Advice for the freshmen

Dear future ISU Freshmen,
I would like to tell you about three things that you’ll need to know in order to survive Illinois State University. First, you’ll need to know some good study tips. The second thing you will need to know is how to use your time wisely. Lastly, but definitely not least you will need to know how to get the proper amount of rest. To be a successful student you need to know how to study, when to study, what to study and where to study. For some people that have come to college this was a difficult task for them, because they never really had to study like college students study. For starters you should study by going over your class notes provided in class that day, everyday. By doing this you are staying on top of your studies and making sure you are following the material from the class. Also, when it is time for a quiz or a test you’ll be prepared. Even on the weekends you should pick one day to skim over your notes from the previous week so you can go into the next week section with background information on the new material. When you are studying your notes, you can read over them along with any other materials your professor provided you with while teaching it to you. If there is something you don’t understand you should email your teacher and or ask a classmate for help. Try to study in a quiet place to make sure you don’t have anything distracting you. You should be comfortable enough to focus but not too comfortable that it’s going to make you fall asleep. Try not to study in your bed because this can be an easy way to fall asleep while reading over your notes especially if they aren’t interesting. Instead you should study at a desk or tale sitting upright. Now, that you know how to study lets move on to managing your time. Time can go by so quick that you’ll always be wondering where the time went. Well you don’t want to be one of those people so just try to keep a set schedule to make sure you’re doing everything you need to. Try to write down your class schedule in a visible place you can view everyday. This way you will be less likely to miss a class. Keep tack of meetings, organizations, and homework assignments you have due by posting them on your calendar or making sticky note reminders. You want to have a routine schedule because it will enable you to keep up with all the things you need to keep up with. Lastly don’t forget to get some sleep. Sometimes college students forget that sleep is as important as eating. When you sleep it allows your body to rest and create energy for when you are awake. You should get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. By doing so you will be able to concentrate and be more alert in class as well as in your daily activities. Cramming can be very bad for your body and eventually your health because sleeping is a vital part of life. Every once in awhile you may need to take a nap and you should do it because this will in turn help you.

Grey's Anatomy

My favorite TV is Grey’s Anatomy. This show is about doctors and interns and the things that go on in the hospital. I started watching this show about two or three years ago. I really like this show because it involves lots of drama. It also portrays the life of medical workers very well. They do a great job of giving its viewer good insight about things that go on in the hospital, along with the doctors personal lives, and the decisions they have to make. Watching this show will give you a different perspective on the way a hospital is run and ultimately gain your respect for the people who choose these careers. It’s also very entertaining because they have so many different characters you’re bound to relate to at least one of them. Some episodes will have you crying while others will have you laughing uncontrollably. There are ten main characters and each of them has their own separate problems. To begin with, Meredith Grey is one of the main characters and she is who the show is named after. Meredith is dealing with a lot of psychological problems because as a child her father was never around and her mother was a very successful doctor. In turn she pushed Meredith very hard to follow in her footsteps. Later on her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. Meredith became her primary caregiver and took care of her everyday. She had to deal with her mother’s disease along with issues at the hospital, and her father not wanting to be in her life. Derek is another character and he is Meredith’s lover. In the beginning of their relationship Derek was married and Meredith didn’t know this until his wife came to work in the same hospital as the two. He admitted to Meredith that he was still married but they were in the process of getting divorced. Meanwhile Mark Sloan is hired to work in the hospital because he’s an exceptional plastic surgeon. When Derek greets him with a powerful blow to the face the audience is notified why Derek is getting a divorce. Years ago he caught his wife sleeping with Mark Sloan, who at the time was his best friend. The drama only gets deeper. Isobel Stevens is another character who falls in love with one of her patient who has a heart condition. When his life is on the line she jeopardizes her career and his safety by lying to get him a heart transplant. She gets her friends to help her perform surgery on him without the chief of the hospital knowing and he dies. She is very heartbroken and depressed after this. The Chief tells her to take a leave from work to get her mind clear. As you can see I have only talked about four of the main characters and already the drama is intriguing. You should definitely check out an episode. This program is showed every Thursday at eight o clock p.m. It will have your heart racing with suspense and your mouth open with shock.

T-Mobiles Butt Dialing Commercial

The advertisement I can most recently recall is a T-Mobile commercial for their new Black Berry flip phone. The phone doesn’t really stick out in my mind but because of the commercial I remembered the phone. I think this advertisement is memorable because it presents a common problem with non flip phones in a comical way. Every one has experienced, as they put it “Butt Dialing.” Some people don’t have flip phones so when they place their phones in their pockets, back pockets usually their Butts dial numbers unknowingly. Other people may not have cases or clips to place their phones in so they opt for the back pocket. After this commercial I did not want to buy the phone because I have a phone and I’m not even with T-Mobile. I don’t experience Butt dialing with my phone too often because I don’t place it in my back pocket frequently. They commercial did not adequately persuade me but I did get a good laugh.

The commercial starts off with a women answering her phone and walking into the living room where her male friend is and she says something like hello is your Butt Calling. The man who’s sitting on a coach sits up and realizes he’s sitting on his phone. The woman continues to have a conversation with his Butt and tells him why he should get the new Blackberry flip phone. The man eventually becomes annoyed lifts his Butt and sits back down and tells her his Butt just hung up on her. This commercial impacted me so much because it cracked me up when I seen it. This is not a very serious problem but it lets you know majority of people have experienced this. For the women to actually pretend to have a conversation with his Butt was even more hilarious, and then his Butt hangs up on her. I believe I remembered this commercial out of thousands of others because I have personally experienced Butt dialing with my phone and this was a humorous way to interpret that.

If I died tomorrow I would want everyone to remember me in a positive way because I feel I give off a positive light in everyone’s life. I have grown to be a very mature, responsible, and respectful young adult. I love everything about myself and what I stand for. In other words, I am a very confident person.

            I want people to remember me and say, “Oh yeah, that’s my friend.” I feel I am friendly and very understanding. I’m usually the person my friends come to about their problems and ask for advice. I think it’s because I’m outspoken. I always say what’s on my mind because I think it is very important to get my point or opinion across.

            Some more of my great qualities would be my determination and optimism. I have many goals and I will stop at nothing to accomplish them. Whatever I do, I do it to the best of my ability. I know what I’ll be doing ten years from now because I’m that determined. Every day I’m faced with problems but I don’t let poor judgment or bad attitudes determine my mood. I stay optimistic about any problem I am faced with because my faith allows me to do so.

`           I am very passionate about my dreams. I plan to own my own company, get married and have a family. I want to take care of my parents’ financial needs and take the burden of stress away from them. I care a lot about my family and friends. They give me positive energy through positive feedback. They support me all the way especially about college. No matter what, they will always support me.

            I feel my best quality is my thirst for knowledge. I love learning new and exciting things. I love to read and explore other worlds through my imagination. Knowledge is power because with it you can do anything. That is why I plan to continue school until I earn my bachelor’s degree and graduate. My parents and teachers always tell me how important it is to stay in school and I understand why. School is not a problem to me because I love learning new things every day. Going to college is a no- brainer.

            Overall, I feel like I’m a very confident, self motivated, and determined young adult. I am willing to face life’s challenges head on and will succeed at whatever I’m destined to do. My optimistic perspective will only get me that much further in life because I will not let negative things be my downfall. I am a very popular, respected, intelligent, and strong-minded lady. All of my qualities allow me to be a unique being.