Real College Life with Lily Crowder
Welcome to real college life where I interview amazing college students and get their insights, strategies and advice for navigating life in real time.
This interview with Lily is so great because she is almost at the end of her college journey and it’s cool to see her perspective and hear her goals with that in mind.
Meet Lily Crowder
What’s your name, what are you studying, and what’s your current vibe this semester?
Lily Crowder, Middle School ELA Education, current vibe this semester is chill and growth. I student teach and graduate next semester so I’m working on forming long term goals and growing/learning how to be an adult.
Study setup: Describe your ideal studying setup. Where are you, what’s around you, what are you using?
I love to study in coffee shops, because I need some background noise and love to body double to max out my productivity. I love Vault Coffee here in town. I use my computer usually, because most of my assignments are online. I take handwritten notes in some classes and type notes iN others. So I might have a notebook. I love to use scrap paper too to formulate my ideas.
Focus fuel: Are you a silence person or playlist person when you study? What’s your go-to “locked in” music?
I am a playlist person. I need music with words for some reason when I study, but it needs to be music I’ve heard and know well so it’s just background noise. Taylor Swift and Harry Styles are go to’s.
Snack/drink: What’s your must-have study snack or drink?
Iced coffee and I love something crunchy and salty. So I switch between chips and pretzels. I’ve also added in some fruit and mini cucumbers lately for that crunch factor in a more healthy way.
Reading: What are you reading right now, or what’s a book you always recommend?
I currently have 3 audiobooks going on
That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You by Elsye Myers
The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-JonesThe Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
Physical Reads:
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Beowulf
Grendel by John Gardner
Book I Always Recommend:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Planning: How do you plan your week in the way that works best for you?
Honestly, I write down my schedule on my phone so it’s always accessible because I forget plans a lot. It’s pretty basic because if I plan every hour of my day, I usually don’t follow it and then I feel bad and like I failed. So I write down the things that have to happen and then value choice during down time.
Routine that works: What’s one routine that actually helps your life feel more steady?
I pick out my outfit and pack my lunch if needed the night before and get my backpack ready. It relieves stress from my morning day of.
Non-negotiable habit: What’s a habit you need in your life to feel like you?
Reading 😂
What do you do when you’re stressed but still have to show up?
Bribe my brain 😂 I try to add something to my day that provides dopamine to help me feel better about doing stuff I don’t want to. If I have a day of meetings I like to make a fun drink or buy one to take. Coffee from Vault or an Alani are go tos right now.
What are you passionate about?
Being genuine so others feel like they can be their “true” self around me and feel accepted.
Perspective: What do you wish you knew at 18?
That I don’t have to have everything figured out. I’m getting a degree but I don’t have to use it in the way it’s intended. Having a degree opens up doors for me that would have previously been closed. I can always change my mind and do something else with my life later.
Happy right now: What are you genuinely happy about right now?
The little moments; late night talks with roommates while we make our lunches, holding a newborn, opening my window in my room at night feeling the cold air.
Fun questions:
Current song on repeat?
Doubletake by Edgehill
Favorite “reset” thing to do?
Shower and listen to music
Current fixation drink/snack/meal?
Sheet pan meal: chicken apple sausage, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, seasoned with olive oil, salt, garlic and onion powder
I preheat the over to 425 and cook the carrots and potatoes first for 20 minutes, then I add the broccoli and sausage and cook for 15 more minutes.
One thing you’re looking forward to this semester?
I’m planning my own curriculum currently and am loving it. 11th grade Brit Lit.
Note from Lily
Don’t feel like what you go to college for is what you have to leave college with a degree in.
Take as many different classes as you can your first semester and find out what you really like and what speaks to you. You may discover a passion you didn’t even know you had.
