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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:
For parents:
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!
]]>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:
I also had plenty of fears and concerns about coming to college:
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!
]]>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!
]]>Here are a few items I think are must-haves for college and dorm living:
Other tips:
Finally, remember to have fun, and Go Hawks!
]]>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!
]]>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.
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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!
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