Posted on

M I D T E R M S

Matthew Silberstein, a student of the Class of 2018 and a superb supervisor, suggested that I write about this topic since Holy Cross does indeed give exams. Here’s the truth: we often don’t reflect on stressful times, because of the whole out of sight, out of mind thing and I guess I’d been doing that a lot on this blog when it comes to midterms.

Senior year, though, calls for a revisit to midterm seasons and the such, as this might be the last time I endure these trying times. That being said, everyone deals with assignments and exams in different ways. What seems like a chill week for me might be a hectic week for someone else. However, I’ve written this with experiences of friends and myself in mind, so it is authentic and hopefully beneficial to all:

  1. Get ahead. Cliche, maybe, but oh so true. If I took the time to get ahead in terms of studying or starting a paper and didn’t wait until the last possible second to begin studying or submit the aforementioned paper, I would be much happier. Also, I could watch that Netflix Original without all the surrounding guilt.
  2. Talk to your professors. Office Hours can seem daunting, even discouraging, but they are especially helpful. Who better to go to with your questions about the course than the person who created it? It seems obvious, but I’ve definitely forgotten this time and time again (I’m looking at you, Bio Midterm).
  3. Don’t forget to eat. To echo the sentiment from #2, this probably seems obvious, but it needs to be said. I’m the kind of person who gets a migraine if I don’t eat for a long period of time and then once I have a migraine, my desire to do any work diminishes for some unclear reason. Moral of the story, always have a snack packed. 
  4. Be a human. Maybe you’re thinking, “Okay, so this list has gotten increasingly odd” and perhaps it has, but hear me out. Finals are stressful, stress can cause unhappiness, and unhappy people sometimes get cranky. Be human during these times, because we are probably all overwhelmed. So buy your friend a coffee, don’t leave your stuff overnight on a desk in the library (or at least don’t do this every night), smile encouragingly at someone on the way to Kimball, and if your friend does get cranky, don’t hold it against them. Maybe give them that snack you packed. 

 

Michael DeSantis ’18 cradling his lengthy readings last year.

 

 

Photo from left to right: Tessie Salatas ’18 and Matt Silberstein ’18 doing work.

 

A visual of me (or rather of my foot) in real time in real midterm season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Posted on

Senior Summer

Weird.

Next year I’ll be a senior. The majority of my friends will be seniors. I have been blogging since my first year, so those memories are documented and dear to my heart. This senior year, however, is probably going to go by faster than the past three. So, I thought I’d start blogging about it earlier — now, in the summer.

Packing up my belongings in Wheeler was not only other-worldly, it was also bittersweet. Living in a first-year building for three years is rare and people always questioned how I did it. The truth is, it was amazing. It is true that first year RAs have to do a lot, that some nights are crazy loud, and the halls aren’t always the cleanest. However, there is always a sense of joy and the great future of possibilities in those buildings. For most of its residents, that building represents the start of their college career! I got to experience that fresh-faced, beautiful atmosphere three times in a row. I count that as a blessing. Three years on the third floor of Wheeler could not have been more perfect.

Next year, I’ll be living in Figge, one of the senior apartments. I’ll finally be living with my grade again, with my friends down the hall and my peers all around me. It’ll be a transition, seeing as I’ve only ever worked as an RA for first years. However, our Figge staff is fantastic. Though the building will be full of different kind of atmosphere, that same sense of joy and future of possibilities will still surround me — just in an alternative way. I mean, we’re starting the next chapters of our lives in Figge. I can’t even imagine how strange and wonderful it’ll all be.

So this summer, as I snapchat those returning from abroad and those departing for it, as I cry-laughing texting those who I’ll be seeing every day come September, and as I tearfully (and repeatedly) say goodbye to those who have finished their last year on the Hill, I’ll keep this blog updated. Holy Cross gave me memories and family for a lifetime; it feels only right that I share these sentiments with those thinking of coming here as well.
Posted on

Round Two

Hello, everyone! Summer is over and school has begun. Also, my title is a pun.

Please excuse my rhyming, but I’m just that excited to be back on the Hill. My title is a pun because I actually returned two weeks earlier than most sophomores for RA Training. Also, my roommate from last year, Madeleine, and I are ready for round two in Wheeler! Madeleine is actually running around right now (that’s how excited she is). Here she is below.

CTMadeleine&Katrina

Also, living in Wheeler again–wheels go round, round two, bam. Okay, no more puns. Let’s talk about sophomore year.

Sophomore year has already proven to be quite hard. It seems that classes are more difficult and professors have higher expectations and the whole atmosphere just feels different.

However, that does not mean I am not looking forward to this year. In fact, challenge accepted. I feel that once you live here at Holy Cross, once you become so immersed in the culture and the organizations here, you honestly feel like you can do mostly anything — and I really believe you can.

Here on the Hill there is so much support. For example, RA Training. Training was, without a doubt, one of the most exciting (and nerve-wracking) experiences of my life. We had extremely busy days, but they were filled with so much fun and friendliness that it rarely felt draining. Here’s the lovely, fantastic Wheeler staff below.

IMG_4848

IMG_4857

The whole theme was Harry Potter — it was interesting for me. I know nothing about that whole series, so it was really cool to see how into it people were. Robes were worn and spells were cast — that’s all I’ll say about that (there’s Wheeler staff below with wands). Furthermore, the importance of our jobs were really emphasized, something I really appreciated.

FullSizeRender-2

Though it is a job, we are really supposed to serve as resources for the students overall. I honestly love getting to know others and helping them, so I am super enthusiastic for this year.

That’s all for right now. I actually have to do rounds for duty with one of our senior RAs Derek — he says hi.

So, the blog-take away is: All years on the Hill are great years on the Hill. You can go ’round anywhere, and you’ll always love it. 
Posted on

Frozen on the Hill

Are you freezing? No? That’s cool.

I wouldn’t say I’m freezing, but I’m close to it. Truth be told, Winter is my least favorite season. I absolutely love the gorgeousness of the snow, but I can’t say I love the chilliness or sporadic snowballs here on campus. Honestly, I felt like I was on the set of Sharkboy and Lava Girl walking through mountains of snow.

Maybe you’re like me, someone who isn’t the biggest fan of snow and you’re wondering if you should attend Holy Cross. Let me tell you, it’s definitely worth it. The friends you make here and the professors you meet will make the snow seem as nothing.

HOWEVER, I will encourage you to stock up on Winter clothes. Right now, we are in our second snowstorm. Yes, second snowstorm. Classes were not cancelled this time, either. Please, make sure you bring your Winter boots, Winter coats, gloves, thick pants, and blankets galore.

Anyways, though this weekend was quite chilly, my friends and I went to watch the musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” here at Holy Cross. The cast was absolutely incredible and they received a standing ovation at the end! It was well worth it, regardless of the treacherous walk to the theater (did I mention I don’t like snow)?

I guess what I’m trying to say is that there is still something to do on campus, even if it’s covered in the snow. Last Friday it was Extreme Bingo, which I heard was actually super extreme. Being Frozen on the Hill also means lots of inside parties. I promise you will have something to do if you don’t feel like going out.

Let’s also not forget about the true snowy advantage of going to Holy Cross — SLEDDING. It might be the cliche freshmen thing to do, but it is no doubt a FUN thing to do. I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea (really, snow + Katrina = mayhem), but I’m actually really glad I did it.

So, the blog take-away is: I will get wicked cold up on the Hill, but nevertheless I will make wicked friends, memories, and snow-angels. 

 

photo-4photo-3
Posted on

Winter Wishes

Hello!

Winter is upon on us. As of right now, classes have been cancelled tomorrow due to the imminent blizzard.

Therefore, my fantastic roommate and I have declared today as Netflix Day (I mean, does that not sound calendar-worthy? Stay posted for possible petition). In all seriousness, one should know that “snow days” are rare in college. After all, we are adults.

Beside the fact that I’ll have a day free of classes, I’m also really excited for the scenery. Though I’m not a huge fan of Winter, I am in love with the beauty of snow-covered trees and hills. The Holy Cross campus is especially gorgeous in both Fall and Winter, so there’ll be great photo-ops for all you perspective artsy folk! See beautiful pictures below!

Moreover, cancelled classes really gives me time to rest, because this weekend I participated in Holy Cross’ Dance Marathon. The Dance Marathon is a wonderful event created to support the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation, “a leading organization dedicated to identifying, funding and conducting basic pediatricHIV/AIDS research.”

This year there were about 200 dancers AND we raised a ton of money for the foundation. Oh, and did I mention the marathon is 12 hours? Yes, we started at 8pm and danced until 8am. Needless to say, cancelled classes is like a dream.

Now we relax, dear friends, if only for a little while. Tomorrow is really catch-up day in college terms. We will all be taking it easy, but we will all be studying hard — if that makes any sense.

So the blog take-away is: Winter is going to be brutal, but beautiful on the Hill. It is very, very rare that I will have a snow day, but if I do, then I will declare that day as Netflix Day and support Katrina’s petition. 🙂 

photo-1 photo-2 FullSizeRender FullSizeRender-1