I can't believe my first year at Rutgers is over. Time really flies. (This is coming from the girl who's still grappling with the fact that she's in college...).
Now I've got a new place to add to my list of “homes!” I'm looking forward to returning to Rutgers next year—I've been accepted as a Douglass Greeter for the fall, so I'll be on campus early! For now, though, I'm going to be taking a well-deserved break! I've spent a relaxing week at home, and next week I'll be in Shanghai visiting my high school friends and teachers!
So here's my attempt at closure, partly to convince myself that I'm now a sophomore, but mostly to save up all the good memories this year brought. I can't attempt to sum up all the different experiences I've had in the last few months, but I can highlight a few things that incoming first-years ought to try! I truly hope you enjoy your experiences as much as I did mine.
In no particular order:
1. Eat a fat sandwich
...whether it's from the Busch Dining Hall (takeout on Thursday nights for anyone who's interested) or from the renowned Grease Trucks! I had one from Busch, with mozzarella sticks and chicken fingers, lettuce and chipotle mayo. Mmm, there's the first ten of the Freshman 15! Apparently, it doesn't really count. :/ I have yet to try a “real” fat sandwich from the Grease Trucks...I'll have to try one before I graduate, that's for sure!
2. Come up with different salad ideas
Get creative! I've been trying to be healthy (after eating that fat sandwich and gaining ten pounds, seriously), and I think I've used salad dressing only once or twice. I've topped my salads with craisins, celery and cheddar, or had some grilled chicken and hummus on the side, or chick peas, raisins, and carrots. Okay, I might not be the most creative with my food, but the variety keeps me eating the veggies I need. There definitely ARE healthy options in the dining hall—you just have to think a little.
3. Get locked out of your room
That way, you'll always remember to bring your key! I've gotten locked out twice, once during the day (my roommie went to lunch and not class, thankfully), and once at night (I was hanging out with some friends down the hall and left the key in the room when she went to sleep, oops). But that's when your buddies invite you for a sleepover!
I also locked myself out of the dorm once...I forgot that I didn't have my swipe card OR my phone with me. Greaaat...
4. See how many free T-shirts you can collect
I think I'm up to nine? or ten? for the first year. The first five or so came from summer orientation and one or two from an organization's table at the Involvement Fair. The next three came from events at the beginning of the year, like Throw Down, something at the campus center, football. At this rate, I still think I'll have about 50 by the time I graduate. Okay, at least 30...
5. Challenge yourself, and apply to/interview for as many things as you're interested in
For me, that was a handful of organizations and committees and scholarships. I applied to be an RA, Douglass Orientation Committee (DOC), Rising Leaders Institute, three different scholarships, Barbara Voorhees Mentor Program, Rutgers 66 Leadership Conference Committee, …..Some I got, most I didn't, but that's still okay! Sure, I was disappointed, but I've also learned and grown a lot just from going through the process, and I am definitely going to apply again in the coming years.
6. Meet interesting people who are very different from you
My roommate played a lot of music that I typically didn't listen to. I was fine with it, and I must say she's broadened my taste in music. :) I also knew some people who had insects as pets. And when they died, we had a funeral service of sorts. I also met some people who were extremely nocturnal creatures...and often went rollerblading at 3am. Very interesting people indeed...
7. Do well in Expos or Expos 2 or whatever writing-intensive course you end up taking
I know it's challenging, but I've known people who've struggled daily throughout the semester and succeeded by the end of the course. Writing is an important skill to hone, and I'm not saying this just because I'm going to major in English. Learning how to write a coherent and well-supported argumentative paper (or research paper in Expos 2) is crucial, but do remember that although practice may not always make perfect, it certainly does improve your ability as a writer.
8. Try something fun and random that you would never otherwise do, but within reason of course
For me, that was going for a late night run with my friend around Passion Puddle. First off, I'm not much of a runner. Second, I don't typically exercise at night. And third, this was when I had just come home from my 7:40 to 9pm Black Lit class. But I went anyway!
Not to mention the five or so times I walked from College Ave back to Douglass. This usually happened on the weekends, when the next Weekend 2 was due to arrive in, oh, maybe 48 and 93 minutes. I'd rather walk—down George St., the trek takes about half an hour, maybe an hour tops. Great way to exercise and check out all the little shops along the way!
Another thing for me was doing the Big Chill and Relay for Life, both of which were for good causes. The Big Chill is a 5K run/walk; I walked, of course, with a whole bunch of friends (it took us about an hour to finish). Relay for Life was an all-night event, but I only stayed on Busch (it was at the Werblin Rec Center this year) until 1am (I had to be up by 7 the next morning!). I waited at the bus stop for at least half an hour for a bus that stopped running hours ago, and when I actually got onto a bus, thankfully I ran into one of my good friends. Taking a bus alone at such hours is not usually a good idea, btw. But hey, definitely an interesting learning experience!
9. For Douglass women:
Participate in Yule Log and Sacred Path! In December, I had the privilege of being one of the Log Bearers for Yule Log, and another freshman and I got to toss the log into the fire in Voorhees Chapel as a part of the ceremony. And at the end of the year, I got my lantern charm, made a wish, threw my pinecone, and enjoyed some cake at Sacred Path!
And finally,
10. Walk all the campuses!
I mentioned this to people, and about 98% told me I was crazy. Oh well, I think it ought to be part of my Rutgers experience, especially since Rutgers New Brunswick DOES have several campuses! Not all schools have this unique feature, so why not give it a try while we're here? I actually managed to do this on my last day on campus last Wednesday. I took the REXL to Livingston and trekked to Busch, met up with two friends, and walked on the bridge along Route 18 down to College Ave. Then, we got lost in the middle of New Brunswick somewhere between Suydam or Handy or Louis or French, I can't remember which, but it was a little scary for a while. But thankfully, we made it back to Douglass and over to Cook! That's all the campuses right there! The whole trip, including getting lost and all, took less than three hours. See? I'm not crazy—it's totally doable. :)
Note: Don't go by yourself! And always make sure someone in your group knows the way, so you don't get lost.
Have a wonderful and relaxing summer, everyone, and hopefully I'll see you in the fall!
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