This summer I spent four weeks Studying Abroad in China. Which was an amazing experience and I would recommend it for anyone interested in visiting other countries. Right after I got back from China I came back to school to start Organic Chemistry Lab. Which was really fun but I kind of wish I planned it out better.
I went to China two days after Spring semester finals were over. The study abroad program ended a day before my summer class started so I had no time to relax. Because of all this although my summer has been really productive and amazing I’m starting to feel a bit burnt out. Good thing I have three weeks to relax before the academic year starts.

So if there is a lot of stuff you want to do and experience go for it. Just plan out everything really well. If there is something you don’t understand just ask someone is sure to be able to help you. Also be realistic in your planning and make sure you have time for yourself!

The BEST way to take advantage of summer is to have fun and to prepare yourself. Yes, prepare for the best time of your life. That summer you’ll have no preoccupations!! The only thing you need to worry about is your future. Spend a lot of time with family and old friends because even tho you might not believe it, things will change and a lot of people will become strangers by the end of your freshman year. Just remember friends come and go so be sure to spend time with your family, you’ll miss them more than you can imagine. During my senior summer I traveled a lot. I went to New York with my best friend and had the time of my life, I also participated in freshman camps- In Eau Claire we have something called “Freshman Connection” in where you get to meet a bunch of freshman, I’m still really good friends with many of them. So, make sure you don’t miss on opportunities like this. I attended camp on campus for pre-college and that gave me time to explore the campus and become more familiar with it… I was a pro by the time the first day of classes came by. Everyone thought I was a sophomore! haha Another thing you can do is enjoy going shopping for your dorm. College is SOOOO much fun so the summer is a great opportunity to bond with mom/dad or even your future roommate. The very last thing you MUST do that summer is relax.. everything will change, you will realize that soon enough. So, enjoy that summer and get a part-time job- trust me, you’ll need that money whether it is for your personal spending or college tuition.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

Summer has always been those times when I just sat back and relaxed. Starting my second year of high school, I would work come back, babysit, and hang out with friends. I feel that I have a lot more work this Summer. My summer after my first year of college is really important for me because I am using this Summer to work, study, and figure my major out. Who wants to study during the Summer? No one really does, but if I want to better myself in the languages I am learning, I think it’d be best to practice a lot. I want to be able to say that I used my Summer for the best and not just by hanging out relaxing. It is definitely a good idea to at least relax at some point because we work hard throughout the year dealing with school and everything else that goes on with our lives, but I can’t really just go on with my Summer not doing anything to help me out. So here is a list of what I would like to accomplish:
* Figure major out (I think I almost have it)
* Study Spanish/Japanese
* Read as many books as I cab
* Work out
* Organize
* Do well at my new job
* Also see my friends

It is always important to sit back and relax, but also to have somewhat of a routine or schedule that can keep ya busy during the next few months.

I look back to the first day of my freshman year in college and then realize I have been done with the year for more than a month on this day. I did not believe it was true, but college is definitely a life changer. I have learned so much about myself,my needs, and qualities in this year. (A lot more than I have before hand.) I came in scared and a little nervous because I did not know what to expect. One thing I learned from this experience is that there is no time to waste. It is super important to be involved on a campus project, club, or sport not because it is a good thing, but because it makes the experience so much better. I had the chance to be part of a sport team, work, volunteer, and be part of a sorority. It is definitely hard work along with the school work, but the people that I met from being part of so many things that I enjoyed made me experience one I will not forget just because I have met people that I will share my next three years with. I also stress paying attention and keeping up with school work. Yes, there are times where it seems hard, but there is always support from the professors or even friends.

Whoo! Finally the end of spring semester has arrived for me. For those of you still taking finals or finishing up, I wish you the best of luck. This is a stressful time and the weather is getting nicer but push forward and do your best and the end will be near for you as well. I have two weeks of free time before I start my internship at UW-Richland and my summer classes. I’m taking advantage of this time, but I’m not used to having so much free time. I’m always thinking of what homework I need to do or what test I need to study for even though I’m finished. I’m looking forward to fall semester this year because it will be my last semester. I am looking into going on to get my bachelors degree but I’m still researching options for that. Again, I wish you all good luck and a great summer!!

WOW! I cannot believe how fast this semester has gone. Tomorrow begins final exams and I am getting geared up to rock them! The last few weeks have definitely been tough for my fellow peers and I. Professors were cramming as much material as possible into their last few lectures, final projects were piling up, my to-do list was growing inches every day, and all I wanted to do was SLEEP! Thankfully, I trudged through and conquered my to-do list (and even had time for a few naps!), and breathed a sigh of relief when I walked out of my last class of the spring semester. After studying away my weekend, I’m excited to finish my semester strong. I know seeing my final grade report will make these long hours of studying worth it. I wish the best of luck to everyone who is facing upcoming exams, whether in college, high school, or even middle school. Work hard and never give up!

“Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard, then succeed on purpose.” -G. K. Nielson

Take care!

Nikki

My god! Everything went by so fast. I still remember filling out college applications during my junior and senior year study hall. I cannot believe it’s over now. Today I woke up early to study for one of my exams and I started pondering on the idea of college and how it had changed my life. I looked around and thought to myself “yes, I am in a dorm room and a different town but nothing else has really changed”. That was a strange thought to have. If I look back I can see how EVERYTHING has changed. From how I study, how much I appreciate school, family, free time, money! Everything!!! You are probably thinking 9 months are not that long- but they definitely are. It only takes a second for your life to change and 9 months have definitely done their job in changing many things. A week ago I couldn’t wait to go back home. I haven’t been there in almost 4 months. I wanted to go back to my own bed, my own room but today in my LAST day of classes of freshman year I can’t help but be scared out of my mind. Why? I don’t know. I have gotten so used to this life, going back home seems unrealistic. I hope I’m not the only one with this absurd fear haha! Hope everyone out there is as excited as I am for summer!!!!!! Good luck on exams
-Etzel

I suggest everyone should exercise, even if its a jog/walk for 15min a day. I have always been active when I was younger with 4 years competitive swim, 7 years shot put and discus/weight lifting, and 3 years basketball. I came to college and did not do any of it. I am comfortable enough to say that I gained 60lbs with this being my 3rd year in college-with eating not such good things, stress, and being lazy. I made up my mind a week a ago and stared to work out at least 15min/day jog/walk and mixed in p90x workouts. I know p90x is expensive but you really get a good work out. I do p90x in my 9×11 dorm, small yes but like Tony says “Do your best and forget the rest!” If you cannot afford it right away ask family members to all pitch in and get it for you for birthday, Christmas or other holidays or get a part time job, one so you can stay busy and two you get money$$!!! Also if others hear you want to workout most likely they would want to go with you. I workout with my fiance or my girlfriends here. I started last week working out and today I found out I lost 7lbs just by eating right with school cafeteria food. You have to make sure you are having a well balanced meal for each meal. If you are having trouble with finding or knowing what are the right foods ask around to see if your school provides a free session with a school nutritionist. I know UW-Milwaukee provides one, we get about 4 sessions or so for free. Just make it a habit to work out just for a bit, or even take the stairs works too! Good luck and if you have any questions just ask!!

Coming into college can be a scary thing for most students but it is not that bad. First few weeks of college I missed home like crazy but you get use to it after a few weekends of fun. I love the college life. I wish I would have went to a bigger school but other than that I had a great first year. If you go into college with a open mind you will have some great experiences and make lots of new friends!!

This year has been by far the best year of my whole entire life; not only because I got to know amazing people but because I have had the worse downs and the best ups of my ENTIRE life. This last 9 months of my life have changed me forever and I couldn’t even imagine living without these experiences. I’m a first generation student born in a small town of the Republic of Panama and I had no idea of what college was about, no one talked to me about it and no one ever mentioned anything on how to pay for it. College wasn’t a dream or a reality for me until my ESL (English As a Second Language) teacher signed me up for a summer pre-college camp and I decided to attend. It was there that I finally realized the importance of college and how fun it could be. My first summer camp was in Stevens Point and after that summer I attended pre-college for every year until I graduated at UW-Eau Claire where I ended up coming to college. I just fell in love with the idea of college. The idea of being by myself in a place so far from, home, it was terrifying the first couple of days, balancing my bank statements, buying food but I eventually figured it all out. I learned how to be financially stable, I learned how to eat healthy and I even learned how healthy relationships should be maintained. It wasn’t until college that I really started appreciating my family. I try to call them every day and it just gives me a sense of pride being able to be in college becoming someone to make them proud. Another thing that college taught me is how to cope with good and bad times. College is not a party 24/7 and even if it was that’s not the whole purpose of it, you need to have a balanced academic and social life. College will teach you lessons that will shape you for the future, not only in the classroom but in your day to day life. I wish you all a great experience wherever you chose to go. I know that for me, college has been an experience of a lifetime! Feel free to ask me any questions 