Taylor

Like many who came to Iowa despite the whispers of John Deere fanatics and more corn than you’d know what to do with, I worried those people were right.  Now I’ve never been a city girl but I am definitely not a country girl.  In fact, when you say country, I imagine a large white house, equipped with pillars, a wrap around porch, and a ton of green grass. (Think Parent Trap). There may even be a butler who brings lemonade. I do NOT think of corn, the smell of manure, dirt, dirt, gravel roads, corn, dirt and cattle.

But that’s what I discovered when I ventured to one of my floor mates hometowns.  After the shedding of tears, an hour of complaining and a few obscenities, I found myself up to my hips at the top of a pile of corn. And I am not exaggerating in the least.  I actually climbed a pile of corn. Man, my mother would be proud.

So if you were concerned you were/would be attending school in the middle of nowhere, stop now.  Because I’ve been to the middle of nowhere and it’s definitely not Iowa City.

It’s Albert City. The only thing that saved the weekend was knowing someone there, which meant knowing her friends. One of whom plays football so I didn’t have to go without a good game.  I was happy to cheer on the Rebels for a couple hours.

So despite the shock and having to sleep in a room with dead animals on the wall, I had a good time.  Iowa really opens up doors to network and explore. I certainly never thought I’d go to a farm but I did. And maybe I’ll be bringing them to New York in the spring so if you like to travel, that’s something to consider. The dorms are certainly the place to be! 🙂

I just wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to the W200 ladies of Hillcrest, who have been nothing but sweethearts since I moved in. I highly suggest getting to know your floor. As the year pushes forward there will be hall meetings, events, and you may find yourself needing some math help from an engineering major three doors down.
There are a few I’ve gotten close enough to that I call them my roommates on phone calls home despite living in a single. They’re a great way to start networking, especially if they’re older and willing to introduce you to some of their friends.
And honestly, don’t be a follower. If everyone closes his or her door then you just make it an even bigger point to leave yours open. People will stop by. I promise you. Even if it’s a complete mess inside.

College is all about networking and meeting people (when you’re not studying and going to class). Don’t think because you don’t share any classes or majors that you can’t be good friends.  As of now, only two people in my friend group share my major, and only one of them has a class with me.  It makes it much more interesting when you aren’t all copies of one another. So seriously, say hello to your neighbors. Bake them a pie. Offer to babysit their goldfish.

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Check out the video to meet a few of my hall mates and see how easy it is to get to know them!