My Life at State

Welcome to MSU. I'm officially a senior and in my last year of college. If you want to know what it's like being a student, including the ups and downs of a real college girl, then welcome to My Life at State. These are my thoughts, experiences and life in college. What happens at MSU is here to see and experience with me. I've learned and grown so much and I'm sure I have so many more things to experience. Life isn’t always perfect but those experiences just make for a good story. Thanks for stopping by.

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My buddy and I have been recently admitted to Lyman Briggs, but his parents are tentative on rooming. They said they'll be okay if we can get a single-single suite, rather than a double-double suite. Do you know if there's a process of who gets rooming priority, and if so, where would we fall on the list? Do you know if the single-singles cost more?

Hello!

There is no room priority process as far as I know. I only know that you can request a roommate and maybe request a single. As a Freshman you kind of just have to take what they offer you. If you don't like it after you move in, you can request a room switch after a month or so. I'm not sure if they have single-singles. I know they have some single-doubles so I'm sure they have single-singles. As far as costing more, it's definitely going to be more than if you had a double. A single dorm room costs more than a double because it is giving one student the amount of room two students would usually get. It'll be easier to sort out your living situation after you see what happens. It's not convinient I know but, unless something has changed which is totally possible, there's nothing much you can do right now.

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College Major Stereotypes:

Philosophy: 

Art:

Engineering:

Chemistry:

Psychology:

Gender and Sexuality Studies:

Social Work:

Women’s Studies:

Business:

Linguistics:

English:

Computer Science and Engineering:

Theater: 

Physics:

Mathematics: 

Astronomy:

Environmental Studies: 

Biology:

Anthropology:

Sociology:

International Studies:

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Choaked at Theater

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could be worse lol

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Typical college semester

Syllabus week:

The rest of the semester:

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im in syllabus week right now and that gif is pretty accurate 

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Hi! I was wondering if you knew anything about transitional housing?

Hi! 

Yes, I know a little bit about transitional housing. Though I haven't been through it personally, I have talked to people who have been in it. Transitional housing is when MSU takes in such a large amount of students that they aren't sure where there are open dorms left on campus. So for the first few weeks/month of school, there are three students living in a dorm ONLY until they find an open dorm for one of those people to live in. It can be very snug but it doesn't last for long and some people become close to their roommates. I hope that helps a little bit. There is a lot more in-depth information here.

Enjoy the rest of summer!

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Bad News

Hello everyone. I realize that I've been absent from this for about two weeks but I have some bad news. MSU has officially canceled the job for bloggers through the Residential and Hospitality Services. They are moving in new directions with their Spartan Connect website and so they no longer need us. This broke my heart when I first found out but everything happens for a reason. I will also say that I won't be blogging as much, but I still plan on blogging maybe once a week. Hopefully I can continue doing so since I've been doing this for so long. Thank you everyone for sticking with me. I hope you continue to follow this blog and ask questions and talk. I'll still be here to answer questions and do the best I can to calm you anxiety over college/MSU. 

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hi i honestly hope i dont bother you with this but im just looking for all the help i can, i really want to go to study to msu but im an international student, so i was wondering if you had a little knowledge of how that application for that goes and stuff.

Hi! You're not bothering me at all. I don't really know much about the International Student application process because I've never been through it. However, I do know that MSU takes a good number of International Students. Make sure to read over their International Student site portion of the Admissions website. The have a ton of information that can help you.

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The AOP Resource Fair

Working at AOP for the day brought back a lot of memories. I remember walking into the resource fair at the end of AOP glad that it was the last thing to do, then I could meet up with my mom. I know that it's in the exact same space as it was when I went, but I remember it being so much bigger. I guess that's part of the Freshman point-of-view. Everything seems so much bigger when you're excited and it's new. I still remember walking around in that circle seeing just what everything was. The sad thing that I remember was that some people weren't interested in talking to the freshman when I was there. The cool thing is that this time around, that feeling is not there. Everyone is interested in getting to know the freshmen and making them feel welcomed and interested in the different clubs/groups/resources that are available to them. With that being said, do NOT be afraid to go up to booths! I know that you guys have to have three stickers to leave but visit any and all the booths that catch your eye or seem of interest. The Writing Center booth definitely wants visitors and there's candy and nice people who want to talk. Definitely check out all the booths that you can. You never know what cool information you may discover or clubs that you may want to join or some place you want to work. We're all Spartans and we want you all to feel as welcome as possible. So don't be shy! Just some words of relaxation, Campus is really big and can be overwhelming. However, once you start class and have a couple days to wonder around and such, it's not big anymore. Also, Campus is beautiful! Take time to smell the flowers, walk by the river, and enjoy the quiet of the summer. Don't forget all the other stuff you can do while you're here too, like go the the Broad Art Museum, the MSU Museum, the MSU Dairy Store, the Union, and loads of other places. Have fun while you're here!

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Chicago

Two weeks ago was my boyfriend's birthday. I blogged about the day before because of how stressed out I was. I had so much to do but luckily I was able to get everything done. On the day of his birthday, I still had to work and go to class. Afterwards, my mom came up and we gave  his gifts. I bought him a new camera and a phone case. We went out to eat afterwards. We went to Bravo! which had really good food. Their tortellini and diablo sauce is really good. I had lobster ravioli and it was good, though next time I go there I would probably get something else. He enjoyed his food and everything which is what mattered. When we were done eating we went back to the apartment and cut cake. His favorite thing of all time is Basketball and his favorite player is Michael Jordan. So, I tried to put that into his cake. I made him a chocolate fudge brownie cake from scratch and I put butter-cream icing on top. I also did my best attempt at a jersey with the number 23 on it. It was decent. I've never claimed to be an artist but it's the thought that counts right? The oven cooked the cake perfectly and it tasted amazing. Here's a picture, but don't laugh.

As a second part to his birthday, we went to Chicago that  weekend. It was nice.  Chicago is not that far from East Lansing. It's a 3.5 hour train or car ride. It's so convenient too because there's an Amtrack station virtually on campus. We drove instead of taking the train though because it worked out better for us. We didn't have to choose what time to leave or come back based on train times. It made it more lenient for us. Still, I would love to take the train. Hopefully I can next time. We left Saturday and only stayed for one night. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express downtown. His mom helped us out so that we could afford to stay downtown. When we got to Chicago, we went to the Shedd Aquarium. If you've never been, I high recommend it. It's my favorite. They have so many fish and animals. They have dolphins and beluga whales too. My favorite thing is the Shark tank in the basement. It's so awesome. They also have an Anaconda, and loads of other cool animals & fish. They even included a Stingray Touch Pool which is really cool if you've never touched a Stingray before. For dinner, we went to Grand Lux Cafe and the food was great. I had a chicken pasta with fresh tomatoes and basil. After we ate we went and hung around Navy Pier, which we had never been to before. It was really nice and it's huge! They have an enormous Ferris Wheel, loads of places to eat and shop at. We basically just walked around and enjoyed the scenery. They even had fireworks at the end of the night over the pier. It was a great end of the night. We left Sunday afternoon after doing a little shopping. It was a really nice weekend.

This was supposed to have been posted a while ago but as you time has a way of getting away from college students. Then when I had this typed, my computer crashed and none of it was saved. So here I am trying again :).

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I have three posts in the works coming for you all! In the meantime, I'd like to share a photo that I took of Morrill Hall in the fall of last year. The building was 113 years old, and was the first female dormitory on campus. It was torn down last week and now it is a pile of concrete, brick, wood, and other things. The building was extremely dangerous to work in or have class in, but it was still a huge piece of MSU history. In my opinion, it was the most gorgeous building on campus. Aside from West Circle, it really made me feel like I was living the college experience. It looked just like how the University of Chicago looks when it's portrayed in Indiana Jones movies. It's just something about it that was just so peaceful. I'm going to miss seeing it there.  For more information, click here. For pictures of the demolition, click here. For more information on the Nature Plaza they are building there, click here.

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This is a workshop being put on by MSU Professor Stephanie Amada. It focuses around the college environment and cultural transition for students from high school coming to college. This is what she said on her Facebook page:

Having worked closely with college women over the past 5 years (as a professor) and hearing about the unique pressures and challenges they face, I have put together a workshop for young women to help them transition from high school to college.

Do you know a young woman who has just graduated from high school?  This workshop is designed to prepare young women for some of the pressures of college that are often unexpected and not discussed. It is for young women attending any college or university. Moms and other adult females are invited to attend part of the day, too.

Saturday, June 29 is the first official workshop in East Lansing, Michigan.

There is more information about it on her website. If you're in the area and can attend, I highly recommend it. She's an awesome person.

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AOP Has Started! Please Pardon our Construction

AOP, also known as the Academic Orientation Program, has started this week and campus is buzzing with Freshmen and their parents. It brings back so many memories from when I did my AOP. Although, my AOP was in the middle of July. It was a lot warmer and a lot more sun. I feel bad for those of you that had to walk around in the crazy rain we had. Hopefully you guys missed the worst of it. With the start of AOP, there is also POP, which is the Parent Orientation Program. It's meant to give parents information and helpful tips for when their students come here in the fall; nothing bad or anything. Attending MSU/starting college is a transition for Parents as well as the students. Everyone learns loads of information about MSU and schedules classes so that they feel better when it comes time for classes to start in the fall.  Some of you may already know but there is a Resource Fair at the end of your AOP. It has a lot of different opportunities that are available at MSU whether it be jobs, help centers, greek life, or even performances at the Wharton Center. It's a way to show all the resources and opportunities that are available to you as a Spartan. I'm not sure of everything that's there because I haven't been in so long. I do know that the MSU Writing Center is there! I definitely suggest checking out our booth, we have tons of Swag for you guys. Also, I will be at the AOP resource fair on the 17th at the Writing Center booth! This is the only day I will be there though :/. So come talk to me! Ask us questions! Even if I'm not there, the people who will be are all awesome! We're here to help out. So come see us! It seems like our construction intensified right around the time AOP started, which sucks for everyone. Campus is a lot nicer and more relaxing when construction barrels aren't around every corner. The bus routes are entirely messed up from the construction but according to a bus driver, they're ahead of schedule with their Grand River project so they should be done by the end of June. Yay!

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Well, it's official. The parking lot that was next to Shaw Hall is now a green space, also known as a small park. This is something that is going on throughout campus. I read somewhere that MSU has limited parking because they're a "green campus." That's nice and everything, not to mention it makes campus look even more beautiful, but just once I'd like to be able to park somewhere and not have to worry about paying for it. This specific parking lot, now green space, is off of Farm Lane and Shaw Rd near Erikson Hall. As you can see, the grass wasn't growing yet when I took these pictures, though considering the amount of rain we're getting, I wouldn't be surprised if it started to sprout. Before you know it, students will be studying under trees and playing Frisbee, just like on West Circle, which is pretty cool. The other picture that is here is a picture of a bird's nest. It's between the window and the screen on the third floor of Bessey Hall. There are birds chirping in the nest. It's so cute. I didn't want to get too close and disturb them. The sad thing was, when I got a little closer, I could see that one of the bird's eggs had fallen into the crack within the window and screen, and it wasn't hatched. I'd never been that close to a bird's nest before or seen the baby, almost not baby, birds that clear. It's amazing what you can see at MSU during the summer.

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Exhausted

There comes a time, I think, when you really can tell you are not a kid anymore. You realize that you have no idea how your parents did all that work for us everyday and didn't collapse from exhaustion and cry at night. I think I had that epiphany for the first time yesterday. I'm very similar to my mom, in that I want to make everyone happy. Yesterday, I knew it was going to be a busy day. I had class yesterday morning, work in the afternoon and a test for my online class that I had to find time to study for. So my day went like this: I woke up at 8:30, caught the bus, found out that no buses serve Grand River in East Lansing because of the construction, walked to class, class for about 2 hours, studied and worked until 5, took my IAH tests/midterm, made (from scratch) a chocolate fudge brownie cake for my Boyfriend's birthday today, made lunch for work, laid down. I was so exhausted by the time I was done with the cake that I felt like I could barely walk. I can't imagine how parents and those in the work force do all that every day. Well, maybe not that specifically but you see what I'm getting at.  I think I did really well on the tests though. There was a multiple choice test with 60 questions and 40 minutes to do it, a listening section with 13 questions/songs  to identify, and an essay section with two questions to answer. The only thing I was really unsure of was how we were supposed to respond to the essay questions. I wasn't sure if they were supposed to be essay length responses or just a paragraph or two. I ended up writing two short essays for the answers, which were about five paragraphs each. 

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SummerTime

With the relaxing weather and the casual climate that comes with this time of the year, it really makes one not want to do anything. At least, that's the feeling I get a little. It's nice going to work at the Writing Center, and I'm enjoying both my classes. The only thing is, getting up in the morning and trying to discipline myself to get all of the work done is hard. It's not entirely what I'm used to and I'm still adjusting to it. Normally I only have one class in the summer and the classes that I've taken have been more of a writing focus. The in person English class I'm taking is, but the online IAH is more busy work and reading. It just takes a lot to get me to focus. Work is going really well though. I've had clients and everything. I feel like I'm starting to get into the swing of things more now. I still get nervous but it's usually over nothing. The only problem I keep having is I feel like I talk too much during a consultation but I think part of that is the nerves too. The only thing that is really starting to affect me is the getting up at 8:30am everyday. I mean, technically it's not that early in the scheme of things, but it's definitely not something that I'm used to. It's all relative. Between class and being at work I have to be up. I feel as though I try to be productive and then I feel ten steps back from where I thought I was. Part of me wishes that West Circle Rd was still open and that the library stayed open later during the summer. I feel like I need it now more than during the school year. Just a random side note: They are starting to tear down Morril Hall so if you have the opportunity, go see it before it's gone! One of, if not, the oldest buildings on campus aside from Beaumont Tower. Also, there are a lot of High School graduations happening this weekend and next, so be aware of traffic. Congrats to everyone graduating from High School!

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Happy Memorial Day

I hope you all had a great holiday. I went home Saturday night and my family & I celebrated Memorial Day Sunday with out traditional family BBQ. My mom & I bbq'd Country Ribs and Chicken legs as well as some all beef hot dogs and corn on the cob. We also made coleslaw and potato salad. It wasn't a big party or gathering, just family. I made "red, white, and blue cake in a jar" which everyone seemed to enjoy. My Uncle brought a Peppermint Stick Pie which was so delicious. We also had marshmallows and such to make s'mores. It was relaxing and an enjoyable day with family. Of course, we remember those of our family, friends, and those that we've never met that have done so much for this country. My grandpa (who passed away in 2002) was in the Navy, my Uncle is a Marine, my mom's best friend is a Lieutenant Colonel with the Army, and one of her other best friends was in the military as well. That doesn't even include the numerous other family members that I do not know as well but know they are/were in the military and friends that have joined as well. In every aspect, they have given up opportunities/changed part of their lives so that they could defend the country and what it stands for. It takes a strong individual to do that, and I admire and respect every one of them. To all of you, I say Thank You from the bottom of my heart. To those that aren't here, there are people that seriously miss you.

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Working & Studying

This week was the start of working at the MSU Writing Center. I love working here. I had my first client on Tuesday which I thought went really well. I was super happy and she was really nice. Unfortunately, I found out today I wasn't supposed to help her. She came in looking to get help for a friend who lives in China and was not able to use Twiddla. I didn't know that we were not supposed to do that. I figured that we weren't supposed to do things like that usually but since he was in China I didn't thing it was wrong but I was wrong. So, that made me feel bad but there isn't anything I can do. You don't know what you don't know. I still love being here. I love Bessey Hall and I enjoy the people I work with which make it all worth it in the end. Today, I'm working as a receptionist and I'm scheduled as an online consultant but I don't have a client. I will be getting more familiar with Twiddla and how the system works that way I can be more help and know how to make comments and so on when I do have an online client. The system isn't hard or anything, in fact it's really convenient  but because in the situation I would need to know how to do things more than the client, I just want to make sure I have a good understanding of it. I love working as a receptionist though. I have always wanted to be a secretary type person so it's similar to that. This is all just exciting for me. The classes that I'm taking are going well. I absolutely adore the English class I'm in. I really love the professor and the class subject matter. It's probably my favorite English class that I've taken so far. My IAH is giving me a little trouble. I'm having problems keeping up with everything and staying structured and making sure I get all my work done, mainly the reading. I really have to discipline myself even more to get it done. It's hard for me to just stare at the computer and read so I've been printing stuff off. Even with that I still have to get myself to read it. I'm sure I'll like the information I read I just have to do it.  I've actually been reading for my entertainment lately which I love. I have read one book this summer so far and I have two more that I'm reading right now. I'm almost done with one of them already. I love the summer when I can actually read for entertainment and not "required reading."

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Week Two

This is the end of the second week of "summer," but for me, it's my last week of "sleeping in" so to speak. Next week I start working at the Writing Center. I'm really excited but it will definitely be an adjustment. I work four days a week and, although I won't be "opening" at the Writing Center, I will be up and moving nice and early; especially between class and working at the Writing Center. I already have four appointments that are scheduled so I'm really excited for it.  The only thing that has me somewhat worried is trying to balance everything. Sometimes I get irritated always looking at the computer and it makes me wish I was living in the time period where students were given information on paper instead of having to read things online. However, I am really grateful for online classes. Still, forcing myself to stare at the computer to do homework takes a lot discipline. Time management is definitely going to be key this summer, at least until the first summer session is over. I really like the classes that I'm taking, the professors are extremely cool and care about the information that they're teaching which always makes things better. I have a lot of readings and things that I have to stay "up to date with" but I'm definitely organized for it and everything. I've never taken two classes during the summer so I'm nervous but definitely prepared for it. On Wednesday, Carol Burnett was in East Lansing to "perform" at the Wharton Center. I had never been to the Wharton Center before and it's so  gorgeous. It's also HUGE and, for me anyway, nerve-wracking. My mom adores Carol Burnett and grew up watching her on TV. For her birthday, I bought her two tickets to go see Carol Burnett and I said she could take whoever she wanted and that was me. So Wednesday was the day of the event. It was essentially a conversation with the audience that was filled with clips from her TV show. If you've seen her show, you know the part where she answers questions from the audience? That's what the entire show was like. I wasn't able to get great tickets because I don't have a lot of money but I really wanted to make sure my mom could go. It was basically a once in a lifetime thing. We were on the third floor in the balcony section but it was still a beautiful view and nice seats. We were directly in the middle of the stage just on the third floor. The upper levers are at an incline which made it terrifying for me walking to our seats because of it. Regardless, it was amazing and a great night. My mom seemed to be really happy and that's all I really want.