One week down, four weeks (minus one week) to go....

The first week of college. Where to start? Whirlwind is not even strong enough to describe this experience... it was more like a maelstrom. From the buzz of my alarm clock on move-in day until... basically right now (when I finally feel a bit of routine forming,) everything is a blur. Perhaps you know what I'm talking about, but if you haven't started college yet, I'm going to sum it up in three pieces of advice that I walked out of this experience with.

1. Accept some chaos. Accept that the move-in time, the first few days, and the first week will be hectic as heck. But don't let it stress you out. Just keep trucking through these first few days with the knowledge that everything will calm down soon.
2. Make yourself at home. One of the most important things I did was to wear myself out on move-in day taking care of all the little details. Being really settled in made the first week feel so much more comfortable.
3. Stay on top of things. Find your classes ahead of time. Get your books as soon as you know you need them. Leave plenty of time to get places. Don't fall off your bike trying to get back onto the sidewalk after riding through the grass (yes, I'm speaking from personal experience).

I've been considering how I'm going to work this blog into my everyday life at CU, and wanted to share these thoughts with you, my mysterious audience. I'm currently planning on writing every week, except in extreme occasions like mid-terms or holidays (or illness, which is looking increasingly likely and scary!) I hope to share some sort of anecdote from the week - a lesson I learned, a mistake I made, something you might find interesting. If you're a current CU student - I know some of you are out there - and you have anything similar that you think is interesting and are willing to share, please let me know! This is about the experience of being a freshman at CU, but I'm definitely not going to experience everything! Furthermore, if you have any college anecdotes, whether you've graduated or are just a few years in, send 'em my way!

On that note, I have one lesson to share from this past week. When classes started, I was enrolled in Physics 1230: the science of light and color for non-majors. This class was recommended to me as a way to cross one science requirement off the list, and as a class that many film students take and enjoy. I was originally not planning on taking a science course my first semester - it's a subject I find a bit more difficult - and was having fun looking through the expansive list of classes based on literature or history. However, my registration time rolled around and none of the classes I was interested in were available. Physics 1230 was, so voila.

After only two sessions of this class, it became abundantly clear that it wasn't right for me. This was due to a variety of reasons that I won't go into... but I was suddenly facing a choice. Do I stay or do I go? I was used to such a limited mindset from high school, where the possibilities for classes were few and the opportunity to switch into a desired course far between. Then it hit me, this is college! This is what add/drop days are for! So I started surfing the course catalog, with the box "only show open classes" firmly checked. I happened across a Masterpieces of British Literature class with 10 free spots, at a time that fit my schedule. Suffice it to say, I'm now happily getting settled into a class that suits me much better than physics would have.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that, CU Students, you still have time! The add deadline is September 2, so don't do what I almost did and get stuck in a class that isn't have been right for you. And if you're happily settled, then all I can say is to be sure to keep this in mind for the future!

Feel free to leave me comments if you have anything to add, your own stories or advice, or just want to say hi!

Cheers :)

This blog is sponsored by the CU Book Store.

T minus 10 and counting...

Well, this is it, the time has come. I move into my dorm tomorrow and can hardly believe it. While it seems like the summer has flown by, that back-to-school feeling is finally in the air. BVSD, the local school district, has started, and some freshman have already moved in to CU dorms. I wanted to tell you all that my excitement for college has been growing lately. I was recently out of town on a family trip, and after being asked a great number of times "So, are you excited for college?" I realized that my answer is a resounding YES.

I had a great experience the other day regarding all of this. I'm a fan of the social networking site Twitter, and not only use it to communicate with friends, follow services (like the CU Book Store - check them out here), but to also follow authors, actors, directors, and other well-known individuals whom I admire. One of these individuals is an author by the name of Sarah MacLean. I discovered MacLean's twitter after greatly enjoying her book The Season, and have found her to be extremely accessible and friendly. I replied to one of her tweets about back to school, asking how she remembers feeling when she was college. I didn't fully expect an answer, but I was wonderfully surprised when I got some great advice. She replied to me that starting college was "terrifying," but that a week in, she loved it. She added that she met her best friend on the first day, and that I should tell her how I end up feeling after a week of school.

This was followed by another conversation that only seemed to reinforce the same message. I was talking with a younger friend who is starting high school, who was also regarding it as scary and even unwelcome. Quite naturally, not wanting him to hate it from the get-go, I gave the advice to remain open to enjoying the new opportunities. It got me thinking... I remember quite distinctly how exciting the beginning of freshman year was, at least in retrospect. Everything was new and big and different. Classes were more interesting. There were countless new people to meet. The school had new traditions to learn. In advising my friend to be optimistic about high school. I realized that I needed to follow my own advice. In many ways, the same message was being thrown at me again and again.

So now I have a philosophy when it comes to moving in to the dorms, going through orientation programs, starting classes. Sure, everything is new and a bit scary, but it's like that for a lot of freshmen. It's okay for it to be "terrifying," as MacLean reminded me; I just need to look for the parts to enjoy, as I reminded myself. Keeping this in mind, I see my whole nervous attitude change to something better: I can't wait to see my room, meet people, experience the line-up of opportunities we have in the first weekend, start classes... all that!

With that said, I hope to blog a lot about this coming weekend. I'll tell you how my move-in goes, what events I attend, and try to share stories of friends as well. I want to ask you how you feel about starting college (or how do you remember feeling)? Did you have an AHA moment like this one I experienced, or were you always looking forward to it? Any advice for move-in day?

Cheers :)

This blog is sponsored by the CU Book Store.

Look for the Bare Necessities

At the word “dormitory,” what comes to mind? Your college room? Roommate? Dorm food? Good memories, or bad? (Feel free to comment below). Right now, for me, it’s a lot of nerves. And a big shopping list.

Ever since orientation, I’ve been thinking a lot about my future room. I think this has to do with move-in day drawing near, and the experience of staying overnight in Cheyenne-Arapahoe during orientation. As I said in a previous entry, I’ve only ever lived in one house (well, except when I was a baby), and only ever called one room “mine.” Quite honestly, the idea of living in a very tiny space with a near-stranger is pretty scary. I’m the kind of person who has the tendency to nest - I like to have my little space to call home, a space that is very personalized and comfortable. I know that it’s going to take a lot of work to make my half-a-dorm-room feel like home, but more and more, I’m starting to look forward to this challenge.

As I’ve lived in Boulder for a number of years, I know that there’s a simple rule: at the end of August, avoid Target like the plague. Our little downtown store turns into mad-house central when the students arrive. I actually find it rather funny that I will without a doubt be one of these students this year. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t do a few preparations beforehand. There’s only one thing stopping me. I’m finding it rather difficult to stock my dorm room (and shared private bathroom) when I have no idea what the rooms look like. No idea the arrangement, size, capacity… nada.

This sample picture of Arnett Hall is all I have to go on.

Arnett Hall is one of the most-recently renovated buildings on campus, which is rather nice, I must admit. It looks quite spiffy in the pictures I’ve seen. I was assigned to a double room that shares a bath with another double, which I like. I’m excited to see what the room will be like. Arnett Hall is closed due to security and constructions reasons until we move-in, so I won’t know until August 20.

That said, multiple catalogs full of dorm essentials have been taunting me, so I’ve been buying the few things I’m sure I’ll need or will be able to take back. I had fun picking out necessities like towels and sheets, and odds and ends that I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to use. My mom made me a fabulous first-aid kit, which I’ll definitely be bringing. In particular, I had fun picking out organizational items at the Container Store college night sale last weekend. (They may still be having an event like this in the future where you live. Check here to find one near you).

In all, I’m rather glad that the rest of move-in day and the following weekend will allow more time for shopping. I’ll need to head out with my roommates to choose things we’ll all need, to stock the bathroom, and to buy anything I had to wait on. I do find it rather reassuring to see a steadily growing pile of supplies downstairs. These small preparations - seeing the sheets I’ll sleep on next year, the pillow that will sit on my bed - makes college feel more real and yet, at the same time, more manageable.

Overall, I must say, I can’t imagine the difficulty of moving to a brand new town and having to not only find your way around, but also needing to purchase all of the college essentials in a reasonable way. So, I’d like to do anything possible to help. Here’s a run down on college supply places to shop at once you get here:

Target: I think it’s safe to say that you will definitely visit Target at least once in the first few weeks of school. They really carry everything, from dorm basics to toiletries to snacks to entertainment. If you find you have a “miscellaneous” list, this is probably the place to visit, or at the very least, a great place to start. You’ll find most of what you need here, and probably won’t break the bank. And, they’re not only centrally located right on Pearl Street, but backed up by a Super Target a few minutes down the highway in Superior.

The Container Store: This is a new addition to the area, and great if you have specific organizational needs and a bit of time to shop. Located out in the Broomfield’s FlatIron Crossing mall, you’ll need a car or a quick bus ride to get there, but you’ll certainly be able to find any containers, organizational wonders, hooks, and hangers at reasonable rates. Check out their website to see if they have what you need.

Bed Bath and Beyond: Another college student mecca, you’ll find some great steals at this store, located near Target on 28th Street. This is a great place to find linens, kitchen essentials, and odds and ends. They’re stocked to the max with dorm items already, so be sure to check it out.

CU Book Store: This almost sounds too easy, but we’re blessed with a wonderful resource right in the UMC. The CU Book Store not only has all our textbooks and CU clothing, but computers, software and related accessories, school supplies, fashion clothing lines, and other essentials. Stop by for Boulder essentials like a Nalgene water bottle, Reef sandals, CU hat or a school calendar.

If you have any specific questions about Boulder shopping, feel free to ask me, and I’ll do my best to help. Other than that, I want to put a call out for dorm-related stories and advice, especially from anyone who’s already been to college. How did you decorate and stock your room? What made it feel like home? What did you like or not like about it? Any tips or tricks? Wild stories? Let me know in the comments section!

That's all from me for now. Cheers :)

This blog is sponsored by the CU Book Store.