Tag Archives: Bridgewater State University

6 Things I Learned About Myself While Sitting for 3 Hours on the Lawn of My Alma mater

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In college you’re supposed to find yourself, become different, making yourself stand out. But then during graduation we all just become one, a unified group of people who made it through four (or more) years of intense nights filled with writing long papers. So, on Saturday, when I was sitting at the end of my row lost in a sea of faceless black robes I started thinking about who I was. And who I had wanted myself to become, would my 10-year-old self want to look up to me? I decided yes, then continued making fun of the boy who was picking his nose behind me.

Although I’d been to a college graduation before, I had forgotten how long they were. The least the school could have done was supply each graduate with a comfortable seat. I started getting antsy,  then the key-note speaker said something about fighting dragons and I perked up.

Luckily I was seated next to someone who couldn’t focus and wanted to make a game out of making fun of people, needless to say I was entertained through out. We played randomly pick someone and loudly cheer from them, count how many other people have your name (10 other Courtney’s), and then stressed over the short walk across the stage that was slowly approaching us.

So while sitting there, lost in a sea of unfamiliarity I got to thinking about me, and who I am. I have to say it was pretty informative, I ended up learning  6 different things about myself:

1. I‘m really awkward- I know you might be thinking. yes Courtney, we already know this, you did a whole post about it. But really, I am. I’m the person who says that one thing and ruins a whole conversations.

2. Surprisingly, I’m a people person- I know the two statements don’t go hand in hand. But after tomorrow I’ve realized I can become acquaintances (at least) with everyone.

3. My Friends aren’t super popular- I went through  four years with them, and compared to me they were always going out with people and texting constantly. So i thought they were pretty darn popular, but the whoops and hollers weren’t so loud for them compared to some of the others. Most of those people though, I had never heard of.

4. I don’t ever want kids- At one part, one of the speakers talked about her career and it made me think: How can I be a writer and a good mom at the same time? I’m sure many people are amazing parents and have phenomenal careers, but I don’t think I could be one of those people. I’m too focused on one project at a time, yes I can multitask (i.e. writer a book, be successful in school, and writer over 100 articles in a semester) but I don’t think I could equally focus on both being a parent and a writer. I’m not really the motherly type anyway.

5. I’m afraid of being alone- Not in the sense of never finding a husband alone, just in the sense of being physically alone.  Eventually (in the next 6 months) I’m going to move out of my parents house and when I do there is no guarantee that I will have a friend willing to join me. I’ll have to start in a city where I know no one, and it’s kind of terrifying. (any advice on dealing with this?)

6. I hate crowds- So after it was done and my hat and tassel had been separated, due to my strong throw in the air, we were expected to find our way out of the crowd. Which was kind of like emerging from birth, well minus the mucus and blood. I felt like I was in a bad dream, the kind where you can’t move or breath and just have to continue moving forward. I ended up standing on a chair praying my parents would spot me.

And with that I’m going to go make myself a bowl of popcorn, heat up some water for my green tea, and finish watching season 3 of true blood. Don’t worry I’ll soon put up a post on my love affair with all three.

My Big Moment (Written for RCCblog)

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Yesterday I woke up and realized my undergrad was officially over. No more finals, my essays all handed in and my car was packed with a new mix CD (because mix tape’s don’t exist anymore). I was headed home with one realization: I’m officially done with Bridgewater State.

I’ve called BSU home for the past four years, it’s weird to pack up and leave knowing you won’t be  back come September. I have a feeling it won’t hit me until then anyway.

This past year has been a stressful one. I was promoted to Editor-in-Chief of this blog (which is why my posts have been far and few), had a career change of heart (of course that couldn’t have happened earlier in my college career), and this semester I stupidly took 6 classes while working at an internship and this job AND nannyed. But, I’m not going to lie, I enjoyed every second of it. My life can get a little hectic sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So back to graduating, and you know taking the huge plunge into real life. So looking forward to that..not.

I’m assuming most readers will be looking for some piece of wise wisdom that as a graduating senior I can bestow upon them, because I’ve had so many years to learn what not to do. And don’t worry, I promise I won’t disappoint, just keep reading.

Click over to rccblog to finish the post

Saying My Goodbye to BSU (and Michael Scott)

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All through your life you enter in and our of different phases, you have to say goodbye to people you love and move on. I’ve had to say a lot of tough goodbyes in my day, so you would think I would’ve gotten pretty good at it. But I suck.

Yesterday was my last day of class as an undergrad, true I still have finals, but my official last class ended at 3:15pm on thursday the 28th of May. I’m ready to cash out my credits and graduate. I’ve been ready for a while to move on from college. I just never expected it would be so hard.

Everyone will tell you that college was the best time of their life, and although I thoroughly have enjoyed the past four years…I’m not sure if I’m ready to give it that title. Instead of enjoying the usually college extracurriculars I’ve been participating in pre-professional groups, internships, flying off during summers, and staying up late at night to finish last-minute assignment. And I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve met some pretty fantastic people along the way who have made it all worth while.

I didn’t plan on my goodbye to be coinciding with Micheal Scott’s, and after watching that episode (if you didn’t cry you have no soul) I’m not ready to say it. I thought that I could handle saying goodbye to the people I’ve been working with, the people who have become like a happy little blogging family to me, but I’m not even ready to say goodbye to my version of Toby…although it will probably just be a quick email.

It’s saying goodbye to people I have been in constant contact with for a year and a half now. Reading and editing about their interpretations of different events, and all of our dinner meetings from last semester just seem so far away. Regardless D-day is coming may 4th, so I think I will just have issue handy..or at least keep a plastic bag for myself close by.

It’s hard to say goodbye to a phase in your life, no matter how long or short it was. And for the most part you don’t really get to choose when it is coming, well unless you are in school then you can kind of gage it. Even though I may be ready to graduate from college….it’s still going to suck when the goodbyes starting rolling in.

How To stay healthy while living on Campus (part 1)

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Once upon a time, when I was a mere high school senior I heard LC utter the words “Freshman 15.” Little did I know this was not about

the amount of credits I would take on in a semester, nor was it the amount of times I would open a college text book…She was talking about the amount of pounds I was going to gain my freshman year.

At most colleges, such a BSU there are all you can eat buffets, easy to grab burgers, fries…lot of fries and countless desserts. It’s no wonder why college students gain so much weight! Not to mention the amount of free time that is spent lying on your bed catching up on missed episodes of The Bachelor.

Well…with all of my years of wisdom (and my new found fight against laziness attitude) I’m here to provide you with some tips and tricks to beat the unhealthy urges.

Tip 1: I know it will be difficult but don’t wear sweatpants every day. You will thank me! Take it from a chronic sweat-pant wearer. After a while you forget that you can wear jeans, then you go to put them on. And because of the stretchy loveliness of sweat-pant waist bands you don’t realize that you’re favorite jeans that fit you perfectly are now screaming at you and begging you not to wear them.

Tip 2: Cut down to having fries once a day. This includes home fries! I know they may seem healthy but they are fried in grease and filled with air. They really can’t be called potatoes anymore.

Tip 3: Smaller portions. College/all of America is behind on the idea of portion control. One of the things I’ve found with school is that portions seem to be way out of control. Not to mention by the time you get to a dinning hall your are starving and scarf down the entire plate of pasta, even though a quarter of it would’ve been find.

Tip 4: Walk to classes, or ride your bike. You might as well walk while you can, plus the bus smells weird.

Tip 5: Dedicate at least half an hour a day to a physical activity, ie. Going for a long walk, hitting the Gym, going for a swim (we even have a pool on campus!), or joining one of the FREE kick boxing classes we have on campus. After working out you will find you feel better about yourself and have enough energy to finish the paper you’ve been putting off.

Tip 6: Carry a water bottle. I’ve found that when I’m getting food (especially at Crimson) I always opt. to have soda (or ice tea) instead of just water, because I have to pay for the cup I’d rather get something other than water. But if you bring your water bottle you can get a free water cup (about the size of a dixie cup) and  fill up your water bottle with the free cup (since we aren’t supposed to fill our water bottles at the soda fountain.)

Tip 7: Have healthy snacks in your dorm room. I know that the vending machines on the ground floor will sometimes seduce you, but it will be easier to fight those middle of the night cravings if you have things like carrot sticks, unsweetened apple sauce (which is really good!!), Kashi breakfast bars, water, and Cheese stalked in your dorm room.

Tip 8:No time to hit the gym? Find an activity class. There are tons of them offered in the physical education section. Classes range from Tap (which is a lot of fun!) to Aerobics (Where you can meet amazing people) to Badminton! There is an activity class for everyone, and the times fit nicely into your schedule. They are usually only 1 credit and last for half of the semester.

Tip 9: Remember Bagels aren’t the healthiest breakfast foods.. neither are pop tarts or captin’ crunch. Although all are delicious, try to eliminate them from being daily occurrences. Instead try scrambled egg whites, an egg white omelet, or yogurt, granola and wheat toast. All of which will give you the energy you need and fill you up!

Tip 10: Take the stairs! I know what you are thinking…it stinks walking up three flights of stairs in two buildings one after the other. But think of the calories you are burning, and look at it this way…if you weren’t able to take a walk, run, or get to the gym at least you were able to do some sort of physical activity that day.

Always remember that it’s easier to stay healthy with a group of friends! Try a yoga video in the dorm  with your roommates, or make a pledge to eat healthy at least 3 days a week together. This way you can all work together on staying healthy.

How do you stay healthy at school? Do you have any other Tips? What’s your favorite form of exercise?

This is a cross post with the RCC blog. (go check it out and read some amazing posts!)