Literary Magazine Launch Parties!

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Hello all,

‘Tis the season for launch parties for the on-campus literary magazines! I have had five within the last week, both ones I’m published in, and ones I work for, or both! It is a fun time since there is free food and everyone is so kind and share a common interest: writing!

I personally know many people in the lit mag community, so the parties are very close-knit. I love getting a free copy of a magazine to read, especially when I am published in it or helped publish it! That sense of pride is unmatchable.

Even if you don’t work for one or are not published in one, these are free and open to the community. Come by and listen to the talented writers read their work!

Solenn standing on the left with a friend, both holding open opens to pages with their publications

 

-Solenn

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To-Do List Before The End of the Semester!

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Hey everyone,

I am currently wrapping up my last week of classes and my first year of college! I am currently trying to fit in as many activities as possible before I head back to Arizona next week. Here are some fun ideas to fill the gaps between studying:

  1. Go outside. Go on walks, watch the sunset, run, play volleyball, study outside! Enjoy the weather now that it is finally warming up.
  2. Get dinner with friends. Get some of your favorite food one last time before the summer, or get dressed up with friends and go somewhere nice! It is so much fun.
  3. Movie night. Binge watch a TV show or movies with your friends and eat lots of junk food! It. is my favorite way to destress.
  4. Go to Finals Week activities! Located in the Iowa Memorial Union, there are therapy dogs, free food, bingo, and pancakes to help students destress during finals.
  5. Pack. It is not fun to pack up your dorm/apartment, but put on music or a movie, and make it a competition with your roommate!
  6. Visit the farmer’s market. The Iowa City farmer’s market opens its’ doors this Saturday, so stop by and check out the local vendors!

There are many more things to do on or off campus, but these are a few of my favorites I am personally doing. Go Hawks!

-Solenn

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What is Mission Creek?

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Hello everyone!

I’m going to talk a bit about Mission Creek, the music, arts, and writing festival here in Iowa City! I have the pleasure of running my magazine Ink’s booth at the literary magazine fair! I am also volunteering for the festival, as a social media assistant and selling merch for OSEES, one of the bands!

Volunteers got free tickets to Thursday’s kickoff at Hancher, with a conversation and reading with Hanif Abdurraqib and performances by Neko Case and L’Rain. It was so much fun to listen to new music and write and find new artists to support.

Friday, I filmed soundchecks for Indigo de Souza and got to meet them. They are an incredible band. I also got a tour of the Englert Theater!

Saturday, I help run the Ink booth and sell OSEES merch, as well as check out the other lit mags and publishers at the fair.

Besides what I am doing, this three-day event includes way more bands and performances, author readings and signings, and more! It is a fun way to volunteer or get a feel of the Iowa City creative scene – there is always something for everyone!

-Solenn

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Prepping for Move-out

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Hey y’all!

Today I’m offering advice for preparing for move-out in May. The idea of having to pack everything up again sounds daunting, but there are ways to eliminate that stress by preparing ahead of time!

  1. Start bringing clothes back over breaks! Bring a mixture of cold and warm weather clothes home if you can, and leave enough so you can dress for either season. Since Iowa’s weather can be unpredictable, I recommend leaving your coat and snow boots in the dorm until you move out!
  2. Clear out drawers. Recycle papers or toss items you do not need anymore, donate items that can donated if you do not want them anymore.
  3. Bring items home you don’t need for the rest of the year. I bought so many books this year, so I brought them back to Arizona with me since I can do without them!
  4. Get a storage space rented or find a place to keep items. As an out-of-state student, I cannot bring all my dorm supplies back. My roommate has a shed on her property so I’m keeping my winter clothes and dorm supplies there, but if you aren’t that lucky, there are many affordable storage rental places in town.
  5. Finish up food and other items to clear up space.
  6. Deep clean your room! Pull furniture out to get dust and other things that probably haven’t seen a Swiffer since moving in.

Bye for now!

-Solenn

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Study Abroad: Ireland Summer 2024

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Hi everyone!

I want to talk a little about study abroad. I am studying abroad in Ireland this summer for six weeks with the Irish Writing Program, which is for English and Creative Majors. I am going to describe the application for those curious!

Part of the application includes a statement of purpose, which is just an opportunity to explain why you want to go abroad.

There are also basic details like a transcript, extracurriculars, and more.

Then there is a small written essay to explain what you hope to get from the experience.

You also submit passport info and other pre-departure documents.

If accepted, then you get log-in info from the travel agency to fill out their pre-departure forms like passport, health exam, and more. You also get information about booking tickets to a group flight with the other students doing the program.

There will be more preparation meetings and things about my lodging, but that is my experience so far.

The application will vary by location and length of study abroad, as well as the program type.

-Solenn

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Honors Events

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Hi everyone!

The Honors Program is a great place to get involved! There are many events hosted every semester to meet other Honors students.

  • Trivia night is a common one, with fun prizes like mugs and candy. It gets competitive!
  • Movie night is another fun one, we did a Knives Out one during the fall semester.
  • Late Night Study Session is great too, you can pop in and study in the space, or grab snacks and study elsewhere in Blank!

There are many other events, those are just some of the most popular ones. It is fun to go alone or with friends.

-Solenn

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My favorite classes from the 2023-2024 Year

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Hey all! I’m mentioning my favorite classes in case you need suggestions!

  1. Honors Rhetoric with Dr. O’Shaughnessy. Only 20 students, so we were all super close and I have made some awesome friends from there! The professor contract grades so as long as you put in effort, you get an A. This was way more motivating for me instead of worrying about grades, I could focus on improving without being penalized. Go to do fun presentations about cross-country running stereotypes, Percy Jackson, and a podcast about Caitlin Clark!
  2. Writing and Community Outreach with Erin Sherry. Met once a week and we got to volunteer! I volunteered with PorchLight, a local literary agency that promotes writers of all backgrounds. I ran the headquarters, which are at a very cute house. We read some interesting articles and watched an episode from Parts Unknown by Anthony Bourdain about West Virginia. It was eye-opening and raw. The discussions we have in the class are very thoughtful and deep.
  3. Oral Expression 1 (French). My first college French class and it was awesome! Madame Sohair is very kind and everyone in the class speaks good French. I enjoyed getting to practice my oral speaking and doing presentations about current events. We also had pen pals from a university in France, and I still talk to mine!
  4. Honors Outreach Ambassadors. You interview to be able to take it, but it is laid back. We meet once a week and it’s discussion-based. We lead tours of Blank Honors and help run tables for Admitted Student Days and the Honors events like trivia! We also get to suggest improvements to Honors during a semester-long project.
  5. Entrepreneurship and Innovation with David Hensley. A very interesting class about starting a company. Lots of useful information and guest speakers! I’ve learned a ton

-Solenn

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College Advice

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Hey all! I’m going to offer some college advice I wish I had been told.

  1. Get an exercise routine. I am so bad about getting up and working out, but I always feel a million times better once I do. It is the best way to fight any freshman-15 worries.
  2. It is okay to eat alone. So many people do, and no one will look at you weirdly. I just put on a show and eat.
  3. It is great to do things alone. I enjoy spending time with friends, but I have learned how to have fun by myself. Whether that is studying at a coffee shop, going on walks, or going to events by myself, enjoy your own company! Plus, if you go alone, you’re likely to talk to someone new at an event.
  4. Give yourself grace. You’re living by yourself for the first time in your life, and that can be rough. Don’t beat yourself up for not eating veggies one night for dinner, or choosing sleeping over homework, or spending time with people.
  5. Office hours!! Professors and TAs have cleared up my concerns when I go. More people need to take advantage of these.
  6. Free food. There are so many campus events going on that give away free food. Take advantage of what you’re paying for in your tuition!

-Solenn

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Dorm Essentials

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Hey y’all!

Today, I am listing my dorm essentials that I couldn’t live without. Consider this when buying dorm supplies!

  1. Humidifier. I used to wake up with a dry throat and nose before getting one. A life-changer.
  2. A lamp or fairy lights. The room lighting is very unflattering and bright. Softer light is the way to go.
  3. Rug. Makes the place ten times cozier + elevates the floor-time experience.
  4. A futon. Friends can sit there, Elevate your legs when doing homework, makes the space more filled-up.
  5. Mattress topper. My bed feels like a cloud and helps my back.
  6. Fridge/microwave. Wouldn’t be able to have ramen or store food without it, essential.
  7. Heated blanket. My room gets cold, this is the perfect thing.
  8. Light-lamp. Keeps the seasonal depression away.
  9. Chair cushion – way comfier to sit at my desk
  10. Tea kettle – heat up water for cocoa or instant-oatmeal

Those are a few of my essentials, but whatever you think you might need!

-Solenn

 

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Honors Outreach Ambassador

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Hi everyone!

Today I am talking about my experience as an Honors Outreach Ambassador. This is a one-semester-hour class you can take in the fall and/or spring. You interview to get a spot, as this position is not just a class, but a leadership position inside the Honors Program.

We meet once a week and it is a very relaxed, fun class. There is little to no homework and the requirements to pass are simple. I lead tours of the Blank Honors Center, run the table for Admitted Student Day, or work as a panelist on visit days. I also help run Honors events like Late Night Study Sessions, trivia, and more!

Outreach Ambassadors are also part of the Student Advisory Board, and we have a semester-long project to suggest an improvement to the Iowa Honors Program. My team is working on ways to incorporate more opportunities to earn Honors-coursework hours. This is a great way to be more involved in the honors community and meet more people in the program!

-Solenn

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