Dear Readers…
If you’re reading this, you are most likely deciding what college you want to attend next year, and you’ve probably all ready lost track of how many people told you that “they understood that you were at a very important stage in your life,” and “this school would be best for you because…” Trust me, I’ve been there and done that. I also know that all of you are simultaneously receiving letters of acceptance from big name school’s around the country and are probably a bit curious as to why you should concider Temple. Well, that’s why I, and a few of my fellow freshman, are here, to talk to all of you potential little honorables and share with you our experiences.
Each of our blogs is going to be slightly different. (They started out as journals that we wrote for our freshman seminar class every week, and they are now turning into our way to communicate with our potential classmates-exciting thought isn’t it?!) But each of them also serves a common purpose, to help give you an idea as to what life is like as a freshman in college, and to hopefully inspire you to consider visiting us here at honors and/or spending the next four year of your life with us.
Think of these blogs as your backstage pass, allowing you to see what goes on behind the scenes of the acceptance letters and mass mail mania, and into the real inner workings of the collaboration of some of the best and brightest at Temple.
Take a look around. Ask questions. Get to know us. That’s what we’re here for.
My name is Allora Heiberger. I am a Freshman Honor’s Student, and this is my life…
April Showers Bring…
So, I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned this before. But you know the show that is titled, “It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia?” Well, that title is a LIE. My friends and I like to joke and say that the real title should be “It’s never sunny in Philadelphia.” I’m not sure why, but it seems that it likes to rain in Philadelphia… ALOT. A word to the wise – invest in a nice pair of rain boots and a sturdy umbrella (when it’s rainy it also tends to get windy – you’re going to need a good umbrella because all of the cheap ones just get turned inside out in the wind.) lol. Now, i know that it technically does not rain any more here then it did in my small hometown of Landenberg, PA, but here’s the thing. At home when it rains you get in your car, drive to school, walk the 20 feet or so to the door, and then spend the rest of the day inside being thankful that your not a duck and therefore you do not have to be outside in this wet mess. Here’s the twist – at school you have to walk outside, across campus to get to each class. And these distances aren’t just 20 feet like it was in high school. This is normally at least a few minutes of a walk, and without the proper attire – trust me, you will be WET. The upside to all of this rain is that once you do have a pair of rain boots and an umbrella, its really not so bad – and you become a master at finding the best puddles to jump in.
In other events, I hope that everyone is having a fun time finishing up their college decisions. I just want to take a second to explain how the housing system will work for you next year. It is set up so that when you accept your Temple Acceptance, you automatically accept your honors acceptance (and trust me – you do not want to turn down your honor’s acceptance). When you put in your housing deposit, you will then be put on a list, and the lovely Amanda Neuber (she’s one of the honor’s advisers who you will meet as soon as you get here) will put you into honors housing in 1300. It used to be that you had to opt IN to the honors housing, but now it is set up so that you have to opt out. So, if you really don’t want to live in 1300 (the nicest, newest, and biggest dorms) with all your soon to be honors BFF’s, then you can call Amanda and talk to her about opting out. But if you do want to live in 1300, all you have to do is sit back and wait to be assigned.
Best part about today – Sunny with a high of 71 =]
Terminology that you will need to know…
So i figured that i would start a list of terms that you should know at Temple, this way when you show up, you’re one step ahead of the game.
“1300″ – the dorm that you will be living in. It is the newest and by far best dorm on campus and the entire third floor, plus half of the second floor, is reserved specifically for honors freshman. (I will be posting a blog entry about housing next week) Another great thing about 1300 is that the 4th floor is all sophomore honors. (this means if everything goes as planned you might be seeing my smiling face every so often!)
“the SAC” – The Student Center. This is the big building with lots of red on the outside. If you came for a tour, its where one of the cafeteria’s is as well as the bookstore. It also has one of the two cafeterias that takes meal plan. The SAC will become your favorite place to eat in the winter when it gets to cold to walk all the way to J&H….
“J&H” – Johnson and Hardwick. This is where most freshman live on campus, this is also the location of the other place to eat that takes meal plan. J&H is buffet style, so if you’re really hungry and want the most out of your meal, thats probably where you want to go. I personally prefer the sac – but thats because I am a VERY picky eater.
“IBC” – the Independance Blue Cross gym. (My new favorite place) Its huge and has everything and anything you need to stay in shape and look fabulous. It is really close to 1300 too so you really have no reason not to go. (And even if you don’t feel like walking the block and a half, then there is a mini gym in 1300 on the fourth floor).
thats about all i can think of for now. I’ll be sure to add anything else as it comes to mind.
With every New Year comes New Years Resolutions…
So, try as we did, it seemed inevitable that me and my friends put on the “freshman fifteen.” Although it wasn’t REALLY fifteen, probably more like three or five tops, but to teenage girls everything seems to be a major crisis, especially when it comes to your favorite pair of skinny jeans not making you feel very skinny anymore. But never fear, because, being the bright honors students that we are, we have developed, what I believe, is possibly the best fool-proof plan to get us all back into shape and looking even better then we did when we first arrived at school: Operation Look Like Brittney. Yes, Brittney Spears, because as much as we love to hate her, face it, she went from total drab to total fab in no time, and she is back, looking better then ever.
Operation Look Like Brittney involves a very “strict” workout plan full of exercise videos and trips to the gym. (Note to all incoming freshman, take advantage of the fact that there is a gym IN YOUR DORM! This is an especially wonderful resource on those cold days where the thought of walking outside to go to the IBC is torcher itself.) And for those who really aren’t a fan of typical workouts, try some different workout videos. My roommate and I do Denise Austin’s “Dozen a Day” and “Fat burning Abs” workouts every day. For the more adventurous types (who don’t embarrass easily) get a group together and do a video in the Game Room. My friend has a “Dance to Fitness” workout video that she says “is all about getting skinny my shaking your butt” that we plan to do in the pool room as our ploy to gat dates to the honors ball. Note – the reason you can’t embarrass easily is that the pool room is all windows, and all of the students walking by will see you doing your workout. (Hence how we plan on attracting all the boys. Haha.) We haven’t actually tried it yet, but when we do I will be sure to let you know how it goes…
Accepting Your Honor’s Acceptance.
Okay, so first comes first. You’ve been lucky enough to receive and acceptance into the Temple Honor’s Program, but where do you go from here? Do you have to send something in specifically accepting this acceptance? Do you even WANT to be part of honors? Is everyone going to be a nerd? Here’s the basics of what you need to know.
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! If you are reading this then most likely you have received your acceptance. You are among the best and brightest of the students accepted into Temple University (and, trust me, its not a bad place to be). There is nothing specifically that you have to do to accept this acceptance aside from sending in your deposit to the school. You will automatically be accepting your place into the honors family in this process. If for some reason you don’t want to be part of honors, then that is a different story. I can’t even really think of a good enough reason for this situation to occur, but if by some chance it does, I would say to contact Ruth Ost, the Director of Honor’s Program, and set up a meeting with her. (I am willing to bet that there is no way you will come out of that meeting still wanting to drop honors. If anyone wants to take me up on this bet, please let me know. I will be more then happy to oblige.)
As for your worries and concerns of everyone being a nerd and never having any fun, well. First I would say to take a look around these blogs that are provided for you here… does it seem to you like all we do is study? And second, are you a nerd who doesn’t have any friends and spends all their time studying? No? I didn’t think so. So there’s your answer.
Finally, if your feeling like a REAL over achiever, start getting to know your honors family. Ruth, Amanda, Ana, Brad… all of them will become your favorite people by this time next year, and I’ve been informed that Ruth writes some of the best recommendation letters, so why not get ahead of the game and start getting to know them now. Also, if anyone is feeling REALLY ambitious, start a Temple Honor’s Class of 2013 group on Facebook. This is a GREAT way to start meeting your potential new BFFs as well as finding a roommate for next year!
Home Sweet Home
Dear all perepective freshman,
One thing that you will learn in college is how long five weeks can be. Five weeks is what I had for my winter break since my finals were done after the first day. At first you will be very excited to return home, get a hug from mom and dad, and return to YOUR bedroom that you don’t have to share with anyone else. But after a few days of running around and reuniting with long-lost best friends with whom your only form of communication for the past few months has been video chat and facebook, the whole thing gets rather old. I am embarrassed to admit that a few of my friends and me form temple could not last two weeks without seeing each other, we had to plan an emergency reunion the first weekend in January. Our reunion involved a photo shoot involving scarves, totem poles, and silly faces, and more laughter then I had had all break. (No worries, the embarrassing documentation of the photo shoot will be posted shortly)
I’ve decided that, with the New Year, it is time for new things and a new way of organizing. Each of my blogs are therefore going to have a central theme about how to survive freshman year/ what it is like being an honors student. I’m thinking I will start with my New Year’s Resolution and see where that takes me. I am also thinking that I will post something at least once a week (every Friday). So expect my first official one for this year tomorrow (Friday!).
me arriving at terri's house. two weeks of sepperation was too much for us.
one of the many embarassing pictured from that night. this is how we spent out saturday. lol.
Week Five… A Lesson From Dr. Seuss
This week I learned that Dr. Seuss provided me with all the essential knowledge that I needed to be a successful college student.
You can’t say you don’t like something until you try it.
Cats who show up in hats are never a good sign.
Being exiled from a group makes people cold and bitter, to but incorporating them in the fun can change them completely.
You can steer yourself and direction you choose, and everyone has the potential to be amazing.
Going green can help save the Lorax.
And that Elephants are failthful, one hundred percent.
Specifically, this week I will choose to focus on two points.
First, Doctor Seuss taught me to be open to new things.
“I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam I am.”
Sound familiar to anyone? Well, that’s exactly what I sounds like half the time.
I admit, I am one of “those people.”
The people who won’t try Mexican cuisine because it looks gross,
won’t eat anything white because it’s a strange color for food,
and refuse to watch LOST because I am convinced that I would not like it.
Before coming to college, my list of things that I refused was pretty long . One of my biggest “I do not like” items was that I refused to ride the subway. It scared me and, being from “middle of nowhere farmland, PA” the only time I ever heard about subways was when they were on the news talking about someone who was killed in the subway, or the power going out in New York City and everyone being trapped on the Subway for 14 hours, or someone falling into the tracks and reaching their inevitable death. Needless today, my opinion of the subway was not very high. So my enthusiasm when my friends all decided that they wanted to take the subway into center city was just about zero. Turns out the subway is probably my new favorite method of transportation. Not only does it quickly and efficiently get me from point a to point b, I also no longer have to worry about the thought of trying to parallel park (something I promised myself that I would never do after my drivers test), allows wonderful opportunities for photo shoots (as I’ve mentioned before) and also seems to always provide us with a funny story or two or an interesting new acquaintance.
Next, Dr. Seuss taught me to keep away from strangers who tried to lure me in
with their games and fun.
Just because some cool cat comes walking in with a spiffy top hat,
does not by any means mean that he is a friend to me.
As a college student, correction, more specifically as a college freshman, it is often times believed that I am naïve and pretty fancy tricks and games will lure me in. Credit cards companies trying to convince me to spend as much money as I would like (and they conveniently seem to forget to mention interest rates), people who try to conveniently steer me away from my group of friends when we are at a party, or even just my inner “cat,” the temptation of spending all of my free time with my friends and forgetting that my studies are the primary reason that I am here. Unfortunately for all the cats, I have always been more of a dog person, in the case of Cat in the Hat, fish person. Being at college has been an adjustment, but all in all its worth the frustration of working to get everything right. You learn over time how to distinguish the flourished tricks, and pick up on the street smarts that every individual should have.
Week Four… How this all got started
This week I learned that it, when the opportunity is presented, we will each sell ourselves out to a cause that we believed we would never aid in. Take me for example. I’m just your typical college student. I am a habitual procrastinator. I only live through Mondays in order to watch Gossip Girl. I have yet to master the delicate art of making the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I have an unhealthy obsession with the Twilight novels. And I hate bloggers.
So now imagine my reaction when I was approached about creating a freshman blog. Actually, scratch that. Don’t even try to imagine. I’ll lay it all out for you. Here’s the scene: I was told to stay after class last week. Ss there I am, wide-eyed little freshman me, sitting there in a mix of anticipation/ fear that I’m going to be told that Temple Honors no longer wants me and to go pack my bag. So as I sit there, savoring what very well might me my last few moments as a freshman honors student, I decide to let my mind wander on what could possibly be the good outcomes of this little rendezvous. My end conclusion: Honors has decided that I am lucky enough to be privileged to “intern” if you may say, with the HAB weekly e-mail composer. It’s part of the whole, “your writing style is good, but here’s your chance to learn from a real pro how to add the ultimate twists of blunt truth mixed with a hint of entertaining sarcasm and exaggeration,” thing that they have going. Maybe, if I’m really lucky, I’ll even get a hand at composing a line or two of this weekly masterpiece. Ha, well what can I say. When I daydream, I go all out.
So here’s what really happened. I was proposed with the opportunity to create a Freshman blog. You know, a website documenting the life, conquests, and trivial excitements of a freshman honors student; like my very own episode of MTV True Life: I’m a Freshman Honors Student. Only it’s online. And runs for about a year I’m guessing. So of course, my reaction was, “OMG I WOULD LOVE TO.”… … … … (pause for emphasis and exaggeration) Now does anyone else see a conflict in ideas here? Namely the last like I just types and the last line in the first paragraph. In other words, my previous statement that “I hate bloggers.” Yup, that’s right, I sold myself out for the chance to see my picture on a computer screen, and give everyone the chance to read about my semi-charmed kind of life (Apparently, just having a Facebook that documents my life in pictures was not quite enough for me anymore) So I turned in my identity as a normal, non-blogging civilian for my new alternate ego, a blogger. Although, I must say, it has its perks. This identity came complete with a cape and everything (blogging is very Clark Kent – Lois Lane of the twenty-first century).
I decided that if I was going to become one of “them” I might as well get to know their “let’s sit in front of the computer all day and convince other people to sit in front of the computer all day to read what we write” society. So I began my search through the world wide system of blogs. And I found that, honestly, they’re actually pretty cool. Cliché of me to say, I know. And trust me, imagine my shock in finding myself admitting to this, but it’s true. There’s blogs for everything you could possibly imagine. My favorites were the ones that I found about the hot spots in Philly, and the ones that provided information for the readers on all the cool things that the city offers. There’s also blogs for all my addictions, Gossip Girl, Twilight, The Bazooka Bubblegum cartoons. It’s all there. And, although I didn’t actually find one, I’m convinced that there’s one out there that could assist me with my lifelong goal to master PB&J preparation.
So, okay, maybe I did sell myself out. But maybe I was also slightly wrong about blogs. They’re rather informative and interesting. And with the new technology of wireless, you don’t even need to be hermited away indoors to read them. Actually, if you think about it, with the whole wireless on cell phones and MP3 players thing going on now, you could totally look at blogs while your exercising or doing something productive like that. So in a way, I’m really promoting activeness in society. (I know, it’s a stretch, but just go with me on this one.) But in my defense, I mainly saw this as an opportunity for me to reach people who were in the same position as me last year. I will be the first to admit that Honors is what convinced me to come to Temple, and I’m not so sure I would be here if I wasn’t for them. This program, and this school, offers so much to us, it’s unbelievable. Where else can you find students playing intense scrabble games at 2 in the morning (seriously, did you know that AA was a real word?) or someone who can do henna art, right in the convenience of your dorm hallway? Nowhere? That’s what I thought.
All in all it’s been a good week. And I have come to the conclusion that in the removal of four wisdom teeth you do not become any less wise, the existence of a funny bone does not necessarily mean that you can appreciate humor, and buttercups do not in anyway resemble the taste of a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup (or even butter for that matter).
Week three.. College Student also means “FREE”
This week I learned that “college student” is synonymous with “free.” The city of Philadelphia is really succeeding in finding the most direct way to our hearts. Just like food is the way to a man’s heart, “free” is the most direct way to the heart of a college student. (And the combination of free and food, almost doubles the effect.) With just the simple mention of “free” the amount in interest in a college mind instantly skyrockets. This last week I attended the Philadelphia Orchestra’s college night. The night was free for all college students, and included an hour and a half concert followed by, get this, free food and entertainment. I’ve always been a huge fan of anything involving the arts, so the chance to go see the orchestra excited me, but the idea of going alone was not something I was really looking forward to. Lucky for me I was able to convince some of my friends to come along, whether it was the free music, or the fr
ee food post the concert that inspired their journey to the concert, I can’t decide, but it does not really matter all the much to me. When we were at the concert, the director of the program addressed us after intermission. He told us how this night was special for each of us, and how the friendships we came here with would never be the same because of what we experienced. Now, I’m not sure if that’s necessarily true, it might have been a bit of a stretch, but the night certainly was fun and provided each of us with a great set of memories.
More or less, I guess what I learned this week, is that although college is starting to get to be really hard. And the work loads cause stress to the max, everyone here is in the same boat. All you need are your friends and they can relieve you of the stress. We’re all in the same boat here and just taking a minute or two to laugh and experience college makes everything better.
Week two… dreams and learning
This week I learned (or more or less came to terms with) my childhood dream to be Sherlock Holmes. You know, to wear a big tan trench coat with matching fedora, carry around a magnifying glass, and constantly make smart remarks to my loyal side kick Watson. There were multiple mystery solving groups available to me in my childhood, but strangely enough, it was always Sherlock who captivated my interest. While most girls were reading Nancy Drew, who wore cute plaid skirts and was always just so prim and proper, I preferred hanging with the boys. Occasionally I would let my mind wander from Holmes and end up part of one of the most famous super sleuth groups. The Mystery Team. I’m pretty sure that Scooby-Doo, himself, was the whole reason for my abandonment of Sherlock at these times, I’ve always had a soft spot for animals who can talk. It worked out perfectly in my mind. The group really did always need another female. Daphnea, Velma, and Allora. VAD. Daphne was always the pretty and fashionable one. Velma the smart one. So why not a combination of the both. Brains and style. I’ve already decided my outfit and everything. Fitted jeans and a black top. You know, to give the group someone with an edgy look.
This week I learned that my childhood mystery solving dreams can easily become reality in college. Now, granted, my mysteries are not always quite as noteworthy as my childhood idols, and would most likely never make it to print if it weren’t for this journal entry, but none the less the are small conquests. This week, there were so many unanswered questions that I had, I just had to get to the bottom of them: What groups should I get involved with? How does the Temple library work? Are you afraid of the Dark?
The hardest part with getting involved with groups on campus, I have found, is the fact that I have an on campus job. It’s a pretty nice job if I do say so myself. I work in the Student Athlete Academic Advising Center. Meaning I sit behind the desk and make sure all of the athletes sign in. Occasionally I answer the telephone and make copies, but for the majority of the time I do school work or talk to the basketball team members as they come in and out of the office. (And they’re paying me to do this!) The only problem that I have fond is that I work 12-1:30 every day. Most clubs and groups meet during that time. Leaving me the feeling that im never truly going to being to any of these groups that I’m interested in because there is no way for me to make the meetings. But I’ve learned, through my investigations that as long as I get involved, I can still be part of any group I choose.
The next was a bit more daunting. The University Library, which looks like a simple harmless building from the outside. But from the inside, the only thing simple is that it is a simple nightmare for a scared little freshman who just wants a book on Kurt Vonnegut for her English paper. I first attempted to solve the mystery on my own, and soon learned why no good detective works solo. Two words can describe my attempt; epic failure. So I went and found good old Watson, aka the nice man sitting behind the information desk. Lucky for me, he knew exactly where the Paley Stacks were located and how to check out the books that I needed. Props to you, my dear Watson, you really deserve more credit then you get.
(some of my group from freshman seminar with a friendly guard at the library.)
This week a also returned to a TV show from my early childhood. Are You Afraid of the Dark? And if sleeping with the lights on after watching one episode means anything, I think it is that, much like ten years ago, yes. I most certainly am afraid of the dark.
This week I learned how to dance like Beyonce. That’s right. Beyonce. Within two, one hour long classes at the world renounced IBC, I have learned to move, move, shake, shake and drop. My hips don’t lie, it is now true that my milkshake now brings all the boys to the yard, and I can rock out the Applebottom jeans and boots with the fur. It’s quite a feeling. I expect to be getting multiple offers to join some of the latest tours. Although, don’t be looking for me on stage anytime soon. I Plan to turn down all of the offers. My time at temple is much more valuable to me.
Week One: And so it all begins…
This week I learned that there are multiple uses for my macroeconomics text book. First of all, being roughly six inches thick, it makes a wonderful stepping stool. This comes in handy seeing that my bed is raised up as far as it will possibly go, and the process of getting into the bed without the macroeconomics book consists of a very specific set of movements that must be exactly synchronized and involves human pyramids as well as pole vaulting. Also, I have learned that this book is a wonderful form of protection. As long as I have this book in my bag I no longer need to remember the SING form of protection that I was taught by Miss Congeniality. Instead I must only remember to swing my bag so that the attacker gets a full face load of macroeconomics and I will be sure to make a graceful escape. Now, in the case that the attacker has a gun (I have been told this city is referred to as “Killadelphia” from time to time) I must merely place the book directly between me and the bullet. I can promise you, there is no way that anything is going to be making it through there.
After much calculation, and the application of quantum physics, I have discovered that if you take all 58,793,012,987 pages of the book and connect them in a particular arrangement you will be able to create a superman-style cape that will allow one to fly over the Temple campus. Or, if you take all the pages and form a straight line from them you will create a track that is roughly 2.3 miles long. As long as you follow the path of economics papers, you will be sure to keep off that freshman fifteen… and maybe lose a few pounds while you’re at it.
This book, I have learned, can also serve as a great way to meet people and/or avoid people. In meeting people one merely has to say, drop the gargantuan thing and some kind soul will rush over to offer their assistance in you getting your things back together. This person will then surely comment on the size of the “book” (if things of this size really can be called a book) and, voila, conversation is started. A new best friend is found. Likewise this book can easily be used to deter the unwanted forthcomings of sketchy individuals. If you ever feel that you are in the company of a sketchy individual and need to make a quick escape, merely pull out your Macroeconomics textbook and explain how much you love Macroeconomics and that’s why you carry this monstrous book around with you EVERYWHERE you go. If you are feeling uncertain if your cover has done the trick, add something about living in 1300 on the 3rd floor. Somehow the entire campus knows that the 3rd floor is honors, and they also already have their preconceived notions that since you are an honors student you are already a bit loony and clearly no fun.
Finally, I learned that my book can be used in perhaps the most simple, but also most efficient way if I just open it up and read the assigned chapters; In doing so, I practically guarantee myself a good grade and also allow myself to get a handle on the information so that I can participate in class.
The End.
