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!