The Ultimate Technology Fast Part 1

A couple weeks ago, my teacher for Digital Media told our class how there was an extra credit assignment coming up about how we had to go a week without using Twitter, Facebook, our cell phone, and our student e-mail. Earlier this year, I had to go a day without any technology (computer could be used for school purposes) and I also had to go without my cell phone for a week. I talk about my day without technology here. I think after doing both of those technology fasts, I feel confident that I can do this one, but there is definitely a lot more to give up on this one for this week. Here are some of my thoughts on each of the things I have to give up:

No Twitter. Twitter is just the perfect place to say whatever is on my mind whether it's a song lyric that I think is catchy, a complaint about how it's Monday and I already want the week to be over, or even if it's a good thing like how I finally finished all of my homework. I think these could all be things I could express in other ways either to people or on paper, so I am thinking that this could be the easiest thing to give up.

No Cell Phone. Hands down, this will be the hardest technology to give up for the week. My parents always tell me that I am glued to my phone and it's something that I rely on too much, which I'm beginning to think is true. I use my phone for calling, texting, the Internet, an alarm clock, a calendar, and a calculator in my statistics class. This week, I am going to have to get used to using an actual calculator, using my alarm clock, and relying on post-it notes to remind me of certain events.

No Facebook. This is really only going to be a struggle with talking to my friends from home since I mainly use Facebook for that reason. Also, Facebook is just one of those sites that you always kind of end up on and you don't really understand how you even got there in the first place. So, I'm afraid that I could potentially happen, but I might consider having people change my passwords for the week.

No Student E-mail. With the amount of e-mails we receive from programs and teachers, this one is concerning me a lot. I rely on e-mail to get information about my classes and about events going on in the school.

Weekend Festivities

With this week being surprisingly so nice outside (as shown above as people are laying out on the grass), it was a bummer that it got so cold out again this weekend. Okay, maybe not THAT cold but  after a week of temperatures reaching the high 80s, the 50 degree weather this weekend seemed pretty cold.  Besides the weather being a little bit chillier than usual, there was a lot going on this weekend.

On Friday, the three singing groups, Acabellas (which blogger Gabbi is in), Sleepless Knights, and MikeCheck performed in the courtyard. They sang a lot of popular songs like King of Anything by Sara Bareilles, Fix You by Coldplay, and awesome mashups of some Michael Jackson songs.

Then before seeing the spring concert which was last night, I went with my friends to see The Hunger Games. Note to self: There are a lot of dedicated Hunger Games fans, which I don't think I can call myself yet since I've only read the first book in the series.We got there thirty minutes before the movie started and there was still a huge line!

Line outside of the Roxy Theater in Burlington

Then, later last night, we had our spring concert and the musical guest was Jay Sean with his opening acts Jason Es, who a student at UVM, and J-Boog. Student Association made the concert free to all students, so it was awesome! Unfortunately, I missed the openers, but here are some songs by them.






and here's some of Jay Sean from last night:

Spring Break

Before the start of break, I found out that I'll be a tour guide next year for Saint Mike's!  I couldn't think of a better way to start off vacation, even though I wasn't really going anywhere for break. For my spring break, I went back to my hometown, Salem, NH and I also made a trip to Old Saybrook, CT to visit my grandma and my cousins. With spring break being in the beginning of March, I thought it was going to be freezing when I got back home. But, I don't think this winter has been a typical New England winter (which is fortunate for me since I'm not the biggest fan of the cold!) All this week, the temperatures were in the 50-60s. I'm hoping that this week is hinting that winter is over and spring has finally begun!

Here are some pictures from when I was home on spring break!

 It was so nice that me and my friends decided to go to Hampton Beach. On the left, me and my friend Krystal On the right, me and my friend Angela.

On Thursday, I went to Connecticut with my mom to visit my grandma. We went to the Clinton and Westbrook shopping outlets. Above is a picture of me, my grandma, and my cousin.

Wednesday was probably the nicest day of break. Me and my friends Krystal and Jess decided to go to the park. Along the way, we found this bike just chilling, so why not attempt to go for a ride on it? As the picture shows, it's just a little too small for me...

To end the break, me and my friends Jamie (next to me) and Krystal (in green) went to Southern New Hampshire University to visit our friend, Joanna (on far left). 

It was good being home for a while, but now it's time to go back to school, back to school! (as Adam Sandler from Billy Madison sings below)

Housing Options for Sophomores

Last Friday, students received their lottery number next year for housing. The numbers are assigned randomly. Basically, the better number you get, the better options you have for housing next year. It's good because if you don't get that good of a number and the person you are rooming with does, then they take the better number out of the two.

For sophomores, here are the options for housing:

Founder's Hall, located near the academic buildings, has single and double rooms.

Alumni Hall, which is part of the Quad that is also with Ryan Hall, Joyce Hall, and Lyons Hall. It's open to sophomores and juniors with double rooms and some single rooms.

In order from left to right: Hamel Hall, Purtil Hall, and Linnehan Hall. All three of these buildings to live at are located on North Campus, which is a mile north from the main campus. A plus about living in these buildings is that there are kitchens and lounges. It's also pretty easy to get to North Campus and back to main campus by the shuttles that run every fifteen minutes.

Then, there's also a chance for sophomores to apply for suites. Usually, you have a better chance at getting a suite if you are in GREAT housing or Honors housing, but it never hurts to try and go for one. I was pretty fortunate because me and my friend Lhanzi (who is currently rooming with my friend and fellow blogger, Alex) did not have to go through the lottery system this year. We applied to Ambassador Housing and we found out earlier last week that we got it! We will be living in a four person suite with two international students next year in Pontigny Hall. Here's what all three suites look like:

Cashman, Pontigny, and Canterbury Hall.  All suites include a common room that comes with couches, tables, and chairs, individual bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and a refrigerator. 

For first-year housing options, you can find information about that here.

Look forward to my next post about how my spring break was!

tweet, formspring!

Research Paper Tips

This week being the week before spring break has been filled with some of my teachers piling on some last minute work (teachers always pick the best timing, don't they?) At this point, I am more than ready for break. I'm excited to go home to see my friends and family and it's also to have a nice week off to chill and to not have to worry about any schoolwork. Unfortunately, it is still only Tuesday and my week is far from over since I have a test and a presentation that I have to prepare for. Luckily, I already felt somewhat of a huge weight off of my shoulders since I passed in my research paper for Digital Media today. Research papers can sometimes be dreaded once assigned but here are some tips to help make the overall process of writing one easier and less stressful :)

Give yourself enough time to work.  The last thing you want to do is get all of your research for the paper the night before. I've have had my moments of procrastinating, which only leads to all-nighters and a lot of unnecessary stress. Giving yourself enough time to work will help out a lot better because you will have a better idea of what you are going to say once it is time to write the paper.

Gather the information. 

This usually requires a good old trip to the Durick Library to get credible book sources. I've been here for almost full two semesters and the only things I know how to do in the library are study hard in the cubicles, print off papers, and type up papers in the computer lab. There are still a lot of things to find out in the library, so this research paper gave me a good chance to explore the book sections. Also, it never really hurts to ask anyone at the front desk for help if you don't have any idea where to start to look because they're always really helpful. 

Take notes on the text. Whether you write on post it notes, notebook paper, or index cards, it always helps to take some sort of notes to organize all of your information. That way, you can have all the things you need for in text citations and the bibliography.

 Use available resources around campus. Downstairs in the library, there is the writing center where many writing coaches are available to help you out if you are having any troubles with your paper. I went there last semester a lot for assistance on papers for my first year seminar, The Examined Life. I received a lot of beneficial feedback that made me feel more prepared and confident in writing my paper. Also, your teacher is another good resource because they are familiar with the subject of your paper. Teachers usually have very flexible office hours and if they aren't available the same time you are, they generally respond to e-mails quickly. 

tweet, formspring if you have any more questions about research papers or anything else in general!

 

Mardi Gras Parade in Burlington

In Burlington, there is usually a big Mardi Gras parade every year on the main street. It started today at 3, but me and my friends went there a little earlier to check out the other festivities on Church Street.

Here are some pictures from today! (Photo Cred to my friend Brianna)