What is the typical college lifestyle?

Casino Night!

One of the most amazing events here on campus is Casino night hosted by our very own Student Programming Board. (an organization in which you can join!!)

Explanation: When you go, you get a certain amount of "dollars" in fake chips. You can use these chips on any of the games. There is roulette, Texa's holdem, black jack, slot machines and craps. Once you reach a certain amount of chips, you can trade them in for raffle tickets. There are so many great prizes to be raffled off at the end of the night, tv's, ipod's, blue rays, you name it! 


As a freshmen, I let this event slide past me and never went. I didn't know exactly how great it was until my sophomore year when all of the Resident Assistants had to work it. My station was the black jack table. It was such an incredible experience because people actually came to my table and I held their fate in my hands. As the dealer, I tried to not win because that's no fun for anyone. It was great when my whole table would win and I would feel the good energy! It was also great to be able to see what it's like in a real dealer's shoes. Trying to add up cards is no joke and I found that fast math is not one of my strong suits.So look out for this event somewhere around feb/march and definitely go!! 

Where you put your raffle tickets!

Blackjack

There's a band!

Roulette!!

A nice view of the room!!

Slot Machines!!

PHOTO CRED: SPB's Facebook page!

Life is all about the journey,not the destination.

When I think of coming to college, I think of a quote by Liz Gilbert in the movie “Eat, Pray, Love.”

It states,

“If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared-most of all- to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself…then truth will not be withheld from you.”

This is exactly what coming to college is like, especially if you decide to live on campus. I came into the residence halls not knowing anyone. I left the comfort and familiarity of my home, an area that covers 11.5 square miles, to live in a residence hall full of a ton of people that I had no idea I would even get along with. I was this shy, quiet girl setting foot into the real world, or what I thought was the real world at the time.

The past three years of college have been a journey.  Through every person I met, I have learned so much about myself and my career path. The people who I have come in contact with have really opened my eyes. Each and every person has taught me something and has helped steer me into the right direction. You’d be surprised; all it takes is one person to change your life forever. For example, one person especially has helped me discover some “very difficult realities about myself” that I didn’t even notice. I would of never of thought that this person would be a part of my life. But, I ran into them one day in the Vandenberg Dining Center and life has never been the same since. Through this key person and many others that I have met along my “journey,” I have overcome some bad habits. One habit in particular has helped me view the world differently. I never noticed how much a negative thinker I used to be until someone pointed it out. Changing my thought process from a negative into a positive thinker has really made a huge difference.

People are not the only things that can change your life forever; it could also be an experience. I’d like to call one of my notable experiences, “The art of growing up.”  During my freshmen year at Oakland there were times where I would just sit in my room and think, college is so freaking hard, especially having to live on my own. Trying to figure out when to do laundry, when to study, how to work with people 24/7, how to still have fun, and when to eat can become extremely stressful. But eventually you figure it out, and these things start to become second nature. Sooner than you know it, you think wow; I’m growing up, look at how much I’ve learned already.  There have also been many other experiences that have led me to who I am today, but I would have not taken them if I didn’t have an open mind. So, when you come to college, make sure you make the most of it. Join clubs, go to programs, be yourself, and always keep your head up.

If I could give any piece of advice to incoming freshmen it would be to not be afraid of the unknown. There is a reason for whatever comes your way in the future. College specifically, is a totally amazing journey. Usually the first step in a journey is the hardest. However, deciding to become a Golden Grizzly was the first step you took. So now the hard part is done with and all you have to do is keep going. Don’t worry about the future and live in the moment.

The ending line to the quote by Liz Gilbert states, “… then the truth with not be withheld from you.” As the years of college go by, you will in fact start to learn the truth about yourself, your career path and the world around you. However, one thing that you do find out is that college is just one chapter of your life. There are many more to come but well, you’ll figure that out later. For now, it’s just one step at a time. J

Through the years...

In college...there are so many fun opportunities and you meet so many people. I just wanted to share with you some of my experiences. So let's start at the beginning...high school prom and go from there! 

PROM MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

College freshmen year with my roommate!! (I went in blind!)

PB&J Party on 3 West

Tigers game with my RA and friend Claire!

Halloween on 3 West!

3,4, and 5 West Thanksgiving

3 West Icebreaker

All dressed up for the Meadowbrook Ball!

I was president of Vandenberg House Council Freshmen Year!!

Grocery Bingo! I was the bingo caller!

Siblings Weekend!

I was hired on to be an resident assistant! Part of my staff at the welcoming banquet!

Some of my residents at a program I created! Top Chef, using hot dogs!

Intramural Volleyball!!

Student Programming Board's Electric Glow Party and guess what?!?! Free t-shirts!

Resident Assistant Camp

End of the year banquet for Resident Assistant's-my staff

Housing Ambassadors!! At an event we put on once a year!!

My Resident Assistant staff last year!!

At Resident Assistant Camp again with a new staff!!

With some of my residents at casino night!

My residents created this putt putt course in the lounge for the Putt Putt Palooza program!

Me and two other RA's at Meadowbrook ball!

Me and some of my residents!

Me and two of my friends at Disney World! A trip that was offered through the Center of  Student Activities!!

At Greening of Detroit with my staff!!

My staff at the end of the year banquet back in April!

Wow, I've done so much in the past three years at Oakland. You see? College is far from boring!! So make the most of your college years at Oakland University :)

Sometimes life works in Mysterious Ways

Sometimes college can be time for transformation. A time when learning happens more than inside four walls of a classroom… I'm going to share with you something that has happened in my life that has really impacted me.


It started in 2nd grade when I first started going to catechism. I met this girl named Amanda and she turned out to be my best friend. We went to different elementary schools but we ended up going to the same middle school and high school.

During elementary and middle school we hung out all the time together. I always hung out at her house and was safe to say that we were BFFs. (Best friends forever)


Everything was going great until freshmen year of high school when we started liking the same guy. Breaking it down, he ended up dating both of us. Me first, her second but the thing was we were all really good friends at first. Sooo, when we all hung out my house and I was surprised with the news that they were dating, I blew up.


Our friendship was never the same since. In fact, we did not like each other at all. We would pass by each other in the hallway and give each other glaring looks. It was horrible.


Next, college came and to my surprise we ended up going to the same college…Oakland University.


The first two years at Oakland I didn’t see Amanda that much. When I did see her, I would look the other way.


My sophomore year at Oakland I was hired to be a Resident Assistant.


Then junior year I was assigned to East Vandenberg. Much to my surprise I found out Amanda applied to be a resident assistant and guess where she was placed? East Vandenberg.


When I found this out, I was freaking out. How am I going to make this work? Then I thought…maybe this would help our friendship.


First day of RA training was a little awkward. In fact the first couple of weeks were kind of awkward. But then I noticed something…

We were both different people than the kids we once were. College definitely shaped us into better, more mature people.


As time went on we ended up becoming friends. We actually went on the Disney Trip together hosted by the Center of Student Activities (CSA) with another friend of ours.


We aren’t bff’s like we once were but it doesn’t matter because I know that I can still go talk to her about anything.


The moral of this story is that when you go to college you grow up. All of the high school drama doesn’t matter anymore so leave that behind. College is a time to see what is really important in life and to know that no boy is worth ruining a great friendship.


Well that’s about it!


Until next time,


Seee yaa!

The East Vandy Staff at the Housing Banquet

The East Vandy Staff at Greening of Detroit



Amanda and I at Walt Disney World



Amanda and I back in middle school

How to succeed at Oakland, making the most out of your college experience

So it's Saturday May 21 at 9:58 pm and it's such a nice night outside (well never mind I guess it's raining but it was a nice day!). It's starting to finally feel like summer. I had an awesome day consisting of garage sailing (found a puzzle for 25 cents) and Wal-Mart shopping. But let's get to the point here...
Blog Topic for today:
I've been thinking all day about what I should talk about in my blog and I have yet to come to a conclusion. I was hoping that it would just come to me, so I'm going to write about the first topic that comes to mind.

How to succeed at Oakland...making the most out of your college experience
Crazy, that lovely topic just came to me. :)

Well, let me just break this down for you because it's easier that way.
1. Pay attention in your classes. I know it's really hard to pay attention, extremely hard! Especially when you have those 6:30 to 9:50 classes but it's really important. By paying attention and actually learning in class, it saves you the headache of trying to learn the stuff at home. So don't waste your hours in class dozing off, try to learn something. (This includes spending your time on facebook, listening to your IPOD, reading the paper, ect.)

2. Actually go to class. It's so easy just to say...ohhh the power points are posted online; I don't really need to go. But, if you don't go to class, you'll miss some valuable information. For example, your professor might say, this is going to be on the test. So, then you know and you can succeed. Also, sometimes professors give extra credit for people who show up to class.

3. Stay away from the opposite sex.
Take it from me, to really succeed, this is very important. All girls/guys cause is drama. You’re at school to get an education, save yourself the headache. Friends are fine, it's great to interact with the opposite sex, but don't waste all your time on them. Time is very valuable in college and can be used to study.

4. GET SLEEP. This is self-explanatory. By getting sleep, you’ll be able to focus and do well.

5. Get Involved
There are so many things that you can do on campus. By getting involved you’ll meet so many different people and have an awesome time. Trust me, it’s very rewarding.

6. Learn time-management. There are so many things to do, it’s important to prioritize. Once you figure out when to study, eat, hang out with friends, you’ll be a happy camper.

7. Don’t put off school work and studying. I’ve been known to do this and it’s not good! It’s so easy to think, I have time, one more day is okay but in reality it’s not. Time goes by so quickly that before you know it, it’s time for that project to be due or time to take that exam.

8. Utilize all campus resources.
1) Career Services is an awesome resource on campus. It’s located in North Foundation and is free. You can get your resume critiqued, you can do mock interviews or get help finding a job. I just had my resume critiqued last Friday and they did a great job.
2) Another resource is the academic skills center located in North Foundation Hall. There is free tutoring offered here for basic 100 to 200 level classes. I started going to the ASC my freshmen year and it has helped immensely.
3) Finally, go see your professors during their office hours if you need help. It proves that your showing intuitive and your professors may offer you extra credit if you start improving. Trust me, professor’s care about your grades. Also, they can write recommendation letters in the future.

So there are tons of more ways to succeed but there are eight for now.

One thing to note is just to make the most out of your college years. Have fun, do well, and enjoy life.

Until next time

ADIOS J

A less than 650 word summary of me!

ABOUT ME!

First post, here we go. Well, my name is Jacqueline Mannino and this is my third summer as a Housing Ambassador. I am a senior at Oakland University and have lived in housing for three years. My major is Biomedical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences: Medical Laboratory Sciences. (Just a long name for a sweet lab person). Here’s a rundown on my living situations over the last 3 years at OU: My first year, I lived on the Honors college floor on 3 West Vandenberg, 2^nd year  Resident Assistant on 4 Hill, thennn I was a resident assistant on 6 East Vandenberg.  I was also President of Vandenberg House Council my freshmen year and I worked in the honors college last year. Living on campus was probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I’ve learned and grown so much from these past three years at Oakland and if you have the opportunity to live on campus DO IT! J `

^^^Soo, I’ll get into more detail as my blog progresses but that is basically the sha ding ding of it all.

WHAT LED ME TO MY MAJOR?!

Well, long story, but I will summarize it. I think the average person changes their major like six times and that’s kind of what I did…well kind of. First, I came into Oakland as a Nursing major because my mom really wanted me to be a nurse and I was like okay why not. But then I decided that I did not want to do that, I just couldn’t see myself as a nurse. So then, I switched to biology and wanted to be pre-med. Then I thought, what the heck am I going to do with a biology degree if I don’t get into med school? Teach biology? Nooooo that was definitely not for me so I decided to switch again. This time I went into Radiation Therapy. That idea was pretty steady for a while and eventually I was accepted into the Beaumont School of Radiation Therapy for my Junior Year of college. During the first semester of the program, it just did not feel right. I woke up dreading clinicals and I did not want to do radiation therapy for the rest of my life. Then, I made the biggest decision of my life after my first semester of my junior year...switching my major. I was so scared but you have to be happy. I withdrew from the Beaumont School of Radiation Therapy and then decided on Medical Laboratory Sciences. I still graduate on time but I lost a whole semester… oh well, it was a learning experience. Anyways, I just completed my 1^st semester in this major and I LOVE IT! I just finished up hematology and it was awesome! In this class I was able to look at blood samples underneath the microscope and preform a phlebotomy (draw blood)!

So the moral of this story is… YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY WITH THE MAJOR YOU CHOOSE… DON’T SETTLE!

HOBBIES!

I love computers, computer games, swimming, working out, sunsets, skiing, traveling, reading, movies, hanging out with friends. I also collect candy pillows and snow globes. There’s so much more but you know how it is…its hard writing down all of the things you love to do since there are so many!

3 FUN FACTS!

I almost got slimed when I was little since I was on double dare.

I was in the Detroit newspaper because my father built Barney out of snow. (and spray-painted it!)

I was stung by a jellyfish my freshmen year of high school.



Well, that’s about it for now. You’ll get to know me better as the summer goes on. So keep reading!!