College
Freedom, independence and excitement of the unknown were the main feelings I experienced as I left home and embarked on my first semester of college. I couldn’t wait to start my post high school academic career, meet new friends and truly be on my own for the first time in my life. I viewed it as a milestone achievement and a right of passage. 
While it was everything I thought it could be, it was also a bit overwhelming. Like many students that go away to college, I started experiencing feelings of homesickness. Those feelings grew little by little as I began to comprehend that the support network of family and friends I had relied on for the first 18 years of my life were no longer there. Before those feelings grew beyond control, I received my first care package from home. My parents sent me the obligatory junk food, personal items and well wishes from home that I sorely needed, but more importantly, they provided me with my own personalized cards. It was this that I came to appreciate the most. I used that personalized stationery often to keep everyone I cared about updated on my life while I was away. It was my lifeline back to my family and friends that I had to leave behind. It kept me connected until my next trip home, and that made all the difference in the world.
RSS Feeds
Kay Brown – Memphis, TN
I am currently in my first year of college and have really enjoyed the experienced. At first, I was home sick but once you start making friends it makes it a little more enjoyable. My mom bought me personalized cards for a gift when I first left for school so I can keep in touch with old friends and family. I have just used up my box of stationery and am returning to reorder. I love writing notes versus sending an email or text message. Especially when you are a way at school I think receiving letters back helps you coup with missing the home front.
16 January 2012, 9:47 amDarlynn - Chicago
There was something romantic about writing home from college, but who does it any more ? After all, phones and email EXIST, right ?
16 January 2012, 10:53 amJeff Harvey
When I was in college, my family at home used to send me letters now and again, and I would do the same. I was no more than 90 minutes from home, and I went home every few weeks to stay in touch with them and with my friends at home, but I sent letters anyway because it was a good way to stay connected with my family. When you’re coming home mostly to see your friends, you don’t always have a lot of time to talk to family and so sending them letters helps to keep in touch even when you do see them once in awhile.
I didn’t have any personalized cards or stationery at the time, but if I were to go away again to school I would definitely make sure to pick up some nice customized cards to send.
16 January 2012, 11:50 amSophisticated Stationery
My daughter is about to embark on her second semester and she loves her personalized stationery. She will mail notes home, to friends, and even leave little notes for her sorority sisters.
16 January 2012, 12:33 pmDarlynn - Chicago
I will say that I get the occasional written note from my daughter, to whom I gave a box of personalized note cards for her last birthday. She is in her second year of college and has not forgotten me yet. I think she likes the beauty of the cards and does appreciate that I thought about the gift in advance, and ordered it personalized with her monogram.
16 January 2012, 3:17 pmValentineOne
Writing is such a beautiful gesture — it will always be appreciated despite the current fascination with email and cell phones. That was a great idea of Darlynn’s to give personalized writing cards as a gift. If we want to get written notes, we should give the gift of stationery…
16 January 2012, 3:25 pmAllwriteNow
You’re correct, Valentine — writing is beautiful and won’t go away.
16 January 2012, 3:47 pmAndrew Johnson
I had one of my most formidable experiences in college. A life changing moment in which I realized my inner capabilities more than what was expected from me through my family. College is a great platform to truly discover yourself.
16 January 2012, 3:55 pmGillian621
Although Andrew’s experience in college sounds so positive — mine was less so. We are not all good students.
16 January 2012, 4:04 pmBethany
I don’t know. Sending letters is nice and all. Using personalized cards for it is even cool, especially since there are some very pretty designs you can get.
But sending letters thru the mail is so expensive! And it’s hard enough for me to pay my bills in college without piling on extra things.
I suppose a letter now and then might not hurt. But if I do that, then I really need to make it count. Time to take another look at those personalized cards…
16 January 2012, 7:05 pmHaley Poppy
College was a surreal experience. I was expecting lots of party and hangout time. Needless to say, medicine required lots of education. All I did was study and occasionally went out during the weekends for dinner. Yikes!
16 January 2012, 7:20 pmMike Levine
College was awesome! It just depends on your major honestly. I did International Marketing and had a writing major. Our writing department was amazing at promoting our department. We regularly had parties even though many students came in for writing help.
16 January 2012, 7:25 pmTom Price
College is about how you apply yourself. Whether you are commuting to a local college or attending an Ivy league school, personalized notecards and memos can add a little touch of home in your study agenda. Ditch the laptop, grab the old paper and pen.
16 January 2012, 7:31 pmPaul Atkins
The best things about college is getting a job post graduation. Although bit hectic, I was really glad to earn some major cash after paying out my school loans. The best thing was that I came at Giftsin24.com to send my recruiter personalized thank you notes. It made me stand out so much more. Concise advice: Graduates get your cards here and look good in front of all your prospect employers.
16 January 2012, 7:34 pmHenry B Springs
College is a radical change, a big departure. You meet lots of new people and they meet you. You go from one big achievement right back to the bottom again so its helpful to try to start out with a little bit of spark and the realization that you know more about yourself and your personality so its time to let some of us in on one of your best kept secrets, you. You’ve probably been told this before and will undoubtedly hear it again even when your college years are over and done but the relationships that you build in college will undoubtedly be some of the best things that happen to you in your life. Personalized Cards and Notes are great ways of looking forward. Just think that you can seal the date on a meeting, an introduction, encounter or even a joke in a college with a Personalized Card or Note. Cards and Notes may seem a bit old fashioned but in the modern world regardless of the internet you can still make a unique, long lasting introductions with new friends as well as warm impressions with old. They’re that investment of time that keep those you’ve developed friendships with in your corner. Why not show them that they’re worth the investment of a little time, a little energy and effort. We have a 124 beautiful Personalized Cards or Notes to choose from. We’re sure you’ll find the right one for whatever purpose you have in mind.
Let us represent your best relationships and let them express the same sentiment with Our Best Cards and Notes. Celebrate the best moments in your life: Traditional Monogram, Blossom, Glory Cards, Columbia, Brittany and Flourish Notes. Give the gift of a full range of expressions and impressions to connect with anyone and everyone as they learn the same is possible with you. Our cards sing celebrations, convey gratitude, and wish everyone well for the most significant moments, special moments you express gratitude.Moments that will make and remake your life. Watch them bring the best of everything to life. Send a variety of messages in a rich array of Cards or Notes with over 124 of our Best Selling Notes and Cards. Light up your messages in every color of the rainbow. Let your true colors shine through in our Cards and Notes as they become a magical language for all the days of your life. Personalized Stationery gives you a little more time to enrich someone else’s experience and they learn from experience our cards can do the same.
“Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, Make me feel important. Never forget this message when working with people.”
Writer: Mary Kay Ash
16 January 2012, 8:25 pmMarc Esperanza
March is coming up and I am psyched about my graduation. Already got the hall ready and ordered all my necessities from Giftsin24. Everything was personalized. It is going to be a great party!
17 January 2012, 12:28 amJames Robinson
Rite of passage indeed my friend. College is something that every student dreams of and frankly spends so much time deciding to inhibit their life experience. I remember filling numerous college applications, worrying about my ACT and SAT. It was tedious but worthwhile.
17 January 2012, 12:57 amSam Sakota
Ratemyprofessors.com is a lifesaver guys! And if you want to excel, send them a thank you note from Giftsin24 with a box of chocolates. It never fails.
17 January 2012, 12:59 amCasey Suzz
My brother just moved out of the house and got a dorm at NIU. It was bit hectic and he is bit scared to initiate his move to a 4 year university. I think at times its a mental challenge to live on your own more than the physical aspect.
17 January 2012, 1:09 amBritney Garfin
After having been accepted into a university, there are many different ways to enhance your college experience. One of the ways that I assimilated is through fraternities. I was part of the Alpha Theta Kappa and the accounting club, which really helped me get a job through networking. Scholarships were also granted to students with high GPA’s. College was definitely helped me transition into real world.
17 January 2012, 1:14 amChole Sullivan
It is always a good idea to build a good foundation of networking. Recruiters come to schools that have strong basis of networking and organizations. One of the key things that students lack is professionalism. College is all about prototyping your real life experience. Print your reports in good paper and as always personalize with array of items from Giftsin24
17 January 2012, 1:18 amJonathan Price
So many people here giving good advice about college. You’d think it was a college blog or something. But it’s true that sending out personalized thank you cards to professors (as well as potential employers after college) is a great way to leave a good impression and get ahead.
And like some people mentioned up above, personalized note cards and stationery are great ways to stay in touch while you’re away at school.
17 January 2012, 2:18 amHenry B Springs
“Well, I know it’s kind of late. I hope I didn’t wake you. But what I got to say can’t wait I know you’d understand.” You’ve heard these lyrics at one time or the other. You probably just haven’t had someone use them in a Personalized Note or Card? To some people going away to school,college has placed them in situations where they are without in their traditional support group, needed ties that bind to make them feel valuable or just to reaffirm that they are group, more of the same person that they were before most of their friends, support groups ended upscattered. Yes, leaving home for the first time can give you mixed feelings about yourself, about life and about those you have some connection to. You will find yourself with many opportunities to make the most of new connections and culminate new relationships. Ofcourse you will try to reconnect with old friends and relationships that were quite meaningful to you and that’s perfectly normal.
That is why Personalized Notes and Cards are that added element in your relationships that will make people you no longer see everyday realize you care. Sure you can call and email but that added gesture of going beyond that will surely make people want to get back to you directly or respond in some form or fashion as if ” when can I see you again” meet me to do something? Most college students have received a care a package in one form or the other. They are always overjoyed that someone has been thinking and taken the time to assemble some of their favorite things. If you haven’t received Personalized Notes in your care package you can always check out what we have available in 72 Personalized Thank You Notes. You can also consider Embossed, Monogram and Raised Print Offerings. Just think if you send your friends Personalized Notes or Cards and they take the time to send back or just respond you’ll realize the investment of Personalized Stationery: Cards, Notes, Notepads, Gift Enclosures and Personalized Napkins is well worth the cost.
” What is uttered from the heart alone, Will win the hearts of others to your own.”
Writer: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
17 January 2012, 9:43 amSadia Rahman
College is a lot different than high school. Your freshman experience will truly define your experience. Without doubt,the most dramatic freshman year is for those living away from home. But it is something that you embrace as you get older.
17 January 2012, 6:40 pmSarah Hunz
I loved college but textbooks were so expensive. At one point, we would all share books to reduce the cost of our expenses. That meant cooking in low budget and surviving on ramon noodles.
17 January 2012, 6:43 pmBlake Hills
The first rule of thumb is to get to know other college freshman on your floor, and socialize. Socialization is crucial towards developing friendships and networking. solidifying friendships with notecards and personalized thank you cards are excellent.
17 January 2012, 6:47 pmThomas Griffin
I was so ecstatic to dorm when I went out of state but I really missed homemade food! My mom was nice enough to send me brownies and notecards for Christmas and birthdays. It really cherished my moment.
17 January 2012, 6:50 pmYousf Ahmed
College has a reputation of being one of the best times in a person’s life, mainly because it is. At the end of the day, your degree is only a fraction of what you’ll end up taking away from these four years. The experiences outside the learning environment are just as important as the work you do inside of the classroom. So enjoy your time being in college, it will be a memorable experience.
18 January 2012, 12:08 amFarah Mapara
I just attended my college reunion and I was really shocked how people have changed in a good way. The college jocks were no longer fit and had settled down with families. The geeks were CEO’s of their respective companies. College is truly a life-changing experience.
18 January 2012, 12:08 amRobert Jenkins
I loved college Fariah! But their was always that one professor that really degraded the class. But then you will get another professor that is cool and laid back. I guess that is college in nutshell.
18 January 2012, 12:22 amHamida Byinz
My college had two campuses. The first campus was in downtown Chicago and it was always hectic. But the one nearby Lincoln Park was so much better because it truly reflected a student town. Small pawn shops everywhere along with rich atmosphere. Do you guys like big urban colleges or small universities?
18 January 2012, 12:36 amCynthia Johnson
Well Hamida, it all really depends. I liked a small university but they never had my major of study so I had to switch to University of North Carolina. But these adjustments are crucial on daily basis.
18 January 2012, 12:37 amMark Arcan
I knew two twins whose parents were in tough luck. Both went to rival schools and played against each other. Can you imagine, trying to pick which daughter to root for?
18 January 2012, 12:37 amJameel Simons
That is an interesting point Mark. College is definitely a personal choice. It extends beyond academics and athletics for some. I know for me I wanted small class sizes so I can really focus on my secular education.
18 January 2012, 12:50 amSamantha Johns
The other day, a bunch of people decided to have a pillow fight at 5 a.m. in the hallway. Okay, i understand you want to live your childhood again but was it necessary to break the sprinkler? Some people just use college as gateway to have some fun
.
18 January 2012, 12:22 pmSonia Shaikh
Indian weddings capture the true essence of tradition. When I came to America, I was assimilated in such a fashion that I really wanted an American style wedding. However, I did not realize that cultures in itself can be diversified.
18 January 2012, 8:00 pmSuhani Patel
Mendhi is truly a unique tradition in itself. In the Western culture, it resembles more of the bridal shower. It would exquisite to see a ceremony of a bridal shower with an Indian theme.
18 January 2012, 11:03 pmRuhi Shah
It is our creativity and individualism that enables us to show our compassion. Personalized notecards allow us to be individual and unique to create an aura of our own celebration. Traditions and family aside, we all want to remember the wedding of our life.
18 January 2012, 11:05 pmPaulina Sitto
I hated commuting with passion because I kept missing my trains so many times. I think at times living at campus is essential because it allows individuals to gain a true sense of living alone and teaches them responsibilities that they would not acquire. Although it can be expensive, it is definitely worth it.
18 January 2012, 11:05 pmSafia Hedgins
The college years are probably the last truly carefree years of your life. After that, you’ll have to grow up and assume responsibility: a job, a family, a house, etc. So, “college experience” refers to that wonderful and hectic 4 years of your life.
20 January 2012, 1:47 amSuzie
College was a time that I became really liberal and opened my eyes to new perspectives. As a relatively conservative individual, I really made new friends who had different opinions than me. It really expanded my horizons on new perspectives.
24 January 2012, 6:40 pmRita Ali
I was a finance major and half way through my junior year, I realized that I am a good writer after submitting some samples of my work. I ended up finishing my degree and getting a journalism major. Sometimes good unforeseen circumstances occur that really define you.
24 January 2012, 7:26 pmJanet
College is not all about frat parties or excessive studying. I found a middle ground and thoroughly enjoyed the college experience in every aspect. I eventually went back for my graduate studies and my experience was bit different as I had less freedom due to a full time job. Regardless, college should be an experience that escalates learning curve for individuals.
26 January 2012, 12:38 amNina Henderson
I am a senior in high school and reading all these posts give me a giddy feeling about college. It also seems as if it will really be an amazing experience with more stress that I may not be able to handle. Fortunately, I will be attending a local school so I wont get homesick as much.
26 January 2012, 12:38 amfarah
Twinkle toes, how you doing
31 January 2012, 9:50 am