Archive for the ‘General’ Category

It’s Back to School Time!

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

Hi everyone,

I looked back at my old posts and realized it’s been quite a while since I last blogged. I’ve been busy as usual, and I will have even more on my plate this year than in the past, because I’m now enrolled in the College of Pharmacy. All first-year (aka P1) students go through a two-week orientation event, which started this Monday. I’m not super thrilled about starting classes a week early while all my other friends are still enjoying summer break, but I am excited about starting pharmacy school and working towards getting my Doctor of Pharmacy degree. For me, staying in Iowa City for pharmacy school was a no-brainer; the program is nationally ranked, UIHC is an amazing resource, and I’ve enjoyed my two years here, so I didn’t see any reason to leave.

Residence hall move-in has started, and I’ve noticed quite a few young, eager, and nervous faces around campus. Seeing new freshmen makes me a little sentimental. Two years ago, I was a freshman moving into Daum Hall, and here I am now, in pharmacy school. Time really does fly, and I have tons and tons of great memories of my freshman year. Here are a few tips for new students and their families:

For students:

  1. Be brave and step out of your comfort zone. I’ve probably mentioned this in another blog post, but can’t stress this enough. This can take many forms, depending on the person. For me, stepping out of my comfort zone meant starting conversations with people I’d never met before. Of course it was a little scary, but 99.9% of people I talked to in my first few weeks on campus were super nice. I was able to make friends pretty easily, and this helped me transition very well to college life.
  2. Expect the unexpected. Social media paints a certain picture of college, and a lot of students believe their college experience will be like what’s portrayed on the internet. Yes, college is fun, but it can also be pretty stressful, and things aren’t always going to go as planned. Chances are, you probably aren’t going to get along with everyone you meet, you’ll probably oversleep and miss a class at some point, and other issues will pop up out of nowhere. Unplanned things are going to happen. It’s important to realize this and learn to be flexible.
  3. Remember that ultimately, you came to college to get an education. It’s important to take time off from studying to relax and have fun, but some students will get caught up in the excitement of college and forget that grades still matter. Try to find a good balance between work and play — it’s a lot harder than it looks.

For parents:

  1. Care packages and letters every now and then are a great idea. Especially during midterms or finals week, it’s super awesome to get a piece of mail from home. I even got a couple of cards from my mom this week wishing me luck as I start pharmacy school. Little things like these are a nice surprise.
  2. Continue to encourage and support your son or daughter. Everyone changes when they come to college; it’s pretty much inevitable. Chances are, your son or daughter is not going to follow the exact path you want them too, and that’s okay. The best thing you can do as a parent is to support their decisions, be encouraging, and offer some good advice.

All-in-all, college is a really exciting time. It can be intimidating at first, but after a couple of weeks new students start to settle in, and most begin to realize just how awesome it is to be a Hawkeye! I’m extremely glad I decided to come to the University of Iowa as a high school senior and I’m excited that I’ll be able to spend a few more years at such a fabulous university!

Why I Chose to be a Hawkeye

Tuesday, April 7th, 2015

Hi everyone,

As it warms up and the May 1st college decision deadline nears, more and more students are going on campus visits. Seeing these tour groups on campus brings back memories of my college decision process, and ultimately reminds me why I chose to come to the fabulous University of Iowa. Just like most other college seniors since the beginning of time, I was both excited and nervous to come to college. Now that I’m here, I have a totally different viewpoint, and I’m very happy with my decision to continue my education here.

Here are, in no particular order, are some of the main reasons why I chose Iowa:

  1. Scholarships. College can be extremely expensive, and as the oldest of three kids in my family, I wanted to make sure my college expenses weren’t going to be overwhelming for my family. The university offers a wide variety of scholarships, based on merit, family need, and diversity, and these awards can reduce the advertised cost of attendance greatly.
  2. Opportunities. I was looking for a university that would give me academic and extracurricular opportunities. There are tons of classes to choose from every semester (which was overwhelming the first time I registered for classes as a freshman), but there’s something out there for everyone. When it comes to activities outside of class, you have tons of options as well. Intramural sports are a big deal and highly competitive; I played on a volleyball team last year with my roommate and a few friends and we had a great time. In addition, there are over 500 student organizations you can join, and lots of events to attend downtown, such as weekly readings at Prairie Lights and the Farmer’s Market that runs from May through October. I only listed a few of the things to do on and around campus, but in short, there is always something going on, so it’s pretty hard to get bored around here!
  3. A fresh start. I was ready to meet new people and experience something new after graduating from high school. It was a little scary being away from home and not knowing anyone at first when I came here, but I found it was fairly easy to make friends, and I’ve gotten used to living in a new place. Going away for college has also given me the opportunity to discover who I am as an individual without the influence of my family or old friends, and I’ve gained a great deal of independence.

I also had plenty of fears and concerns about coming to college:

  1. Being far away from home. It was weird to be away from home at first, but I’ve gotten used to it. Over the past year or so I’ve actually spent more time in Iowa City, so Iowa City feels a lot more homey to me now! I don’t get to go back to my hometown very often, but when I do, it feels somewhat foreign in a way. Being homesick is normal, but once you get settled in, those feelings go away.
  2. Not adjusting well. I can be a little on the shy side, so I was naturally worried that I would have a hard time meeting people.  It’s challenging living away from home for the first time and not knowing anyone, but I did my best to be enthusiastic and talk to as many people as I could from the get-go. I made the transition extremely well, and I have had a wonderful time here.
  3. Too many people. This was probably my biggest concern in high school. Yes, there are a lot of students, but I see plenty of familiar faces wherever I go. Even in lectures of several hundred students, I usually have friends, and if I don’t, it really isn’t a big deal. I originally thought I wanted to be at a smaller school, but now that I’m at a big university, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I love that I’m able to interact with a lot of different people, and see lots of new faces. I have a nice mix of large classes and smaller ones, so I’ve been pretty happy so far.
  4. Just being a number. I honestly thought I wanted to be at a small school because I wanted my professors to know who I was. I’ve found that I have the opportunity to get to know my professors if I choose to — it just takes a bit more work than it might at a smaller school. Office hours are the perfect opportunity to develop a relationship with your professors. Not many students attend office hours regularly, so if you do, your professors will notice and begin to recognize you. Going to office hours is great for a number of reasons. It forces you to stay on top of the material, and you’re able to get any confusing things figured out. Also, professors are a great resource when it comes to getting letters of recommendation for things such as graduate school.

If you are a senior in high school, I hope to see you on campus next year! Coming to the University of Iowa was the best decision I’ve ever made, and I really can’t see myself being anywhere else. Go Hawks!

End of the Semester and Looking Forward to the New Year

Tuesday, December 30th, 2014

Hey!

I know I’ve been MIA for a while, but in my defense I had a pretty hectic semester. I started working in the Iowa City area in August, so one of my biggest projects for the semester was to figure out how to balance work, classes, and everything else in an effective way. I really enjoy my job, not only because it gives me much-needed experience for my field of study, but because it’s a break from the constant studying I usually do. Plus, having a little extra spending money never hurts! Overall, this semester was a roller coaster, and I’m honestly glad it’s over. I started off strong, but slacked a bit in the middle of the year, and found myself scrambling to catch up on all the material I needed to know for my finals. For me, Finals Week consisted of two almost-all-nighters (I got two or three hours of sleep on those days), attempting to learn 41 chapters of material in 14 hours (not a good idea), and lots of candy to keep me awake (also not a good idea). I’ve learned plenty of lessons over the past few months, and I’m looking to bring those into the new year so I can improve myself. We’ve all heard it a million times already and it’s really cheesy, but I’m trying to adopt the “new year, new me” attitude as I step into 2015. I think that having a whole month off from classes will help me recuperate and prepare for the spring semester. I know I’ll have my work cut out for me again, but I’ll have plenty of opportunities to succeed and prosper in the new year, and I’m more than ready to take advantage of those and make 2015 awesome!

Midterms and Study Spots

Tuesday, October 7th, 2014

First off, wow! This semester is going by way too fast! It seems like I was preparing for my first round of midterms last week, and now I’ve started preparations for round two (and already had another midterm on Monday). Since I’m taking three science classes, I’ve been spending a LOT of time studying. The Main Library is great, but there are always tons of people there, and I find it hard to focus sometimes, so I’ve been testing out some different, quieter study spots around campus. I stumbled upon Art Building West during one of my summer classes this year, and this is hands-down my favorite study spot on campus. The building houses the university’s Art Library, which has lovely views of the pond below. The Art Library is always quiet, and it usually isn’t too hard to find a table, especially later in the evening. It’s a little out of the way, but the walk isn’t bad in the type of weather we’ve been having lately, and there are a few Cambus routes that run by the building. Though I don’t always enjoy studying, I do enjoy getting to spend my time in such a beautiful building, and I guess I really can’t complain about that!

Don’t Forget to Bring These to College!

Friday, August 15th, 2014

Move-in is quickly approaching! Last year, I was super excited for Move-In Day and started packing an entire month before I was set to move into my dorm. This time around, I’ve just started packing today, which I’m realizing was a very bad idea. I’m super excited to get back to Iowa City, but I got done with summer classes last Friday, went on a short family vacation, and now am completely exhausted and overwhelmed by the fact that I have to go through all of my stuff and repack. Needless to say, I will be spending my last few days at home frantically packing my things.

Here are a few items I think are must-haves for college and dorm living:

  1. A fan. Most dorm rooms have air conditioning, but if you’re one of the lucky ones assigned to a room without air conditioning, you will be miserable for the first few weeks. I also got a ton of use out of my fan in once the heat was turned on in my dorm. My fan was pretty small, but it got the job done, plus it was easy to store when I wasn’t using it.
  2. A reusable water bottle. It’s a pain to have to walk down the hall in the middle of the night just to get a drink. You’ll also be saving the environment and be able to use the fun water bottle filling stations all around campus, so this is a win-win situation.
  3. An alarm clock. I tend to sleep through my phone alarm pretty often, so an alarm clock was a must-have for me.
  4. Pictures. Pictures of friends and family can really cheer you up if you’re missing home, plus they add a touch of color and personality to an otherwise drab dorm wall.
  5. Comfortable shoes. You WILL get blisters if you don’t wear good shoes.

Other tips:

  1. Figure out where your classes are BEFORE the first day. Some buildings are pretty confusing, so it’s a good idea to try to find the exact room your class will be held in.
  2. Ride the Cambus a few times when you first get to campus. Learning the Cambus routes is a trial-and-error process. Chances are you’ll probably get on the wrong bus a few times, but that’s okay! Once you get the system down, it’s pretty simple. Figure out which routes go to the dorms (Blue, Red, Interdorm, and Hawkeye Interdorm). Also: Blue to Burge (East Side), Red to Rienow (West Side).
  3. Step out of your comfort zone. It can be scary, but chances are you won’t regret it. I didn’t know anyone when I came to the university, and now I have a great group of friends that I’m really close to. Because I stepped out of my comfort zone, I was able to make friends quickly and it made my transition to college a lot easier. Even if you have friends that will also be attending Iowa, it’s worthwhile to make new friends too.

Finally, remember to have fun, and Go Hawks!

Second Semester in a Nutshell

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014

Second semester has been wild! This semester has taught me that it’s extremely important to study, do homework, and perform well on exams, but at the same time, it’s crucial to take a break every now and then and do something fun. The past two or three weeks for me have been filled with midterms, papers, and late nights at the library. It’s been great to finally have a little less work to complete for now, but finals (and summer!) are just around the corner. One of my roommates for next year was kind enough to invite me and a few other girls over for s’mores and Mean Girls last Thursday night. It was nice to have a few hours of fun and relaxation, not to mention a change of scenery (Disclaimer: I love campus, but sometimes a girl just needs to get away for a bit!). My family came to visit me over the weekend and we had a fabulous time shopping and exploring Iowa City. The warm weather even allowed for a lovely time strolling the streets of downtown!

In other news, the end of the school year is approaching quickly, and It’s crazy to think that there are only three weeks left of the semester. Looking back over the past eight months, it’s amazing how much I’ve changed and how many new things I’ve experienced. I’ve come to the realization that college goes by extremely fast, and time really does fly when you’re having fun! It’s a little sad that this amazing year of college is almost over, but I know I’ll still keep in touch with my friends and cherish the memories I’ve made for years to come. A year ago, I still hadn’t decided to come to the University of Iowa (I think I officially decided April 26th). After all the emotions of moving away from home to a new place where I didn’t know anyone, I’m beyond pleased with my decision to come to Iowa. I can honestly say that I can’t see myself being anywhere else, and believe me, that’s an amazing feeling!

It’s a New Semester!

Monday, February 17th, 2014

Hey everyone, since arriving back in Iowa City a few weeks ago, I’ve reminded myself at least once or twice a week that I need to keep up with my blogging. I’m quite busy this semester, but here are a few highlights so far:

  1. I celebrated Chinese New Year. There are a few international students from China living on my floor, and they were kind enough to put together a Chinese New Year celebration for everyone. They did a fabulous job! I was able to sample authentic Chinese food, learn about Chinese culture, and even received a few goodies!IMG_2659
    Candy, money, and red envelopes are common gifts that children receive from their parents during Chinese New Year.
  2. I became CPR certified. Student Health & Wellness puts on Red Watch Band, a program that provides CPR and alcohol bystander training for anyone that’s a student at the university. I figured this would be a great opportunity, especially since I now have training that could possibly save someone’s life.
  3. I started volunteering. After visiting the Volunteer Fair at the beginning of the semester, I found a local organization to volunteer with. Giving back to the community and being able to help those in need is very rewarding, and I’d highly recommend it to everyone.
  4. I’ve studied… a lot! Compared to last semester, I’m putting in a lot more time outside of class. I easily study at least three or four hours a day. It can be extremely exhausting, but hopefully my hard work will pay off in the end!
  5. Hawkeye basketball. The atmosphere in Carver is AMAZING! Nothing’s better than getting to cheer on a nationally ranked basketball team with 15,000 of your closest friends!
    IMG_2648

    Seconds after a big win against Michigan a few Saturdays ago. Go Hawks!
  6. Snow. I have come to really dread snow, especially because I’m pretty sure it’s snowed at least once a week since the semester started. Hopefully spring is right around the corner, because I’m not sure how much more snow I can take!

Finals Week and Chilly Weather

Friday, January 3rd, 2014

First off, yes, I am aware that I haven’t written a post in two months. My last post was ironically called “The Procrastination Bug” — looks like I’ve been bitten again…

Finals Week and the weeks leading up to it are super stressful. I was fortunate enough to only have two finals this semester, but I felt the pressure, too. I personally started studying a little bit late for finals and then freaked out once I realized that I still had a ton of material to review. I’ve discovered that a week is a good amount of time to study for a midterm, but it’s nowhere near enough time to study a semester’s-worth of material for multiple classes. The light at the end of the tunnel is the fact that once finals are over, students get a whole month off for winter break! I’m definitely enjoying my time off and really like the fact that I’m able to stay inside most of the day and not have to venture out into the cold. This brings me to my next point: Iowa weather. I’m from the Midwest, but I was shocked by how extreme the weather was this December. There were several days where the temperature started off below zero and didn’t get much warmer than that. It snowed a few times, too. It is VERY important to dress appropriately and stock up on plenty of cold-weather gear. Gloves, scarves, hats, boots, and a warm coat are the obvious things, but I’d also recommend thermal leggings to wear as an extra layer under pants – they really do help.

Here’s a bonus tip: a lot more people choose to ride the buses when it gets colder, so if you value personal space and want to for-sure get to class on time, take an earlier bus or brave the cold and walk.

 

The Procrastination Bug

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

It’s week 12 of the semester and I have unfortunately succumbed to the procrastination bug. For me (and probably for most students), procrastination leads to stress and last-minute cramming efforts. Last week, I had three papers to write along with the usual chemistry and calculus homework to do. Writing papers isn’t exactly my cup of tea, and I ultimately had zero motivation to write any of them. In the end, I got them all done, but that was on Sunday night, which is usually when I try to take things easy. The thing that makes college hard is all the distractions. It can be really hard to balance school and social things, and it’s essentially up to you whether or not you want to do your work. To add to my list of daily distractions, I recently discovered that TBS plays episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” every morning for two hours… the struggle is real. So, I’ve decided to make a change this week, and will be isolating myself in the library so I’m forced to get work done. My plan is to (hopefully) study hard during the day and relax later… we’ll have to see how this turns out.

When it comes to stress, everyone feels it at some point. The big difference is how each person handles it. I’ve found that working out is a great stress-reliever – I can sweat all my worries away! Physical activity is CRUCIAL in college! It’s really easy to sit around and do nothing, or worse, become someone who eats just because they’re bored (like me). The Freshman 15 is not a joke. I repeat, the Freshman 15 is not a joke! I haven’t gained fifteen pounds since starting college, but let’s just say I’ve certainly felt the effects of unlimited meal swipes and the all-you-can-eat dining. My advice: get into a workout routine and follow it, and limit yourself in the dining hall. And, get your work done early! I’ve been at the library for an hour and a half today so far, and I’ve been pretty productive, but I still have things to do. Writing this post has been a nice break from studying, and now I’m ready to hit the books again!

Blogging – It’s Harder than it Looks!

Monday, October 21st, 2013

It’s been three weeks since I wrote my last post. Yikes! I’ve been really busy lately with tests and projects, so my days have mainly consisted of going to class and doing homework. I’ve tried to come up with some ideas for posts, but I’m pretty sure most people aren’t too interested in hearing about Chemistry labs or Rhetoric speeches… ahh, the struggles of a college student… Luckily, I survived my Chemistry exam last week and my speech, so this week is going to be a lot less stressful. Since I have some time right now, I figured I would give you all a behind-the-scenes look at how I formulate a blog post.

I never force myself to sit down and write a blog entry. EVER. I let the ideas come to me. I might be walking to class and come up with something to write about, or I might be lying in bed late at night, and BOOM! It hits me. From there, I come up with the main things I want to talk about. Sometimes I think a topic sounds great, but when I actually start writing it doesn’t turn out well. I usually spend a day or two on my first draft, then come back later in the day to revise what I’ve written. It’s not uncommon for me to write three or four drafts of an entry either. When I’m satisfied with my work, I spell-check and re-read it a few times just to make sure it’s polished and ready to go. Then I submit it for review and (hopefully) it gets published for all of you fine ladies and gentlemen to read!

P.S. If you’re going to be a student at Iowa next year, definitely think about applying to be an admissions blogger! It’s a lot of fun! 🙂