I'm back!!

I have definitely been slacking on my blog. I guess I didn't realize how busy things would get. Here are some of the highlights:

• Since Matt started football I have been flying solo in Admission. There has been a lot of tours and lots of tasks to get ready for the school year. I get in at eight and usually don't stop moving until 4:30 PM when I head back to my apartment!
• I don't know if I have mentioned this, but our current president, President Phifer, is retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 year. Coe is currently in the search for a new president and I was selected as one of the two student representatives. I am incredibly honored that I was chosen and so far, it has been an amazing experience. This past week I was reading files for our big meeting that occurred yesterday. 
• Peterson Hall has opened its door and faculty have begun the oh so fun process of moving their things into the new space. I have yet to step inside the remodeled building but it's nice to see the amount of construction vehicles and noise die down a bit.
• Coe purchased two apartment buildings across First Avenue, right next to Brewed Awakenings. They spent the summer remodeling them and there was an open house for them yesterday. Students have started moving in and it's another great apartment option for students. I visited my friend, Ryan, on Friday when he moved into his apartment. It's a pretty nice set-up, especially since he's only a sophomore.
• New Writing Center Consultants moved in on Sunday and we had dinner at Xavier's (a pizza place near Coe) last night. It was nice to meet a new group of students and I'm excited for another semester in the WC. 
• Campus is a buzz with more and more first-years moving in. Tomorrow is their official day; that's when the Victory Bell will be rung, opening convocation will occur, and CAP leaders will meet their CAPlets. 
• With Orientation starting tomorrow, my nights get a little more exciting. I am volunteering so after working in Admission, I'll head over to Orientation Central (aka the main part of campus) and help out where ever I'm needed. 

I think that might be it. Maybe. I promise to post more this week, especially since Orientation will be in full swing. Hope the end of everyone's summers are going well. :) Enjoy these beautiful days!

Things to Look Forward To: SECOND SEMESTER

Had my first day of second semester today.  It went super well.  I loved my two classes today and it was nice to be back in Admissions again.  Here is what is on tap for this semester.

Classes:
- Ancient Mythology.
- Advanced French Language: Strategies for Infiltrating French Culture
- Literary Analysis
- Honors Non-Western Society

Clubs/Activities:
- Managing Editor of Coe Review
- Co-editor of the Pearl
- Student Senate senator
- Clarinet lessons
- Member of Offstage Players

Jobs:
- Admissions (lots going on this semester such as Scholarship Weekend and Admitted Students Weekend)
- Writing Center

Traditions:
- Presidential Ball
- Flunk Day
- Graduation

I can't wait.  I'm looking forward to all the great things that will happen this semester.  And of course, once this semester is over I'll be headed to England for a May Term.  So excited.

Well, should probably get back to the homework I got assigned earlier today.  Have two more classes tomorrow, a clarinet lesson, and then am working two shifts in the Writing Center.    

FIRST DAY OF CLASS

Well I made it back safe and sound to campus yesterday.  I unpacked and then spent the rest of the time catching up with all my friends.  It was so nice to reunited with my Coe family!  Glad to be back.

Going to run some errands around campus this morning before my first class, Ancient Mythology at 10 AM.  Then it's off to French at 11 AM and then I work in Admission at 2 PM.  Pretty nice for my first day, right?

More to come! :)

Woah! Where did break go?

Readers!

Hello!  Sorry it's been a while since I last made a post.  I got home and got busy catching up with family and friends, sleeping, and in general, relaxing after a busy semester.  Suddenly, it's the ninth of January and I'm headed back to Iowa and Coe tomorrow.  WOAH!  Crazy, right?

This semester should be just as fun as the last.  I'm taking some great classes, being involved with some fantastic clubs, and still working in both Admissions and the Writing Center.

Well, I should get back to packing but I'll write soon!

Ah! So Many Exciting Things Going On!

It hasn't even been a full first week of school and I'm already swamped.  Now, I like being busy, trust me, but sometimes I just need to take a step back and breathe.  Take today for instance.  I participated in a discussion on the first part of Beowulf.  I had day two of working in Admissions, which included a tour so I can learn the route and start working on my own unique tour.  I helped my neighbors on my floor decorate their room.  I had another meeting with one of my Writing Fellows and I'm confident she's going to write an awesome revision.  Then after dinner I played beach volleyball for the first time this year.  I LOVED IT.  Sure, I was super sweaty and sandy afterwards, but it was a blast.  There were seven of us and we had probably too much fun.  This was a perfect study break.  I finished my night in the Writing Center doing some homework.

It's hard to believe I've only been here a week, it seems like so much longer.  I've seem to have fallen into the groove of things pretty well.  Since it's Labor Day Weekend, we don't have school on Monday.  I actually have a Writing Center Retreat so get ready for some posts on that.  I'm planning on trying to get ahead on my homework this weekend and also work on adding some more cool content to my blog.  Stay tuned!

Day Two!

Okay, so I promise you that I won't normally be making a post that describes EVERY day of my year at Coe.  But these two are important ones because they are the first two days.  Usually classes meet either Monday, Wednesday, & Friday OR Tuesday & Thursday.  So yesterday I had one group of classes and today I had my final (fourth) class. 

My class on Tuesdays and Thursdays is History of English Literature.  It's a class required for any English major or minor so it's kind of big deal class.  We went over the syllabus (which happens in the first day of any new class) and also went through an abbreviated timeline of English history which is crucial to understand the literature we will be reading this semester. 

Today was also my first day of training for my job at Admissions!  I met all the Admissions staff and started learning about all the ins and outs of being an Admissions worker.  I'm really excited for my new job; I can't wait for my training to continue on Thursday! 

Another first was my clarinet lesson a little later in the afternoon.  Dr. Carson is on sabbatical this semester, so I have a new professor.  We had a great first lesson and I've now got things to work on before my next lesson.  My first seminar (the other component of taking private lessons) will be on Friday.

Of course, during the afternoon, it was pouring rain so I got to walk across campus in my raincoat while my pants and shoes got all wet.  Never fear though, I put up my handy drying rack so the water wouldn't get on stuff it wasn't suppose to!

Now, as I'm writing this post, I'm in the Writing Center, working on homework and waiting for my Writing Fellows.  We are having our first meeting of the semester and I'm excited to get to know them and help them with their papers.

Well, the homework is calling.  Lots going on!  Which for me, is fantastic!   

Tips for Freshman: College Class Edition

All right, my final tips of the week are about classes at Coe!  Hope they're helpful!

TIP ONE: Don't worry if you don't get the classes you want because they are full.

In your academic advising session with your FYS professor, you'll pick out a bunch of classes that interest you.  Basically every freshman will pick out a class that will fill up quickly.  Don't worry, you'll be able to take that class another semester.  Sign up for another class that's on your list and who knows, that might end up being your favorite class.  There is no need to stress about a class you didn't get; look at it as an opportunity to try and learn something new!

TIP TWO: Expect long lines at the bookstore.

This makes total sense because all the freshman will need books for the first day of class.  Make sure to go into the bookstore with the name and class number of all your classes; that makes it way easier for a bookstore worker to help you find your books.  Go with your friends so when you're waiting in line you have someone to talk to and you can compare books!

TIP THREE: Give yourself a little extra time on your first day of classes.

Hopefully by the first day, you've looked at your fall schedule, posted on your MyCoe.edu account.  To find it, click on On-Line Registration, then Student Schedule.  All your classes show up along with the professor's name, the day (oh and remember TR means the class meets both Tuesday and Thursday.  Some people forgot about that!), the time, and classroom.  If you give yourself a little time on the first day, you'll be able to find your classroom and be ready to go, instead of running in late. 

TIP FOUR: Come prepared to your classes.

That might seem obvious but it's good to remember.  Have at least a pencil and notebook.  The first day will most likely be class expectations but being prepared is an expectation all teachers require!  You don't want to start off on the wrong foot because you didn't bring anything to class!

 

Tips for Freshman: Orientation Week Edition

All right, I have a fair amount of tips to make sure you have a successful Orientation Week.  I'll give a few today and some tomorrow and round off the week talking about how to have a great first year!

TIP ONE: Think of Orientation Week as the finale of your summer.

Orientation Week is a fantastic week.  You get to do a ton of cool things, meet so many neat and interesting people, and have just a great time.  But the fun you have during this week is more like summer fun.  On one of the first days I was at Coe, I went bowling with my friends.  We all had a blast and said to each other multiple times, "Let's do this EVERY Monday."  Everyone agreed.  Then school actually started and my Monday nights were full of band practices, Writing Center Staff Meetings, Coe Review meetings, and homework.  There was no time for bowling.  College is super fun, don't get me wrong.  I love it.  But the fun I have is different fun than I had during Orientation Week.  There's nothing wrong with that.  So enjoy Orientation Week but just remember things will be different once your classes start.  

TIP TWO: Participate in as many Orientation Week activities as you can.  

Because Orientation Week is fun!  And you get to do a lot of neat things that you can't just normally do.  It's all planned out for you so why not take advantage of it.  These activities are also the place to meet your peers.  So go ahead and introduce yourself to others, talk about your summers, discuss what you're interested in majoring in, and compare notes on Persepolis.  You'll be glad you participated and you'll have memories that will last you quite some time.

TIP THREE: A follow up to Tip 2...Not only go to Orientation Week but get into the activities there.  Because they might be silly but it's all in good fun.

I remember during my Orientation Week each FYS group had to do a skit in front of all the freshman.  My FYS were not into it and our skit was average.  I did take pictures of the other skits and looking back on them sends me into a fit of giggles.  The skits were silly but you could tell by the photos everyone in the skits were enjoying themselves.  Sure, some of them did some ridiculous things or talked in an outrageous accent.  But they got some great laughs and entertained most of the freshman class.  Some people might think they are "too cool" but don't let them stop you from having fun.   

TIP FOUR: Don't expect a ton of sleep during Orientation Week!

They keep the freshman pretty busy during your first week.  It's an earlier morning then some summer sleepers are use to and you're doing stuff all day and well into the night.  I know that once I started making some friends we would often stay up even later, after the official Orientation activities were over, watching a movie or just hanging around and talking.  It was a really nice way to get to know my friends.  For me, Orientation Week was a crucial base in terms of friends and overall comfortableness of being a college student.  Once the week was over, I knew I was ready to start classes and being an official college student!

A New Countdown Begins

It's the end of the week and Iowa's Private College Week is winding down today.  If you visited Coe this week I hope your visit was FANTASTIC and you come back to visit real soon.  Maybe I can even walk you to a class!  That would be fun.  Anyways, as IPCW is finishing up, I'm beginning a new countdown...a countdown to returning to Coe.  I mean, I love Mt. Horeb and being with my family but I'm excited to go back to my new family, all my friends at Coe.  I know there are a lot of exciting adventures waiting for me in Cedar Rapids and I can't wait to start them.  As of today, I've got three weeks left in Wisconsin.  Wow, summer has just FLOWN by.  

When I move back in I start doing college stuff right away.  I move in on a Friday and then that night there's a sophomore picnic.  Then, bright and early on Saturday morning I will be attending Coe's Sophomore Conference.  It's a way for sophomores like myself to move in a bit early and then attend three seminars to help us be fired up about our second year.  The seminars cover a ton of material from graduate school to study abroad to better studying for better grades.  I think it should be an informative and fun day.  After a day of seminar fun, we will be having dinner with President Phifer.  A fitting way to end the conference, don't you think?  Then Sunday is a free day and Monday the 29th classes begin.  

Well, must get back to making back to school lists and thinking about the various ways I can arrange my dorm room while still enjoying my time in Mt. Horeb.  Keeping busy as always! :)

Classes This Semester : A Quick Update

I don't think I've talked about my classes this semester yet.  Which is sort of silly of me because I'm really enjoying my classes.  I'm taking 4.9 credits and here's how they pan out.

1. Introduction to French Literature : Bonjour, en cours je lirai les livres importantes pour l'historie de France.  J'aime l'historie et volia, le cours est parfait!  English - Hello, in this class I will read the important books in France's history.  I love history so this class is perfect!

2. Topics in Creative Writing : Fantasy : This is my first creative writing class at Coe and I"m glad that I decided to do something out of my normal writing sphere.  So far I've learned a lot and can't wait to really get down and start revising the things I've been writing this semester.

3. British Renaissance Literature : Poetry : We are studying 16th and 17th century poetry, especially love poetry.  This class is an upper level English class and I'm enjoying the challenge.  We just finished 16th century and this week we are moving onto 17th century poets and Shakespeare's sonnets.

4. Honors Composition : The first Honors class (you have to take five Honor classes to get recognition at graduation) and Honors Composition is the required first one.  Our textbooks are Best American Essays of 2005 and The Best American Non Required Reading and from those essays and stories we are doing our own creative non fiction writing.  Couldn't love this class any more.

5. Topics in Composition : Staff development required for Writing Center consultants.  Partial credit class.

6. Concert Band : Our music is much more challenging and experimental this semester.  Interested to know where it will take us.

7. Clarinet lessons : After having a good first semester and improving a great deal, I'm excited to see where my lessons will take me this semester.

I'm hoping to write more about my classes as the semester goes on!