I’m all moved out of my room and back in Dubuque, and I can’t believe how quickly this year flew by. It feels like just yesterday we started OnIowa! and had that anxious and excited feeling for the coming year.
I really don’t know how to sum up all of my feelings, so I’m going to keep it short and sweet. Going to the University of Iowa was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I can’t wait to come back this fall!
I know a lot of prospective students are scared about what the future holds, but just know that it is going to be great, and experiencing life as a Hawkeye is a one-of-a-kind chance!
With the year winding down, I figured I’d write a list of the things I’ve most enjoyed doing in Iowa City. These are especially fun to do with family when they visit and pick you up at the end of the year.
Some of my favorite restaurants:
Crepes de Luxe: a small cafe with the most delicious crepes and a wonderful vibe
The Dandy Lion: great breakfast/brunch food for a family visit
Bluebird Diner: another great brunch spot, and an Iowa City staple
Vue Rooftop: perfect for special occasions
Big Grove: quick and easy food, and good for larger parties
Shopping
Artifacts: a fun store to look around at antiques
The Haunted Bookshop: right now it’s by appointment only, but it has a large selection of books and adorable cats!
Downtown shopping: some fun and quick stops include Basic Goods, Raygun, Record Collector, White Rabbit, and Heim
Coral Ridge Mall: a little farther out, but good for larger stores
Activities
Renee’s Ceramic Cafe: a fun place to take beginner pottery lessons and paint some pre-made pieces
Tavern Blue: a restaurant that has indoor beach-themed mini golf
City Park: a nice walk near the river and some pretty landscapes to enjoy
Natural History Museum: offers a cool look into life in Iowa as well as animals from around the world
Stanley Art Museum: really cool pieces in a brand-new building
Explore campus: it’s fun to introduce parents to things around the school, or to hear them reminisce if they are alums!
Now that the year is coming to a close, I figured I would share some of the study spots I’ve been to. The things I’ve been considering when looking for a good study spot are noise, view, and comfort. I prefer outdoor spaces, especially now that it’s getting warmer, so for the sake of this post, we’ll separate the two.
*I still have not been to all possible study spaces, but I will rank the ones I have visited.
Indoor Locations
Adler Journalism Building: I have studied and even taken quizzes here, especially during my break after my discussion section in this building. I really love the atrium and all the sunlight that filters into it, and usually, it is quiet enough that I can focus on work. They have multiple kinds of seating arrangements too, so I can usually find something that fits my mood and settle in for a comfortable study session.
Daum (Residence Hall) Floor Lounge: This is basically my default if I’m sick of studying in my room. It’s got comfortable seating and is usually pretty quiet. I also like using the whiteboard in there to map out my thoughts while studying. Most residence halls will have similar atmospheres in their lounges and study areas. Daum does not have private study rooms, unfortunately, but many other residence halls do.
IMU basement/Hawkeye Room: This is an area to go to if you’re looking for a somewhat energetic environment to keep your mind awake and active. There are so many different seating options and even a napping room.
Blank Honors Center: It is typically very quiet here. I usually try to sit by a window to get some light, but since the building is kind of stark I never really feel in the mood to study.
Main Library: Surprisingly, I don’t actually like making the trek to the main library to study. For me, the atmosphere always feels a little too stressed for me to get anything done. I know a lot of people who do like to study here though, and they say it’s usually pretty comfortable and quiet. There are lots of floors and areas to choose from in the library.
Adler Journalism Building Atrium
IMU Hawkeye Room
Main Library
Outdoor Locations
IMU Terrace: This is probably my favorite place to go, indoors or outdoors. I love being outside and feeling the breeze from the river and looking at all the people going by on the walkway. It’s also not too loud, and I can enjoy the sounds of the river and the birds on it. The chairs can get a little uncomfortable after a while, but then I just move to the grass and settle in. It’s the best spot for leisurely reading, too, in my opinion.
Art Building West: Another good view near the water. It’s pretty calming and makes me feel like I’m in a Frank Lloyd Wright wonderland. Also decently quiet.
Outside Blank: This is high up on the list because it is super convenient to get to. It can get a little loud with people constantly walking by on the T. Anne Cleary Walkway, but I usually find myself here with a friend, so our conversations typically drown others out.
Tippie Courtyard: This is best in the spring when all the flowers and trees are coming back to life. It’s a nice, semi-secluded area with covered and uncovered seating. I really enjoy watching the squirrels run around in the grassy area.
Outside Seamans Center: This is probably the loudest outdoor location, just because it’s situated right on the road. I do still like it, however, because it’s usually fairly empty and I can stay there for hours without distraction. The only other downside is that the seats aren’t too comfortable, but sometimes that can motivate me to finish studying sooner!
IMU Terrace
Art Building West
Blank Honors Center
Pappajohn Courtyard
Seamans Center Plaza
Other Places I like to Relax
I can’t really vouch for studying at these places, but I know many people who also enjoy these areas as study spots or places to wind down! I personally love walking around City Park, especially by the river bank.
Stanley Art Museum: There is a nice terrace on the 3rd floor that looks out over the city, which is really relaxing.
City Park: There are many places to walk around or sit. I also enjoy just messing around on the swings on playgrounds, because even college students need to embrace their inner kid sometimes.
Pentacrest: There are lots of spots to sit, whether it be on the Old Capitol steps, one of the many benches, or even just on the grass. On sunny, warm days, you’re sure to find a lot of people on the lawn.
I’m sure by now many people know that Iowa Women’s Basketball was at the NCAA National Championship yesterday, and sadly, they lost a tough battle against LSU. However, this was their first appearance in the title game and it was no small feat. Iowa City was buzzing with excitement over how far they were able to get this year. Being in the city yesterday was thrilling, especially walking past the bars filled with people watching the game. But the biggest crowd was at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where they hosted a watch party. It was so inspiring to see everyone come together in support of the team, especially since women’s sports have often been looked down on. But it felt as important as any men’s game (as it should’ve) and it was electric inside the arena. The fans at Iowa definitely know how to have a good time.
A really fun thing about women’s basketball at Iowa is that admission is free for students! Whereas football and men’s basketball require paid student tickets, you can walk in with your student ID at the women’s games and don’t have to pay anything (unless you want some of that famous Carver-Hawkeye Arena ice cream). And now, with Iowa and Caitlin Clark single-handedly increasing ratings for the NCAA women’s championship, we can assume that from now on the arena will be packed with excited fans. One thing is for sure: this team has brought more attention to the sport, and with Clark having at least another year with the program, everyone is looking forward to what they can do next year.
One of the goals I had for 2023 was to spend less time on my phone, something that I really discovered was necessary when it came to studying. For me, it’s a lot easier to get distracted than it was in high school because I have a lot more time to spend outside of the classroom. But I thought that helping to stop my phone addiction would not only improve my focus at school but also my overall mental well-being.
Some of the things I’ve been doing instead have been sketching or doodling. I have a film journal that I like to make collages in for movies that I really enjoyed and that helps me reflect on why I like certain art forms. I have also been reading more, which is something I’ve wanted to do for years. I’m sure many people can agree with me that it used to be so much easier to just pick up a book and read for fun, but high school and college courses took some of the fun out of reading. I’ve been trying to reclaim the joy that reading used to bring me and so far I’ve read 5 books this year (which isn’t many, but I’m a slow reader, and they were kind of long). Part of this is that I’m finally reading the Lord of the Rings series, something I’ve always wanted to read — and then I can watch the movies to take up more of my free time!
Something else I’ve worked on is doing chores that I procrastinate on, like doing my dishes or cleaning up my room. It can be really easy to forget about things like that when I’m distracted with not only school work, but also the apps on my phone. Speaking of, I’ve also been trying to get rid of apps I don’t use as often, so I’m not so tempted to swipe around on my phone looking for something to do. I also try to set time limits on certain apps I use a lot (but it can be hard to resist temptation, especially when I know the password). But this is all part of the process; sometimes you have to push through the difficult parts to be able to fully appreciate the little time you get on certain apps and use it to the fullest for the day. And even then, I’ve noticed that sometimes setting those time limits and just walking away has allowed me to not need to use the apps as much.
Lastly, one of the biggest things that have helped is going outside more often, now that the weather is nice. I always feel an instant mood boost when I go outside, and especially now that the sun is out and flowers are blooming I can enjoy my walks to City Park or hang out with my friends outside of the confines of a lounge. It also motivates me to exercise more, which is something I don’t need my phone for (except for music, but otherwise I don’t run and use TikTok). But either way, going outside has helped me appreciate the world outside of the little box of my phone.
Obviously, I will still use my phone for texting and calls, as well as music. But I’m hoping that when I next upgrade my phone, I might be able to go without a lot of the apps I have now and start fresh. I think that a lot of college students should try this to be able to focus more and live a more fulfilling life while they’re at school.
It’s been a much-needed break this semester and at a perfect time. I much prefer the gap in the middle of the semester rather than a few weeks before the end like Thanksgiving break. With the weather getting warmer, I definitely feel more refreshed and motivated to do schoolwork.
Over spring break, my family visited my grandparents in Cape Canaveral, Florida. They have had a condo there for 23 years, and this was our 13th and final visit, as they are selling it next month. Since we had planned to go to Universal, we decided to stay there for a few days before to enjoy the beach and their company.
On our first full day there we went to the beach and built a sand castle with the toys we used to use when we were little. Then we went to watch the cruise ships depart after the Terran I rocket launch was scrubbed. The second day was another chill day, with walks on the beach and a drive down to Cocoa Beach to check out the shops. On our last day, we went up to the Canaveral National Seashore to see the manatees, alligators, and other wildlife. We had visited there once long ago and decided to bring Grandma and Grandpa out for the last time since they don’t leave the condo very much when they’re down there. We finished the day off with a meal at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, then sat on the balcony, enjoying the view.
The next day, we said goodbye to my grandparents and drove out to Orlando. We decided to go to Disney Springs to get out of the hotel and do some shopping and walking. We figured we wouldn’t be coming back any time soon, so we needed to soak up every last bit of vacation nostalgia. Then we turned in early so we could get a head start at Universal.
It was our first time going to Universal, and my dad and I were really excited. We did feel kind of guilty because my mom and brother are not rollercoaster people, but they found ways to kill the time. While my dad and I rode Velocicoaster, which was probably the best ride I’ve ever been on, they got to wander around the other islands and take it all in. We went on more rides together than we thought, considering it was a cold day and we didn’t want to do any water rides. But we picked out some tame rides for the whole family to go on, and after that, we were free to explore and immerse ourselves in the worlds. We’d already been to the Harry Potter studios in London where the actual sets are, but seeing a large version of Hogwarts was so exciting! With that castle and other places like Marvel Island, we really all felt like we were transported to our favorite stories.
The view from the condo
Our last sand castle on that beach
The world’s largest cruise departing
The raptors in the queue for Velocicoaster at Islands of Adventure
Hogwarts at Islands of Adventure
Sadly, all vacations must come to an end. We left sunny Orlando and came back to cold Iowa. But hopefully, the weather will warm up soon and the campus will come alive again! I’m so excited about the green grass and pretty flowers that lined the walkways during the summer. It’ll feel much better to study, hang out, and even walk to class in the bright spring sun. This break definitely felt like the perfect transition from winter to summer.
One of the clubs that I have been attending the most is the Hawkeye Optimist Club. It’s a chapter of a larger organization called Optimist International, a service-based organization that works around the world (Optimist International Website). At UIowa, we think of service projects that would be useful and beneficial for our local Iowa City community. Last semester, we did hygiene drives for the local shelters. The reason I’ve been going to this club more often is that I really enjoy service clubs; it’s an easy opportunity to get volunteering done if there isn’t much time outside of school. It’s also really fun and everyone there is so kind and dedicated to the mission of helping others, and being an optimist.
The most recent event I went to was making tie blankets for the kids at the Children’s Hospital. One of our meetings coming up is going to be making cards for the kids that are there. This is just one example of helping the local community, and how valuable it is to be part of this service club at the university. The club also does a spring fair at the end of the semester, so planning for that and getting ready to put on a fun time for visitors is exciting!
You should definitely consider joining the club! It’s a great way to spend time during the week helping others in a fun environment and being surrounded by friendly people.
Believe it or not, this past weekend is the first time I’ve gone to FilmScene in the 6 months I’ve been in Iowa City.
FilmScene is a local movie theater that shows new releases and independent films. It’s a staple in the city, and for good reason. I have only been to the theater at the Chauncey, but there is also one in the Ped Mall, and both are great. They have good concessions and they even have drinks on tap (obviously, I didn’t get one, but my older brother did and he really liked it)! At the Chauncey, there are two different theaters. One is a little small, but still sits a lot of people. The other is much larger and has some really comfy chairs. I was in both theaters because my brother and I saw two movies back to back – The Banshees of Inisherin and Top Gun: Maverick. I’d already seen Top Gun but convinced my brother and his friends to go because I knew they’d like it. It was my first time watching The Banshees of Inisherin, though, and I’m glad it was at FilmScene. Since it’s local and they show good, artistic films, you could tell everyone in the room appreciated it. I’m already looking online to see what showings are coming soon because I can’t wait to go back.
They have so many different series, such as movies on 35mm film, late-night showings, LGBT pride films, education, classics, and so much more. Plus, they are bringing a few movies back to theaters (like Top Gun and Everything Everywhere All at Once), as well as short films, all of which were nominated for Oscars. It’s the perfect time to rewatch or see all the contenders before the big night.
FilmScene also has discounted tickets for students, and often, they partner up with the university for sponsored events. Recently, there was a free showing of Pride and Prejudice for university students in partnership with the English department. I tried to go, but it sold out very fast. A lesson to be learned from my mistake: get your tickets ahead of time! Because it’s so popular, and they often show really, really good films, tickets go quick.
I’m really glad to have a place like FilmScene near campus where I can go and be met with other people who enjoy the beauty of films. It’s one of the many advantages of living in Iowa City.
Winter is here, and snow is piling up. The days are shorter and the clouds obscure the sun. Many people around the country, including those right here on campus, are right now likely suffering from S.A.D.
What is S.A.D.?
S.A.D. stands for seasonal affective disorder, a mood disorder that is caused by the lack of natural sunlight during the winter months. It’s also commonly known as seasonal depression. I have experienced this for many years before, but a combination of other factors has worsened it for me and other students. Since this is my first time away from home during the winter, and because new stressors have emerged from the new semester of classes, seasonal depression is hitting harder than ever before. The main thing to remember is that you’re not alone in this experience and that there are resources on campus to help mitigate the struggles that many students are facing.
However, there are some ways to combat S.A.D. on your own, and while it’s no cure, it can help to lessen the effects. Here are my tricks for dealing with S.A.D.
1. Light Therapy
Light therapy is especially useful in the winter months because it can replicate the natural light from the sun, even on cloudy wintry days. I have my own lightbox that I used at home, but luckily, the campus supplies some for students! You can easily rent out a light box if you’re feeling down and need a little boost during these months.
The best time to use the light is in the early morning hours, or when you’re getting ready for the day. It can provide a mood boost and also help regulate your body and sleep schedule by mimicking daylight (much like the morning sun).
Here is a link for more information from UI on light therapy
2. Exercise & Water
Basic self-care like moving your body and staying hydrated is so important when you feel down. I definitely understand the struggle to get motivated, especially when the walk to the Rec Center is so cold. But I always feel so much better after exercising and I feel like I have enough to take on the day. Working out at any time of the day, not just in the morning, can still bring a much-needed boost to your mood. And, of course, drinking water is vital to make sure you don’t get dehydrated and become fatigued.
3. Doing Activities You Enjoy
While depression can sometimes take the fun out of your hobbies, you have to keep trying to fight off the negativity! Doing something relaxing or nostalgic or fun can bring back many happy emotions. Here are some things I’ve done recently:
Coloring
Reading
Looking at cat pictures
Collecting and listening to my records
a page from one of my favorite BobbieGoods coloring books
the most recent album I bought from the Record Collector downtown
4. Friends & Family
If you can, try to get together with friends! Doing something productive like studying with other people can get you out of a slump, or just simply hanging out and having fun can boost your mood. Another good thing to do is call your family or friends back home to check-in.
5. Seeing the UI Counselors
Making an appointment with the UI Counseling Service is super easy. You can make a one-time appointment or recurring appointments, and it can be about anything. If your seasonal depression is getting really severe, talking to a counselor and finding new solutions can totally help.
Remember, you are not alone! Seasonal Affective Disorder affects so many people, and there’s no shame in getting the help you need to combat it.
Returning to school for a second semester after a month back at home (or at least away from campus) is a startling change. I got so comfortable at home that leaving to go back to school was a daunting task. Figuring out what to bring, and preparing for new classes, everything was just so stressful. But I think I learned a few things that might make it easier to return next time.
Deciding what to bring from home that maybe didn’t make the trip for fall was difficult. And, after getting Christmas gifts (and birthday gifts- go January babies!), I had some other things added to the pile of things to possibly leave behind. I brought shorts back home during winter break to free up some room for sweaters and thicker winter clothes that I’d bring back. I also left plenty of space for extra blankets. The heating in my dorm is all over the place, so being prepared with extra layers is a good idea for anyone staying in a residence hall. Lots of people say packing light is key, but to be honest, having more than the bare minimum is working just fine for me.
Deciding what to leave behind for spring was also hard for me. I got a new record player for Christmas and some new vinyl to add to my collection. Space is so limited in my dorm that I really had to figure out what music to prioritize. Luckily, I was able to find an old piece of furniture that would condense the space that both my records and vinyl took up. Little storage tricks like that are so effective when living in tight spaces.
I also had to debate changing my meal plan. After getting spoiled with home-cooked meals for a month, I questioned whether I should pay more to stay on the unlimited plan or drop down and make some food in the room. Getting flex meals that can be saved in the fridge or freezer is easy and buying a few groceries to make things like smoothies or fruit bowls are also super simple.
It’s possible that living situations might change as well. You might find that you have new floormates, or if you’re in an empty double room like me, a new roommate could be assigned at any time. Mentally preparing to have a roommate again is important for me. I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m definitely keeping the possibility in mind. For now, I’m soaking up the freedom to go to bed whenever.
Overall, I think it’ll take only a few days and then I’ll be all settled in again. I’m excited about what the new semester holds!
