Finding My way

Time: 1:51 AM.

Status: Wide awake, laptop open, fingers poised and typing.

I feel it necessary to share my thoughts with the world. The coherence of these thoughts and experiences may be faulty, as 2 AM rapidly approaches. What time to I have class in the morning? That’s right, 8:00.

For the second straight evening,  I find myself wide awake into the wee hours of the morning. My roommate is awake as well, though her actions truly reflect her sleep/lack of sanity. The image of the stereotypical college student concots itself in my head. I see one who delays her studies and other tasks for weeks and weeks, until her deadline is merely hours away. Commence mad rush to finish everything in one night, complete with the sleep-deprived day to follow.

I fully expected to find several versions of this college student synonomous with procrastination everywhere at UT. Suprisingly, I have been surrounded by industrious and dilligent students thus far in my collegiate career. I realized lately that the environment surrounding a person truly effects his/her habits. My roommate Kaylee has demonstrated her dilligence several times over. She is productive to a fault, with impeccable organization. Her side of the room is always spotless, and her assignments are always completed on time, usally early.

Seeing this dedication, I can’t help but adjust my ways. Just last week my side of the room looked awful. I was about ready to call FEMA and enlist some hurricane disaster relief. After days of seeing Kaylee’s organization, I struck a burst of energy and completely organized my side of the room. Unfortunately, it was on a night when I couldn’t sleep, so it was a 2 AM cleaning spree. I don’t think Kaylee was all that thrilled. I feel so much more functional now.

My attitude and demeanor have improved drastically since I followed the example of my roomate. I always worked hard before, but now my hard work translates into efficiency. I have the best roommate ever.

Time: 2:18 AM.

Status: Accomplished. Thanks, roomie.

Did you spot any UT students walking around with unfamiliar bright green Greek letters on their shirts today? Maybe you saw those students making odd hand gestures at each other. The answer is no, there is not a new fraternity/sorority on campus.

Sophomore honor society Lambda Sigma is a national organization. Our chapter at The University of Toledo consists of sixteen members, all of whom are in the top ten percent of the sophomore class. Together, we form the Alpha Psi chapter.

While Lambda Sigma stands on four pillars of leadership, scholarship, fellowship, and service, the Alpha Psi chapter has added another unoffical pillar–energy. Each member enthusiastically supports any type of endeavor within the group, whether that means taking part in a philanthropy walk for the Sunshine Children’s Home, creating social events to foster fellowship, or taking on the challenge to increase the member count, all involved willingly jump in immediately. No one person ever needs to shoulder all the responsibility, as all hold themselves accountable for the success of the group.

Lambda Sigma’s Alpha Psi chapter strongly dedicates itself to serving the Toledo community, the University included. At the same time, all involved grow and form strong bonds of fellowship with one another strong enough to create the “Lambda Llama” hand signal. If you are a second-year student interested in serving the community and building new friendships, contact me by leaving a comment on this post or e-mail president Heather Griffin at heather.griffin@rockets.utoledo.edu. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a good llama?

How many people out there can say they have ridden a scooter and bicycle around their room? I just became one of them. If my RA is reading this, I apologize. My new residence hall room in Ottawa House West is amazing!

Three of my closest friends and I share a spacious suite in UT’s newest residence hall, which was opened in 2004. We have two bedrooms, a common area, and a bathroom. Our common area comes complete with a couch and armchair, plus shelves we use as a TV stand. All of our furniture is new. It doesn’t get much better than this!

That being said, I must be honest and say I miss living in the Academic House. I have come to believe that a college student’s first residence hall room will always be his/her home while experiencing college life. The community we built on the second floor of A-House last year was incredible. Aileen, our resident advisor, welcomed all the girls on the floor and encouraged us to get to know one another. Some of the best memories I have made so far at UT were with the girls I bonded with at A-House.

While I miss living in the Academic House, it is only fair that I step aside and let a new community of residents experience the wonders it has to offer. I have been priveleged enough to meet and spend time with many of the girls that live in the rooms in which I spent so much of my time last year. They are all so wonderful! They have already built an exceptionally strong community in their halls and have formed inseperable bonds. Seeing this is truly a pleasure for me.

Living on campus provides students with an unforgettable experience. I encourage all students to take advantage of residential living at UT. Who knows, you could even have the space to ride a scooter (with wheels that light up, of course) into your friend’s room!