STARS: How I Survived One Of WU's Toughest Majors

I graduated from Winthrop University nearly 22 years ago with a B.S. in Computer Science, minor in Business Administration. Let me tell you: Computer Science was one of the toughest majors at the entire university. 

Many majored thinking of the earning potential and honestly because of gaming at that time. Little did they realize that there is a lot of math and theory involved within.  Therefore, there was lots of turnover in that major within the first 2 years. 

I nearly crashed and burned myself but I was determined to see this through and did. I was making Cs in some classes and had to drop two classes due to nearly failing them. Not many knew about the last part. 

I sought out folks that were better than me at this subject and grasped it well. This is still what I practice to this day: find someone better and see if they will help you. I did this and we had study groups. I formed a lot of connections that I still have to this day. 

I also changed advisors to one that really got me on the proper track to success and graduation and career advice. I plugged into my professors, staying in their office even outside of their office hours. I wasn't going down easily. I went from making Cs and even Ds and below to having a B or better in all of my remaining courses except for one. I really learned my craft, how to program and the inner workings of it all. 

This knowledge and education wasn't initially wasted either. I landed 4 different jobs in my field shortly following graduation. I ended up leaving the field and focusing on the business side and eventually earned my MBA and am now in management with Amazon. I still take pride in how I fought in that tough major and exceled in and out of the classroom.

STARS: How To Start If You Want to Become An Author

It's hard to believe I have been a published author for 4 and a half years now.  It's been a dream and a bucket list item for me.  

Many have asked how did I get started and publish this book.  I will tell my story and give pointers for those willing to do what is necessary to make this happen. 

I needed to pick a platform that catered to independent, first time authors. I chose Lulu because I watched the late Peggy McDaniel Lutz have success with them. CreateSpace with Amazon is also a good one to use. Both have tools once your content is complete to design the size, page count, overall layout and even cover. 

I spent six months with a rigid one chapter per week (sometimes 2) schedule to construct my content. I then submitted my content for initial approval. I made necessary editorial changes which between that, marketing, headshot; procuring my cover (I contracted an independent artist/friend for that), it was another 6 months before the book was ready to publish. 

I also looked at the prices on Lulu and saw which packages fit my budget the best. Understand that with the first book, many are not going to break even. I used some monies I gained from a 3rd party source to fund my book expenses. I would say prepare to spend $1,000-$2,500 for your first book. This also includes distributing your book for sale to Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other such bookstores. 

I then completed all that was needed for the book and ordered 200 copies based off of pre ordered primarily and for book launches.  I ordered another 200 once those were gone. 

I'm proud to say that overall to date the book has grossed over 300 copies in sales with folks still wanting to order online or purchase a copy for me. Therefore if being an author is a passion of yours, just know it takes work and dedication but it's doable. You have to want it though.

Drew's Rule Book

I'm going to take a break from the STARS posts at least for a couple of weeks as I undergo some professional and personal transitions.

I posted a while ago about my personal instruction manual. Well I decided in the spirit of the show P-Valley and Uncle Clifford, decided to post my own rule book for life.

1. Love the Lord

2. Love others

3. Love yourself

4. Stop spoiling shows and movies

5. Be respectful and act the way you want to be treated 

6. Allow common sense and reason to be your guide

7. Always look and think forward; look at the windshield rather than the rearview mirror

8. Remember you don't lose; you win or you learn.

9. Treat every relationship you have seriously and don't cheat

10. Keep yourself educated. If you don't know, dedicate yourself to finding out. 

11. Get your "me" time

12. Stand up for yourself.

13. Check your bags at any restaurant, even if they wrap up the bag

14. Leave Meineke, KFC, Starbucks, Dunkin, Planet Fitness, Applebees and any such evil, useless chain alone (I will only go to Applebees to support two servers I know)

15. Krispy Kreme is better than Dunkin or Duck Donuts. Stop fighting it just because other places put bacon on your doughnut 

16. Bacon goes with almost anything

17.  Walmart should be 24 hours again (more of a request)

18. Taxation is theft. Prove me wrong

19. Liking a politician is like liking an exotic dancer. Many only want your money

20. Social media doesn't necessarily make you a good family member, activist, singer, athlete or social influencer

21. Don't go into anyone's else house causing drama

22. Don't invite anyone to your home that you wouldn't hang out with in public 

23. Be honest with others and yourself

24. Tell a person how you feel, tactfully

25. Answer the relevant messages

26. Declutter and purge certain areas of your life as necessary 

27. Be consistent in your daily actions and behaviors.

28. Seek medical attention when you need it. 

29. Be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. 

30. Don't leave a person behind, whether at a party or social gathering. We have too many ways to communicate; remind and let them know what's going on.

31. Don't forget your friends and family's birthdays. Get a special calendar if need be. 

32. Do not ever waste food unless it's spoiled 

33. Don't intentionally and ignore me for no reason. 

34. Don't go ghost without letting me know. That's the parental instinct in me. 

35. Please come correct and respectful to me. Talk to me and not at me. 

36. If you're going to talk about me, have your facts straight 

37. Don't question my work ethic. 27 years and 12 and 7 with the same company speak for themselves. 

38. Don't mess with the main Fs" family, food, finances 

STARS: How I learned how to play offensive line at 16

Some of you know I didn't start playing football until I was 15 and really wanted to get onto the field and play by my second year. I saw the future and that my best chance to see the field was to learn the offensive line positions. We would be short my senior year. It was tough but I was determined to accomplish this.

I watched lots of game film and not just Blacksburgs but college and the NFLs to prepare for my form, explosions, stance and stamina. I worked out in the weight room religiously the spring and summer prior: dropping 40 pounds so I could have more lean muscle, increasing my benchpress by 50 pounds and my overall stamina by lifting and running the track and bleachers 3 times per week for 7 months. I also learned our playbook and how to block for certain plays properly and use my hands instead of my forearms. I knew I would be a better asset if I knew the granular details.

I developed myself even more as the season began. I was named starting offensive left tackle but I had to learn to be still during the snap count and know the snap count to not get offsides. I also had to block, period or I would be back on the bench. 3 scrimmages a jamboree and 12 games later, I kept my position, kept improving and was a reliable blocker and teammate.

I encourage anyone wanting to go out for a position you love to do it if you have both the skill and opportunity. Offensive line was tough to learn but I did and on a high level.

STARS: How I Saved Sunday Dinner

It's August! I have been coming up with many good writing and other creative ideas. 

Many of you know my mom is fighting Father Time as she has a lot of mobility problems that keep growing. One of the things she can no longer do is cook Sunday dinner, one of her pleasures. I can but she doesn't like some of the stuff I cook. It would take a lot for me to cook a full Sunday dinner, especially since I work late on Saturdays and I am often tired. 

We lived on fast food and sandwiches for a while due to proximity to restaurants with quality home cooked meals. 

I checked, researched and taste tested many places in the area to avoid fast food and to ensure we all had a good Sunday meal that I could bring home. I currently go to three places that meet this criteria and are open on a Sunday closeby: York Family Seafood, Clover Station and Sandy's Chew Chew Soul Food. These are all 3 local small businesses that offer full, home-cooked meals. 

I have found that part of adulting is outsourcing certain parts of your daily life. I'm very blessed that there are restaurants that allow my mom to have her Sunday meal weekly. She doesn't ask for much, never has. Therefore it pleases me that I can provide this for her and myself.