Welcome back Hokies! This new year, I decided to focus my resolutions on Virginia Tech. Fall semester, I was a wide-eyed, terrified freshman. Those first few weeks were definitely an adjustment period. Fall Break to Thanksgiving Break seemed to pass in a blink, and then December was spent studying in Newman or trying to ignore exams by clicking “Next Episode” on Netflix. In the chaos of being a first semester student, I picked up a few things and missed out on some too. Spring semester, I hope to be the freshman who kinda knows what she is doing.
1. Actually live Ut Prosim
Like a lot of Hokies, one reason I chose Tech was because of service. In high school, I was an active member of Key Club and told myself I would keep it up in college. Flash forward to December, I am packing for Winter Break and realizing I did one service activity. One. This semester, I plan to do one service activity every month. Virginia Tech and Blacksburg are overflowing with volunteer opportunities, from Get on the Bus, Campus Kitchen, and service organizations. For those who want to give back on a larger scale check out The Big Event!
2. Less Chick-fil-a, More VT Dining
I can’t be the only one who finds themselves going to the dining hall that is just sooo close to your room, right? Out of comfort, I only really grabbed food from Owens most nights, instead of going to West End or Turner. Tech has one the best dining services in the nation and I keep going to Chick-fil-a. Only as fall semester came to a close did I try Jamba Juice and I was missing so much! This semester, I will brave the messy lines at Turner to pick up as Tapingo that isn’t Jamba Juice and go to West End for something other than brunch.
3. Support a Sport that is Not Football
I went to just about every home football game and loved every minute of it. To help get through a semester that doesn’t involve jumping to Enter Sandman, I’m going to support other Hokie teams! Both our men’s and women’s basketball teams are having strong seasons and with your student ID, you can have free admission to spring sports!
4. Get Myself Together
Last semester I set out with shiny wonder at how much time I would have in college, balancing work and fun could easily be done and 8 hours of sleep would be no problem! Then I stayed at Newman till 1:30 AM and then turned around to wake up for my 8 AM. Now that I have found all my favorite study spots and made it through one too many days on four hours of sleep, it’s time to get myself together. 2018 will be the year I actually stick to my to do lists.
5. Go to Office Hours
One of my professors from the fall said that every student should go to office hours and at least introduce themselves in the first month of class. When did I go to meet that professor? November. The professors I did go see early on in the semester, were extremely helpful and helped me out a few times. Spring semester, I’ll be one of the first to meet my professors.
6. Attend More VT Sponsored Events
Check out your major’s website, as an English major in the liberal arts college, I found out about tons of authors coming to Tech to read their work, answer Q & A questions, and sign books! These events were open to everyone at Tech, not just English majors. They were experiences I would have never had at a different university. Tech has a special guest lecturer or lecture series almost every week. Departments have paid for movies to be played at Lyric and exhibits to come on campus. Opening up those emails from your college is definitely worth it!
Watch out Blacksburg, spring semester is here!
Gif Source: Giphy