You Are Enough | Being Candid About the Stigmas Surrounding Mental Health

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Christine

I am reading this book called “The Achievement Trap” by Brandilyn Tebo, and it has opened my eyes as to why so many students and professionals are seemingly obsessed with achievements, accolades, and success. Sure, every human feels good about doing great things, winning an award, or achieving something big; but at a certain point, it sometimes gets to an unhealthy level. I noticed we live in a culture now where young people (20s-30s) or K-12 students are surrounding their whole lives around competing with who has the longest resume, who has the highest SAT/ACT scores, and who has the most achievements and awards. Accolades, Congressional medals, volunteering, professional involvement, work, studies, AP exams, IB exams, clubs, research projects, internships, sports, and can’t forget the social life – these are all important, but how do you make time for everything? The short answer – you really can’t. Something is going to give one way or another at some point. It is overwhelming to balance all of this to say the least, but for some reason we all have to do it, otherwise we risk not excelling in our professional and academic lives. I am not even through 10% of this book and I already have learned so much from it. I hope to write a book like this one day, because I have a lot of opinions on this topic…

There seems to exist a culture today where everyone is high-energy, on go-mode, and just cannot afford to stop or rest. This is not the culture that is going to foster good mental health. In fact, by exhibiting this behavior, I’ve come to realize it actually inhibits progress, often making us so overworked that we have to go back and re-do a task, assignment, or fix an error. Not to mention the feelings of “not being good enough” or struggling with neglecting physical health, relationships, or most importantly, your own mental health setting in.

Sometimes, things happen when you just don’t expect them to.

In March of this year, I was supposed to attend the Women in Aviation 2025 conference in Denver. I was so excited for the event, as it is a testament to females involved with the aerospace/aviation sector, and I usually attend every year for networking opportunities and to meet other national members. Unexpectedly, life hit me hard in March, tanking my mental health.

But this was a testament to my strength. Believing in myself enough to know what is best for me and what was right.

I had to make the very difficult decision to cancel my trip at the last minute. I felt terrible. I realized just then – I can’t do everything.

I really made myself believe that I could do everything. It had come to a tipping point, and I just had to throw my hands up. I took the next few days to myself. To reset and make some time for myself. Ironically, at first, I had to cancel with one of my best friends that I haven’t seen in years because I was going to be out of town for a conference. But it just so happens that I was able to attend her birthday dinner in Orlando because I was no longer going to be out of town. I was so happy to see her after so many years, and I got to ask her to be my bridesmaid in person too, gifting her a bracelet and card. The better part – it was at Disney, so I got to go to my favorite happy place for a day.

We had some great food, celebrated my friend’s birthday, and I got a new pair of Minnie Ears.

I started focusing on the top things one at a time: mental health, school, work, and wedding planning of course!

I picked out my perfect princess wedding dress shortly after my trip to Disney. I have had all of the love and support throughout this whole wedding planning process. Having a good support group is absolutely vital.

In June, I attended the annual FABA conference in Tampa, FL! This was an incredible opportunity to network, meet the other board of directors at the Florida Aviation Business Association (FABA), and gain the opportunity to speak on a panel! Can’t wait for next year’s conference and to share all that FABA has accomplished by then.

I serve as a NASA Lucy Ambassador, where I volunteer to inform the public of NASA’s mission to the Trojan Asteroids. In June, I also presented at my very first venue – The Deltona Regional Library. This library has its own nature trail and so many environmental exhibits. It was the coolest thing ever! I loved spending the day here and my audience had a great time at my presentation. I can’t wait for my next talk, so stay tuned for that location!

June was just jam-packed for me – guess what else?! I’m a podcaster now!

Okay but seriously, I received the opportunity to talk on the “Let’s Talk Girl Scouts Podcast” and spoke to 2 Citrus Council Girl Scouts. During the episode, we talked about what it means to be a female in STEM, what my most memorable moments are, and how to overcome adversity. This storytelling event really drove home for me what life is all about. I appreciate the ladies of Citrus Council for this opportunity and be on the lookout for this episode of this podcast on Spotify and LinkedIn (and even some future episodes down the road that we have planned)!

I like to be well-rounded, very involved, and I am constantly growing and learning. So far, I have taken a summer course, MA 510, attended a conference, worked on my thesis, presented at my first venue for the NASA Lucy Ambassador Volunteer role, recorded a podcast with the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, celebrated my 4-year work anniversary at Olive Garden, and have been planning my summer wedding. Ironically, this post is somewhat of an oxymoron. I am blogging about all of the crazy busy things I have been doing, but yet I also took time for myself, and in some cases, chose my mental health over school/work/volunteering for once. I think this dynamic is important to recognize just how challenging it can be to take a step back.

In closing – My Advice to Anyone Who Needs to Hear They Are Enough: don’t compare yourself to others. You are in your own lane, on your own timeline, and directing your own story.

Ciao for now.

Move-In Time: What You Really Need

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Grace Hamilton

As we are quickly getting closer to the middle of the summer its time to start focusing on what you need to bring with you to move into the dorms. Now if you start doom scrolling on Instagram and TikTok there will be people telling you to bring this and that. But let me tell you……. half of that stuff you will never use and it will just end up taking space.

A lot of students like to “theme” their rooms and make it something that represents them and their hobbies. During my freshman year my side of the dorm was very pink and girly. My roommate loved sunflowers so her whole side was very floral. We didn’t know we were roomates until we moved in but it ended up workiing out well. If your are able to coordinate with your rooommate(s) it will help ensure that your room isn’t too cluttered. Here’s my list of the items that were crucial to me during my time in the dorms:

Dorm Room Essentials:

Mattress topper – trust me your back with thank you
Twin XL sheets
Mini fridge
- When your meal plans run out and you want a little snack or ice cream having one of these is a lifesaver.
- My roommate and I shared a minifridge to save on space.
Desk organizer
- The desk you are given only has one drawer, so if you have a lot of stationary i suggest having one of these.
Desk lamp
- The lighting in some of the rooms is kind of dim so for late night studying this is an essential.
Comfy pillow
Comfortor
Towels and washcloths
Personal hygenie items
Storage or shelving (make sure its nothing to big)
Hangers
Blanket (I was always freezing in the dorms….. lol)
Snacks
- There is no such thing as too many snacks
Laundry basket with either wheels or a handle
- The washer and dryers are not in your room unless you are in New Res 3 so I suggest a nice and sturdy laundry basket
Laundry detergent and fabric softner

These are just a few of the basics that you are going to want to have. Now decorations are completely up to you but I know I definitely brought way to many. I learned from my fall semester and took alot of it home during the Christmas break.

You can also see a list of things to bring – or not to bring – on the Residence Life page here. I hope this helps a few of the incoming Eagles. See you all in the fall!

Degree Planning: Where to Start?

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Dominic

So, you’re about to start your first semester here at Embry-Riddle! You’re most likely in some general education classes, and University 101 (or an equivalent class). This class is super important to jumpstart one of the most important planning processes during your time at Embry-Riddle: Degree Planning. While it may seem confusing and a bit tedious at first, having a solid degree plan your first semester will set you on a path for success over the rest of your time at Embry-Riddle. Here are some helpful tips from someone who has had to create and revise their degree plans so many times.

Tip #1: Look at the flow chart for your specific degree – Most degrees at Embry-Riddle have flow charts created by the academic advisors for your specific degree that show the ideal progression of courses you will take. While it is often not the only sequence courses can fall in, it can offer helpful information, such as if courses are only offered in a specific semester or if there are different elective options to choose from.

Tip #2: Meet with your academic advisor – Your academic advisor is probably your most useful resource when it comes to degree planning, and meetings with them (whether in their office or on Microsoft Teams) can help clear up any confusions you may have about your plan or help sort through any roadblocks. They are especially helpful if you need to get any course prerequisites waived, or have conflicts between course offerings.

Tip #3: It can help you plan a minor – This tip might sound a little more unexpected, but degree planning can help you add that minor that you’ve been debating on declaring. Once you have finalized your degree plan for your degree, it can show what open electives and other spots in your degree are free to add courses towards a potential minor. For example, I had 2 open elective spots in my finished degree plan at the end of Freshman year. Because of this, I was able to declare a minor in Emergency Management since it only required an additional 2 courses on top of the courses for my degree, and I had the space. I didn’t think I would be able to add a minor until my completed plan showed me that it was possible.

Hopefully, these tips will come in handy for anyone planning out their degree, whether you are a freshman who just got to Embry-Riddle, or a current student who is in the process of changing your major.

Best Places to See a Riddle Sunset

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Dominic

Let’s face it: we have a beautiful campus here is Daytona Beach. And there are also amazing spots around campus to watch the sunset, especially during the summer months. There is no better way to wind down with your day then watching the pink skies over the airport and speedway. I have seen (and posted a ton of sunset pictures) from many places around campus, and I find that it helps relieve any stress and clear my head from all the craziness that life can throw. Here are some of my favorite places:

The Parking Garage: Probably the best place on campus to watch the sunset in my opinion, the parking garage allows a great view of the sunset over the airport and the speedway in the distance since it is a couple stories high and super close to the airport. My parking garage spot is near the top of the garage, so it is always a treat to be able to watch the sunset before I leave campus for the day. You also get to see the occasional plane take off or land, making for great pictures of the Daytona Beach sunset. I even have pictures of the sunset here with the perfect angle of the Goodyear blimp that comes in every year.

The Goodyear blimp flying during a beautiful sunset this past February. Shot from the parking garage.
The Library: While I do not have any pictures of the sunset from this particular spot, the fourth floor of the library offers great views of the sunset if you are lucky enough to snag one of the chairs that overlooks the speedway. This is once of my favorite study spots when I need to lock in on an assignment, and the angle of these particular seats combined with this being the fourth floor of the Student Union make this a great place to watch the sunset. Just make sure that the sunset doesn’t distract you too much from studying.

Outside the Student Village: Okay, this spot might sound a little weird and/or vague. But, hear me out. As a student who lived in the Village for two years and who had to park in the red lot, it would always see AMAZING sunsets walking back to my dorm from the parking lot on the sidewalk right outside of the Village by the O’Connor drop off loop. This particular spot is right across the street from some of the Intramural fields, and every time I have walked past it during sunset it has not disappointed. If you live in the Student Village or just want to take a nice sunset walk, this might just be the next place to watch the sunset.

The beautiful October sunset outside of O’Connor Hall
I hope this guide helps you find the perfect places to view the sunset around campus this summer. Be sure to comment down below if I missed your favorite spot, I am always looking for new places to watch it around campus. Here’s so more sunset pictures!!! 🙂

Miles of May Magic

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Grace Hamilton

The month of May was an adventure from Day 1. Between family visiting, house sitting, and my internship I have stayed consistently busy.

Earlier this month my mom and grandmother came down to Daytona to visit and celebrate my birthday with me. We went out to the Tanger Outlets for some internship outfits and summer shoes. Let’s just say I got a whole new wardrobe for my internship, and boy am I glad all my tops were short sleeves. Along our adventures around Daytona I gave them a tour of Embry-Riddle’s beautiful campus. My grandmother had never been here before so she wanted to see everything.

During their time here we went mini-golfing, enjoyed the poolside and had some incredible food.

My internship at SeaWorld has been a blast. I’ve been learning so many things about environmental safety and how it all relates to the animals, guests, and local area. It has been extremely hot in Orlando the past few weeks. As you can see I am a ginger and the sun and I aren’t exactly friends. So my daily 6-7 hour walks and 15,000 steps around the parks have been accompanied by a lot of sunscreen, but every minute out in the park is worth it. Everyday I am learning something new.

One of my favorite experiences so far has been helping the guest find their way around and answering any questions they may have. Being able to put a smile on their faces and help them enjoy their day at the park makes me smile. The little kids always adore watching the animals especially the dolphins and orcas. We just recently got a few rescue dolphins in and they are the sweetest things ever and so playful.

Little SeaWorld fun fact for ya:

Jaws 3 was filmed at SeaWorld. Pretty cool right?

Everyday that I walk into work and leave I am greeting with some precious wild rabbits. They are adorable!

Now for some yummy treats. 🙂

On my last update I showed you all my fresh sourdough bread. Well, I’ve tried something new and have now learned to make chocolate rolls. These were incredible right out of the over with the melting chocolate and fluffy/flaky rolls. They did not last very long and are going on a “to make again” list. If anyone is interested in the recipe just let me know.

Embry-Riddle’s Communication Major

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Dominic

Embry-Riddle offers a wide array of majors for students to study. While everyone probably knows an Aeronautical Science or Aerospace Engineer major, how many can say they know a Communication major? In fact, the most common question I get asked as a Communication major is “why did you come to Embry-Riddle for Communication?”

I recently finished my second year at Embry-Riddle, but my journey at this university did not start in the Communication program. I was a meteorology major with an interest in one day becoming a broadcast meteorologist, but not thrilled about all the heavy technical classes the degree entailed. However, I was intrigued by the Communication program, and how it allowed me to still achieve my future goals from a different perspective.

The communication major is a small program, with enough students to fit in one average sized classroom in the College of Arts and Sciences. This allows students to make close connections with professors in the Humanities and Communication department, and build friendships with other students in the major since you have at least 2 or 3 classes with them a semester. I have really valued the connections with fellow students and faculty that this program has helped foster.

Communications is also a unique program at Embry-Riddle, letting students get a blend of communication and science courses that you don’t get at most schools. These include courses in social media, communication theory, public relations, and science/technology communication. Communication majors are required to choose a minor as a part of their degree plan, letting students choose what they want to concentrate their studies on. Students have minors ranging from Marketing, Latin American Studies, and Global Conflict Studies.

Many students in the major, including myself, are on the Broadcast Meteorology track. This allows students to still take many of the same weather classes that Meteorology majors take, but also learn how to effectively communicate science and complex topics to the general public. Recent graduates on this track have gotten jobs at news stations as meteorologists around the country because of their skills gained from this track like no other university in the country offers.

The Communication program also offers great opportunities for undergraduate research through courses and with professors. One example of this is the annual Humanities and Communication Research Symposium that occurs at the end of each semester, and allows students from different research and theory courses to present their work from the semester.

While it might not be the first program people think of when they think Embry-Riddle, the Communication major is a flourishing program in the College of Arts and Sciences that allows all students to succeed in a way that only Embry-Riddle can provide.

Unlocking Scholarships: Tips, Tricks, and Hidden Gems

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Grace Hamilton

Hello everyone! Since summer is here and we all have a bit more time to breathe and relax we can focus on funding our future. Embry-Riddle is an amazing school that’s worth every penny plus some. However, it is really expensive, and that’s coming from a Florida resident. The only way that I have been able to attend Embry-Riddle for the past 3 years is all thanks to scholarships. I am so grateful for every single one of them and all the donors who are making my aviation safety dreams come true.

Now many people will tell you, “You’re going to have a bunch of student debt when you graduate” and “college is too expensive.” You know what my response to that is? I will always respond, “College funding can be a breeze if you prepare before hand and continue to pursue opportunities.”

Here’s my guide for how to graduate college debt free like me and so many others. I will warn you its not going to be handed to you. You will have to work and put effort in. Just remember that that effort will pay off big time and allow you to have a little less stress through your college years.

For my Florida resdidents look into the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. There are two different breakdowns depending upon your GPA, volunteer hours, and SAT/ACT scores. Since Embry-Riddle is a private university you will only recieve a percentage of this money but trust me when I say every little bit helps out. Alongside this there is the Florida EASE scholarship. You should be automatically put into this one depending upon residence and scores but all specific details can be found on the website.

Now for all the Riddle eagles out there please, and I cannot stress this enough, apply for the Donor Scholarship from the school when you see the email pop-up in your inbox. It takes less than an hour to fill out and gives you the opportunity to be considered for so many different donor scholarships. I have recieved a few each semester from this application and it has saved me time and time again. You only have to answer a few questions and write a personalized essay about how scholarships would help you and who you are.

Another great funding opportunity out there is FASFA. This is a government scholarship that has no interest and doesn’t require any payback. The application for this can be a little tricky and confusing but the program was recently updated allowing the process to go much smoother and quicker.

At Embry-Riddle having good grades helps a lot in the process of obtaining scholarships. The school offers a Presidential Scholarship to students with high GPA’s and performance. This is a great opportunity to obtain an easy scholarship and motivation to do well in your courses. For all the ladies out there Embry-Riddle offers a Women of Excellence Award under similar circumstances. Most recieve this every year without any extra work needed. So while some people say grades aren’t important they most defiently are! Having good grades and a decent GPA gives you a higher chance of recieving higher scholarships amount and more awards.

Overview of all scholarships mentioned:

Florida Bright Futures
Florida EASE
Embry-Riddle Donor Scholarship
FAFSA
Presidential Scholarship
Women of Excellence Award

I hope that this helps inspire some of you all to take the time and opportunity to apply for as many scholarships as you can. Scholarships have helped me pursue my educaticational goals and future career without all the financial stress and student debt. They can help you too! Please reach out to your financial advisor for any specific questions regarding your specific path.

Checklist Complete: Internship Season Begins

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Grace Hamilton

Hello everyone! The Spring 2025 semester has officially wrapped up and summer has begun. I wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself. My name is Grace Hamilton and I am an Aerospace and Occupational Safety Major with minors in Aviation Law, Aeronautical Studies, and Human Factors. I know it sounds like a lot but its really excited to see how they all intertwine. Spring 2025 wrapped up my third year at Embry-Riddle. It’s crazy to think that I’ve been an eagle for that long but time flies when you are having fun!

Last semester I had to great opportunity to tour United’s MRO facility at Orlando International Airport with the Aviation Safety Advisory Council. For anybody who, like me, at first doesn’t know what MRO means it stands for “Maintenance, Repair, and Operations.” Let me tell you, this trip was incredible. I got to tour both hangars and even see a B-737 completely gutted out that was getting rewired. There were so many components at this facility and I learned so many new things that I can apply to my career.

During the past month I have been so busy I can’t believe that I even got to sleep. Every week there were meetings, end of semester banquets, trainings, elections, and finals. Oh I can’t forget the three presentations that I had to do. All in all everything turned out really well. It may have been stressful and chaotic but it was so rewarding and exciting.

Towards the end of this month The Avion held elections for their new executive board. I’m excited to begin my postion as the 2025-2026 Design Editor for the Avion. I have so many fun and creative ideas to boost engagement and give students a platform to display their events, news, and photographs. So keep an eye out for what is to come!

Now that the semester is over I can begin focusing on my internship. I got accepted to SeaWorld and will be working for them as a Safety Specialist intern this summer in Orlando, Florida. I’ve been to SeaWorld so many times growing up that I was ecstatic when I got an email that I was accepted for the program. I don’t quite know all that I’ll be doing yet but that’s just part of the journey. What I can tell you all is that on my first day there I get to observe the fire evacuation procedures for the Sky Tower ride. It’s going to be a fun and busy first day.

It may sound like life at Embry Riddle is go go go all the time, and sometimes it can be. But, it is important to remember to take time for yourself and enjoy the little things. For me that is baking, embroidery, crocheting, and enjoying the beach. Today I baked two sourdough loafs. Nothing like fresh baked bread and a walk on the beach to make your day.

I hope you enjoyed my little debrief of my final few weeks of the semester. This summer is going to be exciting and full of new adventures that I am so excited to share with you all. There’s going to be alot coming this summer and next fall. I can’t wait to share my journey will you all! Have a great summer!

So long and thanks for all the fish

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Isabella

To quote Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, so long and thanks for all the fish!
On May 6th, I will walk across the stage and graduate with my M.S. Systems Engineering degree, ending my time here at ERAU.
Last year, I graduated with my B.S. Engineering Physics degree with a concentration in Spacecraft Instrumentation and minors in Applied Mathematics and Electrical & Computer Engineering.

My time at ERAU has taught me a lot through many challenges, those good and those more…character-building. Over everything, it has truly developed me into the person that I am today. My advice for those still at ERAU is to pursue your dreams/passions with every ounce of effort that you can give, take care of your mental and physical health, and stand up for what you truly believe in and what is right. At the end of the day, you are the only one that has to live with yourself. During graduation, looking back on your time here and being proud of every decision and action that you have made is the best feeling in the world.

Godspeed to all those heading towards graduation. Here’s to the ones that dream 🥂

A Busy End to Sophomore Year

Posted on April 29, 2025 by Dominic

Hey everyone! As the spring semester comes to a close I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Dominic Popolo and I am a Communications Major with a track in Broadcast Meteorology and a minor in Emergency Management. I recently completed my second year at Embry-Riddle, which is crazy because it feels like I just started! I guess time just flies like that.

A picture of me in New York City last August!

This past week was probably the busiest I’ve had all semester. Between banquets, finishing up projects, presentations, and more, it has been a marathon. As stressful as it was, it was also super fun and rewarding.

My week kicked off on Easter Sunday, when my friends and I drove up to Matanzas Inlet to have one last beach day of the semester. I definitely enjoyed soaking up some sun before I return home to New Jersey, where it won’t quite be beach weather yet. The sun was definitely a little harsh and I got a little sunburnt, but I still had a blast!

Tuesday started off with my final presentation in my Thunderstorms class about the March 25, 2023 tornado outbreak. My partner Reagan and I had been practicing all weekend for this presentation, and we were able to successfully give all the information about the severe weather event in the allotted time. It was definitely a stress reliever to complete the presentation.

That night, I had the annual end of the year meteorology banquet, where we celebrated the accomplishments of both the Meteorology Department and the American Meteorological Society / National Weather Association (AMS/NWA) Chapter on campus. This banquet was a great time to get together as meteorologists on campus, eat some barbeque, and watch the annual “Professors Read Mean Evaluations” video. The executive board for AMS/NWA next year was also revealed at the banquet, and I will be serving as Secretary. I am so excited to help further the mission of the organization on campus!

The AMS/NWA Executive Board for the 2025-26 school year!

After the banquet, I went to my final Avion meeting of the semester as News Editor, where we celebrated the semester with a party and staff awards and superlatives. It was such a fun year in Avion this year, and I am so excited to continue my journey in the organization as Managing Editor next year!

My final meeting with my News Team in the Avion. News Team Best Team!!!

Thursday was another busy day. I started my day off by presenting my research project at the Humanities/Communication Research Symposium. My group researched how upperclassmen digitally market themselves to potential employers for our Communication Research Theory and Methods class. It was such an enlightening experience to be able to present our research that we have been working on all semester.

Presenting my research at the Humanities/Communication Research Symposium!

Later on Thursday, I attended the Student Government Association (SGA) End of the Year Banquet. Here, we highlighted the accomplishments of the SGA throughout the last year, and looked forward to what next year will bring. It was a great chance to spend time with my friends and celebrate our hard work throughout the year. We also got some great pictures at The Avion’s brand new photo booth!

The 2024-25 Avion Executive Board celebrating at SGA Banquet!

With Friday came study day, and I worked an entire day in the Weather Lab tutoring students for their Introductory and Aviation weather courses. I really enjoy my job here, being able to share my weather knowledge with students from all majors to help them succeed in their classes. Starting Friday night, I also assisted with the Late Night Study Sessions in the Student Leadership Suite, handing out donuts with the Avion as a part of the SGA’s broader initiative to feed as many students up late studying during finals. We gave out 10 dozen donuts in 17 minutes, which was crazy!

Finally, my week came to a close on Saturday. After working on our final reports and projects all day, my friends and I decided to take a drive to the park at Ponce Inlet with some Taco Bell for a break from the stress of finals week. This was a nice way to end our super busy week and spend some time with each other before we all disperse for the summer. A couple of my friends are graduating this semester, and I am so sad to see them leave. But I know there will be even more friends to be made and adventures to have when I return to campus in August.

A nice night at Ponce Inlet to cap off my crazy week.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my final week of Sophomore year on campus. Just know that there is much more to come over the summer and next fall! See you all soon!

My Life @ Riddle

Daytona Beach Edition