Recent Poll

In the last poll, I asked 'what, if anything, scares you about going to college?'

the results:

being away from home (37%)
time management skills (and a lackthereof) (25%)
more challenging academics (25%)
being in a strange, new environment (31%)
other (18%)
I'm pretty much fearless. (18%)

While it's nice to see that 18% consider yourselves to be fearless, I'm glad I have this response to work off of. So I guess I'll be writing about being away from home and in a new environment next, and then move on to the transition from high school life to college life. Leave a comment if you'd like to hear about anything else- explain that other 18%! :)

Just A Quick Update...

Hope you all have been enjoying the holidays and the time off of school. As expected, being home again is nice, but I miss the 305! Although I chose not to Rush this year, I'm contemplating going back to campus a bit earlier than planned just because I can :)

Final grades were finally posted- it was quite nerve-wracking, but the outcome was well worth the wait. Bring on Spring Semester!

Don't forget that regular applications are due soon!

Reflecting...

As my first semester here at the University of Miami comes to an end, I find that I have a better understanding of the value of a UM education than when I first applied.

Although I knew that attending this university would mean being under the supervision of some of the best professors in the nation, I never realized how many other opportunities it would present to me in such a short amount of time.

I have experienced more in the past four months that have helped me grow as a student, artist, and person than I have in the past four years.

I must admit - I was nervous about the cost of a prestigious, private university, especially with the current state of the economy. However, after receiving a letter from the University citing my financial aid awards, I realized it was a much more affordable choice than I had thought. The trick is knowing how important it is to apply for aid before you make any final decisions.

In the following months you will have a difficult decision to make; not only does choosing which college to attend affect the next four years, but also the rest of your life.

I cannot imagine getting more from a University -- top-of-the-line academics, real-world experience, and the opening of one's mind. It is an experience that only the University of Miami can offer students, and is one that I am glad to have sought out.

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Counting Down...

Only two days left until my last final of my first semester...eek! The past few weeks have been stressful, but hopefully my GPA will show that it was all worth it.

As friends and floormates begin to head back home for the holidays, I've quickly come to the realization that UM has become my home away from home. I almost don't want to leave Miami, and certainly not for an entire month. Many new college students worry about homesickness when they first arrive on campus- after four months however, campus becomes your backyard and your friends form a close family.

Study in Style- Tents and Hammocks!

A Night Under the Stars study break

Last night, as a plea to our sanity, my lovely R.A. Lisel and A.F. Stephanie hosted a Night Under the Stars study break with our floor (and honorable members). We spread out blankets and towels outside of Richter Library- some students went to study in the nearby tents, while others opted for the hammocks by Ashe fountain.

Energy drinks were generously handed out free of charge (I was able to round up 4 Full Throttles) as were cups of hot tea, coffee, and cocoa.

Lisel captured us at our silliest (and least studious) moment.

Last night was a great way to regain a bit of my sanity- after spending the week in the hospital with a friend, completing an insane amount of projects, and studying for Calc, it was exactly what I needed.

I have some pictures of the hammocks on my mac that I'll be uploading shortly.

Study Break!

So in preparation for exams, my floor mate Alicia (that's her hand in the photo) and I are at Hillel (the Jewish Student Center) studying. They're serving tea, hot chocolate, free food (we just got offered M&M's by Dan, our friend here at Hillel) and free massages!  Tents have also been set up outside of the library and hammocks are hung up amongst the many palms for sporadic napping- the perfect environment for study-intensive hours in my opinion.

Earlier tonight we spent a few minutes down in the lobby of Hecht, where Dr. Whitely read The Polar Express (which is traditionally done with her daughter Megan).  Hot chocolate and freshly baked gingerbread cookies followed.  In fact, each day of this week there is free food as a part of the study break 'movement'.  Everyone needs a break every once in a while.

Speaking of break, mine's up- wish me luck!

Video!

Yay! I hope this works.

50 Survival Tips for Freshmen... (draft)

1) Your R.A. is your best resource during the first few weeks of school- don't be shy if you have a question or need help, that's what they're there for!

2) Attend your floor's, residential college's, and campus wide events- not only are they fun and free, but they certainly help in making friends and bonding with those you live with.

3) Don't miss CaneFest in the beginning of the year- you can sign up for clubs, activities, organizations, and get tons of free stuff and coupons for local restaurants.

4) Keep track of your CaneCard! It gets you into tons of free events (home football & basketball games, special events at the Bank United Center, free movies at the Cosford, etc.) as well as giving you access to everyday necessities (entrance to the dining hall and elevator lobbies of your building), so don't lose it!

5) If you do lose you CaneCard, make sure to go to Allen Hall as soon as possible to get a replacement for twenty dollars.

6) Learn your C number- you'll need it more frequently than you might think.

7) The 3rd floor of the Ungar Building is your center for technological needs- they can help you with computer problems as well as get you amazing discounts on software.

8) Take advantage of the many programs offered (such as S.T.R.I.V.E., Miami Commitment, IMPACT, etc.)- they offer great life experiences and enhance your resume ten fold.

9) Don't forget that the Academic Resource Center offers free tutoring services and open labs. If feel that you need more help than your current tutor can offer, talk it over with them and see if there's another student who may be a better fit.

10) There are vending machines on the way to the elevator lobbies of the residential colleges- these come in handy when it's late at night and you don't want to walk all the way to the C-Store for a snack.

11) The Blackboard site is the epicenter for all information concerning your classes and programs such as Miami Commitment- take note of which of your professors use it, how frequently they expect you to interact with applications on the site, etc.

12) Worried about getting to class on time? Catch the HurryCane shuttle to get from one side of campus to the other within minutes.

13) Be aware of what isn't allowed in dorms- it isn't worth getting in trouble for, so ask your R.A. for a full list if you're not sure.

14) The dorms can be a little intimidating at first- making them feel like homey may seem impossible, but curtains, posters, and rugs can help make it feel less like a holding cell.

15) Don't want to take a cab to the Grove but can't walk in those heels? The HurryCane runs to the Grove from Thursdays to Sunday.

16) Although the campus is surrounded by a wireless 'cloud' of internet access for students, it's helpful to have an ethernet cable when it gets sluggish.

17) Don't worry about getting your own printer- the computer labs offer them to students, as well as a 100 dollar credit for the service.

18) Learn the dining hall schedule- it can be troublesome if you always go to eat when they're closed.

19) The gym is open late, perfect for busy schedules. If you still feel like you don't have enough time to go to the gym but worry about staying healthy, remember to take the stairs instead of the elevator.

20) Remember to bring a surplus of sunblock and aloe vera- especially if you're not used to Southern weather. During the spring and summer months it can be necessary to apply a layer when just walking to class.

21) Become familiar with the student health center- where it's located, what services it offers, and when it's open.

22) If you find that the student health center can't fulfill all of your health needs or isn't open when you need it, it's always helpful to have a list of local doctors and dentists who take your insurance.

23) Communication is key between roommates- you don't need to be the best of friends, but saying hello and keeping up conversation can help more than you might think.

24) Believe it or not, it does get a bit chilly in Miami! For fall semester, bring some scarves, light jackets, and boots for the surprise cold fronts.

25) Have a problem with the AC in your dorm? Are the storm shutters broken? Accidentally throw something down the trash chute? Call (305)284-2273 (or 8-CARE if from a University phone).

26) Worried about not having enough room in your dorm? Lofting your bed is a great option!

27) Kosher meals (as well as other fantastic food options) are available at the Oasis.

28) There's a plethora of religious services held on campus- Shabbat, Friday night mass, casual dinners and bbqs, holiday celebrations, vigils, etc. Everyone is always invited, regardless of religious affiliation.

29) Need to de-stress after a long week of classes and exams? There's a DJ playing the hottest music poolside on Sundays.

30) Your CaneCard can be used to make purchases at the food court, and you can keep track of your balance on MyUM.

31) The second floor of the bookstore is where you can find textbooks (including discounted used copies), calculators, and other necessities for your classes.

Hello Again!

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile- I went home for Thanksgiving break and really enjoyed the time I had off.  

Exams are coming up soon, so I'll be spending every waking hour of my day studying.  Yay.

Over the past few weeks, the University has been putting on tons of events for us.  The Peace and Love Concert put on by the Random Acts of Kindness group was amazing.

For students from the northern regions of the country, Miami may feel a bit odd during the winter months, especially as Christmas gets closer.  In order to help, HCC has been decorating like crazy- and it's definitely made the difference.

I went to a meeting last night about becoming an RA just to see what it was all about.  I never realized it before, but RA's dedicate so much of their time to helping us freshmen adjust to University life. Lisel (my RA....most certainly the best RA ever) has done so much for my floor- dinners, activities, parties (we had a holiday party tonight), etc.  It certainly helps when you're new to college, and it helps you bond with those you live with.  Definitely a pro of living on campus :-)

Hope things are going well for all you, don't forget to send me a message if you have any questions!

Eating Healthy as a College Student- Mission Impossible?

At the University of Miami, students have several options as to where to go for meals or grab a quick snack. The dining halls offer a variety of food (including vegetarian options), there's a food court with everyone's favorite vendors (Wendy's, JambaJuice, even a quick sushi place), and a Sbarro's not far from that (which will soon be replaced by the Rat during the construction of the new student center).

Although there are healthy-eating options abound, that doesn't mean its the most convenient. When I first got here I swore I was going to eat healthy- how could one not want to with all of the fresh fruit and vegetables constantly available? I was happy to get away from the not-so-healthy diet I had at home.

I quickly realized, however, that healthy eating takes longer. Have you ever eaten a salad while walking to class or to work? I doubt it. But I can safely assume you've had something along the lines of a pretzel, hot dog, soda, or some other fast food concotion while in a hurry. And as a college student, thats how you spend most of your time- in a hurry.

While this behavior is completely understandable (and part of the college experience in my opinion), it can affect your health negatively (and quicker than you might think). So to avoid the freshman 15, I thought I'd post some tips...

Grocery Shopping
Although freshman are required to buy at least the 14 meals per week plan, that still leaves some options for going grocery shopping. Most of these items you won't be finding in the dining hall, so take note.

Do's

dried apricots: Admitedly, not the most delicious fruit you could ever eat. Still, they help you wake up with natural sugars and iron that get your blood rushing to your brain and muscles.

plain lowfat yogurt: Packed with B vitamins, plain lowfat yogurt helps generate the carbs you ate for breakfast, giving you more energy. And remeber- plain LOWFAT yogurt. None of that chocolate-mocha whipped stuff.

dark chocolate: Not only is this (in moderation) supposed to be heart healthy, but it also boosts your mood (aside from the obvious fact that you're eating chocolate).

blueberries: As a college student, you'll be doing a lot of studying. Studies show that blueberries increase memory perfomance by 26% when eaten regularly, so make sure to pick up some whenever possible.

Do Not's

granola bars: I'm definitly not one to talk on this- either I'm running late to class or work, and I need something to eat so I don't have to fear passing out, so I grab one of these on my way out. Some bars are full of high fructose corn syrup and trans fats that can be harmful to your energy and appetite later on in the day, so make sure to check and double check the nutrients label before purchasing. Same goes for those snack bars made with 'real fruit' - it often just signifies sugar from fruit and water inbetween breading with hydrogenated fats.


What to Choose at the Dining Hall?
The obvious choices for healthy eating get old much quicker than one would like.

Do's...

eggs: Incredible? Yes. Edible? Even better. When not fried to death, eggs can provide protein and lower the risk of coronary heart disease. Just don't forget to ask the staff to use the spray, not the oil. Add some onions and green peppers in there for good measure, but skip on the loads of cheese.

coffee: ....Yes? Although you should definitly take this in moderation, new studies are showing that the occassional coffee reduces the risk of diabetes, heart attacks, cirrhosis, and a bunch of other things you don't want to deal with later on in life as you reap the rewards of having attended such an awesome school. Just make sure to add some milk so as to balance out the affect of coffee leading to thinner bones. And no- this does not include that double latte skinny mocha whatever-drink you get at the Starbucks.

rice: This is available almost on a daily basis, and when not cooked in oil, it is not only healthy, but boosts your mood through increasing the production of serotonin.

Do Not's...

pizza: Not all pizzas are made equally. Although tomato sauce is rich in lycopene, skip the dining hall pizza and just get a salad with some ruby reds.

oatmeal: Healthy? Perhaps. But studies show that eating oatmeal for breakfast can cause your appetite and calorie cosumption for the day spike by more than 80%, so watch out.

soda: No. Thin bones, stained teeth, increased risk of diabetes.


The C-Store
There is an on campus convenience store open late into the night, and it can be quite tempting to stop by after a long class or a movie at the Cosford to pick up a snack....or two....maybe three...

Do's

dried fruit: I'm personally a big fan, so it's a bit biased, but when you need something sweet, these are great alternatives to a candy bar.

Do Not's

vitamin waters and the like: Yes, they taste good- but that's where the fun ends. Most are packed with ridiculous amounts of calories (what's the point of drinking one at the gym if it's really just undoing all those laps you just ran?) and tiny-eensy-weensy amounts of vitamins that you could just as easily get in pill form. Drink some regular water.



I'll update more later with the fast-food verdicts.

On a Normal Thursday...

...this is what my day will most likely consist of:

7:30 Alarm goes off- I hit the snooze button and go back to sleep.
7:45 My second alarm goes off- I know myself all too well.
8:00 My third alarm goes off- because yes, I did hit the snooze button on the second alarm. I finally get the energy to climb out of my loft.
8:10 I get dressed and ready for work.
8:30 - 9:00 I head down to the Hecht-Stanford Dining Hall to grab some breakfast- if I'm lucky, the omlet line isn't too long.

9:00 - 1:00

I'm at work! Here is where I update this blog, compile banners for the main website, make facebook bumper stickers (because there can never be too many UM bumper stickers...), update Youtube videos, and think of any way possible in which I can help you guys.

1:00 - 1:45 After leaving work for the day I head back to the dorms. I usually take a cat nap and then head back over to the dining hall for a quick lunch.

2:00 - 3:15 I go to the Dooly Memorial building for MTH 109- intro to calc. Not my best subject by far, but Professor Francois is nice, so class is enjoyable.

3:25 - 6:05 Right after calc, I take the HurryCane shuttle to the Rainbow building (a gray, square building on the opposite side of campus.... not what I had in mind when I first heard it's name either.) Here I have my 2D design class with Slavkovic- it's a challenging class, but I absolutely love it. Her 3 year old son often comes in towards the end of class, and it's nice to watch him scribble on the whiteboard and talk with him after completing a difficult assignment.

6:05 - 6:45 I walk from the Rainbow building back to the Hecht-Stanford Dining Hall for dinner with some of the girls from my floor. I usually don't have time to go to the gym, so this walk is a nice bit of light exercise.

7:00 - 1:00 This is my free time- I do homework, hang out with my friends, watch movies, hang out in the lobby, etc. There's never a dull moment, especially in Hecht. Tonight I'll be heading over to the Rat to watch the UM vs. GT game.

1:00 am I really do try to get to bed sooner than this, but it usually never happens. This may explain the snooze button problem...


Have a good Thursday, and cheer on the Canes during the UM vs GT game tonight!

This Could Be You!

To give you a better idea as to what living in Hecht offers students, I've posted one of the weekly emails sent to those who live in the two Hecht towers (McDonald and- the best- Pentland)

HECHT HAPPENINGS

A weekly e-mail update for Hecht Residents about what is happening in Hecht!

MONDAY NOVEMBER 17TH

HECHT COFFEE HOUSE

One of Hecht’s most popular programs!

8pm in Vince’s Apt.

Free coffee & snacks, casual entertainment provided by YOU!

Singing, Dancing, Poetry Reading, Piano, Comedy

Sign your act up at the front desk today!

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18TH

ARSHT ETHICS DEBATE INFORMATION SESSION

7pm in the Hecht Classroom

Want to compete for Hecht in the Arsht Ethics Debate 2009?

Stop by this information session and find out more!

(The Ethics Debate is part of Sportsfest 2009)*

*One of the most anticipated events each year is Sportsfest, which is an event hosted by the Wellness Center in order to promote community among residents. Generally, teams are chosen by floor in each building. Some teams have notorious reputations in Sportsfest activities (you may want to note that Hecht kicks Stanford's butt in ALL activities). Activities to participate in are: flag football, soccer, vollyball, mystery event, water polo and tennis, just to name a few.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 22ND

HCC* TRIP TO SEE THE MIAMI HEAT vs. THE INDIANA PACERS

ONLY $5!

Sign up today at the Hecht Front Desk

(only spots on the waiting list remaining)

If you have signed up but have not paid your deposit you will be moved to the waiting list and your spot will be given to someone willing to pay.

Meet in the Hecht Lobby at 6pm on the 22nd. Transportation to and from the game provided.

*HCC (Hecht College Council) is comprised of elected students (President, Vice-President, Secretary, etc.) and floor representatives (chosen by their respective floor). It meets weekly to decide upon events for Hecht students, decorations for the lobby, and to voice the questions of their peers.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23RD

Want to get involved in serving the Miami community this Thanksgiving season?

Join us from 2:30-6pm for a day of service working with the children from Community Partnerships for the Homeless.

Hecht will be heading out to give back to our neighborhood by spending some quality time with a great group of kids that need U!

Sign up at the front desk NOW to join us on Sunday Nov. 23rd.

Transportation to and from the event will be provided.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27TH

STAYING IN TOWN FOR THANKSGIVING?

JOIN HECHT FOR A CASUAL THANKSGIVING MEAL OR JUST GRAB SOME FOOD AND TAKE IT WITH YOU!

1:30PM IN VINCE’S APT.

Message from the ACAR: If you have any questions or concerns about your academic path, please send me an email at hechtadvising@miami.edu or stop by the ACAR office today!

Sarah Barker, Academic and Career Advisor in Residence

Message from the AFs*: Feel free to find us whenever you have questions or concerns about your classes. Have a great week!

Brittny, Dan, Jeremy, Mike, Michelle, Reem, Stephanie, and Tim

*AF's (or Academic Fellows) are sophomores who live on some of the freshmen floors. They are there to help you with any questions you may have concerning your classes, schedule, and the stresses that go along with being a college student. They often work with RA's or other AF's to put on special programs.

FOR MORE RESOURCES, INFORMATION & UPDATES ABOUT

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HECHT,

VISIT THE HECHT WEBSITE AT …

hecht.miami.edu

College Complications

No matter where you go to further your education (we just all hope it's here at the U), you'll most likely wind up dealing with one or more of these three things:


Long Football Games (and so much more)

There's never anything wrong with a long football game- especially when we're victorious (read about our awesomeness), but you MUST be self-disciplined and prioritze!

You may believe yourself to be self-disciplined already- and that's great. As a senior (or junior) in high school, you're probably juggling AP classes, extracurricular activities, a job, volunteering, and not to mention friends and family. In college however, with such a different schedule (you rarely have classes one right after the other, and some can go as late as 9:30 at night), it may take a while to get into the swing of things.

There is also an over abundance of ways to spend your time. Although this is much better than having absolutely nothing to do, you have to realize that you can't do everything. Pick and choose your activities around what you can handle with your course and work load. Take into consideration study time (which is exponentially more than you've ever done in high school, believe me) and time to just breathe. Without some breaks here and there, not only will you be feeling the stress psychologically, but your health will also be experiencing the downside of an over-packed schedule.

All in all, I encourage you to get involved when you reach college- join a club or two, try out for a sport, and take the time to meet new people. Just make sure that you're not leaving that research paper and bio lab write-up until the very last minute.


Roommate Worries (and Lackthereof)

Here at the U, students have a chance to explore roommate options through a survey on the school website (available usually after the deadline for making the housing deposit). This ultimately leads to a lot of facebook searching, IMing, etc., but in the end the majority of students decide to leave it all up to fate. I personally chose to do so because college is the perfect chance to meet new people with a different perspective.

Although I met some people online who I'm now friends with here, my roommate experience has allowed me to see things in a new light (NICOLE IS AWESOME). One thing to keep in mind- in the end, you both chose to attend the same school, so chances are, you already have a lot in common. Of course it will be a bit awkward at first, but as long as you keep an open mind and open line of communication, everything will be fine.

In some cases, people do wind up switching roommates. In the end, it's not necessarily because they didn't like who they got paired up with- sometimes they feel more comfortable in another living situation (is there another, more quiet floor? is one floor closer to the drama department or the computer lab?). The most important thing is to keep an open line of communication- no one wants to hear that you're having troubles before it's too late to fix them.


Government Loans

I may be biased, but government loans are great (especially when compared to the private student loans of today...whew...)- that said, they are anything but worry free! Take responsibility for your finances- your parents won't be watching over you forever, and college is the perfect time to start dealing with things of this nature.

Like I mentioned previously, government loans are a great option if there is a bit of tuition or room & board fees that you and your parents can't cover. They have relatively low interest rates and you don't need a cosigner (although you do need to be deemed in-need of these loans by information that your school receives from your FASFA report). Student debt is plaguing our generation- if it is necessary to take out loans to further your education, make sure research all of your options.

Make sure that the financial institute of your choosing has disembersed your loans to the school- for whatever reason, things may not have gone through. Take care of it right away!
Especially in times like these, start researching student loan possibilities as soon as possible. If problems arise in the future, it could take months of smoothing out, and it's a stress that you definitly don't need as you're entering college life.

Have a great weekend!

UM vs VT

Remember to watch UM's last home game

of the year versus Virginia Tech tonight!

Affording a University of Miami Education...

Although the overall expenses cited on the University of Miami's website seems extremely high, there are tons of opportunities that make it possible to afford such a great education.
The University itself has an exstensive network of scholarships, grants, and other financial awards that are given to many students. Applying for admission here at the University automatically places you in consideration for these awards. While some are based on academic excellence, others (such as certain grants) are dispersed based upon information from your FAFSA.

For more info, visit miami.edu/affordable

There are also a plethora of resources outside of the University of Miami- check with your college counselor or career center director to get up-to-date information about scholarships awarded by your school, local companies and community groups. Some website search engines are also helpful.

Fastweb
Scholarships
Collegeboard

And remember-
If you have to pay money to get money, it's probably a scam.

Be careful about what information you give out to which sources- if it seems sketchy, it's probably best to forget about that application and move on to another. Better safe than sorry.

"My Zimbio" - More on the University of Miami

Top Stories

A Word to the Wise...

To those of you who are going through the 'wait and see process' after having sent in your applications to your top-pick colleges, a word to the wise-
Try not to worry.
It's hard to do, true, but your senior year is one of your most stressful. You've gotten that first wave of college applications done, so take a breather- you deserve it. If you worry too much, you'll only suffer. Put your focus into your school work and your last year as a high school student- enjoy it while it lasts, because I promise that it'll all go by too quickly.


Also,
all-nighters at college are not the absolute pinnacle of fun as you may have once though- take it from someone who knows.

Student Testimonials...

Current students talk about their experiences at the University of Miami.

University of Miami t.v. spot

Election Day

Sunday, John McCain visited the Bank United Center, speaking alongside local politicians, his wife Cindy and daughter Meagan, and actor Kelsey Grammer. It was one of many appearances by politicians this weekend as they attempted to encourage as many people as possible to visit the polls.

President Shalala has done a terrific job of getting the youth involved in this extremely important election. In response, the youth themselves dedicated themselves heart and soul into the campaigns that they felt the strongest about. It is amazing how much one person can do to make a difference- I doubt anyone's hardwork will go unnoticed.

If you haven't already,
Go Vote!

to find where you need to go in order to place your vote, visit:
http://election.msn.com/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx?GT1=34123

Get Out the Vote

Considering that this may be one of the most historic election years yet, the University of Miami has been hosting incredible events to get students interested in politics. Often times, these events are hosted by none other than some of the most important people involved in the campaigns.

Earlier in the year, Barack Obama visited the Bank United Center to a large turn out. I personally had to wait in line for about 2 hours, and got to sit right behind the stage (ok, so not the best seat, but I was on tv!). His speech and those given before him were absolutely amazing. Obama has also visited sites extremely close to the Coral Gables campus, allowing students a 2nd and 3rd chance to learn more about his campaign.

Just last week, Mary Matalin and James Carville also visted the Bank United Center, where students were sat on the floor (as compared to seats in the stands). I was able to meet Carville afterwards, get a picture with him, and his autograph- all of which I will be adding later :-) They talked about living with one another (seeing as Matalin worked with Bush/Cheney and Carville with the Clintons). They also took questions from the students (moderated by President Shalala).

Today, Hillary Clinton will be visiting a site nearby the Coral Gables campus on behalf of the Obama campaign, while tomorrow Senator John McCain will be visiting the Bank United Center.

Now who else can offer you all of that?

For any of those who are registered- don't miss the chance to make a big change- get out there and vote!

Happy Halloween!

Hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween / weekend :-)

As many of you may assume, there are millions of options open to UMiami students on Halloween (as on many other holidays). Not only are there events on campus (inlcuding an all night party at the Rat, trick or treat meet & greets amongst different floors in the dorms, etc.) but there are also numerous events in South Beach and at the Grove, both of which are relatively close to campus. If you're not the going out type, scary movies are also being shown at the Cosford (free to UMiami students).

Last night the Rocky Horror Picture Show was shown (along with the traditional act alongs, dancing, singing, toast-throwing,etc.). I went along with a floormate, but it turned out that the event was so popular they had to turn away half of the crowd because of capacity limits. So, words of wisdom to live by while on campus- always get to events early, because you never know how many people will be there, and you definitly never want to miss out on anything like this.

Just a reminder-

Early decision & early action applications are due tomorrow, November 1st!!!

If the University of Miami is one of your top choices, this is the application option to let us know!

Make sure that every part of the application is filled out, including the essay.

It's a little late to say 'don't wait until the last minute' (how ironic.....) but I wish you all the best of luck just the same :-)

Homecoming Week in Review...

I have never experienced such a homecoming as the University of Miami puts on- during the week of October 20th to the 24th, great events were scheduled one right after the other. Titled "Once Upon A U", the Disney theme led to amazingly designed sets for each event. Homecoming King and Queen, for example, was held in the Communications School courtyard, which was transformed to look like a scene out of Aladdin.

For those of you who aren't exactly Disney fans, Homecoming festivities certainly didn't end there. The night before the big game against Wake Forest (in which we totally kicked butt), there was an amazing fireworks show, carnival, and Hurricane Productions hosted the biggest campus concert of the year- featuring Kidz Down the Hall and N*E*R*D*.


Luckily, I was able to meet the lead singers of both acts (ok, so I didn't exactly meet Pharrel of N*E*R*D*, but I definitly touched his shoulder.)


Given, this is no one's best picture, but beggars can't be choosers, right?


Oh, and...

That's the back of Pharrel's neck.

I'll be posting videos from homecoming events as soon as possible....which means as soon as I learn how to.

Matt Damon Smiled at Me...

Well, maybe at the crowd in general, but I was definitly in that crowd!

On Monday, October 27th, Matt Damon visited the University of Miami and hosted a rally in support of Barack Obama (who visited campus earlier this year). He voiced his concerns about the current public education system, health care (and the lack thereof), unemployment rates, inflation, and the economy in general.

Even McCain/Palin supporters have to admit- Matt Damon is cute.

Welcome!

My hope for this blog is to give prospective students a chance to see what going to the "U" is all about- something you can't find out just from viewbooks, the website, or even a campus tour (although I recommend all three). I'll keep you up-to-date on all of the great things students have the opportunity to do here, celebrity appearances on campus, important events, and little things I wish I had known when I applied (what are the dorms like? are the dining halls any good? how many weeks into class will I still be getting lost around campus?).

I've never blogged before, so bear with me.

This should be fun. :-)