August 31st, 2010

IT’S A MAJOR, NOT A LIFE SENTENCE: Political Science

A liberal arts education offers countless advantages to an education bound to one particular subject. Just ask Fran Boshell, an alumnae of Chestnut Hill College (class of ‘09). After working towards a degree in Political Science for four years, she realized her calling was far from Capitol Hill. In fact, it wasn’t far from the Hill of Chestnuts: she learned, after spearheading several initiatives on campus, that her calling is to work in the field of higher education.

I sat Fran down to ask her a few questions over some tasty Wawa hoagies. If you take anything away from our short conversation, let it be this: knowing what you want to do with your life by age 18 is so last year, and what you study for four years doesn’t mean it’s what you’re stuck with.

Name: Fran Boshell
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Major: Political Science
Minor: Human Services
Year of graduation: 2009
Involvement on campus: Senior class president, Students’ Political Science Association president, Resident Assistant, Americorps Scholars in Service member

Why did you choose to study Political Science?
When I was in high school, I was involved in the Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) and I loved history classes and I love government. I thought that was the perfect major because that’s what I was very interested in.

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Tagged As: Major, Political Science, Wawa
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May 7th, 2010

1) Q and Not U- Busy Lights, Busy Carpets

All I have to say is, my poor neighbors. This album blared from my room 24/ 7 as I searched my soul for the meaning of my life and how I would spent my time at Chestnut Hill. This self-reflection wasn’t 24/7, but the musical goodness that is Q and not U was. This Washington DC based band, is described as having a “dance punk” sound. It’s quirky, mildly emo, and perfect for karaoke sing-a-longs. Made up of Harris Klahr Unfortunately, this band split in 2005, but there albums are available on itunes and youtube for sampling.

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March 26th, 2010

After a month long winter break it is always difficult to get back into my academic routine. Spring semester at CHC has been in session for almost three months, and I still find myself struggling to get to class on time, and to make time for homework.  All I want to do is sleep in, go to Barns and Noble with the girl’s, or hit South Street for some bubble tea. And what makes spring semester even more difficult is that the weather is so nice.  Nature is calling and I’m stuck in the dorms writing a ten page term paper. Life is just not fair.

This week’s post will hopefully be an encouragement for you as well as for me.  I have created a list… a survival guide, if you well, as to how you and I are going to make it through the spring semester. My goal is to illustrate how we can balance our academic stresses with fun and relaxation. So below are some helpful tips that I think will help us preserve.

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Tagged As: relaxation, smoothie, spring semester, stress
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March 23rd, 2010

Deciding on which college to attend is difficult enough, but there another serious question that prospective students must ask themselves, which is whether or not they are going to commute to college. I understand that often, the decision is a financial one. It’s cheaper to commute to college than to live in the dorms; however, I would argue that the complete college experience is one in which a student lives on campus– it’s a chance for you to gain some independence, moving away from home for the first time is hard in the beginning, but the taste of newfound freedom is oh so sweet.

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March 16th, 2010

A few months ago I wrote a blog about CHC’s musical auditions for the show Once on This Island.  Well, I decided that it had been a while since I’d been in a musical, and I went out for the show.  Little did I know when I was trying out, I would end up having the opportunity to play the lead role, Ti Moune.  Playing that role and being part of such an awesome show was absolutely wonderful. Including myself, there were fifteen members in the cast.  I truly had a fantastic time working with the directors and cast members.  Since we all spent so much time practicing together (and basically living together), we sort of became a family.  That was really neat because we’re all different people with different backgrounds, majors, and interests, coming together to take part in one specific hobby that we all love.

Our show was originally supposed to be performed the weekend of February 5^th and 6^th, but due to the weather it was postponed until Feb. 19^th and 20^th.  We put on three wonderful shows; one on Friday and two on Saturday.  Everyone put their hearts and souls into each performance, and just enjoyed performing the show after weeks of practicing.

I must say, being part of Once on This Island was one of the biggest highlights of my junior year, if not my entire college career.  As cliché as it sounds, I learned so much about life while being part of this show.  I had the chance to become a lot closer with the people I was working with, as well as learn much more about music, acting, dancing, and even myself.

Tagged As: Once on This Island, Student Produced Musical
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March 2nd, 2010

CHC is an institution where you don’t have to suppress your creative side, and where self-expression is greatly encouraged. Rather it’s on the basketball court making a layup or playing the piano in the annual Christmas concert, CHC is a place where you can truly find your niche, be yourself, and express your individuality.

If sports and instruments aren’t your forte, CHC has lots of other great things that you can engage in that can help keep your creative juices flowing!

“All the World’s a Stage.”Rather you landed the lead in your High School’s musical three years in a row, or just like creating sets, CHC’s drama club might be the place for you. Mask and Foil has put on some of the best productions that CHC has ever seen, some of which include Rumors and A Street Car Named Desire. All that’s missing form CHC’s drama club is you! So if the theater is what you dream of let Mask and Foil be the place that makes your acting dreams come true.

“Just Dance.” If you like to move and groove to hip tunes, then the CHC dance team or Salsa club is the place that may capture your interest. Dancing has never been more fun that at CHC. Rather you’re ripping the floor boards to a classic MJ jam or shaking those hips to a hot Latin number, the dance team and Salsa club are a great way for you to release some stress, relax, have fun, and allow the music to move you.

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Tagged As: art classes, chorus, dance team, drama club, gospel choir, Salsa club, The Grackel, The Griffin, The Luminous Review
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February 21st, 2010

In addition to being Junior Class President, Christina Flouras juggles several other extracurricular activities.  Christina is an executive member of CHAT (Chestnut Hill Activities Team), and FADD (Fighting Against Destructive Decisions).  CHAT comes up with a lot of the fun things that happen at CHC including the popular Harry Potter based sport known as Quidditch.  FADD organizes the events that occur during CHC’s annual Alcohol Awareness Week in order to encourage staying away from making destructive decisions, as its name suggests.

Christina’s responsibilities as Class President include working alongside the Vice President (Ashley Pavone), helping organize Alcohol Awareness Week, planning and executing the Senior Dinner, and organizing our class preparations for Christmas Decorating Night.

Being a people person, Christina’s favorite thing about being la presidente is working with everyone else in SGA.  However, she does state that “It can be pretty busy and hectic at times”.  On top of managing all the previously mentioned activities, Christina also has learned to juggle getting her work done towards her Elementary Education Major and Spanish Minor.  But with the evident success of the Rotunda’s decoration for Carol Night, Alcohol Awareness Week, as well as CHAT’s numerous activities, I think it’s safe to say that the Junior Class is in good hands with Christina Flouras as our president.

Tagged As: CHAT, Christina Flouras, F.A.D.D., Junior, Junior Class President, SGA
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February 17th, 2010

Perhaps this holds true to more of the females than males, but I remember when I was about to embark on my freshmen year, I was concerned about gaining the “freshmen fifteen.” Though it may seem superficial, I think it’s important to discuss healthy eating habits in the college cafeteria. Trust me, I understand the urge to eat pizza and ice cream for every meal, but understand that the more junk you eat, the more weight you’ll gain! Therefore, I just have a couple suggestions on what to eat in the cafeteria that is both healthy and delectable as well as information about where to exercise, when, and how to make it fun.

Though this may seem like a no brainer, when deciding what to eat in the cafeteria, it may be more difficult for some than others. My first suggestion would be having a great deal of variety when you are deciding what to eat. It is easy to get into the habit of eating the same things day in and day out– I, myself am guilty of this habit, but I am working on switching it up everyday, and getting out of the habit of eating like a robot. Try to make your plate as colorful as possible. Make sure fruits and vegetables are in the mix as well as a balancing your protein and carbohydrates. Wondering if this is humanly possible in a college cafeteria? Dear friend, it is. Here’s a sample of practical things to eat in the cafeteria a sort of this instead of that sort of thing. For example, for breakfast (always eat breakfast) have a bowl of cereal with skim  milk, along with a cottage cheese mixed with fruit rather than, a egg and cheese bagel. In general, a bagel in 354 calories, and that’s without the egg and cheese, so it’s regular food items that you may not know have a high chloric count, which can add to weight gain.

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