroom for Gridiron to every roommate experience I've had, there is so much I've learned here.

The hours I've spent in the WOUB newsroom is immense. I've met my mentors, some of my best friends for life, and future journalists and teachers that are going to change the world for the better in that newsroom. Every show, every cast, every package, every live shot, every interview, and every game I've been a part of has shaped me in some way.

Now, I'm done with school and will enter the working world. I didn't expect my time here to end so quickly. I'm done with school. That's all I've known for 21 years. I'm going to be honest: I'm a bit scared to enter this new working world without having to worry about a 20 page paper to turn in for a political science course or a presentation for a Spanish class.

I'm not trying to sound cliche, but these were the best years of my life. I've had my trials and tribulations like everyone does, but I wouldn't change anything about my time here in Athens. Anytime I meet a freshman, I always say, "I'm so jealous." They have another four years in the best place in this country. It's become my home away from home. I never thought that I would love a small town as much as I love my big city.

I cannot thank my parents enough for letting me pursue my dream and my future. They gave me all the tools they could afford, supported me when others didn't, and took a huge financial risk on their daughter who wanted to get a journalism degree. That is something that I don't think I can ever fully repay. Even when I do eventually pay off these loans, I will still owe them my life for doing something like that for me.


Thanks so much Ohio University & WOUB for giving me the opportunities and
the work environment where I can grow as a journalist. Thank you to Jimmer, Seth, Baucco, and Lucas for being my mentors. Thank you Allison, Atish, Gabe, and Susan for being great co-workers in the newsroom as professional staff. Thank you to the sports department for becoming a part of my family and creating our own fraternity. I know all of you are going to be great successes one day, ranging from my fellow nine seniors all the way down to the freshmen. Thank you Carter for working with me through every issue and obstacle thrown our way this past semester. I couldn't have done anything without you. Thank you John & Jordan for being the best two friends I could have ever asked for.

Thank you to my roommates Katie, Tia, Madison, and Kristin for being able to deal with me for these past two years. Thank you to all my Fenwick girls (Tori, Izzy, Ashley, Claire, Speez, and Theresa) and the two fellow founders of the broadcast club (Jake & Will). Without you guys helping and pushing me throughout high school, I don't know where I would be now.

I still don't know where I will be next, and it's terrifying knowing that. I've been persistent, sent in bunches of job applications, created my resume, created demo reels and created my own website. Now, it's a waiting game to see what station will accept me to join their newsroom, just how four years ago I was waiting to see who would accept me to join their academic community.

All I can say now? I did it.

Rape Is Not a Joke

First off, readers, I apologize for the month hiatus. It was a busy summer for this now college senior (god I don't like admitting that). Anyway, this post is more centralized towards my college audience, specifically Greek Life people.

I've been back on campus for about two weeks, witnessing the tiny baby freshmen move in to their dorms. I also witnessed and worked the involvement fair, where the swarm of freshies took over the center of Ohio University's campus, actively looking at the hundreds of clubs and organizations that are a part of OU. One particular organization, the Ohio University Student Union, handed out pamphlets that sparked rage and anger that is well deserved.

This pamphlet had a list of tips for freshmen. Some were helpful, like where to buy blue books for exams, to use protection when having sexual intercourse, and certain services on campus that are of great use to students. One, however, was repugnant and horrifying.

On Court Street, there is a blue house that is considered an open house, meaning that anyone can come in on the weekends and party with other bobcats. What the pamphlet published was, "DO NOT go to the blue house, the ACACIA fraternity house across from the BP on Court. They're notorious for bringing their free drinks and raping girls."

A member of Greek life wrote a phenomenal response about how this a huge generalization that has no factual basis. It's based on hearsay. This Greek life member hit the nail on the head.

This has sparked something that people need to know: rape is a serious issue and a horrible accusation to place on a person or an organization. Rape is not something that can be thrown around lightly. This ranges from accusations such as what OUSU made to saying that a test "raped" you.

This needs to stop. Now. Saying that a test "raped" you may sound funny to you at the time, but think about what the word rape means. This test or exam did not physically throw you up against a structure as you scream no, bruise you, cause you to bleed, and made you fall to the ground, feeling like the biggest piece of dung and extremely violated. That test may have been difficult, but it did not rape you.

Words like rape, assault, and other similar trigger words are extremely tender subjects. This needs to end. Rape and assault are not a laughing matter. It's physically traumatic and damages victims emotionally and psychologically. The outlook on the male or female gender will change drastically. Emotional stability becomes nonexistent.

I don't know any other way to say this except that it needs to come to an end. Immediately. It's not a laughing matter.

Home is Where the Heart is

As I sit here in my living room, I start to think about my time here in my amazing hometown of Chicago. I've spent my entire life, almost 21 years, here in the city with the occasional time spent in Athens, Ohio. It's hitting me that this is most likely my last summer here in this house, in this neighborhood, and in this city for many years.

I've never moved out of this house; I've only switched bedrooms. I've lived in this neighborhood my entire life. I've scraped my knees on every single square of cement, thrown racquet balls at countless porch steps, and shot many baskets in my alleyway. I've thrown the pigskin around my front lawn, played running bases between the same two trees, and played baseball at the same mock diamond for 21 years.

This reflection has made me realize that the saying "you are where you come from" is extremely valid. Yes, I know this refers to your family upbringing and cultural ties, but there are many other factors that shape who you are. The countless memories I have on this block is something I think about everytime I drive down the street or the alleyway.

Every time I walk by the tree with the now removed face, I think of the amount of times I slid into first base at the base of the tree. I think of the time J.J. ripped the face off the tree when I was 9. I think of the times Dean, Joey, Reilly, and I would sit in the grass, sharpening sticks and talking about God knows what.

Every time I look in my backyard, I think of the times that Billy, Tom, Charlie, and every guy I know would dunk me in that pool. I think of every cookout the Bells had over 20 years with the same people who became our family. I remember every July 4th where I would sit on my deck, looking at the countless fireworks lighting up the sky. I think of the countless splinters I had, the fireflies I would catch, the sparklers I would line our sidewalk, and the bottle rockets we lit off our deck.

Every time I walk up my steps, I look to my right and see my neighbor's front steps. All the times Dean, Reilly, Joey, Jake and I would grab a racquet ball and play pinners for hours. All the times we would make his sidewalk home plate and play quick games of baseball with that same racquet ball and whiffle bat. All the memories where we've slid into home with bruised knees and scraped legs.

Every time I take out the trash to my alley, I look at the asphalt and think of the hours I spent trying to perfect my jump shot. The hours I would beg Joey to teach me the spider or the hypnotizer. The one and only time I beat Reilly in a one-on-one game with a bank shot from the fence. The time where the guys and I would run down the alley after Jake was hit by a car while on a go-cart.

Every trip I make to Walgreens, I think about the hot summer days where we would trek to the store to grab Gatorade and gum. The days we would sit to wait for the bus to head to Six Corners. The times we would walk to Shabonna to play football in the field.

Every time I look at my house, I think of the days we would sit on my steps years later, catching up and reminiscing. I remember when I saw my mom bring my brother and sister home for the first time. I think of every piece of trash I threw in those bushes after coming home from grade school. I remember every front porch conversation I've had with my parents.

Every time I walk through my house, I remember the old, butt ugly yellow kitchen we used to have. I remember seeing my brother and sister take their first steps. I remember screaming for joy in my dining room when I was accepted into Fenwick, and four years later when I made my decision to go to Ohio.

Although I've gone through a lot of downfalls and negatives in my life, this neighborhood and the memories I have here are some of my greatest moments. This neighborhood is me in a nut shell: beat up but still strong, old but youthful, changing but classic. This place, this block, this house, and these people will always be in my heart, because it's my home. Thank you Chicago for the 20+ years of hospitality, memories, and friends you've given me. Hopefully, I'll be back one day as an older, wiser, and stronger individual, ready to come home for good.

Catcalling...Really?

Recently, a woman in New York City created a video with a company to show that catcalling happens, even in the 21st century. The video shocked many men, including my male friends. They texted me nonstop once the video came out, saying, "You gotta see this video. It's so eye-opening." I replied nonchalantly, "This is not shocking. This happens every day to women, no matter where it is."

They were stunned that people catcall this much, even though I've witnessed these same men catcall other women around me. When I was younger, I thought nothing of it. As I've gotten older, I've become so irritated and annoyed by catcalling that I sometimes overreact to men catcalling me. Sometimes, the catcalling becomes very physical.

For example, my friends and I were walking to my friend's place. To get there, we have to walk down Court Street, the main road of Athens, Ohio. We were looking decent; I was wearing jeans, a nice shirt, and a fleece. Out of nowhere, a guy comes up behind me, slaps my butt, and walks away. I was astonished that someone had the audacity to do something like this.

Naturally, because of my nature, I ran after him to approach him. I tapped him on the shoulder, and this was the conversation that ensued:
     "Excuse me, sir."
     "Yes?"
     "Why did you find it appropriate to slap my a**?"
     "Because I liked what I saw. You should be flattered."
     "Actually, I'm not flattered. Who do you think you are that you can go up to a random girl walking down the street and slap her butt? You're no one special, and no one should do that."
     "Jesus, girl. Calm down. Stop being such a b****."
     "Me calling you out on objectifying women makes me a b****? Really? You know what, I hope you realize that I just caused a scene about you doing something completely disrespectful to a woman you don't know in front of a boatload of men and women. You royally screwed yourself over. Have fun trying to talk to any girl tonight."

As I walked away, every girl that witnessed this gave me the biggest smile. Some complimented me on standing up for myself.

What was flabbergasting is that he believed that I should be complimented by him slapping me. Really? You disrespecting women is a compliment? Are you serious? Another thing that was shocking was that he called me a derrogatory name, because I stood up for myself.

This is something that isn't new. Strong women and women who stand up for themselves are always called horrible names. News flash men: we don't need you to be successful. I don't need a boyfriend, fiance, or husband to be happy or successful in my life. I can be happy through work and through friends and family. You are not our sole focus or priority in life.

Why is catcalling still happening? Men, grow up. Calling a random woman out on the street in a sexual manner is disgusting, pathetic, and disrespectful. A true man would approach a woman and try to initiate a conversation. You will not get anything out of catcalling a woman as you drive by her on the street or walk past her on the street. Grow up and stop this now.