Spring Fever

So, it's not really spring in Logan (even though the calendar says it is).

I mean, we had two GLORIOUS days of 62 degree weather. But soon after we were back to brrrr cold weather. So what can one do in Logan when the weather is not cooperating?

Well, I thought I'd include some ideas in this post:

Logan Fun Park--bowling, country swing dancing, arcade
Logan Lanes--bowling and arcade (very affordable!)
Cinefour Theatres--$3 movies, who can argue with the awesomeness of that?
Citrus and Sage & The Crepery--a sweet coffee stop/crepery with delicious coffee, tea, italian/french sodas, books, open mic nights, a great atmosphere and really yummy crepes :)
The Merrill-Cazier Library--BOOKS!
Angie's--Local food eatery. Good home-cooking and home of the "clean the sink" challenge (a kitchen sink filled with ice cream--shared with friends. if you're crazy enough you can try to clean it yourself) you gotta try it at least once while you're in Logan.
Logan Arthouse and Cinema--independent films, open mic nights, live music

There really is a lot to do in Logan, you just have to find it.
It is really a fantastic college town :D

-Shayla

Living on Campus

..Is really the best decision I have ever made besides coming to Utah State University. Some people think I'm crazy, but I have lived on campus every year I have attended USU.

There are quite a few advantages to living on campus:

• LOCATION
• LOCATION
• LOCATION
• but seriously, Location is HUGE.
  
• Living Learning Community is close to Old Main, the TSC (that has the Aggie Marketplace and the Hub inside--on campus eateries), the LDS Institute building, and the Eccles Science Learning Center
• South Campus housing is close to the library, the Engineering building, the Fine Arts building and the Business building
• Central Campus is close to the Junction (another on-campus eatery), the library, the Engineering building and the various Education buildings.

Another great thing about living on campus is the sense of community that is built right into your every day life. I would HIGHLY recommend freshmen to live on campus for the first year.

Check out the USU ResLife website for more details :)

http://www.usu.edu/housing/

-Shayla :)

Retreat at the Bear Lake Training Center :)

Hi friends!!

A few weekends ago a group I'm involved in, FOCUS (Fellowship of Christian University Students), went on a retreat up to the Bear Lake Training Center in Garden, City, UT. This retreat center (basically a large cabin) is owned by Utah State University and is used by different groups at USU for weekend retreats. It has a full kitchen, a sweet hangout central area with a fireplace and comfy chairs, rooms full of bunk beds and a beautiful view of Bear Lake.


We spent the weekend playing games, eating good food, bonding, and talking about our walks with God. FOCUS is associated with Campus Crusade for Christ, an international, interdenominational Christian ministry for college students. I've been a part of it for all of my years at USU and the people I've met through FOCUS will be lifelong friends.

One highlight of the weekend was watching three crazy, brave souls (all dudes) run out into the snow and make snow angels (in their SWIMSUITS). I will spare you the incriminating evidence of the act, but trust me, it was entertaining. :)

Hopefully you will get a chance to experience a retreat at the Bear Lake Training Center while at Utah State. My advice: Get involved! Find a club or two, be a part of something bigger than yourself, and be willing to take risks while you're here. College is a time of stretching, growing, and discovering who you really are.

Peace
Shayla :)

Oh the weather outside is...

..unpredictable...especially in Logan.

This past week here at USU we've been enjoying beautiful 45-55 degree weather during the day. It has been glorious! There have been students in flip-flops, t-shirts, shorts, and the like enjoying the splendid respite from the cold. As one of my dear friends, Rose, said in her facebook status:

"You know it's been a long winter when 45 degrees feels tropical."
So true.

Today started out just like yesterday and the day before...shorts, flip-flops, students were again rocking spring clothing. ...but around 6:00PM tonight, the wind began to blow...and then the snow began to fall. And now it's been snowing for 3 straight hours!! Approximately SIX inches have fallen during that time.

Oh the joys of living in Logan!
We all complain about it, but we all secretly love it, too. :)

Need a major?

Hi friends!

You're 18,
you've just graduated from high school,
you have (hopefully) another 60 years to go,
so the question is....

how are you going to spend those 60+ years?

Deciding what you would like to do for the rest of your life is...well...hard. So it's easy to understand why so many undergraduate students have a difficult time deciding on a major. If you're one of those students who has known from the womb what you're supposed to do with your life, count yourself lucky. For the rest of us, there are some great resources to help make that tough decision.

For starters, there's the University Advising Services:
http://www.usu.edu/advising/
Even if you're Undeclared, there are plenty of great people in this office who can help you navigate your first few years of school.

Also, we have a great resource called Career Services:
http://www.usu.edu/career/students/choose/index.php
At Career Services, you can take aptitude tests, personality tests and even meet one-on-one with career counselors.

If you want to do some of your own major searching, check out the USU General Catalog:
http://www.usu.edu/generalcatalog/2010-2011/print/

Don't be afraid to be Undeclared for awhile, there is nothing wrong with it!
Good luck to all!

-Shayla :)

Homework Break: Star Wars Marathon!

Imagine this:

It's Human Rights Day (or is it Martin Luther King Day?) 2011. A FULL DAY that could be used (wisely) to complete homework. Instead, 10 friends embark upon an entirely different epic adventure: Star Wars Marathon!

Sounds like a good idea, right? Well, it was! I watched Episodes I, II, III, and IV in one day! (I even got some homework done, don't worry). During my 4.5 years in college thus far, I have never participated in a movie marathon. It was wildly entertaining. I'm pretty sure I missed huge portions of plot line because we were laughing and talking during almost all of it, but it was worth it.

It was worth it to take time off from my busy schedule, to forget about homework if only for 10 hours of my life, to watch intergalactic warfare scenes, to eat too much junk food, to feel as if I have lost 1000 braincells.

My advice to all current and future college students:
be sure to make time for fun (synonyms: jollification, merrymaking, amusement, R and R, etc.).

You won't regret it!

-Shayla

Big Change

Hi Friends! Goodness it's been a long time. I had a great summer--I spent it in Logan (I definitely suggest everyone do this at some point in your time at Utah State). This semester has been so busy. I'm working for USU Residence Life as a Peer Mentor (blog about this to come soon) and I'm also an Undergraduate Teaching Fellow for the Beginning Latin class.

Here's a much needed update about my academic career here at USU:
I am changing my major to Liberal Arts with minors in Math, Latin, and Ancient Greek. That's right folks, I will not longer be a Mathematics Education major. I have always been uneasy with the idea of being a math teacher, but I never knew to what I could change my major. Well...the time has come. Finally, in my fifth year of school--don't worry, a lot of people take the 5 or 6 year track :)--I feel like I'm headed in the right direction.

So, I'm guessing you're thinking two things:

One: "What on earth is a Liberal Arts major?" The Liberal Arts Major offers a broad and challenging course of study in the humanities, sciences, arts, and social sciences. It allows a student to really explore all different aspects of the humanities, arts, sciences and social sciences and this major allows the student to develop an individualized curriculum in consultation with the program advisor. Check out the USU General Catalog to find out more.

Two: "Liberal Arts majors? Don't they just flip burgers when they graduate? " Yeah, I guess that's an option, but that's not what I'm going for. I am planning on going to graduate school either at a seminary or a university with a divinity school (like Yale, Harvard, etc.). I am interested in Biblical Studies with some sort of language emphasis. The reality is I don't know exactly what I will be doing when I finish that sort of degree, but it's a start at least.

Well, I hope the semester is treating you well. I'm glad I am finally able to catch everyone up on my major change (in both senses of the phrase).

-Shayla