Summer, 2012 • A POSITIVE PRESS PUBLICATION • VOL. 2, ISSUE 8
Know about "NO"!
written by fourth-year, Kasey Darley
I walked through the doors of Tate Grand Hall during my Orientation Resource Fair and smack into a wall of possibilities. I saw Food Services signs urging me to sign up for the meal plan, grabbed flyers from Parking Services representatives, and introduced myself to more people than I could have hoped to remember. I was already carrying ten pounds of information from the day’s earlier sessions, but I figured fifty more pounds of free goodies would be worth it. I had been working on my summer bod for the past 3 days, so it was time to put those muscles to use, right?
But that afternoon, I collected far more than neon colored pens, red and black plastic cups, and bottomless bags of candy. (Although, I did feel those the most when walking up the Million Dollar Stairs to my advising appointment later). I left motivated. I left inspired. I had just signed up for 50 new listservs and I was setting out to change the world with my new Bulldog family. |
Then the emails started.
I quickly realized that I had signed up for 47 listservs too many. I didn’t know what to do. If I unsubscribe, will Mary still like me? What about that Michael guy from the club for people who like bacon cheeseburgers? I didn’t want to kick my college career off by flip-flopping on my new friends. I didn’t want people upset with me for saying “no.” But over the course of my career, I’ve realized that in college, and especially as a freshman, the word “no” is a valuable thing. Freshmen are among the most recruited individuals on campus because they have four (and sometimes more) years of eligibility. Imagine the potential for someone who devotes his or her entire college career to a single organization! But hey, we’ve all signed up for things and later realized, “Maybe that’s not for me.” If you can’t find the time or the passion, that’s ok too! People respect those who know their own calendar. |
Here at Georgia, we want you to experience college to its fullest, not to overextend yourself before Day One. So if you want to commit to something, put your heart into it! And if it’s not for you, don’t be afraid to just say “no”.
Oh yeah - and welcome to the UGA family! |
Start with Volume, Fight for Depth
written by previous Editor-In-Chief, graduate, Trey Sinyard
Once I wrote the title, I debated on whether I needed to write anything else. Not that it's so good, it's just that's all I have to say. If there is one thing I could prescribe to you as a recipe for success in college, it's to start with volume and fight for depth. What the heck does that mean? It means that this first year, this roller coaster year, this “oh my goodness I wish I could live it all over again because it was so great” year, you should start broad. How?
Taste everything in the dining halls. No really, start with Bolton because it’s easy but don't stop until you've completed all 4. Even if it looks gross, don't chicken out by eating chicken (get it?). Introduce yourself to everyone you see or even say “hi” to. No one knows anyone your first few weeks of school so it's not weird. Knowing people the first day is weird. |
And those people aren't cool anyway because they're just high school friends. So meet everyone and anyone. You can even combine these first two pieces of advice: sit with new people while you try new food. How much easier can it get? And when you meet people, be voluminous (meaning a lot) with your trust. Don't give someone your car or your diamond ring, but be lavish with your confidence in other people. People want to be trusted and respond well to it when they are.
Go to everything you're even half interested in, and half of the things you're not interested in at all. This is college. You should learning something new every single day. Every hour! Lectures, meetings, sports, hiking trips, dance parties, Dawgs After Dark events, concerts, running trails, symphonies, furniture throwing outings on parking decks. |
Whatever! Just go.
And try new food when you do. And meet new people. Take as many classes about things you've never studied as you can. Remember that whole learning thing? Oh yeah! And meet the people in your classes. Then take them to eat new foods with you. Then go throw furniture with them. But only once because then it's not new anymore. Catching my drift? Do everything. Let your life be one of volume. Busyness? Nope. Volume. Make sure it's meaningful either to you personally or to the relationships your building. If it passes that test though, do it! Build a portfolio of volume. And at the end of your freshmen year, you will be tired, confused, beat down, but happy as the best of us. You'll be surrounded by great memories, people, food, and experiences. You'll love this school and you'll have finally shaken that fear |
of missing out because you didn't.
THEN, and only then, do you pursue depth. Reflect on your freshmen year. Write it down, blog it, video it, who cares. Just do it. And think about the people you loved most, the experiences you came alive in most, the memories that are the stickiest. And when you come back sophomore year, go do those things and stay with them for the long run. Pursue depth in them. Fight hard for it (trust me, it will be a fight). Depth ultimately is meaningful; volume, not so much. But volume provides the structure for diving deep initially. So start with volume and fight for depth. I'm so jealous that you get to be a freshmen at the University of Georgia. |
More Than Your Typical Meal
written by second-year, Catherine Warren
After a couple of months of eating dining food, all of the the flavors taste the same–the chicken tenders in O-House, the pizza in Snelling, Bolton meals. So here are some ways to spice up your life, sandwich style.
At O-House: On a slow afternoon at O-House, hop in to the deli line and ask for a croissant and your favorite type of cheese. Feel free to add on other miscellaneous toppings. Then head over to the Chicken Country line and grab about 3-4 chicken tenders. Get yourself a side of mac-n-cheese or french fries if you so please. Assemble your sandwich and then head to the burrito line and ask for them to press it! At Snelling: For a delicious burger… jump into the grill line, order any meat (veggie burger, turkey burger, hamburger or grilled/fried chicken) and cheese of your choosing. Add your veggies, grab some tots. Head to the burrito line, ask for a side of guacamole, and then to the omelet line for some bacon. Sit down and put together your amazing burger–smother that guac on–and then enjoy! |
Photos courtesy of UGA Food Service
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At Bolton:
For a sweet treat, start by making a waffle. Then head over to the ice cream scooper and get a couple of scoops of vanilla. Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on it and viola! Sit down, and be amazed at this simple but sweet goodness! At Joe Frank (ECV): You are at ECV. How often to you get to go there, really? Spice up your life by trying something new or instead treating yourself so a personal pizza or a Philly cheesesteak. Here are some extra tips: > Too full for a delectable desert, but still a bit hungry? Eat Lucky Charms or Reeses Puffs or your favorite cereal for desert instead. > Want a cheesy snack? Grab some cheesy bread at ECV or Snelling to dip in marinara, alfredo, or even ranch (yes, I know, but I promise it's good!)! > Craving a Dairy Queen blizzard, but lacking the cash? Get some ice cream and add milk to make a milkshake- or add ice cream to your favorite soda to make a float! |
Be Specific
written by second-year, Allie Windom
Welcome to your first year of college. If you think you’re
about to be pulled in a million different directions, you’re correct. If you
think you’ll have a chance to become your own person, that’s also an accurate
belief. But will you define who you become, or will you simply follow those
around you?
Throughout my first year at UGA, my new friends pursued campus organizations that they loved. I was worried I wouldn’t have any friends if I didn’t forge common ground with them, so I applied and auditioned for everything I possibly could, including the organizations my friends were already involved in. Although I was enjoying my experiences and my new lifestyle, I knew something was missing. My own talents and passions had become dormant and ignored while I tried to force myself to belong somewhere on campus. After several months of unsuccessful imitation of everyone around me, I decided I had experienced enough disappointment, and I gave up—in the best way possible. |
I stopped trying to make myself into an exact copy of the people already in my life. Spending my time and energy to intensely emulate others had gotten me nowhere, so I changed my habits and my mindset and made time to live for what I myself was passionate about.
At first, I was terrified. I was afraid I’d never find people on campus that shared my quirky passions, and I hated watching all my friends have jam-packed schedules while I was still unsure of what I would do with my time. I was lonely for a while, but as I stepped back and examined what my own passions were, incredible things started to happen. Everyday conversations with friends and acquaintances led to life-changing opportunities. I met new people, and I tried things that I never would have even considered in high school. I learned that disappointment could not ruin me—it could only lead me in the direction I was truly meant to travel in the first place. Right now, you’re in the exact place I was one year ago. You’re about to meet people who have already found their passion and their niche here |
at UGA. Right now, you’re in the exact place I was one year ago. You’re about to meet people who have already found their passion and their niche here at UGA. You may want to follow their example, and there’s nothing wrong with getting involved in something that’s fulfilled someone else.
But will you settle for living as a happy-go-lucky college kid that takes someone else’s path because you’re not quite brave enough to blaze a new trail? Or will you explore this new ground until you find the bits and pieces to make your own unique story? You have the chance to determine how much you love or hate your college experience, so why not chase your passions from the start and create the best four years of your life? |
There is a First Time for everything
by fourth-year, Mary Ashely Tucker
The sun is high in the sky, and as its rays beat down, you stand sweating with all your best friends. It's hot, you smell hot dogs and popcorn, and suddenly after hours of drums, cheers, screaming kids, and delightfully obnoxious fraternity blocks... everything stops. Packed shoulder to shoulder, sporting your red and black Game Day best, you hold your breath and raise your arm to point as the 92,746 cheering, devoted football fans fall unusually silent to the lone trumpet player up in the Southwest corner of the upper deck. “Glory, glory to ole Georgia” it cries. Happy, sad, hopeful, and nostalgic. All these emotions those few solo notes can make you feel as its sound brings tears to your eyes or chills up your spine. Those notes and those moments as we prepare for another meeting between the hedges to defend the Bulldog Nation are some that I have lived for during my time here. They've been enough to make me close my eyes, smile, and with just a few simple and pure tones bring together a nation worth defending to all that can hear them ring out across the Classic City and Between the Hedges.
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You may not know what I'm talking about. Maybe you do. But either way, the first time you stand inside Sanford Stadium as a student at the University of Georgia, whether you are a football fan or not, it will be nothing short of magical. As are most things you will do for the first time as a First-Year. Cherish it. Take time that day and other days like these to close your eyes and really appreciate the fact that you are finally here and the time is finally now. Relish in these moments when you will feel for the first time at home here, because that's exactly what this town is now is and will be for the next four (or five...) years. The next four years, much like that first Game Day in Athens, will fly by. And at the end, it will seem like only a blurred and distant memory. Take the time now to slow down and soak it all in. Because like those first few sounds that cry “Glory, Glory to ole' Georgia”, that feeling of belonging and that overwhelming sense of pride will get in your blood now, and stay forever. Once a Dawg, Always a Dawg. How sweet it is.
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The Coolest Person in the Entire World is Sitting Next to You
by fourth-year, Andrea Morris
Welcome to the next four (or five) years of your life! Starting off a brand new chapter in life can be quite intense, especially in the classroom. Between the all chapters you’re expected to read, taking responsibility for the homework you’ve been assigned, making sure not to trip over book bags on your way to the empty seat in the middle of the row— there’s a lot to pay attention to. It’s easy to overlook the people sitting between you and the teacher.
From your dorms to the other side of campus, you will walk past a sea of people every day without thinking about any of them. And then you will end up sitting next to them. There are two people who I would like to introduce you to: Alex and Shayla. |
In class, they are students just like you and me. They listen to lecture, print out slides, and occasionally come in late. Through a simple introduction that turned into full blown conversations, I realized that I’m sitting next to the coolest person I’ve never met! Alex has taught me a lot about the value of family. I’m from Duluth, Georgia, an hour’s drive down 316.When he decided to head home for Spring Break, he had to book a ticket to Trinidad and Tobago. Thanks to Shayla, I have found someone to easily rival me in terms of staying busy. She functions between the hours of 5AM and midnight maintaining her crazy GPA and studying. When I think that I have it hard, I remember that I will never have to cope with competing for a national title with a finance exam just around the corner.
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These are the people I sit next to and I never would have known their stories if I hadn’t asked. Sometimes we squabble in friendly arguments. Other times we make each other laugh. By engaging with people who literally were utter strangers, I’ve learned every student has a perspective to offer… and you have a perspective to offer them. It’s the person to your left and right who are the most important people you will encounter at UGA.
The people you meet today can prove invaluable as close friends, storytellers, and contacts in the post-graduation years to come. Though our college experiences are focused around teacher-to-student instruction—with all good reason – it is just as essential to our self-growth and education to reach out to the people we come |
in contact with while we are here. Taking those awkward 10 seconds to break down the barrier and talk to your fellow classmates is something you don’t want to miss out on. The people you will meet at the University of Georgia offer opportunities that will certainly last longer than a semester—they will last a lifetime.
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The List
by third-year, Ellis Edwards
Few people have ever truly changed the way I view the world. Drew Dudley is one of them. He’s an affable Canadian with an important and universal message. He also says “out” in that cool Canadian way. And did I mention we’ve never met? A few weeks ago, I came across one of his talks entitled "The List." And, in 10 minutes, Drew Dudley changed the way that I view the world.
In his talk (which you can find on TED.com or Google by searching "Drew Dudley"), he addresses an issue we are all too familiar with. Dudley asserts that we are all being taught how to check items off of a list for our life. Go to school, get good grades, go to a good college, get a fat starting salary, get into a stable relationship, get promoted, have kids, get promoted… you get the picture. |
He says it is as if we were each handed a scavenger hunt list early in life and told to race to the finish, completing as many of the tasks as possible. In doing so, we become fulfilled and happy.
Except we all know there's something wrong with that logic. Who wrote that list? Probably not you. I wish that I had been slapped in the face with this truth much earlier in my college career. Because, though you may not know it yet, college has a list. UGA has a list. Each organization, club, or group you get involved with has a list. As a first year student, people will hand you a lot of well-organized scavenger hunt lists to begin checking off. Most of these lists are awesome. I have spent a lot of my time here checking off lists, and I have learned so much through the process. But I'm just now realizing that not everything I do is on my list. You have the incredible opportunity to get this right the first time. Watch Drew Dudley's TED Talk, and begin clearly defining your own list. Doing the things that are on your list is the way to get the most out of your time at UGA. |
The Secret to Having the Perfect Start to Your College Career
by third-year, Nick Toomey
The one thing...
Don't go home for the first month that you're at UGA. That's it. Simple enough. Stay in Athens for an entire month. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying zero contact with home. Feel free to call Mom every day if you need to. In fact, she'll appreciate that A LOT. Go ahead and have your family come in to town and hang out if you'd like. But do not under any circumstances go back home until you've spent 4 weekends at UGA. Why? I'm a huge advocate of learning by necessity; of putting yourself in a position of necessary action. The most efficient and effective way to adapt to a new circumstance is to immerse yourself in it completely. If you stay on campus for 30 days you will be completely surrounded by new relationships, experiences, and opportunities just waiting to make your acquaintance... BUT, this publication wouldn't exist without the second part of our mission statement. We aren't just aiming to inspire. Our mission is to inspire you to act! Yes, you will indeed have to act. In order for UGA to reveal its endless wonder to you, you must pursue it. Trust me though, if you go out searching for UGA, UGA will find you. One last thing... Thus far we've discovered that I'm advocate of learning by immersion and for vigorous, congruent action toward making your desires a reality. I AM NOT however an advocate of acting without a plan. As such, enclosed within this TCB is "The Ultimate Checklist of UGA and Athens Awesomeness" for you to go through (in no particular order) and complete in your first month of college. We racked our brains to compile all of our favorite things that we want to share with you. Because after all, why is something awesome if you never share its awesomeness with anyone else?! |
Welcome to UGA friends. Welcome to the greatest time of your life so far.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreau The Ultimate Checklist of UGA and Athens Awesomeness!!!
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YOFO
by second-year, Ryan Sichelstiel
Get ready, because you are about to be the envy of everyone.
In high school, the title of “freshman” came with being thrown in trashcans, finger pointing, and the occasional swirlie—OK, maybe this was just in the movies, but you get what I’m going for. However, this title comes with much better benefits once you come to college (but only if you ditch the neck wallet and lanyard). A first-year, notice the now dignified title, has quite possibly the best excuse right at their fingertips during the first two semesters of college, and the best part is that it is applicable to every situation. What is this powerful defense mechanism? Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present you with the college first year, world-renowned excuse—“I’m a freshman”. The greatest part about “I’m a freshman” is that it may be used an infinite amount of times (it might annoy a few upperclassmen, but trust me—it’s only because they’re jealous). |
You can use this when asking the bus driver if their buswill take you to Snelling, when asking a passing, sometimes snobby, upperclassman where the Instructional Plaza is, or even when you confuse the University of Georgia with McDonald’s and refer to your school’s symbol is “the arches”. Take advantage of your newly acclaimed title! Attend the information sessions for a handful of the 600+ clubs and organizations on campus to see if you like them andtry the daily specials in the dining halls—you’ve got unlimited access, why not?
To those of you reading this, you obviously want to make the best of your college experience. Your four—or, let’s face it, five—years here will prepare you to enter the “real world” that every one refers to, but don’t think about that just yet. Enjoy the trial and error period of college, enjoy living with 1000 of your closest friends, and a few unwanted pests, and enjoy your first year as a student at the University of Georgia. But most importantly, remember—You’re Only a Freshman Once. |
SXSW
by third-year, Austin Blouin
This past spring break, I went on a road trip with one of my closest friends to South by Southwest (SXSW). For the unacquainted, SXSW, or just “South By,” as we came to affectionately refer to it, is an incredible interactive, film, and music festival held each year in Austin. It is, in many ways, a musical Mecca – a lively hub of artistry that comes together each year in a mad, rad, and altogether awesome explosion of musicality.
Literally every single crevice of the city, from 10th Street to Red River Road, was filled with music. Every bar, every venue, every alley and every corner was host to a different set of sound waves, careening endlessly off one another and into your ears. At one point, a van swerved up to a curb near where my friend and I were walking and four lanky, tattooed individuals hopped out with instruments in tow. They proceeded to open the back of the van, which was host to a multitude of amps, plug in, and rock out until the police wouldn’t let them anymore. All this to say, that it was a wild experience, and it was one that taught me some unforgettable lessons. First, I learned the value of the here and now. SXSW has music spread out about the city. At first, we were tempted to run from venue to venue and chase the bands that we knew or had heard good things about. While there was some value in that, I found that the best moments we had were when we heard the faint sounds of something awesome, found it, and hunkered down to listen. Had we worried about what else we could’ve been doing, we would’ve missed out on the magic that was happening right in front of us. |
Second, I learned just how valuable it is to defy routine and to challenge the regular. We had no idea what we were doing at SXSW. Every day we found ourselves lost in a new part of the city, looking for a venue we had never been in to listen to a band that we hadn’t heard of. As a result of that, each moment was unforgettable. It was like being a kid again, where an hour could fly by and feel like an entire day all at the same time. If you really want to prolong your life, do something new every day – regardless of how long you actually live, you’ll feel like you’ve had multiple lifetimes of experiences.
I wanted to share those two lessons because they were unexpected by-products of what was meant to be a completely learning-free spring break. I challenge you to take these lessons with you as you step onto campus as a first year. College is your time to live in the moment and defy routine. Never again will it be this easy. These are going to be four of the best years of your life, so make sure you really savor every moment and make them last. |
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