Kat's Blog

April 22nd, 2010 Year in Review

My first year of university is complete. I cannot believe it! This year has gone by so quickly that it feels like I just started university a month ago. Overall, I would say that first year was amazing. I had many firsts:

• First year of university
• First time driving into Windsor (from the county) for school everyday
• First time professors did not harp on people to finish assignments on time
• First time my main method of communication between professors was through email
• First time I had to find meals on my own because I usually did not make it home for dinner
• First relationship (a very happy one I might add :))
• First time I actually became involved in extracurricular activities (i.e. SOS) and met a whole bunch of awesome people
• First time I put myself out of my reserved comfort zone and never regretted one minute of it
• First time one school year is done in April (pretty happy about that)
• First time people will ask, “Are you in school right now?” and I will be able to answer “No, university ends in April!” (well, I’ll be able to say that for two weeks anyway – until intersession starts)
Last, but not least,
• First time I wrote a blog

That was my year, along with just enjoying the new experience. All of my teachers in high school (and especially the principal) said high school would be the best four years of your life. However, I will tell you one thing: they could not have been more wrong. You know why? Because only ONE year of university has already beaten all four years of high school put together, and I could not be happier!
So, for everybody who is still debating about whether or not to come to the University of Windsor, or even if you are still debating about university in general, you will decide what you feel is best for you. But, for me, it was the best decision I have ever made.
 

Kat

April 5, 2010 – Last Week of Classes

So I am currently sitting in an extremely boring class… yes I know... don’t… completely… follow in my footsteps. My justification: I always pay attention… and...it’s the last week of classes. Exams start next week and I know I have not written in quite some time. However, all my assignments have bunched up at the end of this semester. This was definitely a time when I regretted having six classes. But, overall I made it… I will have to let you know how six exams went haha. Fortunately, the schedule is not too bad (I wish I was always that lucky with schedules). I recently picked classes for summer. Yes, I know I’m crazy. Registering was absolutely ridiculous. The entire system froze on me because everyone was registering at the same time. Overall, it worked out though. If this happens to you while you are registering, there is a good chance it will be smoothed out within a couple of weeks (just keep checking SIS). Oh and just to avoid any confusion: you don’t have to go to school during the summer; instead, you can have an awesome four month summer. I, however, have been told that I am crazy and figured I should keep my reputation up. I will wrap up my year as whole next time; I think we are moving on to something that might be on the exam.

Until next time,
Kat

March 12, 2010 Cold Season

Hello Everyone! My midterms are now completed (I finished my last one last week) and I can do this all again in a month (for finals). University life has been fun thus far. I am getting to know more people and becoming more involved. However, because of that and trying to keep my grades up, my sleep is lacking slightly ... but I am willing to make that sacrifice (for now haha). I did pretty well on all my midterms so I am happy with that. I cannot remember if I mentioned this before or not, but I did manage to keep my entrance scholarship... it is possible! I also was accepted into SOS, so perhaps I will see some of you at orientations in the summer. That is all for now... I have a horrible cold and I am off to the clinic...

Until Next Time
Kat

February 13, 2010 It has been a while

Well it has certainly been quite some time hasn’t it? Not too much to report; it is reading week, which came surprisingly quickly this semester. I have completed two midterms so far and they both seemed to go pretty well. I have three midterms following reading week, which I need to study for (of course I will also be trying to relax as well). I applied to SOS (Students Orienting Students) and got an interview. SOS volunteers are the students who will be helping you adjust once you get to university. So, if I get accepted as an SOS volunteer perhaps I will see some of you at orientations. This is like our March Break so I am taking full advantage of some relaxation. That is all for now, just a short entry today.

Kat

 January 24, 2010 Parking...

There have been some issues going on with parking as of late, which I am sure you have heard about by now, and I figured I would make my statement about it here.

A parking lot at the university has closed because a new Engineering Building is to be put up there. However, this has caused many problems for all students. I myself am rather frustrated as I am sure everyone else is too. I can no longer go to school at a reasonable time relative to my classes if I want a parking space. The first day I came relatively early for my 11:30am class and drove around for 40 minutes trying to find parking. I drained a quarter tank of gas that day just driving to school and looking for parking... that’s not even counting the drive home. The pay lots were even full. (Moreover, who wants to spend $8 to get a spot to park when you spent almost $300 on a parking pass earlier in the year?) I ended up missing the first day of my first class because by the time I found a spot to park the class was half over... and I came early. My first class throughout the week is 10am and 11:30 am (depending on the day). I now have to come to school at no later than 9am if I want any hope of getting a relatively decent parking spot. This is fine on my 10am days; I’m okay with an extra hour... but the days when my class is at 11:30? I would be getting to school 2.5 hours early. I am a commuter and it takes me an hour to get to school from where I live. Being at school for 9am already means I have to get up at a fairly ridiculous hour, and all that when my classes don’t even start until the middle of the day.

If you come late, you may as well just go straight to the St. Denis Centre parking lots because those lots are the only areas that might still be free (and no wonder because they are the farthest lots from campus unless you are a Human Kinetics major). The HK majors are having problems now too because the HK building is right by the St. Denis Centre. Now all the other majors on campus are taking all of their spots up because they are the only spots left to go. Faculty and Staff parking lots are always only half full but none of them have been opened up to students. They say that the faculty and staff all get to the university at different times... but so do students. I understand that the faculty and staff obviously need their parking as well but a compromise really needs to be made.

Students should not have to walk to side streets and the St. Denis Centre at 10pm because they couldn’t park anywhere else (this is in reference to the many students who take night classes). Students should not have to walk for 25 minutes to get to campus when they have paid as much as they have for parking. Students also do not want to park on the streets because it is very easy for the cars to be hit or boxed in. Many students express similar concerns to mine. Something needs to be done about this issue. Obviously, the Engineers have a right to a new building and should get one, but then more space needs to be purchased to make the campus larger as problems will only get worse. Once the building is up the problems of parking are not going to end, the university will still be short 300+ parking spaces.

Jan 08 2010 – Hello dark rings under my eyes... It has been so long...

Well, it has started again... the mad rush around campus to get to your classes... the quick coffees in between... and driving home before bad weather hits... Not really, I’m just being dramatic (except for that last one). Classes did start yesterday but the day was enjoyable and not rushed at all. I like my schedule this semester as the classes are laid out nicely. Now, normally I would have two classes (one at 10am and the other at 11:30) but not today. My early class was cancelled so I didn’t have to go in until 11:30. Of course, being me I still got up early and got there for 10am... but for other reasons (catch up with friends since the break and, of course, FIND some of the room numbers of my classes this semester before I actually have the class!) P.S. – This isn’t a bad idea. Especially if the first day of one of your classes (let say your third day at school) you happen to be running late. At least if you have scoped out where your classrooms are (and the buildings!) you won’t have to spend extra time doing that. Oh one other thing before I move on from the morning: except the night before your first day back to class to be sleepless (and if it is not... BONUS!) Unless you are someone who always goes to bed and gets up at the same time everyday no matter whether it is a school day or a weekend (and really... who does that?) you will most likely have trouble getting sleep before your first day back at classes. No worries though, my pattern was fixed with one day of getting up at 6:30am!

So... I know the room number, I grab my coat and gloves from my locker, an absolute must for travelling between buildings in the winter (unless you are cool or something haha), and brave the cold air for my first...and only... class for today. Oh yes, a note about lockers: lockers are available to use if you so desire but you must rent them. I am not sure whether you can only rent them at the beginning of the year or as long as there are lockers available you can rent them any time... you would have to check on that. Lockers are $40 to rent for the academic year. The lockers are located in the CAW (convenient!) and you go to the information desk to rent one out. They are useful if you have a lot of STUFF and don’t like carrying around your life with you wherever you go (say... every class, to buy food, to the bathroom... and you get stuck in a stall that does not have a hook for all your junk... cough cough... yes that has happened to me). If however, you don’t mind doing this or figure you could always just leave your things with somebody else (which I have done on occasion, but for those times when you are by yourself...) then a locker would not be necessary for you. From what I have seen, a lot don’t bother with a locker, but it is mainly about personal preference of whether you believe a locker would be of use to you. Well that was a really long note... I’ll just start a new paragraph...

*Some time later*

OK I am back... sorry just took a short Facebook break. Now where was I...Oh yes, so my first class went well and I think I will enjoy the class. I can’t remember whether I already mentioned this in an earlier blog or not but... BUY YOUR TEXTBOOKS USED... it will save you money I promise! And buying used at the bookstore is not the only option. They also have the UWSA used bookstore in the basement of the CAW but I am not very sure what that is about (you can also sell your old books through that by the way). Also, and this is the way I have been doing it, sell your books via the internet. I am not suggesting anything like EBay or sites where you could run into trouble or jeopardize your safety... I am talking about the very site I just spent time on... Facebook. There are tons of Facebook groups that sell used books specifically for the University of Windsor. You might be able to find them cheaper that way. Plus, everybody who is selling those books most likely went and is still going to the University of Windsor so you can meet right on campus to do the exchange. Always bargain... if you want the book cheaper just ask them, there is a good chance people will give the book to you for the price you ask because all they want to do is get rid of the book. It never hurts to ask, the worst they could say is no. P.S. you can also check out http://www.campusup.com for used books as well as tutoring services, jobs available, etc.

On the note of asking... always ask...ask about everything! If you need help, asking sooner is better than later. You can check out the University of Windsor website for emails and phone numbers of people who can help you with specific questions you may have. In addition, feel free to ask other students as well once you are on campus, everyone I have run into is quite friendly and helpful.

Well I am off to work on some of my readings for this semester... I have many classes that have a lot of reading (well my majors rather demands that anyway but still...) so until next time...

Kat 

January 05, 2009 er... 2010 – Happy New Year!

Happy 2010 Everyone! Who knows how many times I will have to write that date out before I get the year right! (Fortunately, dating notes at university isn’t too crucial... essays on the other hand...) I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year and had a happy and safe holiday break. I went to the mall on Boxing Day this year, just to mix it up, and I have to say it wasn’t too insane. Some stores were crazy, certainly, but in general not too bad. I didn’t really find anything because what I went to go look for either wasn’t on sale or they were out of stock. Many of the clothes stores closed their changing room so you couldn’t try anything on. That’s ridiculous! I am certainly not going to buy a pair of jeans that I can’t try on... I don’t care how cheap they are haha! Hopefully you guys had better luck!

School starts back on the 7th (yes, that’s right... a Thursday). I am very anxious to go back (I would say that is the consensus from what I have heard). I need my structure back! Not to say I haven’t been working. I have done much of my reading for my intro psychology class (part two) so that I can get ahead (I know... doesn’t my holiday sound interesting!  ). I still relaxed over the holiday though, and I hope all of you relaxed as well! I have six courses this semester (which is a course overload) so I am somewhat anxious. Course overload means you are taking more than the maximum number of courses (that you can register for online anyway). What you have to do then is pick up an add/drop form from the registrar office and get the professor who is teaching the course to sign you in. Then you take the form back to the registrar’s office and they sign you into the course manually – nothing too complicating. It is a heavy load to carry though, which is why you can’t register for more than the maximum online. My sixth course is a distance education course (rough translation= online course). I’m hoping that not having an extra class to actually attend will cut down time but it will still be a lot of reading! I’ll let you know how that goes... haha. My finals this semester are all one after the other, which will be somewhat difficult. Fortunately, I only have one day where I have two exams on the same day, and one exam is in the morning and one is in the evening so that worked out nicely.

I have been looking at scholarships throughout the break and have been applying for some. I found that the Christmas holiday is about the best time to write up those scholarship applications and essays (unless you are lucky enough to find time to do that in the academic year... I certainly didn’t though). If you haven’t already, make an account on www.studentawards.com, they will hook you up with a lot of scholarships that you can apply for. You can also do an awards search on your SIS account to see what scholarships the UoW is offering.

That’s all for now, I shall let you know how my first day of classes goes! Again, Happy 2010! (YES! Got it right! )

Kat
 

 December 19, 2009 – First Day Off!

I completed my last final yesterday, which means today is my first day off for Christmas Break. Finals went really well... and I hate to brag but... I think I aced all of them! Of course, I also spent many many hours (long nights and early mornings) prepping for them. Don’t get me wrong, the exams were difficult, and if you didn’t study you definitely would have been in trouble!

I am excited to say that I officially relaxed today... for now haha I have plans on reading ahead for my classes next semester since some of my classes released their syllabus’ for the Winter 2010 semester. Yes, I know, I have a problem :  ) As for earlier today though:
• I went to the theatre to see The Christmas Carol with Jim Cary. It was good!
• I pigged out on pancakes, popcorn, and chocolate (awesome eating habits eh! I am just coming down from the “coffee diet” since finals haha.)
• I surfed on the internet without thinking “I should be working right now...”
• I did some last minute gift-wrapping.

This is how my day went today and I have to say... I loved it. Thank goodness, there is a break between semesters! I don’t know what I would do without the break!

Kat :  )

December 9th 2009 – Week before Finals 

So... as of this last week I have had no life... lol I have been completely buried in my books studying away for finals. I had to pass up on a party because of studying (Yes, that’s right. There will be such sacrifices haha). One positive thing though is that I will probably ace my finals because I started really well since midterms. If you start studying right from the start of the year, you won’t have to cram as much when finals come. Prepare your notes or cue cards (that’s what I use) that you plan on using to study for finals/midterms as you go along and cover each unit in the class. You won’t have to worry about doing this then when it does come time for studying. Also, do any practice questions you plan to use for studying as you go along too... it will prepare you better for when ‘finals crunch time’ comes. I know it sounds like a lot to add to your plate with everything else going on but believe me... it’s worth it! Even if you don’t have time to do this for every class even doing it for one or two of your classes will help you to get ahead a bit. I have one last recommendation: if there is material on the textbook list for your classes that is suggested (vs. required) and the book consists of practice questions or other study aids... get it! I got one for one of my psychology courses (46-115) and some of the multiple-choice questions that were in the textbook appeared on my midterm. The suggested material isn’t always as much money either, at least so far as I have found.

That’s all for now folks. I shall let you know how my first set of finals went!
Kat

November 28, 2009 Saturday Night.... Wrap Presents or Study for Finals?

Not terribly much to report this time around (let’s see if this blog actually ends up being short this time then eh? Haha). I went to the mall today to finish some last minute Christmas shopping... just to let you all know... the malls are officially crazy! Do not enter unless you are too! :) I am now home and I am trying to decide whether I should finish wrapping presents or actually do some work. Nobody is on MSN or Facebook right now because well... it’s a Saturday night! Haha. Yes that’s right, here’s the one with no social life! :) Maybe I’ll compromise... maybe I’ll study with Christmas music playing in the background! Anyways, whatever I decide I’m sure my decision won’t be that productive, as it is late and I am tired from trying not to get stepped on at the mall. I have also concluded that I cannot type tonight, as I have had to correct every word I have written thus far. So... maybe I won’t study... think that’s a good excuse?
Kat :)
 

Saturday November 14th - Why Meter, Course Selections, and Hermit Crabs Don’t Mix

“The meter in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 129 expresses...” UGH! That describes my efforts to write my essay due on Monday... or should I say lack of effort? We are slowly winding down the semester (well, not really we are only halfway done) but it seems like it anyway. How has it been? Ummm... a new experience? (to put it lightly...) It seems like people are slowly moving into the “I don’t want to do anything!” phase... I know I am. Thank God there is a two-week break before the winter semester starts. I have been quite busy; there really is no break time if you want to stay on top of things. (Well except for the past... 3 days... in which I have been procrastinating and doing absolutely nothing. For example, I should be writing my British Lit essay right now instead of this blog. : ) I have a class that has two midterms in it, that’s right... two!! So I actually have a midterm in about three days and I haven’t started studying for it yet...

I purchased a hermit crab a couple of weeks ago (Coco) so he has also been taking up a good portion of my time. TIP: If you feel inclined to purchase one of those hermit crabs at the mall, DON’T.  They won’t survive in the little plastic tank you pay $45 for to carry them home in, and you will end up spending a lot more money than you planned (well if you want them to live anyways). Coco is currently molting (I think) so he basically looks like he is half dead. In addition, trying to keep the optimal temperature conditions during this time is very difficult... talk about breaking up the flow of ideas when writing an essay.

Oh yes, there was also course selections for the winter semester this past week. Registration opened up at noon on Thursday; some course sections were full by 12:01... I’m not kidding (at least that is what I heard from people who were trying to register then anyway). Then you have me... who hadn’t even had the time to look at what courses I was going to pick, let alone register a minute
after it opened. All I can really say is register as early as you can, as spots fill up quick (unless you enjoy being on the waiting list for every class). My courses worked out okay this time, except for one course, which I just dropped all together (I got into the course but didn’t realize until after that it was right through my work schedule). It was quite stressful, especially when you know there are courses you need to take and the system won’t let you register (for multiple reasons).

To conclude (you can tell I have been writing essay after essay for the last couple of weeks), the university experience is something different to everyone. Some people will love it, some people will hate it, and some people will be somewhere in between. Don’t get too excited by all the orientations. You won’t have time to do all of these extra-curricular activities that are “so important” if you want to keep your average up, at least not in your first year anyway (while you are still experiencing everything as new. For example, I have to hold a 90% average to keep my entrance award scholarship, and even as diligent as I have been, that will not happen this semester.

Until next time... and the next Timmies coffee...

Kat
 

October 30 2009 CAW: Part 1

Hello, I am sitting in the CAW Centre right now currently typing this blog on my cell phone. This is somewhat challenging as you can imagine...But I’m bored and don’t feel like studying for my FAW midterm just now (plus, my phone is fancy and has ALL of Office on it haha). So anyway, I got my mark back for my positive psych midterm on CLEW and I did fairly well. I received 82.90%...Not bad for my first midterm! I have one today (FAW) and I hope to do even better!!! Yay!!! (Nerd alert! Nerd alert!) I just had Early British Literature before lunch (oh yes, it’s lunch time right now). My prof told us some great jokes, but I don’t think it would be appropriate to relay them here...If you know what I mean. :)

Nothing very interesting has happened yet today, other than the fact that I was done an entire HOUR before I had to leave for school (my family has trouble coordinating bathroom times *sighs*). So... in that time I worked on my English essay that is due on Monday. (Funnn Times!)

Well, I’m off to go study, and let a group of four actually have the four-person table I am sitting at (hehe). I’ll keep you posted via phone if anything exciting happens. Now if I could just figure out how to save this document on my phone... :D

Kat :)

November 2nd 2009 CAW: Part 2

I know this blog is titled CAW: Part 2, but in truth... I am actually in Tolo. Why? Because I have discovered that, it is much quieter here and the seating is much more comfortable. Between Toldo and Odette, these two buildings are definitely furnished the best. Midterms are finally finished and I won’t have to deal with anything like that again until finals (beginning on December 12th).
Throughout this last week of hectic midterms and a lot of one-night cramming, I have compiled a list of useful things that it may be helpful to know.

1)It IS worth the walk to the Odette Tim Hortons when the convenient Tim Hortons at the CAW is winding around the corners of the building (Tip: if you find the line-up at the CAW Tim Hortons to be less than five people long... GO GET YOUR COFFEE... even if you weren’t planning on buying one [and who doesn’t plan on it?]. Guarantees this phenomenon won’t happen again for at least another
month!)
 

2)Parking your car at one of the pay-lots (even though you bought a near $300 parking pass) when you feel like being lazy is OKAY. Just be sure you pick the pay-lot that is actually near the area you need to go. So... don’t pull a “me” and just say “Hey, I know how to get to that pay-lot, I’ll go here!” (Instead of, you know, going to the one that is actually near by the buildings you are going to be spending all day in!)

3)Locking yourself in your car and blaring your radio between classes when you’re frustrated and have a headache is (a) good for the frustration and (b) VERY BAD for the headache...

4)If you find yourself stuck only being able to cram for the midterm the night before... DON’T PANIC! It is doable. Here’s what you do: (a) don’t stay up late. Do what you can, but once you start seeing stars dancing around the pages (or whatever your own hallucination will be ; ) STOP! (b) Don’t waste time on stuff you already know or stuff you know won’t be on the exam. If you only have time to cram, only study the essentials. (c) (One last time) Don’t panic! It won’t do you any good and you won’t do as well on the midterm.

Well, I hope this helps! I’m out for now, classes to go to and papers to write (I tried the technique of letting the papers write themselves but it didn’t work out too well). This is Kat, keeping you posted one cell phone Word document at a time!

Later :)

October 07 2009 Greetings... people of the sane!

I am sitting here in front of my laptop, in my pajamas, and ready to go to bed, when I decided I would drop a line or two about this week's events. I think I have gone insane (as implied by the title) over the last two weeks or so with all of the "STUFF" that had to be done (I've been talking to myself all week about these things, and I'm WAY past the point of answering myself! I think I got caught a couple of times as I was running through Tim Hortons (MY LIFE!!!!) for the 4th time that day... oops :)... SIDE BAR!) Stuff! Of course I am talking about the kind of stuff that is NOT Facebook, msn, parties, etc.... drats eh?(... Drats? What kind of word is that...)Well anyway, you get the idea.

I have just completed my first midterm yesterday...wait, was it yesterday? Today is Wednesday right? Okay, yes than it was yesterday! :) My midterm was in positive psychology and I feel like I did well, it was all multiple choice AND we could have a cheat sheet, YAY! One thing throughout my studying that I discovered was that the tips you had to learn on "how to be happy" (yes... I know) might actually help with stress, even though they seem obvious. (Okay, SOME might work... I am rather skeptical of things like this you see). I will relate one tip here because I think it is the most useful. * STOP RUMINATING* (And, unlike "drats" this is actually a word haha). Basically it means stop over thinking... think about it (haha, yes that was intentional...my late night humor), a lot of people probably do that, and in the end it just makes people more agitated doesn't it?

Anyways, that was my tip for the day...night... I will let you know how that midterm actually turned out! We receive our marks on this website called CLEW (for a lot of, not all, classes). This makes it easier because once the marks are posted you just have to log on to check them (instead of waiting in a 150 person line up). I just finished my essay for one of my English classes and I am so happy because this is the last big assignment before UWin Week. UWin Week = no classes (yes, there are presentations you are required to attend in your faculty, but it is no where near compared to the work required to come to class as well as the follow up work afterwords)!

So... what was going to be a few lines turned out to be many lines, oh well, you guys don't mind right? :) Anyways, I'm off to bed, and remember... Don't Ruminate! :)

Kat :)

September 29, 2009 "Okay. Wait...What?"

All right, so I have been battling a rather unpleasant cold (which travels very quickly at the university I might add) which has caused me to concentrate extra hard on my schoolwork (due to the haze I am battling)... basically... my apologies for having not posted in a bit. I know you all must have missed me! :) I have met my match with my first cold and windy day at the university, and I have concluded...I don’t like it! It is especially a pain when you have to travel across campus with a laptop that weighs more than you do... and you forget to zip up your coat before you leave so it is blowing all over the place... Welcome to the downside of having to travel outside to get to your classes.

This week has been extraordinarily busy; I had two essays, a writing assignment, online course “stuff,” a quiz, and A LOT of reading! At university, reading is your life haha... well unless you just don’t do the reading, but that is NOT something I recommend. One thing I do recommend is when you are listening to information that you know you are going to be tested on (which is everything by the way), make sure you actually think about what the prof is telling you. Otherwise, you have one of those “Okay” moments in class, and then look at your notes a week later and you get a “Wait... what?” moment...or moments. Yes, this happened to me, it wasn’t fun.

Anyway, I’m off to study for midterm #1 in positive psychology (there are two midterms)... yes I know... I seem to be learning a lot eh?

Kat :)

September 17, 2009 Introductions and Welcomes

I was at work, a stationery store, enjoying a Kit Kat bar and just about to dive into my fourth reading of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, when a customer came into the store. This customer had a brown package in his hand. Oh great I thought, this could only mean one thing… he wants me to ship that package somewhere. I grabbed the phone to call my boss, as I had never shipped anything from the store before. Trying to appear very cool and collected I went through the process of determining the cost of… well I will not go on about the boring stuff. Let us just say the customer, after ranting and raving some rather harsh expletives, unhappily stormed out of the store. It was at that moment I, Kat, decided I could never work at a post office. However, I did prove to myself that I could remain calm even when an irate motorcycle driver (yes that’s right) was standing before me arguing about a three-dollar increase in price. I knew then that further pursuing one of my passions, Psychology, was the right path for me. University of Windsor here I come!

Well, so much for starting with introductions. This was me exactly one week before school started. That’s right, I was panicking about scheduling package deliveries. Now? Bring on the packages!!! University is an entirely new experience and it is a complete assault on your senses, (no matter how many times you have been to campus during the summer… I believe my total count was five), when you walk onto campus on the first day of school.

Welcome Week has just ended so along with introducing myself I will give you some of the highlights of this past week. I am a rather shy and introverted individual, so if you are in that position as well, DON’T WORRY, you are not alone! I would definitely suggest signing up for U-Crew, especially if you are on the quieter side. It allows you to meet people without having to randomly walk up to someone you do not know and say “Hey! What’s up?” It is a very easy-going group and there is a whole day of events on the Monday before school starts (things like inflatable twister, a “bouncy tent” where people throw boulders at you… yes you read that right, and water tag – see, extroverts will love it too, so don’t miss out)! There are other less “active” events for the “coordinated-ly” challenged as well (*cough cough* like me!). Some of the events I did? I went to many of them (just for you guys!), but rather than rambling on about everything I did for the last week, I’ll do this:

1)A Potato Sack Race in which I not only came in last place but fell flat on my face a whole two feet before the finish line! Talk about embarrassing when the cutest guy running the event rushes over to you and asks if you are okay. That, my friends, is when you truly know that you fell oh so gracefully!

2)A Bike through Campus: the event guide CLEARLY stated that no experience was necessary… I guess the fact that you need to know HOW to ride a bike was implied… oops!

3)Program Orientations… Mandatory… Yes, I know, it sounds thrilling. However, there is some pretty important information that’s given out, so don’t miss it. Just wait until you get to parade down to the St. Dennis Centre, (which is aaaallllllll the way at the other end of campus I might add) with people who have the same major as you do. You get to shout cheer after cheer and blow whistles at all the cars and people on your way… or hit giant inflatable bats together (as in baseball bats… not the mammal, that would just be cruel) if you are in nursing.

Throughout the entire week, you could win “Lancer Loot” which was to be used at an auction at the end of the week. The auction was entertaining, but to be honest, don’t expect to win anything but a mug (they auction off about 6 of them so you’ll have your chance, don’t worry) if you have under $2000. I am still glad I went (and you all should go when it is your turn too) because the event itself is fun, even, at the very least, as a spectator.

Lastly, the best advice I can give is to go to those events you feel comfortable attending. University is definitely about putting yourself out there and you will probably have some anxiety, but if you truly don’t feel comfortable attending something, don’t. I discovered that it is not the end of the world, there will be plenty more opportunities. (I heard the Graffiti Party was awesome though so try to go; I missed that and it is probably the one event I regret missing.) In addition, I found people who stay in residence form cliques quickly, so… if you are a commuter you have a little bit of extra work to do.

I am kind of a nerd in respect to the amount of time I spend studying and double-checking all the extra credit homework I do; but I am proud of this! In fact, years ago my perseverance aroused suspicion among my childhood friends, suspecting I was sent into the school system by the government. I can’t say they have ever let that suspicion go, but it is amusing nonetheless.

On that note, now that you all have an idea of what to expect during Welcome Week, I should soon go to work on the readings I must do tonight. At university you do not do the homework that deals with the class you just had… you do the homework for what you will be doing the NEXT day in that class! Puzzling, I know. It took me two hours to figure out how to write that in my planner (which will become your new best friend by the way; yes I know, “I don’t need to write in a planner, who does that?!” Well you just wait and see; planners aren’t only for the “uncool” in university.) Wow… now that was a long “side bar” (you’ll notice I’ll do that every once in a while… maybe I should start putting my “side bars” in little boxes over to the “side,” how cool would that be! Get it…“Side?”… “Side Bar?” *crickets* No? Okay, well I tried. Anyways, reading. Definitely need to get on that… I could just keep talking…but you would probably get tired of me. That would certainly not be good, seeing as how this is my first blog. I know! I’ll grab a Kit Kat Bar… that’ll keep me quiet… I know I know… I really am an introvert though…

With the mention of the chocolate bar it appears I have returned to the beginning again (thank God hey)! One last thing before I wrap this up is to answer the likely question of why I was reading Shakespeare’s Hamlet over my summer vacation. It seems that I have forgotten to mention that in addition to a major in Psychology, I am also majoring in English. Good thing too, otherwise I would have no excuse to read novels like Shakespeare on my time off (and remember, I did say I was a bit of a nerd)!

Kat :)

February 13, 2010 It has been a while

Well it has certainly been quite some time hasn’t it? Not too much to report. It is reading week, which came surprisingly quickly this semester. I have completed two midterms so far and they both seemed to go pretty well. I have three midterms following reading week, which I need to study for (of course I will also be trying to relax as well). I applied to SOS (Students Orienting Students) and got an interview. SOS volunteers are the students who will be helping you adjust before you get to university. So, if I get accepted as an SOS volunteer perhaps I will see some of you at orientations. This is like our March break so I am taking full advantage of some relaxation. That’s all for now, just a short entry today.

Kat