Sophomore Success | The Sophomore Year Experience at TCNJ

Posts Tagged Sophomore Success

Welcome to Your Junior Year!

May 12, 2014 at 4:45 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Choosing your own adventure, college, Education, finding your passion, Getting involved, Goal Setting, healthy, Junior, Sophomore Bloggers, Sophomore Checklist, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, sophomores, TCNJ, TCNJ Juniors, TCNJ Sophomores, TCNJ UCE, TCNJ Upper Class Experience, The College of New Jersey, UCE, Upper Class Experience

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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Closing Time

May 1, 2014 at 4:10 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Choosing your own adventure, college, Education, finding your passion, Getting involved, Goal Setting, Sophomore, Sophomore Bloggers, Sophomore Checklist, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, Surviving sophomore year, TCNJ, TCNJ Sophomores, The College of New Jersey

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.

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The Junkie

March 27, 2014 at 1:25 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Choosing your own adventure, college, Education, finding your passion, Sophomore, sophomore blogger, Sophomore Bloggers, Sophomore Checklist, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, SYE, TCNJ, TCNJ Sophomores, The College of New Jersey

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?

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Spring Break, Where Art Thou?

March 13, 2014 at 9:29 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged bloggers, Choosing your own adventure, college, Education, Goal Setting, Sophomore, Sophomore Bloggers, Sophomore Success, sophomores, Surviving sophomore year, TCNJ, The College of New Jersey

I thought this past Fall semester was by far the toughest semester I have had yet. It’s not that the work was difficult, except for maybe one challenging class, but there was just so much of it. The work never stopped, and maybe that’s due to the fact that I took 7 classes. Some were half semester courses, but still, it was just a lot to process at the time.

This semester, however, completely has me so swamped. I only have four classes and one seminar, which shouldn’t seem too bad. Two of them are 100-level courses for Communications, the others are 200-level Business courses, and then a seminar pertaining to my major. It seems pretty evened out, right? Wrong.

My classes are all pretty much back to back to back, and the time that I do have in between them is for working. I definitely underestimated this seminar coming in, probably because I look back on the Fall semester and consider it a major success. I came out with a GPA that surpassed my goal, I could maintain my three goals, and I had kept in contact with my close friends. I figured I could handle anything life threw at me because I made it out of the fall alive.

That was my first mistake.

Never, ever, ever underestimate a semester. Just because I’m taking less classes does not allow me, by any means, to believe that these classes will be easy. I’m definitely doing more work for my 100-level courses this semester, and my other courses involve so much more thought than I predicted. And with work taking up whatever free time I have, I feel as though I have no time to myself.

I overscheduled myself this semester, believing I would have downtime when it was all over. Now I’ve only overscheduled myself without having any room to breathe. If there was any advice I could give to other sophomores, and other students for that matter, it would be to do a good job with managing your time. The workload generally does not get any easier as college semesters go by, but it can be easier to handle them if we adjust ourselves to taking these harder classes, and then maybe we will be better with finding free time.

But I still can’t wait for spring break.

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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New Year, New Semester

February 20, 2014 at 11:01 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Academic term, Choosing your own adventure, Getting involved, Sophomore Bloggers, Sophomore Checklist, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, sophomores, TCNJ

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.

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Sophomore Bucket List

September 24, 2013 at 10:03 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Bucket List, Choosing your own adventure, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, sophomores, TCNJ

We’ve heard the things that you just HAVE to do during your time at TCNJ…but you have to search to figure out what those things are. A while back the student staff in the SYE area brainstormed activities for the sophomore students to do during their sophomore year.

The top 50 are below…Your Sophomore Year is really a year that you can choose your adventure! To start…try some of these bucket list ideas. You never know how the event will affect you!

1. Explore new organizations on campus (activist groups, cultural organizations)
2. Co to events like Mystique, Queer Wedding, Eickhoff Theme Dinners, Vagina Monologues, Bollywood Night, Cultural movie nights
3. Attend the Career fair
4. Use inclusive language (avoid the “hot button” words)
5. Investigate Study Abroad
6. Read…for FUN!
7. Learn about politics
8. VOTE
9. Take a class that you are passionate about (even if it doesn’t apply to your major) or take a class that might challenge your beliefs
10. Create consensual relationships in your life
11. Get involved with your floor by having an open door policy, help your CA program for the floor or building), have family dinners, organize tournaments for your floor, Create community agreements
12. Take part in the Alternative Spring Break
13. Volunteer for TASK, Habitat for Humanity, Woman’s Space
14. Help someone up when they fall/drop something
15. Attend the optional lectures on campus
16. Go to and use the career center
17. Talk to your professors (they’re people too!)
18. Meet with your advisor
19. Set goals for yourself (http://topachievement.com/smart.html)
20. Talk to other Sophomores about the struggles you are facing…you never know if someone is facing a similar issue
21. Go to a museum in Princeton/Trenton/Philly/NYC
22. Sushi Palace trip
23. Walk the loop regularly
24. Book a session with a personal trainer at PEC
25. If you choose to drink, Drink in moderation
26. Study/relax by the lake
27. Check expiration on your condoms
28. Get a free flu shot
29. Eat Breakfast
30. Use the PEC’s exercise classes
31. See the campus nutritionist
32. Go to New Hope/Princeton
33. Take part in the Cardboard Boat Regatta
34. Go to Rice’s Market http://www.rices.com/Contents/Home.aspx
35. Go to a Trenton Thunder Game
36. Go to Philly and get a cheesesteak at Geno’s and Pat’s…YOU decide which is better!
37. Go to Eastern State Penitentiary
38. Write a resume and bring it to the career center to get feedback
39. Establish good relationships with professors and professionals on campus
40. Join Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com
41. Talk to professionals in your area of interest
42. Go to CAS http://cas.pages.tcnj.edu
43. Be conscious of what you post on your social networks
44. Create your “elevator speech”
45. Become a big brother or sister
46. Develop your public speaking skills
47. Start a new student group
48. Participate in a flash mob
49. Get to know your RD
50. Have fun->Decide what you want to do and go for it!

Did we miss any? Leave a comment here or on Facebook for other bucket list activities!

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Looking Back

May 1, 2013 at 11:35 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Choosing your own adventure, Sophomore Bloggers, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, Surviving sophomore year, TCNJ

By: Sara Stammer

It is hard to look back at the course of an entire year and pick one substantial memory to summarize the lump sum of the semester. If however, I were to pick just one memory, I would have to pick my trip to Portland, Oregon for the International Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society Convention.

in the Shakespeare Garden in the International Rose Test Garden

As a sophomore, an honor of this magnitude is humbling. To be amongst peers with experience both in English academia and national conferences, this adventure was one I had full intentions of enjoying and learning from.

from the Japanese Gardens in Washington Park

I have taken an airplane three times in my life (once to North Carolina and twice to Florida), never leaving the east coast and every time accompanied by my family. On March 20^th I boarded a plane on my own to fly 2,500 miles across the country to Oregon (after first stopping in Denver to transfer flights). As I pulled my suitcase across campus to be taken to the train station, the concept of being a twenty year old adult hit me hard. Not only had I booked these tickets myself, I fundraised my way to spend five and a half days away. Contributing to my Portland funds was the “Write to Heal” Scholarship I won after writing an essay about my Poppy who passed away to cancer. Fifteen hours after leaving the TCNJ campus I finally arrived to my hotel room in Oregon.

Presenting my paper on the panel

If taking the plane was not big enough of a shock for me, finding my way around a strange city sure was. In a matter of days I was able to go to the Japanese Gardens and International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo, Powell’s Bookstore, eat at the grease trucks, meander through the Saturday Market, and present a paper. I left Oregon not only with memories of a lifetime, but a first edition Virginia Woolf novel, Breakfast At Tiffany’s (from the Rare Book Room at Powell’s), and two signed books (one by Timothy Egan and one by Ursula K. Le Guin).

Being an English major it was interesting to find the Shakespeare Garden during my travels. Though the International Rose Test Garden left a lot to be desired, not in bloom because it was too early in the season, the weather was lovely and made for a great day out.

feeding the birds in the Oregon Zoo

During the time I actually had to present my paper, another girl on my panel lightened the mood (accidentally) when she sent a pitcher full of water flying. This unwanted explosion, burst into the air soaking anyone and anything nearby. The front row of unsuspecting listeners were left dripping like attendees of the splash zone in Sea World. To make matters even funnier, the ceiling was dripping water onto the soaked carpet the entire time I tried to keep a straight face as I presented. Keeping myself composed, this disruption at the conference, believe it or not, calmed the tense atmosphere of scholarly papers, but did not derail the entire session. Without further interruption, the conference went on as scheduled.

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Beating the Winter Madness

April 1, 2013 at 10:30 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged college, Goal Setting, healthy, Sophomore Bloggers, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, Surviving sophomore year, TCNJ

By: William Westerman

It would seem that we have reached the part of the year, unavoidably, that can be labeled “winter.” I don’t know about the rest of the human population, but I tend to live in a state of elevated ignorance. Those things continuous and unchanging: the sun rising in the east and setting in the west (at least until global climate change affects daylight), the change of seasons—well, they are but theoretical.

So it’s always embarrassing when I am completely caught off guard by something very bluntly obvious. (For example: “What day is it today?” “Monday.” “Monday? No, I don’t think that’s right.”) Despite my most fervent intentions (and many nights of sustained blood sacrifice), it has somehow become acceptable for the earth where I am currently stationed to become colder and drop bits of frozen water from the sky. In case you are not from this planet, or are reading this while drunk, I am talking about winter.

Which is not inherently evil—I enjoy my snowy evenings, undoubtedly with a hot beverage, and 3 a sleeve of cookies. You can go skiing! You can justify seeing movies because of the outside weather! You can hide incriminating evidence in the snow until the confessional power of spring arrives! All of these things make me happy, as they should, and as they will continue to do.

But my inner 70 year-old cannot lie silent any longer. I, for some unknown reason, decided to schedule almost exclusively night classes this semester. This is compounded by my geography—I live in the townhouses, and, you guessed it!, all of my evening classes are in Bliss. Which means I spend a lot of time in the dark and cold nights of winter, shuttling my weary body back and forth. This, if you are a careful reader, is where the title of my piece falls into place: I am experiencing “winter madness.” (Also, sad story: 30 Rock ended—what is my life??????)

Not unlike cabin fever, winter madness refers to the wild swings of mood I experience while enduring the bitter realities of a life in darkness (also, coincidentally, one of the working titles of my new book—look for it in stores in 2035). So, if you are a careful reader, perhaps you can guess how I am going to remedy to this situation—with a list! Always a list!

William’s Patented-Fool-Proof-List-of-Reverse-Reverse-Anti-Doom

(Affectionately known of Winter Doldrums List (WDL)

Step 1: Invest in a pair of long underwear (if you’re crafty like me, you can just wear your pajama bottoms underneath your clothes…no one ever knows).

Step 2: Use this long underwear. Insert legs through long underwear. Adjust until the large hole (also sometimes known as the waist) can’t go any higher on your body. Use three big pulls to secure the pants on your body.

Step 3: Microwave your socks 5 minutes before leaving your location (also, take off your long underwear, as you forgot to microwave that, too!)

Step 4: Place cookies, granola bars, and other treats in various locations on your person. This also means that when you find old granola bars from past winters in your jacket, you get an extra surprise.

Step 5: Put only in your backpack what you will need for your class. If you’re like me, it’s one sheet of paper, glasses, and a bottle of water (filled with air).

Step 6: Boil a cup of hot water.

Step 7: Place water in a thin, spill-able cup.

Step 8: Run across campus in your microwaved finery and carrying/spilling a cup of hot water. Repeat process.

Step 9: If you want, you can time yourself, and make an event out of it.

*Since this is my personal list (and punishable by law if it is copied), I encourage my (3) readers to come up with your own.

So what are the benefits of coming up with such a list? Well, to combat to the effects of Winter Madness, of course! Winter Madness, besides being a manifestation of my brain, is a real medical condition that effects millions of people who live in cold and/or dark areas of the planet. Common symptoms include a lightening (or reddening) of the skin, a sour disposition, and a general intolerance for happiness. (And if you doubt its authentic medical status, I invite you to google “restless legs syndrome.”) If left untreated, WM can progress to WD (Winter Delirium), which invites unprovoked hallucinations. And since we can’t flee to the islands, I suggest following my medically accurate suggestions. (Also, there is a related condition, Summer Madness, which also has disastrous implications. See this case study for more details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodion_Romanovich_Raskolnikov).

Hopefully, if you follow my strict regimen, you can avoid this horrible plague. Please let me know how it goes.

Hang in there,

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3, 2, 2 ½, 1: Re-entry

February 22, 2013 at 8:00 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Choosing your own adventure, finding your passion, Getting involved, Goal Setting, Sophomore Bloggers, Sophomore Checklist, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, Surviving sophomore year, TCNJ

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’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.

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

Spend less time complaining, and more time improving.
Eat something sweet everyday (and if you’re like me, you will most likely revisit this number multiple times a day)
Microwave your underwear on cold mornings.
Care less about what other people think, and care less about what you think. You are probably wrong.
Exercise! (That’s a thing people like to do, right?)
Watch at least one film of your choice a week (then cross it off a list—it looks like you have achieved something!)
Keep a dream journal (seriously, I do this, and, besides terrifying me, it provides me with good daydream material).
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).
Stay in touch with faraway friends (when you need to flee the country and hide somewhere, they will be very handy!).
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,

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

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Is That Purchase Really Worth It?

February 13, 2013 at 8:00 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Budgeting, New Years resolutions, Sophomore Success, sophomore year experience, Surviving sophomore year, TCNJ

By: Colleen Maeder

I have a vivid memory while I was in college of receiving an email from my father written in all CAPS and in brightly colored font. My father was extremely upset about the money I spent on some new clothes. While he didn’t understand the need for more outfits and how much it costs to purchase the clothes I wanted, I didn’t understand who was going to pay for it because my father nicely handed me my credit card bill from that point forward. Since that day I have been careful with my spending and how much money I am saving. Don’t get me wrong, I still buy the clothes I want, eat out and take vacations but I am much more conscience about saving and spending money.

Taking about saving money is easy, truly saving money can be the hard part. Here are some tips from dailyfinance.com regarding money management for college students:

1. Be careful with credit- Credit cards are not free money. At some point you need to pay back the money you charged with interest. You can end up spending double or triple the amount of the item because you can’t pay off your credit card.

2. Stick to a budget- Make a budget. This doesn’t need to be outrageously detailed. All you need to do is outline how much money you receive monthly and what you need to spend. Track your spending to make sure you’re sticking to your budget. Spending less is often easier than earning more. Lastly, take extra care of your wallet when you’re out partying. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and dish out more than you want to spend when you’re having fun.

3. Save early and often- Once you start to save and see the result, it gets easier. “If you save $3,000 a year when you’re between 20 and 30 years old, put the money into an IRA with a 7% average annualized rate of return and never save again, you’ll have $442,000 by the time you’re 65, calculates Nicole Rutledge, a certified financial planner with Resource Consulting Group.”

4. Take advantage of student perks- Student discounts are amazing! Utilize them. Also, you pay for a meal plan. Remember to eat on campus as much as possible so that money doesn’t go to waste.

5. Pay less for textbooks- There is no reason to pay full price for textbooks anymore. Look at online websites or renting books to save money.

6. Borrow as little as possible- Borrow just enough money to cover college costs. Spend time looking for scholarships and grants to cover college costs.

7. Get organized- Avoid parking fines or late fees for library books or DVD rentals. Figure out what classes you need to take each semester early to avoid having to take a summer class or stay an extra semester.

8. Avoid unnecessary fees- Avoid paying extra ATM fees by researching your bank’s ATM availability on campus. These small fees can add up. “After all, if both your bank and the bank hosting the ATM charges a $1 fee for each $10 withdrawal, that amounts to a cost of 20%,” says Kathryn Mullaney, vice president for finance at St. Lawrence University.

9. Use technology wisely- Set up text and email alerts for your bank accounts and credit cards to help you keep tabs on your spending and avoid missing payment dates.

10. Protect yourself from fraud- Research conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research found that it takes 18- to 24-year-olds nearly twice as long to detect fraud compared to other age groups, making them fraud victims for longer periods of time. “Take advantage of services that allow you to monitor your accounts regularly, such as by reviewing statements online or using mobile banking to see a snapshot of your account information”, suggests Secil Watson, senior vice president at Wells Fargo Internet Services Group.

11. “Insure” success- Utilize the insurance you already have through your parents. Have your parents update their homeowners insurance to cover your residence hall room or explore renter’s insurance. Remember to update your (or your parents) auto insurance if you have a car on campus.

12. Capitalize on coupons- Groupon and Living Social are huge right now, use them. Save money on things you normally do or want to try for the first time.

13. Master relationships- Personal relationships that you make now can turn into business relationships in the future, says Dan Greenshields, president of ING Direct Investing. Make friends and also find a mentor in your desired field to get career advice. Being social now could boost your prospects in the future.

14. Invest in your future self- Seek out internships and volunteer. Learn skills that will help you land a job later. Employers are increasingly expecting more from candidates. The more work you do now as a college student to be well rounded the easier it will be to get a job once you graduate.

15. Set limits- Set a limit for yourself to spend on something. If the cost of the item is more than your limit, figure out if you really need it and if it is worth the money you are going to spend on it. If you can live without it do so. If not, wait and what you want might come down in price.

While some of these tips are easy (who doesn’t love student discounts and Groupon) others can be difficult. Learning to stick to a budget and not buy something because it goes over your limit can be very hard at times. Other tips can save you lots of money. About two years ago someone stole my credit card number and used it across the country. Within 10 minutes of $400 being charged to my account, my credit card was frozen by my bank and I had received both an email and phone call regarding the suspicious transactions on my card. The amount of time I invested in myself during undergraduate and graduate school allowed me to have different experiences which broadened my horizons and allowed me to utilize my resources to get the jobs I wanted. Following these tips allows me to be able to save or spend money without worrying too much about the consequences.

While it is not always easy and there are days I completely overspend on something I really don’t need, being able to say I am successful and planning for my future makes me happy. The lessons I learned in college help me prioritize what is important for me. The $4.23 I spend on my Venti Iced Chai Tea Latte at Starbucks (yes, this is the exact cost of my favorite drink) that I get twice a week costs me $439.92 a year. This could have been a plane ticket to Florida with spending money. For me, getting a Starbucks helps me relax and gets me through the day but when I need to cut back and save for something, this is the first thing I cut from my expenses. While you are in college it is the perfect time to reflect on your spending habits and perfected a budget so when you graduate you will have achieved a lifelong skill needed to survive in today’s economy.

Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/01/the-new-freshman-15-financial-tips-for-college-students/

Colleen has been working at TCNJ for the past 3 years as a Residence Director on campus. Colleen went to Le Moyne College for undergrad where she received a BA in Sociology and a minor in Women’s Studies. She attended Syracuse University where she received a Masters in Community Counseling.

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The Sophomore Year Experience at TCNJ

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