#SpringBreak

Posted on

Hello Hawks!

I hope the break has been treating you all well. I’m enjoying my last days of sunshine and lesser responsibilities before heading back to Iowa.

I wanted to share a couple of things I’ve been missing from our college, to maybe help you transition back into the academic mindset.

  1. Seeing everyone in my dorm. There really is nothing quite like being surrounded by friendly faces.
  2. My roommate. Who else am I supposed to talk to at 2 am??
  3. All the downtown shops. Missing trying new cafes.
  4. The community! I’m always happy to be a hawk.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Much love,
Sophia

Continue Reading →

What I Wish I Knew for My First Semester

Posted on

Hi everyone!

I cannot believe that it is already almost the end of my freshman year. People aren’t lying when they say that the time really does fly by.

For any incoming Hawkeyes (so exciting!), I wanted to share some things I wish I had known before my first semester here at Iowa.

  1. Football season tickets sell FAST. If you love the game and want season tickets, make sure to get on the portal right when they drop. But no worries if you can’t! Individual tickets are typically sold prior to the game on the Iowa Snapchat stories.
  2. If you don’t want to walk up/down “the hill”, there’s an elevator by the Catlett stairs that takes you up!
  3. Hillcrest is probably the best dining hall. But there are decent options anywhere!
  4. The people you get close with/hang out with in the first week, or even month, probably aren’t going to stick around. And that’s okay! You’ll meet plenty of people.
  5. You’re going to get sick. Bring meds, soup, anything that’ll make you feel at least a little bit more comfortable.

I hope these helped!

Much love,
Sophia

Continue Reading →

Second Semester Scaries and How to Survive Them

Posted on

The second semester, especially now that it’s deep into the Winter, can be a hard time for anyone.

Less time outside, less daylight, more coursework, seasonal depression. All a cocktail for a call home at 9pm because you’re so burnt out and unbelievably stressed.

There are ways to combat this! Let’s talk about it.

  • The best way I’ve found personally is to make sure you set aside time to be with friends. Work on making social connections, not just school school school.
  • Additionally, make sure that you’re getting in enough exercise! Exercise can release endorphins, and make you feel SO GOOD! Even if it’s just a small 30-minute walk every day.
  • Get support! You are never alone, even if it feels like you have no one. Talk to your friends, parents, teachers, and counselor. Anyone is better than suffering alone.

Sending lots of love and hope for a warmer season,

Sophia

Continue Reading →

How I Celebrated My Birthday at Iowa

Posted on

Happy start of the week to everyone!

I wanted to start this week and month with some happy and exciting news. It was just my birthday! Now 19, I thought it would be fun to share some of the things that I got up to here in Iowa.

  1. Went to PetLand to pet puppies! Would 100% recommend this if you haven’t been already. It’s free, everyone is really welcoming, and the dogs are adorable.
  2. Got Dunkin! Everyone deserves a special treat on their birthday. I would highly recommend the Valentine’s Day menu.
  3. Spent time with friends 🙂
  4. Called my parents!! It’s hard being away from home, especially on birthdays, but this helped me feel a lot closer to them.

Happy birthday to all my Aquarius babies out there,

Sending lots of love and birthday candles.

Sophia

Continue Reading →

Everywhere I’ve Cried on Campus

Posted on

Everyone has bad days. Everyone cries.

Let’s take a look at where I have during my first semester of school.

  1. In my room (alone)
  2. In my room WITH roommate
  3. In the bathroom
  4. In the bathroom IN the shower
  5. Outside the medical college
  6. Inside student health care
  7. In the basement of Burge
  8. In my RA’s room (shout out Emily)
  9. Walking by the river
  10. In a study room

Stay tuned for semester #2!

Don’t be afraid to reach out and get help if you need it!!

And as always, sending love,

Sophia

Continue Reading →

What I Was Most Nervous for and How It’s Going

Posted on

Hello Hawkeyes!

Hopefully, a future Hawkeye is reading this, and it brings you some peace about the uneasiness of college transitions.

I wanted to share some of the things I was MOST anxious about coming into college. And then now how they have panned out.

What I was most anxious about:

  1. Not being able to find my classes
  2. Not making any friends
  3. Missing home

And how it’s panned out after my first semester:

  1. You have plenty of time to walk out your class schedule prior to school start. Plus, Google Maps is a huge friend of mine. In the end, everything becomes second nature.
  2. You will make friends. You meet so many people, just based on proximity, Welcome Week, and the first couple of days. My advice is to also try to find a roommate with whom you can be friends, not just someone with whom you live.
  3. Missing home. This is different for everyone, but after the initial hump of not seeing my family, it got a lot better. You grow to enjoy the freedom and independence. And bonus, technology makes it super easy to stay connected.

I hope at least one of these experiences makes anyone who reads this feel a little better. It definitely isn’t always easy, but it’s 100% worth it.

Sending love,

Sophia

Continue Reading →

Winter Break Celebrations

Posted on

I personally find great enjoyment in hearing about good things in other people’s lives.

I wanted to share some exciting moments from my break thus far. And I hope you’ll reflect on some of yours 🙂

  1. I got a new tattoo! If you want to check it out 🙂
  2. I’m going to Chicago for New Year’s Eve with my family!
  3. I got some shifts at my hometown job and made some money.
  4. I met up with my high school friend group!

I hope these were fun to hear!

Wishing everyone a great rest of the break,

Sophia

Continue Reading →

Prepping for Spring Semester

Posted on

Hello Hawkeyes!

I hope everyone has been enjoying their well-deserved break.

I wanted to take a second, as the Spring semester is approaching, and talk about some ways I’m getting prepared for back to school.

  1. Resting! Not everything during break has to be productive. It’s important to rest, reflect, and recalibrate for the upcoming months.
  2. Check out what books you need for classes! Do you need to get it from the Hawk Shop, or will it be charged to your U-Bill
  3. Check out the scholarship portal. Open now, closing soon!
  4. Connect with friends :). A big part of college is mental, enjoy old company.

Best of luck to everyone!

Sending love,

Sophia

Continue Reading →

Don’t Make Me Count to Three….

Posted on

The Winter season is fully upon us, as we’re quickly approaching Winter break.

My motivation is at an all-time low, and the idea of getting out of bed to walk to class, ESPECIALLY in the snow, is torture.

Here are some tips and tricks I’ve found to stay motivated ahead of finals.

  1. Wake up at a consistent time (helps give your body a consistent schedule)
  2. Give yourself things to look forward to (rewards are such an important part of our brain’s motivation pathway, and you deserve things for working so hard).
  3. Sleep enough and often (the only way things will get into your memory, PLUS it will give you motivation to get up and go to class!)
  4. Eat and drink plenty (pretty self-explanatory, but in order to be your best self, you have to nourish your body).
  5. Mix fun in with work (take breaks, do things with friends, enjoy life!)

I believe in us.

As always, #GOHAWKS and stay warm 🙂

Sophia

 

Continue Reading →

How I’ve Built Community as A Freshmen

Posted on

I think one of my greatest fears as a freshman was that I wasn’t going to have any friends.

Actually, I know it was. I remember crying to my Mom about it the night before I left for school.

The transition and change can be so scary, so uncertain, especially if Iowa isn’t your hometown or state.

I’m here to assure you that building community is possible and easier than you think.

Here’s how I did it.

  1. Be outgoing during welcome week! Make friends with everyone you can. The friendships won’t ALL stay, but some definitely will!
  2. Knock on people’s doors/keep your door open during move-in! Everyone is SO friendly, 10/10 recommend.
  3. Join clubs, organizations, or any sort of group! Helps build friendships around shared interests.
  4. Talk to people in class 🙂

Iowa has a great community of people, and there are people for everyone.

Love,

Sophia

Continue Reading →