Have a Safety Net

We all have bad days, weeks, months or sometimes longer periods of time when we are not feeling so great. Ask yourself: What will you going to do when this happens?

• Keep a file on your computer, phone or e-mail account of videos, movies, photos, books, articles, e-mails or other media that you find inspiring and uplifting. Include a list of achievements and things that make you feel proud of yourself.
• Start thinking about which friends and family always make you feel good. Have their phone numbers handy for a bad day.
• Keep a funny file of things that make you laugh. Check it out when you are feeling bummed.
• Be around people - solitude can be the enemy.
• Exercise, get outside, get active and energized.
• Make a list of all things you want to do in life and under each listing, write ways you can work towards that goal.
• Develop a positive routine. This is a daily and weekly routine of positive influences in your life which might include a radio show that puts you in a good mood, setting goals for your day and week. Establishing a good time to exercise each day, having a meal with a good friend, do something that gets you outside, ask friends for tips on what they do to keep themselves happy. Watch a show or movie that makes you laugh. Add to your list of achievements.
• Some people find that time spent with animals, volunteering or being close to water can be relaxing, calming influences on life.

Holli had a lot to overcome before she came to Hocking.

Until she was ten years old she was an ordinary, happy kid who loved playing outside; a tomboy, into sports and the girl who played in the dirt with the boys and climbed trees.  That changed when her older brother began raping her.

"I didn't want anything to show because I wanted to be a regular kid. But after a while, the rage built up and I became hostile and started lashing out," she said.

Holli's parents sent her to counseling where she was diagnosed with ADHD, oppositional defiance disorder and depression.  Then, when she was 13, there was also an incident with her father.  On top of everything, Holli was given a medication for bi-polar disorder that caused her to gain a significant amount of weight, which caused people to make fun of her.

"It was too much," Holli said.  "I caved and told my best friend at school.  She told the guidance counselor at school.  When I was asked to see the counselor, I felt betrayed."

When the counselor asked her what happened, Holli told her every detail.  When Holli's mother heard what happened she told Holli that she should not lie to get attention.  "To this day, I have never forgiven her," Holli said.

Her other siblings told her she was breaking up the family and her brother's behavior continued until she was 16.

"One night, he came to my bed and touched my feet, I gave it everything and kicked him in the face.  That was not the last time he tried but from then on, he got nothing but a fight from me," Holli said.

After that, things started turning around for Holli.  She started going to a career center, which gave her hope and a sense of control, a second chance to be who she wanted to be.  Her terrible grades became straight A's, she made friends, got off of her medication and started losing weight.

"This was my new start at my own life," she said.

She met a guy through friends at the career center and moved in with him the day she turned 18.  Unfortunately, after a couple months her boyfriend became physically and verbally abusive.  Even when she became pregnant the abuse did not stop, so Holli moved back in with her parents. Then, she made the decision to get an education.

"I decided to do something that nobody in my family had ever done. So I registered at Hocking College as an inspiration to my son, so that he would know his Mom went to college and he could too," she said.

Holli chose the fitness management program because of her experiences with weight.  Since she had been bigger and enjoyed working out, she wanted to help other people do the same.

"My dream is to open a recreational fitness camp for kids - to build their self-esteem and confidence," she said.

Holli has advice for people who have experienced the same things she did.

"It's wrong, you don't deserve it and nobody should be forcing you to do something you don't want to do.  You have to stand up for yourself physically, mentally and legally.  Come to terms with what happened.  It does not need to shape you, you don't have to let it rule or define you.  Start talking about it.  There will be tears at first, but it's OK and people can help you.  Find an outlet - working out, music, socializing - and know you're not alone," Holli said.

"The biggest step for me was talking about it.  Then, you can breathe again.  I like talking about it now... and it might just inspire somebody else."

Source:  American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• Establish a healthy lifestyle now by forming habits that will last a lifetime. Do some form of exercise each day: Workout, swim, run on the track, bike the bikepath, play the Frisbee Golf Course
• Eat right: See that your diet has plenty of fresh fruit, whole grains, low fat.
• Avoid mind altering substances like alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.
• Avoid nonprescription drugs.
• Keep small problems from getting bigger. See a counselor if something is bothering you.

Contact Brady Trace at 740.753.6540 with questions.

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Grants are available through the Student Center for club funding!

If you are the 'First in Your Family' to go to college, receive the Pell grant and are interested in transferring to a four-year college, you may be eligible to participate in the Student Success Program. Stop by John Light 253 to see if we can help YOU succeed, or visit the The Learning Connection page on the website.

A representative from the Peace Corp will be visiting campus Wednesday, February 29, 2012

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Individual Appointments
Please sign-up in Career Services at JL 191 or contact Kraig Curry at 740.753.6106.

4:00 p.m.
General Information Session
JL 246

February 15

February 21

February 22

February 28

Climbing Competition (Crux Fest)

March 3

March 16

March 17 - 25

March 26