Just a Few Tips

My freshman year has been filled with so many wonderful and memorable moments. Looking back, there were lessons and tips that I learned that I would like to pass on to you.

TIPS

• If you are living in the dorms and you are a sophomore by hours, get a priority parking pass.
• If you happen to attain enough hours during the year to become a sophomore, get a priority parking pass.
• You automatically have $10 in free printing every semester. Take advantage of it.
• If you want to find out about something, look down at the pavement. It is probably chalked somewhere.
• If your class schedule says TR, it means that you go to class both Tuesday and Thursday.
• The Great Reading Room in the library is always freezing.
• Listen to the speakers OU have, they are simply amazing.
• An "Intro" class does not mean it is easy.
• In fact, there is no “easy” class or major in college.
• If don’t understand something in class, go and ask your teacher, TA, or someone who knows. The information will just keep building on each other.
• Laundry is .25 cents less if you pay for it with sooner cents.
• The student union has free newly released movie showings.
• Look into study abroad programs, for they are incredible.
• At first, professors are slightly scary. Then you realize that they want to help you, so go get help if you need it.
• President Boren really cares about students. In fact, you probably will see him around campus quite a bit and he might even come up and talk to you.
• Freshman fifteen is not a myth.
• College is a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun.
• If you are sick, go to Goddard.
• If you need to go to Goddard, call and make an appointment beforehand because it will save you a lot of time!
• Invest in earplugs. They work.
• Getting around on a game day at OU is nearly impossible.
• Buy rain boots. They will save you from walking around and going to class and taking tests in wet shoes and jeans.
• You will probably get stuck in a crazy Norman rainstorm without your rain boots or umbrella. Realize that everyone goes through it at least once or twice, laugh and go on.
• Meals and meal points do run out.
• You can buy Starbuck coffee using your points in the Library Bookmark
• If you are running out of meal points and want to eat at the student union, go at the of time meal exchange
• Try something new
• If you have a problem with something in your room or bathroom, call maintenance. Do not try to fix it yourself.
• Your OU ID is extremely important, so make sure you carry it with you.
• Memorize your OU ID number.
• If your OU ID does not work or is broken, you can replace it for free at the 1-Card Office.
• Before you take a class, make sure that it will count towards your major.
• Living in the dorms, you probably will get more than four fire alarms pulled.
• If you loft your bed in your dorm room, be careful when you wake up in the morning. You may hit your head on the ceiling. This could save you from many headaches.
• Things never go as planned, realize this and just go with the flow.
• The burnt popcorn smell does not go away easily.
• Taking a one hour class or lab does not mean that studying will only take an hour.
• Don’t bring your books to class unless your professor specifies. They are really heavy. If you need to read or look up something, go to the library and get the library reserve books.
• Make enough time to study for your tests. Cramming the night before is not an effective method.
• Dead week is never dead, but in fact, extremely busy. I would say that this week is even more stressful than finals week.
• Get organized, this helps you through so many things.
• Facebook is distracting
• If your original email is too long, you can create an “alias”. You can change it at account.ou.edu
• If you are creating an alias, remember this will appear in many formal contexts. I recommend something that has your name or initials and sounds professional.
• Not knowing your major or career is okay
• Find the right place to study
• College is all about finding balance, balance, balance
• Go and explore the Huff.
• Even though you probably will lack a lot of it, sleeping is important.
• Naps are amazing.
• Getting involved in campus is the best way to meet people.
• Be bold and take risks! For as Theodore Roosevelt said, "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."
• You will only go through your freshman year once, have fun!

Hope you have a spectacular summer and remember to seize the day! Good luck this fall and if you ever see me around campus, make sure to say hi!

Commencement and Graduation

OU's graduation of 7,000 students was much larger than my hometown graduation of 67. I helped during commencement by handing out programs, and I saw firsthand how diverse the University of Oklahoma is. On Friday, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends from all backgrounds gathered in the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium united for one happy cause, commencement. Students graduating from with undergraduate degrees, Master degrees and Ph. Ds gathered to celebrate all their hard work and perseverance. On Saturday, the actual graduation took place and each student graduated within his or her "college" such as the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Engineering. Commencement also marked the end of school and the end of my freshman year.

It is still a strange feeling to realize that I graduated from high school only a year ago. Looking back at this past year, so much has changed. The commencement speaker was Bill Cohen who was the Secretary of Defense under the Clinton administration. Cohen said, "When I look into the faces that I saw this afternoon and this evening, I can see it's still there. If you were to come to me and say, 'Bill Cohen, what is it we have in our hands?' I would say you hold the future of this state, this country and this world. And if you asked, 'Is it alive or is it dead?' I would say, 'Its future is in your hands.' Being at OU, I have realized that the University truly listens and wants the opinions of students to catalyst change. If we want something changed, it is up to the students to voice their opinions.

Moving Out

Moving into the dorms was a scary and exciting experience for me. Moving out of the dorms I realized two things:

1. I had somehow accumulated many more things then when I originally came to college.
2. Moving out is a bittersweet experience.

I was ready for school to be over with however, I was not ready to say good bye to all my friends. I have met many wonderful people living in the dorms. It was quite an interesting, fun experience that I will never forget. Many of the freshmen lived in the dorms, so it just took a 2 minute walk to see them. This fall, many of my friends are living in different houses and apartments around Norman. Now when I go home, instead of my friends being 10 miles from my home some are 100 or even 1000+ miles away. However, I am ready the break, and I know that 3 months will fly by quickly. In a short time, I will be back in Norman starting my second year in college!

Hope you are having a remarkable summer and remember to seize the day!

1...2...3...PLC!!!

Each year, the University of Oklahoma picks around 100 incoming freshmen to be in a program called the President's Leadership Class. The experiences and the people I have met are some of my fondest memories of my freshman year. Some events were having dinner with President Boren and his wife at Boyd House, touring the Switzer Center and having a discussion with Coach Stoops, hearing wonderful speakers such as Dr. Chris Howard and Dr. Rufus Fears, learning how to Ballroom Dance, and eating dinner with Governor Brad Henry.

Our amazing adult advisor, Nanette, along with our two wonderful student advisors, Kayley and Andy, work above and beyond the call of duty to plan events that introduces us to different people and interesting activities around campus. Some of the activities are designed to help us become better leaders and help to optimize our campus experience. I have taken part in several events such as "Big Event" because of information disseminated by PLC.

I attended my final PLC meeting last Tuesday. For me, it was a truly nostalgic occasion as I reflected on the many endearing friendships and meaningful experiences I have had throughout this year. I am truly saddened to see this era to come to an end. I can honestly say that I met some of my closest friends through PLC, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to be within this program.

Our lives are full of wonderful opportunities. Some are in plain sight while others are hidden under little rocks strewn along our paths. Let me encourage you wanderers along life's highways to take the time to not only smell the roses , but to follow your curiosity and take the chance to peer under interesting rocks you encounter along the way. If we seek them out, they will find us. Someone once said "Seek and you shall find..." It may take some courage to stretch ourselves as we journey out of our comfort zone but the rewards can be enriching. So find out what your passion for life is, and venture to join a club or organization that relates to it as you enter OU.

Being in PLC was such a wonderful experience for me. As I look forward to the next year and the new life memories that life offers I will continue to savor the richness of this year's experiences.

I hope that your last month of school is phenomenal and remember to seize the day!

Freshman Awards at OU

I recently spoke to a friend who enquired about different aspects of college life at OU. One question she asked related to the different kind of awards a freshman may receive. I suggested some websites that gave advice related to scholarships and awards. It struck me that many of us are unfamiliar with exactly what is offered.
So, here is some of the awards that I applied for and some advice going through the process.

Passing Down some Pieces of Advice
An OU staff member gave me a great tip at the beginning of the year. She told me to simple keep a running resume writing down all of the activities, community service, and honors that I have received. Throughout the year, when I needed a resume, I simply revised this basic template. This has saved me a lot of time and also prevents a lot of stress for many applications are due around the same time period.

Also, if you have any questions about an application, just ask. At the bottom of every application there is usually a contact number and an email address. The committee is very willing to address any concerns or questions you might have. It is far better to clarify an issue than it is to turn in a wrong application.

Alpha Lambda Delta
Alpha Lambda Delta is an honor society for freshman. This organization serves to encourage freshmen in terms of academic achievement and college life choices, while seeking to help you to discern and pursue your optimal goals. This program also serves to mentor, assist, and provide information to help students in their oncoming semesters. Entrance is based on college and community activities and academics from your first semester at OU.

President's Award for Outstanding Freshman
The OU Center for Leadership Development is responsible for coordinating the President's Award for Outstanding Freshman. This is considered the highest award given to a freshman.

PACE Award
Another award you can apply for is called PACE (Participation, Achievement,
Community, and Excellence) Award which is sponsored through the University College. This awards honors students who are the top 1% of incoming freshman class.

If selected, these awards are considered a great honor. However, do not get too discouraged if your efforts are not successful. For example, the Outstanding Freshman committee has to narrow down their selection to just twelve students. Also, keep in mind that these are just some of the many awards that you can apply for throughout college. These awards celebrate what you accomplish but the memories and lessons gleaned from your experiences at OU will be with you for a life time.

I hope that you are having an extraordinary year. Keeping pressing on, for the end is almost here and remember to seize the day!!!

One Big Day, One Big Thanks, One Big Event

The Big Event is a HUGE nationwide community service day where college students from all across the nation help out their surrounding communities. This is the biggest sponsored event at the University of Oklahoma. This year over 4,500 students came out to help make a difference in their community. Moreover, the Big Event serves more than 250 non-profit organizations. Students can help in a variety of ways from planting flowers to helping at UNCIEF. This year I was honored to be on the Operations Staff.

Among other things, I assisted during registration, awareness week, and simply pitched in for whatever needed to be done. As liaison between jobsite director and Big Event staff I help coordinate several places. For me, being a part of Operations Staff was a way to see what Big Event was really about, and it was also a great way to be involved on campus. The staff was wonderful work with and I had tons of fun!

The morning of Big Event, I was sorting supplies and I was shocked to see a huge parked semi-truck filled high with lunches just for the participants. Before the event started, everyone got together for one huge kickoff. It was awe inspiring to see the massive response by students for this very worthwhile cause. This year the event was a huge success. Next year, I would definitely encourage you to come out and be a part of this awesome tradition.

Medieval Fair

So, I must also admit that I have never gone to a Medieval Fair before and this was a very interesting experience for me. There were all kinds of vendors selling everything from homemade root-bear to authentic medieval clothing. The participants were decked out in an array of colorful medieval costumes. This display was so impressive that at times that I felt as if I had been transported back to medieval times.

It is said that Norman has one of the biggest medieval fairs in the state. Having been there I can vouch for this. One can easily spend hours wandering among the vendors and appraising the variety of items on display. If riding camels or elephants, taking a picture with the "king and queen", or witnessing authentic jousting is your thing, this is the event for you. For me, this is a memorable experience that I will never forget!

Hope you are having a spectacular week, and remember to seize the day!!

Arbor Day - Planting Trees

Beautiful spring days have arrived and I love the great weather! This entire week OU is hosting Arbor "day". Because of the number of trees lost during the ice storm, many trees are being planted all around campus. So guess what…. Yep, you guessed it. I planted a tree today on the South Oval!! I must admit, I didn't know the first thing about planting a tree, but it turned out to be really easy and fun. They gave you the tools needed and there were gardeners making sure people were planting them right. It only took around 10 minutes and I was reminded yet again of how easy it is to make a positive difference in the university.

Mid-Term Week

Mid-term exams had come around again. This week I had 5 mid-terms all in one week (which usually never happens to students). I am glad to say that this week is over because it was beginning to feel like finals for me. The good side is that I have more week before spring break, and I am simply enjoying it (while also going to class and studying in-between!). I have rediscovered my love for Sooner Rocks Cheesecake ice cream and the dollar movie showings. Since I lived in a small town, dollar movies did not exist for me until now! Moreover, by the time I get the chance to see a movie, it is already in the dollar theater. So, this way I get to go out with my friends, spent only a dollar, and see a great movie!

Spring Break

I am looking forward to Spring Break and just relaxing at home and seeing friends. It is shocking to realize that the spring semester is about half-way over. I feel like I just started back at school from Christmas break and now midterms are just over. College only seems to have three types of speeds: fast, faster, and fastest. Though I am not complaining, I am looking forward to an entire week off school where I can hang out with friends and relax!

Hope you have a wonderful spring break, and remember to seize the day!!

Christmas and New Year

I hope that you had an extraordinary Christmas and a joyful New Year. I hope that Santa got you everything that you wanted and that you had a marvelous break. For all the seniors in high school out there, you have one more semester and then you will be in college. That time will fly by, so enjoy every moment. Though I have to tell you, the best is yet to come!

My Christmas was a fun-filled time which I spent with my friends and family. It was wonderful to see how people were doing and catch up on everyone's lives. I went to Stillwater and Tulsa to spend some time with my closest college friends. It was fun to see everyone during the break and just hang out without the thought of finals or tests. We went to see the beautiful lights of Rhema. This was my first time to see these lights and it was beautiful! Millions of lights in every color were on display. Different exhibits were set up everywhere. Every single time you turned around in Rhema, you saw some new. Starting the break I did not know what I would for an entire month, but now it seems like the break only lasted two weeks.

Second Semester
It seems just yesterday that I was walking to class on my first day to college. Now I am starting my second semester. I am back on campus and school is about to start up again. Getting in the routine of school again is harder than I thought but it feels nice to be back. I will be in the process of selling and buying my books, organizing my dorm room, and getting ready for school. School officially starts on Tuesday because people have to make up missed finals on Monday. Many people say that for freshman, the second semester is better than the first one. I will see if this is true, but looking back I really enjoyed my first semester. However, I must admit it is a little less daunting walking into my classes this semester. It is also weird to be in completely different classes then the semester before. I am used to taking a class for a whole year. Now I am in a different building, at different times, and with different professors. It is a strange feeling to realize that the familiar faces of the friends I made in certain classes will not be sitting with me anymore. Though I am excited because I am officially done with my general education requirements, so now I will start on my actual major requirements.

I hope you had an incredible break, and remember to seize the day!

ICE STORM

The weekend before my first final, the state of Oklahoma was hit with a huge ice storm. Therefore, I had no finals on Monday! The entire campus was covered with ice, so I was glad that finals were cancelled. (I also loved the extra studying time.) Many of the houses around Norman were out of power. However, I learned that the University of Oklahoma had many lines running underground. So, I was never out of power because I live in the dorms!!

In any given minute, you would hear a huge crack and crash. Looking outside the window, you would see an entire tree crashing down to the ground. It was an incredible sight to see a huge tree just crack under the pressure of ice. This happened many times on Monday, and it was an unbelievable sight. Overnight, the University of Oklahoma grounds was magically transformed into a winter wonderland. Everything was covered with ice, and it sparkled and glistened when the sun came out. Walking around the campus felt like a surreal dream. Huge trees would be split in half, and icicles formed their own icicles. I hardly recognized my own campus.

For safety reasons, there were signs everywhere warning students not to walk under trees. It was a crazy time. This also happened to be my first finals week. When imaging my first finals, this is not what I envisioned, but it provided a little extra excitement. Because of the ice storm, some finals were postponed to Saturday. For those students, who had planes to catch, it meant taking their finals when they came back to school for the spring semester. The university made every effort to keep students safe and informed throughout the entire week. Tree branches that littered paths were quickly moved and piled safety in one spot. Professors made sure that students were made aware of changes that occurred during this time. For many of us at OU, this particular final week proved to be an unforgettable time of ice, adventure, and exams.

Finals

Hmmmm can you smell what is in the air? Coffee, books, and junk food... all which point to one event: finals! This is the event that happens at the end of the semester which every college student dreads. I would love to tell you that finals are no big deal. Unfortunately, I cannot. However, I can tell you that finals are not as bad as you think. The week is a little more stressful than usual, but I never felt overwhelmed. The key to getting through finals weeks is to find the right amount of time to study and to organize your time efficiently beforehand.

Dead week, which occurs the week before finals, seems anything but dead. I still had to attend classes, turn in projects, and take quizzes. Also, the finals for lab classes and night classes are during dead week. I planned out both weeks very well. I made a rough schedule detailing study subjects and times. I also learned the importance of taking a study break. Grab a friend and get some ice cream, take a five minute walk around the campus, dance to some music, or take a ten minute nap: just take a break. Research proves that taking a break can increase your efficiency dramatically. These tactics help make the two weeks a little less stressful.

Sometimes you may have two final tests scheduled on the same day, so definitely check when your exams are scheduled before this week. However, OU does try to give us a break. It is a stated policy that you can reschedule a final if you have 3 or more finals on one day. However, you must get permission from your professor before finals week. Also, some final tests are in different buildings than your regularly scheduled tests, so make sure you know when and where your final is taking place. In college, you may have only a few tests that contribute to your overall grade. Finals are the last test that is usually worth the biggest part of your grade. Many of my finals were comprehensive but a few were over "just cover" material , and I was very thankful for that.

Taking my finals I have noticed an interesting trend. On my comprehensive exams, the questions asked from the previous sections seemed more basic than those from the original test. By contrast, the recent new material was tested more vigorously. Overall, finals were not terrible, but I am glad that they come only once a semester. If you keep up with your work throughout the semester, you will be fine when it comes to the final test time.

The fact that I was going home for Christmas break soon made my finals week a little easier. All I had to do was to dash toward the finish line. Christmas break was just around the corner, so all I had to do just keep going a little longer and I would be rewarded with a whole month off!

I hope your finals went well and that you have a great holiday break!!

THANKGIVING

Turkey plus sweet potatoes, freshly baked bread, green beans, cranberry sauce, corn, stuffing, and homemade apple pie equals Thanksgiving dinner!! So this last week was Thanksgiving break and having the time off was absolutely fabulous. Sleeping in, catching up with high school friends, and eating homemade food...who could ask for more? Since I live a good three hours distance from Norman, I do not go home very often and it was really nice to be home again. I have found out that you really do not appreciate what you have until things change. Things like homemade food and spending time with my family. The other day I made a list for what I was thankful. The list started small but eventually grew to be several pages long. I realized how lucky I am really am and how thankful I am for so many things in my life.

On the day that school was out for Thanksgiving, the campus was completely empty. Thanksgiving break was on Wednesday. Some people did not attend classes on Monday and Tuesday, though I would recommend that you do. The professors seem to give "helpful" hints on these days, so spending a few extra hours on campus is worth the time.

AFTER THANKSGIVING

I have to admit, it was hard packing my bags and leaving home again. I really enjoyed spending time with my family and friends over Thanksgiving. It was awesome to see how all my friends are doing and just catching up in life in general. However, when I arrived back in Norman, I realized how much I love OU!! After talking with my friends to see how everyone's Thanksgiving was, I went to the Bedlam game. The University of Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State University is the game to attend. For people who are planning on attending OU and who do not live in Oklahoma, this is a huge rivalry. The college who wins this game has bragging rights for an entire year!

During the game it started snowing (lightly) but it reminded me of Christmas (which is right around the corner) !! Right now as I am writing this blog, a bunch of my friends and I are having a fun-filled night that consists of decorating a mini Christmas tree, watching the movie Elf, talking about life (notice a trend here?), eating a bunch of Christmas candy, and just enjoying the last days of Thanksgiving break. The break was very welcome and much-needed, but finals are looming right over the horizon!! I have my first final next week. I do not think that finals will be completely terrible ( I hope!!). One thing that will get me through finals is the thought that Christmas break is right around the corner!!

I hope you had a greeeat Thanksgiving break. Continue to enjoy the rest of your semester, and always to remember to seize the day!

HALLOWEEN

Halloween is a big thing at OU. On Halloween, you will see people all over campus wearing costumes to class. Various places on campus have booths and activities set up for children and college students. I was surprised to see the amount of community activities that OU hosts for Halloween. There are many different types of parties and the dorms have a program where Norman children can come to trick-o-treat in the dorms. So do you think you are too old to dress up for Halloween once you are in college?? The answer is NO WAY!

SAM NOBLE MUSEUM

Did you know that on OU's campus there is a museum? You heard right and last week I went to the Sam Noble Museum. This visit surprised me because I found out that the University of Oklahoma museum was actually, well, a museum!! There was an awesome dinosaur exhibit and during different parts of it, I felt like I was in the movie Jurassic Park. I went to this museum because of a Zoology assignment but I ended up spending a lot more time just looking at all the different exhibits. From the Gallery of World Cultures to the Discovery Room, this museum has something to interest just about anyone. University of Oklahoma students get free admission to this museum. Even if you are not a student here, you should check this place out because it is simply amazing!

Speaking of Zoology assignments, this week in Zoology, I had the chance to see animals up close and personal. One day my Zoology professor, Dr. Gaffin, brought many different types of scorpions to class. One scorpion I had the chance to hold which was scary but also pretty amazing! Today, the Little River Zoo in Norman came and I got to see a lot of different types of animals. For about the last two weeks our class has been studying the different kinds of animal species. So what better way to learn about the different animals than actually seeing them? It was awesome to see the animals and it made the things that we are learning in class applicable to real life.

LIFE IN GENERAL

Thanksgiving Break is almost here and I am very excited to see how my friends and family at home are doing. I have not seen many of my friends since they went off to different colleges, and this break will be the first time to catch up on how life is going for them. College is not exactly what I expected it to be though I am loving every minute of it. I have come to appreciate the little things in life. Things like having lunch with a friend or walking to class on beautiful fall day. I remember when I was in high school, I thought I would have a lot of free time because I would only have three classes a day. Moreover, there are only three tests and a final, so studying and relaxing would be easy for me!! However, I soon found out that I was completely mistaken. In high school I remember a week would fly by and I was left wondering what happened to it. Now a whole month goes by in a blink of an eye. Time seems to vanish within the flurry of studying for tests, hanging out with friends, going to classes, participating in different activities, and all the other things that come with college. My point is that I have learned to enjoy life a day at a time. Enjoy the season in your life. If you are a senior in high school, instead of wishing that you were in college already, enjoy being a senior in high school!! As a freshman in college, I have realized that even though college gets crazy at times, I have to strive to enjoy each and every day. The clock of time will continue to tick and it is up to you to how you use it.

I hope you are having a fabulous senior year and remember to seize the day!!

FALL

The weather is turning colder and the leaves are changing colors, so do you know what that means? Fall is finally here! A couple of days ago it rained, a lot, so anyone coming to OU I would definitely recommend some type of waterproof shoes ( the campus floods). However, I was walking to class today and I just appreciated the beautiful campus. I had extra time between classes so I sat down by a bench near a foundation garden and just relaxed until my next class. It felt like I was in a different place. Getting away from the craziness of life and just enjoying the little things at OU (like the beautiful scenery) was so peaceful and relaxing!

CLASS SCHEDULES

Time is going by so fast! It feels like I just entered college and now it is almost the end of October. I cannot believe that mid-terms are over and that my third sets of tests are starting. Mid-terms were also not as bad as I thought it would be. As long as you keep up the material, you will do fine in college.

This fact also means that enrollment for my next semester classes are starting! For next semester I have learned that I would like my class starting and ending times to be closer together. Walking to class from the dorms takes more time then I originally thought. So, if I can stay on campus until all my classes are over, it would cut down a lot of unnecessary "walking" time. I am also trying to see if I can get more classes together on the same day. I know a person who goes to class from 8:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday and Thursday. However, that means that she has Monday, Wednesday, and Friday off!! She gets a four day weekend every week! You can arrange your schedule so it can fit your needs best. Some people need to have classes every day so they do not procrastinate, but other people like to have back to back classes. Also, if you are not an early morning person, consider taking classes at 9:30 or later. Many people believe that having an 8:30 classes would be just like high school, but college is not high school. Waking up for an 8:30 class in the college is not like waking up for an 8:30 class in high school. On the flip side, even though it is an earlier class, you also get done with your classes sooner. This fact opens up more time in the afternoon and evening since you are not going to classes then. So, both ways are completely fine, but just think about what type of schedule would fit you best as you enroll in your classes.

So, you also might be asking yourself what type of classes you need to take in college. Well, as a senior in high school you might not know completely what you want to do with your life. I am here to tell you that it is okay!! For about the first year, you will be completing general education requirements that give you plenty of exposure to many different subjects. You can find out what you like by taking these classes and then head toward that direction for your major. Also, numerous people change their major during their freshmen year, and since you are taking general education classes, it really does not affect you in the larger scheme of things. You can also sign up for www.pickaprof.com. This website is designed for students and has past students commenting on different classes and professors at OU. You can also see the average grade point for different classes and other helpful bits of information. However, if you have any major questions about classes I would ask your advisor. The advisors here are really great, and they will answer any questions or concerns you have. They know all about the different majors offered here at OU, so they can help guide you towards the right direction.

I also want to make a quick reminder to all senior high school students to get their admissions and scholarship application turned in on time. :-)

Until next time, I hope you are having a fantastic senior year and remember to seize the day!

SOONER SATURDAY

Do you want to find out more about OU in an incredible, awesome day devoted just for you? Then come on October 20th to Sooner Saturday. It is the University of Oklahoma's biggest day for incoming freshmen to visit the campus and see exactly what OU has to offer. I went to this day as a senior and I am really glad that I did! I toured the beautiful campus, talked to the pre-med advisor, and eat at Couch cafeteria. This day answered a bunch of questions that I had, and I felt like I knew some things about the campus before I arrived there in the fall.

Starting from around 8:30 A.M. to 2:45 P.M. , you will have a fun-packed day filled with awesome information. From finding out more about your major to looking at different types of dorm rooms, this day is for you! This is a great opportunity to realize what it feels like to be a Sooner. The date is approaching so if you would like to come, simply register online. If you want more information about this fantastic day go to http://go2.ou.edu/soonersaturday/index.htm.

FOOD

I love the food at OU. Not going to lie... it is pretty amazing!! The food selection here is very diverse. Also, it is easier not worrying about having cash to carry around campus because all I need is my student ID.

As an incoming freshman, I had no idea what meal points vs. meals meant. So, hopefully this clears up some of the confusion about this system.

• Meals- You can only use meals in the Couch Cafeteria. When you enroll at OU, you can pick the amount of meals you want allotted to you per week. At the end of the week, these meals disappear. So if you do use it, you lose it. If you do not think that you will eat at the Coach, I will recommend you pick more meal points. However.....for Meals there is a process called Meal Exchange
  
  
• Meal Exchange- In the process of Meal Exchange, you can use your Meal and "Exchange" it at any eating place on OU when the Coach Cafeteria is closed. For example, if I wanted to eat at the Couch Cafeteria at 10 P.M. , the cafeteria is closed. So instead, I can go to Wendy's or any other place that accepted meals/meal points and use that "Meal" for dinner.
  
  
• Meal Points- You can use meal points most places around campus ( Amicus Cafe, Bookmark, Cinnabon, Couch Express, Bedrock Cafe, Crossroads, Quiznos, and the many other eating places around OU). One meal point is equivalent to one dollar. You do not have a set amount of meal points given to you to use each week. This means that they "roll over". Just make sure that you use your meal points by the end of the semester because the points start over at the beginning of each term.

So you might be wondering what type of places there are to eat at OU. In the Coach Cafeteria( where you use your "Meals"), you can eat at places like the Shanghai Stir Fry, Chick-Fil-A, Sooner Smokehouse, Athen's Cafe, the Vegetation Station, the Sooner Sweet Shop ( they have an incredible selection, you have to try this place out if you come visit OU!!) , and Freshen's Yogurt.

From Oliver's to the Redbud Cafe, you also have numerous places where you can eat at on campus. American, Italian, Greek, Chinese, and Mexican... you will be amazed at the food selection OU has. I personally love eating my made to order sandwiches at O'Henrys and Birthday Cake ice cream at the Malt Shoppe (bottom of Adams tower). Below are some students enjoying the food on the OU campus.

If you like to come to Sooner Saturday sign up online at http://go2.ou.edu/soonersaturday/index.htm. It would be wonderful to see you here! Remember to seize the day and I hope that you are having a great senior year!

First Set of Tests
(Cue scary music) The dreaded test that many college students fear.

Okay, so I'm here to officially tell students that their first college exams are not the terrible, crazy, scary, hard, mind-boggling, terrifying tests you seem to imagine in your head. This week, I have had my first round of college tests. I was nervous because I did not know what to expect, but the tests are really nothing to fear. My professors gave me a good understanding of what would be on the test, and for the most part, the tests themselves were straight-forward. However, you really do need to find time to study. Studying two hours for every hour you are in class seems a little insane but in certain classes it takes time to understanding the material. Studying for high school tests is not the same as studying for college tests. Preparing for exam is not hard, but it does require a different level of studying. After many, many hours of studying, I have learned some things that I think will be helpful to you.

Study Tips:

• Everyone has different study habits. Try studying at different times of the day and find the best time for you. I study best in the afternoon while my roommate studies best at night.
• Trying to study in your dorm room when it is loud is not the best of ideas.
• I love studying at the library and on the study floor in my dorm. Find a place that you like to study whether it is in the Great Reading Room in the library, the study floor in your dorm, or a random bench on campus.
• Tests really are not overwhelming if you study a little bit each day. Even if it is for ten minutes, review each subject. (This really does help!! )
• Many teachers have power point slides along with their lectures, so make sure you write down everything on the power point.
• I have found that reading the chapter before class is helpful because I have a "rough knowledge" of what is going on before I enter class.
• If you do not understand something in class, try to get help as soon as possible because the material builds on each other.
• During class I write down a "rough copy" of my notes, and after class I rewrite my notes making it neat and filling in the blanks that I left out.
• There is a difference of "recognizing" the material and "understanding" the material. Flipping through your notes and saying that you know the concepts sometimes is inefficient. To see if you really understand the concepts, take out a blank sheet of paper and write down everything you know about the certain subject you are covering. Afterward, review your notes and learn the items that you left out of your paper.
• Some teachers post past tests for test reviews. Find out where these past tests are and take them like a real test. Ex: no interruptions, take the test under the time constraints, etc
• Being in college means studying and also having fun!! Trying to find a balance in everything you do is the key.
• Between studying and learning the material, take a break!! Go get ice cream with a friend or take a walk on the beautiful campus. Studying is a major part of college, but it is not the only part. Getting involved also helps adjusting to OU. So, how exactly can you get involved?

Organizations
The first week of school, you will realize there are tons of ways to get involved at OU. There are booths set up EVERYWHERE during this time to show you all the different clubs and activities OU offers. At first, you might want to jump in headfirst and do it all, but it is probably smarter to find out how your classes are going before getting really involved. College is different than high school, so it is very easy get over-involved. There are over 300 clubs at OU, so there is something for everyone to do. From Howdy Week to Dance Marathon, there are numerous ways to find your place here. There are also clubs at OU ranging from OU Cousins to University of Oklahoma Student Association. You might also want to consider the Pre-Dental, Engineering, Journalism, or whatever-you-are-majoring-in-club for this will help you find out more about your major and answer any other questions you may have. These organizations also get you on the right path for your career, and you will meet people who are going toward the same goals as you. Getting involved in clubs really helps you adjust to campus, so I challenge you to find out something that you like and go after it!!

I hope you have a lovely week and remember to seize the day!!

Move In Day
Yaay! I have moved in…move-in day is an experience, but overall everything went smoothly. The whole process can get crazy at times, but it is an organized crazy. There are plenty of awesome volunteers to assist you, and if you have any questions there are numerous people in bright shirts that can help you.  Living in the dorms, it seems like you meet someone new at every corner.  The Union Programming Board and Campus Activities sponsor many activities throughout the weekend that I went to and really enjoyed! I recommend that you definitely try to go to some of these activities!! :)

The First Two Weeks of College
I do not know where the first two weeks of college have gone! If you are stressing out about the first week of college, there is nothing to fear.  During the first week of classes, many professors talk about the class schedule and what to expect in that certain course. I am completely in love with all my classes and my professors are very approachable. Many professors really go out of their way to help the students adjust to the new setting. College is different, but it is a new and exciting experience!   Coming from a small town, the incoming freshmen class is bigger than my entire town!! I was a little worried about the class sizes, but I find that I am actually enjoying my bigger classes. :)

Helpful Tidbits of Information:
Make sure you always carry around your OU ID. This ID allows you to do many things around campus.

Before classes start look around the campus and find out where your classes are located.

Just in case, have a map of the university

Do not bring your books on the first day of class.  All you will need is a notebook and a pencil.

If you have bigger classes, get to your room around twenty minutes early.

If you are worried about adjusting to some of your bigger classes, sit up front and you will never notice a difference.

During the first weeks of school, I would find time to meet your professors. You can either go into their office hours or introduce yourself before or after class.

The best way to adjust to college is to get involved!! OU has hundreds of different clubs so anyone can find something they like.

Make sure you set out time on when you are going to study for classes. On average, you should study two hours for every hour you go to class.

If you are having trouble in some of your classes, OU offers many different kinds of tutoring programs. Find one that you like and get help.

Relax, many people go through and survive the first week of college.

Below are some pictures I took of the beautiful campus.