I just had the longest weekend. It is 2 am on Monday morning, and this is my first chance to slow down and blog. I blogged earlier while doing homework, but now I am free. (don’t worry, I don’t have class until 2 in the afternoon.)

So saturday morning, I went to the breast cancer walk that the school helps out at each year. All the clubs sign up to set up, some walk, and others clean up. I could only be there for a little while, but I loved seeing the support… at 5:30 in the morning.

It was really the morning. Some people had been there since 4:40 in the morning. I had only about 3 hours of sleep before I went to the breast cancer walk, then I left there early to go to work. I was at work from 8:15 to 12:30 pm.

Work! Coaching youth soccer is so much fun. I love my job, but the first day back, those kids wore me out! I forgot how hard it is to keep track of 5 and 6 year olds in large numbers. I am starting to see why people have kids, expensive entertainment. Those kids are the funniest things to listen to some times. I asked one how many gates he went through and he said 400, then the one next to him said 1/6th. I was near tears.

Since it was the first day, as my boss distracted the parents with papers, we coachs played games for the kids that taught them simple soccer skills without them even noticing. Red light, green light is still a big hit.

Then I rushed back to campus after grabbing food with Cristina to eat and take a shower. I left to run to the bus heading to Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights. I had so much fun!

First of all, I am a huge chicken. Michelle, my sister, asked me to go with her and I was like, you are crazy! There is no way I am going to pay some one to give me a heart attack! Well, finally I agreed and told her that it was her one sisterly wish of the year.

I go knock on Michelle’s door and we head to the bus. We couldn’t find a seat together, but ones next to each other, with the isle between us. We were both sitting next to guys we didn’t know and trying to stay awake so we didn’t fall asleep on them by acident. Well the guy I sat next to was very nice. I forgot his name the moment I fell asleep though. *frowns* He was really nice. At least I slept most of the way which I was happy about. I was so tired!

Once we got there, we of course ran to the first scary house we could find. I don’t think I have ever screamed so much! I was so scared, I grabbed Michelle’s backpack and screamed “Run!” which she more than happily replied, “I’m trying, let go of me!” lol.

Well, we shopped as well, which we then ended up very broke by the time we left. I got a few shirts and of course I had to stop at the Men In Black store. Oh and don’t forget the Simspons store. I now own a Bart Simpson shirt.

We tried a bunch of rides, The Mummy, the Simspsons, the M.I.B, and a few more. Then the scare houses! I think we went to 3 of them. I was more than happy to scream. I had a poster in my hand when we went through the third one and I screamed at one, “touch me and die!” Yes, I was going take him down with a poster. lol. Hey, I was scared. Then another one came out of know where and was screaming for me to hit him, I nicely grabbed Michelle’s arm and turned to the nice scary man and said, “No thank you.” and ran for my life! I don’t mess with people who asked to be hit, they have nothing to lose it seems.

At 2 am, we were back on the bus, heading back to Lynn. I listened to my Ipod all the way back. Once back, it looked like 50 zombies were walking back to their rooms. 5 somthing in the morning is not a good look for most people. Michelle and I hardly said anything to each other, it was just the heavy foot march back to our rooms. I crawled into bed, very sore, very tired, and heavily in pain all over, expecially in my feet.

Well, I woke up late afternoon sunday, ate, when to my Sigma meeting and then headed back to my room to do homework. I spent a good portion of my time sending emails, getting some Tri Sigma things done and chatting. Then came the homework! Ugh, at least it is all finished! And I did really well on my midterms so I am happy!

Well, good night everyone! I have reason to party for next weekend, awesome grades! Yes! lol. I wonder if I can get money out of my family for my midterm grades? Hmmm?

All the washer and dryers are broken in the E. M. Lynn. Ugh, so now all  the upper classmen are walking around in strange clothes that what ever they can find that is clean. None of us want to talk across campus to the laundry room. Oh the horror! lol.

I went to midnight bowling. *yawns* I had a lot of fun bowling with a bunch of Lynn students. Now I am ready for bed and a busy day of homework tomorrow!

Crazy photos from this weekend to come! I’ve taken so many photos this weekend! Now just to go through all of them and find the great ones to share!

A year ago, I was a new freshmen who saw Tri Sigma’s table and signed my name.  Now I am happily a Tri Sigma and I love my sisters.

Here are some photos of rush week! It is really exciting to meet all these girls  that are interested in Sigma Sigma Sigma. Less nerve racking than it was last year. hehe.

I think Tri Sigma almost recruted Brandon from ZBT. hehe. What can I say, Lee is good!

A band came last night to play at our school called Who’s bad. This was kind of a twist, they were a tribute band to Michael Jackson. It was a lot of fun. I saw some people out there shaking their stuff, *cough Jon cough* Everyone was up dancing, having a ball. I caught Rob dancing with one of my sisters. Scottie pulled Cristina out of her chair and made her dance with him. They looked so cute! I have been forbidden to talk about my sisters dancing for this blog post. lol. But I saw them out there having a lot of fun. Hey, I’m all for anything that brings us closer… and keeps us smiling!

While everyone was screaming for Thriller… I had to sit next to Cristaina and Melissa who were screaming for PYT. Haha.

Alright, so here are some pictures from that night! I’ll load some video if I could get my laptop to read them! Rude laptop!

I added comments to the photos. So feel free to wave over the photos! I’m off to blingo now!

I must say, its been crazy meeting all these new freshmen who read my blog. It is really strange to walk around and have random strangers come up to me and be like, you write the blog? Ya, I read that!

I’ve been asked if its hard to write about myself to the world. It was at first. I was also asked if I make it extra juicy. Lol, no, I do not. I do tame it down sometimes and leave out names so no one gets harmed… except me! lol.

Alright, so what have I been up to these past few days? I’ve been unpacking, going to class, and sleeping like crazy because I of course got sick soon  as I landed in Florida. Don’t forget the partying with my sisters! There was a Greek party on Sunday to welcome all new students. I had so much fun. I got to see a lot of my sisters and chill with my friends… and of course, take lots of pictures! Check them out.

Thank goodness there will be no changes (so far) due to Hanna showing up right when school starts. I am looking forward to meeting all the new freshmen and seeing my friends again, that if I have to order Hanna away, I will! So not in the mood! I want to get back to Boca! I want to move in and see my friends. I miss college.

Don’t forget to check out www.lynn.edu/hurricane. Also check out Hurricane Information Web page. All students should keep their cell phones close to them as well as check mylynn every few hours.

Students traveling with their families, just print out the emails and hand it to a parent. No questions, just answers! How great is that? lol.

Hello Freshmen! In a few days, bright happy students from across the globe will be traveling to Lynn for their first day of college!

Brace yourself! If you haven’t filled out all your paperwork, you might see more of the school gym then you ever want to on your first day.

I remember my first day, my mother left me to go to my room! I was stuck in the gym for four hours with a horrible ear infection and tired from the lack of sleep. I kept thinking, if this is what college is all about, I’m ready to go home! There were people everywhere! Every inch of the gym was covered in people.

Bring one parent with you in the gym, that might help. Have the other, (hint hint) go to your room and set it up for you.

Play nicely with all the students you find around campus early… they came back to school a week early for YOU. Oh, and which ever group gets Cristaina or Samara for their student leader, lucky you guys! Mine was my sister Shannon… who I love so much! I remember watching the movies on binge drinking and people walking in and out of the lab like 20 times just to say hello to Shannon. I remember thinking, she knows everyone! Then she told me that most of them were her sisters, which made me want to be a Tri Sigma.

I’m so looking forward to getting back to school, meeting new students, hearing exciting stories, and of course, meeting up with my roommates, the guys, and my sisters!

Now, for the first few days, lets try not to have the fire department come to campus too often… freshmen. Or the cops. My first weekend on campus, there were something like three drug over doses and two stomach pumping’s due to alcohol. Oh and guess what, it gets better, they never made it to their first class in college! Why? Because they got kicked out. Way to make a family proud. That was just the first weekend.

There were many kids getting caught doing drugs or drinking the first few weeks. The cops were always dragging some kid out of their room, calling their parents to come get the student, because they were no longer welcomed on campus.

Come on people! Going wild the first 48 hours is NOT a good idea. I know how much your parents are paying for college, so try not to make them have to fly back and pick you up before Monday morning. Do you really want your parents coming back to Boca because you had to get your stomach pumped and your roommate had to dial 911 to get help for you?

Do however party it up in your own room by putting posters up, making some ground rules when it comes to the room, and well, start talking to everyone you pass! Meet your RA. Ask them questions. I loved my RA’s, and the RA’s in my Freiburger building. The RD’s are pretty cool too, and full of great advice for students in organizations trying to advertise. A lot of the RA’s are Greek…. hint hint. They know when all the cool stuff on campus are happening as well as the local parties at the clubs and at houses… but just don’t come home drunk, or they will card you, write you up, and well…. they won’t be very happy.

Ooo, good idea. Check out where your classes are before Monday! Man, the first few weeks, I was always lost! I would stand right in the middle of campus and not know which way was my class and which way was my room. Everywhere there was a lake and shinny buildings.

Have a car? Think about getting a GPS. Florida is pretty much roads that all look the same, long and full of trees. My mom gave me hers before she left for Iraq, so I’m excited, I’m never going to get lost again! lol. No more “road trips” with Cristina, more like aww man, we are here!

Check out what the nurse can do for you! I don’t think I’ve ever been so sick so many times than when I started college. Get to know the school nurse! They are caring and loving, although, every once in awhile, you might want to go see a doctor who can run total labs on you and who knows what… sometimes the nurse gets it wrong… like when when they told one of the guys he was pregnant. Lol. I’m sure his frat brothers are still trying to figure that one out…

Now to party, you are in college! I can not wait to get back to campus. Ugh, it feels so far away! I miss college life, I miss my friends. I can’t wait to show Rob the present I got him! I am looking forward to decorating my room with my two awesome roomies and as well as hugging Michelle, welcoming her to dorm life! Thank goodness I share most of my classes with Michelle! I love my lab partner, hehe. When one of us is missing, it feels like the longest class in the world. Plus, she makes all labs a ton of fun.

So, welcome to Lynn! I can’t wait to meet all of you! Freshmen, transfers, and returning students! Oh the excitement of college! So much to do and so much to look forward too this year. One year down, three more to go!

I have gotten a few emails from worried parents of freshmen students. I’ve also got some very sweet emails from students who are curious about starting college. Well after answering many questions over past few weeks, I thought I would post some of the emails and my answers.

One from a parent:

Hi, my name is Linda. My daughter is coming this Fall from Ohio.

I am not sure if she reads these blogs, but I do. She is my only child and I am a single mother, so I have to do everything myself….

…She wants to bring like lots of clothes & I keep telling her she is not going to have the room.

What about laundry soap? Should I buy her a supply & bring it or is it better/easier to just buy it there?

Are the mattresses comfortable? I was going to buy her one of those down, mattress pad things do you think I should?

Can you suggest a hotel that is not to far away and/or in between the school & shopping? Is it better to bring a comforter or wait until she meets her room mate & see if they want a theme color & get it down there when we get there…..

I wrote back:

Buy the laundry soap when you get here. Thank goodness you are going to have a car when you get to Lynn. It will be really helpful the first few days. There is a Walgreens and a supermarket less than 5 minutes away in the same shopping mall area. Its VERY simple to get to. Turn left out of Lynn and go about 4 to 5 blocks. It will be on the left hand side.

Don’t fret to much over the clothes. My roommate had a ton. So did I. *sighs* girls will be girls. If its only clothes she’s filling up on, you should be good.

The mattress sucks. My advise, get one of those foam things and anything else that is thick and soft.

For the room. Well, just because they are roommates doesn’t mean that they will have to have the same colors…. ….I’ve seen plenty of rooms that have two very different sides and it looked fine. It should reflect your daughter in the end. This is her new space, her new life. It should feel like home to make the move easier.

One email from a student name Samantha made me laugh. I wanted to know everying like she does when I got to Lynn.

When is rush week and how do i find out more about both sororities?
Will i get something in the mail?
And tell me about weekends are they crazy?
Im coming from oklahoma not knowing a soul at lynn so I’m trying to�
find out all the facts..

Rush week is the same day as the activities fair. All organizations and groups on campus will be out infront of the student center, very hard to miss with all the signs. It’s normally the second or third week of school. Thats when you can learn about the sororities and all organizations on campus. All the greeks will be out, wearing their letters, just stop any of them and ask why you should join their sorority or what organizations they are in.

Define crazy. Weekends are weekends. We are so busy that normally we pass out on saterday and work on sunday. We sometimes go to parties and have BBQ’s on campus. Watch movies or chill in each others rooms. A lot of times we go out to eat. There are a few clubs in Boca.

Advise that will save you, fill out ALL your paperwork BEFORE you get to lynn and then check at least 3 times over one week to make sure that Lynn has all your paperwork. Now if mom and dad seem crazy embrassing by calling the school to see if your paperwork is in, don’t roll your eyes and act like they are treating you like a child. This will save you FOUR HOURS in the gym on the first day… I repeat 4 hours of your life that you will NEVER GET BACK standing around in the gym with all the new kids filling out the forms that you thought were sent in. Double check. It will save you so much time and allow you to enjoy your first day as a college student a whole lot more.

Lord knows I wish I had checked. And this goes double as a student coming from over seas. I was doing all my paperwork in Kuwait and well, that sucked, cause some of it got lost. I had to change addresses and sign stuff. My picture for my ID never got sent. Also, you are going to have that ID for 4 years, PICK YOUR PHOTO, do not take the photo in the gym. Security, professors, the caf people, pretty much anyone you buy something off of will see that picture. You are going to want it to look good. My advise, senior picture. It’s nice (well it should be, it is your senior portrait!) and it will look even better 4 years down the line then when you first roll out of bed at the crack of dawn to get to school because your parents are nervous.

This a personal note to all those graduating this year from high school. Congrats! I hope your graduation is all that you wanted. I know that I loved mine and still remember the after party. I mean…. my diploma.

You’ve worked hard. Trust me I know, you’ve signed all the forms, found the perfect outfit for prom and grad. You know where you are going and what you are doing with your life. You are on top of the world. This is a great mile stone in your life. Enjoy it. Truly take every bit of it in. And cut your mom some slack. Ya she’s crying a lot, but her baby is going to college!

Speaking of moms. Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT allow them to over pack your bags. There is not that much room in a dorm room and mothers seem to forget that. Bring what you will need, a tooth brush,some clothes… not all of them, things for classes, your favorite posters. Keep it down. Trust me, I learned the hard way. I spent plenty of days trying to find space to put stuff and throwing the rest out. DAYS. In college, you don’t have days to be cleaning your room. Hug your mom and dad and inform them that they mean well.

So whats the best thing to do? Bring hardly anything. Now, I might sound crazy, but heres the plan. Have your parents put aside money for what you will need in college. The first month, make a list, have them order and send it to you. Yes this may seem like more of a hassle, but hello, Target anyone? The people in the mailroom are wonderful. They will help you get any large packages to your room. Now this way you don’t have a ton of stuff that you don’t need hogging up your room and you are getting packages sent with love from mom and dad. You will love packages from home around the third month.

Make a list of all your favorite things that you do with your mom and dad. Love mom’s cookies? Ask her if she’s willing to overnight a batch once a month. Watch the game with dad? Make a plan that when your fav team is on, you’ll watch it together, via web cam or on the phone. You will want a little bit of home when you get to college.

I remember my first night in my dorm room. I just plopped myself down on my bed and took it all in. This was my new life. MY new life. It’s a feeling I will never forget. A whole new stage of life that I was excited to begin. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, boy was I wrong. I learned so much the first few days. And don’t mind the upperclassmen. They arne’t mean, they just know the drill. Give them a couple of days to warm up to you. Like in high school, freshmen can be spotted a mile away.

Who you were in high school means nothing in college, you will grow up a lot and college will change you. Expect to learn a lot about yourself.

Again, congrats all high school grads of 2008! You did it! You made it, you are going to college! If you are like Kori, and have a ton of questions about Lynn, or college in general, feel free to email me at manderson5@email.lynn.edu. Its my personal school email account which I check every day. Feel free to ask me anything about college! Honestly! I’ll answer them as freely as you ask me. If I can’t answer it, I’ll direct you to some one who can. Ask me about classes, friends, parties, clubs, sports, how to get stuff done, where to pick up your mail, the food plans, anything! I have the whole summer to answer all incoming freshmen questions, and hey, if its really good, I’ll blog about it!

Alright class of 2008, you are now the class of 2012 at Lynn, welcome!

(P.S. This is my 200th post! Sweet!)