Well, I am happy and sad to say that I am almost done with my freshman year of college. I remember being told by others that college goes by fast, but I never believed them. I thought that with all the stress, studies, and for me, running in cross country and track, it would drag on forever. However, now that this year seems to be rushing to an end, I would have to agree with what those people told me. The only aspect about this year that makes it seem long is when I think about how much I’ve grown as a person. I mean, wow, when I think back to who I was coming in-a nervous freshmen who was so shy I hardly spoke a word, not even to my own team- I don’t even recognize myself.

Now, I feel like almost an entirely different person. I am much more confident and not afraid to be myself…at least not in front of my team since I can be quite silly and weird. I made so many more friends than I thought I would (and if you’re a naturally shy person like me and are worried you won’t make friends, I can assure that it’s very possible). Just by hanging out in the lounge on your floor, or attending some of the different events your R.A. has are some of the best and easiest ways to meet new people. Remember, almost everyone doesn’t know someone coming in, so you’re all in it together.

As far as academics, it is very doable. Just staying on top of your assignments and studying (no procrastinating), and learning to prioritize is all you really need to do. Your freshmen year will be most likely your easiest year, so if you have it all together, you should be set for those next 3 years of college. Personally, I thought that this year was really quite similar to high school. BUT, the one exception is that you need to study a lot more since most classes will not give you homework. In other words, the majority of your grade is almost always based off of exam and quiz scores (in writing classes this would be your papers), so it is highly important that you understand the material as you go along by studying ahead since you’ll have very little to no assignments forcing you to do so.

Hmmm, but what made it all go by so fast you might be wondering? Well, to be honest, I think it was because I had so much fun-’time flies when you’re having fun!’-and it really does. However, it wasn’t always fun. I did need to find a balance in the beginning between my social life, academics, and running cross country and track, and I somehow managed to. I had meets every weekend, so I learned to be very productive during the weekend on the days I wasn’t running at a meet or practice. That way, I made sure to set aside some time to hang out with my friends the rest of the weekend. Since practice was also at 6:00 a.m. two times a week, I learned how to not stay up all night studying but instead using the time I had between my classes to study. You’d be surprised by how much you can get accomplished in that time, even if it’s just an hour between your classes. Once I started using my time better, I didn’t feel as exhausted from staying up the night before..which lead to a much happier me!

Everyone is different of course, and you’ll be able to find what works for you. Just be sure to work hard and have fun!

First of all, I live on campus and absoluetly love it.  I feel like I am closer to many of the people here at Benedictine because I live on campus.  I am not saying that commuters and residents are separate, but more times than not commuters are more familiar with other communters and residents are more familiar with other residents. Now, on to the question “Want to live off campus, yet be away from home?”

I know about 5 people that have houses off campus, however houses that have affordable rent and finding enough roommates that can aford the rent is pretty difficult.  I have visited these houses a few times and they are nice and comfortable, but it’s just a matter of affording it.

Another option many people pursue are apartments near campus yet off the actual Benedictine Campus.

Four Lakes on Maple Avenue provides pretty affordable condos and apartments.  I have a friend that lives in a studio in Four Lakes and his rent is about $900 a month. It’s a really nice place with a lot of amendities just a little pricey.

Also I have friends that live in Abbeywood Apartments and Greentrails Apartments.  They all have 4 roommates and the rent varies from $200-400 a person.  These places are really nice and within walking distance to school.

Two of the most outstanding drawbacks that I can think of are that you are not given a very big meal plan so you would have to do a lot of cooking and grocery shopping. Also, unlike Founders Woods’, the tenants of the off-campus apartments have to pay monthly utilities.

As a core elective, almost every college student will end up having to take a speech course. I dreaded this. I absolutely hate public speaking. I am usually shy and quiet when I’m not with my team or friends, so getting up in front of a bunch of people and talking while everyone’s eyes are on you is very unappealing to me.  However, I am happy to tell those of you who share my hatred for public speaking that it is truly not that terrible after all, and it took me until this semester as a freshman in college to discover this.

Part of the reason it took up until now was just because I chose to sign up and get my speech course out of the way for this semester. So after getting enrolled in my speech course I didn’t let it cross my mind once and instead enjoyed my long winter break worry free…until I came back. As I let it sink in-the fact that I’d be taking a speech course where you are assessed and graded on your ability to publically speak in front of a roomful of people, the worry and anxiety starting coming. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve given a good amount of speeches in my high school career and have done well on them, but the nerves are just something I can’t fight.

So, how did I go from absolutely hating speeches to hardly minding them at all? Well, the first step was realizing that they really are not that bad-it’s only about 3-10 minutes of your life doing something you’re uncomfortable with. So here are some things that I tell myself to make those minutes as painless an possible (and trust me, they really work):

• Everyone else in the class has to present too. Therefore, they are mostly likely just as nervous as you are, so relax!
• Is everyone really paying close attention? Think about it. How well are you listening to your fellow classmates’ presentations? Sure, you might listen to their introduction and maybe gain some knowledge on parts you find particularly interesting, but you are probably lying if you say that you don’t daydream here or there in the middle of speeches. If you have visual aids, like a power point, you are even safer because everyone will be staring more at that and not you (so try to make your visual pretty interesting!)
• Your teacher knows you are nervous. Teachers are pretty understanding and realize that you are probably nervous during your speeches, so take that into account.
• You know what you’re talking about. Unless you didn’t do the research, then you should be absolutely fine. It’s all in your head, and now you just have to te

When I was looking into colleges during my senior year of high school I came across one of the biggest decisions that I would have to take in my life. I put many things into consideration and thought about many pros and cons between two different schools. One thing I had to think about was  between a small campus or large campus. After coming to Benedictine University, I tell myself all the time that I made the best decision in my life to choose a small campus. There are many benefits for going to a smaller campus rather than a larger one.

One main benefit is that you would be able to know more people. When going into college, it can be hard to make new friends. When I first came to Benedictine University, you would see everyone more than once a day. I made so many new friends just because of the small school size. I talked to some of my cousins that go to University of Chicago  (UIC) in the city and they said that they don’t really meet new people. They hang out with the same people on a daily basis, either they met before they went to UIC or they randomly met at a party. It can be quiet hard to make friends, when coming to Benedictine University I had the biggest opportunity to meet new students that are my best friends now, and met many people who can help me get far in life.

Another benefit is that you will have small class sizes. In college, it  is very important to know your professor as well as your professor knowing you by name and not by a number. Also the professors will be teaching, there will be no teacher assistants in the classroom. They would be there just to help out during labs. Also your advisers know each of their students well and help them through out the whole process while they are a student at the University. Also you would be able to have an individual designed major along with hands on opportunities.