Packing Sports Up and Bringing them Along to College

As a high school athlete of two sports, one of my biggest worries was getting into a good school that had a great softball team. My ultimate goal was to play at a DII level and get some playing time. I had quite a bit of confidence in myself and found Gannon University in Erie, Pa. I was recruited, attended the school, played softball in the Fall, and then quit. The coach made me lose my passion and love for the game. After, I trasfered to SU where I have been playing every since my sophomore year.

Many students worry whether they can balance the demanding schedule and time a sport takes in college. They worry whether they will have time to study while trying to balance practices, games, team bonding, and training. I'll be honest, I have found myself completely crazed-out and extremely overwhelmed with everything. I've had mental and emotional break downs, but the joys and love I have for the game have pushed me through all the hard times.

I know a few high school kids who have said, "I don't think I can handle a sport in college." And this is the advice I've given them. I 've told them that if you've done it during high school, balanced your work, job, sports, and your family and friends, you will be more than capable of balancing your school life and sports life in college. I would encourage any high school student to play a spot in college!

Being able to balance it all is just a time management thing. Every student has to find their own way of dealing with the stress of it all. I think that I sometimes do my work better and more in advance because I know I have a busy schedule of games and practices coming up and I need to get my work done as soon as I can. Have good time management, solid study skills, and a good focus, and you will be able to handle playing a sport in college!

GOOOO GREEK!

Here are 12 of Alpha Delta Pi's new Alphas from Bid Day February 13, 2011.

This post is all about whether or not to go Greek at the college or university you attend. Here at Susquehanna University, I wish I could say it is more popular and respected by the SU campus. As being a Greek myself, I am a huge fan and would encourage anyone to rush and find their home in one of the Greek chapters here at SU. I am proudly apart of Alpha Delta Pi, the absolute first Greek chapter in all of Greek history.

Everyone says that when joining a Frat of Sorority you are simply paying for your friends. But I would completely argue the opposite. Like any organization, you generally have to pay money or "dues" to be apart of it. Even with sports teams! Those who are Greek do not see it that way at all. No one really understands the time, dedication, and energy it takes to be Greek.

The media depicts being Greek as a huge keg party filled with sex and drama. Having a social life does come with being Greek, as any other sports team or organization, but there is a lot more to it! There's community service and time for the philanthropy of the chapter, scholarship expectations that must be upheld, and leadership positions that look great on any resume. I have made some of the best and more exciting memories while being part of a Greek chapter.

If you are one of the haters out there, saying we're all paying for our friends, I suggest you go to a recruitment party and see the hard work and dedication it takes to be Greek. I suggest that you find a friend who is Greek and stop being so ignorant and see what it really takes. I've made over 50 new friends and sisters and I would never stop being apart of the Greek system!

Another picture of ADPi's new Alphas and their cake of congratualtions.

This is me and my rommate/sister celebrating the arrival of our new sisters.

The senior Deltas of ADPi at Susquehanna University.

Senior ADPi memories!

Go Abroad!!

My roommate from Florida painted a South African flag to support the soccer team before we headed to the bar to cheer them on!

One of the most difficult decisions any college student has to make is whether to study abroad during their college career. As a junior, I took the opportunity to intern in Cape Town, South Africa for eight weeks, and it was one of the most challenging and amazing times of my life. To this day, I still cannot believe I traveled 18 hours to another continent!

Being able to place studying or interning abroad on your resume places your it in the top 33% of applicants. Many students are not required to study abroad. However, now at SU students are required to be apart of the GO program where they are required to intern or study somewhere else for at least two weeks. This can either be done in the summer or part of a semester abroad.

Here is stand in my orange outfit ready to cheer on the Netherlands. The stadium was built just for this World Cup!

Going abroad will challenge and change you. My experience is one that I will never forget as I attended the World Cup, ate at a fire-cooked ten course meal along the beach, went to a professional Rugby game, climbed to the most souther tip of Africa, and was challenged at my internship at Africhic. If ever given the opportunity to study or intern abroad, you have to do it! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and within a few years, you'll be too busy with life and work to do it!

And if given the opportunity, I highly encourage you to go to South Africa! It's a beautiful place with amazing people and such a giving culture!

Here I stand at the Cape of Good Hope; the most southern tip of Africa.

I attended a South Afrian Rugby game as they played France. It was so intense.

This is an overlook of the city if Cape Town. The pictures do not do justice.

This is the walk up to the lighthouse at the Cape of Good Hope. It was a tiring walk!

Relationship Truths

Within any relationship, telling the truth is always a key concept in having a trustworthy relationship. But how much truth is too much? For example, if the one would ask the other… do I look fat in this? Do you respond with the truth and risk potentially having an argument lasting several hours and nasty remarks back and forth? Or, do you tell a white lie just to get by?

I’ve always believed that telling the truth should be the maximum goal for both partners involved within the relationship. Yes, sometimes the truth can hurt. However, I would rather be told the absolute truth than finding out my significant other lied to me. This would cause me to question every opinion or word spoken from my other half.

I would definitely stick to the truth. Honest opinions and remarks will only help to strengthen the relationship. If you’ve done something that would cause tension or strain on the relationship, it is your fault and your partner deserves to know the truth. It will then be your responsibility in dealing with the pain you’ve caused yourself. Make sure to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

College 15

We've all heard of the freshmen 15 before heading off into the college world. As a freshman, I didn't gain my freshmen 15, luckily!! However, when I transferred to SU, I definitely put on the lbs! I think that during any year of college the 15 lbs can pile on!

This leads me into my post for today... choosing between the guilty choices of health y or junk food. The cafeteria isn’t always the best place to eat. With an unlimited amount of food, portions are less likely to become a concern. This is where the weight can really begin to pile on. If students eat at places on campus where they are given only a specific amount, they have less of a chance of piling their plates and going back for seconds or thirds.

After graduating, I have really seen some of my friends’ bodies change. They no longer take in the excessive calories due to the cafeteria choices or alcoholic drinks on the weekend. I wouldn’t be worried if the freshmen 15 have taken over your body or the 20. With the right amount of exercise and portion control, college students can control their weight gain.

So, remember your portion control and always eat breakfast. Your body has to wake up and get its’ metabolism going. Make healthier choices when it comes to snacks and don’t let the guilty choices get you down!

Carry Religion Along?

Throughout my high school years, I was forced to attend Sunday school before church and then the actual service. Without being able to decide for myself whether I would attend church or not, my past has been filled with church services, after service lunches, and a whole lot of God. With never being able to make this decision on my own, my church going ways didn't follow me into my college career. I'm sure rather sleeping in and not being forced to attend, had something to do with it as well. 

Have you ever thought about your past religious decisions and your current Godly practices? Has God been one who has followed with you from your high school years into your college years? As a college student, we are much more independent with challenges of self discipline. Again, this is a personal choice you have to make. It takes pride and drive to continue in your relationship with the church as temptations are everywhere.

Have you ever felt your college life was lacking something? Maybe it’s time to return to the church and rely on more than just yourself.

Knock 'em back or a Sober Sally?

As a college student, one of the biggest challenges you'll face is the drinking aspect. Freshmen enter into any college, religious or not, believing college is a big drunk-fest where now mommy and daddy can't watch me stumble back to my dorm room, fling open the door, literally face-plant to my bed, and spend the entire next day hungover or puking till we pop a blood vessel in our eye. However, I would have to believe that not every college student has had an encounter of that kind.

You may believe it or not, but some students don't drink and won't. Many, will enter into a party and casually bring "their own" or "milk" the liquid of the night offered by some drunk ass already at the party. I've personally even heard of a college kid who is allergic to alcohol!

Do the pressures really get to us? Is it a choice we are making to fit in or expectations of who we are supposed to be because we are college students?

Alcohol most DEFINITELY changes who people are. I've personally been dealt a crummy hand when it comes to having to deal with people when they're drunk. If you have chosen to not drink, all the power to you honey. I believe you are being much stronger than those who have decided to drink and have that face-plant in the morning. Be strong and stick to your guns.


The choice is ultimately yours. And, if you enjoy your drunkenness and feel you can be responsible and respectful, then enjoy your time as a college student. You only have the four years once. Just drink responsibly!