Posts Tagged Sophomore Checklist

Welcome to Your Junior Year!

May 12, 2014 at 4:45 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hi everyone,

Welcome to your junior year experience while living on-campus! This is a critical time in your college years as you continue to plan for your future.  Your experience living on-campus will help you succeed.

Our residential area strives to develop a respectful, inclusive and engaged community that is centered on each member’s life experiences and expression of personal identities through advocacy, integration, holistic education, and reflection. Our mission is in accordance with the learning domains of the Department of Residential Education and Housing, we support residents throughout degree completion, assists students with post-baccalaureate transition affects, provides opportunities to develop life skills for the whole person, and to make memories through the development of community.

Our area includes a variety of residential facilities; the College Houses on Carlton Avenue and Pennington Road, Hausdoerffer and Phelps halls, and Townhouses East and South.

Manisha Ford-Thomas serves as the Assistant Director for junior and senior students in residence. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in African American Studies and a Master’s of Education Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall University. Manisha has worked professionally as an educational administrator in several organizations, after school programs, extracurricular initiatives and higher education institutions.  She is committed to empowering students attending institutions of higher education and works to create agents of change in areas of leadership, critical thought, diversity and inclusion one student at a time.

Curtis Chan is the residence director in Townhouses East and West.  Curtis earned a Bachelor of Social Science at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) in Hong Kong and a Master’s degree at West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown, West Virginia.  Curtis’s previous experience includes working as Graduate Assistant in residence halls and the Residence Hall Association at WVU, instructing the WVU University 101/First Year Experience course, serving as a unit supply specialist in the US Army Reserve, and interning in the international relations department at Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg in Berlin/Potsdam, Germany.

Michelle Crotto works as the Residence Director of the Metzger Drive Apartments and College Houses at The College of New Jersey.   Michelle earned an undergraduate degree at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia and a masters degree at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Michelle’s previous experience includes working as a peer coordinator and an assistant area director at Babson College as well as a residence director at Saint Anselm College.

You may want to think about your transition from a traditional corridor style residence hall to the apartment, house, or townhouse style living.  It is different because you not only share your bathroom with your fellow students, but you also share a living room and kitchen with your suite or housemates. You will need to think about how you wish to set-up & maintain the shared areas.

For juniors and seniors we focus on monthly themes and events appropriate for your development rather than frequent recurring programs.  We encourage students get involved in the “Big C” – the bigger community in and outside the College. We also emphasize the following aspects:

  • One-on-one conversation with your student staff member
  • Career development
  • Graduate and professional studies preparation and finance
  • Life after TCNJ

Our staff focuses more on personal connections. They conduct one-on-one conversation with you in order to develop a mature relationship and provide you with opportunities and services available to juniors and seniors at TCNJ.  It is also a good chance to establish a good connection with your house group or suitemates in creating a young adult learning community.

You may wonder, “How do I get involved?” Interpersonal relationships are very important because it is not a traditional residential area and the students experience in residence may be more isolating. Your engagement in the community will benefit you and your neighbors.  In the coming year you should consider attending events sponsored by ResEd, potentially join Residence Hall Association, and have your student organization collaborate with us.

Are you ready for the new challenge!?! We are looking forward to see you in August!

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A Wilde Reflection

May 5, 2014 at 3:42 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing.” –Oscar Wilde

A final hello, readers:

As this semester comes to an end, I figured it was necessary to have a “classic” self-reflection upon the year. I have not blacked out at any social gathering, so fortunately enough for you, you can access all of my detailed memories right here (or on Facebook, depending on how diligently you read).

It was a rough semester I’m not going to lie. Between my honors courses, working as an Oral Proficiency Hour leader, volunteering at a clinic, and attempting to not dismiss my social life, I’m lucky my brain hasn’t started expelling smoke from my ears. I’m sure you can relate.

This year will be memorable for all of us, but I think I narrowed it down to my top 5 moments:

  1. The blessed David Muha, alerting us to when the CONJ was closed due to inclement weather. When Mother Nature was at her worst frosty fury, he  built a snowman sticking up the middle finger and proceeded to send out texts and emails to us. Singlehandedly, he saved a multitude of us from late nights up writing essays or cramming for an exam. You should immediately set up a sacrificial altar to him. (Ideas for sacrifice: class notes, old exams, your meal equiv receipts.)
  1. When Big Larry called me by name. This wonderful moment came the second semester on a Tuesday when Big Larry wasn’t feeling so well. I gave him a chocolate bar (his favorite candy), and from that moment on he claims that he “will cross heaven and hell for [me], [his] sistah”. With Big Larry on my side, I can do anything…except for sneaking into Eick.
  1. Winning twice at bingo. Well, let me tell you, if you want a free theatrical performance coupled with a sporting event, you need to go to Bingo nights at TCNJ. When someone isn’t shouting at the top of their lungs that they won, bantering with the callers (usually one of my friends), or frantically running up to claim their prize, they are genuinely enjoying themselves (I promise). Generally, I regard myself as an unlucky person: the one with the non-winning card every time except for when it’s unlucky bingo. But that one bingo night, I won twice, totaling $20, and it was even on my 20th birthday. It’s fate, my readers, fate.
  1.  Random adventuring. Though this is cheating a little, there are two random adventures that defined sophomore year for me.
  • Once I went walking with a friend and explored the bamboo forest on campus (the one near the baseball field). With the snow weighing it down, it posed a beautiful obstacle course. We even saw the elusive TCNJ cat in its natural habitat.
  • The other time, a group of friends and I went out to sushi, loitered in a dollar store where we found the most upscale classical literature: The Breakup Book, coaching the average female specimen on how to cope with the loss of her partner. Narrowly avoiding being kicked out, we sauntered over to five guys and ate once more before coming back and simply relaxing in a dorm.

And the top moment is….. *dramatic drum roll*

  1. Completing two loops non-stop. I’m not an avid runner, but I do like to keep in shape. I’ve teamed up with two workout buddies and with dedication, I can safely say I’m on my way to becoming an Olympian. Our motto can be found on the PEC wall: “building strong bodies to carry competitive minds”.  Inspiring and original, I know. Well. Before we were so ripped, we ran our first two consecutive loops on the Saturday it snowed. As the plow trucks’ drivers looked on in confusion, we remained crazy enough to keep going. After the 3.2 miles, I experienced a runners’ high like never before; I couldn’t stop smiling or giggling. I won’t run a marathon but I now understand why some people do.

So, as this year comes to a close, I reflect upon many more wonderful moments. Oscar Wilde stated that “experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing”, and I didn’t start to figure out who I am without the ups and downs, stressors and relaxers, of academics and relationships. With some core courses out of the way (especially Organic Chemistry), I can’t wait to be an upperclass(wo)man and really reach Nirvana. Now, I go into junior year with an open mind, experiences, and memories. Thanks for reading and best of luck in all of your endeavors!

–          Lauren

 

Hey there! I’m Lauren McKay, a sophomore Biology major with a Spanish minor here at TCNJ. I love to go for a run, eat, and go to concerts. When I’m not studying, which is usually 98% of my time, I’m hanging out with friends, teaching Spanish Conversation hours, or quoting Oscar Wilde. When I grow up I want to be a doctor astronaut dinosaur and save the world. (I will also have my own theme song.) Since all healthy relationships are founded on jokes and lies, I hope to expedite our relationship by bringing you some tantalizing tales with some subtle yet profound truths. We can go out to dinner and end our night with a walk along the beach (simply circuiting the outdoor volleyball court). Thanks for reading! Oh, and can I have your number?

Hey there! I’m Lauren McKay, a sophomore Biology major with a Spanish minor here at TCNJ. I love to go for a run, eat, and go to concerts. When I’m not studying, which is usually 98% of my time, I’m hanging out with friends, teaching Spanish Conversation hours, or quoting Oscar Wilde. When I grow up I want to be a doctor astronaut dinosaur and save the world. (I will also have my own theme song.) Since all healthy relationships are founded on jokes and lies, I hope to expedite our relationship by bringing you some tantalizing tales with some subtle yet profound truths. We can go out to dinner and end our night with a walk along the beach (simply circuiting the outdoor volleyball court). Thanks for reading! Oh, and can I have your number?

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Closing Time

May 1, 2014 at 4:10 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As I emerge from the deep, dark, bottomless pit of despair known as the Last Week of Classes to write this final post, I am struck by two things. The first is that it is so bright out here! I forgot civilization existed! The second is that this semester has gone by so quickly that I feel like it traveled at the speed of light.

Here we are, rising juniors at last. I try not to think too much about how this means that we are essentially halfway done with college, because it makes me really philosophical and I get all deep and nobody wants to listen to that. Instead, I like to think about everything that I accomplished this year.

But, of course, I couldn’t have done any of it alone. I want to recognize all of the people that helped me get through it and set me on a course to an awesome junior year.

So, if you guys don’t mind, I’d like to write a few Thank You Notes to close out sophomore year.

Thank you, School of Business, for helping me finally declare a major in Marketing. It may have taken the excruciating pain of Corporate Finance to figure out that my heart really does belong to marketing, but I think it was worth it (although my GPA may not agree).

Thank you, English program, for continuing to be a place where I can explore my passion for literature and develop my skills in writing. I’ve worked with some of the kindest professors this year and I am so excited to see where this course of study will take me.

Thank you, Career Services, for helping me figure out how to meld these two majors into a viable professional platform. It has allowed me to get a great marketing internship this summer which will take me one step farther on the road to an actual career. Also, thank you for not laughing at me when you noticed that I spelled ‘involvement’ incorrectly on the resume I gave out to everyone and their mother at the Career Fair.

Thank you, Dave Muha, for all of the snow days at the beginning of the semester. They were super fun.

Thank you, everyone in AKPsi and Lion’s Eye, for making my extracurriculars extra fun. It really speaks to the quality of student life at TCNJ that I’ve been able to meet so many great people. I am beyond happy to call you guys my friends.

Thank you, family, for being my number one supporters in everything I do, from shuttling me around to internship interviews to giving me encouragement when I feel like life is getting to be too much. I don’t say it enough, but I wouldn’t be anywhere without you.

Thank you, roommates and extended roommates, for being the best friends I could ask for. You put up with my weird sense of humor, celebrity obsessions, general cynicism, and existential crises, and I love you for that. I’m so excited to do it again next year, bigger and better than ever.

And finally, thank you, dear readers, for taking the time to come along on this journey through sophomore year with me. I hope that you found something that I wrote at least a little enjoyable, or that I made you chuckle, or that you caught at least a few of my obscure pop culture references. I hope that your year was as fruitful as mine was, and that you’re heading into the summer a better person than you were when you came out of the last one.

Best of luck on finals and beyond!

Julia

Julia Woolever is a Business Administration and English double major and, no, she doesn’t know what she wants to do with that combination. She works at the TCNJ Art Gallery and is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi professional fraternity and Lion’s Eye Literary Magazine. She has an alarmingly intense love of all things pop culture. You can usually find her listening to Mumford and Sons, binge-watching British dramas, and/or crying about various celebrities on Twitter.

Julia Woolever is a Business Administration and English double major and, no, she doesn’t know what she wants to do with that combination. She works at the TCNJ Art Gallery and is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi professional fraternity and Lion’s Eye Literary Magazine. She has an alarmingly intense love of all things pop culture. You can usually find her listening to Mumford and Sons, binge-watching British dramas, and/or crying about various celebrities on Twitter.

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The Last Brita Filter (Year in Review)

April 29, 2014 at 4:13 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My realization that this year was nearing its end came in a very odd place. I was in the target off of Nassau Park on a rainy Sunday. I went on this particularly gloomy day because the light on my Brita water pitcher turned red, which meant it was time to get a replacement. First, I get a jug of milk, then toiler paper. I searched for the filter but couldn’t find it, so instead I went to get toothpaste and mouthwash. Then, I made it to the fateful aisle 7, but I didn’t have any more hands to carry the filter so I went to find a basket. Then, I went back to the fateful aisle 7.

I got the filter and looked at the package and it said, “Replace in 2 months.” 2 months. That would mean the around mid-May. Literally my internal monologue went like this: “Awesome, I don’t have to replace this before the end of the year. Wait. School is ending. That can’t be right. Yeah, 6 weeks.”

For some reason it was such a shock. I partially blame the weather because at this point it was mid-March and there was still the chance for a massive snowstorm, but it all still caught me off-guard.

I guess part of that is also because I’ve lived so much life this past year. Like everything I’ve ever written it sounds completely corny, but it’s true. I have experienced so much.

First off, early in the year I had to deal with my finding my roommate pretty much unresponsive on the floor in our room. I had to spend 12 hours in the hospital waiting until he was (a) conscious, (b) cleared by the doctors. I don’t think I’ve ever done that for anyone. And by “that” I mean devote and sacrifice my time not because I wanted to, but because I had to.

What did I get out of it? Well, anxiety. But, also I learned that I am a stronger person than I initially thought. There was a sense of pride in how well I held it together. Not to sound like I’m bragging, but it has always been an issue that I could never deal with stress and high-pressure situations well, let alone a somewhat (and probably over blown) traumatic situation.

I also took an e-board position at the radio station. What did that do for me? Well, anxiety. It also let me have the time of my life working on something that I truly cared about. It also gave me the chance of making friends that I can see keeping for a lifetime. They taught me how to balance work and play, which is something that I feel I never knew how to do.

Lastly, I have never been more stressed, scared, or over-extended in my life. I have taken the hardest classes, participated in the most activities, worked as many hours as I could, but I would never have it any other way.

What matters is that I have found a group of people that I can rely on. What matters is that I have learned how to manage my time. What matters is that I was able to move forward. That last Brita filter was my goodbye to sophomore year.

This year has been a whirlwind and I’m not sure anything has really changed. I’m not totally sure how I get through a single day of life. With all its awkwardness, missed opportunities, and regrets. Then, you look back and realize that none of that really matters, because none of us really know how to live life, but at least I’m having a great time learning.

 

Karl Delossantos is a sophomore marketing major and communications minor. He considers himself to be a complete film geek with a passion for television, theatre and music. He is also on the board of directors at WTSR and is also a DJ and discourse show host where he and his co-hosts talk about, you guessed, TV, movies and music. He hopes to work in the world of show business awards campaigning and somehow is going to win an Emmy.

Karl Delossantos is a sophomore marketing major and communications minor. He considers himself to be a complete film geek with a passion for television, theatre and music. He is also on the board of directors at WTSR and is also a DJ and discourse show host where he and his co-hosts talk about, you guessed, TV, movies and music. He hopes to work in the world of show business awards campaigning and somehow is going to win an Emmy.

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Realizations

April 23, 2014 at 4:09 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Amidst all of the dreary weather and snow days, the second semester of sophomore year has progressed well, with just over a month left. As I sit here eagerly waiting for the carefree days of summer, I have realized that this year is crucial not just as part of my college experience, but to my life after graduation as well.

Freshman year was definitely a transition, to say the least. While I spent my first semester getting acclimated to an entirely new lifestyle, at the same time I still felt connected to my high school friends and experiences. Back then I wasn’t quite sure who I would make friends with in college, so it seemed normal to hold on to friends from home who I felt more comfortable with. I’m sure many freshmen felt the same way, especially those who attend school far away from home. In addition, there were a plethora of clubs and activities to choose from, and I knew that it would simply not be possible to do everything that appealed to me. I made it out unscathed, but adjusting to college life was definitely a process that took time and perseverance.

There are many differences between this year and last. The main thing is a newfound feeling of maturity as I begin to pave the path towards adulthood. Yes, technically I was an adult at 18, but it really struck me when I celebrated my 20th birthday a couple months ago. Childhood may be over, but there’s certainly a lot to look forward to. For example, I recently completed a series of interviews for summer internships. While they were a bit taxing, I really felt a sense of excitement as I started the career planning process. The accounting department at TCNJ does a great job at making opportunities available to students, and I feel privileged to be gaining this experience as a sophomore.

I have also become more connected with my parents this year as opposed to in the past. This may seem odd since most envision college students becoming more independent from mom and dad. However, while I have met many great people here, I also realized that your parents are an invaluable resource. Friends may come and go, but your parents will always be there to support you along the way and give you advice. I always look forward to sending my parents a daily text about how my day went, and I wish I had communicated with them more in high school.

Like any year, sophomore year has had its ups and downs. But now that I am fully engrained in the TCNJ community, I feel more comfortable with who I am and what my goals for the future will be. As for now, I’m just trying to make the most out of each day and continue to develop the good habits that will help me throughout life.

 

Hello there! My name is David Miller, and I am currently a sophomore Accounting major. So what’s there to know about me? Well, as far as interests go, I love to run, bike, and go to the gym. I ran cross country and track back in high school and am proud to say that I still run on a consistent basis! I’m also a huge Breaking Bad fan, and love watching football and talking about it with friends. I have made it a priority so far to involve myself on several activities on campus. So far, I’m an active member of Water Watch, LDP (Leadership Development Program), and Phi Beta Lambda, TCNJ’s branch of Future Business Leaders of America. One of my main goals this year is to expose myself to new clubs and maybe gain a new hobby or two in the process.

Hello there! My name is David Miller, and I am currently a sophomore Accounting major. So what’s there to know about me? Well, as far as interests go, I love to run, bike, and go to the gym. I ran cross country and track back in high school and am proud to say that I still run on a consistent basis! I’m also a huge Breaking Bad fan, and love watching football and talking about it with friends. I have made it a priority so far to involve myself on several activities on campus. So far, I’m an active member of Water Watch, LDP (Leadership Development Program), and Phi Beta Lambda, TCNJ’s branch of Future Business Leaders of America. One of my main goals this year is to expose myself to new clubs and maybe gain a new hobby or two in the process.

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The Junkie

March 27, 2014 at 1:25 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Readers,

I—I—I need to confess something to you.

I’ve been hiding it from many people for years, and now I think is the right time to get it off of my chest. Not many people know about my fascination, my addiction, but I trust you. And you can spare your ol’ pal Lauren a few minutes of your time to listen, right?

Well, it all started about 2 years ago when I first came to TCNJ. I was a naïve freshman: bright eyed and excited to be out of high school. Soon, the collegiate stress and environment was ripping away at my very intrinsic fibers of being. All that I was raised on seemed to not count in this modified hotel for young adults. Soon into the year, I was staying up late at night, twitching and itching to do something. Whatever “it” was (no, not Stephen King’s “IT”), it needed to be indiscernible to the public at large, but secretly satisfying. I scoured the Internet for ideas and for others who have had similar urges. Finally, I crossed the perfect site, laden with information and ideas: Pintrest.

I spent hours on the site, casually pinning any picture I liked to my various “boards”: funny, artsy, beauty, and random. As time marched on, my typing and left clicking noises echoed through the halls. However, it was only the beginning of the spiral downward.  Friends began following me, subconsciously putting the pressure on me to continue pinning the most interesting of things; I added more boards, more categories, less filters. As fast as I went, no matter how many hours I spent, there were always more ideas, more quotes I liked, more people I followed, less hours sleeping.  It was so bad, I even starting growing a beard. Finally, one of you faithful readers, brought the obsession to my attention, I needed to bring my pinning down several notches. To combat the overload of cute animals, mesmerizing landscapes, and wonderful crafting ideas, I started making lists.

Well, this led to another habit—I mean hobby—of mine: making bucket lists. I now have a bucket list for anything imaginable: movies, books, countries to travel to, crafts (to attempt) to make, animals to pet, foods to try, things to avoid, bands to see, and of course, the classic “life” bucket list. They are all stuffed into my desk drawer, constantly being modified, added to, and crossed off. Not only have the physical lists been easier on my eyes than a computer screen, but make my goals seem more tangible. The lists are not simply ideas open on the Internet, but rather personal goals connected to memories.

Now, not only do I have stories correlated with the numbered activity, but stories to tell others and ideas to expand upon. So, thanks for listening and helping me cross of another item off of my list:

36. Become a doctor astronaut flying dinosaur

37. Write an honest blog

38. Go Zorbing in New Zealand

Happy hobby-ing,

Lauren

 

Hey there! I’m Lauren McKay, a sophomore Biology major with a Spanish minor here at TCNJ. I love to go for a run, eat, and go to concerts. When I’m not studying, which is usually 98% of my time, I’m hanging out with friends, teaching Spanish Conversation hours, or quoting Oscar Wilde. When I grow up I want to be a doctor astronaut dinosaur and save the world. (I will also have my own theme song.) Since all healthy relationships are founded on jokes and lies, I hope to expedite our relationship by bringing you some tantalizing tales with some subtle yet profound truths. We can go out to dinner and end our night with a walk along the beach (simply circuiting the outdoor volleyball court). Thanks for reading! Oh, and can I have your number?

Hey there! I’m Lauren McKay, a sophomore Biology major with a Spanish minor here at TCNJ. I love to go for a run, eat, and go to concerts. When I’m not studying, which is usually 98% of my time, I’m hanging out with friends, teaching Spanish Conversation hours, or quoting Oscar Wilde. When I grow up I want to be a doctor astronaut dinosaur and save the world. (I will also have my own theme song.) Since all healthy relationships are founded on jokes and lies, I hope to expedite our relationship by bringing you some tantalizing tales with some subtle yet profound truths. We can go out to dinner and end our night with a walk along the beach (simply circuiting the outdoor volleyball court). Thanks for reading! Oh, and can I have your number?

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New Year, New Semester

February 20, 2014 at 11:01 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

We’re back in school!

I know a good portion of people who are excited for the beginning of the semester, and everyone else is not so excited.  It’s always the same answers too: “I can’t wait to do stuff again, I’m getting so sick of home,” or “I don’t want to go back to studying and homework.”

For me personally, I feel both of these things.  I commute, hence I don’t really need the extra home time, but I was definitely enjoying all the relaxation after a stressful fall semester.  And after this first week of classes, despite all the snow days, I’m reminded about the next few months of agony and torture that I will have to endure in my classes.  But then, after seeing all the people I missed over break, I’m also reminded about how much I love school.

Seeing all my close friends and boyfriend during this first week only enforced my excitement for the semester.  Yes, of course I’m not looking forward to all the work that my classes have to offer.  But being able to spend time with everyone I’m close with, that is what will make the spring a good second half to my sophomore year.

That is what my New Year’s resolution is.  To make time for people.  Over the course of fall semester, I felt as though I didn’t see everyone I wanted to see.  Or I didn’t see everyone as frequently as I wanted to.  I want that to change.  I want to see everyone I consider a friend at least a few times this semester.  And as for my close friends, I want to be with them as often as I can.

Will it be a challenge to keep up with my social life as well as my grades?  Of course, I’ve found it increasingly harder as the semesters become more and more difficult.  But that is my goal, my resolution.  To be involved in not only in my classes, but to also be involved in the lives of my friends.  Because while my classes will help me prepare for the future, my friends are the ones who will put up with me ranting about said classes.

Whatever your New Year’s resolution is, I hope you are able to follow through with it.  I hope you all have a fantastic start to your year and semester.  Most of all, I hope that 2014 is a fantastic year for everyone filled with health and success.

Hey there! My name is Adrienne Barsoum, and I am a sophomore Accounting major with a potential Communications minor. I commute to school from Hamilton, a twenty-minute drive, rather short yet highly inconvenient for someone such as myself who prefers to stay in one place. I enjoy reading books of any genre during the not-so-frequent free time I possess, and though I am currently working three jobs I always leave aside time to have fun and venture out to try new things.

Hey there! My name is Adrienne Barsoum, and I am a sophomore Accounting major with a potential Communications minor. I commute to school from Hamilton, a twenty-minute drive, rather short yet highly inconvenient for someone such as myself who prefers to stay in one place. I enjoy reading books of any genre during the not-so-frequent free time I possess, and though I am currently working three jobs I always leave aside time to have fun and venture out to try new things.

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Live a Little!

March 25, 2013 at 1:17 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , ,

By: Jared Frankel

“The human body essentially recreates itself every six months. Nearly every cell of hair and skin and bone dies and another is directed to its former place. You are not who you were last September” (well, by the time this is posted, probably last October).

When we were kids, we spent our lives scribbling outside the lines, let our imaginations take us on the wildest of adventures, and done whatever we wanted to just because. Having the possibility to completely recreate one’s self is programmed in our brains from birth. Our cells are begging us to be explorers of the unknown. We were forced to try new things and not get bogged down by the mundane. In order to be ourselves, we can’t let our pasts and fears about our futures define who we are.

After an uber-stressful week, finding this quote finally gave me some peace of my mind. Bogged down with studying for an impossible organic chemistry exam, writing a lab about some chemical I can’t even pronounce, two other exams, a project and two papers, you’ve got to wonder if professors have conference call to collaborate on which weeks would be best to give incredible amounts of work. But sometimes, I wonder why I even bother. Wouldn’t life just be easier if we dropped everything and took a step back? Aren’t these supposed to be the best days of our lives? So why not let loose and live a little! …but maybe after I learn a few more reaction mechanisms so I don’t completely fail my orgo exam. (Update: the average was a 47, in case you were wondering).

Even though I’m still trucking through all the mountains of work I have, discovering a new viewpoint has really helped me put my life in perspective. Because the world around us always changes, and because we ourselves are always changing, we don’t have time to waste worrying and wondering about things we can’t control. We should live every day as if it was our last.

This past weekend, I was invited to perform at a benefit for an inspirational woman from my hometown who past away after a long battle with a rare form of cancer a few weeks ago. Instead of mourning her death, her final request was for her friends and family to celebrate how she lived her life. In her message, I think we can learn just how valuable a positive perspective can be. So live a little! And most importantly, listen to the words of wisdom from a wonderful soul:

“Live life, love, laugh, regret, forget, and dance like no one is watching”.

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3, 2, 2 ½, 1: Re-entry

February 22, 2013 at 8:00 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

By William Westerman

16 January 2013, 5:02 PM: Title complete.

???

16 January 2013, 5:15 PM: This line is complete.

5:17 PM: I seem to be at a loss for words. Not that there isn’t enough swirling around in my brain (although, admittedly, mostly about my pending cruise to the sunny coast of Mexico), but nothing seems important or relevant enough to clog the crowded tangle of information that is the interwebz.

Which is why I have started my blog with a sterling example of how to conduct professional writing, and, more importantly, how to hook an audience. So really, while I lured you in with slick, quasi-military jargon, you will stay because of my robust command of the English language, and all the valuable insight I can impart. You are welcome.

What I expect will happen on my upcoming cruise: sipping white wine, wearing loose fitting clothing and sensible shoes and socks, and getting hopped up on Dramamine.

What I expect will happen on my upcoming cruise: sipping white wine, wearing loose fitting clothing and sensible shoes and socks, and getting hopped up on Dramamine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I’ll actually be doing on the cruise: stuffing my face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I wish I were doing: wearing layers of clothing, taking pictures in a museum.

What I wish I were doing: wearing layers of clothing, taking pictures in a museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sparkling repartee and amusing photos aside, its time to get back to the nitty gritty of my dog-eat-dog world, and the surely overwhelming state of affairs that will spontaneously combust as soon as I return to my lair at school. But, by the time this blog goes to print (an expression that has seemingly become irrelevant and obsolete), things, hopefully, will have settled down.

 

So, adopting an air of cool sophistication that I always am known for, I shall pity the shambles of your (assumedly) shattered life, and give you my life-saving tips on how to brave another semester. Note: this is not a pithy “New Years Resolution” list, but a list of achievable deeds and acts to improve your quality of life. Some are simple, some are devastatingly complex, but most are things that you will hopefully try, and look foolish doing. Which is kind of what I’m all about.

 

William’s Patented List To Facilitate Normal-Life-Re-entry: Part 1 of 127

 

  1. Spend less time complaining, and more time improving.
  2. Eat something sweet everyday (and if you’re like me, you will most likely revisit this number multiple times a day)
  3. Microwave your underwear on cold mornings.
  4. Care less about what other people think, and care less about what you think. You are probably wrong.
  5. Exercise! (That’s a thing people like to do, right?)
  6. Watch at least one film of your choice a week (then cross it off a list—it looks like you have achieved something!)
  7. Keep a dream journal (seriously, I do this, and, besides terrifying me, it provides me with good daydream material).
  8. Do something creative everyday (while this seems like a cop-out, telling you how to be creative would defeat the purpose of the exercise. My favorite creative objects usually include felt, locks of your hair, and various materials from the woods).
  9. Stay in touch with faraway friends (when you need to flee the country and hide somewhere, they will be very handy!).
  10. Update your resume; look for upcoming internships, research opportunities, and cooperative projects with professors (because I have to end the list with something remotely helpful).

Honorable mention: Watch TED Talk videos on Youtube. They can surely do what I cannot: inspire you.

While I can’t tell you how to live your life (even though I’d do a great job), I can urge you to continue to reevaluate your surroundings, friends, classes, goals, and anything else in your life that is pertinent. Without resorting to the oft used “ change is good,” adapting to new ideas, and opening yourself to new experiences can provide progress. For better or for worse, you must move on. Good? Maybe. Bad? Perhaps. Onward? Always.

All right, that is as much sincerity as I can muster. To new readers (all three of you), welcome. I promise that I am truly not as weird as these blogs suggest. And to new I-House members, get lost.

Kidding.

Your faithful servant,

W.

William on Christmas Morning

William on Christmas Morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Westerman is currently major-less, but plans on a mixture of English, Japanese, and anything else he can manage. He is currently a resident of the TCNJ International House, and enjoys walking, traveling, walking while traveling, and a host of other infinitely interesting and lengthy hobbies

William Westerman is currently major-less, but plans on a mixture of English, Japanese, and anything else he can manage. He is currently a resident of the TCNJ International House, and enjoys walking, traveling, walking while traveling, and a host of other infinitely interesting and lengthy hobbies

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Starting Fresh

February 18, 2013 at 8:00 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

By: Jaryd Frankel

It’s a time of rebirth, where redo’s and resolutions lead to reincarnation; an opportunity to shed away the sooty sorrows of yesteryear and be reborn from the ashes. And as the time trickled down to the final few days before the start of the spring semester, I figured I’d better get cracking on my own transformation before it was too late. Little did I know that it’d smack me in the forehead 2000 miles away, in the form of a second-degree sunburn.

We seek self-improvement because we all yearn for an opportunity to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be. Sometimes, we make resolves and empty promises that we know we won’t keep. Maybe we disappoint ourselves and those around us because our attempts at change are thwarted by this or that. So why do we reach for extraordinary peaks when most of us just end up tumbling down the mountainside?

I personally think it has to do with the prospect of a dream. Even the slightest chance of obtaining something out of reach can fuel the flames of desire and motivate us to new heights. Goals and visions shed a new light on the world, igniting a spark that illuminates even the darkest depths of the world around us. But, when we play with fire, there’s always a chance of getting burned. As put so perfectly by Arthur Golden, author of Memoirs of a Geisha,  “Dreams can be such dangerous things; they smolder on like a fire does and sometimes consume us completely”.

Getting a frighteningly disfiguring second-degree sunburn while vacationing in Central America enabled me to experience just this. I could feel the heat of desire radiating throughout my body. And as the days past and my skin started to peel away (with the help of some gooey green aloe I might add), I was able to shed a part of my past self and start fresh. While the experiences I’ve had to overcome in 2012 have sometimes calloused and coarsened my body and mind, I now know that a raw, new part of myself has just been exposed, waiting to take on whatever the New Year has in store for me.

P.S. In case you didn’t get enough Ed Sheeran from last time or you wanted some sunburn-themed songs of your own…

Sunburn – Ed Sheeran

Jaryd Frankel is a Psych major (on a Pre-med track) at The Conj. He<br /><br /><br /> dreams of one day going to med school, in hopes of ultimately becoming<br /><br /><br /> a psychiatrist. He's fascinated by photography, dabbles in music<br /><br /><br /> (singing, songwriting, guitar), and would love to travel everywhere he<br /><br /><br /> can so he can expose himself to different cultures and new horizons.

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