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Get Smart with Shradha about #GivingTuesday

On one hand there is Black Friday, where we indulge in really crazy deals, sales and absolute chaos. Then there is Cyber Monday, where we are absorbed into the virtual world of discounts and sales. But now there is a new and much more rewarding event that has come our way–Giving Tuesday! For obvious reasons, [...]

Get Smart about Anxiety and Depression

“In light there is darkness, and in darkness there is light.” ~ Beautiful Chaos When I was younger, I never thought that depression or anxiety would become a part of my life. I thought that I had a good life, which is still true, but I never foresaw having anxiety attacks or becoming depressed. At [...]

Life is not a Fairytale: Get Smart Now!

When I was younger, I would picture my future to parallel the Disney princesses’. I would meet my Prince Charming in a magical, romantic way and fall madly in love. We would live in a beautiful home surrounded by the classic white picket fence with a huge backyard for our kids and dogs to play. [...]

Just One More Cup of Coffee: 5 Ways to Listen to your GUT!

I was sitting in class, extremely sleep deprived and finishing my first cup of coffee; I had pulled another all-nighter trying to finish an important assignment. The professor was about to discuss something extremely important but I couldn’t seem to pay attention. I really needed another cup of coffee. I thought, if I rushed to [...]

A Get Smart Gal’s Coming Out Story: Born This Way & Proud!

I have seen various people posting their experiences of wanting to come out to their friends and family. The reason that I want to write this is to help other people who are struggling with who they are and for them to know it's okay. As I look back, I remember it was when I was [...]

Get Smart about Procrastination

My name is Johanna, and I am a chronic procrastinator. Early on in my high school career, I discovered that I was really good at finishing assignments last minute. Like, really good. And when I say last minute, I mean morning-of, or during lunch, or in the class period before it was due. It became [...]

Be True to Yourself: Get Smart Now

I never felt like I was true to myself growing up. I lived to please, and let others make my decisions. Like a puppet, people controlled my strings, and all the while, I struggled to figure out who I was supposed to be. I was not my own person. I was molded into the different [...]

Scared of Feminism? Get Smart Now!

“17.7 million American women have been the victim of attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.” ~ RAINN Women in Iran are protesting after eight women have had acid poured on them by men who did not see their wardrobe fit. ~ Washington Post White American women make on average 77 cents to every dollar [...]

Finding Fictional Heroines: A Get Smart Girl’s Guide

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” ~ Anna Quindlen In our modern era, it’s hard to find female role models that empower women, but also show them that part of being human means showing a range of emotions. Heroines can be [...]

Stress Much? A Get Smart Gal’s Tips for LIVING!

My relationship with stress all began when I was 10 years old when I was leaving home for the first time to go to sleep away camp. Going to a new place alone and meeting new people was a terrifying idea, but little did I know that I would be lucky enough to make two [...]