My name is Emily Bennett and I am in my second senior year finishing my double major of political science and communications.
My name might sound familiar because I was an ASUW senator for the college of Arts and Sciences. I ran for senate because I like to help others. I am a nurturer by nature and so friends and family have come to me for advice in the past.
I have always thought the Branding Iron needed an advice column and so here it is. I am clearly not a professional, but I would like to help by giving readers who submit questions my help.
Here is how it works: Although I am writing under my real name, question submitters may use pseudonyms. The questions will need to be submitted via university email accounts to my email. Yes, this means I will have your name, but I promise to be completely confidential unless I believe you are about to harm others or yourself.
My qualifications are based on my life experiences. I have been through a lot. I have seen a lot. I have done a lot. I do not judge. Readers can ask me anything. I will answer all questions the best I can and I would like to impart my knowledge with others.
However, I do not expect readers to blindly trust me, so I will give you the gist of my story.
I am a firm believer in overcoming obstacles life throws at you. I am the oldest of three children and my parents were alcoholics. I was not forced to take care of my younger siblings, but it was something I did. I enjoyed hot meals, a clean house and clean laundry so I took care of my family. What I did not realize was that I was actually enabling my parents’ irresponsible behavior. Hindsight is always 20/20.
In ninth grade, I began to realize what was going on. I realized that the reason my parents did not want to take me to my friends’ houses to hang out was because they would be too drunk to pick me up.
My mom quit drinking three years ago when I transferred to UW. I think this happened because I was no longer living at home and someone had to pick up the slack. Coming to college was a pretty easy adjustment, but I have definitely struggled with some personal issues. My parents are getting divorced because they no longer have things in common. My dad wants to drink and my mom has hit her midlife crisis. She wants to get out and do things. I don’t blame her.
Among the typical stresses of collegiate life like worrying about classes, grades, time management and a social life; I have experienced more. I was sexually assaulted over spring break last semester by someone I had once considered a close friend. (Yes, I’ve gotten help from professionals on the matter. I have also discussed it with law enforcement. Something I highly recommend anyone in a similar situation should do.)
At this point in my life I feel as though I can tackle anything. I would like the opportunity to help others feel the same. So if you need advice, submit a question.
