If you’re a first-year college student like me, the past couple of weeks have been spent seeing family, catching up with hometown friends, and finally winding down from a very hectic first semester away from home. And if you’re also like me, you’re currently diving into a brand-new schedule, running to a multitude of foreign buildings, and cramming as much work as you can before the clock strikes 11:59. Overall, just trying to get a sense of some time management.
For me, time management last semester was one of my greatest strengths coming into college and actually played a major role in balancing the topic of this post. I was fortunate enough very early on in the fall semester to be the Editor in Chief of Ink Lit magazine; a magazine run by first-year students for first-year students who had no experience in the publishing industry and funded by the Magid Center on campus. Not only was this daunting because I’d never dipped my toes in the industry before, but after I got the job, I suddenly had a team of 10-15 individuals who were looking up to me as the chief of staff. People, who were looking at me to answer all their questions. I know, terrifying.
I will admit, it took some time to find my footing. This included missed meetings, scrambling to find emails, and plenty of uncertainty, which all led to this sense of dread that I was not appearing as the leader I wanted to be. Luckily, though, I was gifted with two fantastic publishers and a team of nervous, but equally as excited, first-years who were passionate about all things creative. I’m proud to say that their faith and willingness to help made being the Editor in Chief less of a “job” or a “club position” and more of a passion. It made the experience incredibly worthwhile.
As time went on, I learned so much about the publishing industry. I learned how to sift through slush piles, how to order a magazine, and how to proofread (I’ll admit, this was my least favorite part). And then, when the magazine was curated and finally printed, I learned how to party plan, how to script, and how to write the annual Editor in Chief letter. Yes, also very daunting, but also very rewarding.
Overall, having the chance to work on a magazine was one of the best experiences of my first semester. It allowed me to learn a variety of new skills, take on a position I’d never dreamed of getting, and be the figurehead for a magazine that is the only one on campus that trains first-years in a career they may go into for the rest of their lives. I loved the experience so much that I just submitted my application for the spring semester in hopes of getting the chance to work on the magazine again and the team which made it entirely possible.
If you’d like to read the latest issue of Ink Lit magazine or submit work for the spring edition, follow us on Instagram (@inklitmagazine) and click the linktree in the bio.
Finals week is coming to an end and winter break is finally upon us. I’m currently packing for my long plane ride home to New York and I’m so excited to be back with my family and hometown friends. However, something I’ve realized while being here is that friendships in college are WAYYY different than the friendships I made in elementary, middle, and high school. In college, I quickly learned to treat my friends here differently in order to maintain them and strengthen those bonds.
When it comes to maintaining your college friendships, here are my top tips:
The Importance of Reaching Out
This may be simple, but it’s essential to any relationship you have. To maintain a friendship, obviously, you have to hang out and talk with one another. Reaching out to make plans (even if they don’t work) or just chatting to see what’s up shows effort. Effort doesn’t have to be grand gestures or worldwide plans, but just showing you want to see someone and hear from them is enough to prove that you value their friendship.
Checking Up
This aligns with the last tip but checking up on someone with a simple “How are you doing” can speak volumes. Showing you care is vital for any relationship, especially friendships where you confide in one another often. People appreciate being checked up on and knowing that, even if you don’t talk every day, you are someone who is in their corner if they ever need a helping hand.
Making Plans
What’s important to realize is making plans can’t be one-sided! There should be a balance between who decides what the two of you are doing, even if it’s simply getting coffee, going for a walk, studying together, etc. Plans don’t necessarily have to be big events but be sure you’re actively trying to see the other person and the other person is actively trying to see you. Like I said earlier, even if the plans don’t work out, the effort is still there!
Deep Conversations
Yes, small talk is perfect for when a friendship is first starting out. It’s awkward to talk to a stranger about the hard things in life, but, after a while, small talk can only last so long. That’s why it’s important to show trust and tell people the hard stuff! To really strengthen the bond you’ve already begun to build, give people the ability to understand you for who you truly are and show empathy for what you’ve been through. Truly, this is what makes a friendship worthwhile.
Communication When You Don’t See Eye to Eye
One thing I will never understand is why people tend to sit with “uncomfort.” If you’re upset or angry or confused with someone, sitting on those emotions won’t help your relationship. If anything, you may begin to resent the other person. Caring about someone means doing things that may be out of your comfort zone in order to salvage the relationship. So, if something is bothering you, don’t be afraid to tell the other person. Chances are, they’ll be grateful you cared enough to talk to them about it rather than being unhappy with them.
Obviously, there are hundreds of different ways to maintain a healthy friendship. Each person will have a different perspective and show the meaning of friendship in their own way. In the end, it’s just about showing the other person they mean something to you!
It’s almost the end of the semester which means two things are happening: finals, and then, home for an ENTIRE month! Yay!!! I’m so excited to go back to New York and see my parents (just kidding, I’m going for my cats), but I’m also going to miss my friends, classes, and the university so much while I’m gone. But before I can start thinking about winter break and prepping for the next semester, I need to get through finals week just like everyone else.
As an English and creative writing major, most of my finals involve final portfolios in which I advise the writing I workshopped in my classes. Up until this year, I had never workshopped any of my pieces. Besides giving my friends and family snippets of my writing and scribbling bad poetry in my journals, I had never written anything with the intent of having it read aloud, discussed in front of me, and interpreted by my peers.
And upon first thought, this is terrifying.
I can think of very few people who want to have their work discussed in front of them. Especially, when you aren’t able to give any input on the piece. I know for me; this was one of my biggest fears. I remember thinking, what if someone says something mean and I can’t respond? What if they misinterpret what I say? What if I’m just plain bad and everyone judges me? A whirlwind of questions and concerns worked through my mind as the weeks led up to my first workshop.
But when it finally happened, I fell in love with the process.
When we workshop, we usually start with what we liked in the piece, the meaning behind it, and things we noticed that emphasized and made the writing stand out to us. Personally, one of my favorite parts of this round is also getting the chance to hear people’s interpretations and seeing how people saw my work in ways I never would have thought of. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear my classmates appreciate things like my descriptions, my word choice, and my plot devices. Overall, just having other people my age appreciating the craft and time it takes to write anything has always made me feel like a real author and made me really enjoy having my work discussed in a group setting.
And even when we get to the constructive criticism round, this enjoyment doesn’t end.
Because, what I failed to realize before I workshopped, people in my classes don’t want to pick up on my mistakes/failures to be mean or cruel or to prove they’re better writers. At the end of the day, everyone in the room is a writer, and we love watching one another succeed. In that moment, when we’re all sitting in a circle, it’s a small community of people who are trying to help you. This is more beneficial than praise and is what ultimately strengthens a piece to its fullest potential.
Another part of workshop that I adore is at the very end when I get my printed copies back, filled with annotations from my classmates. Yes, it’s annoying and sort of expensive to print out page after page and staple them together, but it’s worth it to see those genuine reactions and notes for my peers. Seeing people react in “real-time” to my writing is so fun and exciting, especially when they leave cute little notes, hearts, or highlighted quotes that were their favorites. It’s equally as fun doing this for your classmates when it’s their writing you’re looking at.
Plus, not only do you get handwritten annotations, but usually, everyone in the class will write personalized letters. In these letters, my classmates were able to air out all of their thoughts (especially ones they may not have been able to mention during class) so I could get the full picture of how my story affected them and where I could go from there. Getting this much feedback from so many different people is incredible and does mind-blowing things for a piece.
And then, once you have all of these edits and notes in the palms of your hands, you get to actually work on revising the piece. This is the best part; being able to see my writing change and warp into a better version of itself. Every time, I’m shocked by how much workshopping improves my story and makes me a better writer and listener because of it.
If you’re an English and creative writing major who wants their writing to improve drastically, I would definitely consider the University of Iowa and the classes where workshopping is available. These classes are fantastic, broad (you can take a writing class on pretty much anything! I’m currently taking one on writing romance fiction!), and overall, a lot of fun. The #1 public university for English and creative writing lives up to its name and I hope this post sparks your interest in this phenomenal program!
By the time you read this, Thanksgiving break should have just ended, and you’re stuffed on turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing (my personal favorite!). Plus, you should be getting ready for the end of the semester along with a nice, long, and well-deserved, winter break. But if you’re like me, before we can enjoy warm cups of hot chocolate, reading by the fireplace, and unwrapping gifts with loved ones, you have a good number of finals to sift through. And if you’re also like me, and have three final portfolios for your creative writing classes due at the same time, you’re going to find a way to procrastinate it.
Hence, the reason I started writing this article.
However, this method of procrastination isn’t laying in my bed scrolling through TikTok, going on late night adventures with my friends, or gorging on snacks at 2am. This time, I wanted to tell you guys about an event I heard about during my first week at the University of Iowa: UIowa Walk It Out.
I heard about Walk It Out at a club fair right before classes started. From what I was told, it was a fashion show for people of color to show off their culture through music, dance, and clothes, to the rest of the university in a fun and lively environment. Honestly? It sounded like a lot of fun, and for someone like me who grew up in a predominantly white community and was far from home, I wanted to give myself the opportunity to tap into my culture in a way I hadn’t been able to before. Also, I was desperate for friends, and any excuse to meet new people seemed like a good one.
So, I signed my name on the sheet, and a month later, auditioned to be a model using Fergie’s “London Bridge” to strut across the room. And if you were wondering, yes, I absolutely killed it. There’s nothing more rewarding than being hyped up by a bunch of strangers, which was my first indication that Walk It Out was going to be a lot more fun than I’d given it credit.
About a month after my audition and acceptance, I attended my first meeting as a model for the East Asian group, and during that meeting, our group leaders dropped a bombshell of news: We would be performing a five-minute dance in front of all the other models and a live audience and we had two weeks to come up with something, starting, right then and there.
Great.
I remember looking at my group leaders in horror. How were we supposed to create a cultural dance with so little time and with people who had such little dance experience? How would practices work with everyone’s different schedules? Dancing with friends is one thing, but with strangers, it’s awkward and intimidating. How would we be comfortable?
But despite my hesitations, my group leaders had it under control.
During that first meeting, they separated us into two groups: Cpop (Chinese pop) and Kpop (Korean pop). I was a part of the Cpop group with two other girls, including our instructor, Selina. Since I’m half-Chinese, I wanted to get the chance to connect directly with my culture. Connecting with my culture was, after all, my original reason (besides wanting friends) for joining Walk It Out. So, I wanted to fulfill that promise.
There was initial confusion over where we were practicing, when, and how we were going to dance with such little time, but Selina had it under control.
Speaking of Selina, I think it’s necessary I give her a proper shoutout! With the two weeks we had, she managed to teach us an entire two-minute dance she learned, choreographed, taught, and then modified when we struggled on the moves. She was the most patient teacher, made sure we stretched beforehand and took the time to answer all our questions until we were confident in the moves. Once, she even taught us to dance with a burrito in her hand, because she skipped lunch to make sure we had time to practice.
As the days flew by, I was surprised how fast I caught on. Now, granted, I was practicing every night in the mirror with my roommate giggling beside me and during my study sessions with friends whenever I needed to get up and stretch the stiffness out of my limbs. But this all stemmed from wanting to do well and not make a fool of myself out on the dance floor. Also, I wanted to make my group leaders and my group members proud, and I couldn’t do that if I was fumbling around on the dance floor.
In the last few days, we practiced with the Kpop group, solidified the music, and concocted a transition where I got to showcase my taekwondo skills to the crowd. Those last few practices went smoothly leading up to the day of the event: The Model Mixer.
On the day of the Mixer, I found myself mingling with a few of the girls from the South Asian group. I had a close friend there, and being that there were so many other people, I desperately clung to someone familiar and stayed there. Still, that discomfort didn’t last long, because the executive team of Walk It Out planned a variety of fun activities to keep our spirits up before we had to perform for one another. We did icebreakers, ate pizza, played musical chairs, and even got to take turns strutting our stuff on the runway. The vibes were fantastic and the warm hug of a proper welcome made me feel at home.
But then, it was time to perform.
Each group was fantastic. The LGBTQ group went up first and set the tone for the night. South Asia’s dance was upbeat and fast-paced and Hip Hop absolutely destroyed their dance without a single fault. My group was the last to perform, and as each group went up one after another, I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking. Fear pulsed through my veins and the urge to puke, run, and hide quivered in my body no matter how well I knew the moves. My eyes watched group after group absolutely KILL their dance and the roar of applause that erupted from the crowd after they sat down.
I was still shaking when our group was finally announced. I remember my mind was scrambled with stage fright as I turned the moves over and over in my head. Struggling to breath, I moved to my first position in front of the crowd and stared off into the audience. Anyone looking closely could see my knees wobbling under me.
But then, the music started, and I began to dance.
All at once, the stage fright fell away. I smiled, moved, and let my feet guide me. My confidence only grew when the crowd began to applaud and cheer for us, their support pushing me to continue and smile harder. It was hard not to bathe in their support. Later, after the dance was over and the two minutes flew by in what felt like seconds, a girl came up to me and said my facial expressions “told a story.”
But really, I was just having fun. I was dancing with my new friends and letting myself accept a part of my culture I hadn’t had the chance to explore. The stage fright was well-worth the reward.
And thankfully, it’s not over yet.
The Model Mixer was just the beginning because the actual show will be on April 9th in the IMU and open to the public. I’m so excited that my group and I will get the chance to learn another dance and get the opportunity to model some stunning East Asian clothes for Iowa City. If you’ll be in Iowa around that time, I encourage you to come and watch us perform. Or, better yet, come see me kill it on the dance floor!
Me and the East Asian group for UIowa Walk It Out 2021-2022!!!
Hey guys! We’re finally in November, which means the colder weather is right upon us! That being said, I’d like to properly mourn the loss of hot days, rainstorms, and autumn sweater weather, by showing off my favorite outfits over the past few months, and telling you guys what I think are some essential pieces to spice up any fit!
Colorful Long-Sleeved Shirts
I LOVE fashionable long-sleeved shirts. They’re good with any pair of pants/skirts and easy to accessorize with necklaces, hairpieces, rings, and bracelets. They’re also great for a night out when the weather drops and you still want to go downtown while maintaining a cute fit!
Raincoats
I can assure you, there will be days where you need to walk a mile to a class in a downpour, and sometimes, an umbrella just won’t cut it. So, buy a raincoat! Preferably, a yellow one. Because, and maybe I’m just saying this because Halloween just passed by, yellow raincoats make for a fantastic last-minute costume (Georgie, Coraline, Paddington Bear, etc.) It also helps when you have matching boots 🙂
Bucket Hats
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve been OBSESSED with buckets hats ever since they were revamped over quarantine. When you’re having a bad hair day or need a quick accessory to spice up your outfit, bucket hats are the way to go.
P.S: Ignore my very similar poses here. I’m coming to the realization I really am not that original with how I pose for pictures on a day-to-day basis!
Sunglasses and Jeans
These two clothing items are, quite literally, the hill I would die on. Doesn’t matter the shirt, as long as I’m rocking one of my five pairs of jeans and one of my big sunglasses on a sunny day, there’s nothing holding me back (and I think it shows in these photos!)
Sweater Dresses
You can never go wrong with sweater dresses, especially when the temperature is dropping and you still want to look cute for that meeting later in the afternoon. They work with sneakers, boots, or heels, and really are great for early mornings or late nights. It all depends on how you style it!
I hope you guys agree with some of my selections here and are looking forward to some winter fits this November. But for now, happy shopping and let that inner fashionista out this season!
Hey guys! As we start nearing the infamous last day of October, it’s time to start thinking about who/what we’re going to be for Halloween this year! And if you’re like me, and it’s your first year celebrating Halloween on a college campus, you want to make sure your outfit doesn’t disappoint. The basic fits won’t do anymore—it’s time to start thinking outside the box and go full throttle with your idea.
But, thinking of a Halloween costume is never easy, especially one which will make you stand out and still be affordable (don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten that most of us have three dollars in our bank account). Luckily, I’ve compiled a list of costumes I’m dying to see on campus this year, and costumes I think will help you stand out amongst the rest of your peers.
Squid Game
I’m sure you’ve heard of the most recent Korean Netflix show that’s taking the world by storm. Not only is its popularity fairly recent, but the costumes are fairly simple to create. Players only need a green tracksuit, a white undershirt, and white shoes, and if you want an added effect, some makeup to look like cuts/bruises could really emphasize your Halloween game. You could also buy the masks online to be the guards or the Front Man. Overall, no matter who you are from the show, people will know what you’re trying to reference.
Low Budget Disney Characters
Like I mentioned earlier, I haven’t forgotten that Halloween costumes are expensive. And if you’re like me and like to wait until the last minute to get your costume together, Disney characters are always an easy move. Yes, they’re a bit basic, but I think if you put a lot of thought into it, the costume could come out really cute. Not to mention, couples have the option of being Disney princesses/princes, which could make for some adorable Halloween Instagram posts!
As for where to look, Ragstock has a phenomenal selection of everyday clothes that can be blended into an outfit to match a certain character. For example, I recently bought a pale blue romper there and was planning on wearing it for a picnic with my friends. But upon further inspection, I realized it would make the perfect low-budget Cinderella dress, paired with white sneakers, and a blue hairband. To me, costumes made up of clothes you’d wear outside of Halloween night are one of the smartest financial moves you can make.
Marvel Characters
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you know this year has been MASSIVE for Marvel. For those of you who may have forgotten, here’s the line-up of shows/movies from this year (both out and soon to be out) that you can pick a character from and dress up as:
Wandavision
Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Loki
What If
Hawkeye
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Seven Rings
Black Widow
Eternals
Ms. Marvel
Spiderman: No Way Home
These costumes could be a bit more expensive, and you’ll have to do some digging, but if I see anyone dress-up as Kate Bishop or Yelena or anyone from Eternals, I’ll be INCREDIBLY impressed. Might even ask for a picture!
Dressing up as Someone in Your Friend Group
Since I just gave you guys an expensive option, here’s another low-budget suggestion for a costume. I know I have a lot of friends with very distinct styles (something I adore about us) and trying to compile an outfit to look like them is super easy and affordable since you could borrow their clothes! It’s also a great way to get a good laugh out of all your friends, which might be better than wearing something worth over 100$ for one night only.
Political Figures
Even though it may feel like a lifetime ago, the 2021 election came to a close less than a year ago, and the memes from it are still a big part of pop culture today. You can never go wrong with a funny political stunt such as Kamala Harris’s outfit when she famously said, “We Did It, Joe,” or the fly on Pence’s head or even Bernie sitting with his mittens on. The possibilities are endless, and depending on what you go with, these costumes can come from your friends/parents/siblings’ closet! Super affordable and super easy to have fun with!
Just Memes
Enough said. Find a meme and do it. You won’t regret it.
Everyone in your Group does Different Outfits But You’re all the Same Celebrity
This can be a bit tricky depending on the celebrity you choose. However, if you and your group are willing, you can do your research and find a way for each of you to have a memorable outfit and have fun coordinating it together. I can assure you, on the night of Halloween, you’ll have the best group costume out there and it’ll be a great bonding experience for you and your friends.
Children Show Characters
For my last suggestion, I saved one of my favorites, which I also think people are most afraid to go with. Children’s shows bring nostalgia, and people react well to things they recognize. Plus, there’s no shame in loving and appreciating shows meant to bring happiness (I am very much a Miraculous Ladybug and She-ra and the Princesses of Power stan) and I think it would be great to see who else appreciates those shows through recognizing a Halloween costume and geeking out about it with you.
P.S: If any of you are thinking of dressing up as Chat Noir, please contact me immediately. I NEED to see that costume in person!
I hope my suggestions help and I can’t wait to see everyone’s Halloween costumes! No matter what you wear, it’ll definitely be a night to remember.
For those of you who clicked on my post, you’re probably just as much of a hopeless romantic as I am. Or, you’re just looking for some advice on where you should take that cute girl/guy you’ve been snapping with for a few weeks. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Since high school, I’ve dreamed of college dates—no parents, no curfew, and no limit to where we could go. But even more so, I’ve dreamed of a college date where he takes charge and plans the date for us. What can I say, I have expectations!
So, if you’re looking for some ideas on what to do, I asked a handful of first-year boys where they would take a first date. Hopefully, one of these resonates with you and gives you an idea on where to take that special someone.
“Pullmans and Yotopia afterward.”
-Niko
“Pullmans for breakfast or brunch.”
-Kyle
“Yotopia for sure.”
-Will
Downtown Iowa has plenty of places for a cute first-date backdrop. Inside Pullman’s, however, there are crimson booths, dim lighting, and great food—excellent for a romantic first date! And if you can’t get a seat inside, Pullman’s also offers takeout. So, you and your date can find a colorful picnic table outside or seating near the string lights hung up around Iowa City to have your meal.
And once you’ve had lunch/dinner at Pullman’s, Yotopia offers a handful of original, self-serve frozen yogurt! The interior has mini couches, bright walls, and is placed right next to the ped mall where a handful of benches, tables, and even a water fountain could make for a great place to relax and get to know one another more.
“Sitting by the river.”
-Kyle
“Any of the coffee shops. And then afterward, a walk by the river.”
-AJ
“Light dinner and then a walk by the river.”
-Max
If you’re looking for something a little more sweet and cheap for your date, coffee and a walk by the Iowa River is perfect! Just make sure the weather agrees with you!
There are plenty of coffee shops in downtown Iowa. Some of my personal favorites include Javahouse, Cortado, Prairie Lights Cafe, The High Ground Cafe, and of course, Starbucks! Sitting and taking the time to talk to your date truly makes a difference and makes the time worthwhile since you’ll be learning about each other.
P.S: If you are the one to ask them on a date, pay for their coffee. I can assure you, your date will go home and make sure to tell their roommate about it, and you’ll be rewarded a few brownie points for that.
“The Vue rooftop.”
-Dane
This one is a bit more expensive, but if you really want to treat your date, this place will do the trick. The Vue is a rooftop restaurant with some of the best food (at least I think) in Iowa City. The view of Iowa City after dark is breathtaking, matched with the string lights and the warm music, it’ll definitely be a night your date never forgets!
“Praire Lights Cafe. We can walk around and pick out books for each other.”
-Griffin
P.S: If you’re on a date with a bookworm, if you can, buy their favorite book. Even if you don’t read it, taking the time to dwell on a small, special detail they shared with you, will make a big difference in their mind.
“Formosa, because who doesn’t like sushi”
-Julian
Enough said. Sushi is the vibe and Formosa can very much supply.
But most importantly…
Where you go depends on who your date is. Make sure you cater to what you’re doing with who you’re doing it with. As long as you take the time to think about your date, their needs, and their preferences, that shows effort, and the most anyone really wants is for someone to put effort into them.
I hope this gives you some ideas and have fun on those dates!!!
Okay, so this title is a bit misleading considering I’ve only been at the University of Iowa for 25 days rather than one month. But, at this rate, I should have another embarrassing moment to add to my list before the month is over! How exciting…(insert sarcasm)
But before I get into exposing myself and my silly mistakes, I should preface that I don’t consider myself someone who is particularly accident-prone or slips up often. On the contrary, I’ve been told I’m incredibly organized, my time management is superb, and I have a knack for connecting with everyone I come across (very extroverted of me!). However, I’m still human, and just like everyone else, I have my moments. It just so happened that these top five embarrassing moments at UIowa happened within the first month of being an official “adult” and I’m certain there will be more as I continue “adulting.”
You may also be wondering why I’m writing a blog post about moments when I felt most uncomfortable, and the truth is, I like to laugh at myself. Taking myself super seriously, especially at the ripe old age of eighteen, is no fun. The mistakes I make, the embarrassing situations I endure, are a story to tell. Like the AJR song you hear twenty times on the radio, “A hundred bad days make a hundred good stories.” And what good are stories if you don’t share them?
So, without further ado, let’s go down the line.
5. Reading smut in public
Starting off strong, we have one of my favorite “college moments” so far. I should assure you that this wasn’t intentional and I was scrolling VERY quickly, trying to hide my blush in the coffee shop I was sitting right outside of when I realized what I was reading.
This semester, one of my classes is “Reading and Writing Romance Fiction” and our assignment that week was to read a romance novel (ironic right?). Anyways, I decided to sit right outside Javahouse (my personal favorite coffee shop) to finish the assignment and just so happened to be surrounded by a bunch of other tables and people who were also working and chatting. You can imagine my face, the sidelong glances I shot towards anyone close, and the rapid movement of my finger to quickly scroll through the pages when I realized what exactly I was reading. Not fun, but still a great story to laugh over.
4. The Condom Comment
This one requires a bit of background. All of the residence halls at the University of Iowa offer condoms by the RA’s door (kids are going to be sleeping together, and rather than trying to prevent something that’s inevitable, the university has taken many steps to advocate for safe sex, this being one of them).
During my first week here, I was exiting my room when I noticed a girl standing in front of the condoms. She shot me a glance as I approached and immediately turned her gaze downward—right at the stash of condoms. It was at that moment that I realized she was waiting for me to disappear from the hall to grab one and make a run for it. And in my mind, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a fast friend.
I strode down the hall, waiting until the girl looked back up at me to wink, smirk, and say to her boldly, “Just take one, there’s no shame.”
Immediately afterward, the girl busted out laughing. She held her stomach, eyes crinkled as she told me through her giggles that she was actually waiting for the RA to come out, not waiting to grab a condom.
I remember blushing, but I also remember dissolving into laughter with her. I haven’t seen the girl since, but if I do, I think that’s a perfect origin story for a couple of good friends.
3. Using the men’s bathroom in Daum (multiple times!)
For those of you who don’t know, Daum is one of the University of Iowa’s residence halls (it actually holds the Honor Students!) and is personally one of my favorite resident halls to be in. I have a handful of friends who live on the first floor and I often find myself there to hang out, watch TV, or on occasion, play Beat Saber on the Oculus (I’m a sucker for that game).
However, not all the dorms have co-ed halls, and the floor my friends live on is an all-boys hall. So, whenever I need to use the restroom, I find myself next to a urinal, musty yellow tiles, and usually, a guy who shoots me a very confused look when I pop out of the stall next to him. And every single time as I’m washing my hands, the follow-up question from the guy is:
“You know this is a boy’s bathroom right?”
And every time, I laugh and tell him I know. In fact, I’ve started looking forward to the question, because once I reply, the boys always crack a smile and laugh with me. Because what can I say? When you gotta go, you gotta go!
4. Sitting in a Rhetoric class for an HOUR before realizing I was in the wrong class
If I could give any freshman one piece of advice, I’d tell them to WALK THEIR CLASSES THE DAY BEFORE THEY HAVE TO BE THERE. Because even if you’re like me—stubborn and confident in your navigation skills on a campus you’ve only been living on for a week—you should definitely still walk your classes.
My first class on Monday was my Foundations of Creative Writing class, and I’d left with only 10 minutes to spare—giving me just a sliver of time to make it on the dot. Breathlessly, I hurried into Room 208, sat down completely sweat-slicked, and worse, actively participated in the discussion. I’d already made my presence known in the class by the time I realized I was supposed to be in Room 203 rather than Room 208. But by that point, I had missed my foundations class with flying colors and the cherry on top was having to announce to the ENTIRE CLASS I had been sitting with the past hour that I wasn’t supposed to be there and hang my head shamefully as I gathered my things and headed for the door.
Which brings me to my last embarrassing moment…
5. Crying on the lawn in front of the English Philosophy Building
So, after I raced out of the classroom—face red, throat clogged, and tears swelling in my eyes from embarrassment—I flung open the door to the EPB and started calling my Mom (I know calling my Mom is also embarrassing, but she’s my rock and the only person who can calm me down when I know I’m going to cry). Tearfully, I told her what happened, desperately searching for a private spot, so I could cry in peace. For some reason, I chose plopping down on the lawn as my best option (it wasn’t).
So yes, on my very first day of college classes, I cried on the EPB lawn in front of anyone who passed by and saw me.
And as awful as the experience was in the moment, I look back on it fondly. It’s become a great story to tell and something to take away from my very first day of classes.
So, in conclusion,
Everyone makes mistakes. It’s inevitable, and you’re gonna make them in college. In fact, college is a place intended for mistakes. That’s partially why we’re here—to fail, to thrive, and to fail again. It’s all in the day’s work, so don’t let things knock you down. Stand up and keep moving. Laugh them off. And put those moments in your pocket, because one day, they’ll make for an excellent story to reflect on when you’re older.
Hands clammy. Throat clogged. Blood rushing into my cheeks. Frantic breathing—each inhale weaving its way through the shards of my broken heart after leaving home that morning. All of this—paired with freshman fear—as I sat on the 4th-floor lounge of Stanley and tuned into my first Zoom meeting for Iowa Edge.
I don’t want to do this. I want to go home. I’m scared.
The urge to cry only grew with the homesickness.
What if no one likes me?
I didn’t want to do the next four days of activities the program had set up for us. At first glance, a Scavenger Hunt and Awards Show looked closer to a horror story than a cause for celebration. But for the semester hour I was receiving, I needed to participate. I needed to go out of my comfort zone and step into the light. I needed to be open.
And I’m happy to say that despite my reluctance, it was all worth it.
But before I get into what made my first Iowa experience so memorable, let me give you some background on the University of Iowa and the Iowa Edge program.
So, what is Iowa Edge?
Iowa Edge is a University of Iowa program which allows students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and first-generation students to meet one another and help transition them into college over a four-day course. During the four days, you meet with faculty who are designed to help marginalized communities, tour buildings with resources available for students at a disadvantage and participate in seminars meant to create an emotional connection between your peers.
To emphasize why the Iowa Edge program is so important, we must look into demographics. Back in 2020, there were only 961 first-year students who were people of color. There were 971 students who were first-generation, 69 students representing international countries, and an unknown number of students who identified as a member of the LGBTQ community (we can make the assumption this was few and far between). With a first-year student body of 22,405, these students paled in comparison to the whole. Walking around campus and finding people who look or have been through similar circumstances is difficult when these numbers are so small—hence why Iowa Edge was created.
So, by now you may be wondering why I joined the Iowa Edge program and why I was so scared leading up to it.
I’m half Chinese and grew up in a predominantly white town in New York. Throughout high school, I wasn’t friends with many minorities. The Iowa Edge program was an opportunity for me to make those crucial bonds in a place where I was already at a disadvantage of being from out-of-state. And honestly, I wanted that easy semester hour.
But after waking up at 4am, sobbing as I left my house for the last time, having my flight delayed three times, and coming to a place where my life was going to completely change, I was drained. I wanted to go home. I wanted the comfort of my warm bed and hugging my cats. But thankfully, I stuck it out. And because of that, I made what I hope are lifelong friends.
There were so many events the program hosted for us, but I’ll give you my personal favorites.
Surprisingly, I loved the Scavenger Hunt (except for the 90-degree weather!). My peer leader (his name is Chris) was paired with three other peer leaders and their groups, and together, the twenty of us went across both the East and West side of campus. Our peer leaders showed us multiple places on campus where we’ll have our classes, easy routes to take to save time, and my personal favorite, the cultural houses. Each one was stunning and equipped to help specific communities which are underrepresented on campus. They had couches for napping, board games, a kitchen, and even free printing. But overall, they are designed to give students a place they can find others just like them and build everlasting friendships.
Another aspect of the Scavenger Hunt I liked despite the walking, sweating, huffing, and puffing, was the chance to finally talk to some other members of Iowa Edge. We had so much in common—ranging from high school trauma to what Ted Talks we would conduct—and I was grateful to make some friends who seemed just as nervous and eager to meet me as I was to meet them.
Found this cute tunnel, took a picture, and now I don’t where it is.
And to add to making connections, one of the most emotional events we participated in was a seminar called “If I Had to Choose.” With our quad, we were placed in a conference room with signs on the wall saying race, (dis)ability, religion, social class, emotional/developmental maturity, and more. For two hours, our peer leaders asked us questions and had us stand under which word resonated most with the question asked. And then, students would recount why they chose the word and how it applied to their life.
For two hours, I listened to people revisit aspects of their life that brought them the most pain, joy, despair, and even guilt. They were vulnerable and let themselves finally talk about the things they had never gotten a chance to talk about before—and even better, got a chance to talk to people who were able to understand those things. For the first time, some of us realized we weren’t alone. There was a community right in front of us, and thanks to Iowa Edge, we were able to find each other.
During the seminar, I shared a lot about my life. I was able to peel away the protective layers I’d put up like paint and let the white canvas underneath shine through. It felt good to be around people I knew would understand my struggles. For the first time since I’d been in Iowa, I felt like I belonged. All because we were able to connect emotionally and dive deep below the surface level.
Making a poster for the Hawkeye Spirit Awards
The last highlight of my Iowa Edge experience was the Hawkeye Spirit Awards held at Hancher Auditorium. It was a farewell to the program with speeches, fun chants, and opportunities to take pictures with the Iowa River winding in the background. Through it all, like a car driving back and forth on a dotted line, my emotions raced between joyful and bittersweet. I was glad the program was over (the tight schedule was making my feet ache from all the walking) but on the other hand, still felt as if I could spend another week hanging with my new friends at Iowa Edge.
But my peer leader said something very interesting to me on the first day we were together, and I didn’t believe him until the very end of the program. He said—
“Even after being here four years, all of my friends are from Iowa Edge.”
In the moment, the twenty strangers standing around me were nothing more than that—just a bunch of strangers. But Chris was right, Iowa Edge has the ability to create long-lasting friendships. Even after Edge ended, I would always have a community of people lifting me up, supporting me as I stepped onto the first rung of my college experience, and cheering me on as I began the momentous climb up the next ladder of my life.
My lovely quad and my newest friends
So, if you are an incoming first-year student, and you feel as if Iowa Edge might be something for you, I encourage you to take the chance. Because the worse thing that can happen is a couple new friends, and personally, I think that’s a little more rewarding than a lousy semester hour!
I will admit, it took some time to find my footing. This included missed meetings, scrambling to find emails, and plenty of uncertainty, which all led to this sense of dread that I was not appearing as the leader I wanted to be. Luckily, though, I was gifted with two fantastic publishers and a team of nervous, but equally as excited, first-years who were passionate about all things creative. I’m proud to say that their faith and willingness to help made being the Editor in Chief less of a “job” or a “club position” and more of a passion. It made the experience incredibly worthwhile.
