College: Living, Laughing and Learning

last week, i recognized that my favorite moments in the world occur when i feel like i have made a special connection with someone. my favorite moments (although i do enjoy accomplishing things, seeing projects turn out successfully, and of the like…) involve people. sometimes, they are everyday moments when i have coffee with someone (after all, starbucks says life happens over coffee), or they may be in class when i find out we have the same interest, or it could be a growing love- when you realize that you have found a true friend, someone who understands you, enjoys being around you - someone who wanted to harbor your pain so you don’t have to hurt so much.

as the first semester closes, each class of undergraduates carries something truly special to me.

the first-year students i have been blessed to work with, RA, be a VUceptor to - they inspire me. they are filled with such excitement, taste for life. they come in without thought to the bureaucracy, inefficiency, coldness, and other harsh things that seep into college, remnants from the real world. they come in wanting to form meaningful relationships, the ones people talk about forming in college. i say kudos to them for coming in “unjaded” and i hope that jaded-ness will never find you. stay strong.

my year, my peers, have kept me going. i love everyone i have made an intimate connection with, and i am overwhelmed by the encouragement and strength i gain from my friends. it’s hard to think that we’re almost juniors; it’s hard to think that on this road of life, we’re all pulling through in a collective sense. everyday, someone from my class amazes me with their generosity of heart, and i am entirely thankful.

the current juniors i respect and admire because they are figuring out their lives, becoming our senior leadership when the seniors leave. i especially love the juniors who share their wisdom, time, and life with underclassmen, wanting to make their imprint on the future. i enjoy the fact i still have a year left to get to know these wonderful people. i would say they are seniors who have a little bit of a longer time at vandy.

the seniors… wow… so much can be said about the amazing seniors that i have learned so much from. they have become my role models, mentors, friends. they are onto another stage in their lives, but still offer their experience, love and advice. they realize what is important but still are patient enough to listen to the struggles of those younger than they are. i admire the seniors i have gotten to know; for vanderbilt has basically given all it has to them, and they have no selfish motive anymore. they are now just reverting back to humanity’s initial stage of the love each human being naturally wishes to display for another- for that, i give them my salute and respect.

what is important? i think many things cause us to lose sight of what is truly important. when it is all said and done, your love for people is important; your desire to make the world a better place; your hunger for life, love, and wisdom; your patience and mentorship to others; your humility in order to achieve progress.

i think sometimes power corrupts people’s motives, hearts, and genuine-ness. it happens sometimes to the best of the best. sometimes, stress causes people to freak out and place too much of an emphasis on the temporal things of life.

i’d like to thank FaceAIDS for the amazing night they put on last week to help me realize when i may be stressed out about grades, boys, and other trivial items, there are people out there dying from AIDS, trying to live their last moments with grace, optimism, and hope.

and now… back to studying for finals!

I’d like to say that sometimes it’s easy to stare at one door.  At Vanderbilt, everyone comes in as #1 in their school, as the student body president and comes seeking to do the exact same thing again.  This is where it gets messy because people’s definition of success gets reworked.

In college, you don’t necessarily have to the be student body president in order to be successful.  You can participate in ambassadores, become an RA, get involved in the Commons experience as a VUceptor or participate in music at the Commons… there’s so much to do.  I would say that sometimes it’s hard to choose what to do because everything seems so tempting.  Everything seems fun to do, and everything seems like a great experience.

This Thanksgiving break has made me realize some of the same things.  Family is important; your true, close friends back home stay your true, close friends; life at Vanderbilt is hectic (in a good way), and sometimes, as students, we need a break.  We need to take a breath and smell the metaphorical roses.

I also think that it is important to realize that as Vanderbilt students, we are already better off than most of the population, and it is a true blessing to be able to receive the education and college experience that we get here.

Finals are coming… and you know what that means:  people will begin hibernating

Smiles,

Jean

only at Vanderbilt will you find people willing to give up their pride,

their drive to get positions to put on a resume,

and do things for the love of learning, for the love of people,

for making a difference,

for doing things if they bring enjoyment.

that’s what i love about vandy!

and the fact, we’ve won 6 games and may be going to a bowlgame!!

I just want to say that sometimes we take things for granted (especially in our busy lives at Vanderbilt).

If you look at a “successful” person, you never question how well their family is, or if they went through poverty when they were young, or if they’ve overcome a huge obstacle.

We simply assume that a happy exterior or a high status symbolizes that everything is okay.

I just wanted to say how much I respect people who are strong, who carry on, despite how much turmoil emotionally they have/are going through or have in their lives.

When it comes down to it, the evaluation at the end of your life won’t be about money. It’s going to about meaningful relationships, love, passion for your work - everything emotionally and personally tied to you.

So take some time to reflect on what you’re doing. Ask yourself is it worth it? Ask yourself if you are loving it? And finally, be sure to take some time and thank God for the family you do have, the friends who you know you can count on, the meaningful experiences, the happiness, the blessings - just everything - make sure you don’t take them for granted.

As a sophomore, it’s time to declare my major.  However, sometimes it’s hard to make a decision about what to major in especially if you don’t know what occupation you’d like to hold.

This week I talked to several people about declaring a major and what type of person fills what occupation.  I talked to workers for Vanderbilt, professors, friends, etc.  The one thing I realized what that you can never tell where life is going to lead you.  All you can do is put your best effort in what you love, and eventually everything will work out.

Being at Vanderbilt is a huge blessing.  I love all of the opportunities available here.  There’s always something to do and people to meet.

So right now it’s gonna be economics and mathematics!  I’m excited! :]

Something unique about Vanderbilt is that all its students are so well rounded.  Today, I ran to math class from supervising the VSG shuttles.  After the class, I rushed out, but not before my math professor commented, “You’ve got a lot going for you, don’t you?”

It’s cliche, but it’s true:  Vanderbilt students are well-rounded.  Everyone is involved in something.  Whether its roller hockey with a team that practices at a location a mile away or singing their hearts out on Vanderbilt off of broadway or changing Vandy policy by representing student needs in VSG, everyone has a passion.  Everyone is tired from classes and all of their activities, but no matter whom you ask, they say that they wouldn’t give it up… that they love it too much.  People love the activities that they’re doing.  People love the people that they work with and share life with.  Sure, students can go without these extracurriculars, but they would feel a bit empty.

And that is what is special about Vandy students.

Happy Fall Break!!!!! :] Whether someone’s at home or on campus, they’ll be getting lots of well-deserved rest.

Maymesters come out in late November, and one of them may be to the UK.  If it is, I am going to study abroad over there, and then go backpacking in Europe!  What an amazing experience to look forward to!

Vanderbilt has recently released 250,000 dollars for study abroad in the summer.  What an amazing initiative in such a bad economic downturn!  How blessed we are!

When I think upon the aspect of studying abroad, my heart pounds faster, and all I want to do is look up hostels and EuroLine passes!  Meeting new, exotic people; tasting new foods; immersing myself in diverse culture.  How awesome is that going to be?  I’ve heard it changes lives and makes the US look so small; it makes us realize there is a huge world out there to experience, to where we can journey.

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/expandedaidprogram/

So Vandy has a new financial aid policy that basically turns all loans that students qualify for into grants, so no one will have to pay debt after leaving school.

That is CRAZY.

This is an interesting move.  It’s going to require a lot of fundraising.  I am happy for the students that this helps!  This is going to help them out so much.

In our materialistic world, there is TOO MUCH of a focus on money and possessions and not enough focus on the intangibles:  are you happy?  did you reach your goals?  did you make a difference where you wanted to?  did you follow your heart?

Sometimes, if an industry doesn’t look great financially, people get out of it.  For instance, we are in dire need of great teachers, but they are so undervalued in the market, so the financial incentives are low.  However, from what I’ve seen, people who are teachers want to be where they are.  They are happy individuals who derive meaning form helping students.  I appreciate that, and so do many, many others.

So by alleviating this financial burden, it will grant many students the freedom to follow their dreams.

AND I’M STOKED FOR ESPN GAME DAY!! WOOT!!

Exams, midterms, tests, quizzes, papers, projects…

these words cause stress.  These events cause stress.  Yes, Vanderbilt is a top 20 school.  It is rigorous.  However, success always takes hard work and determination.  As I’ve stated before, I don’t believe success can be measured by words.  Success is measured by an internal feeling to the question: Did I do the best I can?  If the answer is yes, you’ll feel okay; you’ll feel like you’ve done everything in your power and therefore, nothing can be changed.

Before a major grade, prepare yourself.  Take it day by day.  Start studying a few days before so you don’t have to review all the tons of pages of readings the night before.  Study smart.  Pick a nice, quiet place to study, preferably a place where you don’t know anyone, so nobody can distract you.  Don’t stress out!  Oftentimes, stressing out can cause you to miss something because you’re not reading as well or as calm and collected in interpreting the questions.

And remember, college is about more than just grades, grades, and more grades.  It’s about have a good time!

One more thing:  ESPN College Game Day==> VANDY V. AUBURN!!! :] Oct. 4th, I’m so PUMPED!

This past Friday I asked my math 204 professor if many math majors end up being lawyers.  Surprisingly, she answered yes.  Math-oriented people like reasoning, rationalizing and such; therefore, the process of getting to that conclusion pays off in the law field.

So does your major determine your future?  The answer is no.

As an individual, you yourself determine your major.  Everyday, you make a choice about whether or not you go to class or even pay attention in the class.  Everyday, you make a choice about whether to study now or put it off.  Everyday, your determination and hard work either edge you away from your future or toward your dream.

It’s up to you, and that’s what I’ve realized.  No matter what I end up majoring in, I will be able to accomplish anything if I set my mind to it.