KainC

True Life: Senior Year. With a little advice.

May 9, 2013 By Caitlin Kain

I remember when I sat down with Lori (our Director of Admissions) a few years ago for an interview for blogging. I was so nervous and I wanted give others advice and insight on college. I still remember when I received the email (on my phone, in the Fournier lounge) about becoming a blogger. I was overjoyed. I also remember when my first post went up on 75acres still overjoyed and excited about how I can finally share my life to readers.

That was Spring 2010.

Now it is Spring 2013.

I am senior. It is still surreal to me how 4 of the best years zoomed by and I am left with memories. Wonderful memories of friends and adventure. It’s surreal looking back at posts from when I started, and realizing that this blog is like a journal keeping snippets of my life. These 4 years  really have been the best 4 years of my life yet, and this time next week I will be having my last night as an undergrad. These 4 years have left me with so much insight, so I am going to leave you with some advice for your college experience.

 

  1. Be selfish. You have no responsibilities: just your grades, essentially. This maybe the only time you can be selfish. Do what makes you happy.
  2. Go to class. Seriously. Just go.
  3. Take lots of pictures. Literally annoy everyone on your newsfeeds with all the pictures you take. They are the best way to capture the moments that will forever make you smile.
  4. Go with your gut. You are going to be faced with a lot of choices in the 4 years. You need to be comfortable with these choices and if doesn’t feel right, there is a great chance it isn’t right.
  5. Don’t fight at night. it can always wait till the morning.
  6. Do what makes you happy. If it’s not making you happy, then it is not worth it.
  7. Communicate. To your friends, to your RA, professors, employers, and really anyone. They are almost always willing to listen.
  8. Get a quote board. This isn’t as seriously as all the other ones, but this is one of the best investments that my roommates and I made. All you need is a poster, tape, markers, and memories. Hang the poster up in an easily accessible place. Next, anything that you, your roommates, or frankly ANYONE said that made you laugh, smile, or chuckle; write it on the board. Sometime, quotes are too good to forget. A quote board makes it easier to remember. Plus, it is great to read on a tough day.
  9. Appreciate everything. Find the good in things; the bad things can bring you down.
  10. Get involved. Seriously. The more involved you are, the more friends you meet, the more your name is out there in a positive light, the more people can depend on you, and the more fun you will have. I got involved pretty fast at CHC and I never stopped. I have met so many kind people and I have felt like I have done something in my 4 years here.
  11. Don’t rush. Please. There is no need rush into anything.
  12. Breathe. Things will get hectic so just remember to breathe.
  13. Laugh as much as you can.
  14. Live life to the fullest.
  15. Be the best person you can be.
  16. Don’t change yourself, be yourself. A friend of mine said that to me and it has really stuck with me.
  17. If you have an idea, go with it. This is the best time to do that.
  18. Love.
  19. Life happens in the 4 years here whether you like it or not. Death, accidents, sickness, etc. occurs. Be strong and reach out to others for guidance. Everyone is here for you and if you need anything all you need to do is ask (I think Dumbledore said that).
  20. Get quarters. Lots of them.
  21. Expand your horizons. be friends with different people and get involved in different things. Who knows, maybe you will just find something you are passionate about.
  22. Volunteer. It gives you a different perspective on things, and you might help someone who needs you as much as you might need them. Own that holistic education!
  23. Something my Dad says about food, but hey, it can apply to life “Try it, you may like it. If you don’t like it, at least you tried.”
  24. Be the friend that you want to have to someone else.
  25.  Have fun. Please have so much fun.
  26. …With great fun comes responsibility. Be safe.
  27. Get an agenda. They are worth every penny.
  28. Go to decorating night.
  29. Stay up for all of decorating night. It’s the best.
  30. Things will get better.
  31. Enjoy the little things (Zombieland reference).
  32. Keep in contact with your friends.
  33. Ask for help.
  34. Embrace life. Every move, every conversation, every breath. 

 

 

Thanks for everything CHC! Thank you for making me a better person.

<3

Caitlin

DrabinskiA

NCAA Apple Conference In Indianapolis

April 8, 2013 By Adam Drabinski

Recently, I was able to travel to Indianapolis with Nikki Lockhart (Assistant Director of Athletics), Krista Murphy ( Dean of Student Life), and Allison Eberly (Women’s Volleyball and Cross Country) to attend a NCAA  sponsored conference. The conference was called the APPLE Conference. The APPLE Conference offers teams of student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, and administrators; along with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention specialists. The APPLE Conference offered the opportunity to evaluate the ATOD environment within their athletics departments and develop an action plan to enhance prevention efforts. The program was made up of seven apple slices: policies, recruitment, education, drug testing, expectations and attitude, counseling, and sanctioning.

 

As a team, we were able to attend different information sessions about leadership, dietary supplements, sexual activity, hazing, by-stander intervention, alcohol, and performance. After going to these sessions, our team decided to focus on the education slice of the apple. We hope to educate more students on campus about alcohol and the effects it has on the body. The most interesting piece of information that I learned was that after five drinks of alcohol it takes 15 glasses of water to re-hydrate the body.

Also, when I was in Indy, I was able to walk around the city with students from other schools all around the country. It was a great experience to meet with these students and to learn about their different schools. Fortunately, the hotel that we stayed in was very, very nice. The hotel was only a few blocks away from the Indianapolis Colts Stadium and right across the street from a AAA baseball stadium. Let’s just say, that I was spoiled for a few days, but hey we all need to be spoiled here and there.

 

At the end of the weekend, it was hard to leave the great hotel and my wonderful new friends; however, I was eager to get back to CHC and tell everyone about all of the new lessons that I have learned. My weekend in Indianapolis was such a great experience and I probably would have never been given this opportunity at any other school. My ability to travel and learn are just some of the reasons why I love CHC so much.  I hope you enjoyed my story, and hope to see you on campus soon!!!

 

 

My Jump Back to Freshman Year

March 6, 2013 By The Griffin

Transitions are a part of life that can be difficult. My transition between this year and next is my move onto campus. Now, I will be a junior next year, so this is a completely different experience for me. I have commuted for these past two years and I know most people already think I live on campus because I am always here, but I am actually kind of nervous for this transition in my life. It is as if I am jumping back to my freshman year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel almost like I am in kindergarten or a small fish in a big pond. Not many people decide to commute for so long and then move to campus, but I guess I am just unique. I finally know how the freshmen feel when they move onto campus to start their journeys at Chestnut Hill.

This experience will be exciting and probably nerve racking, but rewarding overall. Whether you are a commuter or a resident student, Chestnut Hill is a great place to be and because I have made so many great memories here, I know that this transition will be a good one.

 

 

 

 

 

 
It is never too late to try something new and I have definitely learned that with my time at Chestnut Hill. College is a rewarding experience that really aids your transition into adulthood. I am excited to be a resident student because now I get to spend even more time with the people I love at the school I love.

I was very proud to be such an active commuter and now I can transition into being an active resident. Jumping back to what feels like freshman year will be interesting and I am hoping that this is a transition in my life I can always look back on and remember. I am excited for this move and look forward to being a freshman again.

Wish me luck and I will see you at the Hill!

~ Jill Walsh