It seems so easy to make Valentine’s Day out to be this “Hallmark Holiday”, and it seems that so many in our society do just that. We focus so much on the “stuff” that we give and receive, we forget about why we are giving the stuff in the first place. Instead of thinking about the box of chocolates that we are about to give to our significant other, maybe we should take a minute to think about why that gesture is important in the first place.

In reality, Valentine’s Day is about love. It is about showing love to one another, romantically or otherwise. It means showing love to our husbands and wives, our boyfriends and girlfriends, our siblings and our parents, our friends and our teachers, but also showing love to everyone – even those individuals that are the hardest to love sometimes.

My favorite description of love is a well known verse from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

If we could apply this magnitude of love to others, a love that is kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not selfish, not easily angered, truthful, protecting, hopeful, perseverant, and never failing, not only on Valentine’s Day, but everyday…imagine what a wonderful place the world would be.

Happy (belated) Valentine’s Day Everyone!

So, I got to thinking today about how we might go about making this stressful time a little less stressful.

I think one of the most important things we can do is to make some time for free time. Sounds a little crazy right? How can you possibly make time for free time? Well, just like we all schedule when we need to do our homework, and when we need to study, when we need to go to this meeting, and when we need to schedule to talk to our professors, we also need to schedule some time when we have nothing on the schedule at all! We need to make some time to simply close our eyes and relax, talk with a good friend over a cup of coffee (my personal favorite), or just turn on some music or our favorite television program and let the stresses of the day melt away. I think if we took the time to make some time for ourselves we would be amazed at how productive we would be once we have rested and revitalized ourselves.

Another equally important thing, and along the same lines is to eat healthy! I know for myself, when I get stressed, all I want to do is eat junk food…before I know it a pint of ice cream, a bag of chips, or a candy bar is gone without even a second thought. When we fuel our bodies the wrong way, our body and mind wont work the way we had hoped, and oftentimes we will find ourselves more tired, and less productive than before. Take time to get a well balanced meal, and by feeding your body and mind right, it is AMAZING how much better we can perform.

Lastly, I think it is important for us to stop putting so much on our plate, stop worrying so much, and stop pressuring ourselves to be perfect. All that pressure and all of that responsibility, when given to ourselves excessively, rather than making us better will simply continue to weigh us down and hinder our ability to do our best. So go to mass, pray about what is worrying you, share some of your stressors with your family, significant others, or close friends, never take on any challenge alone. By sharing the burdens that life may bring, we are able to help each other to achieve our fullest potential.

So, if you feel like you are running on empty by this time in the semester, take a step back and fuel your mind, your body and your spirit so that you can finish the semester strong and do your very best.

Sorry I didn’t get to write last week, but it was a super busy one!

All week I was preparing for our last Open House of the year. We had roughly 76 high school students sign up to attend.  The Open House was from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday.  However, I had to leave a little early because Friday was also the first day of Discover, the all freshman retreat.

I had such a great time last year at the retreat, that I decided I wanted to be on the Discover Core Team this year and help plan the retreat.  Once again, the weekend was a blast!

Discover takes place at Camp Aldersgate in Carrollton, Ohio, so it is roughly an hour away.  It is a great time for freshman to branch out, meet new people, make new friendships, take a break from school, and just have a fun time!  This year was definitely another success.  We had a ton of games, activities, and witnesses planned for the freshman.  It feels awesome being able to be there for support and guidance.  The freshman stayed busy all weekend long, but every moment was memorable.

Discover Core Team 2013

The whole group!

Playing Princess Knight Rider!

This was my small group for the weekend!

Just some GREAT friendships being made!

Before I knew it, it was time to head back to Walsh.  We made it just in time for the Super Bowl!

So, it definitely was a packed but extremely productive weekend.  Discover is always a weekend that brings incredible memories along with it.

For those incoming Cavs, Discover is definitely something you should think about attending. For those freshman who were not able to attend, Shape the sophomore retreat, is always another option next year!

Have a great week Cavs!

Noun: Competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.
Synonyms: competition – emulation – contest – contention

We’ve all experienced it, the thrill of competing against that one individual, that one school, that one team. That feeling you get from your head to your toes that makes you want to work harder, play better, and pull out the victory. For those of us here at Walsh, that one school is Malone University.

Though it is difficult sometimes to find time to attend all of our sporting events, with homework to do, tests to study for, and meetings to attend, somehow everyone finds time for the games against Malone, and today was no exception! Yes, today was the much-anticipated Walsh vs. Malone basketball game, and it was, as always, a great time! Everyone was dressed in their matching t-shirts ready to cheer our team on to victory, and indeed (thank goodness!) we were victorious today!

Truthfully though, win or lose, a good rivalry is hard to come by, but it is something that I think both schools are extremely grateful for. How great it is to have a cause that all of us Cavs can rally behind, and I am sure the same goes for Malone as well. We may taunt and tease, trashtalk and chant, but as I am sitting back and thinking about everything from the pep rally to the comradery, to the victory, none of it would be the same without Malone and the tradition that their school, along with our own has created.

So, Im going to step back today as I bask in the glow of our basketball team’s victory, but also take time to appreciate the rivalry that is alive and well between Walsh University and Malone University. We will be ready for every new challenge that we face against them, and they the same for us. And may we always have this rivalry in everything from football, basketball and volleyball to mascot dance-offs and fan cheer-offs, all while embracing that spirit of competition that we all know and love.

So everyone that attended dressed up in their very best professional attire and took part in a four course meal while learning how to properly participate in a formal dining setting. Who would have known that your napkin on your lap should be positioned with the fold towards your body so that when you are ready to stand up, the crumbs dont fall on your lap? Or who would have guessed that it is better to scoop your spoon away from the body rather than towards it because it looks more controlled and professional? What about the fact that the salt and pepper shakers must always travel in a pair as they are passed around the table, or that it is bad manners to ever set your utensil directly back on the table once it has been used? All of these things and more made for an extremely fun night as we all did our best to learn the best way to dine professionally and politely.

In addition, it was great because the representatives from Joseph A. Banks and from The Limited were able to present to the group about the dos and donts of dressing for success in an interview and in a professional setting. Such useful tips as what length of skirt to wear, or how much jewelry is appropriate, or what to avoid in your appearance to promote a successful first impression were all shared. And although we dont do this kind of thing every day, and it certainly will not be able to be used daily as we eat in the cafeteria here on campus, what an excellent opportunity to broaden our horizons and be prepared for any direction that our future careers and professional lives may lead.

My boyfriend Kyle and me, dressed and ready for the Etiquette Dinner

How was everyone’s long weekend?! My long weekend consisted a lot of catching up on sleep and homework.  It was pretty great and much needed, let me tell ya!  Plus, I got to snap an awesome picture of the Walsh parking lot Friday evening, and I’ve decided that you all are totally worth sharing it with-

Almost Instagram worthy, I know.

We are really starting to get into the material in my classes now.  The teachers have given us plenty of time to get back into the swing of things, so bring on the papers, projects, tests, and quizzes.  This week is short from the holiday, but that’s not stopping any of the professors.  I have a few quizzes this week, and all the essay and project due dates are quickly creeping up already.  Bring it on!

Luckily Walsh always has something going on to distract me from my studies when I need a stress break.  I don’t know about you guys but I am pumped to start intramural bowling tomorrow night!  This is my first year on an intramural bowling team so I’m pretty excited.  I will definitely let you guys know how it goes! It is every Wednesday night for 4 weeks and then 3 weeks of playoffs (if we make the playoffs that is).  I bowl maybe twice a year so this should definitely be interesting!

Also coming up this Friday, UPB is playing “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” in our theater.  I read the book over break and haven’t had a chance to see the movie yet, so this works out perfect.  Then, next Tuesday UPB is hosting another awesome event — Coffee House Artist: Katy Collins.  Katy is an incredible performer, and she is a Walsh Alumni! Can it get much better than that?! So I will for sure be attending next Tuesday as well.

Next Friday, February 1 is also the last Open House of the year!  I cannot believe how fast another year is flying by.  The final Open House means that seniors in high school are pretty much making their final decisions about what school they plan to attend in the fall.  Before you know it, graduation will be here for all of them, and then it’s time for Summer Orientations!  Walsh is also starting its Residence Life interviewing process in preparation for next year. And after the new Residence Life staff is picked, the housing process for all students begins.  It is seriously event after event and then all of the sudden it’s summer!

But I’ll try not to get ahead of myself.  For now I am just taking it slow, one day at a time, trying to enjoy every moment.

Until next time Cavs, bundle up and try to stay warm!

Walsh Wellness

I was so lucky to be a part of an excellent program co-sponsored by one of Walsh’s Peacemakers on campus, Emily, in conjunction with Walsh’s Health and Wellness Department this week. This program was focused specifically on women’s health and even more specifically, focused on female freshmen on campus.

Now, we all know about the dreaded “freshman fifteen”, which is notoriously the fifteen pounds that some students gain in their first year away from home, on a college campus. Though hopefully none of our freshmen had this issue, no doubt, each and every one of us at some point go through changes in our body as we get older, and especially as our lifestyle changes so dramatically when coming to college.

So, this program was set up on Saturday morning and again on Tuesday afternoon to allow the freshmen girls on campus to come and participate in a modified physical fitness test that would allow them to be proactive in looking at what risks may exist for them in areas such as hypertension (high blood pressure), BMI, cardiovascular risks (conditions that may occur in the heart such as heart disease), as well as strength, flexibility and endurance.

With over 60 girls signed up to participate in the event, it was most definitely a success. I was able to assist in taking blood pressures for the students as well as measuring their heart rate, BMI and percentage of body fat, and measuring their waist to hip ratio which is a good measurement to be used when assessing an individual’s risk for certain diseases of the heart. In addition to my station, the girls participated in a three minute exercise test to see how their heart responded to the physical exertion, also they participated in a station that measured the number of push-ups and sit-ups they could complete in a minute. Finally they were tested for flexibilty.

At the end of the circuit, the participants were allowed a free consultation with our campus director of health and wellness, so that she could discuss some of their assessment data with them while offering up suggestions for improvement in their health if necessary.

I think that programs such as this one are so important for all of us to consider attending because to be empowered with knowledge about your health can help you take control of your health routine such as the exercise you participate in and the food you eat. It can also allow you to be a true expert about your body, while allowing you to take an active role in reaching your goals for holistic wellness of body, mind, and spirit.

Yet again, this was a very helpful and useful event for our students, and something that we should all consider attending in the future!

I want to first take a minute to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every one of you!  The end of the semester got super busy with finals and projects, and I never had the chance to wish all of you a great break.  So, although it’s a little belated now, I still hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing break.

I can’t believe it’s already the Spring 2013 semester! With one week of the semester already under our belts, summer is going to be here before you know it! I don’t know about you, but I am ready to start off the semester right!

Like everyone else, I do like to compile a few personal resolutions to keep me motivated and energized through the rest of the cold, dark winter months.  I love the beginning of any semester because it is the time for me to start with a fresh, organized, and clean slate!  If only I could keep that slate clean and organized for more than a week long…  So to help you, and me, try to stay on top of things this semester, I’ve done a little research and compiled a list of tips to help us stay organized together!

Utilize Your Agenda

Every professor gives you a syllabus with a ton of due dates, tests, quizzes, and projects.  It is impossible for anyone to keep track of everything.  Use an agenda to write down all of the important dates that you need to know.  Always have your agenda with you and put it somewhere you can see it so you remember to check it all the time.  Write down everything immediately.  Don’t wait for later, you will most likely forget.  I have learned this one the hard way too many times.

Use Your Cell Phone for Reminders

I am on my cell phone constantly, so why not put it to good use?  If you need to be reminded of a certain event, or class, or work shift, set the phone to remind you ahead of time.  Even if you think you have a great memory and won’t forget, it can never hurt to do it anyways just to stay organized and on top of things.

Stick to a Study Schedule

Set aside a certain amount of time to study every day and break it up so you do not wear yourself out.  One of the hardest parts about college is trying to balance work and fun.

Color Code Your Life

I may look like some organized freak when I pull out all of my matching folders and binders for a class, but let me tell you, it really works.  By keeping everything in a different color I can easily tell which one I need as I’m running out the door because I slept through my alarm…again.

Be the Teacher’s Pet (Kind of)

Having good relationships with your professors is really important.  The more you interact with your professor, the better chance they will help you when you need it.  They may even have some tips on how to stay organized and do well in their class.  Never hesitate to visit a professor during their office hours to ask for help.  I have yet to have a professor at Walsh who has not been willing to work with me outside of class when I need help.

Carry a USB with You

On the USB, make a folder for every class and use the folders to store any papers or downloads for the class.  I keep my USB on my keychain and feel like I use it all of the time.

The best way to stay organized is to take care of yourself.  So this semester is when you turn everything around.  Find time to sleep, eat healthy, and exercise.  It is impossible to stay organized if you don’t have the physical, emotional, and mental energy to keep moving forward.  And of course, don’t forget to reward yourself every once and a while for all of your hard work! It’s okay to have a movie night in the middle of the week.  Sometimes that’s all you will need to finish the rest of the week strong!

Good luck this semester Cavs! I have faith in you.  You can do it!

On Thursday of this past week, I attended the Walsh version of the popular game show “Dont Forget the Lyrics!”. Hosted by our own Walsh student, Kyle O., the game show was sure to be a success! As the students entered the auditorium, they were given a ticket that allowed them to be entered in the drawing to be a participant in the “game show”, how fun and exciting it was for us in the crowd to be anxiously waiting to see if it would be our turn to go up to play the game! To make the deal even sweeter, first prize was two tickets to a Cleveland Cavalier’s game worth $200, and second prize was a $50 gift card.

Though I, myself did not get called up to participate, the evening was a good time for all. The students who did participate chose from a range of categories, anywhere from pop rock, to oldies, to 2000s, to Christmas songs, and did their best to fill in the missing lyrics as they appeared on the screen. The best part, however, was the karaoke performances that went along with the contestants attempts!

All in all, it was another great Walsh program for students to participate in, and made the first week of Walsh a great one. A big shout out to the University Programming Board for all of their hard work in making every week enjoyable for the students here, and for coming up with creative ways to have fun. I for one know that I will be paying MUCH more attention to the lyrics in my favorite songs, just to be sure that I will be prepared for the next time I have the chance to participate in a game show so close to home.

This time of year is a great one for making New Year’s Resolutions, and everyone has one that they hope to keep throughout the 2013 year. For some, it may be starting to excercise and eat right, for others it may be to be kinder to others, and for others still it may be to be money savvy, and save rather than spend.

For the average college student, however, New Year’s Resolutions come in an entirely different variety! Some of the most common resolutions for my peers are things like: pulling off that 4.0 GPA, or making the deans list, keeping your dorm room clean, or trying your best to say “no” to that second dessert at the cafeteria.

Personally, my goals for the year include succeeding in my nursing classes including my second semester of med surg (gulp), saving my money for my trip to Tanzania this summer, and working hard to take each day one moment at a time rather than getting wrapped up in the hustle and bustle that comes from the hectic life of a college student.

No matter what your New Year’s Resolution is, and no matter if you made one or not, it is never too late to make the decision to better yourself and change something about yourself for the better! Make sure to make it realistic, make a plan of action for how to make it happen, and then reward yourself when you do!

What a great opportunity that the New Year and the new semester come only a week apart, because what better chance could there be to have a clean slate and a fresh start for yourself! Happy New Year, and happy spring semester 2013!