How weird is it to think that, in just two years, we will be big sisters helping the new freshmen class navigate the strange waters of Converse? I can't wait until then (or rather I can. I have no idea what I'm doing still!) so here is my little spill that I would give to my potential little sisters:
Good morning! I hope everyone's been getting plenty of sleep and eating well! No? Well, guys, the first thing I want to tell you is this: get plenty of rest, even if it means taking a nap or missing a late night party. Your mind can't function if you're out every night of the week cultivating your social life. It's good to have some nights where you are out and about, but save those for the weekend after you've done your homework and you can handle losing several hours of sleep without serious repercussions.
Also, make sure you are eating well! Pizza is yummy and soda is bubbly and sweet, but they are not good for your energy level or your body in general. Be sure to eat a colorful plate full of veggies and if you must have snacks in your dorm, try to buy apples, trail mix, and other good for you snacks that will keep your energy up, especially as music students who have long days. Eating healthy will keep you from gaining the freshmen fifteen and will keep you from falling behind due to a lack of energy.
Aside from being healthy in a physical way, be sure that you find a least a couple of friends that you can flock to when you need someone there. These friends that you make in college are going to be the friends that are there for life, and now is the time to start searching for them. They can really help you in times of need and can be there for you when you need someone to go to the party with or to figure out the workings of Gee with. But sometimes friends can give you a bit too much of help and advice.
If you need someone to just listen and you don't want everyone knowing about something maybe that is personal, you can always go to the Wellness Center on campus. There is no shame in counseling, and as music students who often lose their sanity in the crazy hours that we spend in the practice rooms, counseling can be extremely beneficial in keeping your emotional health stable.
Time management is something that music majors often become masters of as we figure out recital attendance, clubs, practicing, going to class, and other activities of the like. Be sure that you don't say yes to absolutely everything in the beginning as far as clubs and organizations go, and be sure to prioritize your stuff. Try to get your convocations and recital attendance done early so that come November/December, you aren't cramming and stressing because the recitals you attended only amount to 13 when you needed 20. It is so much better to be done with these sorts of things so that you can enjoy the other activities on campus, such as Zumba, movie night, and many more.
Converse is a great school to be at and I am so excited that you are here. There is a great purpose for you here and a special place for each of you. If you need anything, everyone that is above you, to include students, faculty, and staff, are here to reach out to YOU and help YOU become a vital part of the Converse sisterhood. Again, we are super excited that you chose Converse, and if you need anything, we are here for you. Thanks guys!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
No time to say "Hello!" "Good-bye!"
The warmth of my bed encompasses me like a bear hug from my daddy. I force open my sleepy eyes and see the clock ticking onward. It's 7:30 am already? I roll back over for five more minutes of sleep only to discover that the five minutes I planed in my mind has turned into fifteen and I am now late to start my day. I jump in the shower, run down the hall as I dry off, pull on some semblance of an outfit, then rush out the door, hoping I have everything I need for the day. Sometimes this works. However, more often than not, I am late to class, not prepared, and in a full tizzy from the whirlwind morning. Welcome to the circus life of Mackenzie!
I know that surely I am not the only one who struggles with oversleeping/lack of sleep. It is a fairly common problem among high-school and college students. After several tardies, one zero for the lack of a pencil, and numerous "I'm concerned about you" talks from various teachers, I decided that it was time to get my act together and be on time. I wanted to be known as a responsible student and not the slacker who was living in her own la-la land. It took several methods and a few times of failure before I found this helpful hint: Set your alarm clock early. Many people look at me with crazy eyes when I say set your alarm clock earlier, but let me explain.
When I have my alarm clock set for 7:30 am, I automatically want to press the bloody snooze button. Ten minutes go by and the alarm clock rings again. That is wonderful, except 7:40 am is often too late for me to prepare efficiently for my day. So if my body must have the satisfaction of pressing that snooze button, I set my alarm clock for 7:20 am. It's practically a mind trick to make myself think I getting more sleep, when in reality, I'm waking up at the right time with a bit more energy.
Aside from the mind tricks, I also suggest thinking about WHY you must wake up at the time you set. Maybe it's so you can work out, or spend some time in quiet devotion or contemplation. Maybe you just need to get to class on time. Whatever the reason is, write it down beside your bed and look at it when you feel like "sleeping for five more minutes". Trust me...goals are a big motivator for a lot of people, so make your goals a reason to get up each morning.
With these two tips in mind, I hope that maybe the school crowd will be a bit cheerier and ready to grab a hold of life. Get up and start your day because you have a reason worth living for, because you need to discover something wonderful today, or because you are ready to seize what life is begging to give you. Don't let the snooze monster trap you into being caught up in the morning whirlwind. Grab life by the horns and get up so that something amazing can happen. Good morning!
I know that surely I am not the only one who struggles with oversleeping/lack of sleep. It is a fairly common problem among high-school and college students. After several tardies, one zero for the lack of a pencil, and numerous "I'm concerned about you" talks from various teachers, I decided that it was time to get my act together and be on time. I wanted to be known as a responsible student and not the slacker who was living in her own la-la land. It took several methods and a few times of failure before I found this helpful hint: Set your alarm clock early. Many people look at me with crazy eyes when I say set your alarm clock earlier, but let me explain.
When I have my alarm clock set for 7:30 am, I automatically want to press the bloody snooze button. Ten minutes go by and the alarm clock rings again. That is wonderful, except 7:40 am is often too late for me to prepare efficiently for my day. So if my body must have the satisfaction of pressing that snooze button, I set my alarm clock for 7:20 am. It's practically a mind trick to make myself think I getting more sleep, when in reality, I'm waking up at the right time with a bit more energy.
Aside from the mind tricks, I also suggest thinking about WHY you must wake up at the time you set. Maybe it's so you can work out, or spend some time in quiet devotion or contemplation. Maybe you just need to get to class on time. Whatever the reason is, write it down beside your bed and look at it when you feel like "sleeping for five more minutes". Trust me...goals are a big motivator for a lot of people, so make your goals a reason to get up each morning.
With these two tips in mind, I hope that maybe the school crowd will be a bit cheerier and ready to grab a hold of life. Get up and start your day because you have a reason worth living for, because you need to discover something wonderful today, or because you are ready to seize what life is begging to give you. Don't let the snooze monster trap you into being caught up in the morning whirlwind. Grab life by the horns and get up so that something amazing can happen. Good morning!
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