Ashley Smith
Bio
Creative writer, people person.
Stories (9/0)
Listening to Literature
If you’re like me, you take pride in your physical book collection. The bend in your shelf from the weight of the books scratches an itch in your brain you never knew existed until I pointed it out just now. When I was little, Beauty and the Beast was my favorite movie. I wanted to be just like Belle — the strong, heroine type who was gifted an entire library of books to peruse. Belle was a reader, so she was *quirky* and *different.* I still don’t have a library like Belle, but I’ve found that she was so right to escape through her novels. I now also understand that it wasn’t the collection she admired. The value of the books lies in their ability to sweep you away to far-off places.
By Ashley Smith2 months ago in Fiction
Falling in Love with Fiction
Last year, I rekindled my love of reading. As a gifted kid who burnt out in the 11th grade, I was well-used to reading above my grade level. In college, I was met with required readings and textbooks that broke both the bank and my back. I found it hard to get into books that weren’t the feel-good, motivational type — shout out to Bob Goff, I love you! After 23 years of life, and a friend group that constantly bullied me for not understanding their references, I decided it was time to hop into the wonderful wizarding world of Harry Potter. After finishing the series in a month or so, I had a new appreciation of reading and where it could take me. I found my niche in a few weeks — fiction, thriller, suspense, mystery mash-ups. So, dear reader, I thought I’d share with you my top four books from last year that kept me engaged, sweating, in shock and most importantly, back into the swing of loving reading.
By Ashley Smith2 months ago in Fiction
The Future is Film
Your mistakes are beautiful. In 2021, I set out on a journey to regain confidence in my photography skills. One semester in a college digital photography class had wiped away any notion of talent I thought I had. During some spring cleaning, my grandmother came across an old box. The tattered cardboard was home to her old film camera she forgot about in the early 2000’s as digital cameras made their way into view. It was a Pentax K1000 she purchased in the late 70’s. “The newest model,” as she described it. She offered me the camera, and I spent the next several hours researching ways to make it work again. It turns out, a single battery was all it needed to start capturing images again. Of course, I decided to make it my entire personality. In a week or so I had a new lens and several YouTube tutorials bookmarked. I didn’t know much about the technical nature of my new-to-me camera, but I did know that I was thrilled to begin traveling with the same camera my grandmother took all over the world.
By Ashley Smith2 months ago in Photography
The A-Z's of your Freshman Year of College
Another semester, another opportunity to make lasting memories while you’re away at school. College brings all sorts of challenges. Whether you’re leaving your family for the first time or just nervous about starting off fresh with anywhere from hundreds to thousands of other students, the internet is packed full of advice for you that is teaming with do’s and don'ts of college-life. So, with almost two years of experience under my belt, I thought I would share with you some of the most valuable things I have learned during my experience at college in alphabetical order. Without further ado, here are the A-Z’s of your Freshman year of college.
By Ashley Smith5 years ago in Education
How the Sexes Communicate With Body Language Differently
Body language is no longer just a catchy tune by singer/songwriter Kid Ink. In fact, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines body language as, “the gestures, movements, and mannerisms by which a person or animal communicates with others.” Scientists are now making observations that allow humans to decipher these built in messages that began forming long ago. Despite the obvious similarities that you might share between you and your partner, such as taste in music or decor, there are various key differences in the way that the sexes communicate nonverbally, or, through body language.
By Ashley Smith5 years ago in Humans
A Planner's Paradise
HI, my name is Ashley, and I am a planner. Okay, there it is, my (not-so-secret) secret. Over the last few years, I have been on a mission to organize my life. Whether or not I have been successful in this attempt, though, is up for grabs. Life doesn't always play by the rules, as I expressed in previous articles, but I'm determined to do my best to inspire the lives of others while organizing my own. In an effort to continue this mission, I'm going to share with you some helpful planning/organizing tips, tricks, and ideas for bettering yourself and your agenda.
By Ashley Smith5 years ago in Lifehack
Why You Should Listen to Gaming Soundtracks While Studying
The end of the semester is quickly approaching, and along with room check-outs, advanced class selection, and warm weather, comes the dreaded finals week. As students start racking up hours in the library and Hub, they are forced to cram course material while dreaming of days on the beach or lounging at home. One way to balance this nostalgia for a dreamier day while studying is the use of fantasy gaming soundtracks while reviewing. The best part of this technique? You don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy the music that accompanies gameplay, and it can improve your focus, motivation, and productivity.
By Ashley Smith5 years ago in Education
Reviving Morgan
It’s 2015 and I’m surrounded by my family and six of my best friends in the entire world. I’m celebrating my 16th birthday in the heat of June, and three months worth of planning couldn’t have prepared my celebration for the words about to come out of my friend’s mouth.
By Ashley Smith5 years ago in Humans
