In a few short months I will be a college graduate! How exciting and nerve racking all at the same  time!

By the way, sorry I haven’t been writing for a while, I have for the most part had my hands tied with school and the like.

This semester has been busy, and semi stressful. I went into this semester thinking it was going to be one of the easier ones I would have seen in my college career, but it was not. At one point, I was ready to scream because one of my classes was stressing me out so much. But I have been working hard, and doing my best to not pull my hair out. I still have my hair at least!

No one ever said it was going to be easy, they just said it was going to be worth it.

And sure enough as this semester winds down, and as I head into my final semester at Georgian Court University, my mind is filled with all the possibilities awaiting me. Am I scared? Scared of some of the unknowns that await me, like  not knowing if I will even get into the graduate school of my choice. Or if I will be able to even get a decent job in an economy that is still somewhat crappy.

Yeah I should be scared.

I should be freaked out.

Surprisingly, I am actually OK for the most part. Many of my peers want to go to work, or are unsure of what they want, but me, I seem to be OK.

Maybe its knowing that things always work out in the end.

The future does freak me out, but not always.

Till next time,

K

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 finals ended May 7th, and now I have this summer to rest and gear up for the next, and last two years in my college career. Its going to be more work, internships, and a whole lot more stuff in order to get the degree that I am working my tail off for! Only 2 more years to go! Yay!

On another note: My summer plans are going to involve work, fun and a combinaton of work and fun!

I’m working at a camp for the mentally disabled, and this is my 5th year doing so. I began as a high school student doing volunteer work for Catholic Charities Operation FUN programs for the mentally disabled, and I joined the staff last summer, and enjoy every minute of it. These kids have taught me a lot, and I could spend a whole day about it, but that is for another time.

As of now, I can finally breathe, and enjoy home!

Catch ya on the flip side guys!

Krystal

This weekend was our Presidential Scholars Luncheon at Georgian Court where accepted and incoming students came and were honored for their achievements in their high school careers up until now. We had over 100 girls and their familes come check out our campus, our bookstore, attend information sessions, and they even got the chance to join us for lunch and have their photos taken with Sister Rosemary Jefferies, the President of Georgian Court University.

Then. after the luncheon, several of my friends and I went to the historic Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ to check out my friends in The Non Exisent Year play for the Break contest Fianls. The Break Contest is huge for unsigned bands in NJ to earn a spot on the Bamboozle Festival and earn the exposure many of them have been working so hard to gain. Needless to say, TNEY owned the stage, and earned a spot on the Festival. (Yay)!

Sunday was a huge day for 39 girls in the class of 2011 because it was our Phi Eta Sigma honors induction. We held it in the Dorothy Marrion University Chapel, and our parents were able to come out and support us. In order to get into Phi Eta Sigma, the candidates must have had a 3.5 gpa their first semster as a freshmen, or 3.5 overall at the end of their freshmen year. You have to pay a 50 dollar one time fee, and once you do, you are in it for life.

I was thrilled becasue my mom, sister, and God-parents all came up and we just enjoyed the day, and went out to eat afterwards. When I got back, it was back to reality, and the hw that I needed  to complete.

With only three weeks left in the semester, it is now crunch time as papers, projects, and finals all need to be competed in a timely fashion.

Krystal

Let me start off by saying I hope everyone has a good Easter Sunday, and remembers the RE AL reason why we celebrate this great day! It is not about the Easter bunny, or the fact that Spring is really underway, but rather it is the celebration of what Jesus did on the Cross for everyone around the world!

Needless to say, I am indeed home now, and my Easter break has been quite fun so far. Yesterday,  I got to see some of my friends that I had not seen in awhile as we all got together in the city to celebrate my friend Edith’s 19th birthday! Even though there were some of her friends outside of our CMCA clique that I had not met before,  it was great to be in good company, and to even remember some of the great times we had during our high school years. Plus, it was a time I needed to laugh, and what better way then to head to the movies with your friends-and a funny movie at that!

Then, today at work, we had a “Half Easter Party” because we had a lot of kids M.I.A.due to the holiday weekend, and the icky, yucky, rainy weather outside. My group only had 7 kids, but since today I took on one of my other co-workers kids, we had 8 total. We the staff, were also given some insight into what is happening with the summer program, and so far there are some big, and positive changes ahead of us.

And of course, what really made my day nice was the fact that I got a really sweet, and awesome ”Thank you” voicemail from the lead singer of the band The Non Existent Year, for the article I wrote on them for our school paper, The Lion’s Tale.

Although break ends on Tuesday, I am going back with some great memories, and a refreshed outlook to end off the semester with a bang!

Until next time,

Krystal-Ashley is out!