Month: September 2014 (page 2 of 2)

A Guide for the Shy Freshman

I have always been a very shy person, so of course I was nervous for my freshman year at UD. I was going to a school in a different state where I didn’t know anyone! Luckily, I had the Honors Program to help me come out of my shell. Here is some advice for the Class of 2018 introverts:

Study in your floor lounge!
If you want to meet people on your floor, but aren’t comfortable enough to knock on their door and strike up a conversation, then you should study in your floor lounge. There will most likely always be another person studying there, so join them! Next thing you know, a new friendship will begin. I did not do this much because I get distracted easily, but I definitely recommend this opportunity for floor bonding!

Go to events planned by your Munson Fellow(s)!
Your Munson Fellow (or fellows if you have more than one like I did) will plan a bunch of events for your floor and for the Honors Program throughout the year. Go to those events! You will have fun and meet a lot of people who share your interests. I remember going on a White Clay Creek hike that was planned by my Munson Fellow and a Munson Fellow from another floor. I had a great time and bonded with people who I am still friends with today!

Join Clubs!
If you don’t find yourself particularly satisfied with the people on your floor, then join clubs that involve your interests! I have made some of my best friends here by joining clubs and forcing myself to talk to people. It really helped me learn to be more outgoing and more of a leader on campus.

So, for all the introverted freshmen out there wondering if they will make friends here at UD, do not worry! You will find your niche on campus, make genuine friendships, and have an amazing time here. I hope you enjoy every minute of your time here because it will go by fast!

~Heather Brody

The trip to White Clay Creek that my Munson Fellow organized last year!

The trip to White Clay Creek that Heather’s Munson Fellow organized last year!

An Ode to Judy

Dear Judy,

You probably don’t know me, but I am one of your biggest fans.

I was a freshman in the fall of 2012. I came to college spoiled, overtly privileged in terms of caffeine. You see, in my house, there is always a fresh pot of coffee on the counter, prepared by some java fairy (my mother).

I was lost those first few weeks of school, unsatisfied with the taste of the hot brown “coffee” they served in Russell Dining Hall, and appalled by the miniscule amount of joe that my roommate’s Keurig generated.

Then one morning, I had an epiphany. My first class of the day was in Purnell. Which meant that I passed right by Perkins. Which contained a Dunkin Donuts. Which served coffee. You were there that morning. You took my order and said to me, ever so sweetly, “Anything else, hun?”

Morning coffee with you became a routine. In the beginning, it was a small iced French vanilla with cream. Later it was a medium hot pumpkin coffee with skim. Some days there were celebratory chocolate chip muffins. Some days there were sympathy-seeking extra large iced coffees with cream and sugar. Some days there were homesick donuts. But for every purchase, you were there, referring to me as “hun” and providing me with the most appreciated form of liquid found on college campuses.

I don’t often make it to Perkins anymore, and after realizing that pumpkin coffee contained 180 calories without milk, I try to stick to the traditional varieties. But whenever I see a student walking down the green with a Styrofoam cup in hand, I think of you and the moments we shared in the Scrounge. You completed my freshman year, and I know you’ll continue to encourage the studies and caffeine addictions of the newest Honors students.

Best of luck to you, and please continue calling everyone “hun”.

Yours truly,
Erin Dugan

Freshman Year 2.0

 

Like most UD students, I have many fond memories of freshman year; pretty much everything from the muggy move-in day, to the bittersweet move out day in May. This year, however, I get to experience freshman year all over again (from a different angle) as a Munson Fellow.

It is certainly interesting to get to experience life as a freshman over again. Let me assure you that many things are still the same over on East Campus. There are freshmen out on the turf at all hours of the day, Dr. Munson is still providing gummy bears on Wednesday nights and the students stay up far too late having many a philosophical discussion. Even the dining hall is the same. In fact, I got an incredible sense of déjà vu when I went into the dining hall on the first day of classes for breakfast. It was as if I was a freshman again: the same employee swiped my card and I ate the same thing (egg white omelet with mushrooms and tomatoes). In some ways, it is uncanny how similar things are to how they were two years ago.

But of course, some things have changed. First and foremost, the building. Living in Redding is pretty much like living in a hotel: there is a plethora of lounge space, the rooms are spacious, and the temperature borders on artic. One thing is for sure; these freshmen will never have to experience the sweaty nights that characterized my freshman fall. Another interesting difference is how the hallways are also lacking for people. Because of the lounges on each wing, freshmen are far more likely to be hanging out there than in the hallway. Bygone are the days where climbing over your floormates’ legs to get to the bathroom was the norm.

East Campus this year is also different because this time I’m supposed to be the one with the answers (no pressure, of course). And now, as it is my job, I want to impart some advice to the freshmen. First, leave your doors open and hang out in the lounges as much as possible. This is a great way to meet new people and get help with homework. Second, when the bell in the dining hall rings, act fast. That means that cookies have just been taken out of the oven and there is nothing better than a warm, gooey cookie to brighten up your day.

But most importantly, work hard and play hard too. You only get one freshman year, so it is important to make it memorable. I studied hard my freshman year, but the nights that I remember most are the ones that I stayed up far too late, rapped in the hallway, laughed until my sides hurt and maybe put on a sumo wrestler costume once or twice. These are the nights that I will always remember and the memories that I will always cherish.

So yes, be an Honors student and study hard, but don’t forget to have fun too. After all, you are only truly a freshman once.

~Rebecca Jaeger

Redding 1A Celebrates September birthdays with cupcakes!

Redding 1A Celebrates September birthdays with cupcakes!

And We’re Back

With the Fall 2014 semester in full swing, we thought we’d kick off our endeavors here at 186 South College with a deeper look at the entity that brought us all together, the Honors Program, and what it has meant to us. Stay tuned for unique perspectives on how this program has truly affected the college experience and feel free to post your thoughts as well! We’d love to hear from you!

~The Editors

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