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

Tis the Season?

You would think that by now there would be snow on Coe's campus... I mean it is December, right?  Yet, I found myself wearing a t-shirt and pants while walking around today.  Am I the only one that finds this odd?  Unlike many people, I actually love winter, snow, and of course, CHRISTMAS!  This is the last week before finals start, and then it's officially Christmas break.  I can tell you right now, everyone is already starting their finals study grind.  The library and Armstrong/Douglas lobby are slowly filling up as people leave their T.V., cellphones, and Xbox's in their room far away from grasp.

This is my first experience with college finals, so I am absolutely terrified considering I have no idea what to expect.  All I know is that I should probably put a block on my Facebook and Twitter for the next week or so, stop playing Mario Kart, and actually attempt to study for the three finals I have.  So, if you don't hear from me in the next couple weeks- you know why.  All I ask is you wish me luck as I start my journey studying right now.  I hope you all have an AMAZING Christmas break (I'm praying for a white Christmas) with a lot of food, presents, and family.  Until next time!

With love,
Alexis

Thanksgiving

Going home for the second time was everything I expected- plus more.  Home cooked meals, my own bed, not having class... need I say more?  It seems like forever since I last sat down to write a blog, but maybe that's because my mind was set on enjoying break.  I hope that all of you were able to enjoy your break too- whether that includes stuffing your face with turkey, watching football on not only Sunday and Monday night, but Thanksgiving as well, or even doing absolutely nothing.  Thanksgiving is time to do all of those things, but sometimes it goes overlooked.  I think sometimes we forget that it is a day of thanks and a day to appreciate all that we all are thankful for.  So let me ask you, did you tell your parents thank you for that wonderful Thanksgiving meal they made you?  Think about it while I tell you what I'm thankful for.

1) Family.  Even while being away from home I still am able to hold a close relationship with my family.  Whether it's me calling my sister to get advice on a class, calling my grandma and grandpa to talk about my blog, or call my dad about Coe's awesome wrestling, football, and other athletic teams- I have the ability to talk to them on a daily basis.  You go to college and think "wow, I'm not going to see my family for months," but after that time goes by you realize that your family isn't going anywhere.  It's true what they say, friends come and go, but family is always there.

2) Friends.  Leaving for college is a true test as to what friends come, and what friends go.  Therefore, I am not only thankful for the new friends that I have made at Coe, but also my old friends that I've managed to keep in touch with.  Holding a friendship is hard when you're hours away from one another, but our generation is lucky to have technology that makes it easier. Separating from my friends was one of the hardest things about going to college, but there's always Facebook, Twitter, and texting that helps me stay involved in their life.

3) Home.  Recently, I have found myself calling my dorm home.  This just says how much I have settled into being here at Coe- and I think that goes for many other people as well.  I consider myself lucky and I am thankful that I have a school where I have absolutely everything I need right at my fingertips.  Money?  I have a job on campus.  Support system?  I have my roommate and several new friends living right in my dorm.  Help with class?  Coe offers so many tutor opportunities.  It all comes down to one thing- I've found my home away from home.

Those are just a couple things I am grateful for, yet the list goes on forever.  I guess that coming to college has made me appreciate the little things in life, and I think more people should.  It truly is the little things that can make someone smile and even make their day.  So, take a moment and think about it, what are you thankful for?

With love,
Alexis

Time Flies

It's true what they say, time flies when you're having fun.  It's crazy to think that about two and a half months ago I was moving all of my stuff into my dorm room...and contemplating how its all going to fit.  Yet throughout all of the hectic unpacking, orientation, first day of classes, first exams, first college football game, and even first time donating plasma, I've made it.  I can say that I've successfully settled into Coe College. I'm lucky that it didn't take me long to, and maybe it's because Coe is such an easy place to love.  I'm also lucky that I've taken plenty of pictures to reminisce on and help keep those wonderful memories in my mind.

These pictures start from my room on move in day...

To formal recruitment...

To Homecoming...

To becoming a Delta...

And lastly Halloween...

I can't wait for the new experiences and memories I'll make as the next couple years fly by.  I can't imagine being in any other place, and am glad I've started leaving my mark here on Coe's campus.

With love,
Alexis

 

 

 



 

Halloween Fright

Coe's campus was anything but quiet this past week.  A Halloween and 90's dance in the pub, haunted hallways decorating, blindspot, and trick or treating all took place.  It was a week full of fright, friends, and fun.  Thank goodness we got an extra hour of sleep on Friday, I sure know that I needed it.

Mario and me ready for Halloween!

This weekend I also got the pleasure of finally being initiated into Delta Delta Delta.  While I went through recruitment quite some time ago,  as of Saturday I am officially a Tri-delt!  A ceremony was held on Saturday morning.  We all dressed in white while our delta sponsors, Alumni, and delta sisters watched as we were initiated into the sorority. It was a pleasure to be a part of and made me even more excited for the friends, memories, and experiences that will be brought upon with being a member of Delta Delta Delta.  I already have formed relationships with many of the girls and know that it will last a lifetime.

My Delta mom, Shaina, and I!

I also can not explain enough how proud I am to be a Kohawk this weekend.  The Kohawk football team brought in another win Saturday to keep their undefeated record of 9-0 and win conference champions!  This brought much pride to Coe's campus.  This Saturday we host Central and hope to keep our winning stride alive. Coe's wrestling team also had their first tournament at Loras, and many wrestlers showed great hope for the rest of the season.  It's safe to say Coe's athletics are not disappointing anyone.

With love,
Alexis

My roommate and I after last weeks win against Wartburg!