My white oak tree
came from bays of blue crab.
He found me beneath the Everglades,
in tangles of sawgrass, endangered,
like the crocodiles surrounding me.
He extended a sturdy branch,
pulling me from the wetlands
I was wallowing beneath.
Solid roots pressed into me
as if I were the generous soil
they needed to breathe—
until he recoiled,
my mud and humid air too thick
for the northern tree.
Once again, I’m adrift in a dreamland.
Where you grow into me,
my white oak tree.
The day you walked onto your school's campus for the first time you were scared, excited, and unsure of how the next four years of your life were going to turn out. You doubted it would go fast and even though you weren't positive about what your future plans would hold, you had plenty of time. You figured out your major, added a minor or two, joined a handful of organizations and all of the sudden you're here. Your final semester of undergrad. Now you've got 25 problems and graduation is only one.
1. You get the email notifying you that you have to register for graduation. Instant denial.
2. But then you realize you only have to take one serious class this semester to graduate.
3. This is great. You've finally made it. You're in the final stretch of your undergraduate career.
4. You decided that "Netflix and Chill" is your new mantra and everyone else should follow your example.
5. Then you remember you actually have to figure out what you're going to do with the degree you've been working towards for the last 4+ years. The dilemma of going to grad school or choosing a career begins.
6. You know you want to do something you're passionate about. Or nothing, nothing sounds good too.
7. As you procrastinate on making a decision, you look at your FAFSA account and see how much money you actually owe the government.
8. You start looking into every job you can find because you're responsible. Great.
9. Every job you find expects you to have 3-5 years of experience or a Master's which makes you feel like a helpless child.
10. And even when you do fulfill the requirements and send in your application, no one seems to want you which is crazy because you're awesome.
11. And there's that one friend that seemed to have a job before senior year even started. You kind of hate them right now.
12. You've sent in 20 applications and no...wait, holy crap, you got your first interview.
13. So you go in with a big smile on your face and fake it till you make it. And do it over and over again until it actually works.
14. Finally: YOU GOT A JOB!
15. Now nothing is holding you back. You can officially give zero shits.
16. Your underclassmen friends seem to believe you are a wise sensei that understands all there is to know about college. So you let them.
17. You start to cling even more to your best friends because you realize the luxury of having them only five minutes away is going to end soon.
18. You drag them to every Margarita Monday and Thirsty Thursday because your drunken escapades together are also numbered.
19. Essentially, you want this semester to be as wild and crazy as possible because it might help you at least act like a civilized human after graduation. In all honesty, it probably won't.
20. The power to stop time would be awesome because you're not actually ready for any real responsibilities.
21. However, the thought of going through midterms and finals one more time has you officially ready for your freedom.
22. You're also looking forward to never seeing that one-night-stand-gone-wrong, the know-it-all from your Spanish class, or your roommate from hell ever again.
23. You really know that the good memories outweighed the bad. College was freaking awesome and it's going to suck when it's over.
24. Ready or not, there are only five months left before you have to leave.
25. Yep, this is terrifying.
January 19th is the first day of the second semester at the University of Dayton, and students couldn't be more excited. However, the excitement that students are experiencing may be short-lived once they see what this semester's courses will entail. Although students will be happy to be back at Dayton, they may realize this semester will be more difficult than they predicted. Here are some things that happen during syllabus week explained by " The Office."
Welcome back, Flyers!
The dynamics of any friend group are usually determined by the personalities which make it up. Chances are, while personalities may overlap, each person in your friend group holds his or her own place. It is the differences which bring the groups together and keep them functioning. No matter how functionally dysfunctional your friend group may be, if you're anything like me, you feel absolutely blessed to have found such a wonderful group of humans to call "your people." Here is what your friend group might look like if they were Disney princesses (and that wasn't just a thing you all pretended in your heads):
Much like Cinderella, this is the friend who goes around cleaning all the time. It is just who she is, and there isn’t much she can do to stop it. There are times this friend will go and find things which maybe aren’t even dirty and clean them anyway. She also really loves animals, and on many occasions you’ll find her befriending (Read: talking to them like they understand) various animals at parties whether it be a cat, dog, guinea pig…
Ever thought about how similar this friend is to Snow White who befriends seven dwarves? Similar to Snow White, who has no problem befriending seven tiny men, this friend makes friends essentially everywhere she goes. Even at a party, where you don’t know anyone, she isn’t worried because by the end of the night you’ll know everyone, and probably have brunch plans set up for the next week with all your new friends.
This is the person in your friend group who has her stuff together academically all the time. She has no idea what it is like to spend a night cramming for a test, or finishing an essay, because she has had it done for a week by that point. She is the friend who texts in the group chat to make sure everyone knows when major events, such as registration, are coming up. Her second home is probably the library, and in reality you’ll probably find her there more than you’ll ever find her at her real home.
This girl, much like Mulan, is adventurous. Not only is she adventurous though, she is extremely determined and strong-willed. She knows exactly what she wants, and she goes for it. There is no telling her “no you can’t do that” in fact, if you tell her she can’t do something it is almost guaranteed she will (and she’ll probably do it better than you ever expected).
This is the girl in your friend group who doesn’t like to see conflicts arise. Though often she understands they are inevitable, and a part of life. She will do anything to make sure the conflict is resolved in the quickest time possible or maybe just that it doesn’t even happen in the first place.
This is the friend who is basically like a professional at sleeping. She’s the type where it is three in the afternoon, everyone in your group chat has been conversing for hours, and you wonder where she is, thinking something might be wrong…but really she’s just been sleeping the whole time. If there was ever an award given for “best at sleeping” she would win every time. Hands down.
Okay, so maybe this friend isn’t as sheltered as Rapunzel, but I mean come on, who is? (She spends the first eighteen years of her life in a freakin' tower). This friend is the equivalent of “Rapunzel sheltered” in the real world; she’s the friend who constantly needs an explanation of what something means, or who someone is. Sometimes you find yourself having to show her the way. However, she is also extremely adventurous and curious. Though she is slightly naïve, you don’t mind having to explain things to her because you love her all the same.
This is the friend, who much like Tiana, can handle herself all on her own. While she doesn’t mind help, or company, she also is completely okay with being on her own. She is happy to be part of the group, but doesn’t always need to be with the group to identify as a part of it.
This one is kind of self explanatory. We all know the story of Ariel, and how she loses her voice for the chance to walk on land and meet her prince. Similarly, though I hope none of your friends are trading their legs for mermaid tails, your friend is like Ariel because when she’s around a cute guy her voice is literally non-existent. She is shy, but once you get to know her it is almost impossible to get her to stop talking.
Also a rather self explanatory one … every friend group has the mom of the group. Similar to Elsa, everything this girl does is calculated. She is the one stopping other friends from making questionable decisions and, like a mom, finds herself taking care of the girls in your friend group like they are her actual children. Shout out to the moms of the friend groups though, you guys are the reason your friends don’t end up places they don’t belong at four am.
Every friend group has an Anna, or if you’re friend group is like mine you’ve got multiple…This is the friend who is ready for anything- all the time. She usually doesn’t think too much about the decision she is making prior to making it. She is lots of fun and the life of any party, but sometimes needs to be reminded that you can’t marry a man you just met.
College is a place where you spend four years exploring opportunities you never knew were there, creating the person you are, and making life-long friends. College is hard, but it is worth spending four years there. Just because college is difficult doesn't mean that it's not fun. There are plenty of great memories you can make during your four years if college. Here are ways college is designed to be the best four years of your life:
There are more opportunities out there than you think.
Photo by Duy Pham on UnsplashSince you and your friends are all in the same position of being college students, it brings you all together.
College teaches you how to think critically in your classes, your career, and life.
It's great to focus on your desired major.
Unless you sleep in.
Better place to study than the dorms.
No thanks, I'm comfortable in sweats.
Why discover yourself when you have plenty of opportunities to create who you want to be?
When it comes to Bloomington-Normal, there are many outstanding factors that any Illinois State student can say are unique to our college town (and maybe others too). Proud or not, we Redbirds know all the ins and outs of Blono.
As hard as we try, it's nearly impossible to resist the 69-cent wings on a college student budget. Plus, they are always delicious!
Especially when it is warm out, the line to get into Pub Wednesday is always out the door and down the street. The key to getting in as quick as possible (or so I have heard) is to go earlier rather than later.
No matter what, the Chasers floor will always resemble a frat basement with an extra layer of stickiness. Try not to wear nice shoes there unless you want them to be on a whole new level of disgusting after you leave.
Another impossible food deal to resist is the Boorito! Paying $3 for a burrito as long as you are dressed up in a costume is a pretty sweet deal in my mind, and that is coming from a true Chipotle addict.
Anyone who has lived on the more southern side of campus knows that if a train is coming through town, you will not hear only one blow of the horn, but what seems like about 17 choo-choos. Especially at night (ugh).
Chicago may be called the Windy City, but whoever decided on that has clearly never been to Bloomington-Normal. And best of luck to you if you're trying to keep an umbrella from flipping in that wind.
Those locations seem to be the only places of residence that ISU students ever come from. Though seldom to find, there are a handful of out-of-state students, so shout out to the unicorns of the Ilstu!
Whether you take GEO 102 or not, you know who this man is, and you know that he is da bomb. Plus, who doesn't love a teacher with a passion for rocks and has a wizard beard?
Everyone has at least tried to put a video or picture on Snapchat of the squirrels who have no shame in coming close to you or jumping out of garbage cans. And maybe even tried to sneak them into your backpack to take home.
Although Club Milner is a wonderful resource to be used for many aspects of school, you really only go if you have to when working on a project with a group or once you feel obligated to get your life together when finals roll around.
It's a sure-fire sign that there is a new kid on campus if they have one or both of those things on. Try not to laugh too much, because you know you did the same thing when you first moved in too.
Although drinking before you are 21 is, in fact, illegal, apparently some people still do it, and you'll have a hard time getting away with it when the police of Normal are around. Most easily busted places are big parties at the Lodge and any loud drinking in the dorms (you've been warned).
With all the highs and lows of Blono, you know you still love ISU. You've had great time and met amazing people, so is there really that much to complain about?
From freshmen to seniors, you will come into contact with most or probably all the things I just listed regarding Illinois State. There may be variations of the points mentioned at other colleges, but nothing will ever be quite like the good ol' Ilstu.
Songs About Being 17
Grey's Anatomy Quotes
Vine Quotes
4 Leaf Clover
Self Respect
1. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society
2. Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook
3. Kristen Haddox, Penn State University
4. Jennifer Kustanovich, SUNY Stony Brook
5. Clare Regelbrugge, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
