Monthly Archives: April 2015

Working for Conferences and Events here on campus, I tend to know all the ins, outs, and round-abouts of what all goes on at CBU. Whether it be an open mic night, festival of some kind, or educational meeting, I’ve probably had a hand in it at some point.

What has caught my attention most recently is the amount of benefits there are to being a CBU commuter! I’ve probably been more attentive since I’ll be a commuter myself next year, but now that I have been paying attention, I’m very impressed!

Back in high school, one of the most exciting things to look forward to about going to college was the on-campus experience. “Away from home,” “choose your own curfew,” “eat five meals a day,” etc., etc. These were all the phrases I heard buzzing up and down the halls as each of my senior classmates ecstatically prepared to become “a college kid.”

But what about those who, for one reason or the next, weren’t given the opportunity to live on campus? How do they meet people? How can they still be involved with CBU life?

For one, Commuter Sidewalk Café is such a fun opportunity. Next to the Yeager Loading Zone, every few weeks, Community Life offers this “sidewalk café” with free coffee and doughnuts to commuter students only. Not only does this make them feel remembered and appreciated, but it starts hearty morning conversations, too!

Then there are also other random events here and there. For example, just a few weeks ago I set up for the Commuter Movie Night. A large screen was set up on the front lawn and commuters were welcome to bring blankets and friends to enjoy the evening atmosphere together! So fun!

I’m not worried about finding ways to stay involved as a commuter next year. There are plenty, and they are all oh-so worth the drive!

We’re back, Friends! Last weekend brought us time away from class, the breaking of fasts and the celebration of the hope that’s offered because of what our God did to restore us back to beauty. Coming back after a refreshing Easter, I find myself compelled to look forward after my time spent looking back.

The season of Lent I participated in this year allowed me to reflect on my past and present and to work on cleaning out the areas in my life that I’ve left neglected. I looked back beyond this year to my entire time at CBU and assessed the habits I’ve cultivated. I became aware of the immeasurable worth of each opportunity I have been given to learn further – from choir and work experience to ISP and Focus. Every element of my time spent here has provided me with invaluable experience, whether I realized it in the moment or not. I learned from each chapel session, each late-night conversation, each opportunity to serve, and each day in the classroom. As life plows on, I realize that I had often forgotten to really apply what each moment of my college life has taught me.

Now, with the celebration of Easter and the remembrance of the Cure of Grace to all of life’s ailments, I take what I have looked back on and remembered to use anew. Each moment of college has provided me with information that I can use to build a brighter outlook and a fuller life. I’m made newly aware of the consistent provision of God and his incapacity to fail. I remember that his plans and his glory mean more than what I could contrive on my own. Each person I’ve met has shown me the possibilities of community and the comfort that comes from walking with others. Every opportunity to serve has reminded me to think less of myself and more on how I can spread love to others.

Reminding myself of where I was has helped me to assess what I am building toward in the future. Thank God for bringing me where he wants, and thank God for the hope promised after Easter.

Through the duration of the spring semester, there are multiple tasks student must accomplish in order to enter the upcoming fall semester. The main things that must be done are course registration and housing. These two things are extremely important in order to have a successful year.

The way I go about registering is by writing out what classes I want before actually registering. Once I have done that, then I pick what kind of schedule I want; all morning classes, all afternoon classes, half and half, online, etc. I personally chose all morning classes after 8 a.m. but ensure that each day ends before noon. Scheduling varies from person to person. I tend to wake up early and want to be productive. However, this past semester I learned that there is such a thing as too early for me (i.e. 7 a.m. classes). It takes time to learn what works best according to your personal situation.

Another important aspect that must be handled is housing. Choosing whom you want to live with is critical to a successful year as well. Anyone who is human would automatically feel that rooming with your best friend is the best route to go. However, it isn’t always. Rooming with your best friend can actually either distract you or simply cause turmoil between you two. As for me, I chose to room with girls that I live with this year. I chose them because I already know how they live, how their brains work, and their various attitudes

Now that I have accomplished these things, I know that next year should be a great one. Here’s to sophomore year!

As enjoyable as it is to be a CBU student, we are all here to graduate and find a job. East Colony hosted its first event last Tuesday with that in mind. Partnering with the Career Center, we organized a Career Center Night out on the colony basketball courts complete with a professional tips presentation and free coffee and cookies. Leading up to the event, all of us East Colony RAs texted our residents, passed out fliers, and even knocked on each apartment door for “one last hoorah” of marketing. With the promise of free treats and sweets, I’m surprised that the turnout was low, but nonetheless it was a great event.

Now, I have listened to multiple career center presentations through my internship prep class last semester, but I still learned quite a bit and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. With a projector and chairs set up in the corner, the group participated in a fun Jeopardy Style game show presentation. After watching a funny clip from the TV series “Friends” about poor interviewing skills, Lisa Singer, the Career Center administrative assistant, invited 3 participants to the front to compete against one another in job application trivia. Ranging from formal wear to interview etiquette to resume structure, each question illustrated an important professional tip to know for job hunting. Instead of money, though, they were awarded Starbursts, which I would’ve readily accepted. There were laughs and coffee and “I did not know that” moments all through the night, and those that came thanked us for hosting the event. They might have thanked us because of all of the free gift cards we gave them as well. It pays to know professional tips, as well as attend CBU events.

ISP, USP and SOS spirit is flooding our campus! As the semester comes to a close, hundreds of students are primarily focused on one thing – leaving this country and changing lives.

ISP is the program I spoke of in an earlier blog. It stands for International Service Project, and its reputation here on campus is truly astounding. Students from all disciplines and years come together to form teams, sacrificing an ample amount of their free time during the spring semester to be trained for service. During the summer months, they travel all over the world – some visit Asia, others Finland, some London. Wherever they are sent, they each carry the same purpose: to share God’s love, and grow together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

USP is another fantastic opportunity that CBU offers for those hoping to spend a portion of their summers in service. For a smaller cost, students can embark on the journey of a United States Service Project, during which they will visit somewhere in the U.S. to serve and grow.

Finally, there is SOS. Students who apply for the SOS program have likely already served on ISP or USP in the past. SOS is a service project as well, except that instead of the mere three weeks of ISP, the length extends over a whole two months! These students are prepared to serve for over half their summer break, and because of it receive the experience of a lifetime, while simultaneously blessing numerous internationals.

CBU encourages us to live our purpose. For many, full immersion is the best way to recognize exactly what that is. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to do so!

It is the time of the year when summer fast approaches and the focus becomes, “What on earth will I do for the next few months of my life?” In talking to more than a few of my friends, I hear about the anticipation that comes with preparing for an International Service Project and am reminded once again that this is one of the greatest opportunities offered to CBU students.

ISP with the Office of Mobilization involve sending a team of students, staff and faculty to a set location. This year, teams are going to 18 countries. Team projects range from volunteering with orphanages, providing health care, building new structures with field workers, and creating new relationships with those in local communities. The overall goal is to provide students with the opportunity to see a new culture and show the love of Christ that we claim in a tangible way.

Through these experiences, students form close relationships with their assigned teams through training with MOB and raise the funds to send each member on their way. The largest campus-wide fundraiser recently occurred with the hosting of our annual Night of Nations. It is always a thrill to see teams put their training into practice and raise awareness of each project through skits, music and merchandise booths.

These projects, I’m convinced, offer opportunities for CBU students to fill their summers with some of the most impactful experiences possible. I am taken back to last summer when I finally embarked on my first ISP and had some of the best, most challenging weeks of my life. This trip taught me so much about myself and my place in a world that is much bigger than the one I know. I gained a love for people I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and I still think of them often.

While approaching the end of the year, I’m reminded to encourage and keep track of those who are about to embark on a truly life-changing experience. The chance to see another part of our huge and wonderful world is indispensable, and is a part of my university experience that I will forever be thankful for.