I know I've blogged about this before but I just want to reiterate this: BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU'RE WALKING/BIKING/DRIVING ON CAMPUS.
I saw a CATA bus accident for the first time ever today. I was a little ways away from the incident, but I heard the scraping of metal on metal above the volume of my iPod as I was walking south on Adams Field. Now what a lot of people don't realize is that the majority of north campus is one-way traffic, so cars going straight have the right-a-way and any cars turning must yield to oncoming traffic. Well at the intersection right above IM Circle, a car turning right did NOT yield to the eastbound, unstopping bus which resulted in the bus scraping up against the driver's side of the little silver car. Thankfully, everyone in the car and the students on the bus were alright; if the impact were made at any higher of a speed, that might have changed.
I know I learned a lesson from this: be cognizant of everyone and everything around you while walking across campus no matter what method of transportation you chose, feet, bike, or vehicle. It keeps you safe, aware, and hey, it may even save your life.
^^I had meant to post this yesterday, Monday September 12, but I fell asleep at my computer while doing homework... thank goodness for draft saves on Blogger! :]
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
I need somebody Help! Not just anybody.
One thing you DON'T want to do in college: get behind on homework and studying. I'm an engineer so I'll speak in math therms here: once everyone starts getting back into the school groove at the beginning of the semester, the amount of homework exponentially increases as time goes to infinity (or at least until the end of the semester, rather). Getting behind on homework is the worst, because you have to spend so much time finishing up papers and projects the day (or morning!) before they are due.
I find that the best way to study is to spread it throughout my day. I've been unlucky (or lucky, your choice) enough to have all afternoon classes, so I will wake up earlier so I can get a bit of studying done before classes and then continue afterward with a ton of study breaks in between. Like I said, this works best for me, but if procrastination is your way to get things done, go for it. Just do your homework! :p
Now if the reason you're getting behind is because you don't understand something about the course, there are plenty of options to fix this. You could:
- talk to your professor. Maybe arrange a meeting with him/her to help you understand the material in a better way. Most professors give their email address AND phone for contact references.
- alternatively, talk to your TA (if one is available to that class)
- form a study group with other students in your class. Even if you just ask the person sitting next to you, "hey, would you like to go over this material with me sometime?", you'll make new friends and connections, AND you might even learn something!
- go to specific help centers or help hours. My favorites are
* Math Learning Center
* Writing Center
* C1/C2 in Wilson Hall - students are there from 6-10pm Mon-Thur to help
with certain courses in MTH, CEM, PHY, and EGR. This is great for
residential engineers like me!
Hopefully you found this information useful! Let me know if there are any other help groups around campus! I would love to post them here so that everyone can know where to go if they need a little extra help. :]
I find that the best way to study is to spread it throughout my day. I've been unlucky (or lucky, your choice) enough to have all afternoon classes, so I will wake up earlier so I can get a bit of studying done before classes and then continue afterward with a ton of study breaks in between. Like I said, this works best for me, but if procrastination is your way to get things done, go for it. Just do your homework! :p
Now if the reason you're getting behind is because you don't understand something about the course, there are plenty of options to fix this. You could:
- talk to your professor. Maybe arrange a meeting with him/her to help you understand the material in a better way. Most professors give their email address AND phone for contact references.
- alternatively, talk to your TA (if one is available to that class)
- form a study group with other students in your class. Even if you just ask the person sitting next to you, "hey, would you like to go over this material with me sometime?", you'll make new friends and connections, AND you might even learn something!
- go to specific help centers or help hours. My favorites are
* Math Learning Center
* Writing Center
* C1/C2 in Wilson Hall - students are there from 6-10pm Mon-Thur to help
with certain courses in MTH, CEM, PHY, and EGR. This is great for
residential engineers like me!
Hopefully you found this information useful! Let me know if there are any other help groups around campus! I would love to post them here so that everyone can know where to go if they need a little extra help. :]
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Party like a Rock Star.
IT'S FINALLY FOOTBALL SEASON. This is something that almost every college student yearns for all summer long, and then it's finally here when we all get back to school! Big Ten (or Twelve, which ever we are now) is the BEST football too! We have so many decades of rivalries, especially with UoM, Ohio State , and Notre Dame, so it makes the game just THAT much more fun. Plus, you get to stand for three hours with thousands of your best friends cheering to the fight song and other MSU traditions. Honestly, what could get better than that?
Student Section! The best in the Big Ten!
My little brother at the game with me when my family came to tailgate/visit for my birthday! <3
Best friends at the game. :]
Actually, I do know what could get better than that: having your birthday on a long weekend, it being the first full weekend of the Fall semester. :] I turned 20 on Sunday, and boy, do I feel old! I mean, I’m a junior in college and that makes me feel old enough already, but entering that THIRD decade now? Gosh, maybe I should just stop growing up so fast. :p
I had a great weekend though. My Quidditch friends semi-hosted a birthday party for me on Saturday night, which was a ton of fun because they sang "Happy Birthday" to be at midnight, outside in the courtyard, when we were playing Ninja. (If you haven't heard of this game, look it up; it's awesome.) Then I went out to dinner to Outback Steakhouse with a ton of my other friends on my actual birthday then hung out with them all night. Even better was the fact that it was Labor Day the next day, so I could sleep in and not worry about going to classes!
My best friend and I at Outback. <3
5East plus some; the dinner party.
My birthday cookie! Thank you, family! :D
But now it’s back to the old grind and time to start thinking about doing my homework earlier than the day before it’s due.. Don’t worry, it always gets done though!
I hope everyone else enjoyed their Labor Weekend whether you were here at school, up north, or at home! Have a wonderful rest of the week as well! :]
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
First day of school! First day of school!
Well here it is everyone, the first day of Fall semester 2011! I know this is a little bit late in the day, but I definitely had wanted to wish you all good luck in your MONDAY classes, and I hope that they all went well. :]
Apart from it being a little cloudy and grey, it was a good day. I had three of my four classes: ME 201, MTH 235, and ME 222 (roughly translated: Thermodynamics, Calculus IV, and Mechanics of Deformable Solids). All of them are MWF lectures, but we did start taking notes in all of them! I have to make sure I print out the syllabi and the first couple sections of notes for each class. I'm going to do my best to stay ahead of things this semester to see how differently it affects my studying. I guess it'll be like a personal social experiment. :]
Here's a little Finding Nemo clip for you that's relevant. I just really enjoy Disney-Pixar films. :D
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Spartan Spectacular 2011!
Today is the big day, it's the Spartan Spectacular 2011!
This IS my favorite day of "Welcome Week" here at MSU. The event is held on Munn Field at the northwest corner of Chesnut Rd and Shaw Lane from 4-10pm. Here new and returning students are welcomed back to campus with live music, food (with a campus meal plan), RSO information, and a firework show at the end! All residential cafeterias close from 2-8pm since dinner will be served at the field, so the school is really encouraging you guys to attend! :]
There are over 600 RSO's (Registered Student Organizations) attending, and it's a GREAT way to get information on getting involved on campus. There's all different kinds of clubs, greek life, sports, and other student based organizations that set up booths under the tents to promote their group to all students. During my last two years at Sparticipation, I was able to get information on some of the organizations I have personally been involved with including MSU Quidditch, Relay For Life, and other volunteer groups. And it isn't just for students living in the halls either; those living off campus are welcome too!
Today, I will be at the MSU Quidditch booth (though I'm not sure exactly where it will be located) with this awesome board that I made over the summer:
You might even see a couple of seekers flying after a golden snitch today, if you're lucky! Stop by and see me if you can! :]
This IS my favorite day of "Welcome Week" here at MSU. The event is held on Munn Field at the northwest corner of Chesnut Rd and Shaw Lane from 4-10pm. Here new and returning students are welcomed back to campus with live music, food (with a campus meal plan), RSO information, and a firework show at the end! All residential cafeterias close from 2-8pm since dinner will be served at the field, so the school is really encouraging you guys to attend! :]
There are over 600 RSO's (Registered Student Organizations) attending, and it's a GREAT way to get information on getting involved on campus. There's all different kinds of clubs, greek life, sports, and other student based organizations that set up booths under the tents to promote their group to all students. During my last two years at Sparticipation, I was able to get information on some of the organizations I have personally been involved with including MSU Quidditch, Relay For Life, and other volunteer groups. And it isn't just for students living in the halls either; those living off campus are welcome too!
Today, I will be at the MSU Quidditch booth (though I'm not sure exactly where it will be located) with this awesome board that I made over the summer:
Our awesome logo designed by Julie Rosser! :D
You might even see a couple of seekers flying after a golden snitch today, if you're lucky! Stop by and see me if you can! :]
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A whole new world, every turn a surprise with new horizons to pursue.
IT'S FRESHMAN MOVE IN DAY AT MSU! :D :D :D
It's such an exciting day, too, with so many people to meet: your roommate(s), floor, mentors, and anyone else you happen to come across. There's rooms to arrange and books to browse for and last-minute things to buy at the local convenience stores. It's not too chilly and not to warm, and it's NOT supposed to rain (like it did the first day I moved in! :[) So freshman, you're so lucky! Plus, you have all the volunteers and upperclassmen to help you out. Don't be afraid to ask someone if you don't know where a building is or you can't figure out how to set up something in your room. Someone on your floor or in your hall is bound to know the answer or can lead you to the person that does. But most of all, have fun with it! I know this is going to be a difficult couple of weeks for transitional rooms (ie. having more than the designated number of people per room/suite), but just try to stay calm and reasonable. This year's freshman class is the LARGEST Michigan State has ever seen (7800!) so there is some accommodating that needs to be done on each side. But don't worry, MSU has a plan and this will all get sorted out. :]
Oh! Time to start my volunteer shift moving the freshman in to South Complex! Maybe I'll see some of you out there! :D
It's such an exciting day, too, with so many people to meet: your roommate(s), floor, mentors, and anyone else you happen to come across. There's rooms to arrange and books to browse for and last-minute things to buy at the local convenience stores. It's not too chilly and not to warm, and it's NOT supposed to rain (like it did the first day I moved in! :[) So freshman, you're so lucky! Plus, you have all the volunteers and upperclassmen to help you out. Don't be afraid to ask someone if you don't know where a building is or you can't figure out how to set up something in your room. Someone on your floor or in your hall is bound to know the answer or can lead you to the person that does. But most of all, have fun with it! I know this is going to be a difficult couple of weeks for transitional rooms (ie. having more than the designated number of people per room/suite), but just try to stay calm and reasonable. This year's freshman class is the LARGEST Michigan State has ever seen (7800!) so there is some accommodating that needs to be done on each side. But don't worry, MSU has a plan and this will all get sorted out. :]
Oh! Time to start my volunteer shift moving the freshman in to South Complex! Maybe I'll see some of you out there! :D
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Guess who's back, back again!
It feels so good to be back on campus!!
First of all, moving in early is SO CONVENIENT. I didn't have to wait in line for elevators, the hallways weren't crowded with other people moving in, and I didn't feel pressured in the 20-minute-timeline they normally give you to move your stuff in. I also have plenty of time to think about how I want my room arranged and what I want on my walls and where I want it. I think that if I tried to move in next Sunday, I would be rushing to get everything done before classes start. So overall, I'm glad to have moved in early. PLUS, I'm working about 50 hours between this week and next week, so a good paycheck is a nice incentive to end my summer a little early as well. :] A ton of my friends have been moving in early too, so it's very nice being able to catch up with them, especially the ones I haven't seen in four months!
You know what's strange though? We only JUST moved in to the dorms, and my friends and I are already planning our living arrangements for next fall! It's so odd to think that contract signing on apartments and houses in the East Lansing area start in October, when dorm room signups aren't until late January. So if you're planning to live off campus next year, chose your roommates wisely! There's a long time between contract signing and when you move in the following year and you never know what's going to happen in the time between! I'm not too worried about that yet, though. I guess I'll just have to see what the rest of my friends are planning on doing once they get settles on campus.
These 4am bakery shifts are killing me though. It's 8:30pm and my body already wants to go to sleep?! Psh, looks like I should listen to it for once. Goodnight! :]
First of all, moving in early is SO CONVENIENT. I didn't have to wait in line for elevators, the hallways weren't crowded with other people moving in, and I didn't feel pressured in the 20-minute-timeline they normally give you to move your stuff in. I also have plenty of time to think about how I want my room arranged and what I want on my walls and where I want it. I think that if I tried to move in next Sunday, I would be rushing to get everything done before classes start. So overall, I'm glad to have moved in early. PLUS, I'm working about 50 hours between this week and next week, so a good paycheck is a nice incentive to end my summer a little early as well. :] A ton of my friends have been moving in early too, so it's very nice being able to catch up with them, especially the ones I haven't seen in four months!
You know what's strange though? We only JUST moved in to the dorms, and my friends and I are already planning our living arrangements for next fall! It's so odd to think that contract signing on apartments and houses in the East Lansing area start in October, when dorm room signups aren't until late January. So if you're planning to live off campus next year, chose your roommates wisely! There's a long time between contract signing and when you move in the following year and you never know what's going to happen in the time between! I'm not too worried about that yet, though. I guess I'll just have to see what the rest of my friends are planning on doing once they get settles on campus.
These 4am bakery shifts are killing me though. It's 8:30pm and my body already wants to go to sleep?! Psh, looks like I should listen to it for once. Goodnight! :]
Saturday, August 20, 2011
There's something, something about this place.
Here's to my last night in my hometown. It's getting late and I'm almost ready to go to bed, but I figured I should blog one more time before my summer officially ends.
Tomorrow, I will be moving back to MSU! I have mixed feelings about this. Of course, I'm ready to go back to see all of my friends and meet new people, start classes again, interview for internships, work my many glamorous jobs, and just to BE on campus again. Plus, I love the fall season. The weather is perfect, not too hot, not too cold; football and hockey seasons start soon; campus and everything else green is simply gorgeous with autumn colors and I get carried away with photography. But at the same time, I don't want the summer to end. I made some great friends this summer at work and within my hometown, and I don't want to leave them behind. Sometimes I wish I could just pack up my whole life with me and take it everywhere I go. :p
Speaking of packing, that is something I have done much of over the past week in preparation for tomorrow. I have boxes and bins full of my things, and half of it is already packed in the car! Don't worry though, I'm living in a single next year, so I'll have plenty of room. ;] I must say though, out of all my storage containers, I've found that the Really Useful Box brand is the absolute BEST! I would totally recommend them to any college student/anyone who needs their things organized. They come in every size, shape, and color you could imagine and I've found them perfect for using everyday. For instance, I use a regular 3 litre (litres.. I know, right?!) box for the charging cords for my electronics such as my phone, iPod, and computer, while I have the smallest, 0.07 litre, for my bobby pins. Really useful box, huh? :p
Oh gosh. In the midst of blogging, browsing, and packing, the time has slipped away from me. Goodnight for the last time in the Heights! Tomorrow, I'm East Lansing bound. :]
Tomorrow, I will be moving back to MSU! I have mixed feelings about this. Of course, I'm ready to go back to see all of my friends and meet new people, start classes again, interview for internships, work my many glamorous jobs, and just to BE on campus again. Plus, I love the fall season. The weather is perfect, not too hot, not too cold; football and hockey seasons start soon; campus and everything else green is simply gorgeous with autumn colors and I get carried away with photography. But at the same time, I don't want the summer to end. I made some great friends this summer at work and within my hometown, and I don't want to leave them behind. Sometimes I wish I could just pack up my whole life with me and take it everywhere I go. :p
Speaking of packing, that is something I have done much of over the past week in preparation for tomorrow. I have boxes and bins full of my things, and half of it is already packed in the car! Don't worry though, I'm living in a single next year, so I'll have plenty of room. ;] I must say though, out of all my storage containers, I've found that the Really Useful Box brand is the absolute BEST! I would totally recommend them to any college student/anyone who needs their things organized. They come in every size, shape, and color you could imagine and I've found them perfect for using everyday. For instance, I use a regular 3 litre (litres.. I know, right?!) box for the charging cords for my electronics such as my phone, iPod, and computer, while I have the smallest, 0.07 litre, for my bobby pins. Really useful box, huh? :p
Oh gosh. In the midst of blogging, browsing, and packing, the time has slipped away from me. Goodnight for the last time in the Heights! Tomorrow, I'm East Lansing bound. :]
Sunday, August 14, 2011
It's the final countdown.
One week.
One week from this moment, I will be sitting in my dorm room in West Wilson (or sleeping considering I will be working at 4am the next morning...). That is just so crazy to me! Now that it's so close to school starting up again, I feel like the summer has just flown past me. There's so many things that I didn't get around to doing. For instance, learning how to drum, make my t-shirt quilt, go to Cedar Point.
But on the other hand, there's just so many things that I DID do. I got to visit my friends from different cities and have them visit me all summer. I went to Disney World for the first time in my life with my best friend and her family. I played summer muggle quidditch with my team and got to see friends from across the Midwest. I went camping with my extended family and went zip lining for the first time. I worked at my high school's band camp and met some really cool people and became closer to others because of it. I went to the Drum Corp International Finals with my family and was awestruck by the talent and passion put in to those performances. And through all of this, I took hundreds of photos to document my summer.
I just don't know if I'm ready to go back to school yet.. Back to working three(ish) jobs, back to doing homework everyday, back to stressing over exams and projects.. I don't have a choice to be ready or not, I just have to do it. What I am ready for though? Friends, football season, fall, hockey season, quidditch, and making new memories at Michigan State University. :]
One week from this moment, I will be sitting in my dorm room in West Wilson (or sleeping considering I will be working at 4am the next morning...). That is just so crazy to me! Now that it's so close to school starting up again, I feel like the summer has just flown past me. There's so many things that I didn't get around to doing. For instance, learning how to drum, make my t-shirt quilt, go to Cedar Point.
But on the other hand, there's just so many things that I DID do. I got to visit my friends from different cities and have them visit me all summer. I went to Disney World for the first time in my life with my best friend and her family. I played summer muggle quidditch with my team and got to see friends from across the Midwest. I went camping with my extended family and went zip lining for the first time. I worked at my high school's band camp and met some really cool people and became closer to others because of it. I went to the Drum Corp International Finals with my family and was awestruck by the talent and passion put in to those performances. And through all of this, I took hundreds of photos to document my summer.
I just don't know if I'm ready to go back to school yet.. Back to working three(ish) jobs, back to doing homework everyday, back to stressing over exams and projects.. I don't have a choice to be ready or not, I just have to do it. What I am ready for though? Friends, football season, fall, hockey season, quidditch, and making new memories at Michigan State University. :]
Monday, August 8, 2011
Back to school shopping!
Well, I guess it's that time of year again..
BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING! Every student from grades K-12 to undergraduate and masters must go through some sort of this process before taking their first class in August/September. There's writing utensils, organizing tools, craft supplies for some students, and then furniture and storage for the college-bound. But even more important for the latter is BOOKS.
Now everyone knows that the price of books has gotten to be.. ridiculous, for lack of a better term. I mean $200 for a Calculus I book that the teacher doesn't even read out of? Not cool. I'm not saying that books are a waste of money, because that is definitely not true. Often times, professors require these books for students as useful tools in addition to the information taught in class. I've found that they're especially helpful in my Chemistry and Physics classes, just because the information is explained in a different way and example problems are spelled out for you.
But when these classes are over in four months what do you do with these books that were only partially used? This is why college students have created the Used Book System within their university book stores as well as online markets. I've been able to save a couple hundred dollars each semester by purchasing or renting my books online or even borrowing them through friends that I know have taken one of my classes previously. (I really lucked out last semester: I was able to borrow four books and lend out three so I payed a total of $0 for a whole semester of classes!)
Here are some of the websites I use when I buy my books:
And if you don't want to keep the book after your class is over, just rent them!:
Don't be afraid to buy slightly used books! They're maybe markings and highlighted pages in a few of them from previous students, but that just gives them character (and may even help you when you're studying for your own class!) I bought all three of my books USED and ONLINE for this semester, and it cost me less than $100!
So good luck, students! I hope you find some great deals out there!
BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING! Every student from grades K-12 to undergraduate and masters must go through some sort of this process before taking their first class in August/September. There's writing utensils, organizing tools, craft supplies for some students, and then furniture and storage for the college-bound. But even more important for the latter is BOOKS.
Now everyone knows that the price of books has gotten to be.. ridiculous, for lack of a better term. I mean $200 for a Calculus I book that the teacher doesn't even read out of? Not cool. I'm not saying that books are a waste of money, because that is definitely not true. Often times, professors require these books for students as useful tools in addition to the information taught in class. I've found that they're especially helpful in my Chemistry and Physics classes, just because the information is explained in a different way and example problems are spelled out for you.
But when these classes are over in four months what do you do with these books that were only partially used? This is why college students have created the Used Book System within their university book stores as well as online markets. I've been able to save a couple hundred dollars each semester by purchasing or renting my books online or even borrowing them through friends that I know have taken one of my classes previously. (I really lucked out last semester: I was able to borrow four books and lend out three so I payed a total of $0 for a whole semester of classes!)
Here are some of the websites I use when I buy my books:
- www.amazon.com - they also offer a trial version of Amazon Prime to students so they can receive free shipping on books for an entire year!
- www.half.com - sponsored by eBay **I'd say this is the best and cheapest place, but they don't have as wide of a selection as Amazon
- www.alibris.com - sign up with your email address and you will receive coupons for future purposes
- www.abebooks.com
And if you don't want to keep the book after your class is over, just rent them!:
- www.chegg.com - I have never personally used this website, but I've heard from many other students how easy it is to use!
Don't be afraid to buy slightly used books! They're maybe markings and highlighted pages in a few of them from previous students, but that just gives them character (and may even help you when you're studying for your own class!) I bought all three of my books USED and ONLINE for this semester, and it cost me less than $100!
So good luck, students! I hope you find some great deals out there!
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