So classes have been underway for a little over a week. I have mixed feelings. Summer is amazing, I mean the weather, the lack of responsibility…the weather…Yes it is true the weather is starting to turn; the low last night was something crazy like 55 degrees. It’s time to pull the fleece out L. On the other hand, my classes are phenomenal. Aside from being a lot of reading (I had to read at 250-page book last week for one class), my professors and subject matters are great. This semester is the first time I am taking five classes. Five classes is definitely a bit of an adjustment from previously having four, but it’s not impossible. If one of my majors was something like math that didn’t require tons of reading, it would be easier. Unfortunately, I am just way more interested in politics and communications!
The first few weeks of Penn is also full of kick-off events. Between meetings for organization and actual events, it is a great way to get eased into the school year. For example, coming up this weekend is one of the greatest events at Penn. I guess I am a little biased seeing as I am a part of the organization that puts it on, but, oh well. No Place Like Penn (NPLP) is an event that SPEC (Social Planning and Events Committee) puts on every September. The Friday night of NPLP has a performance by a hypnotist—it is ridiculously funny to watch people get hypnotized and make total fools of themselves—and a DJ Party in Wynn Commons. Saturday has a fair on college green with free food and carnival games followed by the first home football game of the year. Unfortunately, NPLP falls over Rosh Hashanah weekend, so I, like a ton of Penn people, am at home.
I’ll be back in a few days though, and I was lucky enough to secure a parking spot this year. Last weekend was my first time driving down alone, and…I survived! It’s so nice having a car at school, I have to admit, I can definitely see in the winter driving down to a “far” class (far is in quotes because nothing at Penn is really that far!) I’m off to do some more reading…
Friday, September 14, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
So Long, Summer
I can't believe I am packing up and readying myself to move back to Penn. Where has this summer gone? As sad as I am about summer ending (and having to trade in my flip-flops for Uggs), I am definitely excited and ready to head back to school. This year, I am living in my Sorority House. We have a great location (38th and Walnut), so now I am closer to the restaurants on 40th….and the gym to work off what I eat! If someone were to come and look at the boxes sprawled across my room, they would think I was moving into a mansion. Clearly, I did not learn to pack lightly from my freshman year. How can I feel fully moved in without bringing every possible shirt I might feel like wearing?
Anyway, I am moving in on Saturday. Most upperclassmen are there or will be there by then, so I figured that traffic might not be horrific. Be warned, it is pretty bad on the highly trafficked move-in days. My roommate will already have moved in when I get there, but we already agreed on whom is taking which side of the room and have color coordinated our things (we're girls!)
I will be the last one of my friends to leave; it is really strange being the only one left. Most of my friends have already started classes…haha. School is starting to become more of a reality as my professors are starting to utilize Blackboard (it's where our grades and assignments are posted) to post my syllabi. Unfortunately, it looks as though I'll have quite a bit of reading this semester! Not dwelling on that, I am going to enjoy the sunshine while I can before the long northeast winter!
Anyway, I am moving in on Saturday. Most upperclassmen are there or will be there by then, so I figured that traffic might not be horrific. Be warned, it is pretty bad on the highly trafficked move-in days. My roommate will already have moved in when I get there, but we already agreed on whom is taking which side of the room and have color coordinated our things (we're girls!)
I will be the last one of my friends to leave; it is really strange being the only one left. Most of my friends have already started classes…haha. School is starting to become more of a reality as my professors are starting to utilize Blackboard (it's where our grades and assignments are posted) to post my syllabi. Unfortunately, it looks as though I'll have quite a bit of reading this semester! Not dwelling on that, I am going to enjoy the sunshine while I can before the long northeast winter!
Friday, August 17, 2007
A Wise Fool
I can’t believe it has been a whole year since I was preparing to head to New Student Orientation (NSO week is one of the best weeks of your undergraduate life!) Last Sunday, the Bucks County Penn Alumni Club had a welcome picnic for the future freshmen (Class of 2011). The kids that showed up were really great and they all had a ton of questions. It is weird to think that a year ago college was such a huge unknown and now I am a veritable authority (sophmore does translate to mean a wise fool, so perhaps I don't know as much as I think)! Everyone always has the same questions. Number one is always, “Is it hard”….to which I always respond, not if you go to class and keep up with your reading! Other than that, we discussed living situations, the dining halls (one of the perks of being a sophomore is not having to be on the meal plan, so I guess you know where I stand on the issue), class selection and social life. Penn social life is a strange thing. Sunday through Thursday, we are most definitely a studious Ivy League, but Thursday night through the rest of the weekend, Penn kids really know how to let down. It is great looking forward to a reasonably stress-free weekend when you are having a particularly work-heavy week (I’m hoping I will not have too many this semester!)
On a side note, I am a huge loser and am actually looking forward to my classes. I ordered my textbooks for my Poli Sci classes (tip to all future freshmen: order your textbooks off of Amazon.com, you’ll save a ton), as they are posted on the Penn bookstore website, and they came today—I will neither confirm nor deny that I have opened them and looked through them already…
Other than that, I have been taking it pretty easy since my internship and class ended. I forgot how nice doing nothing can be. My brother and I are currently arguing over the remote for the TV…the one plus about going back to school will be regaining sole ownership of my remote and not being forced to watch Wedding Crashers for the millionth time (it wasn’t even that funny the first time).
On a side note, I am a huge loser and am actually looking forward to my classes. I ordered my textbooks for my Poli Sci classes (tip to all future freshmen: order your textbooks off of Amazon.com, you’ll save a ton), as they are posted on the Penn bookstore website, and they came today—I will neither confirm nor deny that I have opened them and looked through them already…
Other than that, I have been taking it pretty easy since my internship and class ended. I forgot how nice doing nothing can be. My brother and I are currently arguing over the remote for the TV…the one plus about going back to school will be regaining sole ownership of my remote and not being forced to watch Wedding Crashers for the millionth time (it wasn’t even that funny the first time).
Thursday, August 2, 2007
3 Months Down, 1 to Go...
So I cannot believe it is August 2nd. It is officially three months since I finished my last final and about one month until I move back in. I guess I would have missed Penn more if I hadn’t been down here every day for the past six weeks.
This summer I am lucky enough to be working at the Annenberg Public Policy Center for a National Public Radio Program called Justice Talking (http://justicetalking.com) . It is a great internship; I highly encourage all future students to consider spending a summer or sometime during the year helping out. It is not like most internships where employers don’t trust the capability of students. I have gotten to put together research packets for future programs and even have one of my ideas for a show topic chosen! The staff is so laid back, it’s an amazing summer job.
I’ve also been taking a summer class—Communications 125 Communication and Behavior. I had heard that this class was potentially pretty boring so I decided it might be beneficial to get it out of the way in six weeks as opposed to twelve. It ends next Thursday, and I have to tell you that this class has been phenomenally interesting. Perhaps it is because I have an interest in communications (as it is one of my majors!) or maybe it is the fact that I only have one class to worry about so I am not as stressed and can really enjoy the reading. Either way, my professor, a graduate student named Lauren Feldman, who has done most of her research in Political Communications (really fascinating stuff!!) is one of the best professors I have had here at Penn.
Summer classes are kind of a hidden gem.
If you can get past taking classes in the summer, they are much more relaxed (code for easier), class sizes are much smaller (this class has 12 students as opposed to close to 200 in the spring) and the students really get to interact with the professor. As a bonus for all Penn students, about half of the class is comprised of pre-college students (high school kids doing a summer program at Penn), which makes the environment not as stressful and the competition a bit easier. Needless to say, despite my roughly 3-hour commute in and out of the city every day, I am really enjoying my summer at Penn—not to mention I have not had to go without eating at my favorite places all summer!
This summer I am lucky enough to be working at the Annenberg Public Policy Center for a National Public Radio Program called Justice Talking (http://justicetalking.com) . It is a great internship; I highly encourage all future students to consider spending a summer or sometime during the year helping out. It is not like most internships where employers don’t trust the capability of students. I have gotten to put together research packets for future programs and even have one of my ideas for a show topic chosen! The staff is so laid back, it’s an amazing summer job.
I’ve also been taking a summer class—Communications 125 Communication and Behavior. I had heard that this class was potentially pretty boring so I decided it might be beneficial to get it out of the way in six weeks as opposed to twelve. It ends next Thursday, and I have to tell you that this class has been phenomenally interesting. Perhaps it is because I have an interest in communications (as it is one of my majors!) or maybe it is the fact that I only have one class to worry about so I am not as stressed and can really enjoy the reading. Either way, my professor, a graduate student named Lauren Feldman, who has done most of her research in Political Communications (really fascinating stuff!!) is one of the best professors I have had here at Penn.
Summer classes are kind of a hidden gem.
If you can get past taking classes in the summer, they are much more relaxed (code for easier), class sizes are much smaller (this class has 12 students as opposed to close to 200 in the spring) and the students really get to interact with the professor. As a bonus for all Penn students, about half of the class is comprised of pre-college students (high school kids doing a summer program at Penn), which makes the environment not as stressful and the competition a bit easier. Needless to say, despite my roughly 3-hour commute in and out of the city every day, I am really enjoying my summer at Penn—not to mention I have not had to go without eating at my favorite places all summer!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Here Comes the Sun
Today, as I was walking down Locust with the sun beating down on me, I realized what I love about Penn. Yes, it is three days before finals start (hence my procrastinating studying by writing this!) but Penn students are not inside locked away and completely stressing out, but they are outside. They are outside running, biking, shopping, eating ice cream, and yes, even studying. It felt like the last day of school. Everyone was smiling and excited, and, in shorts!
Penn is a great campus, but so many people visit during the winter months. The campus architecture is gorgeous, but Penn isn’t really alive until it’s at least 70 degrees. It really feels like college when the Frisbees come out of the closet! Even though I am on the dining plan (as all freshmen are required to be…) there are great places to sit outside and grab lunch/dinner/dessert which go unused for so much of the year. If the weather persists, I don’t think my dining dollars are going to get much use.
I am trying to make two points: The first, Penn is really unique in that it offers unparalleled academics in a much more relaxed atmosphere. I think you’d be hard pressed to find Harvard of Princeton kids outside playing baseball with fewer than 72 hours until their next exam. The second, for all you prospectives, don’t judge Penn by your winter visits. Yes, we’re on the east coast and it is reasonably cold during the winter, but when the sun starts to shine, the campus really wakes up.
I suppose I should quit putting off my studying, as I am one of the unfortunate ones who have a 9am exam on Thursday…
Penn is a great campus, but so many people visit during the winter months. The campus architecture is gorgeous, but Penn isn’t really alive until it’s at least 70 degrees. It really feels like college when the Frisbees come out of the closet! Even though I am on the dining plan (as all freshmen are required to be…) there are great places to sit outside and grab lunch/dinner/dessert which go unused for so much of the year. If the weather persists, I don’t think my dining dollars are going to get much use.
I am trying to make two points: The first, Penn is really unique in that it offers unparalleled academics in a much more relaxed atmosphere. I think you’d be hard pressed to find Harvard of Princeton kids outside playing baseball with fewer than 72 hours until their next exam. The second, for all you prospectives, don’t judge Penn by your winter visits. Yes, we’re on the east coast and it is reasonably cold during the winter, but when the sun starts to shine, the campus really wakes up.
I suppose I should quit putting off my studying, as I am one of the unfortunate ones who have a 9am exam on Thursday…
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Thoughts on this last Week of Classes
One of the greatest attributes of Penn is having the entire city of Philadelphia at your fingertips. Case in point, today I went to the Franklin Institute to walk through the King Tut exhibit. I guess that kind of makes me a dork, but I love history. In literally a ten minute cab ride, I was at this fabulous museum. Apart from the exhibit, they have a huge IMAX theater (it makes you a bit nauseous, but it’s totally worth it) and tons of other interactive activities.
After the museum, I experienced another great part of Philadelphia—the food! I ate at Continental Midtown. I definitely recommend making this a stop on your visit to Penn or at some point freshman year. Philadelphia has SOOO many great restaurants, it makes being on a meal plan frustrating at times. If you ever need a recommendation for a restaurant, send it my way!
Tonight was also the last chapter meeting of the year for my sorority. I listened to every senior regale the chapter with stories from their Penn experience. While I was sitting there, I couldn’t help but to notice the emotions that filled the room. Everyone was crying—the underclassmen, to be losing friends, and the seniors, to be losing Penn. It made me realize how special it is to be at Penn and the incredible experiences and friendships the students all make. It’s hard to even fathom that in three days I’ll be done classes of my freshman year!
One last point…class pre-registration for Fall 2007 is currently going on. It’s absolutely crazy. Everyone is sitting by their computers waiting for classes to open up. Advice to future pre-frosh: You probably won’t get into any of the classes you really want first semester, but this forces you to take things (like Linguistics!) that you never were interested in but enjoy learning about. This semester I actually got my top choices and don’t have to be a part of the rat race that is course registration. It's pretty exciting. I have to run and finish up the million papers I have due this week!
After the museum, I experienced another great part of Philadelphia—the food! I ate at Continental Midtown. I definitely recommend making this a stop on your visit to Penn or at some point freshman year. Philadelphia has SOOO many great restaurants, it makes being on a meal plan frustrating at times. If you ever need a recommendation for a restaurant, send it my way!
Tonight was also the last chapter meeting of the year for my sorority. I listened to every senior regale the chapter with stories from their Penn experience. While I was sitting there, I couldn’t help but to notice the emotions that filled the room. Everyone was crying—the underclassmen, to be losing friends, and the seniors, to be losing Penn. It made me realize how special it is to be at Penn and the incredible experiences and friendships the students all make. It’s hard to even fathom that in three days I’ll be done classes of my freshman year!
One last point…class pre-registration for Fall 2007 is currently going on. It’s absolutely crazy. Everyone is sitting by their computers waiting for classes to open up. Advice to future pre-frosh: You probably won’t get into any of the classes you really want first semester, but this forces you to take things (like Linguistics!) that you never were interested in but enjoy learning about. This semester I actually got my top choices and don’t have to be a part of the rat race that is course registration. It's pretty exciting. I have to run and finish up the million papers I have due this week!
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