college and relationships

                        Having relationships in high school were easy, you generally went to the same school or lived relatively close. Once you get to college things are different, especially if the relationship is one from home. No matter how much you see them it will never be like living in the same town. As boyfriend and girlfriend you should sit down and set boundaries and make sure you see each other and abide by those boundaries.  

            Also, make sure you guys spend time just you to. Have a “date night” and go find something to do around town. Get off campus for a bit. Staying in your room all the time can be like a prison cell. Get out and do stuff together it will make your partner more comfortable, and you can see the area. And its always nice to Spend time together.

Headin Home

When you go home for the first time after you get to College, it might not be what you expect. Its nice to see everyone, and see your parents. But, if your parents are anything like mine, then nothing will change from when you lived there. I still had rules, still had chores, and I was only there a night. I loved spending time with my family. And seeing a few friends but leaving…that was harder then when they left me at school.

            I had to take an unexpected trip home this week. My dad had called and told me my mom was sick and in the hospital. My roommate and I skipped classes for the rest of the day and went home. But at the end of the night, after she was released to go home, it was difficult to leave. Some words of advice do not go home unless you have to. Or until you’re ready. Now its hunting season, so I will be seeing more of my dad and I know I wont miss home as much. So I am really looking forward to that. I will miss Oakland though. When I am gone its weird not being here.

            Next time…relationships

College & Drama

Uhhoh Drama

You’re in college, not high school. But, the drama still follows. Just because you left all your friends back home, and you’re in college now doesn’t mean there won’t be drama. Everyone is on their own, no parents, and newly found freedom. Relationships are going to happen, break ups will happen. And when you live on campus, you will see s/he everywhere. Girls will be girls, no matter what some girls just want attention. And it’s not just girls, college boys have drama too. It is typical for a guy to go from girl to girl and try and break up friendships. So, it’s pretty much just like high school all over again. The drama never leaves, so be prepared!!!

            Good luck!!

Financial Aid Fears

Financial Aid Fears

Housing? Books? Meal Plan? Loans? FASFA? Refund checks? All these things are scarey and quickly add up in price. Reading the information on SAIL can be pretty confusing. But, don’t fear because there are people there to help you. The Financial Aid office. Watching the people come out of the cubical of offices crying and be pretty intimidating. And the long wait in line can add to the fear. But everyone needs to make sure they are in good standing. This should be done before the bill is due. So, you don’t realize you now owe the school a few thousand dollars.

                The advisors understand students don’t exactly like going to see them, or hearing what they have to say sometimes. Truly, they are there to help the students get through school financially. A student can work out a payment plan and even get help finding loans if needed. Financial aid isn’t all bad. Its nice when they send you a check with “left over” money.

                As a freshman I was pretty scared going to see the advisor. As I was waiting in line I was coming up with a back up plan incase my financial aid didn’t go through for whatever reason. Worried, I sat in line for what seemed like forever. Just to find out, things were ok and I was all set. So words of advice for freshman, don’t be scared to ask questions! They are there to help you, not push you away!!

College Life

College Life Blog 1

As we pulled up, van loaded with my overly packed boxes I realized my life was never going to be the same. My mom had been avoiding the topic of college for weeks. And here we were, move in day. Not knowing what the next year at OU would be like, or where life was going to take me. Full of excitement, we unloaded the van and began the unpacking process. Boxes scattered, to many people in a small room, we were all frustrated. Finally said our good byes and the college life began.

            From unpacking, to barbeques, floor meetings, and people coming in and out of the room the first day was nothing but chaos. Finding fun ways to get go to know each other, coloring parties in our room, a floor sleep over’s, grizz gang jumping jamboree, more free food and so many activities and free stuff going on during welcome week. I knew college was going to be great experience I’d never forget. As the days progressed, our wall getting filled with colored pictures, and new found friendships, OU became home.

            Classes finally came; walking into my first class with over 100 students was a shocker. I turned to April and said I’m not sure if I can do this. In walks my professor, instantly I knew my assumptions of the class were all wrong. Psychology quickly became my favorite class, even with the 150 other students. Not all classes are easy to like, some professors do nothing but lecture, and has many students on facebook, or leaving early. Lunch time in the OC is scary!  Hundreds of hungry students moving through the unorganized lines. So many choices, so little time. Jumping in to a short line and hoping the food is good is the best way to deal with lunch. Finding a place to eat is a complete different story, if its nice out, go outside.

            Now here we are, after a few weeks of classes, still getting free stuff everywhere I go. And for being college kids, we sure do love out bounce houses, and free food. Everyone is nice around campus, and always willing to help. Oakland University has everything we could ever need, from writing help, to needing someone to vent about your annoying roommate. Oakland has it all.

            I hear from my mom every day, she tells me how much shes misses me. And that makes things harder to deal with. But, knowing at the end of the week my boyfriend will come up and get us out of the room for a while, is always something to look forward to. Although OU is home, its nice to go out and see Rochester and the surrounding areas. I look forward to this year at Oakland and the memories I make here ill never foreget.