Hello all!

            My name is Chand and I am extremely fortunate to be one of your handy dandy bloggers. I am a Communication Studies Major and am currently involved in Key Plus, Triunfo (tutoring/volunteer organization) and I am a Puksta Scholar. Born in Pakistan, I am lucky to have a wonderful, large family to give me many opportunities. I do not enjoy longs walk on the beach because they hurt my weak ankles. Anyways, that is just a little about me, but now for the good stuff!

This second year has been a blur. From moving into a new apartment the Wednesday before school started, to typing this blog, nothing has gone slowly. Easing into to the second-year life consisted of many trips to King Soopers, amongst other errands. I moved in thinking that it would take maybe three days total to get all settled in. Well, let me tell you: I lied. I am still easing in. Moving into the apartment was not even half of it. Easing into off-campus life, making my own meals, managing my time, and still trying to be social are all factors that I am still adjusting to.

            In general, what is sophomore year like so far? It is a combination of lack of sleep (that I definitely brought upon myself because I cannot stop talking to people), constantly buying something more for the apartment, being placed on the shoulders of someone at the Macklemore concert (and discovering that he had three dancers the whole time) and thinking deeply about my freshman year. Oh yeah, and academics, of course.

            Oh dear academics. I went from taking four legitimate classes, last year, to six. That in itself is a college shock, but doing extra-curriculars on top of that is what tipped the scale. Now, when I say that, I certainly do not mean for the worse. It just tipped the balance scale in a different direction than I first was anticipating.

Into my second week of school, I have realized that time management is much more prevalent. I always tell people that I make time. So, my plan is to do just that; and not just for my consistent dates with Netflix or the set of Friends DVDs that I have right next to my desk (although that may be what I do most of with my spare time).

The other day, I walked around campus and saw the freshmen with their proxy keys dangling from their lanyards. I thought, “wow did I look that young?!” Most definitely. I’m sure I looked that “new” as well. As I subtly age, I realized how easy it is to identify other’s ages, too. They are wide-eyed and wondrous. Just seeing those youngsters walking around reminded me of how much I transformed and matured throughout last year.

Anyways, I digress. College is great. Already, my sophomore year is better than my freshmen year. It just shows that as of right now, things will only continue to improve. Things will change, too. I have to keep reminding myself that I am only in my second year. People will change and all I can do is my thing and hope others support that. So far, so good, so different, SO EXCITED.

            With love,

                   A new sophomore who knows she already spread herself too thin this semester

--- Chand

Sophomore Connor 

I am a sophomore Health and Exercise Science student from Pennsylvania. Coming to Colorado State was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I am enjoy every aspect of college, ups and downs.

Hey Everyone,

     Well it's almost time for everyone's favorite time of year, summer break. Unfortunately, before that we have the equally fun, finals! Honestly though, this year has flew by. It seemed like just yesterday I was moving into my house, and now my roommates are about to move out already! I'll be living in the house over the summer, thank goodness, because I was able to find a job in Fort Collins, so I don't have to go back to Pennsylvania. I love getting away from school as much as the next person, but I strongly encourage everyone and anyone to spend some time in Fort Collins over break, whether it be summer, winter, or spring break. The town has a completely different vibe when everyone leaves, it's.. peaceful.

     Anyways, looking back on my Sophomore year, I have to say that I'm happy it went down like it did, but I'm sad that it's over already. I know that Sophomore and Junior year aren't too drastically different, but it just means I'm one step closer to growing up. This year, I started paying rent, utility bills, grocery shopping, going to the library more, and just a lot of other stuff that responsible adults do. Weird, I know. 

     The best parts about my sophomore year are just being independent finally. I know the responsibility of all this new stuff is scary sometimes, but it feels fulfilling, like your parents would be proud. Corny, I know, but whatever. Living with my best friends everyday has been unreal. We procrastinate A LOT, but I also get motivated by them to get down to work when it really comes time to do so. So if you can, pick roommates that will push you to succeed. And if you're looking at your future roommates already and thinking that's not even a possibility, then first off, relax, because you are going to have a great time living with them, but secondly you can probably be the one to motivate them and let them know when it's time to get down to work.

     The most stressful parts of my Sophomore year are probably looking for a job, trying to sign up for classes that somehow fill up before you can blink, and I'm sure these finals coming up in two weeks won't be fun either. But if you are reading this USE THE RESOURCES CSU GIVES YOU. The career center is awesome for anyone looking to make some money, they have opportunities left and right and the helped me touch up my resume. Also, talking to an adviser always completely eradicates all of my stress about classes and my future and how I'm going to graduate. This is the stuff that your tuition goes towards, so get your money's worth. 

     For my Junior year at Colorado State, I'll be moving into my fraternity's house with 34 other dudes. Kind of a scary thought. But if all goes according to plan, then I'll be going to Australia for next Spring semester, and that will be an experience and a half. I'm excited with the position I've put myself in by keeping my grades up and bumping out 18 credits this semester. Hopefully Junior year will be even better than this year has been, but if it's even just as good then I'll be ecstatic. 

     Last words of advice: Don't go to riot parties or you will be tear gassed, Don't stress out if you have trouble getting into courses you need, Do use all the resources that CSU has to offer, and finally, Just have fun. You only have 4 or 5 or 6 years in college, make them count.

Peace

Sophomore Connor 

I am a sophomore Health and Exercise Science student from Pennsylvania. Coming to Colorado State was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I am enjoy every aspect of college, ups and downs.

Hola Everyone,

      Hope you all had a great spring break. I know I did. I was able to go on a backpacking excursion in southern Utah for a week and it really recharged the old batteries. I was surprised to have such a good time without going to Vegas, or Havasu, or Mexico. Its good to know that if school is ever getting a little stressful, I can rely on good old fashioned nature to settle me down. Last year for spring break, I was snowboarding up in Aspen for free and staying at my brother's place, so this year was actually more expensive. It was well worth the money though. Don't be afraid to spend a little money on things like break, you only get a hand-full of opportunities to travel like this while you're in college.

      Academically, I was getting a little stressed in the week leading up to break, with all the last second tests and assignments that the professors were trying to sneak in before we left. I have to say its the best feeling getting done with that final test on Friday and just being done. Now that we're back to school, I'm definitely going to stay on top of my schoolwork and not get behind in any of my classes.  I think that'll alleviate a lot of stress later on in the semester. But speaking of staying on top of things; my house is clean for once! I've been emphasizing to my roommates how it will be easier to keep clean if we don't let dishes or clothes pile up. Just put stuff away right when you're done with it!

      I can't wait to be able to do activities comfortably outside again. It is finally nice out, and I'm hoping it stays that way. When it's nice, everyone smiles, girls look more attractive, everyone is friendlier, and class don't seem so tedious. I love it. Hopefully, I can take advantage of the weather and get some hiking or boating done, before any freak snow storms come through. Although, I am dying to hit up the mountains one last time before I say goodbye to winter. I've been a little too busy with my school work to sign up for any intramural sports, which I regret, but I'm sure I'll do some pickup basketball games in the gym to stay active.

      Overall, I'm excited to finish out this semester strong and see where I'll end up this summer. Hopefully I'll stay in FoCo if I can find a job!! 

Sophomore Connor 

I am a sophomore Health and Exercise Science student from Pennsylvania. Coming to Colorado State was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I am enjoy every aspect of college, ups and downs.

        Second Semester is in full swing and I'm excited to be back at Colorado State. I'm taking 18 credits this semester and the workload is definitely more than I'm used to. I figured I would have to start taking more credits if I want to stay on the 4-year plan while also trying to study abroad next Spring and maintaining my business minor. The increased amount of time in class is a little bit of a pain, but what's really killing me is all the online homework and busy-work due each week, but hey, it's nothing that can't be solved by more time in the library. 

       I was thinking of getting a part-time job this semester, but I don't know if I'll have the time to make it happen this semester. My parents are probably upset about that because I need money. Even with the large course-load however, I'm very happy with where I'm at and what I'm doing. Because of this, I haven't been able to participate in as many extra-curricular activities as I'd like, but I'm still playing some recreational intramural basketball to stay in shape. It is surprisingly competitive, but fun just the same.

 Last year at this time, I was more excited to be back in Fort Collins than I am now, but that's just because I was in Fort Collins for a good portion of winter break this year. Nothing has really changed in my living situation since the beginning of the year. I still enjoy living with my roommates, but am sadly realizing that next year won't be the same and I'm going to miss living with one of my best buddies. I'm not really searching for a relationship right now, so the coming and going of Valentine's day didn't phase me, like it did for some people. As far as I was concerned, it was just another Thursday night to hangout with my friends. 

 

        Our basketball has been doing insanely well this year and it's been really fun going to the games with all the energy and excitement. Our home streak is increased is 27 games won in Moby in a row! It's nice to see one of our big athletic programs doing well for once. All in all, I'm having an outstanding time in my second year at Colorado State. On a scale of 1-10, I think I'm at an 7. Things are getting busy, but I will persevere. 

 

See ya next month

Sophomore Courtney

I am a sophomore Sociology and Social Work double major from Michigan. I love Colorado State and my favorite part of Campus is the Oval, especially in the Fall. Along with being involved on campus, I enjoy spending time outdoors and hiking the mountains! 

Hello fellow second-year students, and welcome to Spring Semester! This weather is definitely making it feel more like its April already, rather than January, but I’m not really complaining! I hope that everyone had a great beginning to their semester and that you all are enjoying your classes before the homework starts to pile up! One thing that I’ve noticed about this time of year is that not only do the stresses of school begin again, but we must also start thinking about next Fall already when looking into our housing situations. It’s crazy to think that the time of year for house and apartment leasing is here yet again, I feel like I just went through it yesterday.

            And so, with this in mind, I wanted to dedicate this blog to the housing situations of second years. As CSU students, the amount of different circumstances that I have heard has been all over the place! From continuing to live on campus in the residence halls, to living within an apartment, condo, duplex, or house…people have a lot of things to choose from! I was lucky enough to begin living in a condo complex near campus that gave me the opportunity to have a basement, garage, and upstairs living area. I didn’t realize until I began to move in how much STUFF was necessary to have in moving from a residence hall to my own place. However, now that I am all settled in, the thought of moving my belongings yet again seems daunting. However, I feel that I am slowly starting to build up my arsenal of kitchen appliances and bathroom décor for when I have my big-girl house in a couple of years.

            One great thing that I have found in moving from the residence halls to a condo with a couple of my friends has been the step-up transition that occurs with each move. I had to purchase a lot of goods initially when moving into the residence hall, but my furniture and other amenities were already provided for me. During my second year, I had to begin to purchase more furniture and other household appliances, but I have been able to split many of these items with my roommates so that I have not had to buy as much. In a few years when I am looking into my own person housing, I feel that I will be prepared for the next upward transition of needing everything on my own because I have taken baby steps to get to that point so it won’t be as scary!          

            Whatever your housing situation may be, I wish you all the best in finding a residence (or remaining where you currently are) for next year! Good luck with the beginning of the semester, and make sure to start off strong! Until next time :)

Sophomore Connor 

I am a sophomore Health and Exercise Science student from Pennsylvania. Coming to Colorado State was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I am enjoy every aspect of college, ups and downs.

I'm still very pleased with where I am in my life at CSU in my second year. Things are getting a little busy, as they always do right before winter break. Last year around this time, I really wanted to go home to Philly to see all my friends and family for fall break, but this year I decided to stay in Colorado with my roommates (my best friends) and going up to the mountains all break. This is mostly because I don't feel like paying $300-400 for fall break, and then pay another $300-400 bucks 2 weeks later for winter break. I know a lot of people don't like how close the breaks are together. 

Academically, it would appear that all my grades are right on the borderline between A and B. This is how it always seems to work out towards the end of the semester. Meaning, I really have to be on my game in the 4th quarter of the semester, which is fine, just a little stressful. The break helps with the workload, though. I just have to spend more time in the library and less time in the gym. As we've been progressing through the holidays, starting with Halloween a couple weeks ago, my house has been getting kind of cold, but we're all a little hesitant to turn up the thermostat because that means the gas bill will go up a lot, and I think we'd all rather just deal with it. That's one of the major differences between living in the halls and living in a house. Every comfort that you gain in a house, comes out of your pocket: longer showers, more heat, more light, and more food all cost more money. Socially I've been meeting a lot of new people because of the fraternity I'm joining. It's hard finding time for all the friends I made last year, but it makes it easier to weed out the real friends from just the acquaintances.

I'm starting to play Intramural sports like dodgeball and basketball at the gym. It's a good way to stay active and competitive now that I'm not playing organized sports. I'm also planning on making a lot of trips up to the mountains this winter to snowboard, so I have to put time aside for that. On a scale of 1-10, I'd have to rate my second year experience right now an 8. Maybe it’s just because I'm writing this right after fall break but I feel good, a little stressed with all these grades coming down to the wire, but at least I had a chance to relax this past week.

    
Sophomore Courtney

I am a sophomore Sociology and Social Work double major from Michigan. I love Colorado State and my favorite part of Campus is the Oval, especially in the Fall. Along with being involved on campus, I enjoy spending time outdoors and hiking the mountains!


      Happy Halloween everyone! And happy beginning of November! May the countdown begin for Thanksgiving break, after this week we only have two more weeks of class to go! I hope all of you are having a great middle of the semester and are starting to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel for break. 

     As I walk across campus I have not been able to ignore all of the posters that are currently up promoting becoming an Orientation Leader or an Orientation Office Assistant with the OTP office on campus (sometimes covered in snow, sometimes glistening in the sun…figure it out, Colorado Weather!). Upon further research, I discovered that the office is currently hiring for leadership positions for next year. This got me thinking about my orientation experience. As an out of state student, I opted to come for a session the week before classes began to make my move-in as convenient as possible. I remember being welcomed to the university by a group of leaders who I truly looked up to as students who knew CSU like the back of their hands, and who were truly interested in sharing their experience with me. I remember aspiring to be a person like that simply because I could then feel pride in my university through and through. 

      I then began to think of the thousands of other leadership opportunities available on campus. CSU is one of those truly unique places in the amount of prospects it provides to its students who are looking to get involved. No matter what your fit or what level of involvement you are looking for, you can find it here. I think that many people forget that simply attending one of our football games or theatre performances counts as being involved on campus. You do not have to devote large portions of your time in order to show off some Ram Pride. 

     It was not until I became involved in the campus organizations that I am that I truly felt like I found my fit on campus. I was a bit lost my first year here because the extent of my college experience stretched from attending class and visiting the rec center for a work out every so often. I then decided to really push myself to get more involved in my experience and have since become involved with several campus organizations. Coming from me: that was the best decision I have ever made. We are all here to attend a great university and graduate with a degree. However, the college experience includes the learning that goes on outside of class as well. Campus organizations provided me with the leadership experience and self-growth that I will always look back on with fond memories of what college provided for me. 

      So, moral of this story: get involved! It doesn’t matter which way you do it, you can choose to stretch yourself and work with the Orientation office on campus if that sounds up your ally, join a club involved with your major, sign yourself up for an intramural team at the rec, or even just go and support some Ram athletics at one of our sporting events! Anyway, do whatever sounds like the right fit for you, but try to push yourself outside of your comfort level at the same time. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed and will have lasting memories because of it!