Author: Samantha Eddmeiri

Hi there, my name is Sam! I’m a freshman at Loyola, and although my major is undecided, I’ll probably end up in the Advertising and Public Relations world. When I’m not attending classes, singing at Loyola’s Farmer’s Market or watching Netflix in the comfort of my bed, I’m out exploring, attempting to find mom and pop coffee shops and making really stupid puns. Hopefully my writing will provide insight into the life of an adjusting freshman and invoke a laugh or two.
Writing for Midterms

Writing for Midterms

Midterms are upon us. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Most classes do have a midterm, yet there is a chance that instead of a midterm test, you will have a paper. This post is dedicated to that, because I really don’t know how much I can provide tips for you to ace your 40 question test with multiple choice, short answers, and essays.

What I’ve learned from my (one) midterm experience thus far is that planning out your essays and tests really really helps. Email your professors about deadlines if you’re not sure about them, it’s better to ask a silly question than to show up to class the day your paper is due without your paper.

So, plan your papers out. And then, start them early if you can. If you’re like me and have spent all day doing nothing but watching The Office on Netflix because you don’t have a paper due until the next Wednesday, just do yourself a favor and plan it out or start it early. It will make your life 100 times easier.

If you feel like you’re not writing well enough to get you that A that you’re looking for, do yourself a favor and sign up for the writing center! Spots around midterms go fast, but they’re really helpful and a great resource to use when looking to up your grade. Sign up online, or go into the IC and make an appointment.
To make their job easier, please review your essay for things like spelling errors and repeated words before you go in and bring them your paper.

Good luck to everyone, and happy midterms!

Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

Hi guys! In lieu of speaking about how midterms are right around the corner, I wanted to talk about what we’re really looking forward to… spring break!

If you’re debating if you want to stay at Loyola or not for the break, the dorms do stay open. Dining halls will also stay open, at least one of them will run regular hours. Lu’s will be open for those of you who live downtown, but Nina’s will be closed as it’s located inside the Corboy Law Center.

While you do not have to actually do anything during spring break, it is a really really good opportunity to explore around Chicago if you decide not to go home! A few fun neighborhoods include Wicker Park, Chinatown, and Little Italy. Find a friend and go and explore, there are always cool things happening just a few stops from Loyola.

If you are going home, remember to clean out your fridge of any perishables, and tidy up your room so it’s not awful when you return home. You can check out vacuums from the desks in your building, just make sure that you have a state ID with you.

Another reminder–room checks are upon us! Make sure that you have your room tidied up by the time and date that your RA emails you about. Failure for the first room check results in a second inspection done by your ARD and RD (Assistant Resident Director and Resident Director) and another after that can result in a fine.

Valentine’s Ideas!

Valentine’s Ideas!

Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!

Whether you have a beau or not, this day is a day filled with love and appreciation for your peers and friends. If you’re spending it alone, there are plenty of fun things to distract you from the lovey-dovey couples in the hallways.

Mixers: San Francisco and De nobili residence halls are holding a mixer in the engrained cafe classrooms! Come out and meet your across-the-street neighbors and enjoy some free food and love!

Galentine’s Day: If you’ve ever seen Parks and Recreation, you know that “Galentine’s Day” is an all girls appreciation day for those of you that are single. Buy yourself something nice, have a fun day with your friends, and don’t stress about being single.

Just-Friends Date Night: If you have a friend who likes to eat dinner, or ya know, have fun and explore around, go on a date! Test the waters. There are a bunch of super-cute and cozy restaurants around Loyola. My favorite for a dinner is summer rice and noodle, right next door to the Granville train stop. Otherwise, Lickity Split is a desert favorite with homemade frozen custard that is so. so. so. good.

Disclaimer–it feels like it’s negative 14 degrees outside, so please bundle up. If anything, just stay inside and bake yourself cupcakes and eat alone while watching the Office. You do you, buddy.

An Amateur’s Guide to Handling Sickness During College

An Amateur’s Guide to Handling Sickness During College

Hi friends.

So, once again, here I am to tell you all about a new experience that happens when you come to college…you have to deal with illness by yourself. Here are a few tips to help you get through it, as I found out by having the flu all last week.

1. Stay warm
Your mom is not here to tell you that you need to bundle up to go outside. As much as you wish, you will not be able to rock just a flannel outside with some light jeans. It’s just not a good idea, and Chicago is getting COLD. Do yourself a favor and invest in a nice jacket. Admit defeat.

2. Eat right
If you are too sick to get up and go to the dining hall, ask your roommate to run over there and grab you something healthy and satisfying. Don’t eat what you don’t think your stomach can’t handle. If your roommate is utterly unhelpful and won’t come near you with a ten foot pole, or you don’t have one, I would like to introduce you to your new best friend: grub hub. Alternatively, delivery.com

3. Skip class
I hate hate hate hate promoting skipping classes, but here’s the deal, if you need to you need to. Going to class sick not only puts you at a greater risk for getting worse, but exposes your classmates and teachers to whatever you’ve got too. Email professors, choose what classes you show up to wisely. No one is going to be upset if you don’t infect them.

Stay warm, stay healthy, and have fun out there in the winter wonderland that Chicago has manifested itself into.

Home is in Chicago

Home is in Chicago

Recently, someone asked me what my favorite thing about Loyola was.

I was surprised in that I could not immediately come up with an answer. I was taken aback, because I guess I’d never really stopped to consider what I really did like about this school and everything within it.

After a few minutes of thinking, and a few awkward stutters, I figured out my favorite thing about going to Loyola: I felt like I had found a home, complete with support system and several amazing Thai restaurants around the corner, 500 miles away from the place I’d called home my entire life.

I’ll spare you all the slightly depressing “I miss my family” rant, but I guess I just wanted to post and let the world know that it is totally and completely possible to move away, and be terrified, and know that in the end it will be okay. You’ll make friends, you’ll find your group, and you’ll adjust. You’ll make mistakes, and you’ll learn from them. You WILL embarrass yourself and roll your eyes at your actions and probably mutter “rookie mistake, kid” to yourself. But that’s part of it, and you should look forward to it.

So, in short, I’m glad that Loyola has provided me with a home, rather than just a bunch of homework and a place to sleep. I’m glad that I feel that I feel like I actually belong here, and that’s the thing I love most about Loyola: the opportunity it’s given me to explore who I am and mold myself, all while I can feel safe and at home.

Sunday Blizzard, Monday Snow Day?

Sunday Blizzard, Monday Snow Day?

As many of you know, it was blizzarding outside yesterday and braving the elements was quite dangerous. Many Chicago schools were closed, but despite much debate, Loyola stayed open.

However! This does not mean that you should just lose hope that you’ll actually get to sleep in tomorrow. Before you decide to give up, make sure that you set your alarm clock a little earlier than usual, so you can check your email and see if your professors have cancelled classes! Due to the cancellations of other schools and institutions, they may have at-home obligations that won’t allow them to be in class. Especially check for your early morning classes, as well as your downtown classes.

Another quick bit, be careful while walking from class to class–it is quite slippery out. The CTA tracks have frozen a few times and they’ve lost power, so if you plan to take that to class make sure that you email your professors if you think you’re going to be late. Same goes for those of you who take the shuttle from campus to campus!

Everyone stay warm, and stay safe! Don’t forget to bundle up and wear an extra pair of socks, as the Chicago winter has just begun.

Ramblin’ Through

Ramblin’ Through

One of the loveliest things about living in a city this big is the endless opportunities to explore around. Yesterday, despite the warnings of an oncoming snowstorm (which I am unfortunately blogging in the midst of, right now) I adventured around Chicago, and the neighboring town (city?) Evanston.

First, my friend and I went down to the State/Lake stop (from Loyola, take the Red Line towards 95/Dan Ryan until State/Lake. For Water Tower, take it until Chicago/State) which is right outside of the Chicago Theater. It’s beautiful and also provides an opportunity for the perfect tourist picture, which you should always take. You’ll blend right in, no one will even care.

After some more downtown adventures that included a quick trip to Macy’s for a wedding (80% off clearance sales, holla!) and a trip to Lu’s, because why pay for food on Michigan Ave if you don’t have to? (They accept both meal plan and declining balance!) I made my way to the Purple Line for a trip to Evanston. (From Loyola, take the Red Line heading towards Howard until the end, and then wait for the Purple line at the platform. From there, take the Purple Line to Davis.) If you have art classes, or are in need of art supplies, it’s worth the trip–the tax is cheaper and so are some of the products. Skip the downtown store, this one is the right way to go. Plus, while you’re in Evanston you can explore around and even grab some Noodles and Company or Panera.

Another one of Chicago’s gems was explored yesterday as well–insomnia cookies. While this is not a purely Chicago thing, it is delicious and worth checking out. To get there, you take the 95/Dan Ryan Red Line to Fullerton (it’s near DePaul) and from there it’s almost all a straight line in walking. They serve and deliver gooey, fresh out of the oven cookies until 3 am EVERY DAY. Delicious. Seriously, so good.

Living in Chicago really proves that there’s never a point in which you cannot do anything, and there’s not really a reason for you to be bored. (Unless you’re in a blizzard. Like right now.) Have a lovely day, and everyone stay warm!

Adventuring around Chicago with the best of ’em

 

Loyola Living

Loyola Living

Hey guys! Just a reminder that housing for next year is coming up pretty soon. If you are not sure what you’re doing next year, or need to figure things out with your current roommate, get on that! All upperclassmen (everyone that’s not a freshman is considered an upperclassman at Loyola) get rooms decided by a lottery system. Tours of both the downtown and Lakeshore locations will be available both Tuesday and Thursday of this week. If you go to all of the sessions, you have a chance of getting a higher lottery number!!

If you’re struggling to find a roommate, keep calm! Remember that there are always a bunch of options. If you’re an incoming freshman and looking for a roommate, it may be in your best interest to go random! Otherwise, you can always post on your class’s Facebook page with some information about yourself and explaining your current situation! A lot of people find roommates that way, and it’s always a good way to put a face to the name. Otherwise, you can just go for random and fill out a small survey about your personal interests and preferences.

Just remember, be honest with your roommates and yourself, and good luck!

Grocery Store Guides

Grocery Store Guides

In an attempt to keep a continuous theme for this week’s blog posts flowing, I’d like to offer up a nice alternative to the dining hall food! While there are many really, really delicious restaurants around us (reviews to come, I’ll never pass up an offer to try new restaurants) it’s no secret that they can be a bit pricey. But what do you do when you’re craving food that isn’t offered in the dining halls, and don’t want to spend $8 on a plate of chicken fried rice?

You make it.

Or, if that’s not your thing, you make some other dish that you’re craving. At Loyola’s lakeshore campus, near the Granville stop on the red line, there is an Aldi’s. Say what you want about the chain, but their prices cater to college students’ budgets. I go shopping there once every one and a half weeks, and for staples like bread, chips/snack items and treats like guacamole and super delicious greek yogurt popsicles the prices are completely right. While they very from week to week and I cannot give you a set price for the products, I can tell you that my last trip cost me $18 for 13 items.

The water tower campus is only a few blocks away from Trader Joe’s. While their prices tend to run a little higher, there are certain items that I will buy there and not at Aldi’s. They feature a larger and (most of the time) healthier, cleaner selection.

So, here’s a list of things to buy at each grocery store, respectively.

Aldi’s:
(Loaf) Bread
Premade guacamole (seriously, this is the best price for the amount you get that I’ve ever seen.)
Regular/general flavored ice cream
Microwaveable frozen meals
Instant pasta or rice, all you have to do is add water and microwave it
Yogurt
Cheese sticks/snacks
Chips/pretzels/crackers
Pop
Toiletries
Frozen fruit

Trader Joe’s:
Fresh fruit
Mochi
White cheddar popcorn
Meat (whether raw or precooked)
Hummus
Sparkling Water

Wanting fresh ‘homemade’ food isn’t always the easiest things while you live in a dorm. While you have to make some sacrifices, you can have a healthy meal in your own room with little to no effort.

Side Note: Aldi’s accepts only debit or cash. Trader Joe’s accepts major credit cards, debit, and cash.

Dining Hall Qualms

Dining Hall Qualms

I am the biggest advocate for midnight runs to McDonald’s and 5 pm trips to the gym. Honestly, if it will allow me to consume more food, I’m in. However, we’re in college. Money is tight, and let’s be real here… we cannot afford to spend $8 on meals every night. I don’t care what you do for a living, if you’re in college, you should not be able to afford that kind of luxury.

Here at Loyola, we’re on an all-access meal plan if you’re a freshman or a sophomore. While the dining halls do get repetitive and boring, there is a way to make the best out of it. We are afforded three dining halls, and unlimited swipes to them throughout the day, as long as they are within thirty minutes of each other. There are several make your own options: pizza, pasta, sandwiches/wraps, and omelets in the morning time.

While going to dining halls constantly does get boring, even with the three options for a change of scenery, there is something that I discovered that is really more common sense than anything, but makes a difference: take the food to go. Most of us college kids have mini fridges and microwaves in our rooms, and if not, available to us in our lounges. While I cannot guarantee you’re going to be in the mood for whatever the dining hall is serving us that day, I can almost guarantee that if you open your fridge, see a cute little wrap waiting for you that appears to be custom made and expensive looking (okay okay, more expensive looking than if it’s just slapped onto a plate) it is going to make your meal experience ten times more fun.

While Loyola really doesn’t make a statement of whether you are allowed to take food out of the dining halls, many students do it regardless. Find a tupperware container, go have one of the employees make yourself a custom wrap (try a spinach or tomato tortilla with turkey, freshly sliced tomatoes and lettuce, pickles, and a bit of mayo/honey mustard!), thank them, and take it back to your room and put it in your fridge for that perfect on-the-go pre dinner snack.

Eating dining hall food doesn’t have to be the awful experience that it sometimes is chalked up to be. Besides, where else can you get unlimited soft serve? Don’t knock it before you try all of your options.