“My group's Capstone was certainly a culmination of our learning experiences. We were able to apply what we'd learned from our classes, internships, and practical experience hours and tackle a problem on our own.”
John Bosse, Exercise & Sport Sciences
April
April was one of those odd months. It just didn't seem right for some reason. I knew the end was near and the time to pack up the last 10 months of my life was approaching. I find the whole concept of packing up and leaving difficult to adjust to. It seems right when I feel fully comfortable in my surroundings, it's time to leave again. My friends and I weren't able to talk about leaving or finals because we knew that there would be a time where wouldn't see each other everyday or whenever we want. We wouldn't be able to dial four digits to call one another or walk next door to see each other. We'll have to drive five hours to see the same smiling face we walked five minutes to. We'll be alone. We came, we saw, we conquered. We made mistakes and got mad at one another for doing the immature, stupid things we did. We fought, and then we cried until everything was right again. Towards the end of the month, professors began to assign many papers. Finals were approaching and everyone just seemed to be drained both emotionally and physically. Lack of sleep began to catch up with us and we began to snap pointless comments at each other which did nothing but cause everyone to yell and get mad. No one knew why he or she was doing it, and it wasn't even just our group that was snapping at one another- everyone on campus seemed to be doing it, as if it were a plague. No one was sleeping, the work that was assigned by professors began to pile up- there just wasn't enough time in the day to get everything done.
I spent a lot of time with my friends during the month of April. Every second I had free was spent with them. It's gotten to the point where we sit in a room just staring at each other, and we'll randomly burst out laughing, not knowing why we started in the first place. They're my home now. I find comfort with them, something I don't have in a lot of people I just met.
Room draw also took place during April. It was so stressful! Basically, during room draw, you walk around campus to the residence halls you think you want to live in. You pick out the exact room you want and then at room draw you look on a map of the building and see if the room you want is still open. If it is, then that's the room you get to choose for next year. In the beginning, I wasn't really flustered. Then I started talking to people who were freaking out and my heart started to beat a little faster. When I got to room draw, I definitely panicked and picked the same room I have now. It was the last room open on the floor of that building. If I stayed calm and blocked everyone out, I think I would've picked a different room. It's hard to chose where you are going to live because there is so much to consider. I was thinking about where I could get work done, what building was quiet, and where my friends were. There are many other things to consider as well.
April Tips
April is hectic. Cards galore will help your student make it through the day.
Encourage your student to remain calm during room draw- make sure he or she has many options of rooms, in case he or she doesn't get their his or her choice.
Finals are coming. You should be receiving a flyer in the mail for final exam care packages you can send to students. Send one. They're always great.
