January 2019 – Page 2 – College Admission at Loyola

Such a ‘Bler: Language Competency Exam Results

By Minh Ha (Millie) Le | January 14, 2019

Earlier last semester, I decided to take the Vietnamese Language Competency Exam. Here’s a closer look at my process and why it was such a nerve-wracking experience for me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wY7nA_qA1c

During Winter break, I finally received the results via email: I PASSED and honestly feel very empowered. After growing up nervous and even embarrassed about my control of the language, I can now truly say that I am academically certified in Vietnamese, a have an extra 6 credits for my 4 years at Loyola! All it took was an hour each in two separate buildings and a dash of courage.

For those looking to free up credit hours for more courses, I highly recommend taking a Language Competency Exam if you are bilingual. I’m so glad I did. Simply email David Pankratz, the Director of the Language Learning Resource Center (dpankra@luc.edu) and he can easily help you set up an exam. Just trust yourself, what you know, and you’ll do just fine.

HEY, I ALSO MAKE VIDEOS!

HERE’S THE SUCH A ‘BLER PLAYLIST:

Such a ‘Bler: Sophomore Fall Reflection

By Minh Ha (Millie) Le | January 14, 2019

Look alive ramblers, SPRING 2019 IS UPON US.

With a new year and 14-week adventure beginning, here are a few things this sophomore has taken away from a rollercoaster of a semester:

Don’t trust your bi-weekly planning routine. There’s a reason the syllabus is prewritten and read through for specific queries on the first day of class – professors aren’t looking to let you have an easy start with the ‘tell us a fun fact about yourself’ ice breaker – THIS IS THE REAL EASY START. From this year onwards, I’m committing to jotting down ALL my quizzes, exams, assignments, presentations, extra sleep days – they type it, I write it – to make sure I have a clear vision of the semester and am able to preplan and reschedule more strategically.
Be honest about your mistakes. Not only is it right, but the truth will always work in your favor one way or another. Frankly, professors are human – very intellectual and organized humans – but humans. They will listen to your concerns and fears if you let them. They want you to succeed, so be honest and let them help the way they can.
Venture when you get the chance. This includes on-campus events, off-campus events, new study spots, odd hour adventures and things you want to go to but somehow landed in the situation of going alone. Doing this not only allows you to refresh your mind in order to tackle more words but always remember that you are here to experience. JUST GO! YOU. WILL. LOVE. IT.
And well, take the chance! I’m essentially reiterating the last point because it is THAT important. Budging out of that burrito of comfort is so important because you’ll never know if you don’t try. That thing you’re so afraid of, may be the best thing ever. It may be the thing you’ve always been searching for. I took plenty of chances this semester and can’t even say that I regret the ones that ended less pleasant.

I’m ready for another ball game, are you?

HEY, I ALSO MAKE VIDEOS!

HERE’S THE SUCH A ‘BLER PLAYLIST:

Such a ‘Bler: Theatre Scenic Practicum Final: I Made A Miniature Drum Set!

By Minh Ha (Millie) Le | January 14, 2019

I felt adventurous last semester and took THTR 312S or Theatre Practicum: Scenic Construction. In this course, we learn about the making of the stage, its setting and properties and the unmaking of them. Within the scene shop and Loyola’s two stages, we touched upon idea formulation, research, design, cut lists, scenic machines, tools, setting up, strikes etc. The experience overall consisted of a lot of hands on work but also very fundamental theories.

Feeling even more adventurous towards the end of the course, I embarked on the challenge of creating a miniature drum set for my final project. With this last piece, we were asked to create anything of our desire from scratch. This accumulated all we’ve learnt throughout the semester and buckets of imagination.

Here’s a closer look at my process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbZx19CeXAg&t=4s

And here is the final product!

It is a lot more simplistic than my initial drawings, and definitely not as clean cut as ideal but, and as cheesy as it sounds, I really did learn so much while making it. A lot of trial and error, deconstruction and reconstruction and patience went into this little piece.

One month, 2 cuts and 1 burn later, my scribbles and scratches are a 10”x15” reality. I am proud and am ready to walk confidently towards new and even more challenging visions.