Christmas Fever

I can feel it in the air... everyone has Christmas fever.  You could walk down the hallways in the dorms and see mini Christmas tress in everyone's rooms, Christmas lights hanging on the walls, and snowflakes and Christmas tree decorations covering people's doors.  And yes, I am one of those people who have gotten into the holiday spirit.  Since I was unable to decorate a Christmas tree at home this year, my roommate and I decorated our own mini Christmas tree in our room.  Now all we're missing is a fireplace, hot chocolate, and Christmas movies. I'm so excited to participate in not one, but two secret Santa's, as well.  Goodness, who doesn't love Christmas time?

Even through all the Christmas spirit, everyone has to get into finals mode once more.  This isn't my first rodeo, though, and I'm lucky I kind of have an idea as to what to expect.  Finals are the end of this week and you can see the stress on everyone's faces.  People who haven't been in the library all semester are finally going in to unfamiliar territory in hopes of it helping them study and get those grades up at the last minute.  This past weekend was full of people catching up with their own procrastination and finishing up those last minute papers, presentations, and extra credit opportunities (never said I wasn't one of them).

So through it all, there is a light of the end of the tunnel- being done with my first semester of my sophomore year and being able to go home for Christmas.  While it will be extremely weird not being at Coe for a whole month- I admit I am excited to relax and not have and worries when it comes to school.  Yet, by the time January rolls around I will be ready to get back on campus and kick out my last semester before summer.  Now time to go get on my study grind and make it through this next week of finals.

Kohawk love,
Alexis

Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again- Thanksgiving break.  It is the first time a lot of people go home for the first time all year and get to spend time with family and friends from home.  I can't wait to go black Friday shopping (not grey Thursday), eat plenty of turkey, and sleep in my big comfy bed.  During this time everyone thinks about what they are grateful for, but really every day we should be appreciative of those people and things around us. With that being said, last year I wrote a blog about Thanksgiving and I think it is necessary for me to write again about what I am thankful for, but this time as a sophomore instead of a freshman in college.

First off, I am thankful to be waking up every morning breathing, healthy, and alive.  I think that is one thing that a lot of people take for granted, and it is one of the most simple things to be thankful for.

Family. I have the most support from my family, even if they are miles away from me.  I know that I could call up my grandma, my sisters, or my dad and they would be there for me no matter what. This includes my big lovable pup that tries to be a lap dog even though he weighs 85 pounds.

Friends.  I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for the old friendships I still have at home and the new friendships that continue to blossom every day here at Coe.

Coe College.  This place has changed me and allowed me to grow up and mature into the young woman I am today.  Every day I find another reason as to why I love this place and it reassures me that I made a great decision deciding to go here.

Tri Delta.  I have had so many great experiences by being in a sorority, including going to St. Jude hospital in Memphis and having the privilege to raise money for the St. Jude babes.  I have also formed great relationships and connections inside and outside of Delta.

The list goes on and on, but those are a few of the few things I'm thankful for every day.  So now I ask you- what are you thankful for?

Kohawk love,
Alexis

Halloween

This past week Coe College was busy.  Thursday was Halloween, and there were plenty of people roaming campus all day dressed in a Halloween costume.  At the soccer game there was even a costume contest!  To top the festive weekend off, Florida Georgia Line performed at the U.S. Cellular Center right here in Cedar Rapids.  Tickets sold out fast, but Coe students were lucky because our student senate had pre-ordered tickets and we were able to buy them at a discounted price of only $10!  It is crazy how cheap that is compared to what the public paid, and because of this all Coe students got to sit together.



I didn't spend my weekend at Coe, though.  Instead, I went to Iowa City and visited my sister since there was a home Iowa game.  This was my first time actually visiting and staying there this year, and that goes to show how much I love this place.  I've only gone home once since school started in August, and this was also one of the first weekends I've spent away from Coe.  I always feel like I'm going to miss something if I'm not here- a good football game, a performer in the pub, and just being with friends.  That's why Coe is not considered a "suitcase college."  What is that you may ask?  A suitcase college is when people go to their classes during the week then everyone goes home over the weekend.  Here at Coe almost every single person stays all week.  Don't get me wrong, going home can be nice and all, but Coe is definitely a home away from home for most people.  Anyways, even though Iowa lost this weekend to Wisconsin, Coe beat Wartburg! While I may be an Iowa fan, my true team definitely pulled through this weekend and I couldn't be prouder to be a Kohawk.

The rest of this week is going to be a crazy one with a Nursing showcase for prospective nursing majors tomorrow, Founder's Day for Delta on Thursday, and a campus visit day this Saturday.  If you are a prospective student and want to get a great look at what Coe is all about, it's not too late to sign up and come Saturday! Plus, there's a home football game, and it's our last one.  Might as well come and eat some food, have some good times with current Kohawks, and watch Coe football beat Luther.

Kohawk love,
Alexis

Never Enough Time

I've come to the conclusion that there is never enough time in a day to get things done.  There is always something that you could be doing- whether it's napping, eating, coffee date in the pub with a friend, working out, going to watch slam poetry or an a capella group in the pub, going to a midnight movie for free, watching Netflix, working, running errands... the list goes on and on.  While this may sound like a bad thing, I mean it as a great thing.  Think about it- everything I just listed aren't terrible things to have your day full with.  While, yes, I wish I could do them all in one day, I've come to the conclusion that I can't- and I'm okay with that.  The one thing that you learn as a college student, though, is that you have to make sacrifices.  You have to choose between studying for that big anatomy midterm you have or going to the volleyball game.  As a college student you truly have to balance sleep, with study, with social, and I'm telling you now that while at times it seems almost impossible- it definitely isn't.  I'm lucky to go to a college where there is always something to do, even if sometimes it may put a damper on my studies or the amount of sleep I get.  I believe that you have to get the most out of your college experience, and Coe is definitely doing that for me.  Sometimes I may complain about being too busy, but I guess that's just me settling in, getting involved, and enjoying life- three things a college student strives for.

Kohawk love,
Alexis

Especially For You

I did it.  I finally ran my first 5k.  When I first signed up to do it back in August I thought I was crazy, but now I'm so happy that I did it.  This was the 23rd year General Mills and Mercy Medical Center had put on the race that includes a 5K run, 5K walk and a one-mile family fun walk right here in downtown Cedar Rapids, blocks away from Coe.  All for a good cause, too, since more than $370,000 from race registrations go to the "Especially for You" fund, which provides mammography and other breast-care services for area individuals who cannot otherwise afford them.  More than 15,000 people turned out for a race to raise money to fight breast cancer.  Every person there was either supporting, fighting, or surviving breast cancer so it hit home for many people.  When it comes to me, I ran it for my grandma who is a breast cancer survivor and also one of the strongest people I know.  I was young when she had it, but I still remember looking up to her with admiration as I touched her bald head and loved how silky soft it was.  At the time I was clueless to what was going on, but now I'm happy to do my part and be one of 15,000 people running for a great cause.  My grandma was my motivation to finishing the race, and I'm proud of myself for doing so in under 30 minutes.  Check out these pictures from the race!

Kohawk love,
Alexis

Coe's team ready to run!



A couple friends and I after running the race!



My official number





St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

This past fall break I got the privilege to road trip down to Memphis, Tennessee and visit the St. Jude hospital.  Being able to do so was such a life changing and eye opening experience that allows you to put life into perspective.  It's crazy how much people take for granted on a day by day basis.  Especially the things that should mean most to us like family, health, and just the ability to be able to wake up every morning breathing.  I am proud to be a part of a sorority that is dedicated to raising money for the hospital to allow families to make their way through St. Jude without paying a dime.  There were 35 of us sorority sisters that drove 9 hours from Coe College in Cedar rapids, Iowa to Memphis, Tennessee.  It was completely worth it after visiting and touring the St. Jude hospital and learning more about it's campus and how it runs.  I am so blessed to have been able to have this heartwarming experience and every family that goes through the hospital has a special place in my heart.  It's a great feeling when you walk down the hallway of the hospital and doctors and physicians are thanking us for what we do as a sorority.  I definitely felt the Delta love.

I believe that a picture speaks a thousand words, so check out for yourself how amazing the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is, and watch this neat video too! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2It6yfmdwsQ

Kohawk Love,
Alexis

Every hall is painted- doesn't even feel like a hospital inside!

This is the ABC wall- this is what a patient wrote for the letter C

Just a few of us Delta's taking a picture on the Delta floor!

We love St. Jude!

One of the rooms funded by the Deltas!

Right outside the front doors of St. Jude!

Sophomore Slumps: Are they real?

Coming into my sophomore year of college I had high expectations because of how well my freshman year went.  Then life hit me with a reality check- I'm not a freshman anymore and a lot more is expected of me.  You're not worrying so much about what clubs to join or where the library is on campus anymore. The stresses we face hit us harder, last longer, and test our ability to face challenges head on.  When talking to an upperclassman, I realized that all of this actually has a name: the sophomore slumps.  When doing a little digging online, this is what I found.

"Sophomores experience a whole new set of stressors as they return to the college campus. Unlike freshman, they receive fewer warnings about the do’s and don’ts of college life; they are expected to know how things work. Combine this with the push to declare a major, find an internship, and decide whether or not to study abroad can lead sophomores to fall into the 'sophomore slump.'  This new found set of expectations can lead to challenges for the second-year student."

While this may be true,  I don't think this so called sophomore slump is a bad thing.  It shows that we as students are growing up and becoming adults.  We're facing more decisions that will effect our life in the long run- like what our major is or where we decide to intern.  I'm a big believer that you get out what you put into the things you do.  This may be a club, a sorority or fraternity, a class, or even just your sophomore year in college.  I can say that I've experienced the normal stresses of a college sophomore, but I can't relate it to being a freshman because they're different.  Maybe that's one thing I've learned already this year- not to compare this year to the previous one.  Every year here at Coe presents me with new opportunities, new experiences, and new memories.  I believe that if you surround yourself with people you care about, study hard, use your resources wisely, talk to professors, get a good amount of sleep, eat well, exercise, have fun, and relax, then the sophomore slumps can be avoided.  It's safe to say that I've avoided it and I take pride in being a college sophomore, especially here at Coe. So next time you find yourself in a slump, remember that you're just growing as a person.  We only have two more full years of college left and we're all better off enjoying them.

Kohawk love,
Alexis

The Nice Thing About A Small School

I'm back at it this year... but now as a Sophomore.  I'm sitting here typing and I can't believe how fast time is flying by.  I can still remember my freshman year like it was yesterday (even though it kind of was)- where I was looking for all my classes, getting used to the Caf food, getting over freshman writing shock, pulling my first all-nighter, fighting home-sickness, and finding my nitch.  Phew, thinking about all of new people I met, memories I made, and experiences I acquired is making me exhausted.  If I would have known at the end of my senior year that Coe College was going to put me where I was today... I would have laughed in your face.  Little did I know that I would have joined a sorority and gain an office position, been in the Board of Directors for my dorm, join the Student Ambassadors, become a Campus Visit Day girl, get a position as a College Adjustment peer, and blog for the Admissions office all in my freshman year of college.  That's the nice thing about a small school- being able to get involved.

At the beginning of my college search I was destined to go to a big school.  I thought that I would end up at a state school- that's all I had grown up to know.  Having a sister go to Iowa State, UNI, and also a twin set on Iowa made my college decision that much harder.  Yet, I look back and realize that Coe College is where I was always destined to go, and I can't imagine being anywhere else.  Wanna know why a small school atmosphere hooked me?  Here's a few reasons that influenced me:

1) Almost everyone on Coe lives on campus.  Your study buddy, best friend, sorority sister, whoever it may be- is no less then a 5 minute walk away.
2) Which brings me to my second point... everything is only a 5 minute walk away.  There is no need to get used to a bus system, or walk up a giant hill for 20 minutes just to get to class.
3) You're a person, not a number.  Going to a school of 1,400 allows you to make yourself and be who you want to be.  Your professors know you by name, and you get to speak to them face to face on a daily basis.  The average class size is only 16!  You get a sense of a family and a community even when living in one of the biggest cities in Iowa.
4) Being in a big city leaves room for opportunity and many things to do. For example: Kernels games, NewBo City Market, Theaters, U.S. Cellular Center, and so much more. Coe is even a mile away from downtown Cedar Rapids, and is walking distance from several food places and a grocery store.
5) D3 sports.  Who doesn't love a football team who wins?

The list goes on, but I know I speak for many students when I say Coe is my home away from home.  Sophomore year has barely began and I'm already finding myself with amazing memories and experiences.  I was fortunate to be able to help with freshman orientation, sorority formal recruitment, and now this week I get to experience my first exams.  This year, though, its different. I have already been through all of these events and experienced it all as a freshman- but now I'm on the other side.  Instead of relying on a CAP leader to take me to orientation events, I was one.  Instead of going through formal recruitment and seeing what Greek Life was all about, I was a Delta helping girls find their place. I thought freshman year was good...I'm thinking sophomore year is going to be even better.  I can't wait to see what the rest of this semester and even the rest of my Sophomore year brings me.

Kohawk Love,
Alexis



My CAP group and I during freshman orientation!

Me during Formal Recruitment for Delta!

Last Day of Freshman Year

It's crazy to think that months ago I was writing about my first week of college, and now I'm approaching my last week of college.  Today, though, marks my last day of classes of my freshman year.  I can't believe how fast time has gone, and it's almost summer! (even though it snowed in my hometown today....what!?)  Looking back, there is nothing that I would change about this year.  I have made new friends, experienced new things, and formed new memories that I'll ever forget.  These next couple days are going to be crazy for me with finals starting on Saturday.  A week from today, though, and I'll be moved out of the freshman dorm.  All of my stuff will be back at home, and I'll begin my summer working again at Fareway and as a lifeguard preparing myself for the beginning of my Sophomore year.

I can not say more how blessed I am to have gone to a school like Coe College.  Just in my freshman year I have grown, learned, and had several opportunities lay at my feet right in reach.  I recently gained a position as a College Adjustment Peer (CAP) next fall, a CVD Assistant, and received an office position in Delta!  Being a CAP leader I will have the opportunity to help the incoming freshman with the transition from high school to college, help them adjust and settle into to college life, and ultimately be a mentor for a group of about 15 students.  I can not wait to take on this leadership role and hopefully help them learn what being a Kohawk is all about.  As an CVD Assistant I specifically got placed in a position where I work to plan Campus Visit Days.  I can not wait to start this job, as I have already been involved with helping admissions by being a tour escort, tour guide, building host, and even blogging with them!  I'm excited to form new relationships with the staff and students.  I also received an office position with Delta- Continuing Education.  I am excited to go through officer's training and see what this leadership role is all about.

At the beginning of my freshman year I would have never of guessed I would be as involved as I am.  Yet, this is why my Freshman year has been so amazing.  I wouldn't trade this year for the world, and I can't wait to start my sophomore year.  I am going to miss everything about Coe this summer- friends, professors,  staff.  Yet, the summer will give me time to prepare myself for my sophomore year and I can't wait to see what that will bring.

Kohawk Love,
Alexis

St. BALDricks

Last week was a great week for Coe College.  Several students and faculty members shaved their heads and donated it to the St. Baldrick's Foundation.  This foundation is a childhood cancer charity funding the most promising research to help find cures for kids with cancer.  The lives of children with cancer are being dramatically improved through the support of the St. Baldrick's Foundation.  I am proud to say that Coe College had a part in supporting this cause.  Not only were there men shaving their heads, but women as well.  I have the utmost respect for those women who shaved their heads and I wish I could be as brave as them!  Below is a picture of four students who participated in St. Baldrick's, three of which are female- and let me say, they look absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Not only was last week St. Baldrick's, but Delta Delta Delta also had a formal dinner.  We all invited dates and met for dinner.  It was nice to eat a good meal and get to bond with my sisters.  Awards were also handed out to people for being most likely to dance, best mom and babe, best dressed, etc.  It was a great night full of smiles and laughter!

My Delta family!

My Delta momma!

I can't believe that the end of my freshman year is approaching.  I can't wait to see what these last couple weeks bring me!

Kohawk Love,
Alexis

Flunk Day is Real!

The reason why I named this blog "Flunk Day is Real!" is because some of the freshman were starting to believe otherwise.  Two weeks passed of beautiful weather, and we still had class every day.  I was starting to get anxious and eventually gave up on guessing when it was going to be. That was until Monday April 22, though, when Flunk Day Committee woke everyone up by running through the hallways with whistles!  It was bright and early, so we all got ready and went to breakfast.  Not only was it Flunk Day, but ironically it was Earth Day, as well! We had all been waiting for this day when campus shut down and none of us had classes.

Before everyone headed to the quad at eleven to eat, campus was filled with people outside.  The weather held out for us and barely rained at all- it was nice enough to wear a tank top and capris!  Once eleven hit the quad was filled with face/body painting, bags, a photo booth, blow up bouncy games, and a lot of food. 

Again, this day has to go into my record books for one of my best memories of Freshman year here at Coe.  This semester is reassuring me more and more every day of why I chose to go to Coe.  Below are some pictures of my fun-packed day. 

Kohawk Love,
Alexis

President's Ball

I think that pictures can explain how much fun Pres Ball was.  That night I did six girl's hair as we all got ready, put on our gorgeous dresses, and headed off to a classy evening of food, socialization, and dancing.  It was a great night to dedicate to our president who is leaving us.  I will definitely put this down in the books as one of the best nights I have had at Coe College, yet!

Enjoy the pictures!
Kohawk Love,
Alexis

Admitted Student Success

Admitted student weekend was a success this time around once again!  My roommate and I had the privilege of hosting four prospective students, all of which decided to go to Coe!  I can't wait to see  them around campus next year.

Going to the We the King's concert brought back so many memories from my childhood.  They were a popular band when I was in middle school (makes me feel old)!  The concert was a blast and it was great letting the prospective students see how much fun Coe's campus and students can have.

Kohawk Love,
Alexis

April Events

This past weekend Coe wasn't as busy as everyone left for Easter!  It was great to get home and see all of my family- the first time since Christmas break!  This semester seems to be going by so much slower since it's not jam packed with holidays and breaks.  Everyone is hanging in there but have a couple of thoughts on their mind: Admitted Student Weekend and We the Kings, Flunk Day, Pres Ball, and Summer Break.

Like I mentioned in my last blog, this weekend is finally when We the Kings comes to play here on Campus!  It'll be a great time especially with all the prospective students being on campus.  Everyone is preparing their rooms to have those interested in Coe stay with them, my roommate and I included!  We are excited to host possibly three high school seniors this weekend.  If you're interested in Coe and want a great look at what Coe is about, I recommend coming!

I am so happy that the weather is finally turning around and it's starting to look like Spring.  With this in mind, everyone is starting to guess when Flunk Day is going to be.  The saying is that "Flunk day is always tomorrow" because no one ever knows when it is!  Flunk Day is when all of the classes are cancelled for the day and everyone is woken up at around 6 to find out.  At 11 there are a bunch of festivities going on in the quad right outside the pub.  It's a day where you actually don't have to worry about classes or even homework.  It's kind of like the college is giving back to the students for all the hard work we put in during the school year!

President's Ball (Pres ball for short) is coming up on April 13th! This is the 16th annual Coe Presidential Ball and takes place in Eby Fieldhouse. The Presidential Ball will be a celebration and the final ball for President James and Linnie Phifer.  This has been a Coe College tradition since 1996.

With many events coming up I have a feeling that April is going to fly by.  I'm ready for Summer, but I don't want my freshman year at Coe to end! It's crazy to think that in a couple months I'll be a sophomore and not at the bottom of the totem pole anymore.

Kohawk love,
Alexis

Is It Spring Yet?

Our view from our room in Florida!

The only thing right now that I want more than anything is for the weather to be warm.  I think that the Midwest is the only place where there is the same chance that it'll be 70 degrees outside or 30 degrees outside.  I bet everyone else here in Iowa is thinking the same thing... when is Spring coming?!  Don't get me wrong, I love Iowa winters, but not when they last into mid March.  Coming back from Spring break was hard... especially when mine took place in Florida!

Coe has been busy with events taking place all over campus.  Flunk Day Committee is trying to raise money to give us the best flunk day they can, Sororities and fraternities are having their formals, Intramural Basketball and volleyball are starting, a St. Patty's Day dance in the PUB, and so much more.

Better yet, in a couple weekends (April 5) Admitted Student Weekend begins!  This weekend is for all of the prospective students who have been accepted into Coe to come and get a better feel for our Campus rather than coming on a campus visit day.  I came to Admitted Student Weekend this time last year, and I can't believe how much time has passed.  Admitted Student Weekend is what did it for me and pulled me into being a Kohawk- it was so much fun.  This weekend is filled with events from campus tours, information sessions, an activities fair, and even an overnight stay!  Coe has a "big band" come onto campus every year; last year it was Gloriana and this year it's We The Kings!  It is always a lot of fun going to the concert and hanging out afterwards.  I encourage everyone who is interested in Coe to come this weekend!  It definitely could make up your mind for you- I guarantee you won't be disappointed!



Admitted Student Weekend last year- She caught Gloriana's guitar pick!

Kohawk love,
Alexis

Spring Break Fever

Its officially starting... tomorrow that is.  For many it even started today.  This whole week has been chaos.  Tests, papers, quizzes, projects... all leading up to Spring Break.  I don't know about anyone else, but I've been waiting for this ever since Christmas Break got over.  It was hard for everyone to focus this week, but we've all made it to that last day!

This week was the Coe Fund's Tuition Run-Out festivities.  The Coe Fund is just one of the many things I am involved in here on campus.  The Coe Fund is the anual giving program here at Coe College.  It helps fund scholarships and financial aid, campus signage, musical instruments, library books, and even athletic equipment.  As you can see, without the Coe Fund Coe's campus wouldn't be able to function as well!  This week was really focused at giving back to the Coe campus.  In celebration of all the Coe Fund does for us (and our financial aid packages) they had a roster full of fun events to let us know how important philanthropy is at Coe.

Monday- They delivered brownies to random classes
Tuesday- They had a Dougie eating contest in the Caf!  Everyone watched competitive eaters from across campus take on Dougie Peters in a steak and mashed potato battle.  Dougie is the equipment manager here at Coe and even though he didn't win- he put up a fight!  The winner happened to be Jacob Deaton! 

Dougie is smack dab in the middle of all the competitive eaters!

Wednesday- We all signed a giant thank-you card to Coe donors, and picked up a free Coe Fund t-shirt!
Thursday- The Coe Fund is currrently hosting an ice cream social in Upper Gage, complete with a free pair of spring break shades in order to get us all ready for Spring Break!  They also have for the seniors, a free Thursday after-class libation! (responsible drinking only of course)

So even through all the chaos, the Coe Fund still provided some relief for us students before we all part our ways tomorrow.  Only two classes standing in my way!

Kohawk love,
Alexis

Kohawk Craze

These past weeks have been unbelievably busy for all the kohawks here on campus.  This past weekend, especially.  Coe College had record numbers of prospective students here to interview for scholarships.  It's crazy thinking that just a year ago I was in their shoes, trying to figure out my future college, and now I'm working for admissions helping them with such a hectic weekend.  500 plus students passed through Coe... that's 100 more students than my freshman class... and these are just prospective students interviewing for academic and music scholarships!  It's great to see such a high interest in Coe's campus, and I'm sure many of them fell in love with Coe just as I did when I stepped foot here.

I would also like to announce that Coe College's Delta Eta Chapter of Delta Delta Delta has raised over $20,000 for St. Jude!  A lot of money was raised this past weekend at our annual Dessert Gala.  We went to bakeries and asked for donations, while also going around to businesses asking for basket donations.  These "baskets" had items that represented their business such as lotion, coffee, gift cards, wine, etc.  All of these baskets were placed in a silent auction.  All of our ticket sales, silent auction sales, and donations all went to St. Jude and this past even helped put us over our $20,000 mark; making us Coe's organization that has raised the most money for anything!  It's easy to say I am a proud member of Delta Delta Delta.  AOPi also had a great turn out with their annual crush sale of selling crush bottles during Valentine's day, and the TKE chapter is on their way to raising money for St. Jude as well by selling St. Patrick's Day shirts!  It was a good week to be a part of Greek life.

It's already starting... and now it can't be stopped.  Everyone finally has Spring Break fever.  Coe's Spring Break starts next Friday, and I have already been hearing talk about people going home, going to Florida, going to Mexico, on a cruise, etc.  We all just have to get through this next week full of tests, papers, and quizzes, before we can get on our way!

By the way, don't forget to check out Nina's, our newest blogger, page!  She just happens to be my RA, resident advisor, and definitely the best one there is.  She can give you insight on residence life, habitat for humanity, Armstrong/ Douglas BOD, and many of the other organizations she is involved on in campus.  Show her some love too!

Alexis

A Little Advice

I have finally made it through my first college finals, Christmas break, and one complete semester of college.  It's easy to say that I am proud of myself.  No longer am I the newbie curiously walking around campus looking for my classes, but rather just a student in my second semester of college.  Not like the transition to Coe was hard in the first place because of how amazing it is here, but still- it feels good!

I was more than ready to back to campus after the month long Christmas break we had.  I needed to get back into routine, see my friends, and I actually missed my bed here!  Not only that, but now I can get back to sharing with you all my experience as a College freshman.

Throughout my first semester and over break I started making a list of things that I learned during my first semester as a Kohwak.  Many of these pertain to soon-to-be college freshman, and even those all ready in college now.  Some of these items listed I wish I would have known earlier....

1. Start saving money now.  Get a job, two jobs even.  You'll definitely appreciate later when you experience what it's like to not have your parents giving you a $20 bill to go to the movies or out to dinner.
2. Stay in touch with old friends, but don't be scared to make new ones.  I have friends in high school that I know I will be friends with the rest of my life, but same goes for college.  There will be a lot of new faces, so take advantage of a potential new start and beginning for yourself.
3. Be prepared for the lovely Iowa weather.  For example, yesterday it was 50 degrees and raining- today it was 15 degrees and A LOT of snow.  Enough said.
4. Take advantage of ever study group, tutor, and teacher help that you can get.  If you go to Coe you'll be lucky enough to have a relationship with your teacher and go into their offices to talk to them.
5. Get involved!  I couldn't stress this point enough.  Whether its joining a student group or committee (We have over 90) or even just getting an on campus job- anything and everything helps when it comes to finding your "nitch."
6. Don't procrastinate.  In college you have way more free time- but all of that time should be spent reading, studying, or getting ahead.  I learned this the hard way.
7. Invest in a planner, sweatpants, and a highlighter.  A planner so you can attempt to get your life together when you feel like you have a lot to do, a highlighter to help organize notes (and you can highlight in the textbooks), and sweatpants because honestly you won't wear much more to class.  It's not high school anymore... jeans are a rare thing.  I suggest wearing leggings, sweatpants, yoga pants, gym shorts, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. 
8.  Watch what you eat and work out.  In college you'll have a buffet of food at your fingertips for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Do not pile a bunch of food on your plate, you will gain weight...and on one wants the freshman 15, right?  So get up and walk, run, work out, do the elliptical, lift weights- whatever it takes to keep your figure where you want it.
9. You're mos likely going to take classes you hate- embrace it, do your best, and move on with your life.
10. Learn to write notes....fast.  Professors won't wait for the class to get done before switching slides or moving on to the next topic, so learn how to copy down the most important facts.

Lastly, Have fun! College is already so much better than high school, and I still have 3 and a half years left to experience it.  Take these tips into consideration while continuing your college search.  And to those not in school anymore- I bet these little pieces of advice still hold true.

With love,
Alexis