Why I Chose Iowa and What I Think Now

Posted on November 22, 2022

Why I chose Iowa

1. The welcoming and friendly environment. When I came on my campus visit everyone was so welcoming. From the moment I walked in the front doors at the IMU, I was greeted by friendly faces who were ready to help me find my way. 
2. The campus and downtown are intertwined. I loved how downtown was right across the street from the Pentacrest and everything was super walkable. There are even campus buildings right in the heart of the downtown district.
3. All the major, minor, and certificate options. If you can think of it, it’s probably an option. It made me comfortable knowing that if I ever changed my mind about my career path/ major, I would more than likely be able to find something else I was interested in.
4. Big 10 school. I loved the appeal of attending sporting events at Iowa.

 

What I think now

1. The people really are as welcoming and friendly as they seemed during my visit. All the students and teachers here really just want to help you and see you succeed. Honestly, there are so many great resources from supplemental instruction to student health here on campus to help you thrive.
2. With the campus being intertwined with downtown Iowa City it really makes for a great college town and college experience. All the great businesses and restaurants are within walking distance of the east-side dorms. The university and organizations on campus do a really good job partnering with the local businesses, which makes it really easy to get out and explore the downtown area. Being from a small town I’m really loving to get out and try all the coffee shops and explore downtown especially as we are approaching the holiday season.
3. I came into college set on majoring in marketing, in the back of my head I always knew that if I ended up changing my mind I would have so many other major options to choose from. Although I have not changed my major (and don’t plan to…yet), I have added a super cool, media management minor that the university offers. 
4. Deciding to go to college at a BIG 10 school was honestly the best decision. Getting to go to all the home football games this season was a whole experience on its own. There’s just nothing like the atmosphere in Iowa City on a hawkeye gameday. I have attended a few of the home basketball games already this season and those are super fun too. It sounds cliche but the atmosphere created in Carver is one of a kind. 

 

Overall my time at Iowa has been so much more than I expected. I have enjoyed my classes and I have gotten the support I needed to be successful, but so many students at other schools can say that too. What really makes Iowa stand out amongst other schools is the welcoming atmosphere and the great college experience. I know without a doubt that choosing the University of Iowa was the right decision to make and I can’t imagine spending four years anywhere else. 

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My Top Five Favorite Study Spots This Fall

Posted on October 11, 2022

This fall I’ve been on a kick of finding my favorite study spots, so I’ve compiled a list of places that I’ve found, and overall really liked.

Coming in at number 5 is the IMU terrace. This is a peaceful spot next to the river with a pretty view. It is normally pretty quiet out there except it can get a little loud during the lunch hour. Seating is pretty basic, with a regular outdoor table and chairs and some patio furniture. I normally sit out there to study after getting lunch from the River Room Cafe which is right inside. All in all, I would rate the IMU a solid 8/10, only taking points off because sometimes it can get a little noisy, and sometimes the sun gets a little too bright to see a computer screen.

Next up at number 4 is the Psychology building. Right inside the door is a study area with a few cool chairs, and high-top counter-like surface looking out the large windows, and regular tables with chairs. I really enjoy studying at the high-top counter looking out the window because there is an abundance of natural light. The space is modern and functional. Overall it stays pretty quiet most of the time and doesn’t get too busy ever. I enjoy studying here in the mornings when the natural light is just right.

Number 3 is one of my favorite late-night study spots, High Ground Cafe. The vibes are immaculate, I like to tuck myself away in a corner and get to work. At night the lighting is soft and it’s always so peaceful. The few times that I have been there during the day, the natural light is flowing in through the big windows which is nice. Another point for High Ground is the coffee and pastries.

Another one of my favorite study spots is the Voxman Music Building. I like going to the fourth floor to either study on the terrace or right inside. The giant floor-to-ceiling windows make the space airy and it feels like you’re outside but in a temperature-controlled environment. On nice days I like sitting out on the terrace where there are many seating options and a decent view of the city. The noise inside or outside never gets too loud and it’s always very easy to focus when I study at Voxman. Overall I give Voxman a 10/10.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for… My all-time favorite study spot so far this fall has been Tru Coffee. It’s just a short walk from the dorms on the East side which is really nice. The space of the coffee shop is so cute and the giant windows allow for a ton of natural light, which I’m sure you’ve noticed now, is important to me in a study spot. The coffee is SO GOOD, and there are many seating options to choose from. The place is pretty quiet most of the time which makes it a great study spot. Overall 11/10.

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I survived my first week on campus

Posted on September 2, 2022September 2, 2022

Move-in 

Everyone thinks move-in day is chaotic and unorganized, some may even refer to it as a zoo. So, I prepared myself for exactly that. However, when I got here, I was pleasantly surprised. There were so many volunteers that were so helpful that the move-in process was actually pretty easy and went smoothly. There were lines at the elevators, but nothing crazy. My point is, don’t stress about moving in. 

Meeting the neighbors 

After we moved in, my roommate and I left our door open in hopes to make some new friends. But we were at the end of the hall and sometimes people don’t make it all the way down the hall. So, we just went down the hall and introduced ourselves to everyone that had their door open. The important thing to do in the first week is LEAVE YOUR DOOR OPEN!

On Iowa!

Something unique about the University of Iowa is that once you move in, you’ll always have something to do. After I met my neighbors, we all went to various events together the first week. The University puts together a schedule of events going on and you just go to what sounds interesting to you.  

The first big event I went to was karaoke night downtown at the Unimpaired Dry Bar. I know for a fact that singing “Where Them Girls At” on stage with my new best friends will be a solid core memory for me. 

The next night I attended Bingo at the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU). The event was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., but my friends had heard some upperclassmen talking about how you needed to get there early to get a spot. My friends and I had planned to get there at 8:30 because we figured that would be plenty early. For some reason we just decided to go earlier, so we got there a few minutes after 8:00 and the line was already almost out the door. By the time they started letting us in, the line was wrapped around the building a few times. Since this was a late-night event and it was Bingo, I was expecting a lowkey, people-falling-asleep, regular-old game of Bingo. But I have never been more wrong in my life. This was the most intense game of Bingo I had ever been a part of, not to mention the biggest. People were chanting and cheering the entire time and the vibes were immaculate. My friends and I had so much fun.  

Side note: I won the first game of Bingo😊  

Another random event that I attended was roller skating at the community center. That made for many laughs and some sore backs.

 

The Cambus tour was also a really helpful event where we got on the bus with a tour guide and learned about the different routes and stops. Did you know Cambus is hiring? 😉  

The big event of On Iowa, which was creating a block I on Kinnick, got canceled because of rain. However, we were able to create the iconic block I picture on the Pentacrest lawn which was still super cool with the Old Capitol in the background.

After creating block I, it was time for Convocation where our President Barb spoke to us along with a student from our freshman class. We each received our yellow tassel which we must hold onto until we graduate.  

 

Once Convocation was finished, we all headed to Barb’s house for the block party where we ate a lot of food and learned a few Iowa traditions.  

Other notable points 

• When I had free time during my first week, I walked to each one of my classes just so I knew how to get there on the first day. 
• Yes, the campus is big, but it doesn’t have a big school feel to it. Everyone is super helpful, if you’re lost, just ask. 
• Campus and downtown are intertwined, a lot of the On Iowa events take place downtown at a local business. The food, coffee, and dessert crawls are a 10/10 experience. 
• You will never be bored here, like ever. 
• Leave your dorm door open.

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