Melissa

Hey everyone! My name is Melissa, and I'm from Rutherford, New Jersey. I'm a proud member of the WAC Class of 2022, majoring in Environmental Studies

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Coming soon... summer!

Finals are approaching, but summer is just around the corner. In one week, I’ll be home! I have some pretty exciting things to look forward to. First of all, no more tests, quizzes, lab reports, or waking up at 7 for class. When I’m home I’ll be working a lot, but I enjoy it. I answer phones at a real estate office for the months of May and June, then I’m off to a Boy Scout summer camp in July where I’ll be trained as a lifeguard. I’ve volunteered at this camp in the past, but now I finally get to be on staff, which I’m super psyched about! In August I’ll probably go on vacation with my family, and then it’s back to WAC to get ready for sophomore year and Chesapeake Semester! 

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Caught off guard...

Before entering college, I had no idea that I would become so close with my friends so quickly. It’s different than having high school friends, who you see at school, sometimes hanging out in the afternoons and at night. In college, you're actually living with or in close proximity to these people. Some of my best friends are my lovely roommate Carlee, Emma and Isabelle who live right across the hall, and Liz who lives two floors down. We’ve become more like sisters, depending on each other in bad times, listening to each others problems, being there to carpool, staying up late to binge watch Game of Thrones. We almost speak our own language, reading each other’s minds just from looking at faces. I never could have imagined I would make such amazing friends in my first few semesters at school. They make Washington College feel like home.

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Finding Friends at School

College can be an intimidating change in your life, especially if you are attending a school far from home where you don’t know anyone. However, there are so many opportunities to meet new people, that finding friends with similar or even wildly different interests is not as hard as you might imagine. Washington College is a relatively small school, but I still meet new people every day. My advice for getting to know people is:

1. Start “local”...

You're living in a dorm with a random mix of personalities. Take a chance and strike up conversation with your neighbor, or the person who always leaves for class the same time you do. Go to the events your RA’s host for your floor or hall! I just recently became friends with a girl who lives right next door, but it took me months to even say hello. 

2. Join clubs, sports, and other extracurriculars

This one seems like a fairly obvious way to meet individuals with similar interests. However, if you join a club you wouldn't normally join, you’ll branch out even more. Last week I attended a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) meeting with a friend, even though I’ve never done anything like that in my life. However, I met some incredible people and learned really useful self-defense skills!

3. Go in with an open mind

My last bit of advice is to drop your expectations when coming into college. It’s a unique experience that will change your life, but only if you allow it. Be open to new ideas, new adventures, and new people. Allow a little room to step outside your comfort zone, especially when it comes to meeting new friends. I did this, and as a result met an amazing group of people who I know I will be friends with forever. 

but most importantly... BE YOURSELF!

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Why WAC?

A lot of people ask me why I chose to enroll at Washington College. There are many things I love about the school, however I always tell the story of the visit that convinced me. Since I had indicated a specific interest in the Environmental program, I was invited to a special event on one of the school’s research boats, the Callinectes. The day was beautifully sunny with calm water, and out on the Chester River, I realized that this, among the plethora of other opportunities, was something I couldn’t get anywhere else. These personalized, unique experiences like using sonar equipment to view the bottom of a river and identifying passing wildlife were so exciting to me. The wonderful thing about Washington College is that no matter your academic interests, there is some experience like this available for you. You may someday have your own boat trip, but instead it will take the form of a discussion of modern literature with a published professor in the English department, an interactive demonstration in a Biology lab, or a chance to spend the afternoon with the basketball or rowing team. On the boat that day, I also met one of my now best friends, Alaina. You’ll find your own individual experience that allows you to picture yourself thriving here, and meet new people along the way.

All of the resources here at Washington College also allow for countless learning experience outside of the classroom. In my introductory environmental class, we had a weekly lab that usually involved some sort of trip, whether it be to the Chester River, a cluster of small ponds to collect samples, the River and Field Campus to survey trees, or the bird-banding station. This hands-on learning that takes you out of the classroom is common at WAC, and is one of my favorite things about my liberal arts college experience. My mind is not constantly confined to a blandly painted room with fluorescent lighting. I am challenged and encouraged to think outside the box, absorb inspiration from the world around me, and be active in working towards my educational goals.

So why enroll at Washington College? If you are a driven person looking for a school that will provide you with opportunities to learn in a highly personalized way, then Washington College is the school for you. 

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Campus Green Daydreams...

Today was beautiful in Chestertown, so a few friends and I were laying out on the campus green. I started thinking as I sat in the sunshine, about how happy I am to be here at WAC. My mind drifted to the future, and things I would like to accomplish. At some point during my time in college, I would like to study abroad. I have only been out of the country a few times, and would love to see more of the world, meet new people, and learn from them. I believe studying abroad is a unique experience that everyone should do if they are able. My cousin had an amazingly fulfilling study abroad in South Africa, and I see how it changed her life. I would like to study abroad in Australia if possible. It’s an incredibly beautiful place, and I may also have the opportunity to meet one of my idols, Bindi Irwin. She is a fierce advocate for the environment and animal rights, and I am so inspired by her incredible accomplishments. She’s one of those people I would love to sit and have coffee with!

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Accepted Student’s Day!

This weekend is going to be a busy time for Washington College. In the last month before college decisions are due, our Accepted Student’s Day open house is expected to draw a large crowd. If you’re on campus for the big event on Saturday, April 13th, be sure to take a campus tour, prioritize your info sessions, and talk to current students and professors! It’s the best way to get a feel for what this wonderful college is like. We hope to see you this weekend!

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Hey everyone!

Today this self-proclaimed “busy bee” got to handle the real thing! I worked with the Garden Club to transport and acclimate these honeybees to their new boxes in the campus garden and the river and field campus. There’s no feeling quite like having a buzzing box on your lap in the car! They were very well behaved though.

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Weekend or Wednesday?

Yesterday was Advising Day, which meant no classes! It was strange to have a day off in the middle of the week, but great to relax and not think about work for a while. I had my actual advising appointment a few weeks ago, so I did not have any meetings to worry about. Instead I spent the entire day outside, which was nice because the weather was beautiful! From 11 to 2 there was a Sustainability Fair on Kent Lawn, and I worked one of the tables. After that, my friend Kyle and I grabbed sandwiches at Create and took them to the campus green, where we had a picnic and met up with friends. It was a fantastic Wednesday, and a much needed break in the middle of the week!

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Professors: Educators & Friends

One of my favorite classes during this spring semester has been my education class, Designing and Measuring Learning. The premise of the course is to learn how to design meaningful educational experiences for others, beginning with your end goals in mind and working backwards to design the assessments and ultimate experience. It is a 300-level course with prerequisites which I, as a freshman, had to get approval to take. I met with a department head about my interest in education, and she gave me permission to take this course before the prerequisites. She is also the professor for this particular class, and thought I would benefit from taking it this semester, rather than waiting. Meeting with professors about your goals is so important because they want to help you make the absolute most out of your college experience. If you show that you are driven and focused, professors will afford you opportunities to succeed. It can be intimidating to meet one on one with a professor you are not yet familiar with, however, it can be very much worth it! The team of professors at Washington College is extraordinary because each one truly cares about you. They want to help you make the most of your college career and have the best experience possible. I have found that I can go to my professors for almost anything, which is a great comfort and one thing I love about this school! 

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Calling All Artists, Dancers, Scientists, Writers...

...Mathematicians, Businesswomen, Businessmen, or even undecided students:

This Saturday, March 22 is a huge day at Washington College: Everything Bagel Day! Essentially it’s an open house for admitted students that highlights almost every interest possible, specifically covering Natural Sciences and Mathematics/Sophie Kerr/Business/Arts. For the STEM lovers, there will be lab tours, live lab demos, and opportunities to meet with professors from the math and science departments. For the arts and English lovers, the doors of Gibson Center for the Arts and the Rose O’Neill Literary House will be open for exploration. Take the chance to discuss poetry with current English majors, or chat about your favorite novels with professors. No matter your interest, there is bound to be something for you this Saturday at Washington College. Use the link below to register!

https://enrollment.washcoll.edu/register/nsmd19 

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Spring Break...

Welcome to the final few weeks of school! Spring break was a much needed vacation, in the middle of a busy semester. I relaxed plenty, but also had a lot of fun. I went to Annapolis with my friend Emma on Friday night, stayed over her house and went to the mall with her friend Casey on Saturday. We tried on prom dresses like we were high school seniors again!

Emma and I went to a John Mulaney show on Sunday (which was awesome), then I went back home to New Jersey.

I stopped by my high school theater rehearsal to visit my sister, who is a freshman. I used to do theater in high school, so I got to see a lot of old friends again. In a few weeks, I’ll be heading home again to see the actual show! (Shrek: the Musical)

Oh and I also chopped my hair really short! I love having a short haircut in the spring. 

On Sunday my mom drove me back to school and we had lunch together before strolling around the virtually empty campus^ 

I’m sad to say goodbye to spring break, but here’s to a sunny, happy (low stress) end of the semester!

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Netflix Picks

While I am often very busy with homework, studying, and extracurriculars, it’s nice to find time to relax. One of my favorite ways to de-stress is by watching my favorite TV show, Parks and Recreation. You probably could have guessed this about me based on all of the Leslie Knope gifs that accompany my blog posts, but I really identify with Leslie’s enthusiasm! The show is so light-hearted and funny, but at the same time tackles tough topics that we deal with every day. In the end, it’s about the experiences of dedicated small government employees who try to make people’s lives better, even in the smallest ways. It will always be one of my favorite shows, and I highly recommend it. Grab some waffles and a cozy blanket and get watching!

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Food for thought...

When I was searching for colleges, one of my main concerns was eating dining hall food. I’m so spoiled at home with my mom’s amazing cooking, I was dreading the cafeteria style monotony every day. However, when i visited WAC, i was pleasantly surprised by their food offerings. Since I started college, I have started eating better at breakfast, since I like the eggs served, and there are endless options for lunch and dinner, so I can always find something good. The meals are on a varied rotation, so it never gets boring.

I do have some favorites, one of which may surprise some people. I love the meatloaf (yes, the meatloaf) and garlic mashed potatoes. It’s the perfect comfort food meal. I’m also a fan of the veggie chili they serve at the soup station, the fresh mixed greens at the salad bar, and the pork with sautéed onions and mustard sauce. I also enjoy the desserts, maybe a little too much. Spice cake and cheesecake are among my favorites. Aside from the dining hall, I am a frequent customer at Java George. My newest discovery is the iced caramel latte, but my original favorite drink is the mocha smoothie. It’s so decadent and tastes like a coffee frappuccino, but better!

Overall, the food options here are great. While it’s hard to find cooking as amazing as mom’s while living at school, you’ll never have trouble finding a good meal!

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Living it up in Minta Martin...

The freshman housing process at WAC is pretty straightforward. You apply online, fill out a form about living preferences and habits, then either request a roommate or go random. I left it up to fate and chose the random option, and I’m glad I did because I met Carlee! We live in Minta Martin because we’re both Presidential Fellows (we lucked out and got a room meant for three), but everyone’s situation is different. The Residential Life team is great, and very helpful if you have questions or issues. Living in a dorm freshman year is certainly an experience, especially if you’ve never shared a room before. Some of my best memories have been hanging out with friends in our rooms, ordering pizza, watching movies, and building blanket forts. You will meet so many new people, and maybe even make lifelong friends with people who live in your hall.

Overall, freshman year is one big adventure, so enjoy it!! 

^My friend Liz and I having spa night!

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Eastern Shore Food Lab Internship

If you follow my blog, you’ve likely read my posts about the The Eastern Shore Food Lab. It's a brand new space in downtown Chestertown pioneered by Washington College’s very own professor of Anthropology, Dr. Bill Schindler. The space is fully outfitted with a professional grade kitchen to be used by students for research, but will also serve a dual purpose as an educational center for the community. The lab has a small adult staff and a group of twelve student interns (including me!) who will be working this spring semester on integrating the larger goals of the lab into the community. I am extremely excited to be working closely with so many talented individuals. We will each focus on a specific personal project as well as bringing broader, multifaceted ideas to fruition. The goal of the Eastern Shore Food Lab is to bridge the gap between humans and the food we eat. The disconnect is so great in this modern world of processed food, widespread industrial agriculture, and fast food. Our aim as interns is to educate and promote sustainable food production methods, healthy dietary choices, ancient food processing techniques, and more. 

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Birthday Ball!

This past Saturday night was Birthday Ball, a huge celebration of our favorite president’s 287th birthday. The Student Events Board threw an incredible event. The theme was Under The Stars, and I had such a great time. Here are some pictures from the night!

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Hey spring, please come back...

We’re a few weeks into this semester now and I am keeping super busy and making lots of memories! The only thing that could make it better would be if the weather warmed up consistently. We’ve been getting a weird pattern of one or two nice days in the 50s, then suddenly a huge snowstorm. I’m really looking forward to spring and spending more time outside, whether that be working or just have fun with friends. I miss long afternoons being productive on the library terrace, and weekends spent walking into town and to the waterfront. ((I don’t want to rush the semester away either, but I’m also really looking forward to summer!))