Archives: Family
Stuck in my room
Of course, I got sick, again. Alright, to start from the beginning. I finally got to see my mommy! I had been looking forward to it for weeks. Sadly, soon as I finally get to spend time with my mom, she get sick, and more then happily passed it on to me. I was fine for a few days until suddenly, I had a light cough. My first thought, uh oh. All I could remember is my mother saying, “I wouldn’t give this to my worst enemy.” Thanks mom… I think.
Tuesday, BSU had our kick off! I was so excited! I could hardly speak without coughing so I had Megan, my awsome VP do the talking for the night. For someone who is every outgoing, I was laughing at her grabbing all the rest of the BSU members to make them speak insted of her everytime something had to be said. It looked great, although, I must remind her to imbrace her wild side, its what makes her a great VP.
I had a lot of fun and so did the students who came. I saw a lot of greek life there which is always exciting! Rob and his ZBT brothers were there, and a bounch of my sisters were there, a few in letters. 
BSU brought two R&B groups for our kick off, C4 and The Bench Warmers Clique. Some of the girls were going crazy over one of the guys in C4. I couldn’t help but giggle and try and turn a blind eye to it all. I think the worst part of the night is that I helped picked out all the great desserts for the night, and couldn’t have a single one because I was sick and could only eat soup or have tea because they were keeping me from coughing. Yup, that had to be the worst part.
At the end of the night, I started to get the chills, by the time I got ready for bed, they were very intense chills. The next morning I went straight to the nurses office where she made me cry when she tested me for the flu. You don’t want to be tested for the flu…. They stick stuff up your nose. Its horrible. I was like, I already feel bad and have a horrible headache, why are you doing this to me????
So now, days later, I am still stuck in my room. Coughing, a lot. I’m starting to feel better, so I guess all this weekend is going to be is sleeping, meds, and disinfecting this room! I almost want to get some stuff from the lab to clean this room. There is the good stuff in there, I’m sure nothing could survive the harsh cleaning products and me washing and scrubbing everying for a hours.
Right now, I am going to take something for this annoying cough that keeps me up and take a nap! Yes for naps! I still have a headache and still hurt a little but I’ll be able to go to class on monday! Yes! No more boring 4 walls! Fresh air! The lovely sun! Oh and homework, tests, BSU paperwork and lectures to type up. I’m going to be busy catching up on a lot, but it will be ok, I can do it outside!!!!
College: Best Time to Meet Yourself
For my 300th post, I was stumped at what to write. 300 posts about college is a lot. From my first day to my junior year where I am about to take my VCATS and the GRE.
I’ve learned that college is a great time to learn about yourself. I know I have said it many times before, but I’ve honestly learned more about myself in the last three years than I could have ever thought possible. Each year I look back and see how much I’ve grown, how my actions effected my life.
I’ve learned that the end of the day, chances are you are going to get sick with what ever is going around campus. Swine Flu is really messing up my plans this year, trying to avoid sick students is hard, and the extra worry that they may have a flu that is killing people all over the world is not a comforting feeling. The fact that the school has spent money on hand sanitizers all over campus is a good sign that there is a large effort to stop the spread of germs.
I’ve learned that it is really annoying to have a car sometimes. Not the car itself, but people wanting rides. Sometimes, I find it hard to figure out if people want to be friends with me or just because I have a car. Some are very honest about why they are befriending me, they openly ask for rides to places, while others are more coy and it may take a few conversations to realize it. I know some people with cars don’t mind giving rides, but I can’t stand it. It find it so rude when people ask me because most of the time, they want me to bend to their schedule. I thought I was doing them a favor…. People without cars on campus seem to forget that cars run on gas and students aren’t taxi services. If you are going to ask someone for a ride, thank them. They didn’t have to take you to where you needed to go or take time out of their day when they weren’t heading in that direction.
I’ve learned that there are tons of unhealthy relationships going on in college. From the distractions, the cheaters, the liers, the stealers, the heartbreakers, and the flat out abusive. Like I said, college is the best time to learn about yourself and relationships are apart of who we are as individuals. I’ve learned friends and parents are usually the best bet to learn if someone is good for you. If your friends and family don’t like the new guy, he needs to hit the road.
I’ve learned that not everyone is designed to have a roommate and that not all types of people make good roommates. I have a single this year because I study better when I have my own space and can study when ever I can. I feel too stressed out when there are other people around when I am studying. I can have my room the way I like it so I am comfortable while trying to learn tough subjects like microbiology or organic chemistry. My grades inprove greatly when I am by myself in a room. Some students don’t do so well on their own, they need that contact or their grades drop. It really depends on the student. Some days I liked having a roommate but other days it was too distracting from why I am here at Lynn, to get an education.
And last but not least, I’ve learned to enjoy college! I really feel that this year is my year. We only have 4 years to be in this crazy artificial world that allows us to try new things and explore who we are in a safe mannor where we can learn from our mistakes where there are not lasting effects…. well, most of the time. Each year, I find myself tryin new things, exploring new options. I want to enjoy my 4 years of college to the max. I look back at high school as a waste of time, I don’t want to look back and see college the same way. So far, I am really enjoying college and I hope it keeps going the way it has been. I love being president of Black Student Union this year, planning events, seeing an idea on paper come to life. I love my sisters and all that we stand for as Tri Sigmas. I have awsome friends. College is what you make it, and I am working very hard to to make it the best 4 years possible!
Pressure
In college, there is a lot of pressure. Pressure to excel. Pressure to be the best. Pressure to balence everything in life and make it look easy. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell when the pressure is to much for a student one week to another.
There are student athletes, scholarship students, first in the family to go to college, the over achivers, its endless. For what ever reason, college students have a lot on their plates. It is always good to know that there is a support network out there, willing to be there for you 100% when you really need some one to talk to or to lean on, even if it is just for a day or through a tough week.
It is really important for parents to be there for their kids during college… BUT… that doesn’t mean keep treating them like little kids that they were when they were living at home. Finding the right balance to letting the little kid who used to try and stick their fingers in all the sockets in the house go to seeing the young adult that may need a little guidence from mom and dad every once in a while. College is a new chapter, not just for the student, but also for the family. Sometimes the pressure for mom and dad to let go can be harder than expected which can cause some tention between parents and students. My advice to parents, let go of the reigns and let your kid come to you. Its amazing how often your kid will start calling soon as they think you aren’t controling their life.
Pressure comes from everywhere in college. Its a new pressure, no one there to tell you when to go to bed, do your homework, clean your room, not to say stupid stuff, check your bank account. Grades become more important than ever for some, while others could hardly care what they get. Living with a person who is pretty much a stranger can be hard. Trying to always be the perfect roommate can the tiresome after… a week. Professors that forget that students have other classes can really be frustrating.
I feel for the athletes. Always traveling or on the field praticing. It’s endless for them. Trying to do homework on a bus. Studying in between class and pratice. Then the students on full scholarships. Most of the time, their parents are on them about the grades. Constantly checking up on their assignments, reminding them that they have scholarships to keep.
I’ve been saying for the last two years, college is easy, its everything else that makes it hard. Sometimes blowing off some steam is the best option. Skip a day of classes to sleep in and catch up on some much needed sleep. Go out for a night on the town and not worry about being a little extra sleepy in class. It may be hard to explain to parents and professors, sometimes even friends, but know yourself. Know what you need as student is so important. Taking a break can do a lot of good for the mind, body, and soul. Now, I’m not saying a break every other day, I’m just saying that knowing when to take a break can help in the long run. College doesn’t get any easier after freshmen year, its best to learn how to deal with the stress right away. For some, its simply asking the parents to chill on the lectures, for others its a day planner and a special treat at the end of the week/month. Sometimes just talking about it to friends can really be a relief… just as long as your friends are willing to listen and take you seriously… but thats another post.
The only advice I have is, find what works for you when you are stressed your freshmen year and you don’t have to be perfect. Just do your best and remember, you are supposed to ENJOY college. What do adults always tell me, something about it is supposed to be the best time of your life…
What not to pack
To all the high school grads, listen up! Your first act as a freshmen going to college is to stop your mother!
Why you may ask? If they are anything like my mother, they will go into some insane sort of new nesting syndrome and start trying to make sure you have “everything you need for college” which will only be short the kitchen sink.
I ended up having what seemed like half my house in what used to be the size of my bathroom in Kuwait. Lets just say, it caused some problems… for two years. I just now have my stuff under control. Hmm, so lets say, I got rid of one third or my room a year till I finally got down to what I actually use.
So what are the warning signs it is going to take a small army to get all your stuff down to South Florida and 4 years to get rid of it all?
- Your mom has been planning for you to go to college for 4 years… as in when you were a freshmen in high school.
- Your mom spends more time on the market now than she’s ever had. She’s wondering if she will need to mail laundry detergent down ahead of time or will it go in the car? (The answer is NEITHER. We have supermarkets down here too.)
- Your father wants to buy a new car… sees how much you need to take down to Florida and now rethinks that he should use it to rent a truck to move all of your stuff.
- The guest room is now a testing ground for how much stuff your new room can hold. Only problem is, your mother forgot that you will have a roommate or two and now you can’t find the dog…
So what should be in those back breaking boxes? Well, I would say for girls, two boxes of clothes (try and squeeze some shoes into one of thoes boxes) and one box for guys. Guys just seem to have less clothes than girls. A TV, a microwave, and a bed sit that you can sleep on for a year and not be embrassed by. That means a long talk with mom and dad about what style that you think you will want when you get to college. Fav books and movies are a must. Photos of family and friends for your wall. A new laptop… hint hint mom and dad. Lynn has a discount with Dell I believe. Its part of your welcome to Lynn package.
Also, caf food has improved greatly since your parents went to school. Which reminds me, when your parents start going on and on and on about when they were in college, please remind them in a loving way that that was a while back and that times have changed. Although not all things about college change, a lot of food standerds have over the years. I would tell you all the ways that college has changed, but I don’t think it would be allowed on here! You can still email me if you have questions though! 
(manderson5@email.lynn.edu)
Well, I am off to bed. It’s almost 1am and I have a busy day of chores tomorrow. Oh the joys of vacation!
Exams and Summer Plans
The end of this week starts Exam week. I have an exam on Thursday for Human Anatomy. So not exciting. *sigh* exams are a very stressful time of year at in the spring because for freshmen and sophomores, it means moving out of the dorms. Seniors are nervous and excited about graduation just being days away and having family flying in from all over the planet. Sophomores and juniors are fighting with the housing board to let them move off campus. Oh what a wonderful but very busy time of year!
I am still planning on what I am doing for summer vacation. It keeps changing due to new information coming in each day which only complicates things. Originally, I was suppose to go to Brazil to see Michelle for a week, then come back and spend time at home, get a summer job, and chill with the cats until my mother returned home from Iraq. Now its looking more like summer courses. I need 3 courses to get into vet school that Lynn does not offer.
Something that I have learned since I have been in college is that no one just tells you what to do anymore when it comes to your education. It’s YOUR education. I meet or email my adviser a few times a semester to make sure that I am on track. I just had an hour long meeting about my future and that is when I realized that I needed to take these summer courses this summer not next summer. Thus, the change in plans. I also need 400 hours of clinical work, but I am not worried, for there is the Career Center on campus that can help me. I have realized this year that I must be pro active in my college career. If I want to take a course, I have to speak up when I’m planning my schedule with my adviser, they aren’t mind readers.
The power of email. It is so important now and days when talking to professors. Recently, one of my professors forgot to print out my handouts for my final project. She was going to print them out in color for students that asked ahead of time. I had asked her a week in advance in person, as well as emailed her back and forth. She forgot the day of my presentation, but because there were emails for proof that I had asked for them, my grade was not affected.
Well, I must go back to looking for summer courses. I have to find the courses online because I could not find any of the courses that I need in DC, apparently they don’t like animals or vets there and my mother insists that I come home this summer, that I’m never home and don’t spend time with her. Funny, cause here I was thinking she was never home due to being in a war zone.
A new year, a new semester
I am very excited to get back to Lynn. I spent my new years at The Palm Restuarant. I had a wonderful time and brought home a doggy bag for my two cats who were more than happy to take some fish off my hands.
Now, it is time to go back to school, and start having a great time learning amazing stuff about science. Making metals heat up from chemicals, figure out sound waves of people talking in the room, or how the human body is able to move from place to place.
I have a new room now so I have to get that all set up.
I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things as my grandmother would say. Although, I’m not looking forward to going back to caf food after having so much good food at home. Oh well, at least I get to be with my friends again and I only have to buy one new textbook this semester. Thank you Anatomy II, Chem II, and Phyisics II. hehe.
Merry Christmas!
I’m home in Philadelphia for Christmas. We are leaving to go back to DC in a few days so we are trying to make the most of our time at home. I on the other hand can’t wait to get back to DC so I can go back to sleeping in my own bed which my two cats like to take over once I fall asleep.
Freshmen 101 tip: You will suddenly have a huge amount of love for winter break. Going home to see the family after a very long 4 months of studying is really rewarding. It is a totally new feeling, a rush in a way, to get home and see your family.
By the way, on your way out for the holidays, stop by the Lynn Bookstore to pick up some stuff for mom and dad.
Doing happy dance
I’m doing my happy dance because my grades just came in and I like them! lol. I really really like them. I almost want to wake my mother up in the middle of the night to show her….. hmmm, I rather wait till morning….
Mom’s home from Iraq!
I’m so happy! My mother just got home from Iraq! I haven’t seen her in months! The cats are all over her, trying to get their scent on her again.
I got home last night, and what did I do with my time? Homework! I had to finish a ton of Anatomy before this morning. I was so tired. I really just wanted to go to sleep.
But who cares! Everything is done! I’m free! My mother is home from Iraq for Christmas! That’s all that matters to me.
The Replacements
The International way to deal with not being able to call mom or dad, call and aunt or uncle! lol.
Last night, I really wanted to talk to my mom, but I wasn’t going to wake her up in the middle of the night, so I called my aunt.
One of my roommates was nodding her head in agreement when I told my aunt that I was calling her because I missed my mommy. She just laughed at me and then she talked to me, plus she gave me medical advice on my knee which is really sore. I was in so much pain last night, I could hardly move.
Today, I can hardly walk, stairs are evil! Darn public speaking. I had to walk up the stairs because I was running late from walking so slowly to class. I was also on the phone with my mother as I was walking to class, which the whole time she was lecturing me to go see the nurse about my knee. Ugh, mothers! lol. I finally get her on the phone and all I got was a lecture!
