What Dorm Life Has Taught Me

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I had a moment of realization the other day that my freshman year is slowly coming to an end. It’s bittersweet. While I can’t wait for my finals to be over and to get started on my blissful summer, I’m going to miss my friends, Iowa City, and I realized I’ll never live in a dorm again. Again, bittersweet. I have so much love for my dorm because it brought me all my best friends, but also it had its challenges. Next year I will be living in my sorority house, and then after that probably a house or an apartment. So as a farewell to dorm life, I thought I would share some of the things I learned this past year in my dorm. 

Make it as Homey as Possible

One thing I regret about my room is not making it feel homier. While I decorated a little, I wish I would’ve really used my designer side to hang some things up, get cute bedding, and overall create a vibe in my room that fits well with who I am. Two of my best friends have the coziest and cutest room because they went all out in decorating. The reality is that room is your home for the next year, so make it feel comfortable for you! 

Clean Often and Thoroughly 

I would not consider myself to be the cleanest or most organized person in the world, and coming to college made me realize that more than ever. It never fails to amaze me how quickly my room can get messy. I try to designate Tuesday or Thursday mornings to clean since I have a nice open morning. Setting aside a specific time once a week with yourself or your roommate where you “smackdown” on the room (as my family likes to call it) really helps keep everything in line and prevents messes from getting out of control. 

Spend Time in the Lounges

I swear by the lounges in my dorm. What I mean by that is whenever my friends and I go to do homework in the lounge, I get an insane amount of work done. They’re super chill and the ones in Catlett have great views. You also never know who you’re going to see there! It’s a great way to potentially meet some other people on your floor. I also recommend going to other dorms to try out their lounges! I’ve heard great things about the Currier study lounges, as well!

Everyone has Different Schedules

Something you’ll discover fast (I know I did) is people have the craziest schedules. Especially being away from home, people in the dorms are up at all hours of the night and into the early morning. Some are up late studying, hanging out with friends, or just because they’re night owls. I’ve heard some people showering at 2 or 3 in the morning! On the other hand, some get up early to work out, shower, or get breakfast. In general, these people are quiet and respectful of those who are sleeping, but I would just be prepared to hear random noises throughout all hours of the day! I promise it’s not as bad as I’m making it seem. 

Make Friends on Your Floor

Some of the best friends I’ve made this year actually live on my floor, and I met them the first week at school. Getting to know people who live so close to you is super convenient and fun because when you’re bored, you can just walk across the hall! Not to mention, if you need something random like a tape measure or bag of tea (true stories), help is just a few feet away. The realization that these girls aren’t going to be across the hall from me next year is one of the saddest parts of leaving my dorm.

Coming into my freshman year, I thought I was prepared for dorm life. I spend my summers in a big house with all my cousins, so I thought this would be a walk in the park for me. While I’ve loved being in Catlett, it is nothing like spending the summer with my cousins. It is its own type of special experience. I truly have loved my time in the dorms, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. Make the most of it while it’s happening! 

As always, go hawks!

Abbie 

P.S. Just wanted to give a quick shoutout to my RA, Roban, who is the best! Truly the greatest RA ever!!! We love you Roban! 

 

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Why I Chose Iowa

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The first question people ask me when I say I’m from New Jersey is, “what made you want to come to Iowa?” Initially, I wasn’t expecting to be asked that same question over and over again, but I’ve gotten very used to the same song and dance I do every time. Nevertheless, I’m never any less enthusiastic to explain what drew me to Iowa City, the place I will call home for the next four years. 

With commitment season upon us, I thought I would take the time to write about some of the things I love about the University of Iowa, and also what helped me make the decision to come here about two years ago. 

A New Chapter

I am, without a doubt, a homebody. I love my family, being around them, and it would’ve been really easy for me to go to school close to home. Many of my friends here made the decision to stay close to home as many of them are from Iowa and Illinois, and that is great! For me, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, and go somewhere where no one in my family has gone before, but also somewhere further away from where I live. While it has been a little bit of a pain in terms of flights and 16-hour road trips, it’s been worth it for me to see a new, and independent, side of myself. Something I didn’t know I had before! 

Ain’t No Nice like Iowa Nice

Upon arriving in Iowa to tour, the first thing I noticed was how down-to-earth everyone was. Everyone I came across was so welcoming and eager to help. I knew these were the types of people I wanted to surround myself with because you could genuinely see how everyone around you wants you to succeed. With nearly a whole year under my belt, I can confidently say that atmosphere hasn’t changed. I’ve been able to meet so many great people simply because people were so kind and open to making more connections within and beyond the communities created on campus. It’s been easy calling this place home because of that!

The Best College Town in the US

I know I sound like a broken record, but something that really drew me to campus was the campus and the downtown area itself. Everything is walkable, beautiful, and so special to me. Downtown is always buzzing, and when the weather allows, people are usually outside doing homework and spending time with friends. Everyone who I’ve brought here has commented about how great the campus is. I’m always eager to show off the University to my visitors. If you’re interested in reading more about some of my favorite places downtown, click here!

Hawkeye Pride

The most important thing to me when looking at schools was team pride. I went to a really small high school and didn’t get to experience many sporting events or pride in saying where I went to school; it just wasn’t the norm. Here, however, I can say, without a doubt, that I’ve never been to a college campus with so much pride. I’m a huge sports fan, so some of my favorite memories have been at football or basketball games. I always say, no matter where you are, you can find a Hawkeye. From the football stadium to the airport to the local grocery store, you’ll find Herky, black and gold, and Hawkeye pride everywhere! 

This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of things I love about going to school here. I could go on forever. That being said, many people still don’t understand why I chose Iowa, and that’s okay. I remember feeling nervous about announcing my commitment because no one from my high school had ever gone here, and everyone strived for an Ivy League school. There is nothing wrong with that! However, looking back, I wish I wore my Hawkeye pride proudly so much earlier. At the end of the day, it’s not about where those around you want to go, it’s about where you feel most at home and where you can see yourself thriving. For me, that was Iowa, and I haven’t regretted my decision once. Hopefully, you can see yourself here, too, future Hawkeye! 

As always, go hawks! 

Abbie

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How to Maximize Your College Tour Experience

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Walking around campus in recent weeks I’ve noticed so many tour groups! It’s so exciting because I remember being in their shoes; everything is so new and overwhelming with information flying at you 100 miles per hour. I remember being so stressed out on college tours, but because of that, I’ve definitely learned a thing or two in hindsight that I want to share with you to try and alleviate that stress or uneasiness during this time of change!

First, go in with an open mind! I never would’ve guessed I would wind up in Iowa for college, but it singlehandedly is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Driving onto campus the night before my tour, my mom said to me, “it would be so funny if I went here because who would’ve ever thought.” Going into a college tour without that mindset helps with absorbing information and processing your emotions. Try to put yourself in the current student’s shoes, and really imagine yourself being on campus. Can you picture it? If so, great! This might be the place for you! 

If you’re taking a formal tour, don’t be afraid to ask questions (and don’t be embarrassed if your parents ask questions)! You never know how helpful that information could be. Your tour guide is giving you a peek into life here, so take advantage of that! I know with the pandemic many families have opted to do their own tours, just wandering around campus and such. However, I strongly encourage a formal tour. The tour guides are some of the most enthusiastic people I know, and they’re especially passionate about Iowa. Their love for the school may become your love for the school! 

On your tour, the University will give you a wavier to eat in the dining hall. It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the food and the atmosphere. However, I also 100% recommend going to a local restaurant to get a feel for the town and food in the area. I had such a nice time with my parents going out to eat that I went back to those restaurants with friends once I got to school! 

The most important thing that I learned is to not worry if you leave a college tour feeling unsure. I remember vividly hearing over and over again on college tours that “the moment I stepped on campus I knew this is where I wanted to be.” I grew more and more concerned that I didn’t get that “ah-ha” moment on any college campus, not even this one. However, my mom told me “oftentimes students who feel that way are thinking in retrospect after all the great memories they’ve made,” which I thought was a great point. I’m the type of person who doesn’t process my emotions very quickly and can get overwhelmed. I am a firm believer in sleeping on things, just to really let everything sink in. This isn’t to say those stories aren’t true, however. If you are a person who knew immediately which school was the right one for them, congratulations! (and I’m jealous!!)

This time in your life is a time of great change, and all you can do is your best! Don’t be too hard on yourself, and everything works out for the best. You’ll end up in the right place for you!

If you are interested in visiting the University of Iowa, check out all the visit opportunities!

As always, go hawks!

Abbie

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Dorm Essentials

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Now is as good a time as ever to start browsing/buying items for your college dorm. Many people wait until the last minute to start shopping, and truth be told, most things are sold out at that point. It is never too early to start making a list of things you may want in your dorm. This is where I come in. I created a list based on my own experiences and my friends’ experiences covering all the items we’ve found the most useful. I wanted to also create a list that would cover things outside of your “typical college checklist” (which would include: shower shoes, shower caddy, clothing hangers, etc). 

Iowa provides nice basics for a dorm room: bed with mattress, desk with drawers, dresser, closet spaces, sink with storage below, as well as a mirror with storage built-in. 

The first thing that comes to mind is additional storage items. It blew me away how easy it is to fill up all the provided storage. One thing that has really helped is a storage ottoman. This provides both seating and storage in the room. I found a collapsable one on amazon that we use for our snacks! My roommate also brought more drawers for her clothes. Additionally, a three-tier rolling cart is essential. My roommate and I use ours for miscellaneous items as well as our toothbrushes etc. They’re very convenient because they’re vertical storage meaning it’s more storage but not that much room!

I’ve also noticed my friends and I tend to hang out more in my friend’s rooms that have extra seating. A few of them have couches and others have a bean bag. Any comfortable place for guests to sit is really great for when you want to hang out with friends, or also a chill place to decompress in between classes.  

One thing I did not expect to need as much as I did were slippers. I wear my slippers everywhere. Any shoes that are comfortable and easy to slip on before going to the bathroom, lounge, or friend’s room, are crucial to have on hand. 

If you’re like me and tend to get sick very easily, making sure you have some Advil, allergy medications, vitamin C, tissues, or any other remedy nearby is a good call. I try to regularly take vitamins to boost my immune system and prevent myself from getting sick too often.

Mattress toppers are my best friend. I love a nice, soft, cozy bed, so I made sure to have the thickest mattress topper possible. Mattress toppers are relatively easy to find on Amazon, and they have so many options so you can find the one that works for you. 

Other small things that I thought of that may not immediately come to mind are dishwater, a water bottle, a fan, bunk buddy (which you can buy at the IMU), extension cords and extra chargers, cleaning supplies, an umbrella, and a robe, just to name a few. It’s always important to really think about what items you may use the most, and what may seem trivial. If you have questions about what may be useful to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me (DM me on Instagram @abbiechong_) or someone else you may know in college. Hopefully, this alleviated some stress you may have around shopping for college. I know how overwhelming it can feel because buying dorm things makes everything feel real. It’s better to start now than later, and helps calm the nerves in the long run, I promise!

As always, go hawks! 

Abbie 

 

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Dealing with Homesickness in College

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Just the other day, I was texting my friend about how I’ve been dealing with a recent increase in homesickness this semester. It’s interesting how those emotions can come and go because they didn’t necessarily phase me during the first semester. My parents warned me before I left for college that homesickness would hit me randomly throughout the year, and I just had to push through. That being said, I think many people portray college through social media and interactions on and off campus as one, big, fun party all the time. The transition, in-between moments, and potential homesickness aren’t as normalized, which I why I want to take the time to write about it, and how I cope. 

As many of you may know, I am from New Jersey… AKA really far away. When I was applying to college, I knew I wanted to go somewhere different and a decent distance away from my family to truly be on my own for the first time. I think one of the hardest things for me being here is listening to everyone talk about their plans to go home for a weekend to sleep in their bed, see their parents and dogs, and decompress after a long week. That isn’t an option for me. I’m a 16-hour car ride (when I don’t have a car), or a full day of air travel away from my family, so it’s a giant inconvenience for me to “run home” for the weekend. Additionally, I am really close with my family, and being this far away is very difficult. Not to mention, when I am home for breaks, I am terrible at goodbyes. I’m quite the crier when it comes time to part ways, so that part is by far the worst, even though I know my amazing life in Iowa City is waiting for me on the other end. 

It’s tempting to want to go home, even just for a little bit, when things feel they’re getting harder. However, I think I’m doing myself right when I stay for extended amounts of time. I always remind myself that this change is still VERY new! It’s okay for things to still feel a little weird. I am surrounded by amazing friends, supportive teachers, and my family who all want to see me succeed, and that means just doing my best every day. I try to keep myself busy with friends, sorority life, or school work when I start to feel down. I also call my parents and sister all. The. Time. They would tell you themselves, I can be overly eager to FaceTime. It helps me feel connected, gives me chance to catch up with them, and tell them all about my life here! 

At the end of the day, I am grateful I’m homesick. I’m sure you’re thinking, “what?” but it’s true. I like to say, I appreciate that my family is hard to leave and that I miss them because it reminds me of the positive impact they’ve made on me. They are by far the most influential people in my life, and when I visit, my time at home just feels that much sweeter. Homesickness is a tricky thing to deal with, but you’re not alone. There are lots of ways to cope in a healthy way and more than enough people who are willing to help. 

As always, go hawks!

Abbie

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My Favorite Spots in Downtown Iowa City

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One of the major perks of going to the University of Iowa is the amazing downtown area that is just across the street. Rain or shine, Iowa City is the place to be. I’m going to take you through a couple of my favorite places in the best college town in the country!

Pullman

Pullman is a restaurant that I’ve been to a few times, and it never disappoints. I will always remember it as the place my parents and I ate before they dropped me off here. I had the best breakfast bowl there. It’s an adorable little spot to grab a bite to eat, and the atmosphere is so fun. I also saw Luka Garza there once! 

St. Burch Tavern

Owned by the same people as Pullman, St. Burch is one of the fancier places in Iowa City. Their salads are delicious, and definitely the place I would recommend taking your parents when they come to visit. It’s elegant on top, but they also have this cool basement that’s like a man-cave bar feel. All around, one of my favorite places for a nice dinner out. 

Pitaya

Pitaya is a super cute store that so many girls I know absolutely love. They have adorable clothes, the employees are so nice, and the prices are reasonable. I love everything I’ve gotten there!

Basta

If you like good Italian food, Basta is the place. Also on the nicer side, Basta is where I ate with my mom when we toured Iowa. I will never forget the waitress and all the lovely things she had to say about Iowa. She was also a marketing major (like myself) and couldn’t say enough about the business school. My mom and I enjoyed a great lunch, and we always try to go back! 

White Rabbit

If Pitaya isn’t exactly your style, White Rabbit has a little bit of everything. One of my friends took me to this store and I fell in love with how eclectic and cool their stuff was. Their vibe is more earthy and boho, but they also have some great Iowa City merch. I got one of my favorite sweatshirts there! 

Insomnia

Insomnia Cookies are a hit around here among college students. They have a variety of flavors and are open until the early hours of the morning. They’ll even deliver until 3 am. So when you need a late-night treat for all the study hours you’ve clocked, Insomnia will be your best friend. 

Mesa

A late-night staple in Iowa City is Mesa Pizza. Also, open into the early morning, people often go to Mesa to get some of their late-night cravings satisfied. They’ve got all kinds of pizza. I 10/10 recommend their mac and cheese pizza. It sounds odd, but it is delicious. 

There are so many other places I have yet to explore downtown. This list is only scratching the surface. I encourage visitors to take some time to walk around Iowa City with no plan or agenda, just to see what they stumble upon. You can’t go wrong!

As always, go hawks!

Abbie

 

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How I’m Preparing for Second Semester

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With semester one officially in my rearview mirror, I wanted to come into the new year with lessons I learned in the first semester in mind. The first semester felt like a college trial run; I was experimenting with my time, not taking things as seriously as I should, and I just felt tired all the time. This semester, I want things to be different. 

The first thing I wanted to do was give myself a “grace period” week. I returned to school on Monday and wanted to focus on finding my classes and getting all the materials I needed for school. Along with that, I had a lot of sorority events I had to go to, so getting through all of that was key.

Now that I’ve figured out where all my classes are, I want to focus on my time management skills. I always preach the importance of time management, but it’s much easier said than done. Truth be told, I’m still figuring it out. My biggest goal this semester is to maintain a healthy and consistent workout schedule. Last semester, I was sick and tired most of the time, so I wasn’t able to go to the gym as much as I hoped. My dad and I have challenged each other to consistently work out and hold each other accountable. It’s fun to get your family involved in your semester resolutions, too! 

Going hand in hand with the workout schedule, I also wanted to focus on my sleep hygiene. I think part of the reason my immune system wasn’t as strong and I felt so tired was the lack of sleep I was getting. My roommate and I now strive to be in bed by 11 or 11:30 on weekdays to get a good, full night of sleep. I’ve already noticed it helping my productivity and motivation. 

Most of my lectures have returned to in-person format. I believe this is going to help tremendously with my ability to focus and remember things from class. I learned with online learning, I get distracted easily. It’s easy to turn on a lecture and go on your phone, make some food, or clean your room. However, now that I’m back in a classroom, I feel more focused in lectures. Despite it being really cold here right now, I don’t mind the walk and some fresh air, and being in an in-person lecture will be very beneficial for me! 

I hope by creating new goals and learning from last semester, I will start to see some substantial changes in my motivation and production levels. I will be sure to keep you posted!

Go Hawks!

Abbie

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I Went to the Big10 Championship Game!

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On November 26, 2021, the Hawkeyes were in Lincoln, Nebraska for the annual rivalry game. The Hawkeyes took home the dub, but it wasn’t enough to secure the title of Big10 West champions; they were going to need Minnesota to knock out Wisconsin. The very next day, that is exactly what they did. The Gophers took down the Badgers and sent our Hawkeyes right up to the number one spot, and right to Indianapolis the following week. On a whim, my parents and I booked flights and hotels, and before we knew it, we were also going to Indianapolis. 

We arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium around 4:15—4 hours before the game started—and it was PACKED. We immediately headed to the pregame festivities: tailgates, food, pep rallies, and more. The streets were flooded with blue and yellow, and our beloved black and gold. The pep rally was amazing: seeing current students and alumni alike, singing the fight song was an especially fun moment. I loved being able to show that hawkeye spirit to my family.

As for the game, it didn’t go the way we had hoped, but nevertheless, we still had a ball. Those moments are one of the many moments it makes me extraordinarily proud to be a hawkeye. Everyone handled the tough loss like a champ, and ultimately everyone was grateful for the experience to watch our Hawkeyes give it their all. That is a day I will remember forever.

As always, Go hawks!

Abbie

 

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How I Survived a Not-So-Normal Finals Week

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My experience going through my first college finals is anything but ordinary. After a full week of preparing for exams in class, followed by a weekend of festivities in Indianapolis for the Big10 championship, I wound up with the flu. Unable to fly back to Iowa City, I drove all the way home to New Jersey with my family, just in time for the last week of classes. Here is how I survived my weird and unexpected finals week…

First, I emailed my TA’s to let them know what was going on. All of my TA’s were super understanding and told me they were there to help in any way they could. Luckily enough, all my finals were online, so I was able to take them from my home. Utilizing office hours and appointments with TA’s and professors is super helpful, especially when you’re unable to make it to class due to circumstances outside of your control.  

Then, once I was feeling better, I created a schedule to manage my studying time appropriately based on when my finals were scheduled. For example, I had mythology, microeconomics, and then math, so I studied in that order with an emphasis on mythology, then microeconomics, then math. It helped me stay organized and focus on the most imminent subject!

Lastly, I avoided burnout. It’s important to know your limits when studying. I always stop studying at least an hour before my final to decompress, let the information sink in, and give my brain a break. Those breaks are important to maximize performance on exams, so I 100% recommend that!

At the end of the day, the key to finals is focus and time management. Whether that is studying at a coffee shop, working out to alleviate stress, or late-night study sessions, it’s important to do what works for you. And here’s to a relaxing winter break!

Happy Holidays, and go hawks!

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A First Semester Week in my Life!

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With the semester coming to a close in the upcoming weeks, I thought I would walk you through what a typical “first-semester” week in my life looks like here at The University of Iowa! Granted, every week looks a little different, but here is a peek into my classes, extracurriculars, and how I spend my free time!

My morning starts between 10:00 and 10:30 AM. I am fortunate enough to have no classes before 11 this semester, so mornings are a time for me to wake up, focus on what I need to do, and get anything done for a class that I didn’t get around to the night prior. I have microeconomics from 11:30 to 12:20 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We do a lot of group work here since it is a flipped classroom (watch lectures on our own time and do problem-solving in class). On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I start with sociology from 11:00 to 11:50 AM. 

I usually head down to the dining hall with my friends somewhere between 12:30 and 1:00 to grab lunch and spend some time together. I always love the little moments and conversations we have during meals. I always say the more the merrier when it comes to mealtime. It’s like the college version of a big family lunch/dinner! 

After lunch, I come back to my room and try to get some work done before my math class from 2:30 to 3:20 on Monday’s Wednesdays and Fridays, and my Classical Mythology class from 3:30 to 4:20 on Monday’s and Wednesday’s. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have more time during the afternoon; these are the days I set the goal of going to the gym. While I aspire to go every day, sometimes I don’t have the time (or the motivation). 

Thus far, the classes I’ve mentioned are on zoom currently. The university is hoping to continually transition larger lectures to in-person formatting, which students will see more of in the spring semester. As for my in-person discussion sections, those change every day. On Monday’s I have sociology from 4:30 to 5:20, Tuesday’s I have math from 5:00 to 5:50, Wednesday’s I have microeconomics from 6:30 to 7:20 PM (late, I know!), and on Thursday’s I have mythology from 9:00 to 9:50 AM, as well as math again from 5:00 to 5:50. Lastly, Friday I don’t have any in-person classes! 

I aim to have dinner anywhere from 5:00 to 7:00. Generally, anytime I can fit it in and get some more time with my friends. Then the rest of my nights are spent either doing homework or watching TV and movies with my friends. 

Now mix in random sorority events, sporting events, exams, and extracurricular activities, and you’ve got a week in my life! No day is like the last, and that’s what’s so exciting and special about college life. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I can’t wait to see what next semester brings!

As always, go hawks!!

Abbie

 

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