Homecoming Experience

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Happy Homecoming week!

As the week rolls around, I want to highlight some fun things about this week’s homecoming! Last year, as a freshman, it felt scary to enjoy the homecoming festivities, but now, as I enter my second year, I ended up doing a lot more.

Firstly, the Iowa Memorial Union has things going on all week! Specifically, I went to the open house on Friday, where I got a lot of free things and learned more information about different student resources within the union (as well as the restaurants in the union). I highly recommend going, as you learn a ton and get a ton of free things.

Another thing I did was visit Finn, the therapy dog, in his “paw” fice hours! He has more availability during this week, and I totally took advantage of getting puppy love. This is also completely free, and a ton of students do it!

Lastly, I spent most of my day at the Homecoming Concert hosted by SCOPE! This is usually on the Pentacrest, but this year we moved it into the union. This is also a completely free event and usually has a ton of people, so you can make new friends!

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Joining a Student Org

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Hi everyone!

This past month has been a whirlwind. I have done a lot regarding studio classes, like drawing the human figure and painting my face over and over. But I’ve also been doing a lot of work outside of class!

This year I joined SCOPE, a student organization on the University of Iowa campus dedicated to bringing quality concerts and entertainment to the University of Iowa campus and Iowa City Community. SCOPE stands for Student Commission on Programming Entertainment (a mouthful, I know…).

I was really nervous to join SCOPE as it’s a bit competitive and always seemed out of reach for me, but now, as I’m almost two months into being a member, I cannot be happier about my decision. In the org, I do a lot of content and am a part of the content committee. I help make posters, reels for event promotion, and come up with ideas on how to highlight SCOPE on campus.

This organization has given me some amazing friends and a way to get outside my comfort zone while still feeling safe and understanding of what I’m learning. If you feel disconnected from campus or want something new to do, I highly recommend joining a student organization. There are so many different types of orgs for all different needs, and it never hurts to try multiple groups before deciding what you want. It’s really scary at first, but once you find your club, you’ll be so happy about your choice.

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What I Did Over the Summer

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This summer was full of planes, more schoolwork, and resting- I hope yours was too! (well maybe not the schoolwork part… unless that’s something you want.) Let me tell you about it.

Traveling

I hit the road this summer and visited both the beach and the mountains! Firstly, I went to Panama City Beach, Florida, with my family and best friend, where we sat in the summer sun, swam in the ocean, and spent too much money on Ron Jons clothing. This was my first time back on the beach in over six years, so you can imagine how amazing it felt to relax near the water after a chaotic semester. It was also my first time bringing a friend with me, and that was great! As an only child, I’ve always entertained myself on vacation, so now having another person to do things with added to the 10/10 experience.

Then, two weeks later, I headed to North Carolina! This was my first time traveling by myself without my parents, and I hate to admit it, but it was a lot easier. I stayed in NC for four days to visit my boyfriend and his family. It was definitely an interesting experience since NC is a lot different than Iowa, but I enjoyed every minute. I visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, ate some amazing local food, and climbed a mountain (with 700 stairs involved… I don’t recommend that).

Summer School

My summer isn’t usually complete without summer classes. For the past three years, I’ve always taken summer classes to help with costs, time, and education throughout my schooling. This summer, I took three courses relating to marketing and social media to get my Social Media Marketing Certificate in the future! Every class was online and on-your-own-time. It was pretty time-consuming, especially while continuing my job at Performing Arts at Iowa, but it proved to be worth it with what I learned and the time I got out of it.

Resting

Lastly, I did rest! I played a lot of video games, read ten books, and drew my heart out. Although it was difficult to leave my schoolwork on the back burner in order to rest, it was so worth it. Even though I love busy moments, everyone needs time to do something that isn’t work, school, or really anything other than “nothing.”

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The Semester of Internships

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Hi readers!

I hope everyone’s start of the semester has been off to a great start, or the start of fall has treated you well. This semester I’m heading into my second year on campus, with four more semesters to go before I graduate. It seems weird to be halfway through my time here already, but regardless, I enjoy every minute.

This semester I was supposed to have a busy class workload with around 18 semester hours; however, many things changed with my schedule this semester.

Firstly, I added and dropped about three classes. I had a studio class that wasn’t working for me, a Spanish class I didn’t have time for, and an art history course I enrolled in two weeks after the start date. This was terrifying, as I hate not knowing things and understanding my schedule; however, it went a lot more smoothly than I realized, and everything worked out perfectly. Now, I’m taking two studio courses, a biology gen-ed, and an art history course.

Alongside this, however, I was given the opportunity to intern at The Englert Theatre as a graphic design intern for the year! I saw the listing for the position two weeks before school started, and learned of my start date the first week of school. I’m currently trying to figure out how to navigate school, my regular part-time job, and now my internship, time- and productivity-wise. I was always terrified to get an internship, but now as I’m heading into my second month at Englert, I’ve learned a couple of things that make it easier.

Firstly, time management is a learned skill, not a given. If you look at my Google Calendar, it looks like I’m busy from 7am all the way to 11pm, but I’m really blocking off time in my day to focus on productivity and certain things like homework, internship stuff, and general things. It’s definitely been a learning curve on how to work on things in a timely and designated manner; however, now that I’ve been focusing on it, it feels a lot better to navigate.

Secondly, it’s okay to not do anything. I’m a huge football fan, and you can find me tailgating and running around near Kinnick every Saturday. However, I get terrified to go to the football games this semester, as I always have something to do. So for the first few games, yes, you would see me at Kinnick, but I would be on my phone writing an essay and not paying attention to my friends. I started forgetting the fun of game days, and was only absorbed in what I needed to do. So to combat that, I made my Fridays a jam-packed focus day, making my Saturday more pleasurable as I had fewer things to worry about.

Lastly, you earned this! I’ve had a lot of imposter syndrome in this internship, as I have a lot of questions, don’t know that many things, and constantly have to fix things when my boss says no. It started making me think I didn’t know what I was doing and regretting doing the internship. However, one of my coworkers noticed my hesitance building and said to me, “We chose you because you’re Harper, not a manufactured robot.” So whenever you achieve or gain something, know that it was given or accomplished because you did it as yourself, not as someone else.

Let’s see how the rest of this semester goes, and I hope the start of your October is full of pumpkins and cool weather!

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A Quick Overview on the Spring Semester

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Hi everyone!

As this hectic semester comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on the semester. Our heads can go straight to the negative aspects and things we can’t control. I find myself doing that a lot. However, this blog won’t be that. In this, I’m going to highlight small but mighty moments that made my semester bearable and overall an amazing way to end my first year here.

Firstly, one thing that gave me a lot of joy was the warmer weather. I have been outside constantly, and have finally started tanning! Although it’s scientifically proven, the sun gives you this joy and mental warmth to make everything more bearable. Along with that, it’s nice just to sit outdoors without freezing or needing to layer up. Sure, the wind sucks sometimes, but I’ve learned to always carry a headband with me.

Secondly is my routine. This semester in particular, I’ve created a simple yet impactful routine that has helped me keep my head straight. I always have breakfast, I always do A B C throughout my day, etc. I even block out times to study at specific locations. One of my favorites is the hour between my rhetoric class and work meeting, where I go to the art buildings (which is conveniently halfway between both), and study with a gorgeous view.

The third thing I’ve loved is the lounge experiences. Most of the time, to get things done, I go to our floor lounge, which usually consists of people I know. It’s nice to chat with them, say a quick hi, and either sit with them or go our own ways. At this moment, I’m doing just that- sitting with two people on my floor while we all do our separate assignments and tasks. This is the part of college you’ll remember.

Lastly, to tie it back to weather, one of my favorite things is the YikYak weatherman. I don’t use YikYak (think of it as a big anonymous group chat for Iowa students); however, I do get “trending” notifications. Every morning, without fail, there’s this guy who does a daily weather report, full of what to wear, what to expect, and the little details you want to ask. It’s so small, and I usually don’t take its advice (even though it’s always correct), but it’s something that always makes me giggle, and such a small community impact. It gives you a bit of hope.

You’ll hear more from me later, but for now, this is a happy April!!

Harper

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Best Outdoor Spots on Campus

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Hi everyone!

With the weather getting better and better each day, you can find me outside more often than inside. It’s been fun to explore new places on campus to either study outdoors, relax, lie out, etc. Here are some of my recommendations for each purpose!

The IMU River Amphitheater

Want direct sunlight at all times of the day? Well, the IMU is here! Based on its location on the water, there is constant sunlight on both the grass and the tables. Personally, I burn way too easily, so it’s not my desired space, but I know if you’re in the mood to tan or sunbathe, that’s one of the best places to go. It’s also right on the water, so you get the nice river breeze, which cancels out the insane humidity at times.

Currier Courtyard

Now the Currier Courtyard is where you’ll find me at all times of the day. It’s in between Currier and Stanley Hall, and is a perfect spot for studying, tanning, anything really. There are nice tables that change from sunlight to shade depending on where you sit, making it nice to change your preference in the same area. Along with that, the patio is divided by bushes that lead into the grass area, where you’ll find a ton of people lying out in the sun. It really creates a great sense of community when you’re out here. It’s also connected to the indoor lounge, so if you want a break from the heat, you can get inside quite quickly.

T. Anne Cleary Walkway

Right in the middle of campus, the T. Anne Cleary Walkway gets a ton of foot traffic every day- yet there are great benches and tables (with umbrellas) on the sides! I like studying there and people watching when I get to a class early or want a change in my view. It’s a great place to chill; however, everyone else has the same idea as well. It’s difficult to find a spot there; however, once you get a spot, keep it forever. Overall, great for people watching, only if you can get a seat.

Hancher Lawn

Lastly, the Hancher Lawn. I rarely see people around Hancher, but it’s a great place to lie out and hang out with friends. I’ve had quite a few picnics there, and overall it’s a great place to rest in the grass and relax! Again, there is direct sunlight at all times, AND there are aggressive geese quite frequently, but rarely do they ever come up to you (but they are scary…).

In conclusion: get outside!! There are so many good places to study, rest, or do literally whatever outside. There are way more locations than what I’ve listed, and there will continue to be great places for ages! Have a great spring, and enjoy the outdoors!

Harper Robbins

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The Lounge Strategy – What I Do to Lock In

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Midterms, tests, and the spring semester is rough.

Recently, I’ve had a hard time focusing or doing work in my room. Rather than doing things for a grade, I’d much rather reorganize my desk, clean the room, doomscroll, you name it. I mean- cleaning rather than working? That’s how bad it’s getting. So, to actually do my work, I’ve been doing what I call the “lounge time out.”

Every residence hall on campus had floor lounges and main lounges. They’re accessible to everyone, and depending on where you are, you can get your own room or a really comfy chair. I live in Stanley Hall, which has floor lounges overlooking Hancher Auditorium and the river, along with a conference room for each lounge. I love studying on my floor lounge, as sometimes my friends come in, and the lighting is really great. During the day or at sunset, the lighting is all natural yet bright and surprisingly cozy.

Somehow, whenever I do this, I can get nearly everything that I need done. I’m currently in my lounge as I write this. Sometimes, when you correlate a location with productivity, your brain goes into hyperdrive and has the urge to do things when you’re in that location. I highly recommend finding your “lock-in” space, whether that’s your dorm room, a lounge, coffee shop, etc. More study tips to come, so stay tuned!

Happy studying,
Harper

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Being Gluten Free On Campus

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Hi everyone!

During this spring semester, I’ve started going fully gluten-free due to celiac disease.

This was a rough transition, and I applaud anyone else who’s gone through the same thing. If you’re a prospective student looking at the University of Iowa, do not fret, this campus is very gluten-friendly!

I jumped headfirst into the water, so I think I know where to eat food around here.

Firstly, I eat primarily on the east side (where Catlett and Burge Dining Hall are located). I’ve started eating mainly at Burge, because they have their “Thrive Allergy Station,” where all major allergens are absent, so you can take anything from there safely without any worry. They have great steak fries, good gluten-free chicken tenders, gluten-free breads and bagels, and even spaghetti. I always get most of my food there, but you can also find me getting a salad or taco with a corn shell most days. They even have a self-serve fridge, where you can grab brownies, cookies, muffins- all gluten-free!

Catlett Marketplace is pretty good as well. Instead of a station, you can request gluten-free food by area. At the grill, you can get your own nuggets and fries cooked for you. Then at the Italian section, you can get your own personal pizza (which I love, by the way). Although I mainly go to Burge because of the ease of use for Thrive, Catlett still has great options (and a great salad bar).

There are also gluten-free options at all marketplaces throughout campus, including Clinton Street Market. It seems scary at first, but I promise it’s not. The ease of use is great, and I am so glad our campus has a lot of options, or else I’d go crazy.

Happy Eating!
Harper

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How To Defend Yourself – Iowa’s Theatre Dept Main Stage

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This semester, the Department of Theatre Arts at Iowa put on a production of How to Defend Yourself. A play focused on a class created after a student was assaulted on campus.

I went in knowing little to no context, only that my friend was in it, where it was, and the stage. The stage itself was gorgeous and looked like a workout room. I was honestly shocked at the level of detail. For example, there’s a storage closet in the back, and I never thought they’d open it. However, when they did, it was a fully stocked storage closet! I mean the classic mats, dodgeballs, storage, etc. I was in shock and looked at my friend like, “Are you seeing this?!”

But to the actual play: wow. All the actors were phenomenal and brilliant. They were so real, and their characters were so beautifully delivered, and every action was just gorgeous and captivating to watch. Serious props to all of them. Every single one of them was amazing and took the character and made it theirs. The writing itself was amazing, and the story of the play was breathtaking and oh so very real. I felt seen and heard, and even though it wasn’t the most comforting story or ending, it still felt good knowing a play was created with experience and knowledge of the topic at hand. Some of the witty comments, serious monologues, etc., were gorgeous, captivating, and funny. I went through all different types of emotions and was having the time of my life. The seats themselves were amazing, and it was super accessible.

I really enjoyed all of it, and can’t wait for the next mainstage! If you ever want a local entertainment idea, I highly recommend the theatre department.

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Concerts at Hancher – Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

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This February, I went to see Wynton Marsalis with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra!

I LOVED this performance. It wasn’t too chilly, so my roommate and I decided to wear leather jackets and get dressed up a bit (to which we regretted afterwards). She and I never have an excuse to get dressed up, so using that night to dress up was an amazing time. It was so easy to get in and find our seats, and we saw a few friends spread about as well!

When the show started, I realized it was my first major jazz concert, and I had no idea how it worked. The stage was gorgeous, and the big band was immediately insane. It was so casual, and honestly, really interesting that they were so chill. Throughout the set, they were up there laughing and yelling at their players, and it honestly helped me realize not everything is that serious. Some of my favorite moments weren’t even the music, but the interaction between the players, and the overall sportsmanship and love they have for one another. Hearing them hype each other up during solos, or laugh and talk DURING songs, was so interesting and inspiring.

Now, the main part was insane. Phenomenal. They’re one of the best jazz ensembles in the nation, and that is very evident in the way they play. It was phenomenal to watch them perform, and my breath was constantly taken away watching them. Even if it wasn’t a big solo, watching everyone blend and merge was insane, and as a musician myself, I was in awe. I’m trying to find more words to describe the amazing performance, but I’m at a loss. Overall, it was insane.

Luckily, if you weren’t there, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra has a long-standing relationship with Hancher, and I guarantee they’ll be back soon. I really hope they are, as this concert was one of my favorites at Hancher.

See you next time!

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