The goal of college is to graduate with a degree from which we can begin to build a career. From semester to semester there are always going to be classes you like more than others; some will be straightforward, some dull, some stimulating, and some will challenge you to study more than you ever thought possible. We all have set guidelines and regulations to fulfill for our majors, but outside that there is leeway in course choice via electives.
I have seen many of my peers take classes they have little or no interest in simply because they think it will be an “easy A”. I find that people perform much better in classes they are sincerely interested in. It makes attending class enjoyable and homework seem like less of a chore. You find yourself wanting to learn more about a topic, not just obligated to in order to achieve a good mark.
Purdue has such an excellent selection of courses there is no reason to be stuck in an elective you dislike. College is a time to prepare for a future career but it is also an opportunity to expand your interests and worldview. So this is my challenge to you: broaden your horizons, take a subject you have never tried before. You may just find your new minor.
--- Maggie Flynn
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
August means back to school!
Honestly, after working all summer I couldn't wait to get back on campus. There is so much going on: call-outs, organizations, intramural, and social events. There is not a single evening in the first two months of school where you can't find an evening activity or some free food! All you have to do to find something to get you out of your room and into some fun is look at the fliers on the walls, the announcements scrolling all around, or even the chalk drawings on the ground! I can say without a doubt I was never bored my first semester at Purdue ever. I also get to see all my friends I made last year that I haven't seen all summer. Side note to any freshman reading this: get out of your high school comfort zone! You can still hang with your old friends, but there are so many other people to meet. You can make a ton of new friends by joining a team, a club, a study group, or even just living in a dorm. My other tip - which goes for anyone - is to join a club. There is a club for everything, literally everything, and you can join with no experience at all. Get out, get involved, and get social. That is my recipe for loving college life.
--- Andy Wiseman
--- Andy Wiseman
Loving Classes!!!!!
The semester has begun and campus has come back to life. I started my classes last week and have really enjoyed them so far. One of the required classes I am taking is CSR 328 Apparel Art and Design (aka Fashion Illustration). It is taught by Susan Owens who is one of the main professors in the Apparel Design & Technology major. The first day of class she wanted to get us loosened up and get out creativity going so she planned some non-conventional exercises for our class. Our first instruction was to take large brown paper and draw a dress form which was placed in the center of the room. Seems simple enough, right? Wait there is a catch. We had to put the paper on the ground and draw using chalk that was taped to the end of a stick. To keep us fresh, she encouraged us to flip our paper, switch chalk colors, and change our prospective. Though everyone in the class was given the same subject to draw, each final product had its own unique style and interpretation. It was a great first day of Illustration class and I am looking forward to the semester!
--- Kelsey Leliaert
--- Kelsey Leliaert
Forgot How Much I Love Purdue!
After being back at Purdue for a few weeks, I realized that I had forgotten how much I love it here. I love seeing the bustle of campus, and all of the students studying on the lawns and around the fountains. The nice weather really brings people outside, and it isn't uncommon to see groups of people outside throwing around a Frisbee or kicking a soccer ball back and forth. I even saw a guy lying in a hammock right beside an engineering building! However, it's not all just playing around, unfortunately. Along with coming back and seeing everyone on campus comes the start of classes, and let me just say, my schedule isn't exactly a piece of cake this semester!
My Mondays are killer - with classes starting at 8:30 and going until 4:30 with only a lunch break in between, I've got a rough start to the week, but I can't complain too much, because I really enjoy my classes this semester! For my Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences major I was told many times last year that it is key to get involved with a research lab on campus. This opportunity provides you with not only credits, but a closer relationship with your professor, and unique experiences working in a research setting! So far it's been fairly interesting, and I'm learning a lot about the processes and responsibilities of working in a lab. I'm excited to see what the rest of the semester brings!
--- Ariel Demoret
My Mondays are killer - with classes starting at 8:30 and going until 4:30 with only a lunch break in between, I've got a rough start to the week, but I can't complain too much, because I really enjoy my classes this semester! For my Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences major I was told many times last year that it is key to get involved with a research lab on campus. This opportunity provides you with not only credits, but a closer relationship with your professor, and unique experiences working in a research setting! So far it's been fairly interesting, and I'm learning a lot about the processes and responsibilities of working in a lab. I'm excited to see what the rest of the semester brings!
--- Ariel Demoret
My Study Abroad Adventure – Madrid!
This past summer I had the opportunity to participate in Purdue’s Spanish Department Study Abroad Experience to Madrid, Spain. I was there for 6 weeks with about 30 other Purdue students, and it was the experience of a lifetime! Here’s a quick rundown of some of my favorite memories from my trip:
1. Being with my host family – Along with two other Purdue students, I lived in the home of a Spanish woman, Prado, an
d her middle-school son, Mario. My roommates Tola and Meghan are seen pictured here with Prado and Mario. We ate meals together, worked on homework with Mario, and had long conversations – all in Spanish of course! It was great to learn about Spanish culture from a native’s perspective. And the home stay experience definitely improved my Spanish speaking skills!
2. Taking classes – While in Madrid, I attended La Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, taking two classes toward my Spanish minor. One class was an art class, where we learned about Spanish history and how it related to art. We studied El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya, and every Thursday we went to the Prado Art Museum to see the paintings in real life! My other class was a food class taught by Purdue Professor Ana Gomez-Bravo. We were able to sample a TON of delicious cuisine from around the city, all while learning about its importance to Spanish culture.
3. Sightseeing – We covered a lot of ground in six weeks! Some of our most frequented hangout spots included La Plaza del Sol for some shopping, Retiro Park (see picture) for a relaxing afternoon in the gardens, and a little coffee shop in the center of the city that served the best Café Bonbon. It was so neat to see some of the more famous Madrid sights, like Plaza Mayor (see picture). We also did some extra traveling on the weekends to places like Seville, Barcelona, Toro, Zamora, Escorial, Granada, Toledo, and Segovia. All of these places were so culture-rich – I was seeing sites that I had read about in my years of Spanish classes! One of my favorite travel spots was our weekend in Barcelona. I got to see most of the Antoni Gaudí architecture, which was my dream to see someday. What a cool experience!
--- Laurel Donaldson
1. Being with my host family – Along with two other Purdue students, I lived in the home of a Spanish woman, Prado, an
d her middle-school son, Mario. My roommates Tola and Meghan are seen pictured here with Prado and Mario. We ate meals together, worked on homework with Mario, and had long conversations – all in Spanish of course! It was great to learn about Spanish culture from a native’s perspective. And the home stay experience definitely improved my Spanish speaking skills!
2. Taking classes – While in Madrid, I attended La Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, taking two classes toward my Spanish minor. One class was an art class, where we learned about Spanish history and how it related to art. We studied El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya, and every Thursday we went to the Prado Art Museum to see the paintings in real life! My other class was a food class taught by Purdue Professor Ana Gomez-Bravo. We were able to sample a TON of delicious cuisine from around the city, all while learning about its importance to Spanish culture.
3. Sightseeing – We covered a lot of ground in six weeks! Some of our most frequented hangout spots included La Plaza del Sol for some shopping, Retiro Park (see picture) for a relaxing afternoon in the gardens, and a little coffee shop in the center of the city that served the best Café Bonbon. It was so neat to see some of the more famous Madrid sights, like Plaza Mayor (see picture). We also did some extra traveling on the weekends to places like Seville, Barcelona, Toro, Zamora, Escorial, Granada, Toledo, and Segovia. All of these places were so culture-rich – I was seeing sites that I had read about in my years of Spanish classes! One of my favorite travel spots was our weekend in Barcelona. I got to see most of the Antoni Gaudí architecture, which was my dream to see someday. What a cool experience!
In summary, my trip to Spain this summer was amazing. I learned so much about Spanish culture – our classroom was the city, and it was our homework to explore life in Madrid. We became part of everyday life there – taking the public transportation, conversing with the locals, taking classes, and seeing the ancient sites. I would definitely recommend a study abroad experience to students – it’ll change you for the better!
--- Laurel Donaldson
The 2011 Purdue All-American Marching Band
Upon my returning to Purdue University for another year brought many tribulations of getting a new dorm room, having new, additional roommates, reacquainting with old friends, and of course returning to another year of being involved in Purdue’s All-American Marching Band. However in order to be in this band I had to go through a whole week of band camp, which took place the week before classes started here at Purdue. This would determine whether or not I would again be a part of the 2011 marching band.
I was fortune to be selected in the band last year and that allowed me to have some of the most amazing experiences in my life. Last fall the band had been invited to march in the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City so myself, along with 400+ students that were in the marching band, traveled 12 hours by bus to the “Big Apple” to be a significant part in this amazing celebration. Not only did we march in the parade but we were blessed to be the start of the parade! I had so much fun last year that I made the decision to be a returning veteran, along with some of my friends, to once again be a part of such an amazing group of people.
After a week of relearning the steps, playing music, and enduring the heat, I found out at the end of the week that I had once again been selected to be a member of “The Best D--- Band in the Land”! After a long, but exciting week I celebrated with my friends and ended the last day with a well deserved fountain run! I am proud to be a part of such a spirited and remarkable group of people. I am excited for the football season to commence so that once again we can lift the spirits of the Purdue fans with our incredible playing and marching. We truly are the best band in the land!
--- Alyssa Major
I was fortune to be selected in the band last year and that allowed me to have some of the most amazing experiences in my life. Last fall the band had been invited to march in the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City so myself, along with 400+ students that were in the marching band, traveled 12 hours by bus to the “Big Apple” to be a significant part in this amazing celebration. Not only did we march in the parade but we were blessed to be the start of the parade! I had so much fun last year that I made the decision to be a returning veteran, along with some of my friends, to once again be a part of such an amazing group of people.
After a week of relearning the steps, playing music, and enduring the heat, I found out at the end of the week that I had once again been selected to be a member of “The Best D--- Band in the Land”! After a long, but exciting week I celebrated with my friends and ended the last day with a well deserved fountain run! I am proud to be a part of such a spirited and remarkable group of people. I am excited for the football season to commence so that once again we can lift the spirits of the Purdue fans with our incredible playing and marching. We truly are the best band in the land!
--- Alyssa Major
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Wasn’t it May yesterday?
Finally, my summer is starting to wind down, so I can enjoy some much needed down time. Less than a week before classes, but I’ll take it! This has been by far the busiest summer of my life, but so rewarding.
I jumped right into things the Mon
day after finals in May. I traveled with a group of about 20 people from St. Mary’s Church (back in my hometown) to Guatemala. There, we visited a NPH (Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos) school and helped with some projects they had going on. Some of the group went to an off-site house where the older girls live and worked on some of the electricity problems. Most of the women (including me) stayed at the school and helped in the kitchen or with sewing tablecloths for the kids’ quinceañeras. Vidalia, the woman who was in charge of the sewing room, was so sweet and patient when we were learning to use the industrial machines, plus she told me I was a good sewer. Here is a picture of her teaching me how to use the machine:
I jumped right into things the Mon
day after finals in May. I traveled with a group of about 20 people from St. Mary’s Church (back in my hometown) to Guatemala. There, we visited a NPH (Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos) school and helped with some projects they had going on. Some of the group went to an off-site house where the older girls live and worked on some of the electricity problems. Most of the women (including me) stayed at the school and helped in the kitchen or with sewing tablecloths for the kids’ quinceañeras. Vidalia, the woman who was in charge of the sewing room, was so sweet and patient when we were learning to use the industrial machines, plus she told me I was a good sewer. Here is a picture of her teaching me how to use the machine: 
The people who had visited there previously cautioned us about the rice and bean dinners, but I thought they were delicious, especially with the homemade tortillas. Taco Bell should take a hint. Overall though, I absolutely loved meeting, playing, and (attempting) to talk with all the kids there. They were all so warm-hearted and welcoming, which made it feel so much like home. The kids were also so inspirational, I learned so much from them. I really I hope to go back soon to see the kids grow up. But hopefully next time, I’ll know how to say a little more than “My name is Mary. I am 19.”
I was in Guatemala for about a week, but it seemed like a day it flew by so fast. A couple weeks after I came home to Indiana, I started working as a day camp counselor at a camp a few minutes from my house. This was definitely a tough job, and I can cross out camp counselor off a list of career possibilities. Even though it was difficult (very, very difficult), I got into the groove of things and found out how I can best work with children while still having a little fun. Since most of the kids go to the camp all summer, being with them 40 hours a week really made me appreciate all the kids quirks, differences, and similarities. I gained so much from the experience, and I’d gladly take the job again in a heartbeat.
My summer was really full of working with kids, and I learned a lot about myself along the way. First, teaching is definitely not for me, I just want to play Uno and swing on swing sets with them. Second, I can put on band-aid like nobody’s business, since I probably used a hundred of them. Lastly, being able to make a kid laugh when they were crying or make them smile when they were sad is the greatest reward I had all summer. I want to be a pediatric nurse more now than I ever have before, and I hope my classes this semester will reaffirm that.
Happy End of Summer and Boiler Up!
I was in Guatemala for about a week, but it seemed like a day it flew by so fast. A couple weeks after I came home to Indiana, I started working as a day camp counselor at a camp a few minutes from my house. This was definitely a tough job, and I can cross out camp counselor off a list of career possibilities. Even though it was difficult (very, very difficult), I got into the groove of things and found out how I can best work with children while still having a little fun. Since most of the kids go to the camp all summer, being with them 40 hours a week really made me appreciate all the kids quirks, differences, and similarities. I gained so much from the experience, and I’d gladly take the job again in a heartbeat.
My summer was really full of working with kids, and I learned a lot about myself along the way. First, teaching is definitely not for me, I just want to play Uno and swing on swing sets with them. Second, I can put on band-aid like nobody’s business, since I probably used a hundred of them. Lastly, being able to make a kid laugh when they were crying or make them smile when they were sad is the greatest reward I had all summer. I want to be a pediatric nurse more now than I ever have before, and I hope my classes this semester will reaffirm that.
Happy End of Summer and Boiler Up!
--- Mary Jacobs
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