Registration At TTU
I just got back from orientation at Tennessee Tech and I’m really excited! Okay, here’s the deal . . .
So orientation was painfully and unnecessarily drawn out (It went from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM the first day, and then 8 AM to late in the afternoon the second day) but now I am pumped about college! I got my student ID (which I cannot WAIT to use at the Fazoli’s in Cookeville on Tuesday nights to get my $2.99 pasta and drink deal!!!!- ha, freshman 15. For me it’s gonna be freshman 50. Good thing they have a gym at TTU also) and then I got to sit down with the poly sci (my major) professor and she was so helpful and friendly. I’m taking 16 credit hours first semester, which I know is a lot, but I feel confident that I can handle it. The classes I’m taking are: College Algebra (the only class that I am truly nervous about. I HATE math, but thank the Lord it’s the only math class I have to take), Introduction to Sociology, Mass Communications for A Changing Society, American Government (which the poly sci professor is teaching!), British Literature, and this lame required class for freshman called “First Year Connections” where we apparently watch videos on how to balance our social life with academics and get along with our roommate. Speaking of which- I found out that I got the roommate I requested, my friend Daniel. When I found out I breathed a huge sigh of relief because I really wasn’t wanting to room with some person I didn’t know.
One thing that I didn’t particularly like — and I want to get your thoughts on where you stand on this topic- was the way that everyone at orientation, including the administration was REALLY pushing fraternities and sororities. Which has never been something that I’ve had the least bit of interest in. And they were saying things like “Our fraternities don’t drink and don’t haze, ” and all this stuff that I don’t buy at all. Thankfully for me, only about 10% of TTU students are greek and very few of my friends have intentions of joining a fraternity/sorority.
Our Last Hoorah!
For probably close to two years, when schedules permit, if my friends at work and I are the ones work the closing shift on a given Saturday night, we head to Steak and Shake after close. As I’ve alluded to in previous blogs, work has, in many ways, become a ‘livelihood’ of sorts for me, and I’ve grown really close to a lot of my coworkers. SO, last Saturday I planned our last hoorah at the good ole Steak and Shake, and had cards and Steak and Shake gift cards in hand for everyone. It was a lot of fun. Jon and Sara (front left, front right) are also going to TTU, but Conner (back left) is only a junior in high school- we’ve informed him that he is going to Tennessee Tech also– he has no choice. I am thankful to have such great friends at work. They help me keep my sanity. Much to my chagrin, my last day at CFA until holiday break will be August 16th.
Running Mates?
Okay fellow political aficionados, I want to know who you think McCain should pick/will pick for his running mate. I’m sayin he needs a strong economist– preferably Carly Fiorina. I love this woman! She’s the former HP executive and Fox Business News Contributor that is currently one of McCain’s top campaign advisors. Whenever I see her working the news show circuit as a surrogate for the campaign, she is always very sharp and answers the toughest of questions with ease. Romney would also be a good pick. Originally I was pullin for Huckabee, but I don’t know that he has the economic credentials. Your thoughts? Watch the video below to see her DOMINATE on Meet the Press, and kick Clair McCaskill’s tail! McCain 08!
How He Loves
One of my new favorite songs is “How He Loves” by John Mark McMillan! If you saw the video ‘Cardboard Testimonies’ at Long Hollow Baptist Church this past sunday, or on YouTube, it is the music playing in the background. It is an awesome song!
MIA Bloggers
Attention Jamie Stewart, Rachel Lovingood, Travis Keiser, and all of the bloggers out there that haven’t been posting anything in recent weeks- the time has come. Let’s go, pick up the slack. You’re keeping us hanging! John Revell- you just barely escaped making this list, your post two weeks ago saved you. And Stephanie Hill- you just got your blog, and now haven’t written anything since July 13th- tisk, tisk. I am calling you all out! And don’t give me that “Well I have to wait for the creative inspiration” because I know all of you all and you’re major talkers, so if you don’t run out of things to say out loud, than how can you run out of things to write? There. Think about that. Now hop to it people!
-Jonathan
wow that is awesome.
Warnings about college:
Stay away from all fraternities. It’s a waste of time. I tried it, and wish I could get my two semesters of my life back!
Stay away from the credit card applications. People who represent credit card companies love college campuses. It’s not worth the free shirt. I never signed up for one, and never will, but I had a lot of friends who were in over their head. I’m talking about 20 thousand in CC debt. It’s not worth it!
I have a friend who was apart of campus crusade. You need to check that out. His name is Kenny Hayes. It’s a great way to plug in and make friends, and plug out after long hours of studying.
I miss going to college. I loved going to the bookstore and shopping for college supplies and wally world. Oh and you might want to check for employment at the bookstore. I got 15 percent off my college text books at Harvard on The High Way (Vol. State). That’s a good deal considering that you will spend over $100 for one book! Or you can go to Amazon.com and check to see if they sale the books that you will need. Do this before class starts though. Also check the boards at school to see if any one is selling their books. You make more money selling your books than the store buying them back. So hold on to your books when you are preparing for your second semester, and post them on you blogger, myspace or facebook account. Any college student wants a great deal!
If you need any more advice just let me know. If I think of something else, I will post you a comment on your blog.
Will you be living in a dorm?
Thanks for the tips Maggie. I really appreciate it- Yes, I will be living in a dorm.
Dorm living how nice. I did not live in a dorm but I had a sister that did. One of the things that she did, and so wise, was purchase a microwave to study and eat at the same time. You might want to meet your room mate first before you go spending on stuff like that! If he brings a refrigerator, then you can grocery shop for things you both like and need, and you can supply the microwave. It’s like, you scratch my back and I will scratch yours:0)
Also, find out what kind of bed you will be sleeping on. That way if it’s too uncomfortable, you can buy an inexpensive cotton mattress to give you more sleep.
Invest in ear plugs because there will be noise, and you can sleep.
Also make sure you wash out the shower. Lots of students are known to receive ring worm or other fungal diseases while showering in dorm bathrooms. I know that is TMI but I have know a lot of people who got fungal diseases because of unsanitary showers. My sister used flip flops to shower in.
Sorry if I sound like a mother, or an OCD germ freak, but these are the top things that I always share with people that are going to college campuses!
Also, take lots of pictures of your expensive things, like computer and printer. Some dorms are broken into, and you can supply your insurance company pictures and may cut you a check for what was lost. A rule of thumb my sister went by was, if you are leaving for long breaks, take the things that are of most value. back then (1996) she had the bulky compaq computer (I hated that thing), and she always had to take it apart load it in her car and the printer…books too, and take it home with her on school vacations! Thank Jesus for the laptops:0)
ok I will stop and let your other friends comment!
chik fil a is a crime scene now?
Haha yeah there was a shootin’ in the mall like two weeks ago. Shocker, right? It shattered the store front of “Vitamin World” but the dude didn’t have very good aim apparently so he didn’t get the guy he was aiming for. That’s RiverGate for ya.
I have not been to Rivergate Mall in so long. I have a nickname for Rivergate. It’s called Ghetto-Gate Mall.
They did arrest that guy in Nashville. He was charged for the shooting and also for position of cocaine. Things could have been a lot worse if he were really really high!
Welcome to Cookeville. Not sure how I found your blog, just surfing the net over the weekend.
I came here 30 years ago to go to TTU – and never left town. I spent 20 years in the local radio industry. I’m now the Executive Director of our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. You’ll enjoy life here! Best wishes to you and I hope to meet you one day as a TTU Volunteer on a Habitat jobsite!
Thanks for plug on Carly – I’m going to check her out.