Perfect Fit January 31, 2008

I always feel like I should write something new and interesting I have discovered about UMBC. So today as I was thinking about writing in my blog, I thought to myself that I have not discovered something new and exciting. Then I realized that last night I discovered 5!

Some students had been asked to come to a focus group in the Admissions office to help redo the UMBC viewbook. (That’s the book of information you get when you request it from UMBC, and the paper application is in the back.) Anyway, my understanding is that the six students that I was one of last night was in a series of meetings of a creative publication firm and UMBC students. I was honored to have been asked mostly because I love my experience at UMBC so far. Last night, we talked about many aspects of our lives as UMBC students: hometowns, majors, scholastics, social life, other schools we applied to, what brought us to UMBC, etc. Around 7 p.m. last night I learned that there are at least five other UMBC students who as perfect a fit as I. The meeting was in a conference room around a table and the man at the head of the table turns to me well into the meeting and says, “You’re really a perfect fit for this school, aren’t you?” I assume I blushed because I took that question as quite a compliment. Since last April I have known that UMBC is the perfect fit for me. I never thought of the opposite. The man leading then meeting then turns and says, “Well, really, you’re all perfect fits for UMBC!” It is so true. All six of us brought something different to the table and came from different backgrounds and yet we all suit UMBC the way the way the school suits us.

Something cool: This blog is the sixth link that shows up on a Google search page when you Google my name!

On To Day 2! January 29, 2008

Yesterday was the first day of classes. I managed to make it from 7AM to midnight without a nap! (This is HUGE for me.) On Monday’s (and Friday’s) I have an 8, a 9, a 10, an 11, and a 1 o’clock class.  If that’s not a full schedule, I would like to know what is. I have always been a huge fan of the first days of school — new supplies, new books, new locations, new people, new teachers. It’s all so exhilarating! So, I do have one professor that I had last semester but I like her so it’s ok. And a lot of the people are the same because most of them took Chem, Engineering and Calc last semester. But all in all, first days are new and exciting and I love them!

I am taking 5 classes: Physics, Statics (engineering), Gender and Women Studies, Calculus 2, and English. I’m working towards a 3.5 since last semester really did not go as planned. I hope that a range of fields will keep my brain balanced. I quite dislike only using part of your brain repeatedly. I always imagine the less-used parts of the brain like a peach in the sun — eventually it falls into mush and the only thing holding it together is the skin. (Apologies for the run-on sentence!) Back to what I was saying… I think the Gender and Women Studies and English will balance out the engineering.

I could write forever (and ever) but I have to get ready for class. First English class of the semester! I’m quite excited; I have heard good things about this Professor. Wish me luck!

Going Back to Campus Early January 22, 2008

Two more days until I’m back on campus! (I’m stoked, if you couldn’t already tell.) One nice thing about having the opportunity to go back early is that I can avoid the inevitable craziness of everyone moving back into their rooms. I plan on going back early to settle in, clean my room a little (my poor roommate), and see what’s going on around campus. I love college life!

My goals for this semester are as follows: Get a 4.0, Sleep on a regular schedule (not having a bedtime gets old fast), Eat square meals, Get more involved on campus, and Write in my political blog on a regular basis. I’m hope none of them are too lofty. I feel like an old person with the “sqaure meals and regular sleeping schedule.” Honestly, though, my first week of break I only ate healthful foods and I slept about 18 hours per day.

I’m already getting more involved on campus. On Saturday UMBC is hosting the FIRST Lego League (FLL) which is a challenge where middle school students build robots with a certain focus in mind. This year’s focus is “Power Puzzle: Energy Resources — Meeting the Global Demand.” I am volunteering as a referee. I’m so excited. (As an engineering major, I get really excited about this kind of thing.) As if involvement and volunteering is not enough of an incentive, I get a free t-shirt. I’ve noticed that every time you volunteer to help run something or participate in planning an event in college you get free stuff, most often clothes. A good percentage of my wardrobe is school related clothing now. Maybe by the time I graduate I won’t have to buy any t-shirts myself.

LeaderShape2008 January 19, 2008

I just got back yesterday from a leadership training prgram the UMBC offers. It was such a meaningful experience! I would advise anyone applying to schools or deciding between schools to choose schools that offer the LeaderShape program.

The program was a week at the YMCA Camp Letts. It was so much fun. I got the opportunity to meet many UMBC students and make some new friends. It was really exciting to me to meet students who genuinely want to make the world a better place. We did many leadership and teamwork building activities that required us to observe how we act under pressure while working towards a specific goal. I’m so glad that I went. So many people came from so many backgrounds, and I reminded me how diverse UMBC really is. I met many inspiring people with whom I’m so excited to spend time with back on campus next week!

I CANNOT wait to get back on campus and begin my first spring semester. I’m so glad that I live in the 9-month residence hall! I need to be on campus early Saturday morning so I’m returning for the semester on Friday. I can’t wait to see my friends again and begin classes. I’m a bit of a dork — I love learning.

Six days ’till I’m back!