Journal for elarkins

Let the Countdown Begin

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:40:48 -0800

The semester is quickly coming to a close, which seems really crazy to me. It feels that like just last month I was moving in and trying to figure out where my classes are. For a lot of my peers this is an exciting prospect, it means summer and a break from the grueling schedule that is college life. However, this just scares me! While I now know what my major is, I have yet to figure out what happens after graduation. And if one year has gone by so fast, what will happen with the next three years?
The last few weeks of school are big not only for classrooms with teachers trying to get in as much as they can, but a great deal of events are taking place. Many philanthropy events are being held by the Greek houses, many speakers are coming to hold conversations about issues such as feminism and environmentalism, and the intramurals continue around campus. So, if you are still in the process of making school decisions, come check out the campus as there is still a great deal going on for you to see.

Great Expectations

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:41:03 -0800

Before you begin your college career, prepare yourself to be continually asked two questions: 1.) What is your major? 2.) What do you plan to do with your major? Now, I am not saying that these are particularly bad questions; both just seem to come up a lot.
When I first began at Willamette I had every intention to be a science major and go to medical school. I was going to a doctor and travel all over the world with Doctors Without Borders. While I think it would still be great to be a doctor and help other people, I had a rude awakening in Chemistry 115 where I realized that I am really, really, really not good at science. All of a sudden, every time that my high school teachers had told me that my talents were in the humanities came rushing back in a whirlwind. I had always rejected those notions, thinking that doctors can always read. I realized in my first semester that there was a reason why I dreaded my chemistry lecture class but could not wait to go to Lit. of the Northwest...not just because chemistry happened to take place at 8:00 in the morning. While this may not be a surprise, I am now an unofficial English major.
While I may have figured out my major, the second question is still somewhat of a puzzler. When I first started school I was determined not to be the stereotypical college student that everyone talks about, the one who comes to school and changes their major and career a million times. It was humbling to not have everything turn out as I had planned. I guess that is what my extended, self involved discourse is about, maybe you will get lucky and things will go as you may plan, but they also might not. And I assure that that is okay!

Learning Outside the Classroom

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:11:13 -0800

I apologize for not posting for such a long time. The last few weeks have been pretty crazy around campus between activities and getting ready for mid-terms.
As a member of the Freshman Class Council, I and the other members have the opportunity to use our budget to put on activities and different kinds of programs for the freshman class and for campus. We were recently approached to financially support two speakers who would be coming to campus to speak to students. Having speakers to campus is not that unusual so I was not very surprised. Nothing seemed too out of the ordinary, until we continued to learn about the speakers. The two women direct adult films and each have different opinions as to what constitutes as the line between art and simply pornography, or if there is, in fact, a line.
I feel like I should have prefaced that I come from a fairly conservative background and community. I would not consider myself to be narrow minded however I cannot say that I have ever had to contemplate bringing in adult filmmakers as educational speakers. Thus, this was a difficult project for me to separate what I thought personally and what would be an effective program for the campus. While I still may not know how I feel about the topic of the program, I realize that I was given a great opportunity to expand beyond my own mode of thinking. This is one of the qualities that I have come most to appreciate about Willamette. I would be so bored if I were surrounded by people who thought and acted just the way I did. I may not always agree with the things that my peers say or do, but I am continually forced to shape my own opinions and articulate them to my peers. It is always an intellectual adventure here at Willamette, the programs and the speakers are simply a few of the ways that the University works to encourage learning beyond the classroom.

Don't always believe what you hear

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:40:34 -0800

While talking to my Dad over the weekend I was enjoying the sunshine and walking around the campus. It pretty much resolved the problem of finding a quiet place to talk. It was during this time that I overheard a student telling her friend, “You’re in college, it’s okay to be an alcoholic!” The two of them laughed at this idea while I had to pause a moment out of my shock and quickly relayed this to my Dad. Since when did college make it okay to be an alcoholic?
I understand that the term “alcoholic” was more than likely being thrown around fairly loosely, yet the premise of that statement still surprised me. I also understand that alcohol is a part of the college that one may choose to partake in. However, when it becomes such a predominant part of one’s life that a justification is necessary, one should question its importance. It is important to enjoy one’s college experience and how one does this may vary. However, to all incoming students and current students, I encourage you to evaluate just how important this is and what could potentially be at risk. Responsibility and caution are always the best advice in my opinion.

Weekend O' Fun

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:48:13 -0800

I got to go home this weekend which was very exciting for me, it is always nice to have a reprieve and sleep in my own bed for a change. However, going home is not always the place to go to if I have a lot of homework to get done. I seem to always forget this until I get home and my little brother wants to play Monopoly and there are always movies to catch up on. This weekend my seven-year-old brother’s best friend was having his birthday at Skateworld, and guess who was the one who got to take him? I now have a bruised chin and knees to speak for my weekend. I think it is always wise to take a break from stress and do whatever it is that brings one back to sanity, read a book, go for a run, or fold clothes (it works for some?). College is all about finding your limits, whether that be stress or something different, and how to handle it.
Now, I get to play the “catch-up” game, editing papers, reading billions of pages (okay, that is an overreaction), and trying to fit in sleep and eat something besides Sour Patch Kids. :) But, really, I would rather have a weekend of fun, spending time with my family and come back to school to get everything done. That is what school is for right? Well, back to the books. :)

An Ode to the Hatfield Library

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:42:24 -0800

I am finding that my second semester here at Willamette has been a great deal smoother than the first. I suppose that is to be expected though as I made it through the first semester where one is still acclimating to the new, much different lifestyle. And yet, today, while in the library, I came to the conclusion that there is always something to learn. I do not think that there is one moment in a freshman’s life that one can truly know everything that there is to know. I am not saying that to scare anyone or make myself feel better that I did not know, but simply because there is so much that one must discover and that is the fun part!
That long introduction is, essentially, my musings that were inspired by my lack of understanding of the university’s library. Now, I will have anyone who is reading this know that I am a very big fan of libraries. (No joke, I almost applied to the University of Washington simply because of the size of the library!) I love coming to the Hatfield library and trying out new tables and study spots in order to, one day, find the best location for hours of reading and studying. However, today I spent thirty minutes at one shelf trying to find one book which I ultimately found out was not there. Frustrating! I then discovered that for books that are held on reserve by professors, there is a whole different location. My point: learn how to use the library as quickly as possible, it will save one a great deal of time (which let’s face it, is precious!). More importantly, I have heard, countless amounts of time, that students are not using the library, which is such an easy, accessible resource that we have offered to us at almost any time of the day. I would encourage all current students and future freshman to take advantage of the wonder that is our library!

19...and Still a Princess!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:18:16 -0800

How many young girls go through a “princess” phase complete with a frilly pink dress, fuzzy crown, and shiny shoes? Well, I certainly did, but I have yet to grow out of my princess phase. As the granddaughter of an Oregon dairy farmer, I am able to participate in the Oregon Dairy Princess-Ambassador program which involves a year of traveling around Oregon doing classroom presentations about farm life and the importance of consuming dairy products and many other activities.
I was crowned several months before starting my first semester at Willamette. I remember being very nervous about how I would be able to balance out my role as the dairy princess as well as a full time student and extra-curricular activities. My first semester was busy, but I have come to understand that I am one of “those people” who is not truly happy unless overworked, over involved, and working on just a little stress. :) What I am trying to emphasize is that everyone comes to college with their own unique interests, aspirations, and activities. One’s studies are always going to be important and take time, but it will not be one’s whole identity while here at Willamette. I have found that it is hard to find a student who’s only role is a student. Activities, clubs, and leadership opportunities abound here at Willamette!

Giving...Better than Recieving?

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:13:50 -0800

I am always amazed at how many ways there are to give back to the community here on campus. It seems like students are more apt to seek out service projects in high school simply because so many colleges are looking for well-rounded, caring students. And that is true. But, what I love about Willamette is that the service does not stop once students arrive on campus. The campus is continually providing students with service-learning opportunities. The hospital is located directly across from the school where students can volunteer in a variety of facets. Bush Elementary is also located next to the Kaneko dorms or just a quick walk over the sky bridge. During winter break, I spent a week in San Francisco with eleven students from a group on campus. It was an amazing week of working at the Alameda County Food Bank, various soup kitchens, and after school programs with children. While I had an amazing time and was able to see a beautiful city, it was a great motivator for coming back to school and finding a way to serve the community.
One does not need to travel to another state to give back to those who need help when there are so many deserving people even in Salem. With the three day weekend coming up, I am looking forward of taking advantage of the many service opportunities that are available because many will not be in classes on Monday. I encourage all potential students to find a cause, an organization, etc. that one will be able to carry on with even while at college.

Naps...A girl's best friend

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:27:15 -0800

30 November 2007
Most people think that college is go, go, go...and for the most part that is true. However, there is a point when the clock hits the twelve and six (12:30) :) and I know that my Spanish class is done and the rest of my day is free! This also means that I get to take a nap and figure how to spend the rest of the day.
With finals approaching, stress and the homework load is increasing. However, there is never so much to do that I cannot make time for a nap. :) And colds are spreading faster than a fire. I am sure that my roommate thinks that I have gone over the edge because of constant use of antibacterial and Clorox wipes on the doorknobs and any other surface that I think may have been in contact in with germs. :) But, when neither of us are sick and prepared for our finals, the insanity will be worth it! Eek, off to read chemistry chapters!

Sometimes A Great Notion

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:32:24 -0800

14 November 2007
It is not easy for me to admit that I am a selfish person. As unpleasant as this concept is for me to accept...accept it I must. And the evil twin that tends to be attached to selfishness is taking things for advantage. A dorm room is most definitely not my own room in Sherwood with my books and my bed and my family. Goudy is not always your mom’s best homemade dish (sometimes it is better). :) Yet there are still those days when you do not do as well as you want on a big test or the homework load feels a bit daunting, everyone has those days.
The past two days have been kind of like that for me. A culmination of burdens and homesickness had left me feeling a little under par. This morning after returning from my chemistry lecture, I went to wash my hands and ended up talking to one of Willamette’s amazing staff that keeps our dorms sanitary and a healthy environment for its students. In talking, I learned that she started out as a student here and took a job here to help pay for her classes. Over time, her job demanded priority over her schoolwork and she is still working to earn her degree and balance such a time consuming job. She was so adamant about the importance of putting in the four years of work even though it might seem easier not to do so. I was so impressed and touched by her encouragement and her willingness to share her own experiences so that I might understand what a blessing it is to be here at Willamette learning from such intelligent, kind professors and the college “experience” in general.
That is not to say that I have changed my “ways” or am perfect. Instead, I feel that for where I was this morning, that conversation was what I needed to readjust my attitude and appreciate the blessings that I have, despite the stress and burdens that I had been focusing on.
Ponder and appreciate! :)

Halloween Merriment

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:18:25 -0800

2 November 2007
When you think of Halloween, do you think of crawdad racing? I know that I certainly did not...until now. Wednesday brought a night full of adventures! One of the Christian groups on campus had a Halloween party where we did the usual Halloween activities, bobbing for apples, eating cupcakes, and general merriment. :) Yet as the night progressed the activities became a little more unusual, i.e. crawdad racing and blowing up light bulbs in a microwave. Moral of the story: You never know what you will end up doing or whom you will meet when at college! :)

No!

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:01:32 -0800

24 October 2007
Saying no. I would like to meet one person who is consistently successful at saying no, or even knowing where that breaking point is. I write this as I return from the gym where I was oh so unsuccessful at operating the elliptical machine while trying to get ahead in my colloquium class and starting the next text. I have decided that every college freshman reaches a point where all plans that had been made up to this point are questioned. Between classes, homework, trying to be consistent with my blog :), deciding if I want to join a sorority, and trying to have a semblance of a social lifeit just gets plain difficult. No matter how prepared I came into college, the transition into “everything” that is college forces students to make decisions. This seems to be the beauty of college and its ability to show students their own path. Certain classes have begun to stick out and show me my potential majors/minors while pursuing my interests. Saying no may not be easy but practice makes perfect...I hope. :)

Family

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:59:06 -0800

For me, going away to college was something that I had been dreaming of and preparing myself for many years. The idea of not having to unload the dishwasher or clean the bathroom for four years was quite appealing. However, I found that as the time came for me to seriously consider where I wanted to apply and could potentially be spending the next four years of my life, I found that the East Coast schools that I had wanted to go away to seemed just a little too far from my home. Yes, doing chores at the orders of parents stinks, but they are ultimately still one’s family. I discovered just how important my family is to me. That is not to say that I was a horrible teenager who did not appreciate my family at all. In fact, I would say that my relationship with my family is a little different than most. Here at campus, I relish my conversations with my Dad that have become a tradition; every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on my way back to my dorm I call and we talk until I get to my room.
I encourage prospective student to explore many options, not everyone wants to be close to family, that is okay! But, make sure to evaluate what is most important and make sure that your school can provide that for you. One of the great things about Willamette is its environment, being in Salem it is not too far from many major cities such as Portland and Seattle. This weekend was Parent and Family Weekend, which showcased many of the wonderful aspects of Willamette such as our professors, musicians, and the student diversity. As a volunteer, I saw firsthand the excitement that many parents experienced by being on campus and taking part in the lives of their students, even if just for three days. Even though one is in college, parents still want to feel included and a part of their lives. Alright, I will get off my soapbox...