My First Week of Sophomore Year!

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It’s officially my sophomore year at the University of Iowa! After finishing my first week of classes, I can already tell how different this year feels compared to my first year of college.

One of the biggest differences has been how much easier it was to get back into a routine. Last year, everything felt new. I was learning where my classes were, figuring out how much time I needed to get across campus, adjusting to college-level classes, and just getting used to living away from home. This year, I already know campus and have a much better idea of what works for me, so starting classes felt a lot less overwhelming.

Another big change this year is living in an apartment instead of a dorm. I loved getting the dorm experience my freshman year, but having my own apartment has been such a nice change. I have more space, my own kitchen, and a place that feels a little more like home. It has also been fun figuring out a new routine with grocery shopping, cooking, and keeping up with everything around the apartment while also balancing classes.

Academically, I’m excited for what this semester has in store. As a biology major, I’m taking Diversity of Forms and Functions, Fundamentals of Genetics, and Organic Chemistry, along with a pharmacy elective! I am still working as a research assistant, but am also starting my role as a Student Ambassador for the Department of Biology, which I’m really looking forward to!

Overall, my first week of sophomore year felt much more comfortable than my first week as a freshman. Instead of trying to figure out college for the first time, I feel like I can focus more on enjoying it, getting involved, and making the most of being back in Iowa City!

That’s all for now!

-Jordan

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Spring in Iowa City: What I Was NOT Prepared For

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Coming to Iowa City from Illinois, I thought I knew what to expect when it came to spring weather. Rain? Obviously. Storms? Been there. Tornadoes? Unfortunately, also familiar. But let me tell you… Iowa spring weather has definitely humbled me a little bit.

First of all, the sirens. In Illinois, I was used to hearing sirens only for tornado warnings, so when I heard them going off here for the first time, I immediately assumed that was the case. But nope. It turns out Iowa uses sirens for severe thunderstorms, too. That was something I definitely did not know, and I wish I had known beforehand!

Then there’s the residence halls. If you live in a dorm, you will hear the indoor alert system, and just a warning, it is LOUD. Like, no chance you’re sleeping through it loud. The first time it went off, I was genuinely scared because it felt and sounded so urgent and serious. It tells you to seek shelter immediately. Now that I’ve heard it a few times, I’m a little more used to it, and usually the RA will tell you what you should do next.

And honestly, the most surprising part? Life doesn’t stop. I always assumed that if there was a tornado warning, everything sort of shuts down, but that is not always the case here. I had to walk to class while the tornado sirens were going off. It was pouring rain, insanely windy, and my umbrella was basically useless. I showed up completely soaked from head to toe. Not my best moment.

So if you’re coming to Iowa City, here’s my advice: be prepared. Invest in a good umbrella (not one that flips inside out immediately), a solid raincoat, and definitely some rain boots. Spring here is definitely an adjustment, but it’s also kind of part of the experience. You learn quickly, adapt even faster, and eventually, getting caught in the rain just becomes another story to tell.

That’s all for now!
-Jordan

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How My Spring Semester Flew By!

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I genuinely don’t understand how this semester went by so fast. It feels like I just got here, and now I’m already thinking about finals and wrapping everything up. Compared to last semester, this one felt like it flew by, and I think a big reason why is how busy (in a good way) my weekends were.

Almost every weekend, I had something going on. Whether it was a family visit, friends coming to see me, going home, traveling somewhere, formal events, or even volunteering, there was always something to look forward to. Having those plans made such a difference during the week. Even when classes or assignments felt stressful, I knew I had something fun coming up, and it made the days go by so much faster because I had something to work towards.

I also realized that I didn’t really have those long, slow weekends where I was just sitting around or studying all day. Of course, I still had work to do, but my time felt more balanced. Instead of dragging through the weekend, I was actually enjoying it, and then suddenly it was Monday again.

While being super busy can be stressful at times, I think staying busy (but in a way that made me happy) completely changed how I experienced the semester. It made everything feel quicker, lighter, and honestly made me feel like I made more important memories. It’s kind of crazy how much having things to look forward to can shift your whole mindset.

Now I just wish I could slow it down a little. It is crazy to think I’ll move out of the tiny dorm room I called home in just a few weeks, but at the same time, I wouldn’t trade how full and fun this semester felt.

That’s all for now!
-Jordan

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My Journey in Greek Life at the University of Iowa

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When I came to Iowa, Greek life wasn’t something I had always dreamed about. I was honestly pretty unsure about it, but once I got to campus and saw how big it was, I got curious and decided to give it a try.

I went through formal recruitment in the fall, and it was definitely a lot. Talking to so many people, trying to figure out where I fit, and just the overall pace of everything felt really overwhelming. I started to feel unsure of myself, and whether it was something I actually wanted, so I ended up dropping.

At the time, it felt kind of discouraging, like I just couldn’t handle something everyone else was doing. But looking back, I think I just needed a different environment.

Later on, I decided to try COB (Continuous Open Bidding), and it was a completely different experience. It was way more lowkey and personal, and I felt a lot more comfortable just being myself around the girls. It didn’t feel forced, and I could actually see myself fitting in.

My journey with Greek life definitely didn’t go how I expected, but I’m really glad I gave it another chance in a way that worked better for me. It taught me that it’s okay to step back from something if it doesn’t feel right, and that finding your place in college doesn’t have to look the same as everyone else’s.

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Iowa’s March Madness Run: One for the Books

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I don’t think anyone expected Iowa to go this far in March Madness, but I think it made this season even more exciting!

When we beat Clemson, it was good, but not totally exciting or crazy! However, once we played the 1 seed and former champions, Florida, everyone had their eyes on the Hawkeyes. Not only did we put up a good fight… WE WON in the last few seconds of the game! I was SO excited, I think everyone was! There were almost no perfect brackets, or none, if I am correct after this upset!

Now, to make the sweet 16 even sweeter, we were playing Nebraska! I was pretty confident as we had beaten them earlier, but they were a good team and seeded higher than us! I remember I got out of my lab 40 minutes early and RAN back home to be able to watch the rest of the game. AND WE WON AGAIN! Iowa was going to the ELITE 8 for the first time in 39 YEARS!

Our Elite 8 opponent was the Illini of the University of Illinois, so another Big 10 team. My friends and I watched the game together, and it was tense the whole time! The game was close… until the end, when Illinois started gaining on us, and unfortunately, our run was ended.

Even though that game may not have ended how I had hoped, I was still excited and happy to see the Hawkeyes get this far!

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My Journey to Landing a Research Job at Iowa

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I recently landed a paid research position at Iowa, and you may assume it happened quickly or easily. In reality, it was anything but.

For weeks, I was applying to everything. I’d submit 10–15 applications at a time, carefully tailoring each one, refreshing my email constantly, and then… nothing. No responses. No interviews. Not even a rejection email. It was discouraging, especially when you start questioning whether you’re doing something wrong or if your resume just isn’t “enough yet.”

But I stayed consistent.

Eventually, I heard back from one position. I interviewed, felt hopeful… and didn’t get it. It sucked, for sure. It’s hard not to take rejection personally when you’ve already been waiting so long just to be seen. But instead of stopping, I kept applying.

Then came the second opportunity.

This time, I made it to a Zoom interview, followed by an in-person interview. When I got the offer, it felt incredibly rewarding, not just because I got the position, but because of everything it took to get there.

One thing I learned along the way is that paid undergraduate research positions are hard to find. A lot of research roles are volunteer-based or credit-bearing, which are great opportunities — but not always financially accessible for every student. That makes paid positions more competitive and sometimes harder to break into, especially early on.

If you’re in the middle of applying and feeling stuck, I promise you’re not alone. Keep applying. Keep showing up. Even when it feels quiet, something is happening, and all it takes is one opportunity to change everything.

That’s all for now!
-Jordan

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Fuel Good IC Review

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If you’re looking to switch up your usual campus drink routine, there’s a new place worth checking out: Fuel Good IC. It’s located on Van Buren Street, and from Currier Residence Hall, it’s about a 15-minute walk, which makes it a pretty easy stop if you want to get off campus for a bit or want to take a nice stroll.
 
Fuel Good IC specializes in teas that are mixed with a variety of flavor powders and add-ins that offer different benefits, like collagen or hydration. The menu has tons of flavor combinations, so there’s a lot to choose from depending on what you like. They also offer coffee drinks, which looked really good, but I didn’t try one yet (that’s for next time)!

When I went yesterday, I ordered the “Miller Time” tea. It included collagen along with pink starburst, raspberry, and blue raspberry flavors. The drink was 32 ounces and cost around $10, so you definitely get a lot in one cup, and I would say it is worth what you pay for. I thought it was good overall, but personally, I’ve realized that tea just isn’t my favorite. Because of that, I’d probably still choose Hyper over Fuel Good IC when it comes to taste and price.

That being said, if you do like tea or if you’re looking for a caffeinated drink, want to try something healthier, or just don’t love Hyper, Fuel Good IC is definitely worth trying. It’s a fun option with lots of flavor combinations, and I can see why people who enjoy teas would really like it.

Even though tea isn’t totally my thing, I’ll definitely be going back to try different flavors and especially their coffee. If you’re looking to mix things up and explore a new spot near campus, Fuel Good IC is worth checking out! If you want to check out their drinks and find more information, you can find it on their Facebook or Instagram Page!

That’s all for now!

-Jordan

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Where I Go Between Classes (Weird Time Gaps Between Classes)

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This semester, I am taking 18 semester hours, and it can be a lot. Part of this busy schedule also means I have classes all day, and a lot of them have weird 1-hour or 40-minute time gaps in between, where it really isn’t enough time to go back to my dorm. So, I wanted to share some places I like to go while trying to pass my time!

First is the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU). I go here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after my 8:30 am Chemistry lecture. I love the IMU because I can get some Starbucks and breakfast, since I usually do not wake up early enough to eat before lecture! There are plenty of seating areas on every floor, and I find the main floor has the comfiest chairs and is generally very quiet if I want to get some work done!

Second is the Pappajohn Business Building (PBB). I love the PBB because it is in the center of campus and has lots of seating areas. It also has a lot of windows with really good views of campus, or even a cafe if I need a snack!

Coffee shops are also a favorite of mine! My top three are Le Crave, Java House, and Cortado, which are all right on Clinton street close to campus. Everyone knows a fun drink keeps you focused, so these are some perfect places to enjoy a coffee and get some work done!

Lastly, I love sitting outside at the benches and tables outside the chemistry building. Again, it is pretty much in the middle of campus, which is convenient. Once it gets warm again, I can’t wait to be able to relax and do work outside!

Busy class schedules can be complicated and feel like a lot, but finding places to relax and get a little work done has made my day feel faster and less stressful! That’s all for now!


-Jordan

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Habits I’m Bringing From First Semester Into Second Semester

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Going into college, I thought I already mastered the whole student thing. I did well in high school without putting in a ton of effort, so I assumed I’d figure things out as I went. First semester definitely humbled me, but it also helped me grow. Through a lot of trial and error, I am figuring out more and more each day about what actually works for me, and here are a few of the habits I want to stick with in the second semester!

Note Taking
One of the biggest changes I made was how I take notes. At the beginning of the semester, I tried typing everything, which was a big flop for me because I would lose focus or not be able to keep up. Writing all my notes by hand was better, but I still couldn’t always keep up, and I felt like I was constantly choosing between listening and writing. What works best is downloading the slideshow or content for the lecture beforehand on my iPad, and then writing on the slides with my Apple Pencil.

Organizing My Class Work
Organization was another area where I had to grow quickly. Once assignments started piling up, I realized that mixing everything together was making things way more stressful than they needed to be. I started keeping each class clearly separated in individual folders, notebooks, or using a five-subject notebook, so everything had its own section.

Using a Calendar!
I didn’t start using Google Calendar until the middle of the semester, but once I did, it was a game-changer for me. Being able to see my entire schedule all in one place really helped me manage my time and be less stressed about what my plan was for each day (which is HUGE for me)! This helped me balance my academic and social life as well, so I always knew what I did and did not have time for.

Study Habits
In high school, I was definitely the kind of student who didn’t study much and still did well. College quickly proved that strategy doesn’t really work anymore. Breaking my studying into sections instead of cramming is honestly the biggest piece of advice I can give right now. I also used whiteboards to work through concepts and draw figures, and finding study spots where I could actually focus made a huge difference.

My first semester of college helped me start to learn that it is okay if not everything goes to plan (which, to be honest, I still struggle with accepting). However, taking time to reflect on what does and does not work allows me to pick and choose what habits will help me excel during the second semester! That’s all for now!


-Jordan

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Reflecting On My First semester of College

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I honestly can’t believe my first semester of college is already over. It feels like I just moved in, blinked, and suddenly I’m packing up for break. Going into the semester, I had no idea what to expect, but now that it’s over, I can say it was busy, challenging, and actually really fun.

Classes were definitely an adjustment. College is a whole different level of time management, and I learned pretty quickly that procrastinating doesn’t hit the same way it did in high school, and it will sneak up on you. There were stressful weeks and long nights where I slaved away at the whiteboards in the Currier lounge. But I also grew as a student, learning how I study best, when to ask for help, and how to push through when things felt overwhelming.

One of the best parts of this semester was getting involved on campus. Joining pre-health clubs and going to events helped me meet people who care about the same things I do, and it definitely made campus start to feel like home. I will admit I had a rough time with the whole social aspect of college for a while. Eventually, though, your people will come to you naturally, and there is no need to force it. The small things like studying with friends, walking to class together, or grabbing food after a long day ended up being some of my favorite memories.

This semester also taught me that balance really matters. I learned that it’s okay to take breaks, say no sometimes (even if you’re worried about FOMO), and that it is okay to go with the flow (which I am very much still working on)! College isn’t about being perfect, but it’s about learning, growing, and giving yourself grace along the way.

Overall, my first semester wasn’t flawless, but it was exactly what I needed. I’m walking into next semester more confident, more comfortable, and excited to see what’s next.


That’s all for now!
-Jordan

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