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!!