Take Five…or Ten

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I know I sure did. The food was great, but spending time with family and friends is what puts the icing on the cake (which I had a lot of).

Take Five

I remember being in high school always looking forward to winter break. The reason I mentally skipped Thanksgiving break was due to our school only getting out the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, which ended up to only being a 5 day break. Which flies by WAY too fast, in my opinion.

I would get so excited because I would not have to go to school and have little to no homework. I still did have basketball practice over break, except Thanksgiving Day, of course. Thanks to practice, I have never, not once, went Black Friday shopping. And with me, being the bargain searcher I am, sure do wish I could take advantage of those great deals.

Most of all, I was ready for a break. I was ready to sleep in, lounge around, and meet up with buddies of mine. Man, was life rough in high school or what?

Take Ten

Looking back at all the breaks during high school, I can only come to one conclusion: THEY WEREN’T NEEDED. I know, it’s a hot take right? What I really mean was is that breaks are a NECESSITY in college. The constant juggling of time, school, and friends gets so abundant that I don’t even think a circus clown could juggle them.

All jokes aside, it really does wear you down. If you are in high school, don’t expect college to be easy. Yes, you probably are going into college with the mentality that your life will be very chaotic and stressful for however long you are here. Some of that is true, but that is what the experience is about. I’m not saying this to scare you off, just giving you the forewarning. So, you can’t say I never told you.

This year, fall break at the University of Iowa was from November 17th to November 27th. Ten full days of no school. It is so relieving to go home and be with family and friends for more than a couple of days.

Before you get ahead of yourself, you will mostly have homework to do or lessons to study. It can get hard to get back in the swing of things when you come back, especially if all of your procrastination finally catches up to you. My advice is to set aside one to two hours a day reviewing your notes or doing assignments. It will keep your brain in the school mode. Don’t get me wrong, it is a struggle to do it, but when I did, I felt better in more confident in coming back to Iowa City.

Turkey Break

Enough about school for a wee bit.

I tell you what, I do love the holidays. What do I love even more? Food. Thanksgiving is just one of my favorite holidays primarily for all of the delicious meals that everyone cooks up.

Granda made some great stew, while the other grandparents carved the turkey and served up the stuffing and green-bean casserole. That is yummy with a capital ‘Y’.

The most special part of Thanksgiving, for me at least, is to come home to all of my friends and family. I sure do love Iowa City and all the incredible people I’ve met there, but nothing beats coming back to good ‘ole Missouri Valley, Iowa.

My friends and I got together every chance we could and told stories about our college experiences. We’ve all have some interesting stories, to say the least.

And during the Thanksgiving celebrations we had (one for each side of the family), I got to see some of my family that I haven’t seen since I’ve moved out, some even longer.

One of the best stories I have from break is from a mini genius. My little cousin, Everett, can tell you all 45 Presidents of the United States. He even knows some of the First Ladies, too. Here I am, listening to a 3-year-old tell me all the Presidents, while I can probably only name five. This kid is brighter than me, and I’m 15 years older.

I even asked him, “So Everett, what President is from Iowa?”

He then replies very confidently, “Hoover Hoobert.”

Even though he mispronounced a wee bit, you git the big picture.

Time is Up

As a good of time that I had, it ended quicker than I imagined. Ten days sure does fly by when you are with people you love in the place you love.

I did read a tweet over break that hit right home to how I was feeling. It read, ‘College makes you appreciate home, but home makes you appreciate college.’

I’ve read some relatable stuff, but I don’t think any form of text has hit me like that tweet did.

It is always hard to leave home, especially when home is filled with friends, family, and all-round great people. But over break, I caught myself telling people that I would be going home on the 27th. That is when it came to me; Iowa City is home now, and I am ecstatic that it is.

I already know I have people that I could count on or just have a good laugh. The Iowa City and campus environment is something that I have grown to love. They always say, ‘Home is where the heart is’ and I totally agree with that. But in this case, ‘Home is where the Tigerhawk is’.

That was the most cheesiest thing I have probably ever typed, which means something because I can get exceptionally cheesy.

Just remember that it is good to go home, but it is as just as good to come back. Only two full weeks of class, then finals week. After that, I will be Missouri Valley bound.

Besides, it is almost December, which means CHRISTMAS!!! You bet your bottom dollar I’m getting jolly. More details will come in the next post.

Stay golden, Hawkeyes.

Swarm

My alarm went off at 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. You may be thinking, “Poor Derek, Saturdays are for catching up on all the sleep you miss because of school.” Well, you’re not wrong, but you’re still wrong. Why? Because it is HAWKEYE GAME-DAY!

Finally, the time has come for Hawkeye Football, and I could not be more excited about it. I have been a Hawkeye fan since I can remember. I’ve been to games before becoming a student at Iowa, but actually being a Hawkeye and attending these games is a whole other experience.

After waking up so darn early on a Saturday, I got my Iowa Football shirt on. On the back it has the Iowa Classic A.N.F. label. For those who are unaware of what this acronym means, it is ‘America Needs Farmers.’ I brushed my teeth, had a Pop-Tart, and headed out the door with my roommate.

My roommate and I met up with a group in front of Daum Residence Hall (on the east side of campus) and made the trek all the way to Kinnick Stadium (on the west side of campus). To some people, the walk is boring and long. On Hawkeye game-day, it is such a festive walk. People are all decked out in black and gold, hootin’ and hollerin’, and just celebrating their love for the Hawkeyes. It makes the walk seem shorter than it actually is.

We finally arrive at Kinnick Stadium and before our eyes is the sea of black and gold. You hear all different types of music. From old style country to modern day hip-hop, everyone is having a good ‘ole time. The smells consist of burgers, breakfast, and well, pretty much anything that can be grilled. If you want some free food, take advantage of this opportunity. Not only will people give you a plate of some good grub, but they will welcome you because you’re a Hawkeye.

The term ‘Iowa Nice’ really comes into play on game-day Saturdays. You see fans, no matter what team they are cheering for, come together to have a good time before the game.

After we arrive and check out the game-day scene, we decide to get in line for the student section tickets. It is about 8:45 a.m. when we get our spot in line. They let in the students an hour and a half early, and since the game started at 11 a.m., we were let in at 9:30 a.m.

Those 45 minutes went by so quickly. Everyone is excited to get in the stadium so the chatter about the game keeps you occupied.

The goosebumps arose when they played a ‘hype video’ on the south end-zone scoreboard. It replayed highlights last season, displayed all of the die-hard Hawkeye fans, and finally, former Iowa defensive lineman Mike Daniels shouts, “We fight for Iowa!”. Man, I have goosebumps just typing it out.

Everyone goes crazy. You can literally feel the sound of 70,000+ fans scream as the Hawkeyes band together to ‘swarm’ the field hand in hand. The song ‘Back in Black’ blares, everyone is on their feet clapping to the beat. It is game time!

Before the National Anthem is played, the crowd hears the famous Heisman Acceptance Speech from the legend himself, Nile Kinnick. So many things get me riled up for Hawkeye Game-day, but this has to be the most thrilling. Some people even have it memorized. I am going to make myself memorize it before my time being a student ends.

The flags are off the field, the coin is flipped. It. is. GAMETIME.

There are so many cheers that were new to me. Being in the 2nd row, I had a pretty nice view of the game and the overall atmosphere. My favorite cheer, however, is the ‘I-O-W-A’ cheer that takes all of Kinnick Stadium. After every score, the spirit squad raises a flag with your designated letter. So, if you are seated nearest the ‘I’ flag, as I was, you form your body into the letter ‘I’ and yell as loud as you can ‘I!’. The whole stadium follows, spelling Iowa. It goes on for a couple minutes at least, and it sure is deafening.

The Hawkeyes took the win against a solid Wyoming team, with the final score being 24-3. I’m proud to say that I am 1-0 while sitting in the student section.

Now, during this week I’m writing this post, is ‘Beat State Week’ or ‘Hate Week’. Why? Well, we face our in-state rivals, the Iowa State Cyclones. If you are a Hawkeye fan, you know how much this game means to us. It gives us bragging rights for a year and makes Iowa officially the ‘Hawkeye State’. It really doesn’t do anything officially, but we like to make it feel like we are better.

In my hometown, the Hawkeye to Cyclone fan ratio is split pretty evenly. Here in Iowa City, it is all Hawkeyes, go figure. Actually, you’d be surprised how many Iowa State fans go to the University of Iowa. One student I met is a die-hard Cyclone fan, but works as a video-team member for Hawkeye Football. Ironic, huh?

Speaking of my hometown, one of my bus drivers is a HUGE Cyclone fan. He would always give me grief about choosing to go to Iowa instead of Iowa State. He even made up his own acronym: I.O.W.A. = I Oughtta Went to Ames! Pretty clever, even for a Cyclone fan. Frank, if you read this, we ought to see who wins! Go Hawks, beat State!

Overall, the game-day experience is everything I imagined it would be. The environment is so electric, you don’t even have to try to feel it. Even if you don’t like football, I highly suggest going to a game. You’ll have a fun time no matter your knowledge of the game. It is sure something I will remember forever. It made me proud to be a student here, to be black and gold, but most importantly, a Hawkeye!

1/15

One of out fifteen. That is how many weeks of classes I have under my belt this semester.

I remember being so eager and excited to get to Iowa City to start college. Now look at me, ‘College Boy Derek’ has one week of class down. It is unreal to think about how fast time has been.

If I could sum-up the first week of classes in a phrase, it would be this: a lot. So much new info (informative or not, it is truly up to you) is thrown at you all at once. It is like you are on a one man dodgeball team and getting pelted by the playground bullies. But, instead of rubber balls, it is syllabi, club/organization invites, and yes, even homework.

To all those high school students out there, I envy you. You get to go back to school, catch up with some friends you didn’t see much this summer, and casually work your way back into the school flow.

College is exactly like that, you see when you first arrive to class yo—SIKE. Your first week of college is like…well…wait. There is a wise guy that goes by the name of Forrest Gump, he states, “Life is like a box of chocolates, ya never know what you’re gonna get.” And boy oh boy, does Forrest hit that right on the nail.

The first week of college is all crazy, all stressful, but it is all OKAY. Yes, you will get assignments on your first day of class. Yes, you will be overwhelmed with it. This is college, and I have a feeling that it is all up hill from here.

You also have to remember that you are here for school. Yes, it is easy to get distracted with the beautiful campus, your friends, and food. Yes, I find the food to be distracting because it is so good. Anyways, you should treat school like it is your job. The reason I say that is because the University of Iowa is big on, “You’ll get out what you put in.”

Long story made short, if you work hard you will be rewarded. Iowa has so many opportunities in store for everyone. Find your passion and stick with it.

Yes, the first week of college is stressful. I feel like I can’t stress that enough, no pun intended. BUT, it can also be super fun, only if you make it.

My focus is mainly to treat school like a job. This means from 8 a.m. to about 4 or 5 p.m., school is the main priority. This obviously depends on your schedule, but as of now this is what works for me.

After you ‘clock out’, the rest of the day is up to you. Spend it wisely!

Okay, back to the point. The first week of classes is a blur. Don’t be intimidated of this blur for it is super manageable. I truly do enjoy being in a routine day in and day out.

I already mentioned it, but I cannot emphasize this enough. YOUR SYLLABUS WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND. Wow, I never thought I would ever type such a sentence, but I did. Your syllabus or syllabi, will entail what your course will be touching on throughout the semester. This is way different from high school due to the fact that you had little to no idea what you’d be hitting on during your class. In college, your whole semester is already planned out. If you want to get a head start and do your homework that is due two weeks ahead, go for it!

I’m pretty sure I covered all that the first week has to offer/throw at you. Don’t take my word for it though, everyone’s experience will be different. That is something that Iowa prides itself on; everyone’s experience is different. Embrace your experience, it will truly be one of a kind!

A New You

Yes, it is here. College. Wow, just wow. Where does time go? I remember trying to hit a ball off a tee with my way too small helmet for my way too big head. I almost looked like Chicken Little when he saved the day in his first baseball game.

Sorry, sorry, I’m getting off topic. It is really hard not to on Move-In day.

Move-in day makes for a rainbow of emotions. You feel ecstatic for this new journey, new people, ‘new you’. While you feel like a little kid on Christmas, you also feel the sense of an ending. Your family has been with you through every step, but Move-In day is when it is time to let go of their hand.

Now, some kids cannot wait to get away from their parents. Some kids don’t even want to think about letting go. Me? I’d say I’m probably in the middle. I love my family, I love my hometown, but at the same time I love the University of Iowa. So, if you are wondering what rushes through your head during this huge day in your life, just expect a rainbow of emotions.

However, after saying goodbye to your parents (Yes, I cried and I am not ashamed), you get to explore new places, meet new people, and take advantage of what the U of I has to offer. After my parents left, I was asked by a friend I met at Orientation if I wanted to go to the ‘Around The World Food Crawl’. What is better than food when you have the blues? You guessed it, free food!

Then, my roommate and I combined with a couple of new friends and hit up the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center to play some pick-up basketball. I am proud to say, as of now, my record is 2-0. I am as proud as I am out of shape, which is very much so.

If you feel like you’ll be one of those kids who will think about home 24/7, stay busy. Not only do you have fun, you meet some new people. Don’t worry about judgement or about embarrassing yourself, it is college. Everyone is in the same boat as you, so take advantage of that.

At the end of the day, sit back and be proud of yourself. You did it, you made it to college. You can now start on a ‘new you’. Be ready for all of the new opportunities that lie ahead, don’t be afraid to mess up, but most importantly, soak it all in. My parents said that college was the best time in their life, but also the shortest thanks to time being faster than Usain Bolt.

I am more than beyond Cloud 9 that I chose the University of Iowa. I’m just as nervous as I am excited. I have my job orientation in a few days and I attend my first college class on Monday (Elementary French I, oui oui).

A lot has happened in these first couple of days, but I feel like I’m ready to take on this new journey. I can’t wait to see ‘New Derek’ by the end of this experience. Hopefully his jokes are more funny, because they are a little rough at the moment.