Transfer Process: First Semester Classes

As many of you know, I am transferring from the University of Oregon to Chapman University this fall. I am beyond excited and after a year of eagerly awaiting the day I can transfer things finally feel set. Yesterday, I was able to register for my classes for the upcoming semester. I'm a theatre major and will hopefully also be a Public Relations/Advertisement (PR/Ad) major (application pending) so my classes are theatre heavy right now but I am so so excited. To finally know what I'm going to be doing is so thrilling. So without further ado here are my classes! Let me know in the comments what your major is or was or if you aren't in college what you would want it to be!

FTV 140: Introduction to Film Aesthetics + Lab
This is a class that I'm taking with my high hopes that my PR/Ad major application will be accepted. This is a major housed in the Dodge College of Film and Media arts which is one of the most highly regarded film and media schools in the country, so naturally there is competition. Most classes at Dodge are for majors only, but thankfully I am able to kickstart my love for the PR/Ad major with this introductory class that is open to everyone. The description of the class notes that "class discussions focus on analyzing the ways in which cinematography, mise en scene, editing, sound, and other aspects of film combine to make it a unique and meaningful form of art, entertainment, and instruction" (my.chapman.com) ((That MLA format coming in handy!)). The lab is a full two hours and forty five minutes so I'm intrigued as to what we will be doing in that. I am so excited not only to explore this major but also because I love movies and anything ~aesthetic~.

MATH 203: Introduction to Statistics
Unfortunately, I trekked through College Algebra at the University of Oregon for naught. Not totally for naught because I did learn a lot and it helped for my acceptance at Chapman, but my credits for that class didn't transfer over for my general education math requirement at Chapman. So here I am taking stats! It's an online class that studies "the design of experiments, descriptive statistics, analysis of data, parametric and non-parametric statistics, correlation and regression, probability, sampling, and tests of significance." I don't really know what any of that means because I am not a math person, but if you are please let me know in the comments. Will need all the help I can get for this class!

TH 100: Introduction to Theatre Technology
Besides my senior project where I produced a main stage musical, I have always been on the performance side of theatre. The one time I did get to gain a different perspective on theatre, I was captured by how fun it was! I have, of course, always been around tech theatre, but never been able to learn about it myself because my rehearsal schedules were so busy and I longed to be on stage, not backstage. Thankfully, I am now a theatre major and I get to do it all! I emphasized my want to learn about all aspects of theatre during my audition and interview for the program and I am so excited I get to embark on this now. The description says that this course "will introduce the student to production elements ranging from scenery, lighting, audio, projections, costumes, props, and emerging technologies."

TH 105: Theatre Practicum
This class is 0.5 of a credit (it's so weird going from quarter system to semester system where most classes were 4-5 credits and now most are 3 credits...or in this case a half a credit!) and I have to be enrolled in it for four semesters to fulfill this theatre major requirement. Theatre Practicum is basically working on a show. There is no scheduled time for the class, it is a free for all from what I gather that gives students the opportunity to work on the shows Chapman puts on. The description says "this course gives students practical experience in the technical areas of the production program. Students will be given a production assignment and will perform specific activities related to that technical area." Can't wait to see what I will be given! Of course, I will keep you all updated.

TH 111: Introduction to Performing Techniques
Thank goodness I have one class that I have general knowledge of the material. This class is for theatre majors only so I will be fully immersed into the program. The website says, "this course is a study of the fundamentals of stage movement and vocal production." It continues to say that we will look at fundamental acting techniques such as the Alexander, Linklater, and Strasberg techniques. Despite being "fluent" in performing, these classes always put me out of my comfort zone with their specific techniques, improv (which gives me so much anxiety), and the new ideas behind acting. I love it all and I can't wait to study the techniques of performing.

TH 170: Creating Theatre: From Page to Stage - The Art of Collaboration
I love that aspect of collaboration in theatre which is also something I talked about a lot at my audition. I think it's amazing that so many people are given different tasks, from actors playing different roles to techies working on different parts of the entire stage, yet we all come together to form one beautiful piece of art. The description states "the emphasis is on the introduction of information that will enable students to appreciate the process of creating and maintaining viable theatre, and to effectively communicate as dedicated and disciplined theatre practitioners." This might be the class I know least about, so I'm glad to be able to explore something new.

There we have it! Sorry for a wee bit of a longer wall of text than usual, but this is a topic that I am so genuinely excited for! Remember to let me know below what you college major is or was or what you would want it to be. Thanks for reading! News of Italy travels comes on Friday and Transfer Tips: The During will come this fall!

Transfer Student Tips: The Before

As many of you know, I'm going to be a sophomore in college this fall starting at a new school. I will be transferring from the University of Oregon to Chapman University. I thought I'd do a few posts on the process for anyone out there who is thinking about transferring and confused about the process. I know there are people who transfer going into sophomore, junior, and even senior year, but because I am transferring into sophomore year, this will be a bit more from that perspective. There are universal tips though!

Unlike senior year, when there's a plethora of information and it seems like there's a never ending list of places to apply and a never ending hoard of people trying to help, transferring is a bit more minimal. The application part is standard and the same, but there's much less information. You don't have a college counsellor to guide you along, nor are there many statistics on transfer students at many schools. Even now that I've received my admission packets they say "Welcome Class of 2020!" I am, obviously, not the class of 2020. There will be specific transfer checklists but besides that, everything is geared to incoming freshman. This only makes sense, the majority of students do not transfer. The majority do not even apply to transfer, so information is a bit more difficult to find. Below is a list of tips and tricks that will hopefully make the process a bit easier!

1. Don't be scared to reach out
The transfer counsellor at Chapman was one of the biggest helps ever! I asked her so many questions and she was able to answer them all which made the process much easier. When I went to campus for my in person audition, I also talked to my auditor a ton! She was very friendly and happy to communicate with me and my grandma about the school and the program. It's nice to have a friend you can reach out to for help, even if it's just their job!

2. Get your recs together
Honest to goodness I still get anxiety attacks if I think too much about my recommendation letter process. I had to get letters for the Common Application as well as my separate theatre applications so I'm sure my process was a bit more strenuous but seriously I had to jump through some hoops to make it all work. Everything got in by the deadlines but just barely! So have a person you know will write you a good letter and then have backups and ask them ASAP! Give them all the information you have and you'll be good to go.

3. Start early
Everyone is a little bit different, but starting as soon as you think you might want to transfer will help a ton. If you decide not to transfer you can always pull your applications or decline an offer, but you can't go back and apply after the deadline is over. Starting early will save tons of stress and leave your mind at ease knowing you have options.

4. Know what you want
One of my biggest fears is that I will transfer and not like it and will have made a mistake. Obviously that is always a possibility, but to avoid a "mistake" as much as possible, know what you don't like about your current school and know what you are looking for. Is it the people? Your major? The location? The environment? Any reason is justified, just make sure you know why you don't like your current school or why somewhere else is better. Don't just apply to Harvard because it's an Ivy. Apply to Harvard because of their great this or that program or because of their awesome architecture or because you know the people are super nice! Idealistic, but you get it.

5. Write down everything
I have so many lists. So. Many. Lists. But gosh dangit if they didn't help me. Names, emails, addresses, deadlines, everything.

6. Plan, plan, plan
Personally, it is important to me to graduate in four years. Because I plan on double majoring and transferring, this suddenly seemed like an unattainable goal. Still, I wanted to make sure I could graduate as close to on time as possible.

7. College Confidential
It sounds crazy and slightly sleazy because so much of college confidential is just parents gossiping about the schools their child is applying to but some of it is super useful and it's a great community to talk to if you're unsure about some things! Lots of people also start "Such and such university applicants of 2016" or "Such and such university admits of 2016" you get the picture.

8. Keep your grades up
Unfortunately, though freshman year is experimental and we hear about everyone failing at least one class their first semester, we don't get to do that. We don't get to party every night in our freedom from home and slack off and miss class. We're still trying to get in somewhere. So buckle down and get it over with. Your next year will be so much more worth it, I promise.

9. Make a checklist
Because your teachers and administration, your parents are peers are not longer nagging at you about the process, it is all up to you. I was terrified I was going to forget to submit materials. Because of this, I wrote down the address of each admissions department at each school I was applying to for reference as well as all of the materials that each school needed. Luckily, most schools will be on the Common Application, they all were for me, which makes things more condensed and easier to access. If that isn't the case for you, this step is even more important. Put deadlines in your calendar and have an alert to remind you a week or more before they're due. This will be your lifesaver.

10. This is not high school
You don't have to apply to 26 schools like you did in high school. Oh that was just me? Okay let me rephrase that. You don't have to apply to multiple schools like you did in high school. You can apply to just one and completely focus on that application. On the flip side, though most people who only apply to one college know that that's where they want to go, but who knows, maybe you did that too. In that case, maybe apply to a few more colleges. We've been through this before. Do things differently than you did the first time around, fix your mistakes, modify your approaches, and go!

11. Be patient
I know this is nerve wracking. I know for some of us this feels like our last chance, our last out, and that we have to get in somewhere. If this is truly what you want and what you need, you will get in somewhere. Put as much effort and time into these applications as you can and you will succeed. I applied to some ambitious schools, schools I wouldn't have gotten into my senior year, and here I am getting into them.

I hope you liked these! Even if you have no plans on transferring, I hope they offered some insight into the world of a transfer. I'm so honored Chapman and Chapman's School of Performing Arts decided to welcome me into their community and I am so so thankful. I'll be posting a follow up blog post after I start school on tips and tricks as a transfer student starting at a new school, making new friends, and getting into the groove of things as an upperclassman!

College Spotlight: Pace University

Our newest college spotlight comes from two students at Pace University in New York City!

M: What is your name?

L: Liz Carroll

B: Borna Barzin

M: What school do you go to?

L and B: Pace University

                      

M: Where is Pace located?

L: The Financial District of Manhattan

B: Downtown Manhattan, NYC

What is your major(s)/minor(s)?

L: English Language and Literature with a concentration in writing and literature and Communication and minors in Sociology and Anthropology, French Studies

B: Theatre directing with an Econ minor

M: Why did you choose to go to Pace University?

L: Because of its location, honestly.

B: Pace has an incredible performing arts school, I went there to be in the city while studying theatre.

M: What is your mascot?

L: The setter! A big ol' dog named T-Bone.

B: I have no clue.

M: Does your school care about sports?

L: The New York City campus is very limited on sports but the Pleasantville campus is really into it, but here we have basketball and volleyball.

B: I'm not sure actually, I haven't heard anything about it so probably not.

M: What else does your school care about?

L: The performing arts at my school is HUGE and there's almost always a show to go see.

B: Our school has a big career focus. I'd say more than half of students have an internship and are trying to balance career and school already.

                      

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?

L: The cafeteria sucks, the staff is rude and the selection is minimal, and the health code violations aren't cool.

B: I love the location and the ability to work while being in school. Instead of being in a campus school, I feel like I'm a fully functioning, independent adult because I live in the city. I do think they need to improve the classrooms, many are pretty run down.

M: What would you definitely not change?

L: The opportunities, like the internship program is amazing and the resources on campus for students are top notch.

B: The size of the school. I know a lot of kids at my school, which is great. It's like high school in the sense that everyone knows everyone, but there are more people so it's easier to find your group of people you get along with.

                      

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?

L: There isn't really much of a campus to my school since its so metropolitan. The thing they say about Pace is that "New York City is your campus" so it's hard to say what my favorite aspect is.

B: Location

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?

L: The diversity of class options. I can apply so many different things towards an English major like right now I'm taking a film and screen studies course that is giving me credit towards my major.

B: That all my professors are working in the city and use us in their professional work. By the time we graduate we'll have a lot of professional credits just because our professors use us in their work.

                      

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?

L: lol (see below)

B: It's New York City, you can do anything you want to do. See a show, go to a museum, see a Mets game, anything.

M: What is the best place to eat on campus and what do you like to eat there?

L: A block away from my school's main building is this street Fulton, that's full of restaurants. My favorite is Chipotle to be honest because I'm basic.

B: The caf sucks, just like most schools. Chinatown is a five minute walk and they have dope dumplings though.

                      

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?

L: I took a really interesting one that was like the History of New York City.

B: I love my acting class so much.

M: What is a class you really want to take?

L: American Sign Language

B: I can't wait to take my theatre directing class next year.

                      

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?

L: Now that it's getting warmer, I like doing homework at the seaport! It has been breezy and cute as heck!

B: Our spot is definitely the caf and maybe South Street Seaport? That's where I do a lot of my homework and lots of students tend to be there.

M: What is the party scene like?

L: There aren't a whole lot of parties for freshman, unless you know upperclassmen who throw down at their apartments. There are a lot of bars that Pace students go to.

B: It is what you want it to be. A lot of kids don't drink or party or anything, and a lot of kids go to clubs and do cocaine all day everyday. Depends on who you are.

                      

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?
L: Guacamole

B: My favorite memory is just hanging out with my friends after a long rehearsal. Going under the Brooklyn Bridge at night and just watching all the lights turn off in buildings, it's a fun time.

M: What makes Pace University unique?

L: Sometimes people call us the dumb NYU.

B: Pace is unique because of its location and its really strong performing arts/business school. Those two schools are filled with really talented, passionate people that are very career focused. It's great energy.

                      

Looking Forward

Lately that I have been trying to rush through my life. I am one of the biggest advocates of stopping to smell the roses and taking life as it is day by day, but I just haven't been able to stop myself lately. Even though I am taking the fewest amount of credits this quarter since I started college, (and probably the fewest amount of classes my entire life) I feel busier than ever. Between general education classes, voice lessons, sorority obligations, a social life, preparing for my Summer study abroad in Italy, and preparing to transfer colleges in the Fall, I am simply overwhelmed.

During my first two quarters at Oregon, I didn't know if I was going to be able to transfer. I was applying to four highly competitive schools as a transfer student and as a theatre major. These factors combined, I had no idea what my chances in getting into another university was. Despite my anxiety about my unknown future, I was able to relax into the University of Oregon and live life here. I made what I could of it even though I knew that I desperately wanted out as soon as I could. Now that I know I'm going to be able to make that change, I simply want to get there. Since my time at Oregon is limited, I know that I can't do much with my time left. I can enjoy what I have left at this school but joining organizations, registering for classes, making new friends, and quite simply growing as a student and as a human being become difficult if not impossible.

I am so busy with making plans for my life six months in advance. I know what I want to do once I get to Chapman University and I am vying to do it all right now. I'm anxious to discover a new school, meet new people, declare my double major (And maybe minor! Am I crazy enough?), and further explore the Southern California area that I know so well. I want to be tanning under palm trees on a freshly cut lawn in the California heat as I work on a project or my homework. I see myself amongst Greek Life members, understanding and participating in their philanthropies and events. The beach awaits my return and Disneyland, only minutes away, will hopefully be a place I can find refuge in. I want to meet my roommate and decorate my new (and improved) dorm room instead of being cramped into a house with sixty other girls. My time at Oregon has been nice, but it is time for me to move on.

Because of my overactive imagination and anxiety for the future, I have been unable to slow down and simply enjoy the life that is around me. I know that this is important for my mental health and for the sanity of those around me. Having a friend go crazy would probably not be good for anyone around me. And then I know there are things that I will miss at Oregon. The familiarity of the campus that I have come to know in the past academic year and the teachers that I got to work with over the terms. The calmness and darkness of the nature in Oregon at night. The warm Spring days where everyone is out on the lawn and the flowers seem to bloom brighter than the rainy days. My adventures with Clarae and the laughs I have with her. My heart will ache for the friends I have made and the beautiful campus.

I hope I will find these things in Orange at Chapman. I hope the route I am choosing to take will lead me to where I want to be. I hope that I will be able to visit Oregon and that I will be able to stay in touch with those that I love. In spite of my excitement for the future, I need to remember to enjoy what is currently around me. I can't make Chapman come any faster and I won't be able to turn back time if I miss anything once I get there. We all need to learn to appreciate our lives in the moment. I know I can take time out of my day to step back and reflect on what is going on instead of simply sprinting to get the day over with. Life presents us with so many gifts each day, and we should appreciate each one.

College Spotlight: Vanderbilt University

Back at it again with Katie at Vanderbilt University!

M: What is your name?
K: Katie

M: What school do you go to?
K: Vandy

M: Where is located?
K: Nashville, Tennessee

M: What is your major(s)/minor(s)?
K: Mechanical engineering with either an engineering management or corporate strategy minor. I haven't decided.

M: Why did you choose to go to Vanderbilt University?
I chose Vandy because of the location and the academics - it has a beautiful campus but is in a busy part of the city, so there's plenty to do but you still get the homey feel of a campus (vs being a city campus). There's also lots of hiking and other things to do outdoors. I've also heard a lot of good things about Vandy alums, so I hoped it would help me get a good job.

M: What is your mascot?
K: Commodore

M: Does your school care about sports?
K: We're in the SEC so we care about sports, but definitely not as much as state schools. You can definitely find people who are super into it, whereas others don't care at all.

M: What else does your school care about?
K: We care a lot about academics.

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?
K: The administration is cracking down on Greek life, which sucks a lot. I would definitely change that. Frats are getting kicked off and they're being stricter so it's not as fun as it apparently used to be. They're trying to get rid of it completely.

M: What would you definitely not change?
K: I wouldn't change our campus - it's beautiful. Additionally, I love that the teachers are so helpful/they're always willing to help one on one if you ask.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?
K: Our campus is an arboretum, so it's all green with tons of trees and red brick buildings.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?
K: My favorite aspect of engineering is solving problems. Our senior year is mostly devoted to senior design, where we work with companies to solve real world problems.

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?
K: The best thing to do in Nashville is probably all the live music. Live on the Green is a free concert every Thursday in the fall.

M: What is the best place to eat on campus and what do you like to eat there?
K: I like Grins, a vegetarian cafe (even though I'm a carnivore). I like either the Mac n cheese or the caprese panini.

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?
K: My favorite class has probably been computer science.

M: What is a class you really want to take?
K: I'm not really sure what I want to take. Our curriculum is pretty set as engineers. I'm looking forward to the more business-y classes for whichever minor I decide on, though.

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?
K: My "spot" last semester was Provence cafe off campus, because they have awesome coffee and tomato soup. This semester I'm so busy I don't really have a "spot" since I'm always running around.

M: What is the party scene like?
K: The party scene is good! People go out Tuesday's and Thursday's, and then Friday and/or Saturday. And then of course there's tailgates in the fall and for St. Patrick's day and Rites of Spring.

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?
K: My favorite memory is probably the St. Patrick's day tailgates, or when we beat UK in basketball and stormed the court.

M: What makes Vanderbilt unique?
K: We're unique because we have such good academics, but also party and have fun. We're one of the few top universities left whose Greek life is intact.

What I Learned from My First Year at College

Here is my obligatory "I am a freshman and here is what I learned this year" post. I know. You were all waiting for it, weren't you? Since you haven't read twenty other versions of this same post. Reflecting on the past seven months though, I genuinely feel like I have learned a lot. I feel like there are some things that people miss while looking for what they want in a college and some things that people focus a little bit too much on. In addition to that, I will be transferring colleges in the fall, so I went through that entire college application process again and definitely knew what I want this time around. Here is what I learned.

1. If you want to be succeed, surround yourself by motivated people.
Of course it isn't just enough to surround yourself with motivated people, but it is a large step in the right direction. You can't be cynical of those who succeed and you can't expect to succeed if you don't put in the work. If I have friends that want to do well, I know I can go to them for study groups or text them about any questions I have.

2. Talk to your teachers!
This, theoretically, should have been something you already did in high school. If it isn't something you are used to doing or if you think it won't help--stop right there. Not only are office hours and teacher appointments super helpful in terms of getting work done, but your teachers will love you so much more for using your resources. If you can't go to office hours, email them! Teachers/TAs/GTFs love when you ask them questions because that is what they are there for. I sent my composition teacher probably fifty emails and it helped me with my essays so much.

3. It is okay if you don't know what you want to do.
One of the most stressful things about college is there is too much to do. Not in terms of homework or studying (though yes, there is a lot of that) but in terms of clubs and classes and seminars and shows and workshops and intramural sports and generally just taking care of yourself. I went into college knowing what I wanted to do no question. I have begun to exit my first year knowing that I have absolutely no idea what I want to do. I am a mess, oh my gosh. I thought I had part of my life together because I knew I wanted to act but oh ho ho. No. I love the wide range of classes I can and am required to take, but I no longer have any idea what I want to do! Act? Be a CEO? Be the leader of the free world? WHO KNOWS? And that is is so okay. Because even the seniors don't know what they're doing.

4. Even if you don't know what you're doing, find something to be passionate about.
It is easy to get lost and caught up in the anxiety and stress and busyness of college life. There will be a million and one people asking you to sign a petition or take a flyer or asking you if you want to join a bible study group. Bulletin boards will be filled with posters and the university will seem to be encouraging you to do everything you possibly can do. It's great to keep yourself busy, but to save yourself from being completely overwhelmed, find something that is yours. Not exclusively, obviously, there are hundreds to thousands of people around you, but something that you love and will always make you happy. Something that you can put your heart into. Don't graduate college and look back and wonder what the heck you were doing the entire time.

5. Please for the love of God, don't leave assignments and studying to the last minute.
You hear a lot about college students who don't get enough sleep and stay up all night in the library studying or finishing a project. Yes, I am a freshman. Yes, I have heard mixed rumors about which year is the easiest year at college, but I do know one thing. I have not once had to pull an all nighter or had to stay up late to finish an assignment or stress over a test. I have gotten great grades so far because I plan ahead. The second I get my syllabi, I put everything into my planner and put any tests, quizzes, or essay due dates into my calendar with an alert. Teachers aren't always going to remind you about assignments and this way, you don't forget about a thing. If you have down time, start something that's due soon if you can! Pro tip: Get a studyblr. I will explain what that is in a post that's coming up. But seriously. Google it. They are life savers.

6. Learn to budget!
I came into college fresh off a summer job budget. I quickly learned that because I no longer had a job, I could not be spending that much. However you're earning your income in college, learn to budget it. Online shopping is going to have to take a backseat, because food is (arguably) more important to survival.

7. Find your "spot."
It is a rare time in your freshman year of college that you will be alone. Whether you are in the dorms, a sorority house like myself, or an apartment, people will likely always be around. My "spots" are the study rooms in the library, Starbucks, or my sorority house's TV room. The library rooms are quiet and private and give me time to relax with my own thoughts. Starbucks is a bit louder, but still allows me to set up my own space and do what I need to do. The TV room rarely has people in it past eleven o'clock, so I will occasionally lay on the couches in there for a half hour or so before I go to bed to wrap up my day. Somewhere that can be "yours" even if it isn't yours (e.g. Starbucks) is vital to staying sane.

8. Don't forget about your friends and family back home.
My first term, I was very overwhelmed with getting to know the campus and the people around me. I wouldn't change that, but something I am very grateful for is reconnecting with my friends from high school this past term. They already know me, and it's nice to have someone comfortable to talk to that has been with you through a lot of life already. I also text my parents throughout the day like everyday which I find very helpful. If you're stressed out, or proud of something you did, or just sitting around bored, your parents are always going to want to talk to you. Don't forget about where you came from!

9. Treat yoself.
This comes in many forms. After a long day, you are going to want to take a nap and not talk to anyone. After a long day, you may need to work out. Treat yoself by treating your body and getting your butt over the gym. It goes both ways though, and you know yourself best. If you've already gone to the gym or went the past three days or ate really healthy today, take that nap! Speaking of eating healthily, if you have been eating healthy and working out get that piece of cake! Likewise, if you've been eating junk food religiously, it's going to be better to treat yoself by getting an apple and laying out in the sun. And don't worry, we all have those cheat weeks where all we do is eat, sleep, and text. Just treat yoself the next week by getting yourself back out that door active and ready for life.

10. Learn to love yourself and remember who you are.
College goes by quickly and as I have already mentioned there's a ton going on around you 100% of the time. You're going to meet a lot of people, some you'll never see again (even though you're still friends on Facebook from that one night you walked to a party together) and some that will be lifelong friends. In it all, remember to just be yourself. Identity crises will arise every now and then when you feel like you don't know what you're doing. Trust yourself: you can do this. You always have and always will be able to do whatever you need to do. Don't compromise your values, obviously, but also remember to take a step back and reflect. You are the most important thing in your life, so don't forget to check in with yourself every now and then to make sure you're all good.

11. Be curious.
College has so much to offer. The town or city you will be in has so much to offer. The people around you have so much to offer. Take advantage of every little thing. Not interested in journalism? Are you sure? Have you tried it? No? Then take a class in it! Take a painting class or a ballet class or a kickboxing class or a weird philosophy class or a science class. Do things that surprise yourself. That is very important I think.

So there it is! I'm sure in the next year (even the next quarter) I will learn many new things and more posts will be written about the valuable lessons I have come to find. One of the best things about this blog is I am able to reflect; this is something I think is important to everyone though--blog or not. So read, explore, be curious, discover, and pursue your dreams!

College Spotlight: George Washington University

For our next College Spotlight we're looking at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

M: What is your name?

C: Caroline Clark

M: What school do you go to?

C: George Washington University

M: Where is located?

C: Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, DC

M: What is your major(s)/minor(s)?

C: International Affairs with a tentative minor in economics

M: Why did you choose to go to George Washington University?

C: GWU's international affairs program is one of the best in the nation, not to mention its location in the capital makes it ideal for career opportunities and enables unique opportunities such as having renowned guest speakers and walks on the national mall.

M: What is your mascot?

C: The Colonials

M: Does your school care about sports?

C: It’s not a big part of the culture, but sport (particularly basketball) enthusiasts do just fine.

M: What else does your school care about?

C: Definitely internships. I know 7 people right now who hold internships in the district, working on Capitol Hill or for a local NGO. In the summer a large majority of GW students stay in town to intern locally. Also political awareness. You can’t find someone who doesn’t have an opinion about the 2016 election. Discussions of electoral politics and social justice issues can’t be avoided.

M: What isn't the best thing about your school or what would you change?

C: The freshman Mount Vernon campus is hugely inconvenient and just generally a bummer. It’s about a 10-minute commute from the main Foggy Bottom campus and if you live there, it’s safe to guess your life is miserable.

M: What would you definitely not change?

C: The students, the faculty and staff, the location, the academic programs, Greek life, club sports, the list goes on and on.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your school's campus?

C: It’s in the city which means you can get anything you could possibly want or need at any time of day.

M: What is your favorite aspect of your program/major?

C: It provides international affair students with so many opportunities. We have specially held events and regularly host distinguish guest speakers, as well as have specific academic and peer advisors. Just recently we had H. E. Frank-Walter Steinmeir, the German foreign minister and H. E. Catherine Samba-Panza, the transitional president of the Central African Republic speak at GW.

M: What is the best thing to do in your college's city/town?

The options in DC are endless. In the immediate area, you can walk the National Mall, go see a show at the Kennedy Center or walk down Embassy Row. There are incredible restaurants and places to eat all throughout the city as well as on Foggy Bottom. In terms of going out my friends and I love the Friday night drag show at Town, Ultra Bar, and Kabin lounge.

M: What is the best place to eat on campus and what do you like to eat there?

Beefsteak is José Andrés’ super delicious veggie-focused restaurant; Burger, Tap, and Shake has great burgers and Sweetgreen has really good salads. We don’t have a dining hall in the traditional sense, but there are countless dining opportunities on-campus that accept Gworld.

M: Do you go to the gym?

Not since my ankle injury.

M: What is your favorite class that you have taken so far?

Microeconomics with Professor Foster.

M: What is a class you really want to take?

History of FBI Counterintelligence and Introduction to Existentialism.

M: Where is your "spot" either on or off campus?

I spend a lot of time in Gelman Library and my room, but I don’t really have a “spot” on Foggy because I live on the Vern.

M: What is the party scene like?

There’s something for everyone. If you don’t go out, that’s fine, and if you go out 5 nights a week that’s also okay. Frats and some athletic teams/club teams host parties most weekend nights. I think the party scene is equal parts clubs, frats, and bars for most people.

M: What is your favorite memory at your school?

Sometime hanging out with my friends. They’re my home away from home.

M: What makes George Washington University unique?

The students and the opportunities. GW students tend to be thoughtful, ambitious, fun and considerate. I already touched on some of the opportunities GW provides the students but truly the options are endless.