Five98: stanford summer college

California is An Experience to Remember

How to Survive Summer College

By Unknown 10:00 AM stanford, stanford summer college, summer college

I feel that because I have been at Stanford for four weeks now, I can share my opinion on what it is like to attend college during the summer. I have been attending classes (Personality Psychology and Interpersonal Relations Sociology) every Monday to Thursday, and I've also been taking two athletic classes (Asana Yoga and Zumba) every Monday to Thursday, too. Can we say a chill schedule?

But, that is not what I wanted to attest to. I wanted to give some tips on how to succeed in Summer College. Below are some things that I have tried, experienced, and learned.

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1. Keep your priorities straight. By this, I mean do not wait until the day before a paper is due to actually begin writing it - never mind trying to write it the day of! Even if everyone and their mama are going out to eat or shopping or whatever they want to do, do your work in enough time so that you will not stress out and eventually give up. Remember that although it is during the summer, you are in summer college for a reason, and not just to have fun. Otherwise, you should have just gone to a camp.

2. Relax! Although you are there to attend lectures and seminars, you still need to let loose some days and just relax. Go to the pool {one of my favorite ways to relax}, swing on a hammock {but try not to fall off!}, read, hang out with friends, play UNO! Do something unproductive with your life at this moment and just let everything be.

3. Attend events. I love most of the events Stanford hosts for the summer college program specifically, but if you're a regular student attending summer college, there will be parties and different events for y'all. Do them! It provides great ways to have fun with friends and, once again, a time to relax.

4. Get a meal plan to save money. Food on-campus can get expensive or is just simply unhealthy, so do yourself a favor and get a meal plan. Moreover, get a meal plan that fits how you eat. For example, I do not eat breakfast, so a 14-meal plan would work perfectly for me (2 meals x 7 days). I have a 19-meal plan, though, so if I want breakfast I have the option.

5. Go to the library and study. I typically do not go to the library to study, but I know a lot of people that do and it helps! I just do not really think that I can focus well in quiet areas, so I prefer to study on a hammock outside with people near, or in the lounge. Although, the latter I must put my headphones in and listen to music, or else I'll get distracted by friends and games happening.

6. Have movie nights in friends' dorm rooms! This is seriously the best! Bring snacks and movies. We always rent a projector and borrow mini-speakers. Have comedy nights; have horror nights; have tear-jerker nights. It's summer, y'all - remember to do memorable and fun things.

7. Write papers in advance. I feel so relieved whenever I finish a paper over the weekend, so that during the week, I have much more free time to focus on other things than a paper. Classes generally drain me, so I typically enjoy having my week to myself {although my weekends are generally mines, too}. Confusing, eh?

8. Meet people from different dorms. I never spend time in my own dorm (Alondra) except for when I am going to bed. I always hang out in Cardenal. I also know people from Mirlo and Loro. It's nice to have different friends, BUT! I recommend not doing what I am doing and actually associate with the people in your dorm. Ergh, whatever. Anyways, please do not think that I am trying to be a know-it-all. I'm not. These are just some things that I've noticed and do over the last four weeks.

Tune: Not A Bad Thing by Justin Timberlake

Life in California + Happy 4th of July

By Unknown 8:00 AM 2014 summer, california, fourth of july), music, stanford summer college

Here's to the blog update and instant disappearance on my end. Let's cheer to that! {Okay, maybe not.} I have been having the time of my life in California, y'all! It's honestly crazy. The people; the lifestyle; the classes; the surroundings; the insane amount of fun. Can I please skip my junior and senior year in high school so that I can move on to college already? I mean, if this is what it's like. Hayooo!
So, where do I begin?

I flew to Stanford on the 23rd of June, which was a Saturday. At the San Francisco airport, I met up with a JIF recipient, and we both caught the shuttle to Stanford. Well, that ride was kind of entertaining as the shuttle driver almost killed us both. Geez. Taxi drivers are insane! Anyway, when we arrived at Florence Moore Hall (FloMo), we were greeted with a guy in a costume {I forget what....hmm, it might have been a tree?} asking us our names and then announcing them over a microphone. We also got a t-shirt and food ticket to get free lunch that day. {Awesome, eh?}
We ran all around, met new people, and eventually caught up with Hannah (another JIF recipient). Overall, the first day was pretty neat. Except! {Always expect an except.} Except for the fact that the girl who showed me to my dorm room showed me to the wrong one (in Paloma), when I was supposed to be in Alondra instead. Therefore, because of her mishap, I had to move again later that night into the right dorm. (insert sad face) {At least I found out that I did, in fact, have a roommate}. This kind of did not matter, though, because I am a "Honorary Cardenal," which is the dorm that all of my friends are in (excluding Bryce, who is in Mirlo but is an Honorary Cardenal, too).
I also met Bryce, Alex, Tiffany, Anthonya, Izzy, and Stephanie that day. Sadly, Steph left us for other people. {Le sigh.} Eventually, later on through the week[-end], I met more people. This included: CJ, Rachel, Kenji, Patrick, Shelby (Shelly), Kayali (he's from Dubai), Prishant (he's British), Luca (he's Italian!), Anita, and soooo many more people (from Turkey, China, etc). This will for sure be a summer to remember!

Anyway, to quickly sum up what the heck I have been up to in the past two weeks, I shall do a list {and we all love those}:

Santa Cruz Boardwalk
San Francisco (to Alex's house for pizza)
Took the Caltrain to San Francisco
Rode the public bus (TWICE!) to and from San Francisco
Played Capture the Flag, where I tackled a guy {oops?}
Nerf Gun Wars {le duh!}
Explored majority of Stanford's gorgeous campus
Met more people
Had Pad Thai delivered to the dorms

Now, starting today (the Fourth of July), I will be participating in Field Day, which is essentially a battle between the dorms, and going to the Orchestra and Fireworks later tonight. Tomorrow, a bunch of us are going to Half Moon Bay and then shopping. On Sunday, we might go to the movies, which, btw, is overly expensive.

And how about a little fun fact: "candy and condoms" are honestly a thing here. The mentors (undergrads who are basically dorm rcs) figured it'd be a good idea to provide a bowl of candy and condoms for those who feel as if they'd like to get a little frisky. And, my oh my, can I name a few already. No shame in their game, obviously. And the candy - it's just so people won't be embarrassed and shizz, I suppose. Eh.

Anyways, Happy FOURTH OF JULY! Celebrate everyone! Fireworks and barbecues sound (and smells) good to me. Make the most of your day. :)

Tune: Summer by Calvin Harris