As much as I love college, we all know that it is a stressful time in our life. It is a time of growth and change. There’s major changes going on in due to adjusting to college and learning how to juggle classes, sports, papers, work and friendships. During it all, one thing I’ve learned is that self-care is essential. It’s impossible to take care of everything else that needs to be done if you are not taking care of yourself first. A common misconception is that self-care is selfish but honestly it is one of the most unselfish acts that you can do. Here are 10 easy and simple self-care tips that anyone can do:

1. Do your laundry. Fold it and put it away.
2. Write 10 things you LOVE about yourself.
3. Organize your desk/study space.
4. Make a list of people you love/are grateful for.
5. Wear pajamas all day.
6. Do some journaling.
7. Take a cat nap.
8. Try guided meditation.
9. Unfollow 3 negative people from your social media.
10. Say positive affirmations.

 

Like I said, all of these are super easy, and they are intended to give attention you body, mind and soul. It is a great way to help maintain a healthy relationship with yourself since it helps to create positive attitudes and boosts your self-confidence.

 

Charise Samuel is a senior Political Science and English double major. She works as an Orientation Assistant as well as being a Social Media Ambassador.  She hopes in the future to be either a book editor or work for an NGO.

What’s up, fellow Spartans!?

 It’s crazy knowing I’m already halfway done with college! It felt like just a month ago I was the one coming for Move-In Day and now people are asking what I’m planning for after graduation - I don’t even know what my plans are for next week! My life has changed since my last blog at the end of May, so I feel like I need to update you all on what’s going on before I blog about anything else!

My schedule, just like last year, is still crazy! I only have three classes this semester, but that’s only because I picked up an internship with the Men’s basketball team. For my internship, I’m currently working on a video for Manchester Madness (an event where we highlight the Men’s/Women’s basketball teams), which I recorded and am working on editing. The internship is for credit hours; so with three classes, a PE class, and my internship I’m taking 18.5 credit hours this semester. I still play baseball, have four on-campus jobs and I’m still a part of three clubs on campus.

I’m not even a month into classes yet but so many things have happened on campus. Out of everything, I would say my favorite part thus far has to be Welcome Week! Welcome Week is where all first-year students move in early to help get adjusted to campus, college life and meet other first-years. Being a Student Orientation Leader (SOL), I helped a lot with Welcome Week! SOL’s get a group of first-years to hang out with all week. We go to events, teach them things about Manchester, and become the first-years’ first friends on campus. This is my favorite part of school so far because I really enjoy talking to first-years and helping them adapt to being away from family and friends. This is my first year being a SOL, but my high school had a program like this for middle schoolers, so this is basically my fourth year in a program like this!

I’m going to leave you all with some pictures already from this year! I hope you enjoy them, and I’m looking forward to writing another blog for you all to read!

First-years and SOLs rode in fan-vans to support Manchester football’s first game at Trine University! I rode up with the cheerleaders and cheer coach, and this was taken right when we arrived!

LOOK! IT’S HANNAH MONTANA!

Just kidding. This is a picture of a poster board that my SOL partner, Carissa, and I made! For Welcome Week, our theme was Hannah Montana, so I photoshopped a picture of her into a picture with Carissa and me! 

This is another picture from Welcome Week! Each year, there’s an intramural tournament for first-years and SOLs. This year I made a volleyball team with Maddie and Marilyn!

Being a senior in college makes me miss kindergarten. But, now that I’m a senior, I should know absolutely everything about college and life, right? Well, maybe.

 

1.College is this weird time where you are both living your best life and waiting for your life to begin. Some days I feel like I have learned absolutely nothing about being an adult and other days I feel like this wise old owl flying around campus and dropping helpful advice on every passerby.

2. Everybody wants to tell you what to do; they all think they knows what’s best. And while they may very well have some good advice that you should keep in mind, the only person who can truly make decisions about your life is you. It’s pretty ridiculous that we are expected to know exactly what we want to do by the time we are 18 years old. Here I am, 3.5 years later and I have no clue what I want to be when I grow up. You don’t have to do what people tell you and you don’t need to be what they want you to be. I know that everyone has suggestions and that those suggestions are sometimes helpful, but you don’t HAVE to listen to them.

3.You don’t have to attend the same grad school as your professor or go to the one only an hour away from your best friend. Heck, you don’t have to go to grad school at all! You don’t have to live close to your parents just because they “think that would be nice!”. You don’t have to pick a job that you plan to be in for the rest of your life. You do not have to do anything you don’t want to.

4.Pick something at the last minute! Take this from someone who attempts to plan every second of her life from now until I die…try to be a little spontaneous, whether it is a big deal or a little tiny decision. Try things out to see if you like them. And if you don’t like them, they still helped a lot because now you know something you DON’T want to do. Travel, work a weird job, take a week off of doing anything at all, put your phone down for hours without telling anyone, go to a movie by yourself, etc.

5.If you didn’t get the exact GPA you wanted, it’s fine. If you didn’t lose those pounds you gained freshman year, it’s fine. If you are no longer friends with certain people, it’s fine. If you want to change your hair and wear edgy clothes, it’s fine. Whatever YOU want to do is... guess what... it’s totally fine!

Don’t expect yourself to totally change your mentality after reading this incredibly insightful perspective on life. I mean, I came up with all these life-changing bullet points myself, but I don’t even do all of them. Sometimes, you just need to be reminded that everything will work out, you will be okay and you are usually the one who knows best about your own life. See, I know do everything. Maybe.

 

Good luck and go live your best lives,

A Struggling Senior

 

Delaney Ray '19 is a Psychology and Sociology double major with a minor in Criminal Justice. She works as a Student Orientation Leader and a Library Desk Assistant in addition to blogging for MU. She never thought she would be a blogger, and her dream job is to work for the FBI in the behavioral unit.

I left my family and friends behind in the U.S. on Saturday Aug. 18. The hardest part was initially leaving them that day in the Fort Wayne airport. (I think I would have been fine if I didn't look up and see my father cry.)

By the time the tears stopped, I was almost to Chicago. This was the last time I was sad, as I realized that I was only going to be away for four months. Four months of figuring things out completely on my own, four months of learning new things, four months of seeing amazing things that I never thought would be possible in my life.

The flight from Chicago to Brussels was long and groggy. I ended up sitting next to an older Syrian woman who was with me on my first flight as well! We talked a bit about our lives and families. She was heading back to Damascus, Syria after visiting her daughter in Fort Wayne. I found it helpful to learn what was happening in Syria directly from someone who was experiencing it.

I arrived in Brussels on Aug. 19 at 8 a.m., with about thirty minutes of sleep. My resident director from BCA, Frank Billngsley, was there to greet me. It was nice to see a familiar face. He got me set up to head to my homestay house in Tervuren, Belgium.

I hopped in the ride he got for me and attempted to talk to the driver. It was a bit challenging since he only spoke French. Before I knew it, twenty minutes had passed and I was home. I told the driver, "merci," and headed to the house. I got there the same time that Mechthild, my host, and Mason, my housemate, did.

We all started talking and I was quick to realize that it felt like I knew them all far more than the few days that we had been together. Emily, my other housemate, had this same reflection. I think that talking to all of them prior to our semester helped us get along quite more than if we "started fresh."

The week was full of many adventures and I wish that I could retain all of the things that Mechthild told us about Belgium and history in general.

We visited the Brussels flower carpet, Emilio's pizza (a must if you stay with Mechthild), Fiesta Latina and then Leuven in search of the best afternoon snack in Belgium- pancakes with ice cream and chocolate sauce. We may have gotten lost a few times but we were determined as we reminded ourselves that we were determined women who were going to "make it happen." 

I have also made many new friends here. Some, from the U.S. but others from Spain, Estonia, Belgium and Australia!

It's been a learning experience. I've gotten lost trying to figure out things here but I have made it work. Being here is the normal for a few months and I have learned to accept that.  It is what makes the transition into life here easy. Thanks to Mechthild, Mason and Emily my experiences here have been great so far and I am looking forward to many more.

 

Tiffany Byers '19 is a public relations & peace studies double major. She spends her time on campus working in the Funderburg Library and in the Office of Strategic Communications. Tiffany is studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium during the fall 2018 semester at Vesalius College.

Hello friends! In just three short weeks I will be leaving the United States for the first time in my life.

I’m heading to Brussels, Belgium, also referred to as “The Capital of Europe”, as a study abroad student through Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA). Manchester University works with the BCA program and transfers all of your financial aid to them! This is one major benefit to studying abroad as a Manchester student.

The process of going abroad seems very daunting but if you start preparing early it’s not that bad! Here is a list of things to help you get started on your trip around the world.

1. Talk with Professor Rohrer about going abroad.
   

   Professor Thelma Rohrer is the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and the Director of Study Abroad and Off-Campus Academic Programs at Manchester! It’s important to talk to her when you are thinking about going abroad and throughout the process.

   I talked with her my first year about my interest in going abroad. She pointed me in the right direction and was always there to answer any questions that I had. 

2. Carefully plan your class schedule and talk with your professors.
   

   I changed my major to two that I hadn’t taken any classes in right before the spring of my sophomore year. I knew this decision may have decreased my chances to go abroad, but I’m so happy I didn’t let it stop me all together.

   I talked with both Professor Judd Case and Professor Katy Gray Brown about my options. They’re in charge of the departments I’m a part of and therefore could help me pick out a class that I could take. Your department heads are the ones who are able to decide what they will accept and not accept for classes that you take abroad.

3. Apply for scholarships!
   

   In order to go abroad, I knew that I would need scholarships! I had enough money to get to Brussels but I knew I would not have enough to spend while there!

   I suggest applying for the Kauffman award through Manchester and all of the BCA scholarships that you qualify for. Look for these ahead of time and know the due dates. These scholarships paid for my all of my visa fees, my plane ticket and left me with money to spend while I am abroad.

   I also suggesting applying for the Gilman International Scholarship if you receive the Pell Grant! Ask Professor Rohrer about this opportunity if you are interested. She helped look over my application and gave me advice throughout the process.  

4. Apply for a passport and your country’s visa, etc.
   

   It is important to see what is required to study in the country you choose. I needed a visa to go to Brussels and started the application process in March 2018. The process is very long and daunting so it’s important to start early in order to make sure that you have everything.

   Also, be sure to keep a copy of all of your materials in order to present to the immigration office when you go to your country!

Obviously, there are multiple things that you need to do before traveling abroad; however, these four steps were the most crucial part of the process! Now that I am done with all of them, I’m making sure that I am all packed up and ready to leave on August 18!

 

Tiffany Byers '19 is a public relations & peace studies double major. She spends her time on campus working in the Funderburg Library and in the Office of Strategic Communications. Tiffany is studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium during the fall 2018 semester at Vesalius College.

    College brings some of the best years of your life, creates an enormous amount of memories and builds strong relationships. The first challenge of a college student is tackling Move In Day. Move In Day can be one of the most stressful days of the year for an incoming freshman; from finally leaving home, to arranging your room or leaving your parents. However, these tips will help day run smoothly and reduce stress!

1. Start preparing early! Make a list before you arrive of things you know you will need and check them off when you put them in the vehicle. When you finally arrive and start unloading, make another list of things you forgot and still need to get.
2. Be aware of what you can and cannot bring! This link from the MU website will tell you what you can and cannot bring, room dimensions and hall amenities: https://www.manchester.edu/student-life/student-experience-center/residential-life-home/new-student-information/residence-hall-planning-information
3. Be aware of the schedule! This year, Move In Day is Saturday, August 25 from 8:30a.m.-2:00 p.m. Last names A-M arrive at 8:30 a.m., and L-Z arrive at 9:30 a.m.
4. Dress for the weather! Although it may be tempting to dress fashionably to impress the other first-years, dressing practically will be the best way to stay cool.
5. Pack a drink and a snack for when you get here. The day will be better if you stay full and hydrated!
6. Put trash bags around any hanging clothes. They won’t get dirty on the trip to campus and you won’t have to waste time hanging them back up! Take a trash bag and slide the clothes (while still on the hanger) through the hole. Tie the bag around hangers for easy carrying and storing!
7. Make sure you tape drawers shut on storage bins, nightstands, etc. so they don’t slide open.
8. Pack your items at home the way you’ll want to unpack them at school. It will make the process much quicker and easier.
9. Check your room before moving things in. If you want to rearrange your room, you won’t have anything in your way!
10. Utilize the move-in helpers! They’re there to make the move-in quick and simple.
11. Bring in rugs first! This was a personal mistake that cost me an extra 20 minutes of re-moving items to put the rug down.
12. For mini-fridges and any heavy items, bring a dolly if you have access to one.
13. Plan where you’ll want the TV. If you have a cable cord, make sure your TV will reach the box. This will prevent having to buy a longer cord and/or having to rearrange items.
14. But most of all, have fun and make your room unique to YOU!

Hello! My name is Nathan Timmerman and I am working on a double major in marketing and professional sales and a minor in entrepreneurship. I graduate in December of 2018, and as I prepare for my final semester at Manchester, I can’t help but think about all the good times I have had here and the future of my university. I can’t wait to see all the new, smiling faces that arrive on campus in the fall and to see them experience their first year of college at the very place that I have called home for the past three years. That being said, I would like to offer a few pieces of advice to the incoming class of 2022. I have found that the following has helped me thrive throughout my college experience.

1.) Stay Involved!

One factor that contributes to student success is the amount of connections, friendships and professional relationships that are made throughout their time spent at Manchester. MU has a very tight-knit community, so be sure to immerse yourself in it! There are an endless amount of opportunities available for students to grow, learn and have fun. My favorite way to spend my free time is by participating in clubs and playing intramurals! I am able to grow in my profession and gain valuable experience through my favorite club, the College of Business Club. Not only does being involved in the CBC help me prepare for my career, but it also allows me to become closer to professors and my peers. When I’m not in a suit, being on the court for intramural basketball is my favorite way to have fun and be involved! Making a team with your SOL group is a great way to make lifelong friends with new people.

2.) Be Curious!

College is a place to learn, gain experiences and better yourself- and all of that starts by asking questions! It’s important to ask questions and come out of your shell. The professors all have office hours during the week, so there’s always a time frame available for you to connect with your professors and ask questions. Manchester’s professors are known for being extremely involved with students and always welcome questions, so make sure to challenge yourself academically and use the professors as a resource!

3.) Create Good Habits!

It’s important to start your college career on a good note by creating good habits! For me, this involved learning time management skills, like creating a routine. I heard this advice a dozen times before entering college, and to no surprise, it was absolutely true! The Success Center is a great resource for students to utilize. They offer tools such as free index cards to help students create study flashcards or even free planners to help students create a daily schedule to follow!

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m halfway done with college. It’s very overwhelming, to say the least, and bittersweet. I’m ready to get into the workforce and make real money for a real business, but I’m totally not ready to give up seeing my friends daily and making memories. Reflecting back on my sophomore year, I’ve done so much! I’ve worked a ton with Admissions and Sports Information, made it through another year of school and was involved in many important club decisions and events. Most importantly, I’ve made numerous memories and that’s what I want to share. Below are pictures solely from my sophomore year experiences. Enjoy!

 

Some of my closest friends! I really liked this picture taken after one of my baseball games.

My first college spring trip! We went to Myrtle Beach and I hit my first college grand slam, and I was named our conference’s hitter of the week from this trip!

I had the chance to speak in front of about 2,800 people for Walk Into My Future! The crowd was mostly elementary kids, but other Manchester students, faculty and staff were present. We also had Manchester’s own President Dave McFadden and the YMCA President!

Meet Wabash, Indiana’s INGUARD CEO Parker Beauchamp. I was able to bring him to campus for Manchester’s CBC’s On-Campus Field Trip. I got to chat with him a little before and after he spoke to our business students about his business career and gave us business advice.

Here’s another picture of my friends and me. We sent this picture to a Manchester donor! With the pose and polaroid film, it’s cliché of course, but I still had to make sure we kept a copy!

Dear High School Senior,

           I was once in your shoes. Hopefully, if you’re reading this it means you’ve chosen Manchester to be your new home in the fall. I know the uneasy, excited, nervous feeling you feel right now. I’ve been there. You’re leaving everything you have ever known in your hometown to go to an unfamiliar place with people you don’t know. College is nothing like high school. No one nags you to do your homework, clean your room or take care of yourself. The responsibility lies solely on you.

    Throughout my four years at Manchester, I have grown into a better person. I have become more well-rounded and the opportunities to expand my interests and knowledge has grown exponentially. I’ve had my fair share of pulling all-nighters, Casey’s runs and meeting new people. The relationships and opportunities I have gained here are such a valuable part of the Manchester experience. From binge watching Scandal at my professors’ house to studying abroad for a semester in New Zealand and everything in between, it has shaped me into the person I am today.

      You have big decisions coming your way. What do you want to study? What do you want to be? You may not know or you may decide to switch halfway through sophomore year, and that’s perfectly okay. College is all about finding yourself, trying new things and making mistakes. You gain your independence, make your own decisions and learn about yourself.

      You’re in for a real treat and you are moving on to bigger and better things. The next four years of your life will fly by and will be the most fun, life shaping years of your life. There were many times that I had so much to do that I thought I would never make it to graduation, but here I am, only a few weeks away. Remember to have fun, get involved, soak it all in, ask for help when you need it and just keep breathing. One foot in front of the other and you will make it through just fine.

From,

            A College Senior

In two weeks I’ll be halfway done with college!! So, what can you find me doing next year? There are many opportunities on this campus and I want to take part in as many as possible!

Student Orientation Leader – I will help with summer orientation days and have a group of first-years to mentor for the entire year.

Spartan Ambassador – This is a job in Admissions where I will be a tour guide, lunch host with prospective families and be a panelist. I’m also in two different group messages for admitted students and parents totaling 200+ people where I answer questions they might have about MU.

Sports Information Student Assistant – I will work football, soccer and basketball games playing music, running social media and manning the scoreboards.

Social Media Ambassador – That’s what this blog is for, typing blogs every couple weeks!

College of Business Club Director – my position is CBC Programming Committee Director. I plan networking events for College of Business students, and I network with current business professionals and bring them to speak to our students.

STAT (Students Today Alumni Tomorrow)– This is a philanthropy club that speaks to many alumni and do various volunteering activities around campus!

Student Senate – We are the voice for Manchester students! We meet every other week to discuss issues around campus and how to improve campus!

Baseball – Of course I’m going to take advantage of my final two years of college to continue my athletic career! I’ve made many friends and experiences thus far, and I can’t wait to see what the next two years bring.

Men’s Basketball Intern – Starting in the fall and continuing until the end of basketball season, I will be working closely with the team in regard to enhancing their social media presence, recruiting and doing some game-day operations work.

Being involved helps me build my network of contacts and increases my people skills/speaking skills. Personally, I feel like being busy and having a crazy schedule in college will get me ready for the crazy business and sports industry for my career. I’m also not a fan of just sitting around day after day because I feel a little unproductive.

However, on top of the previously stated opportunities, there are many more clubs and jobs to join on campus! Other jobs on campus include:

• Resident Assistant
• Recruiting Secretaries
• Chartwells Worker
• Various Office Assistants
• VIA Ushers
• Writing Consultant
• Peer Tutor
• C.A.R.E. Peer Educator

If you’d like to know what clubs we offer, use this link!

https://www.manchester.edu/student-life/student-experience-center/activities/clubs-and-organizations#r

In another blog post, I used the term “productive socializing”. Many jobs and clubs on campus have chances to speak to students, faculty, and staff while working; it’d be a great idea to get involved with either a club or job because you can meet so many great people, build your network and personal skills, and create a bunch of experiences!

    On March 9^th through the 11^th, my friends and I hopped on a charter bus and headed down to Memphis, Tennessee. The Peace Studies Program organized this trip for Manchester alumni to learn more about civil rights in honor of the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Luckily for us, the alumni trip meant that students too could attend! Although we had to leave at 6 a.m. in the freezing cold (a theme of peace studies trips), we had arguably the most fun I’ve had so far on one of these excursions.

    Our first stop was Graceland, home of Elvis and of about 50 separate gift shops. We stood out enjoying the Tennessee sun and eating peanut butter and banana ice cream cones. Following this, we got our hotel room assignments and after a quick rest, headed out to explore Beale Street. We got our fill of barbecue, live music, neon signs and voodoo stores. We truly were walkin’ in Memphis, and we made sure to shout about it as much as possible.

      The next day, we had the opportunity to visit the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King was assassinated. The motel is now a museum dedicated to civil rights and Dr. King’s legacy. The amazing thing about this museum is that you can see the balcony where Dr. King was shot. After standing outside, you walk through the museum and find yourself standing where he stood when he was killed. The building across the street is dedicated to the shooter and investigation into the assassination, and you can stand in the place where the bullet was fired. It really felt like we were standing in history, especially so close to the 50^th anniversary of his death. I highly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to visit the Lorraine Motel to go and experience the exhibits they have set up.

     We then explored the neighborhood and headed to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, in a nondescript neighborhood, the museum was teeming with life and culture. We saw awesome music memorabilia and got to dance our hearts out. That night, we got to go back to Beale Street and eat the best barbecue of all time.

     The thing that made this trip different to other trips that I have been on was the mix of people in attendance. It wasn’t just Peace Studies folks; it was for anyone who wanted to check out Memphis, learn about civil rights, and wander Beale Street. Even in our huge group, we got to go to amazing museums and tourist sites, and have freedom to explore the city. It was an excellent and educational way to spend a weekend and learn about Dr. King’s legacy.

In working for Admissions, I always get asked “what do you wish you knew before coming to college?” and “What advice would you give your younger self?” Well, hopefully the list I’ve compiled before will answer those questions for incoming first-years! These are things that I wish I knew before Welcome Week, so hopefully it helps!

1. Don’t forget your ID.
2. Don’t raise your hand to use the restroom. We’re in college; you can just get up and go.
3. Learn to communicate. Literally everything on this campus revolves around communication. It’s between students, professors, coaches, and everyone in between. If you’re a good communicator, things will be easier.
4. Two words – office hours. Professors love it when students utilize office hours. It’s one-on-one time with a professor. It’s easier to comprehend material when it’s just you and them.
5. Class participation equals a shorter class. The more you talk, the quicker time will go. Also, professors love it when students are involved – it makes their day quicker, too.
6. Sit near the front. I’m not saying the front row, but maybe the second. It’s harder to get distracted compared to sitting all the way in the back.
7. Always go to class. Most professors will take attendance and they will know if you show up for class. Usually attendance is part of a grade. It’s also awkward missing a class and seeing that professor in the same day.
8. Learn to say “no”. Don’t bite off more than you can chew when it comes to classes, extracurriculars, etc.
9. But, GET INVOLVED! There is such a thing as “productive socializing”. Join a club(s) and you can socialize and meet new people all while building a resume, gaining experience, and having fun.
10. ALWAYS BACK UP FILES. I’ve already lost mine twice. Save everything to your computer plus a frashdrive.
11. Find a spot on campus to make a phone call. Cell service can be kind of crazy, so find a spot that always works in case you need to make an important phone call.
12. Wash new clothes before college. You don’t want to come to college, wear them, and they shrink after you’re moved in.
13. Don’t forget your laundry. There’s normally a 10-minute grace period where no one will touch your machine, but after that 10 minutes is up, some people will touch your clothes and move them.
14. Go to as many VIA’s as you can. When you become an upperclassman, your schedule will be busy and VIA’s will be harder to attend. The more you get the sooner, the better.
15. Consider an on-campus job. You won’t need to drive to the job, so it’ll add up quickly!
16. Freshmen can have cars at Manchester, and it’s free!
17. Find a study group. It’s a good way to meet friends, plus hashing out tough class/exam material usually helps understand it better.
18. An agenda/planner is the way to go. Organization is one of the keys to success.
19. Utilize the Internet to buy books. Most of the time you can find books cheaper online. You can also resell your book at the end of the semester if needed.
20. Consider renting books. Renting is also usually cheaper than buying.
21. Leave your door open. It’s a great way to make friends!
22. Change up your playlists. If you’re a music listener, listening to the same playlist daily may ruin the songs.
23. Build your person not your resume. Do things that make you happy. Resume boosters will fill in as you go, so don’t be narrowly focused on it.
24. Consider studying abroad. When else after college will you get to study in another country for months???
25. Befriend an upperclassman. Either they know all, or they know someone who does.
26. If you’re an athlete, always go hard. The coaches see everything, trust me.
27. The Freshman Fifteen exists. Our food here is pretty good, so watch how much you eat!
28. Get ready for move-in day! Go do that last-minute shopping and make sure you have everything! Also, I wrote a blog last year with some tips; feel free to check it out here! 
29. Remember to relax. I won’t lie, it will get stressful. Find a way to de-stress yourself.
30. Enjoy it. If you’re reading this and you’re:
    1. In high school – enjoy it. You may be ready for college, but there are still memories to be made before you’re here.
    2. A parent – your student will do well here. There is a place for him or her somewhere on this campus and it’s up to them to find it. Don’t worry, they will.
    3. In the summer before college – relax, be confident, and make sure you have everything!
31. Just ride the wave. Don’t get to low on the lows, and don’t get too high on the highs. Take. It. Slow. Don’t let these next four years fly by. Enjoy every moment and memory, because next thing you know college will be over with and you’ll want to relive everything.

Hi Spartans!

As the semester is winding down, it can be pretty easy to fall into an unmotivated slump. My “slump” started in early January and has only increased in its downward momentum. I understand that staying in a happy mental state is just as important as getting class work done; With that being said, I think that practicing a little bit of creativity now and then is beneficial for everyone and can help keep our spirits up.

            So, no matter your major, career path, or creative abilities, there are outlets for everyone to participate in some sort of creation, whether it’s writing stories or poetry (my main outlet of creative expression), painting, singing and dancing, photography, etc., but the point is to create. Please don’t doubt your abilities, either! How “good” your creation looks is arbitrary, but I firmly believe that the results are not; having a creative outlet helps to de-stress and think differently as you use different parts of your brain. And, it’s incredibly satisfying to see something and think, I did that.

            I know I’m probably only appealing to people in the arts, but I urge anyone and everyone to try to create, because I love the feeling of completion after finishing a poem, and I would say it is definitely a stress reliever. Creative writing isn’t everyone’s forte, but I think it’s one that’s more accessible to everyone than other art forms. I personally think that writing poetry is an awesome form of creation because it’s so inclusive; you don’t need to be a “professional” and you don’t need to be well-versed with every famous poet, you just write. You can become a poet just by writing down one single line of poetry, and I think that’s awesome.

            Because of that, I wanted to share with my readers some platforms where you can possibly have your creations published!

It’s crazy to think I don’t have to pack up my room from home to move to Manchester anymore. Every year, I became better and better at packing for school. So all you incoming first years, I want to share a few pieces of advice for you as you think about moving in to your new dorm room.

DO PACK

1. Portable Speaker: You never know when you may have to jam out and have a dance session to take a study break.
2. Mattress Topper: Seriously, just get one.
3. Pictures: A little piece of home to comfort you.
4. Dry Erase Board & Markers: Late night cram sessions or practicing organic synthesis problems, this comes in handy so that you don’t have to waste paper!

DON’T PACK

1. Letter Jacket: Leave it behind. This isn’t high school anymore.
2. Printer: Each semester, we get more printing funds to print. There are printers in every building on campus, including the dorms. Don’t let a bulky printer take up space in your dorm room!
3. Off Season Clothing: Save space! Only bring clothes that you will wear now! Rotate your clothes when you go home at breaks.
4. A Closed Mind: College will stretch you. There will be new ideas, beliefs, and perspectives. Open your mind and listen to what others have to say, you will learn a lot.

     A sophomore slump refers to an instance in which a second effort fails to live up to the standards of the first effort. I am a sophomore in college, so I suppose I am considering this year my second effort. It’s a bit weird to be in your second year. The first year is all about adjustment- fitting in, finding friends, figuring out your major (maybe) and learning if college is right for you. There are SOL groups and events and First Year Seminars and it’s kind of like summer camp. (Unless you’re a bio-chem major in which case I understand that no semesters are ever fun.)

Sophomore year is different, though. It’s not as serious as junior or senior year. But that means it’s easier to slump. Plus, the challenges that are greater than your first year can be surprising, and anxiety about the future can be overwhelming. I’ve noticed that people are more likely to become unmotivated or dissatisfied with higher education in general in their second year of school.

      So how do we stay motivated? I’m no expert on motivation, but I am an expert slumper. I know how to convince myself that effort is fruitless, and focus on menial tasks instead of action oriented goals. But I do have some free, albeit unwarranted advice about how to unslump, and none of them are to go to the gym or get organized (you’re welcome).

1. Do the Basics

Read this as many times as you need to: no degree is worth sacrificing your mental, emotional or physical health. That being said, shower. Eat real food. Drink water. Practice self-care. I will put this advice in every single one of my blogs, because it is SO important. If your body is not happy, you won’t be able to focus on anything else. Never underestimate the power of a shower and an early bedtime as an antidote for wanting to drop out. To be clear, though, a shower will not fix mental health disorders, and is no substitute for professional care.

2. Talk to your Advisor

I tend to text my advisor when I am having a crisis. She provides a clear headed path for me, straight out of the chaos and fog of my own brain. Plus, she has connected me with opportunities, internships, and jobs that have kept my sophomore year fun and forward moving. Because I am pursuing summer internships and studying abroad, I have direct goals that help me feel like I am moving forward.

3. Be Open Minded

Manchester is a liberal arts school. Take advantage of that. If you are disillusioned with classes, take something outside of your major, go to a club you’ve never been to before, talk to faculty in another department. I am taking Religions of India this semester and it is LITERALLY blowing my mind. I actually enjoy doing the reading for that class. It’s uncharacteristic.

I think the second year of college is a unique opportunity to be past the new experience-stress of your first year, and before the existential stress of your last years. Instead of slumping, I’m going to try to do as much as I can before I head into junior year (wherein my only goal is to not crash and burn.)

I originally picked up a guitar because I needed a Fine Arts credit in high school. It was between Music Theory or Guitar 101, and learning how to play the guitar won!

Now that I’m heavily involved in college, I still continue to challenge myself to get better and continue to learn. I recently bought an electric guitar, which poses a new challenge: learning small solos and riffs. A riff is just a series of individual notes put together in a song. This will be a big mountain for me to climb! Another challenge of mine: singing while playing. There are two reasons for this: one, I can’t sing well to save my life, and two, it’s difficult for me to make my hands do two different things while making my brain remember the lyrics. To improve, I’m getting in the habit of trying to say words while playing the easiest songs I know. If I conquer both of these, it’ll be another step to becoming a better guitar player.

Learning a new instrument is a challenge you won’t win over night. But, there are so many rewards that go with it: it’s fun, you can play with other musicians, it sounds great and it makes people happy. Personally, when I’m playing in my dorm and someone walks in and starts singing the song I’m playing, it makes me feel good because their mood instantly increases! Who wouldn’t want to make someone’s day better? It’s also a great way to get to meet new people. I recently made a video with Manchester students covering my favorite songs and I got to meet people that I probably wouldn’t have spoken to otherwise. And above all, I love seeing improvement. I have a video from when I first started playing and I compared it to the cover video I made. I’ve made a giant leap in playing and that just pushes me to get better and see how much more I can learn.

If you’re wanting to learn guitar, start by learning the four most basic chords: G, D, C and Em. Once you know those, you can play hundreds of songs! When you’re finally confident and ready, challenge yourself by learning new chords and songs. Just remember: learning will take time!

    A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of being a guest speaker at a Manchester University Community Club meeting. This club is a group of retired Manchester alum, professors and MU fans alike that meet once a month in the upper JYSC and have dinner catered. At each dinner, there are usually guest speakers from the college to give updates about what’s going on around campus and the university as a whole. After speaking with them, I realized just how strong Manchester roots, traditions and the Manchester family really is. The love and compassion that is group shared for all things Manchester is truly remarkable. They are wholeheartedly invested in this school and the people on this campus. I had the opportunity to speak with many alum and listen to them tell stories about their time at Manchester- it was so neat to hear their old college tales. At the end of the night, they sang “By the Kenapocomoco”, a tradition that we still sing at opening convocation each semester. The whole night, I saw each alum beam from ear to ear, grinning while they spoke so highly about their life at MU is something I loved to see. Being able to speak with them about how campus used to be and what has changed was eye opening.

    The Manchester family is something that I will always cherish. There is just something so special about the connections that are made at Manchester; whether it be with current students, professors, or alumni, there is always a commonality that ties you together. I hope one day I can be like them and share my stories with Manchester’s future Spartans. Roots run deep here at Manchester… and that’s what makes it so special.


Katie Byers '18 is a biology-chemistry major & business minor. A member of MAC and STAT, she studied abroad in New Zealand, and her dream job is to work at an orthopedic hospital.

Hi, Spartans! I have returned from my blogging hiatus after a crazy fall semester! I thought that since my senior thesis paper was the main reason I haven’t blogged in a while that I would write out some tips I learned after completing mine, especially because many of my friends/peers will be doing the same thing soon enough. My experience will be biased toward what I did as an english major, but I think that these steps should be pretty universal.

First of all, what is a senior thesis paper???

• Not all disciplines have to take a senior seminar course or write a senior thesis paper, but at least for english majors, we are required to take the English Senior Seminar course to graduate. Within that class, we write a lengthy, in-depth analysis paper based on a central theme that we explore in literature throughout the seminar.

Choosing a Topic and Researching

• Different majors have different processes for writing a thesis paper. When choosing a topic, it’s important to brainstorm something of your own creation and to be inspired. For us english majors, this means that some sort of reading (we read novels and memoirs in my English Senior Seminar) or researching will be necessary in order to figure out what you’ll be passionate enough to write a long paper on.
  • Sidenote: make sure you choose a topic that you’re genuinely interested in learning more about! This may be the longest paper you’ve ever written, and I can guarantee that it will suck if you’re not interested in what you’re talking about.

Writing

• Once you get past the brainstorming stage and your ideas are chosen and formulated, it’s time to start writing. The writing process works differently for everyone, so if you’re struggling with starting out, I’d suggest skipping the introduction paragraph and diving right in to your main points. Once you get that down, your introduction will come naturally. (I personally have to write my intro paragraph first, but that’s just me.) You can also visit the Writing Center (maybe you’ll see me there working!) and we can help you with any stage of the writing process.
• Drafts: I had 6 drafts for my paper. I think that’s a decent number, but I used up a lot of paper printing out each draft several times. It’s suuuuper important to keep all of your drafts, and it can be really helpful to reference them when you get stuck. For English majors, we also had to turn in every draft with our portfolio, too, so keep those drafts!
  • I also know that my SCE, or Senior Comprehensive Exam (again, not everybody has one!) will revolve a lot around my senior thesis paper, so showing professors the progress you made while writing your paper can really testify to your improvement.
• Organization: once you have decided your paper is done, I suggest reading it through slowly, figuring out a short summarizing phrase that encompasses what each paragraph is about, and writing that down in the margins. Once that’s done, go through and read just your summary phrases and ask yourself: “does this order make sense? Do my arguments flow naturally? Should something be argued before something else? Am I missing something important?” These questions will help you bridge any organizational gaps in your paper.
• Finalizing: The hardest part is over now!! After lots and lots of editing and re-organizing, sometimes things get a little messy. Besides reading it over before handing it in, go through and clean up all the loose ends. Make sure that all formatting is correct, you’ve completed any formal requirements for the paper, your citations are correct, and that there are no repeated sentences or accidental mess-ups.

Now I only have my SCE to worry about, but I never expected my thesis paper to take up so much of my time. The process can be rough, but I promise that if you put all of your effort into it, you will finish with a work of writing that you can be really proud of! As seniors, it’s our time to show what great thinkers we have become after our years in college. And, your professors will be your biggest source of improvement, so trust what they tell you and ask them for help on every draft!

Good luck to all seniors working hard this semester, and all the juniors preparing for their final year!

Ciara Knisely ’18 is an English-Creative Writing major and Journalism minor, and hopes to continue her writing career in the future. She spends her time working at the Writing Center on campus and is a Co-Editor of the Oak Leaves newspaper.  

    So, last year I wrote a blog about attending the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference. Last year, it was in downtown Chicago, on Navy Pier, and it was incredible. It is powerful to be in a space with endless amounts of diversity and intersectionality, to spend time with people who are able to be open about who they are and unconditionally supportive of other in that community. Something else that made last year great was that Chicago is only three hours away! 

   This year, MBLGTACC was in Omaha, Nebraska. The van ride was about 10 hours and we had to leave campus at 5 am to register. Despite this absolutely harrowing trial (I slept the whole way) it made it that much more exciting to arrive on the stunning University of Nebraska Omaha campus.  

   What I tend to appreciate most about MBLGTACC is the distinct effort that they put in to include voices that are intersectional. Almost every keynote speaker was a queer person of color, such as Blair Imani, a bisexual, queer, Muslim activist. All of these speakers serve to show us that the movement for LGBTQIA+ rights are not just about one identity. It is about race, sexuality and gender, class, physical or mental ability, mass incarceration, employment status, and many other identities that give us diversity beyond our skin color or gender expression.  

   Last year at MBLGTACC, I was most struck by how safe and open it felt to be authentically myself. This year, however, I felt like I was seeing other folks have that experience for the first time. I don’t know this for sure, but I feel like for many students, MBLGTACC is the only space where they can be themselves without fear or shame.  

   I am lucky to be a student at Manchester, because I can be open about my sexuality without being afraid of what will happen to me if I don’t identify as heterosexual. My friends don’t judge me, I am not held back from opportunities because of my sexuality and the faculty are open and accepting. I fear this is not the case for many students in colleges across the Midwest. People say that college is the time to find yourself, but for some students, college is just another time that they have to hide who they are. MBLGTACC provides queer folks with an opportunity to see successful, happy and applauded queer people dedicating their lives to researching and uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community.  

  MBLGTACC shows young queer folks that being queer should be celebrated. It should be uplifted. The goal is no longer tolerance for people of other races, genders, and sexual identities, it is celebration. In my blog that I wrote about this event last year, I said “We can feel bad for people until the cows come home, we can say that we’re in solidarity with a struggle, but it is not until we actually stand up and do something that we can truly make a difference.” After MBLGTACC this year, I would expand on that and say that simply attending an event like this is a huge step for some folks. If you cannot be yourself in your community, or you can’t stand up and do something, that is okay. It is not your responsibility to fix your situation. It is the responsibility of folks like me (and probably the person reading this, hi) who have privilege and the ability to be themselves without fear, to help you.


Virginia Rendler ’20 is a Peace Studies major, and is hoping to double major in English, as well as double minor in Spanish and Visual Art. She loves animals and is a Leo. 

Hello again, everyone! In previous posts, I have written about what it’s like to walk in my shoes for a week, and why break tradition? Below, you’ll see a picture of my week, and as you can see, it’s a busy week! So… here we go!

On Tuesday mornings, I have meetings for the College of Business Directors, plus any extra meetings for events that we have. For events outside of the CBC, such as for Student Senate, I have meetings in the evenings. I also work in Admissions and Sports Information. I eat lunch with prospective families every Monday and Friday, and I pick up any student tours I can during the week and on Saturdays. For Sports Information, I work every home football game, almost all home basketball games, and a couple wrestling tournaments. I mainly do social media during the games and play music, but I’ve worked the side scoreboard during basketball, too. 

As for classes this spring:

• Spanish 202 – Professor Yanez
• Principles of Finance – Professor Hoffman
• Marketing Management – Dr. Kang
• Macroeconomics – Dr. Majumder 
• Ethical Decision Making – Professor Gray Brown

Marketing Management will be my hardest class. I may have bitten off a little more than I can chew with this class in terms of how hard the content is, but a challenge every now and then is good for you! I’ll admit that not having an 8am at all this semester has made waking up a bit easier and I haven’t been as tired as I have been in the past. I’m also part-early bird, so MWF I’m done with class at 11:50, and TR I’m done at 12:15. It makes the mornings long, but it’s worth it when I have the rest of the day to do what I need to.

Yes, that is a lot! Though I will be busy, I am still looking forward to blogging! Many things will happen this busy semester and I cannot wait to share them with you. Stay tuned!

Nick Rush ’20 is studying Sports Management and plans on minoring in another business area. He plays baseball for MU, and he plans on working in the sports industry after graduation.