I’m back to share another amazing Loyola Experience with you today! đ
Last weekend I went to Loyola’s President’s Ball! The President’s Ball is basically a celebration of the winners of the President’s Medallion! I’ve never gone to this event before, but this year I was ready to give it a try!
The event was pretty cool because it was in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier! To be honest, it was generally a school dance with chocolate fountains and other food!
I’m so glad that I went to this event, and I definitely recommend that you go at least once during your four years! But, if you can’t no worries— Loyola has another large scale event like this in the Spring time as well, called the Damen Ball!
Loyola is just full of fun experiences and I hope you get to enjoy them all!
As college students in the city, public transportation has become our best friend. Obviously the easy access to trains and buses is a huge benefit for all of us living here, but before you get the hang of it all you’ve got some learning to do.
The CTA will get you anywhere you need to go within the city, but when it comes to traveling farther distances you’ll need to master the ways of Amtrak and Metra.
Amtrak trains will take you anywhere in the country. Union Station is Chicago’s Amtrak station (and home to a few Metra lines), which is a little intimidating on your first trip. When you get to the station your first step is to go downstairs. Then look for the train arrival and departure schedules to find what gate your train is departing from. If you get a little turned around don’t be afraid to ask, it happens to the best of us.
A little Amtrak disclaimer, while it may seem like a good idea to get there at least an hour before your train leaves–Amtrak is almost always late. It’s safe to bet you won’t leave until a half an hour after your scheduled time so be sure to bring something to do while you wait.
Metra, on the other hand, is ALWAYS on time. I have missed one… or maybe five Metra trains because I showed up a minute or so after their departure times. Missing a train is just as heartbreaking the fifth time as it is the first, do your best to save yourself the heartache and leave extra early for Metra.
The Metra train lines are much shorter than Amtrak and will only take you to the outskirts of the Chicagoland area. I’ve taken advantage of them to visit friends who go to school in the suburbs because it is a cheap and easy way to travel. The trickiest part of Metra is that depending on what “line” you take–which direction you are headed–there is a different Chicago station. Metra seems to enjoy hiding their downtown stations underground off Michigan Avenue (Millenium Station), in what looks like a shopping mall (Oglivie Station), or tucked away in Union Station. Because you know your train will be pulling out of the station exactly on time be sure to know exactly where the station you are departing from is located.
One other tip–when buying tickets for Amtrak make sure to buy them online pretty far in advance, then either have you ticket printed out or opened on your smart phone when you depart. Metra tickets are bought at the station before you leave. If you are traveling over the weekend buy a Weekend Pass which is $7 for as many trips as you need. If you arrive too late to buy a ticket before boarding you can buy your ticket after you get on, but it’ll cost you a little extra.
Once you master Chicago’s train systems you will feel like a true local. It will just take some practice. I hope that you make it through your freshman year without missing as many trains as I did.
With less than a week to go before Thanksgiving and not even a month remaining until the winter break, this feels like the perfect time to reflect on my first semester in college, before studying for exams takes over my life. I find it pretty amazing that what started as a nudging self-reminder to count my blessings, has transformed into a wonderful menagerie of first-semester Loyola memories.
Letâs start with Welcome Week. I am especially thankful for the Welcome Week Bike Ride because, it was there that I met one of my best friends right now. Our friendship started when we happened to notice that we were the only two participants wearing jeans shortsâI know thatâs probably the most random reason in the world to become friends. So, I give thanks for serendipity.
The Loyola 360 Retreat is another memory featured in my collection of happy thoughts. Not only did this leadership-building and group reflection program allow me to take advantage of Loyolaâs unique Ecology Campusâplus, enjoy the worldâs most delicious chocolate chip cookiesâbut, while there, I also built a number of friendships that have since grown stronger and that have become a rewarding part of my life here. So, I give thanks for Jesuit educational values.
Of course, my first-semester memories will always be filled with gratitude for the âfriendly strangersâ who were there in the very beginning. I got to meet some of the universityâs most actively involved upperclassmen, all serving and working in myriad ways to help make newcomers feel taken care of. Here are only a few of the many individuals for whom I will give thanks this weekend: The ‘movers’ and RA’s whose energetic enthusiasm made me feel instantly at home; the awesome IT help desk team, aka, emergency room doctors for your laptop, one of whom happily offered me advice about the Loyolaâs dual degree programs; and, last but far from least, the bubbly sophomore who reached out to me at Orientation, not only because she warned me to throw fashion out the window and get myself with an ankle-length coat, but because she is one heck of a Zumba teacher. In the spirit of Thanksgiving all year round, heaven bless all the wonderful people who have given me so much to be thankful for this year.
Overall, I am exceedingly grateful to have had the opportunity to take advantage of so many activities that Loyola offers, like attending the Presidentâs Ball, joining the student ambassador program, participating in off-campus retreats, and much more. As the wintry weather warns me to get ready for my first Chicago deep freeze, I am glad Thanksgiving was on the calendar this week, obliging me to stop for a moment to reminisce. Now, despite knowing finals are lurking just around the corner, I am eagerly looking forward to an even better next semester.
Here at Loyola, students have the privilege of getting more than just a regular college education; they have membership to different places like facilities and get discounts at different stores. Using the school ID is essential to access these privileges as it is the key way to validate to a person that you are a current Loyola student.
On campus, your student ID can get you to many places. For instance, you can scan your ID at the Halas Center and be able to workout– play basketball in the court upstairs, use the different kinds of exercise equipment they have, use the weight room in the basement, or even swim in their lap pool. Besides the Halas Center, if you are enrolled in a music class, you are automatically given access to the music rooms they have in Mundelien where they can practice their musical instruments (most rooms already have a piano inside). At the IC, you can rent out technical equipment such as laptops and cameras to use in class or for whatever reason. Also, you can attend many concerts, free of admission, hosted by Loyola clubs while people that are not Loyola students may have to pay their way to get in.
Off Campus, you can get discounts on specific days at some restaurants that affiliate themselves with Loyola University such as Felice’s. In addition, by showing your student ID to the staff, you can get yourself free admission to the Art Institute!
Altogether, being a Loyola student is more than just receiving an education; it allows you to become more independent, explore the vast City of Chicago , and enjoy the best of your time here at school!
This semester, more than any other, I have gone on so many different food adventures around the cityâand I have absolutely loved it. This past weekend, I went to a super cool new pizza place called Blaze Pizza!
If youâre from the West coast, you may have heard of this place, and if youâre notâwell Iâm going to tell you all about it! Blazed Pizza is pretty casual, but so unique. Every pizza served here, is a personal sized pizza that you get to custom built and watch as they make it right in front of your eyes! The place is pretty artsyâthe process of making it, the dining area and just the location of it all.
I had been waiting to go here for so long, and definitely was not disappointed when I got there! I decided to order one of their signature pizzas, which was the Red Vine (which was delicious)⊠but the best part about this whole tripâmy whole meal was under $10!
If youâre looking for a meal thatâs actually good on a college studentâs budget, I definitely recommend going here! They now have three locations in Chicago and theyâre all accessible by public transportation!
Chicago has some great food (like you didnât know that already), so I promise there are more food posts to come! â
If you know anything about Chicago winters, then you know it can get pretty cold and snowy in the city during the months of November through March. Although Iâm not from Chicago, Michigan can get pretty cold during these months as well, as does any northern state! In this blog, I will be sharing my personal strategies and tips on staying warm this winter season!
I personally love winter. I love bundling up to go outside, big cozy sweaters, and all of the activities you can do outside in the snow! However, in order to keep warm while participating in these outdoor winter activities or even just walking from class to class, it is important that you know how to dress to go out. For starters, a big fluffy winter coat is a necessity. I would recommend a bigger coat because although smaller coats may be more fashionable, a big fluffy coat will keep you warmer! Also, for walking in snow, I would recommend a good pair of snow boots. Uggs or Ugg type fluffy boots can be really good for keeping warm in the winter, but snow boots with rubber soles and traction would be the best for walking on snow and ice. Plus, they can be fashionable and practical! Donât get me wrong, I love my fluffy boots, but prefer snow boots for walking on slippery ice!
In addition to the basic coat and boots, objects like hats, gloves, and scarves are also important accessories for snowy weather! Hats, headbands, or earmuffs are a great way to keep your ears and head warm against the harsh winter winds. Gloves or mittens are a must for keeping your hands from freezing! (If youâre looking for extra warmth, putting your gloved hands into your pockets keep them warmer)! Scarves are also a wonderful winter accessory. Scarves are great because they can be used as a fashion icon while keeping you warm at the same time! A big fluffy infinity or wrap around scarf can keep your neck and face warm while also looking fashionable against your sweater or coat.
Ultimately, the winters in Chicago can get pretty cold. If you follow these tips to some extent, you should be able to keep warm! If you wear everything from boots, sweaters, coats, hats, gloves, and scarves at the same time you can be sure to keep warm while walking to class or enjoying your favorite outdoor activities. Stay warm, Ramblers!
I am NOT trying to scare you. I know that many people detest talking about “the future plans.” Are you applying to medical school? Did you take the GRE? What about the subject GRE? What grad school are you going to? So, what are you doing after graduation? Did you ask for your recommendation letters? Did you take the MCAT? The DAT?
I know, I know. I hate it, too. We all had our future planned out, and then we got to college. It changed and that’s OK. With that being said, I do want to help out those who PLAN on taking the GRE (even if you don’t know why you’re taking it). I would give tips on the MCAT, but as of 2015 they are changing the format of the MCAT, so my tips would not pertain to anyone anymore…womp, womp.
The GRE is more laid back than the MCAT, however. It’s almost like an ACT/SAT on steroids. Here ya go:
REVIEW THE EASY STUFF. Yes, easy stuff like algebra and geometry from high school.
VOCABULARY. Do you remember all of those AP English vocabulary flashcards? Review that, too. The GRE likes to throw in big, adult words; you’ll thank me later!
PRACTICE. I’m just stating the obvious! Everyone knows this one, but it’s an important one.
WORK ON YOUR WEAKNESS. You know what it is, so work 10x harder. Own it.
STAY COOL. If you need to take it again, then do it. However, make it worth while.
You’ll be glad when it’s all over. Just remember: “If it was easy, then everyone would do it.”
Hello again! In continuing my trend of discussing fun things to do, I am going to tell you all of a fun experience a little outside of Chicago. Ever wanted to skydive without paying around 300 dollars? Ever wanted to experience the feeling of free-fall? Ever just wanted to be suspended in the air and pretend like you are living in a Harry Potter world? Well if you answered yes to at least one of these questions, you should check out iFLY!
I went to iFLY a couple weeks ago and just wanted to tell you all about it. It is right outside of Chicago in Rosemont and is located next to OâHare airport (which I am sure some of you will be familiar with if you are coming to Loyola from out of state). iFLY is an indoor skydiving experience. You can call ahead of time to make reservations, which we did because ya know, better safe than sorry, or you can walk right in and register there and try to see what times they have available. It fills up pretty fast, but the experience takes only around an hour total so there is some time slots with openings.
Once you walk in and sign in, you are taken to a classroom where you watch a short video on the safety rules of indoor skydiving. An instructor goes in the air tunnel with you, but you have to learn all the hand motions to communicate with them because you canât talk in the tunnel. After the instructional video, you get geared up. They give you a jumpsuit, a helmet, and goggles. Then it is time to go. You get to experience two flights of 30 seconds. It does not seem like super long, but trust me, once you are in the tunnel, 30 seconds feels like 30 minutes (in a good way of course!). Being in the tunnel is a crazy experience. You are literally just floating in midair in a wind tunnel and being pelted by air. The instructor holds onto you for some of it and lets you go for parts as well. It really is a weird feeling being blasted with air and just hovering, but it gives you an awesome rush of adrenaline that makes you just want to do it all over again! On the second flight, the instructor does a high flight. This is where they take you up to the top of the wind tunnel and back down again. This was the best part hands down!
After the whole experience is over, you get to take home two videos of your flight so that you can share with friends your experience. The whole thing is only 70 dollars per person! Which may seems pricey on a college budget, but save up for a couple weeks and you can definitely make your dream of skydiving a reality. I already cannot wait to go back and am seriously considering just becoming an instructor there. They have to log 150 hours in the air tunnel. Now that sounds like the best job in the world. I mean, I am a bio major, and defying gravity has to do with physics soooo it would sort of be a career related to my major, right???
Since we’ve officially had our first snow of the year, (although realistically that was Halloween) it is beginning to feel more and more like the holidays every day. Although I am a Muslim and don’t officially observe any of the major winter holidays, I still get super excited for them each year. It’s a time when everyone comes together to partake in fun winter themed activities, like ice skating and gingerbread houses. This time of year unites people across the board, and that’s why I like it!
One of the main attractions of the holidays is ice skating. Every dang year, my sister tries to convince me to go with her to our local rink and try it out, and every year I refuse because I am extremely unathletic and scared of falling. However, I love to go and watch others skate, no matter their skill level.
Right here in downtown Chicago, there is one of most beautiful spaces to ice skate. If you take the redline to Monroe, turn left and walk straight, you’ll be in front of Millennium Park. During the winter months, the ice skating rink is open to the public! If you bring your own skates, it is free, but they do offer skate rentals for $12.
Regular Hours for the season are as follows:
Monday-Thursday, 12 Noonâ8 pm
Friday, 12 Noonâ10 pm
Saturday (Through Jan. 4), 10 amâ10 pm
Saturday (Beginning Jan. 11), 10 amâ9 pm
Sunday, 10 amâ9 pm
Special Holiday Hours:
Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 27, 10 amâ4 pm
Friday, Nov. 28, 10 amâ10 pm
Christmas Eve Wednesday, Dec. 24, 10 amâ6 pm
Christmas Day Thursday, Dec. 25, 10 amâ4 pm
Friday, Dec. 26 through Tuesday, Dec. 30, 10 amâ10 pm
New Yearâs Eve Wednesday, Dec. 31, 10 amâ8 pm
New Yearâs Day Thursday, Jan. 1, 10 amâ10 pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19, 10 amâ10 pm
If you’re like me and cannot skate for the life of you, they do offer free skating lessons! No fear, you can fall with an entire group of people that know just as much as you about ice skating.
 Free Skating Lessons
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, one hour before the rink opens.
Lessons will also be offered each day of Chicago Public School Winter Break, December 22âJanuary 4, except December 25 and January 1, one hour before the rink opens.
13 days or 312 hours or 18,720 minutes or 1,123,200 seconds… until our priority deadline: December 1st!
That means you better request your transcripts, test scores (ACT or SAT), and letters of recommendation right away so schools, counselors, teachers, and testing agencies have time to send it all over to Loyola before our postmark deadline. Also make sure you submit your application, your essay, and your optional resume. Meeting this deadline will allow you to be automatically considered for all of Loyola’s merit-based scholarships, which are based on high school GPA, test score, and class rank (if available).
Please be patient if you have requested materials be sent to Loyola in the past 3 weeks and they are still not showing up as received in your status page. It typically takes 3 weeks or so for us to upload or process a document and update your status page.
