Roommates for life

Winter break is a strange chapter in every college student’s career.

We take a sudden break in the life we just spent three months adjusting to. It’s like we finally get into our routine, the game, and then we are forced to take a half time. We look forward to seeing our families, but at the same time we feel sad about the family we’re leaving behind in Bloomsburg.

As a junior, I’ve gone through these hellos and goodbyes for two summers and three winters. I can tell you this as a fact, it never gets easier. Bloomsburg has become my home away from home and I have all of my friends and roommates to thank for that.

Everyone has their stories about their freshman year and sadly a lot of them end in friends drifting or going their own ways. For me, the exact opposite occurred. My four roommates are all people I met during my freshman year while living in the residence hall. My other three best friends also all live together and are from my floor in Elwell.

We are all in constant touch and see each other whenever we have a free moment. I’m not sure if fate is a real thing, but sometimes I like to believe these people were brought into my life as soon as possible, to stop anymore lost time. I’ve also gained a lot of amazing friendships during my years. How many people get to say they’ve gained more positive relationships then they have lost?

There is really something about being roommates with another human during college that in a way, bonds you for life. I have consistently had one person living with me for three years and as of senior year, four. Kelsi and I always joke about being roommates for life.

I like to tell her that when her and her husband get married, I will be living in their basement and babysitting their kids. She promised to make her kids call me “Aunt Megan.” I am still amazed that I’ve only known these people for three years. Even when we met freshman year, I would wonder how it seems like I’ve known them forever. I feel as if this thought is common amongst a large portion of new college students, or at least I hope it is.

As we return from the winter break that seems as if it lasted months, we get back into the game. We all pull up to the apartment one by one and call each other to let them know we are here. Giddy squeals and hugs are sure to follow and then come the stories that we have been dying to hear about in person while we were forced to separate for five weeks. No details are ever held back and a million personal questions are asked. We all start to redevelop the strange talk and mannerisms we each took with us when we left. The catch is right when you get back into the swing of things, summer knocks on the door.

— Megan Hawbecker, junior mass communications major #HuskyLife

It's winter break, but now what?

When winter break comes around, it’s something we all look forward to no matter what year you are in. Winter break means finals are over, the semester is over, and we have a month to relax and get ready for what the spring brings.

But as a senior, this is our last winter break. Next year at this time, we will all hopefully have a job, but we won’t have that nice month to rest. As a freshman, this is your first of many breaks. Congratulations you made it through your first semester. But what to do during break?

So… as a senior this is the time to start the job hunt

Build a resume, maybe even a website, start looking at companies that you are interested in working for, if there are openings maybe even send out an application. It is never too early to start the search, so use this time to get all your ducks in a row so when spring semester comes you are ready to take on the job hunt.

But don’t forget this is your last winter break! Make the most of it! Hang out with friends and family, go on adventures, and do things you have always wanted to do but, never got around to it. The real world is creeping closer, go out with a bang before hitting that next stop.

So… as a freshman you have realized your broke

School is expensive so is extra-curricular activities. I suggest trying to get a job. During the winter season the demand for jobs are very high. Finding a job at your local mall or stores will keep you busy and also give you some extra cash before heading back for the spring semester. Also, remember you are back with all your friends from high school.

I’m sure this is the longest time you have been apart, so you are going to want to be with them almost every day. Make the most of it! You all have made new friends but, being with your friends from home, it’s like you have never been a part.

Winter break is a whirlwind

It’s the most exciting thing to look forward to at the end of the semester. Just remember no matter what year you are in or how old you are, winter break is a time to connect with friends and family. So go to the closest city to you, go skiing or snowboarding, go out of the country, or stay in and binge watch a Netflix series with your best friends.

Make the most of it! Even though this may be your first or last winter break we all agree on one thing … Happy Finals Are Over!

— Samantha Gross, mass communications major #HuskyLife

Bring on the Break!

IT’S HERE! The break we have all been waiting for!

As students, we all know how stressful finals can be and the lack of sleep that might stem from those late-night, caffeinated, study sessions. It’s like Winter Break is the light at the end of the tunnel. I can hardly focus by the time I get to my last final exam, because I start thinking about all of the things I’m going to be able to do after I leave that classroom and honestly, my first thought is usually a nap.

Don’t get me wrong, break is a great time to catch up on sleep, but don’t snooze your entire Winter Break away. From a senior’s perspective, I’d like to share with you some of the ways I took advantage of Winter Break in the past, somethings I wish I had done, and a few tips for the best ways to utilize our Winter Break as we look forward to the spring semester.

Winter Break allows you only five weeks to de-stress, catch up, and plan for the Spring semester. With being so close to graduating, I am taking advantage of this Winter Break a little differently than I normally do. For some, Winter Break means the start of Winter Session, which I am currently enrolled in.

It’s a good time for students to take harder courses at a pace that helps them to better understand the material and for others it’s catch up or get a head time! I’m using this Winter Break to fill the rest of my GEPs and to complete my minor so that in the Spring, my course load won’t be so heavy. Studying, writing papers, doing projects, and taking exams won’t be the only thing I plan to do this Winter Break, though.

I am also using Winter Break to gain new skills that could benefit me in my future career (Oh, Hey Marketing and Communications Winter Internship!) and to better organize myself for post-grad life.

Fortunately, I have already contracted with a company for after graduation. This Winter Break I plan to stop into the office to deliver some cookies and to catch up with everyone in the office that I haven’t seen since my internship ended.

Seniors —yesterday was the day to start looking for internships and job opportunities for after graduation. Maybe even finish up those grad school applications and take the GREs. If you get some free time or your Netflix account starts getting old, hop on that career search grind.
Juniors — internships are a great way to get your foot in the door. That’s actually how I received my job opportunity. Special thanks to the Center for Professional Development and Career Experience because it was through their webpage that I found that internship and if you impress the employer, you might just get a job offer.
Sophomores’ and First Years’ — use this time to be proactive and start thinking about careers that interest you and academic specializations/concentrations that will set you apart in your major and ultimately, in your future job search. Someone once told me that you should pick something “hard” and work until you are good at it. It will make you very valuable to any company, especially if you can do that one thing no one else wants to do.

Academics aside, there is still plenty of time to spend with family and friends, enjoy yourself, and to maybe even do a little traveling. In the past, I also used Winter Break to make some extra cash to use for books, gas, and other expenses during the coming semester.

My roommate since freshman year, Mere, and I started what seems to be an annual tradition. Every January, a few of our BU friends get together and go to the Farm Show in Harrisburg. The two of us always try to squeeze in a ski trip and time to build gingerbread houses, too. It’s always enjoyable to spend time together outside of college. Some of my best college memories are from Winter Break. Maybe this year you could start a tradition with your friends.

The only thing I wish I could have taken advantage of in the past during Winter Break would be to take at least one course over the five week period. I think it would have definitely lightened up my semester course loads and would have kept me in my “school work” state of mind. Sometimes going back to college after break it is hard to get back on track and focusing the way you need to be. I think maybe one course over break would have kept me focused a little better.

In the short time we are away from campus, try to keep your goals in eyesight and to make memories that you’ll never forget. Live, laugh, and love. Spend time those around you and enjoy being at home. Make new goals for yourself and be proud when you achieve them. Try something you’ve never done; dare to make a difference somewhere. Catch those extra ‘Zzzs. These might be the same old things you’ve heard time and time, again, but the more I think about graduation, the more these tips make sense.

Enjoy your Winter Break. Happy Holidays and Have a Happy New Year. Thanks for reading!

— Jessica Shiptoski, senior accounting major, professional writing minor, fraud examination concentration #HuskyLife #WinterBreak #memories

Where did the time go?

Well, the fall semester is just about over, and I’m not sure if I’m ready to leave beautiful Bloomsburg.

That feeling of returning back to our hometowns can be relieving and scary all at once. I remember the feeling of missing my family, but it was going to be worse leaving all of my friends here at college. So what is there to expect when you go back home?

Having control of life and being free here at college is great. But going home means, “mom’s way or the highway.” So maybe going home is nice and all, but it won’t exactly be that easy. This new adult-self could soon be shut down and shut up real quick by mom’s rules.

Not looking forward to being away from best friends and boyfriend or girlfriends either? This idea can cause some serious separation anxiety. I found best friends in Bloomsburg who bring out the best in me, and we are used to spending every waking moment together. Being at home leaves me feeling a little lost and lonely ... no worries though, Snapchat will come in handy.

I am reminded of how much I can take away from college. A lot more than I could from just watching television all day and sneaking snacks before suppertime. So we all may go through the different struggles, ups or downs that winter break will bring to us. But this time can be used to catch up on sleep, start applying for internships or jobs, see old friends, and have quality time with family. It’s quality time to do some self-reflecting and get prepared for the next semester.

This time off could be used to spruce up my creativity. It could be a good time for some changes too. I usually try to find the changes in myself first. It may be a small break, but use the time wisely and remember that college is a stepping stone, second home, and even sometimes that change to get you up and going.

We all may leave it for break, and eventually for good, but we’ll always remember how life changing Bloomsburg can be.

Rep On

— Lydia Jenkins, senior mass communications major #HuskyLife #HuskyFit

The End Came Quickly

It is hard to believe that my freshman year of college has come to a close! Nine months ago I was facing the unknown: leaving my family for the first time and hoping that I would be able to find my place at Bloomsburg University.

I had a relatively smooth adjustment to college the first semester and I must say that the second semester was more of challenge for me both emotionally and academically.

When I came back from winter break, I experienced homesickness for the first time. The first semester I was so busy meeting new people and becoming involved on campus that I sometimes forgot to call my parents and they would have to eventually call me to check in.

The second semester I had established a routine and had found my friends, which left me with more time to miss home. I called my parents and my grandparents often the second semester, but after spring break the homesickness subsided.

My second semester was a lot more challenging academically, as my general education classes are mostly complete and instead mostly have classes in my major. My advice is to avoid scheduling your classes like I did. Try to always have one or two "easy classes" in your schedule. I like to challenge myself and scheduled all difficult classes at once.

I set myself up for struggles and a tumbling grade point average as I attempted to stay afloat in the classes beyond my current level. Do not make this mistake and be sure that you are prepared for all of the classes that you schedule.

Though I had some low points, the second semester, I still had many high points. I received the wonderful opportunity to become roommates with my best friend on campus. I was lucky and had a great roommate randomly assigned from the beginning, but when my best friend was left without a roommate, I quickly switched rooms.

I made the long difficult move a door down the hall while my friend was at class. I bribed a girl down the hall to help me move with the promise of granola bars (food is a great currency in dorms) and I was moved in less then an hour. My friend had given the approval for me to move in, but she was slightly freaked out when she came back from class and hear voices inside the room.

When you are great friends with your roommate, college is more enjoyable. Try your best to be friendly and open with your roommate. My second roommate (best friend) and I had dance sessions, music therapy, take out nights and the occasional heart to heart. It made every night more fun to have a close relationship with my roommate.

As my freshman year has drawn to a close, my best piece of advice is to get involved. It is how you will meet friends, form support systems and just have an overall positive experience.

Bloomsburg University has so many amazing opportunities, you just need to look.

If you would have asked me a year ago what I would be doing this summer, I would have said working a summer job or maybe taking a summer class, but Bloomsburg has given me an amazing opportunity.

As I write this blog, I am on a flight to Cameroon and then Ethiopia, Africa! I am participating in a study abroad program with 20 other students. I know the experience is just beginning, but I can already tell it will be life changing. The flight is long (about twelve hours plus another transfer flight) but I am already forming friendships.

Bloomsburg has many opportunities such as this; do not be afraid to explore the possibilities and step outside your comfort zone. College is a time to find yourself!

— Morgan Lewis is a biochemistry major with a pre-medical studies concentration.

#FutureHusky #HuskyUnleashed