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!