Well it is mid-August, and for most college kids across America it means one thing:  school starting soon.

And for the incoming freshmen, it means 4 more years of schooling. Could be “Yay” or “Nay” depending on what side you’re on. But if the back to school sales are giving you nightmares, and if you have anxiety about hitting a new set of classrooms with a new cast of characters, fear not! College is the chance to start over, and really get to the future.

With that being said, here are some college survival tips before you get on campus…

* If you are living in the dorms, get to know your hall mates/room mate(s). This will give you the chance to meet some people, and tackle the first year together.

* Make friends in general. They will help to keep you sane.

* GO TO CLASSES! This is the reason WHY you are in school in the first place. College is not all about parties, and social activities, but rather furthering your education.

* If your class schedule permits, try to pick up some extra curricular activities. Don’t just go to class, and go home/back to your room. If possible, try to take any and EVERY activity that is presented to you.

* Work on campus/off campus. Every college kid needs money, especially if you are on your own for the first time.

* AVOID DRINKING! (If possible) This is perhaps the biggest college cliche, but also one of  the most real unfortunately. If it is your first time away from home, a lot of the times it can be easy to get caught up in something…it is your responsibility to make sure then that “something” is not the wrong one. And besides, alcohol is empty calories, and if you are drinking every night during the first few weeks away from home, the freshmen 15 is not the ONLY unwanted weight you have to worry about!

* Know where the gym is! Freshmen 15 is not fun. Easy to gain, hard to lose. Enough said.

* Know your morals and set boundaries. Like I mentioned earlier, in the college setting there can be more peer pressure, and if you don’t know who you are, you will fall into some traps. So, like the saying goes, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

I believe  I have covered some fundamental principles that will help you to survive and thrive in the college environment. While summer winds down, get wound up for college.

Till next time,

Krystal.

Well it is more then half way done with the semester and so far I have not been bored yet! Mainly because I don’t have the time to.

My school work, classes, work, friends and clubs and activitiess are surely keeping me on my toes! I have 10 page paper due the end of this month, a 5 page one due in a week, and other writing assignments due shortly. But who feels pressure?

This weekend I stayed on campus because yesterday was our first Open House of the fall semester. I am unsure of how many prospective  students came, but it was a great number even despite the cold and rainy weather.

Then on Friday, we worked on the Lion’s Tale Issue one layout. We use a program called InDesign,  and it was pretty cool to see how a newspaper, layout out wise, really comes together. Next weekend I am heading home, but not before our Poetry Club performs on  Thursday night.

I am really excited for Christmas in two months, as well as my 21st birthday!

Till Next time,

xoxo

Krystal

Well it is already week 6 in the semester, (but who’s counting?)

Its so hard to believe we have already been here for a month already!  I feel like I just moved in yesterday!

So far, I have already had tests, quizzes, and a few papers here and there do. And the rest of my commitments have already kind of fallen into place-Service Learning, Lion’s Tale, etc. I guess you could say I was born busy!

This weekend I stayed on campus for two reasons: The Jersey Metro event at Montclair, and Family Day. Jersey Metro is part of Campus Crusade for Christ, and its all the Campus Crusade groups in all the NJ universities meeting at Montclair for a night of worship music, fun, and a brief message. I got involved with Court Cru-Georgian Court’s Campus Crusade for Christ group, last semester after being invited to Bible Study by one of my other friends, and fellow poets. I have been going ever since. Since I am Christian, this is the perfect group for me to be apart of on campus.

Family Day was cool because it was the first time the Poetry Corner had a table since our beginning in the spring of 2008. We came up with an activity that was a total hit with the crowd! “Sponge and Splat” was an activity where the kids came and painted t-shirts with sponges, their hands, and anything we had of availability to them. I don’t mean to brag, but our club cleaned house!

Despite being exhausted, this weekend was awesome, and I look forward to many more like this!

Till Next Time!

Krystal

Well it is hard to believe summer is just about over!

I am somewhat bummed that my summer is done, but again, we must keep the ball rolling, and get back into the swing of things eventually.

I moved into my new dorm room in st. Catherine’s Hall today. St. Cats are Georgian Courts newest residence halls, and they are the suites and singles. The closet space is pretty sweet, and kind of gives the feel of having your own apartment on campus. The suites have their own kitchen area, while the singles you share only the bathroom with one other person. These dorms are pretty much on the lap of luxury.The other dorms are nice, but these are NICE!

Today was also the day the Freshmen in the class of 2013 moved in. I remember two years ago the feelings of excitement, and fear were rushing through my veins. The one piece of advice I can give to the newest members of the GCU community is this: Work hard!!! You have made it this far, and DO NOT quit now! It will be worth it in 4 yrs when you all receive your degrees at Graduation.

Since it is move in weekend, the big tradition GCU has is the welcome back BBQ. This year, we are having a Carnival, and dinner in the Dining Hall.  It is a great way to mix and mingle the freshmen with all the other upper classes.

Then on Monday, the semester really kicks into high gear with the first day of class. We have Labor day weekend coming up soon, so that will be a welcome break to being in class for almost two weeks.

Til next time kiddies,

Catch ya on the Study Side!

Krystal.

With only about one week left until summer, it is just about time to rest your brains, sleep and chill until the fall when school starts. And if you are heading off to college, summer will be the time to get ready for a new start, and with that comes buying much needed supplies and things that you are going to need to make your dorm days happy days.

Allow me to break your supply lists down by category:

First off Dorm Needs

• Comforter/sheets/bed sham. Most of your bedding can be found at Target, or Bed, Bath and Beyond. I suggest Target because it is cheaper, and in my eyes more fun to shop at.
• Bed Risers. If you have seen the dorm, and if the beds seem kinda low, bed risers can raise the bed off an additional 6 inches. This is especially good if you plan on having under bed storage.
• Back rest/body pillow. These are great to have if you plan on having study sessions on your bed. However I must warn you: These may lead you to fall asleep.
• Bins/Storage. Some dorm rooms can be kinda tiny, so every inch of free space to store stuff is crucial.
• Cleaning supplies. When you move into your dorm, I suggest cleaning it before you move your stuff in. Now most colleges do clean the dorms prior to new students moving in, but you can never be too safe. Keep Lysol/Clorox wipes around at all times, and invest in either a mop or vacuum cleaner to upkeep your living space.
• Cooking supplies. Sometimes campus dining can be a tad mundane, so if you get bored, making your own food you know is always an option.

School Supplies

What is a proper school year without the proper supplies to get you classroom ready?

• Binders/Notebooks. Some professors lecture and you take nots at your will. Sometimes if you are lucky they will give you notes just so. To keep up, get a good binder/notebook to keep everything handy.
• Pencils, pens, highlighters. These will help make your study sessions easier.
• A good computer. Many college campuses give students free laptops when they enter as freshmen, but yet don’t give that option if you transfer in. So invest in a sturdy laptop that will take you into the college years and beyond.
• Folders to hold your syllabi.

Thats is pretty much all I can think of for the moment, if I come up with anymore, there will be a part 2.

Krystal

Know what that means? The Class of 2009 is getting ready to say good bye to high school, and hello to college as the class of 2013. Congrats and welcome to the next phase in your life!

So ever wonder how you survive the  the first yr of college?

Well allow me to tell you and give you some advice:

-First thing first, if you are going to dorm on campus, MAKE TARGET YOUR BEST FRIEND!!! Target has just about any and everything you need for your dormie needs, and its cheaper then most places.

-Get in touch with your new roomie. GCU does this thing where they send you the name and number of you new roommate before you guys have orientation. So take advantage of this, and talk to them on line, FB, or whatever means you choose. You guys have to talk about room arrangements, and all that good stuff anyway.

-Get to know your campus. Since GCU is only 155 acres, it is pretty hard to get lost, but it DOES happen, especially on the first day. So before the first day, once you have moved in, talk alittle walking tour with your roommate, friend, etc. Get to know the ins and outs. This can help stop alot of first day jitters.

-Avoid the freshman 15! The Freshman 15 is the weight that creeps up on you during the first year of college due to stress and other factors.  Try to eat healthy, and learn where to find the gym on campus.

-Take your vitamins! Again if you live in a dorm, or are commuting, college has many different people and that means many different germs all together in the same area. It is very easy to get sick, and for the most part there is no time to waste once you get into the swing of things on campus.

-If you do get sick, know where the campus doctor is. GCU has doctor and nurse services that are free of charge  to our students.

-Let Lysol and Chlorox wipes be your friends. Again dorm life offers many different people and germs floating around, so in order to avoid getting sick, wipe EVERYTHING down when you clean your room, and use disinfectant like there is no tomorrow.

-Get INVOLVED ON CAMPUS! Wheather you are a resident or commuter, there is nothing worse then going to class, and that’s it. Join a club, organization, or get a job. It is guaranteed to help make your college years go by faster, and it looks good for grad school. GCU offers a lot, and the trick is finding something you like. Ill suggest ::cough STARS::cough.

-And the last piece of vital important advice I can give to incoming freshman, well maybe two, is 1) Hold on to your morals, and 2) KEEP GOD FIRST! I’m telling you, if you dont know what you stand for when you come into college, you will fall/fail, and I have seen it happen to many girls. Pray for everything and anything, and watch it come into play.

I hope these tips are helpful, and will nake your transistion to college easier.

Peace for now,

Krystal

* My 2 exams that I have coming up this week

*My excitement about having another campus overnight this week

*And the fact that my college experience is half way done. With two years done, these next two years are probably going to fly by quick as well.

I remember coming in as a freshmen with the excitement and fear that most first time college students experience when they walk through the doors of their universities.  My first day was exciting, and horrifying as it was the first real time I had been away away from my family.

Flashback to now as I’m sitting here not as a quiet, shy 18 year old, but as a more confident, “I can do anything” 20 year old.

Don’t get me wrong, I was no slacker in high school, and I’m surely no slacker now, but it is safe to say college will make you more independent, and will change your outlook on many things, and open your eyes to new experiences. Being in college, more specifically Georgian Court, i have been blessed with the opportunities to go to Poetry readings, plan events, write for my school paper, give tours to incoming students who may be experiencing the same fears i was. There is more, bit I’m afraid if I continue, we may be here all day=).

What I  am trying to say here then, is life is full of so many surprises, and in college those surprises become evident. I never would have seen myself being away, and traveling as much as I do now. Maybe it’s the city girl in me, who knows?

Life is interesting, and college is an experience without a doubt.

Till next time, Krystal M. is out!