Making the Most of Thanksgiving Break

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Thanksgiving Break is upon us. Soon we will be wherever we call home with our families (by birth or by choice), and celebrate the national holiday (no school for anyone). I don't know about you, but Thanksgiving has never been my favorite holiday, or even my second favorite (#CHRISTMAS FOR LIFE), but this year I'll be going back home to see my family and what my new home looks like. My mom moved to Missouri, a place I've never been to before, and I'm excited to see my new room and reorganize it in a way so that it looks less like a storage locker. I plan to relax and have some fun, but I also want to use those extra 192 hours of free time to better myself and show my appreciation for the people I love.

Here are the top 5 ways I plan to make the most of my Thanksgiving Break:

1. Avoiding Toxic and Anxiety-Provoking Situations

I have two main family groups: my mother's and my father's. This became confusing, since my father remarried and my step-mother's family became the third main family. The holidays have always been a hassle since it seemed that I was always hurting someone's feelings by choosing one location over another, but now I'm comfortable with my decisions and realize that I need to do what makes me happy. I'm not obligated to spend my time with anyone that I don't want to, and being a grown woman (20 years old, for goodness sake) means that I make my own decisions and everyone has to respect that. If you have a hectic, dysfunctional family life, you know where I'm coming from. 

I don't have a car, I don't know how to drive, and I'm a broke college kid. I do my best to live within my means and make the best decisions for where I am in life. It's unrealistic for anyone to expect me to make trips across the country to see them, and quite frankly it's both irresponsible and disrespectful for anyone to tell me how to live my life when my best interest is clearly not their priority. Whew, now that I've got that out of my system, I can say with certainty that I will be celebrating my holidays how I choose to. 

2. Starting New Holiday Traditions

Speaking of celebrating the holiday, I'd like to start some new traditions on the family. I'm away at college, my older cousin has a job, and we're all scattered across the Midwest. All of us kids are no longer kids, so we can start changing things up a bit. Normally we'd all go to Grandma's or my aunt's and watch TV or chat about our lives since we last saw each other - the previous week, or July - then, we'd eat together all the delicious food that was made. I'm an adult now, so I need to come up with my own dish to contribute. My mom always does the Mac N'Cheese, now vegan Mac N'Cheese, my Grandma the meats, and my aunt the pies. My uncle's started bringing fancy wine, and my little cousin made regular Mac N'Cheese. I want to make a desert since sweets are my favorite part of all meals, but I'm not sure what yet. 

I think it'd be nice for everyone to start bringing our favorite photos to share with one another. A lot was lost when my childhood home flooded and later caught fire, but a lot was saved, and it's been years since then. I think this will be a great way for me to open up to my family, since I'm still the shy one. We can talk about family we haven't seen in a long time and come up with more ideas together. Besides coming up with my special dish to contribute, I can also take the initiative of one of our current traditions and make it something that I do every year. I think setting the table and deciding where everyone should sit is the best option for me. I can even make decorations, though we'd run out of space for food if I did that. 

3. Spend All My Money (that I've budgeted) on Christmas Presents

I've been adding trinkets and toys to my shopping list all year, but now's the time to decide on my budget for gifts and watch for those sales. The moment I turned 18, I was no longer a child, but I'm a winter-baby so I was given special treatment. Freshman year, I gave family members what I deemed to be my best creations from the ceramics class, but last year I was at a complete loss. I spent so much time being nervous and sad that I was so broke after paying for my tuition, that I didn't buy anything. I decided to just give hugs and sign on my mom's gifts, and was surprised that everyone was fine with that. This year is different, I will sign my own gifts and will no longer depend on my mother to know what to purchase! I'm still broke, but I'm more determined than ever, and I know I can give everyone the gifts they deserve. 

4. Opening Up to My Loved Ones

Keeping in touch can be difficult while in college, because it seems like I'm the only one reaching out. The friends I was once close to are gone now, but, they're really not. I've always been the shy one  and the reserved one, so people tend to keep their distance until I reach out. It's a sucky feeling not being comfortable talking to people, especially when I know that they will whole heartily welcome me. But now's the time to decide who I want to be in my life and whose lives I want to be a part of. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to call up everyone I went to grade school with, but I will show my appreciation for those who have put up with me over the years.

I love writing letters. Writing allows me to express myself and take the time to reflect on my words. I can rephrase sentences to better convey their true meaning. Thanksgiving is when I open up to my family, but this year I plan to open up to everyone who calls me their family. I won't expect anyone to write back, I won't expect anyone be positive and thank me, and won't expect anyone to be negative and curse at me. I'm writing because I want to speak my truth and I know that I'll feel better once I do. This is my break from my routine, so I won't waste this chance.

5. Catching Up On My Notes and Finishing Assignments
If I spend three days of the break focusing on academics, then I can spend the other days relatively stress free. I need to catch up on my astronomy notes, and I'm not exaggerating when I say this will be the death of me. Memorization is not my thing, and I've definitely procrastinated on rewriting my notes. I'm hoping to write complete notes based on the book, that way I can say that I tried. I also need to finish all the papers needed for my ACP binder, and write my final Personality paper! You see, there's work I enjoy doing. I'll have plenty of time to not do homework over winter break.

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While it'd be cool to have a list of 10 things I plan to do, I don't. Unrealistic expectations are something I've been trying to avoid, plus my homework adds at least four items to this list. Let's make Thanksgiving an amazing experience. Don't be discouraged if past holidays haven't gone so well. You have the power to decide how you will live your life; It's the blessing of being born human. If Thanksgiving tends to be a magical time for you, congrats, you've won the lottery. All in all, we should all use this break from classes to our advantage. Whether you're working every day, playing video games all night, or trying to keep your kid siblings from killing each other I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. I originally wanted to make a list of things NOT to do over the holiday, but really who wants to read about that? Just make the most of the time you have and appreciate the life that you live. 

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Finding a study spot

As my friends would know, I am a hard person to find on campus if you don't know where I am. I believe that the study space makes or breaks your ability to study. This means whether or not you can focus, if it will be productive, or if you have access to information if you need.

Most people use their desks in their room or go to the library. These are great options, but if your roommates are a little loud or if there aren't any study rooms left in the library, you'll want somewhere to go. I hope to tell you a few good spots, not only on campus but in Cedar Rapids.

My favorite place to study is in the classrooms.
As a physics major, I use either a lot of paper or a lot of expo markers. One of the places that supply me with not only whiteboards, but also with markers is the physics classroom. Every wall is covered with them and I have several colors to write with. Plus for me, it is the classroom I take my classes and tests in so it's the most effective place for me to study since it is where I will take my tests.

It is also a wonderful place to find resources since professors are just down the hall and the lounge (which is also just down the hall) generally has upper class students who can help answer my questions. Another reason why I like this area is because I have requested my tutoring be in the classroom. It is a convenience for both me and my tutor since we are both in the building somewhere around the time that we meet up on Thursdays.

Other classrooms that are good to study in would be in Hickok, another favorite to go to for whiteboards, due to it's ability to host study parties and there are enough classrooms that at least one if generally open for use. The whiteboards and TV are also really nice to use. I've studied for my French classes in these rooms and had Youtube playing music on the TV or running notes that I'd found. This is also good for setting up personal viewings of movies if you don't want to go down to the audio visual center in the library.

Kali Fall Break

Hello!
I hope everyone's fall break went super well and we are ready to get on with the second quarter!

I was able to go on the physics field trip to drive all the way to Madison, Wisconsin to find out some information on graduate programs and life as a graduate student from a 2016 graduate of the physics department! This was my first trip with them so I wasn't completely sure what to expect. Happily enough though, it was a lot of good food and company. In fact, our first stop was Mario's Italian Restaurant. A small location, roughly two hours away, with really friendly people who had a good humor.

Ordering food with Doc is something that I have to admit is a little different, but positively so. Rather than us all order our own dishes, he believes that it is much better to order several dishes that many of us want to try out and we pass them along the table, similarly to a family dinner at home. This worked amazingly well. Not only were we saving a little bit of money by not ordering a dish per person, we also were able to try out several things and have just enough to avoid leftovers that would have been ruined in the microwave.

A picture I took while in Mario's
They were starting to bring out the
appetizers!

At the end of every meal with the physics department, I was introduced to the bill tradition. Rather than just paying and leaving like most do, the department plays a game to guess the bill. Everyone puts in a dollar and then writes a guess of how much the bill is on a piece of paper or napkin and passes it to a designated person who is the referee of the game. They will organize everyone's guesses and look at the bill to see who was the closest. It is always a fun time and especially to hear some of the guesses. For this round, someone had guessed around 500 dollars. (That just goes to show how much food we had at our table.)

After our meal, we discussed where our next destination was and we set off for another two hour drive.

The college we went to was the University of Madison-Wisconsin, where we met up with one of Dr.Feller's past students. He was a glass researcher on campus and was really happy to show us his college. The campus was huge compared to Coe and the overall culture was completely different. I had honestly forgotten what if felt like to be on such a large campus.

We got a tour of a couple of their research facilities, the first being the biology area since they had done a cooperation with them. This tour didn't last very long since it was restricted access and we had such a large group. The next facility was where they kept most of their machinery. We got to see first hand how some of the students gathered data with a gigantic microscope, which was so sensitive that if you shut a door from the floor above, it would shake the image.

After looking around their campus, we all drove to get dinner at an amazing Mediterranean restaurant. This meal was a little more hectic than the last since we had a bit of car trouble. The Alumnae that toured us around the campus were invited to come with us but on their way to dinner their car broke down and no one had a working cell phone. While we waited we talked with the others in our group and listened to Doc tell stories about his experiences with students in other field trips.

After a bit of time passed, Doc decided that we shouldn't wait too long and starve everyone else that was present, so he began to order food, making sure to include enough for the group that got lost for when they got here. Shortly after we finished eating, which meant we were already there for a couple of hours or so, the lost car had showed up and was delighted to have the leftovers after their stressful drive.

Now it was time to drive another hour to our hotel.

I don't mind night driving, but it did make me a little nervous since the route we were taking took us down twisty roads, down hill, and pitch black since there were no street lights. Once we arrived, we were separated into our rooms until morning for breakfast and to head to our next destination.

Around lunch we were guided to a small building by a fast moving river. When we moved inside, we found a gift shop with many different pieces of art and decorated goods like coasters, pens, umbrellas, pictures, statues, and even different kinds of coffee mugs! Doc would announce soon that we would be going on a tour about Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator who believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture. 

Our tour guide was an older man who had retired from teaching world history. While admittedly I wasn't too interested in architecture, he did a wonderful job of keeping us all interested. With subtle jokes slipped in here and there, as well as the occasional Star Wars reference, he was able to make all of us laugh at least once along the hour long tour. 

After this trip, it was time to get food one last time and then head home. 

We traveled another 2 hours to our destination, stopping to get gas and snacks since we had already missed lunch, and found ourselves in the town of Galena. It is a wonderful place stopped in time of WWII, various kinds of shopping down the main street, and is home to the national historic landmark of  Ulysses S. Grant. Our group split up and we all headed out to get food before doing a bit of sight seeing. I absolutely adore "touristing" places: a term I use for getting excited about walking around a place you've not been before and just letting curiosity roam. I found that I really enjoyed the culture of the town and many of the shops contained things that I would gladly come back for. 

I bought a few chocolates at "Chocolat' 229" which were gourmet chocolates that I am still savoring a week later. After a quick walk around the rest of the town, we met up with our passengers and began the drive back home. We were all having a really good time on the way back, talking about what we did in the town and it seemed that we had all opened up a little bit more.

The trip was probably one of the better ones that I have been on and I can't wait to go on another adventure with the famous physics professor Doc Feller. 

Perfectionism: Overcoming Procrastination

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It’s been a while since I last talked about my battle with perfectionism. As a refresher, I believe that our thoughts and behaviors are intertwined, so while I’ve been altering my perspective I’ve been actively adding new habits (and breaking some old ones). For example, I no longer meticulously count how long it takes me to complete assignments, nor do I stay up past midnight. I’ve set boundaries for myself and others, so I won’t feel as overworked or burdened. I set my alarm to 7:45 instead of 7:15, giving myself a bit more time to sleep and get closer to my eight hour goal. I always take time to reflect on my day and listen to my favorite songs to help boost my mood. Reading Nemesis is a challenge, because I bought You over the weekend, and Ms. Marple has lost her appeal. I bought six books at the library’s book sale and I need to read all of them, eventually. See, I made progress! I won't feel down if I don't finish Nemesis, maybe it's not its time to shine. Today is all about the final tool to overcoming perfectionism: overcoming procrastination. 

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What is procrastination? I’ve spent the past two weeks trying to figure that out, and I’ve discovered that it’s essentially a combination of many factors. Were you hoping for a simple definition? It can simplified, but this definition would be less accurate since we all procrastinate in different ways depending on our underlying issues. According to Procrastination.com, putting things off intentionally or habitually is the meaning of the word I’ve already repeated far too many times. I think the key word is habitually. For example, I always say I’m going to go to the gym and get back the six-pack I had when I was 17, but I never do. I don’t think to myself “I’m going to skip today’s workout so I can waste my time and watch more TV”. I simply allow myself not to do it, every single time. I can make the time to workout, but I don’t. I firmly believe that putting things off intentionally is not inherently procrastinating, since that definition fits laziness perfectly. Laziness is not doing something you know you should be doing, just because you don’t want to (boo hoo). If I had all the time and resources, chose not to handle my responsibilities, and was fine with that I’d be lazy. I’d be committing one of the seven deadly sins (sloth). Later on, the website itself states that procrastination is not laziness, stating that those who procrastinate feel guilt from their actions. Perhaps the fine line between the two is paved with remorse.

Since it’s often easiest to understand procrastination by accepted what it isn’t: laziness or relaxation (Procrastination.com), let's discuss the differences to get a clear picture. I thought that the action of procrastinating was just a nice way to rephrase pure laziness. If someone lacks the motivation to do what they need to do, and doesn’t follow through on their commitments, then they are lazy. I equated this to procrastination, but the two are not the same. Procrastination means to delay. Procrastinators will delay tasks that invoke more anxiety, or are more challenging, in favor of more favorable tasks. The time they could be working on their term paper, they substitute with completing easier assignments or watching YouTube videos. They will eventually write their term paper, but since they delayed its completion the result may be less than satisfactory. Procrastinators are known to say that they work better under pressure, but most sources say the opposite. For example, students who wait until the night before to start a project - or later than they should’ve - typically regret not starting sooner. This concept of guilt and anxiety over actions is what separates the lazy student from the average procrastinator. As you can tell, procrastinating isn't associated with positive emotions in the long run. It's a series of giving into immediate gratification, which doesn't have lasting benefits.

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I didn’t consider myself to be good at relaxing. I mean, I never take naps and I don’t do yoga on Mondays. I knew that I needed more free time in my schedule to help decrease the chances of burnout (still happened), but the question of how to relax always got to me. Somewhere along the way I accepted that I’m doing just fine. The hunt for the perfect relaxation techniques was just another way for my perfectionism to obsess over something. Last week, I realized that I’ve been slacking on my work. It shouldn’t take me so long to finish my homework, and I’ve been easily distracted by my phone. Playing video games, watching TV, going for walks, etc… can all be great ways to alleviate some stress. But once you’re not getting your work done efficiently or you’re feeling stressed that you’re not doing something else, it’s time for change. Practicing patience and delaying gratification can be very helpful when trying to kill bad habits. Waiting until your homework is done to play video games, or being on your phone in short periods during breaks are great starting points.

Psychology Today - a journal with hundreds of articles by psychologists - suggests that perfectionists are often procrastinators. This may seem to be some type of mistake, but it isn’t. Those who set high expectations for themselves have to find ways to alleviate their high anxiety. Perfectionists may be too conscientious and become anxious when they don’t work on many assignments, or they may delay that anxiety for a later date. They could overload their schedules and fill their days with activities (fighting to reach each goal) or they could use these activities as distractions for work they should be getting done. Individuals may become overwhelmed and push things off until the last minute, either intentionally or unintentionally. Similar causes lead to different behaviors depending on the individual and how they handle stress. Too much of anything can be bad, so it’s always better to be somewhere in the middle rather than on two extremes. 

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Do not worry, you are not resigned to your fate to procrastinate; there is always hope. The first step is to see the problem, accept that it is a problem, and decide that you’re going to do something about it. Hopefully, after learning more about procrastination you’ve realized that it’s manageable. Changing your mindset and your behavior takes time (which requires patience) and effort (which requires motivation). In my case, the fear of failure and messing up resulted in me consuming more multimedia than normal as a way to keep my anxiety down. I was accepting immediate reward in exchange for a false sense of security and control. I noticed the change in my behavior and decided to find the answer explaining why I was behaving this way.

I accept that I struggle with relaxing and letting myself off the hook for things outside of my control. When everything felt outside of my control I had no idea how to react. Why couldn’t I work, study, do my homework, fulfill my officer duties, hang out with my friends, reach out to others, and take the time to be alone to recover from the day? Why couldn’t I do all the things I knew I could do if I tried harder? Face it, some things are outside of our control. But, there is always something we can do to make our situations better. Perfectionists, like me, struggle to hold realistic expectations for themselves, so taking things step by step and holding pride in your progress are great ways to steadily change. If you struggle with procrastination and/or perfectionism I encourage you to look through the sites down below and to read my previous Perfectionism posts. As I continue on this journey, I hope that you will continue to see the benefits of taking one step at a time and making a little more progress every day.

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Sources and Helpful Links

Anxiety Canada: Perfectionism Self-Help Guide 

Common Causes: Psychology Today

Procrastination Definition and Examples: Procrastination.com and Psychology Today
Procrastination Myths: The Myth of Working Better Under Pressure

Procrastination vs Laziness: Psychology Today and Success Story.com
Procrastination vs Relaxation: Pick the Brain

Accomplishments: Week 11

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One needs to reflect regularly on their past actions and present endeavors 
to combat isolation, discouragement, and uneasiness.

~Dr Prem Jagyasi

I sat on the bench and watched the leaves fall to my feet. 

A squirrel jumped into a mud pile to grab a nut, which was quickly snatched from its claws by a greedy thief who ran across the path and up a tree. I was lost and confused after the career fair. I knew that I accomplished so much, but I never felt that way before. I would doze off and daydream instead of working on assignments. I would waste time scrolling through social media. I needed to do something, but I didn’t know what, so I sat on that bench and looked towards the sun. Its warmth helped cool my headache. My closest friend came and sat down with me. This was when I realized why I felt so off. 

1. The Clinical Psychology Panel 

To start the week, we had our clinical psychology panel in ACP (Applied Contemporary Psychology). I thought I knew what I wanted to do, at least after graduation: go to grad school, become a lab assistant, help professors with research, move onto a PhD program, write a grand thesis, and get a job at a university, while also being a superhero on the side. As the panelists spoke about their careers, I realized that my priorities were all wrong. There’s no way I could actually plan out the next 10 years of my life right now, I barely know how I’m going to pay my tuition every month. What do I want to do? I want to help people, I want to be able to do research, but there are so many paths that can lead me there. What are my priorities? I want to be able to afford a nice place when I graduate, but I don’t want to work for some business and sit in a cubicle all day. I want everything but I can’t have it all, no one can. I have to make sacrifices, but I’ve already sacrificed so much. What if I sacrificed the wrong things? The effects of the panel didn’t hit me until after the career fair. 

2. The Coe College Career Fair

I prepared for the career fair the moment I received the first email. I signed up and decided that I was going to land myself some LinkedIn connections. I sent C3 my information, so I could have some business cards to pass out, and I picked out my outfit. I knew that I wanted to discover my calling, and was hopeful that all my questions would be answered. I spoke to employers with an open mind, and tried to expose myself to a few for-profit companies to see what they offered. I was immediately drawn to Tanager Place because I biked past the clinic every morning and every night over the summer. The man representing the non-profit was very passionate about his work, and it made me feel more comfortable with my desire to work in the mental health field, focusing on helping children and their families. I was hesitant to believe that I could be strong enough to handle the stress and emotional strain of the field, but I know that I won’t be happy unless I’m helping people. It was decided. This would be a difficult journey, but when has life ever been easy? Then, my worldview was shifted upside down. 

I almost walked past the FBI but saw that they had four representatives in suits, so I stopped and wanted to talk to them. They were already explaining their internship program to another student, so I was able to collect my thoughts and try to think of something to ask. I felt the goosebumps on my arms as they introduced themselves. It was like the tv shows, but real, and I was glad I wore my uncomfortable, classy black shoes. I was left speechless, yet found myself speaking to them like a normal human being. Did you know you can actually be a member of the FBI? I mean really know. With the skills I have, and the skills I want to have, I can help people in ways I never thought possible. As I held the papers, I noticed that my fingers were shaking, and I could barely hold the papers with one hand. I quickly held the edges with both hands, crinkling the corners to give my fingers something to do. Right when I thought I knew what I wanted to do… BAM, I didn’t. There’s a whole world out there. I could have done things differently in the past, which would have resulted in a different life for myself; I may not have become the woman I am today. 

Meeting the representatives of both the Linn County Sheriff’s Department and the Cedar Rapids Police Department widened my perspective even farther, by shifting the force of gravity onto me, rather than simply letting me float away. I have unrealistic expectations of myself, but right there I was grounded in reality, and speaking with women and men who are confident in what they’re doing made me hopeful for my near future. I was moving forward, but had no clue where I was going. Yes, I was completely, utterly lost.

3. Reading Animal Farm in One Sitting

I spent five hours cleaning my room on Friday night. My mom got us Apple Music, so I decided to jam to all of Whitney Houston’s albums. I started three loads of laundry, swept, reorganized my closet and drawers, cleaned my desk, watered my plants, and sang a lot of songs. I let the essential oils spread across to each corner of my room and ate too many granola bars. When all my hard work was complete, I became anxious. I’d put off reading the books I checked out for a few days, and I knew I should’ve finished one of them by then. I went to my secret reading space, and spent the next three hours reading Animal Farm. Most people have read the story already, but I never had to so I didn’t - it didn’t sound appealing to me. Besides, I can appreciate it much more now than I could in my youth. 

4. Moving Again 

I move a lot. I’ve gone between two states (every other weekend) for years, but when I came to Iowa for college I was finally settled. I stayed here for the past two summers because I wanted to be stable. Cedar Rapids has become my home. My mom was moving to Missouri, a place I’ve never visited before, and I wasn’t coming with her. I won’t see the place until Thanksgiving. I was unsure about what my next steps in life should be, since I could now explore a whole new city and be away from CR for a while. Unfortunately, I still have to deal with limitations I do now, such as transportation. I don’t know anything about Missouri or how far our new home is from the major cities and all the opportunities they provide. My family was excited for the move, but I remained indifferent. All the external factors competing with the internal factors for my attention irritated me. What was I supposed to do? 

5. Saying Goodbye

My closest mentor, Crystal Triplett, left Coe on Friday, so I wrote her a letter that I crafted into a card, and delivered it to her before my shift in the Learning Commons. It’s hard to put into words how much you miss someone who’s been such a great addition to your life, and you never expected things to become any different. I decided to try to use social media to share with everyone in the entire world how much I appreciate her. I know that I’ll always have the memories and experiences we shared, and life moves on, but I wasn’t expecting so many changes to happen around me and within me at the same time. 

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There were so many more experiences during this week (September 30 - October 5) - and I deserve many hugs and pats on the back - but once I sat down and allowed time to reflect, these were the most memorable. I had never felt this way before, and didn’t realize how I was being affected by these events. I went through the motions of completing my assignments and making headway to my future career, but I also slowed down and lived in the present moment. I see now that these were amazing feelings and I have control over my life and my future. I can't and won't get everything I want, but now's the time to try. Sometimes I forget that I'm 20. Have you ever experienced a sudden change in mood? How did you get out of your head space and back into the real world? Let me know in the comment section down below.

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Sources
Reflection Quotes: Goodreads

The 10th Week of Accomplishments!!!

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Because you never know where life is gonna take you

 and you can't change where you've been. 

But today, I have the opportunity to choose.

~India Arie

I am quite the busy bee, but last week was truly magical. Monday (September 23) was the first day of Autumn, my new favorite season. The leaves are falling and the air is crisp (until it rains). I woke up, and my dorm had slightly more light than usual. Eating breakfast during weekday mornings has become my favorite habit. Yes, it’s cool enough to wear sweaters and warm enough to enjoy your time outside. Naturally, I took this time to enjoy myself. Here are five ways that I used my positive boost in mood to make the mid-semester more enjoyable.

1. Phone Unboxing in Voho Lobby

I am not a brave woman. I’m not sure why my friends think I am, but I know the truth. I’ve been missing my friends, a lot, and I finally had the perfect opportunity to get my fix when my mom decided to buy me a new phone. My old phone hasn’t worked since May, and it was at the point where it wouldn’t even charge anymore. The battery was dead. I decided to be brave and ask my closest friends to come and watch me unbox my brand-new, working device. I asked about nine people, and four of them showed up. My goal was two people (not including myself) and we beat this by 200%. I was so nervous because I’ve never done anything like this before. I wish I took photos of everyone sitting there. It was such a great sight since I had us sit on the couches right by the window.

2. Career Center Catch Up

I worked in McCabe over the summer with the Advancement Office. I hadn’t been back in weeks. The career fair was coming up and I wanted to be prepared so I could make a good impression on potential employers. Now I have business cards I can hand out. They’re not the fanciest, but one day I’ll have some with my own design and maybe a QR code that connect to my social media. I know that I can talk to everyone there about my life, academics, and career plans. Stop over there when you get the chance. It’s never too early (or too late) to get started on your career.

3. Nemesis and Animal Farm

Picking up my banned book during the library’s Banned Book Week (The Color Purple) inspired me to find more books to read this semester. The summer was a great time to read, even though I was busy, I listened to audiobooks. Now’s the time to stop making excuses for myself. I need to hold myself accountable for my choices and for setting my reading goals. I picked up two new library books: Nemesis and Animal Farm. I loved Agatha Christie growing up, and was never able to find a copy of Nemesis anywhere. It was always checked out. Once I finish Animal Farm, I’ll delve into Ms. Marple’s most iconic mystery. Everyone read Animal Farm in grade school or high school except for me. Now, I’m reading the 50th anniversary edition with rather disturbing illustrations. I thought I’d be done with it by now, but I haven’t made enough time to get through it. I’ll have to read it as a pastime, instead of watching YouTube videos.

4. Sisterhood Apple Picking

It was so amazing to feel the wind blow and explore the acres of trees with my sisters. Eating a freshly baked apple turnover has become a tradition for me, and with a working phone - with a great camera - I was able to capture the moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I won’t go into too much detail, though I could if you want me to, and will just say, I love Iowa. Being out in those fields, picking flowers, gazing at pumpkin patches, and seeing the bright gray sky (it was overcast) really make a girl feel at peace with herself. I’ve already written about why I prefer CR over Chicago, but this was outer Iowa City, even less populated, and it felt like home. It was muddy, so I was right to wear rain boots, and there were a lot more people than last year. When we went to the gift shop, I was glad to find that no one had taken the sweatshirt I wanted to buy. Gray looks good on me, and I already called dibs on it. Eventually we had to leave… I can’t wait to go back next fall.

5. Iowa City Visit

I needed a case for this new phone of mine, and I was tired of scouring the internet for one. The fact is, Target was sure to have one that I’d like. We headed out to Iowa City first, to look at the campus and fun businesses surrounding it. I can say with fair certainty that I’m glad I chose Coe. Who knows how I’d be living with thousands of other college students. True, it’s a real college town and I could buy a lot more yellow clothing there, but there’s just too many people for undergrad. The fraternity and sorority houses that we managed to find (they’re hidden) were literally mansions. For some people they’d be small mansions or extremely large houses, but they were definitely mansions. I think I’m satisfied with Coe housing; there’s no way I could afford those housing costs. 

The Target in suburban Iowa City was pretty ridiculous. First of all, the mall was gigantic. I thought I was in the Chicago ‘burbs. Second of all, there were aisles of iPhone cases, but we had to leave the phone case section to find the Android cases. Fortunately, the case I wanted was available (casemate, #brandloyalty). This visit helped widen my perspective to the kind of life I could have depending on the decisions I make. I don’t think I’ll ever want to live in suburbia, but I want to be driving distance from the mall (100%).

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I’m trying to have realistic expectations for the rest of the semester. All the advice I’ve been given by alumni, faculty, and staff tells me to take away the pressure I place on myself and allow myself time to enjoy myself while I’m here at Coe. I feel that the college environment, especially ours which places an emphasis on developing the skills we need before graduation feeds both our ambitions and fears. I choose to take hold of my dreams and do what I know is best for me. No one ever knows what their life will be like in five years, but to set a basic timeline and plan the goals we want to reach is something we can all do, and something I’m working on. I hope autumn is going well for you. College is hard, but it can be truly amazing when we’re able to enjoy ourselves. Try to take time for yourself to recharge and gather your thoughts. Things will get better. They always do.

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I Choose: India Arie Lyrics

Top 20 Reasons Why Crystal Triplett is the Best Boss Ever

Crystal Triplett - October 2, 2019

It's hard to find good quotes about saying goodbye. Most of them assume only boyfriends will leave you, and some of them are just plain rude. For those out there who need a decent one, just say, "Goodbye and see you again". It's straight and to the point. It's a promise that you'll meet again in the future. Sometimes that's all you need.

~Jasmine Barlow

I don’t accept it. I’m in denial. It was shocking news, and I’m trying not to be sad. She’s doing her best not to cry, so I’ll do the same (silently crying in my head). My boss, Crystal Triplett, the Learning Commons Office and Project Coordinator is leaving Coe today, to go to Minnesota. I’m happy for her, we all are, but I’m going to miss her a lot. Writing tends to come easy to me, but it’s hard to describe how much a person means to you when they have to go. She’ll come back to visit from time to time, and eventually I will graduate, but for now, let’s remember for all the great work she’s done and for being the most amazing version of herself she could possibly be. 

1. Crystal is more than a boss, she’s a friend, someone I can talk to about my stress as a college student who has to do more than just be a college student. 
2. Her office is fun, decorated nicely with lots of stationary around to give it a pleasant aesthetique. Her fish and her plants, the boxes of tea and the boxes of ramen all come together, somehow, in a cohesive fashion. 
3. She’s a mentor, a woman in the working world with kids, friends, and so many obligations that she manages effectively. She knows what’s up, and keeps her priorities in check, because she’s strong. 
4. She cares about me, and she’s not even related to me. 
5. She lets me be free with my writing, and gives me the autonomy and independence that I need to be creative. 
6. I find myself looking for her when I have the time, because I want to talk to her. We all need someone we can turn to for advice. 
7. She’s how a boss should be: someone you can talk to, someone who gets things done, someone who takes the initiative, and someone knows how her team works (and builds from their talents and experiences). 
8. She keeps everyone in check. 
9. She talks to you like you’re her equal, not in a way that makes you feel inferior. 
10. The Learning Commons has become so different since she started working her at the end of my freshman year. I worked in the coffee shop, and we were always having issues with student workers bailing on their shifts, not handling orders correctly, not saving receipts, and, worst of all, not cleaning up! She turned it into a true coffee shop and an established place on campus. 
11. When alumni come to visit, they are surprised that the Learning Commons even exists, because the library itself was divided differently (changes from renovations done a few years ago). Since she's basically the face of the LC, everyone gets to talk to her to learn all the details. 
12. She created the position of Digital Content Writer so that students could earn their work study through writing, gaining experience for possible careers. 
13. She named the coffee shop “Common Grounds” and I don't remember it having a name before. She also encouraged student input since we're all adults and deserve chances to act like it. 
14. She always had peppermints, that were eaten in droves during the fall and winter. 
15. She offered projects to earn extra work study hours by hanging posters or helping with events. Things come up and you may not earn your full work study otherwise. 
16. She always, always speaks positively of student workers, and shares her honest opinions with us.
17. She encouraged me to learn how to drive and took me to the DMV (twice) to get my driving permit, and my Iowa state ID. (Iowa resident now, I can caucus now!) 
18. She knows she can count on me, and tell me so I feel that I’m doing enough (I struggle to know if I am). 
19. She organized our LC retreats so we could all get together to discuss our options, plans, and expectations; we also ate a ton of pizza together. 
20. She’s the best boss ever, and yes this counts as a reason for her being the best boss ever. I will fight you if I have to. The debate is on. 

I miss her already, even though she’s still here for today. It’s important to do what’s best for you, even if some people want you to stay. Spread your wings and fly! If you love someone, let them go! Let them be happy, and let them decide for themselves what will make them happy! She was my first mentor. I’m 20 years old now, so I’ve had her for almost two years. It’s time to be a big girl. Soon she'll be a mentor and inspiration to other young people. Who knows what next week will bring? No matter what, I’ll stay motivated to work towards my ambitions, and make her proud. If you’ll miss Crystal when she’s gone, leave a comment down below, and don’t forget to follow the Learning Commons on our social media. I’ll try to remember to post about her visits, but for now I wish her only the best wishes!

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Accomplishments: Week 9

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Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action. 

~Benjamin Disraeli 

Do you have days where you just feel happy? For me, that was the week of September 16 to September 22 (a.k.a. last week). When you’re having a good week, you remember things more easily, and I have vivid memories of the adventures I had. 

1. LC Student Staff Retreat

On the 17th, I helped set up for the LC staff retreat. Organizing and arranging notebooks on the tables was enjoyable. I couldn’t let them remain random, everyone needed a fair chance of obtaining each notebook design. I chose a peachy pink notebook with the quote Live, Love, Flowers because it reminds me of the Alpha Gamma Delta motto Loving, Leading, Lasting. All the notebooks were paired with colored pencils, so we could color the pages. Yes, they were coloring book-notebooks. If you love stationary you understand why this was a big deal. I was in charge (until Crystal showed up) and needed to set up the PowerPoint on the computer, but there was no monitor. Surprise, I ran back to my dorm for nothing; the projector was the monitor.

2. Astronomy Homework Session

I love science, but I also hate it and think it’s a waste of time. Why the contradiction? I’m a psychology major. I want to learn more about people and how they [we] work. I’ve been taking STEM since preschool, and I’m over it. There are always things that you can learn in every situation, but it’s tricky when you don’t want to. I love the stars, but astronomy involves a lot of rote memorization and I’ve also sucked at that. I just can’t wrap my head around the moon phases and what each phase looks like on Earth, depending on your right ascension and declination. Our professor called us out on not wanting to think about the lessons, which is a requirement for passing the exams. To help resolve these issues, I met with my friend in the Pub and we held a rant session. Most of the fun with this class is the clever professor (particle physicist) and laughing with your friends.

There were questions on our assignments that we know we never went over in class, and the book was not relevant for the questions. Here’s the thing, I need a lot of discussion and practice with terms for me to remember them. That’s simply not what this class is about.

3. LGBTQA+ Presidential Forum

I got my ticket the moment I received the email about the event. At the CoeVotes session with the presidential candidates team, I learned from everyday citizens why they were supporting their candidate. I had a really great conversation with the Pete Buttigieg team - about things you only understand if you’ve lived in Indiana - and wish I asked for their contact info. The Cory Booker team was by far the most friendly, genuine women I’ve ever seen.. They walked in and smiled at everyone, and were so polite. I had to tell them how awestruck I was. I saw them again the next week, where they registered students to vote. Once again, I wish I was able to get their contact information. Now, I have a working phone, so I just have to wait for the day I see them again.

The line was so long to get into Sinclair, and news reporters flocked to get the latest scoop on the event. With my purple heels, purple long-sleeved t-shirt, and afro-styled hair, I felt very confident that day. Seeing all the candidates in person helped me see them as human beings, and I feel far more comfortable with my position on which candidates appeal to me. I won’t open up that can of worms here, but if you see me at the front desk, we can chat about it.

3. Twist Out and Wash Day

Washing my hair takes an entire day, maybe the entire weekend if I want to properly style it for the week. With all the events and temperature changes, my hair needed some love. I wore it out in an afro-twist out style, so I saved time by not having to take all the twists out. If you see me around campus, more than likely I’m rocking a protective style, and I have it in a ponytail (which damages the hair) to keep it out of my face. I hadn’t let my hair fly free since freshman year. I received more attention than I expected freshman year, and I was very uncomfortable. Our dorms are way too dry for me to wear my hair out frequently, but maybe over the summer I’ll be more adventurous.

4. Early Morning Rising

No more late nights. No more midnight snacks. No more episodes of Queer Eye before bed. I need to get back on a proper sleep schedule, so this past week I began waking up at 7:15 am. I had no choice but to stay up late for my closing shifts, but now I can go to bed before midnight in my fight for eight hours of sleep each night. It’s an attainable goal, but it will take some time. For starters, I’m a light-sleeper and need complete sensory deprivation to get to sleep. I have my eye mask, my earplugs, and my comfy blanket to keep my arms warmer and my feet cooler, so I don’t overheat. Watching tv in the early morn has been great for my stress, because I’m able to ease into the day. When you have a ton of work to complete, going to bed early can be a challenge, but I hope that this new habit will help ease that workload.

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The way the past few weeks have been, I wasn’t hoping for much improvement to my mental health and sanity. I focused on completing my work, and reaped the benefits of my effort. I enjoyed myself and am proud of the decisions I made. There were ups and downs, as always, but I focused on the bright side of things, and feel happier because of it. Even though it was difficult, I allowed myself to be honest about my feelings and my responsibilities so I could keep moving and reach my goals. Have you found your happy medium this semester? Tell me about it in the comment section down below.

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101 Positive Quotes

Accomplishment: Week 8

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Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny. 

~Mahatma Gandhi

Unlike last week, I remember the week of August 9 clearly. Recruitment was over, and I no longer had nightly meetings. Unfortunately, I had a lot of work to catch up on from the weekend, and I had to figure out how to study for the exams coming up. Normally, the first week of school allows you to set the mood for the rest of the semester, but school started on a Wednesday, and recruitment season began immediately after that. I had no time to set my rhythm. I spent the entire week recording how long it took me to complete my homework, and tried to go to bed before 11 pm. Hopefully, you've had better luck with your time management. I was euphoric about having my free time back, but then I got sick. What positives can I come up with when I was feeling so miserable? At least 20, because I learned a lot about how I handle stress and push past my self-doubt and anxiety to reach my goals. For now, here are three challenges I faced during the worst week of my semester, and how I beat them.

1. I lost my voice

Just my luck. All my teachers want to have in-class discussions the day I lose my voice. All of a sudden I'm popular and everyone wants to catch up. I couldn't breath during the night, and woke up gasping for air every half-hour. I didn't fall asleep until 6 am and I used up all my cold medicine. These days were awful, but I was met with kindness and generosity. The library staff gave me cough drops which helped the pain significantly - I could even breath through my nose. I binge drank the blood orange tea my mom bought for me months ago, and had an endless supply of tissues around campus. Everyone was nice and understood that I wasn't in the best of health. Still, I didn't want to feel sorry for myself all day, so I pushed myself to participate in class and spoke in my mumble-grumbled voice. By Friday, I could sleep at night for a few hours, and over the weekend my congestion disappeared. I was physically ill, and people wanted to help me feel better. I didn't let the illness stop me from staying on top of my work, and now I'm reaping the benefits of my sacrifice. 

2. There was no time to get everything done. 

Family Weekend was a blessing when it came, but an anxiety-inducing curse in the days before. I didn't know what to do. I simply did not have enough time in my schedule to finish the work I was given. I didn't want to let myself down, even though my body was telling me to go to bed. I realized that my standards were too high given the situation. I decided to focus on what was due the soonest, and figure out which work to sacrifice before the weekend. Fortunately, I was over-reacting and I was able to finish two assignments after my mom arrived. My Sunday was packed, but I knew that I did my best, and went to bed happy with my decisions. 

3. I was very, very sad

I may seem pessimistic based on the previous three weeks, but I really am an optimist. There are times when situations are more than we can handle, and this was one of them. I wasn't the only one, I think almost everyone was super stressed from sorority and fraternity recruitments, sports, clubs, and other activities. I'm used to cheering other people up, and wasn't sure what to do with myself. I've mentioned before that I may or may not have severe anxiety, but I also may or may not have mild depression - the more you know. These past few weeks only made my mental health worse, and my health was not a priority (I guess that's why I got sick.) I was so happy to see my family again, and introduce my mom to some of my sorority sisters and my boss (Crystal, come to the LC and you'll meet her). It was a huge relief to finally leave campus. The dorms are stifling and I needed to leave.  You'l want a break too when you live here two summers in a row.

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These times are hard, but hard times are all the time depending on your perspective, and I'm glad there are so many people here to help us see the bright side of things.

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101 Positive Quotes

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Family Weekend Mayhem

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The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, 

but of respect and joy in each other’s life.

~Richard Bach

I don't see myself as a homebody, and I tend to make myself comfortable fairly quickly no matter where I am. But, there's something special about being with a group of people who love you unconditionally. Over the weekend, my mother, aunt, and grandma came all the way to Iowa to see me.

This term's been abnormally stressful, and I became sick over the week which made catching up on assignments difficult. Formal recruitment ended, but I still had so much work to do for my officer position. I decided to prioritize my responsibilities to my sorority sisters, over my own well-being. Though I never recommend someone doing this, I felt that I needed to do my best - despite my own ailments - because people depend on me. Naturally, I only became more stressed as my workload increased, and to top it all off my family was coming.

You’d be surprised (maybe not) by how quickly I got over my stress once we left. After spending time with my family, I gained three valuable experiences to help me get through the next week, and hopefully, the rest of the school year.

1. I streamlined my work

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I decided to finish my paper within one hour. If it takes the average woman 30 min to write a paper, it may take me an hour. I spend half of that time debating with myself about whether or not I should start over from scratch. Then, my mom arrived. My family took off work to come and see me. The least I could do was to keep work separate from my personal life. When we got back to my dorm I ranted for… 45 minutes? My mom is more reasonable when it comes to time management, and she told me to just do it. I challenged myself to finish that paper, so we could leave. When I did, I quickly finished another assignment. The solution was so simple, yet I couldn’t bring myself to do it without my mom telling me to. We all need that parental push once in a while. I won’t be spending more time than I need to on assignments anymore. 

2. I stood up to annoying men

We ordered Need Pizza for dinner, but there was no parking, so I hopped into the rain, and went to get our dinner. This really tall man - thin, ugly, and drunk - was harassing people out front. One man walked away and a couple walked inside. This man was blocking the door, so I had to walk past him. This fool had the audacity to say (drunk voice) Girl, you smilin’? You need to smile. How can I put into words how angry I was? He called me a girl AND told me to smile! I gave him the middle finger and pushed past him. I warned the inside staff about him, and pointed him out. When I left the shop, he stumbled to the other side of the sidewalk. He was lucky my mom wasn’t there. 

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He wasn’t the last sicko. After shopping the next day, a man followed behind us in his SUV. Now, this fool, had the nerve to try to intimidate us. He may have road rage, but I have woman rage. He should’ve been prepared for my attitude. We all know those drivers that think they have the right-of-way solely because they’re in a car; he’s one of them. My Grandma walked behind me to shield me from his car, and I looked him in the eyes. He glared at me. I glared at him. He pulled up slowly behind us and followed us into the parking lot of the hotel. 

I stood behind Grandma and put my arms up behind her. He drove to our side and rolled his window down. He was angry, so I talked VERY loudly about how his license plate was easy to remember and how you shouldn’t be a terrible driver if your license plate is so simple. When we got inside, I saw him get out of his car. No one seemed worried, but I was on edge. Later than night I tried to look for his car, to take photos for the police (just in case) but Grandma said she watched him leave hours before that. He was lucky too. 

3. I learned about my preferred aesthetics

We went to Ashley Furniture because my mom needs a couch. I had no clue how expensive furniture can be. The store was divided into themes based on whatever the designer thought looked well together. I love HGTV shows and had the basic idea that I wanted my dream home to be nice. This isn’t good enough. Do I want a whimsical or modern aesthetic? Do I want to feel energized in one room and relaxed in the other? There were many options, and I know that I have plenty of time to experiment with styles before I purchase my first home. Still, it’s never too early to know what you like. 

For starters, giant clocks are the way to go. I don’t know about you, but I want a giant clock in my living room. It’s purposeful and it’s art (apparently). What more can you ask for? I want paintings of trees and fish, and lights that sparkle. Basically, a magical forest with furniture that contains outlets for my electronics. My research this autumn is all about nature immersion and its effects on individuals, so maybe it’s destiny for my house to mimic a nature reserve. 

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At the end of all the amazing memories I've made with the woman in my family, I came back to campus with a clear head and a happy heart. My dorm is my private sanctuary, my sisters and friends are my family, and Coe is my home away from home. I'm not the type of person to become homesick, still, it's nice to know that there are people I can come back to.


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Planet of Success Quotes

The Sophomore Slump: Your Community

by Arabella Chamberlain

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When fighting off the sophomore slump, you might not realize how important your community is. The people around you, your support and your encouragement can have a big impact on how well you take on the sophomore slump. Getting involved in new things and staying in touch with old friends can truly be a make or break of your year. I've compiled a list below of some of the ways you can get involved on campus and find your place in the COE-mmunity. Clever, right?

Your COE-mmunity:

• Student Senate:  Want to have your voice heard on campus? Come to Senate meetings, Wednesdays 7pm @ Cherry Auditorium, even if you're not a senator. Or be bold and run for a senate seat! This is a great opportunity to meet people from all over campus with a plethora of majors represented. Make the changes you want to see on campus!

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• Greek Life:  Might seem like it's not your thing, but don't knock it til you try it! Here on Coe's campus we have some of the best Greek life. With chapters from 4 sororities and 5 fraternities, there's definitely some place you can call home. 
• Clubs:  Join a club! Coe has an insane number of clubs on campus and they're constantly emailing to remind you about all their events. Just try stopping by a meeting or two. Go to an event you wouldn't normally go to and maybe you'll find something you really like! Take the first step to getting involved and it's easier once you get started.
• Volunteering:  This is such a great way to reach out into the community. Whether on-campus or off, volunteer is not only good for those around you, but good for you! Reach out to local charities and volunteer-based organizations and see how you can help out.



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• Cedar Rapids:  Take advantage of the amazing city we live in and explore Cedar Rapids. There are countless restaurants and shops and things to do in downtown Cedar Rapids. Visit a museum, stop by NewBo city market, shop at Raygun - don't miss out on the hustle and bustle of the city!
• Theatre/Music/Arts:  Speaking of downtown, take a peek at the nightlife. Music and theatre opportunities are abundant in this area. Head to a local show and support some artists. Be on the lookout for upcoming concerts and grab a friend to go! On-campus, there are plenty of things to do too! SAC is constantly bringing in artists to perform and TheatreCoe does amazing works - and in fact, has a show coming up! Get tickets at the box office in Upper Gage.
• Sports:  If you don't already play a sport, Coe has lots of fun intramurals you can join. Get active and get connected at the same time. Get in the team spirit and have fun! Or if you'd rather not be on the field, maybe even just go support friends in sports. Go Kohawks!
• Res Life/Learning Commons:  Don't ignore the resources just waiting there for you to use them. Check out some of the exciting residence life events that the residence life staff work so hard to plan. Or maybe stop by the Learning Commons just to chat with someone and get to know people who can help you succeed when times get rough. 
• Internship/Job/Research:  Maybe you want to get a head start for after graduation. If that's the case, look into a local internship or job. Or maybe find out if any of your professors are doing research you can get involved in. These are good ways to make connections for down the road and helps to get a taste of the professional life.

No matter what way you get involved in the community, just make sure you get involved! The benefits are amazing and a great way to get over that sophomore slump. Find your COE-mmunity!

More Information:
Student Experiences in the Second Year

Do you feel you have a voice on campus?

Absolutely! I can easily express my opinions to my colleagues.

Kinda... Sometimes I think my voice isn't heard.

Not really. I can't easily express my opinions to my colleagues on campus.

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Why I Have Chosen a PWI instead of HBCU as a Minority Student

There is a controversial topic about whether a Historically Black College/ University (HBCU)
or Predominantly White Institution (PWI) is better for African American students to attend. Some
people of color look down on others for not attending an HBCU; however both types of education
have their downfalls as well as their benefits. I’m here at Coe, so I have obviously chosen the
PWI route; and from my experiences so far I could definitely explain the benefits:

1. Money

Coe college has various benefits, but the most important one to me was money. It is so
expensive to be educated, and though colleges cause so much debt, the career I have a burning
passion for requires a LOT of education. PWIs have higher endowments than HBCUs, meaning
they receive more money/ financial assets. More endowments means that they have the ability
to give out more scholarships. If a college really cares about preparing you for the real world,
they will want to surround you with diversity because the real world is diverse, so they are
willing to give out even more money to people of color because they want us to attend to
increase diversity and add to the environment so that we can see the world from different
perspectives and understand other cultures.

2. Diversity/ Preparation for the Real World

They are called Predominately White Institutions, but people from almost every race attend
these colleges and universities. HBCUs have mostly African American students, so to go to
one would be staying in my comfort zone, seeing that I went to a predominantly African
American high school, and lived in a predominantly African American neighborhood.
Being in a different community than usual has given me an opportunity to have a more open
mind towards opinions and beliefs that I have never had before. Also, regardless of whether I
go to an HBCU or PWI, I will graduate going out into a predominantly Caucasian world with
many different minorities as well; so being at Coe, I have been learning more about different
cultures and opinions than I could in an environment like my neighborhood. This is giving me
the experience with a multitude of people that I will need.

3. First Hand Experience

If you are raised in poverty, then you’ve mostly only been surrounded by people who look like
you. Impoverished neighborhoods are usually segregated and not racially diverse; and as it is
apart of the curriculum, in your classes you learn about all of the problems that happened in
the US, and you learn that most of these terrible things occurred when Europeans came here.
History shapes the Europeans as selfish, lazy, greedy, always using people of color for hard
labor and treating them poorly along the way, and a number of other things. If you are in an
impoverished community, with mostly only people who look like you, chances are you’ve
never actually talked to a Caucasian person in real life, so you look at them as if they are the
exact same terrible people who did everything that you have learned in your history book. If
you have never actually talked to someone in another race, as humans we tend to use
stereotypes; and it is normalized, so most people of color have these negative preconceptions
of Caucasians upon meeting them ourselves. It is fair to say that coming here, this is the first
time that I have been surrounded by so much diversity, and I have only had positive
experiences thus far; so it gives us all a chance to break out of using the stereotypes that
we’ve gotten so comfortable with.

I don’t disagree with Historically Black Colleges/Universities or Predominantly White
Institutions. These are the reasons that I personally made my choice. Here at Coe, I am
thriving so far; and I have no complaints! I couldn’t have made a better decision.