Category: Academics At Loyola

Such a ‘Bler: Career Week 2019! | My Summer Internship Hunt! (Part 2)

Such a ‘Bler: Career Week 2019! | My Summer Internship Hunt! (Part 2)

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 I walked in this Tuesday with my bright mustard yellow resume and interactive online portfolio. I was confident – I had been prepping for this review all Summer after learning from the previous year’s Career Week Workshops. However, I knew there was much left to learn.

The extravagance began with a panel discussion on good business writing and other crucial things to keep in mind when striving to put your best foot forward. The three guest speakers were informative, funny and inspiring. I can honestly say that I’ve even met the individual I hope I will have the honor to mentor me. But I got his card (!) and also gave out my business card for the first time – it was a very official conversation.

The next day continued with the circulation of our resumes through a group of professionals both from the more corporate and creative world. I also ran them through my website, or online portfolio and it was interesting to see the different insights. Overall, I need to be more specific with my information according to each desired internship, but my overall brand received many thumbs up!

The Career Week finishes with a a Networking Night and Job Fair but I am already learning so much and feel much more confident after 2 evenings. I can honestly not thank the School of Communications and Quinlan School of Business enough for such a helpful string of events.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have my complimentary headshot taken and get my Linkedin ready.

Here’s my freshman photo from last year’s Career Week:

 

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Such a ‘Bler: Theology 107 with an Agnostic Atheist

Such a ‘Bler: Theology 107 with an Agnostic Atheist

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I was born and raised in Vietnam. A large part of our country’s population is Buddhist. However, though the majority of the rest do follow the religion’s practices, they are in fact not Buddhist. This was the case for my family. Around sophomore year of high school, I deemed myself as an Agnostic Atheist. So what, you may ask, am I doing as a undergraduate sophomore in a Jesuit Institute?

This exact question revisited my mind on the first day of Theology 107 – Introduction to Religion Studies. I’ll be honest and say that my university background check was quite poor during the application process. However, I have never once regretted my decision about Loyola – and especially regarding this aspect. I have never felt cornered or discriminated for my religious affiliation or bothered by those of my peers.

Although I still look down grinning to myself half the time when I hear something my Agnostic mind can’t comprehend, I do appreciate the myriad of new perspectives. It’s comforting to know that though there are so many ways the heart has chosen to believe the universe came about, we are still able to celebrate it all together.

I’m only two weeks into the course and I still have a lot to learn but I do hope courses like these come as informative to others as it is currently coming to me. Then maybe we’ll smile at the floor less and at one another more.

I’ll keep you posted. Keep believing.

 

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Last First Day as a Rambler

Last First Day as a Rambler

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How bittersweet, the time has come, where it will officially be my last first day of my undergraduate career. It seems as if just yesterday I was a Freshman entering with no clue how to handle college level classes, making my way to different buildings and commuting almost an hour and half everyday. Also not knowing what you’re truly passionate for is something so challenging during the first few years of Undergrad and is something I personally struggled with. Today, I stand confident during my senior year, and finishing strong.

Something I told myself this winter break, was to not let senioritis get the best of me. As hard as that is, I feel confident that I will hold strong till the end. I recommend you all to do the same, whether you are a senior or not. Make a plan for this semester and aim high.

Some stuff that I do to make sure that I am on track is put down all my important dates on the calendar for this semester. That includes quizzes, labs, exams, papers, etc. The first week, that is what I primarily focus on because I know if I push it any later, I most likely will get caught behind, or just won’t do it because I will be so busy. Doing this, REALLY put me in the zone and got me to do stuff on time, especially studying for exams on time and not cramming when I realize I have more than 1 exam in a week or day. Include all of your finals slots. Yes its in 15 weeks, but it will definitely help you half way through the semester when you definitely WON’T do it.

Another thing I do is calculate my cumulative GPA. I know. So unnecessary. But no, really. Do this under https://www.luc.edu/advising/gpa_calculator.shtml and it will help you so much! I used to never do this my first two years, but now I do this in the beginning of each semester. The reason I do this is because I set a goal cumulative and/or overall GPA I would like based on this semester and figure out what grade I need in the class. Obviously, you should aim for an A always, but if I ever feel like I am falling into a B category, I kind of freak myself out and tell myself I won’t get a certain GPA and it makes me work hard for the A. It also kind of helps to not beat yourself up over a grade. It may not work for everyone, but I think it definitely makes me realize how I need to work for the A and to not slack off during the middle of the semester.

Additionally, I have told myself to incorporate more social time. A lot of times, I struggled with social time, where I would have too much, or too little. I definitely want to focus on balancing the two so that it doesn’t become a stressful semester and I can enjoy the last bit of memories I have left here at Loyola.

Make the most out of every semester, whether you’re a Freshman or a Junior. Take the endless snapchats, create study groups, explore the city, force yourself to go the library, let yourself get a bag of chips and watch Netflix. Whatever it may be, just try to do some of the things I suggest, it definitely will help rather hurt you.

Such a ‘Bler: Language Competency Exam Results

Such a ‘Bler: Language Competency Exam Results

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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.

 

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Such a ‘Bler: Sophomore Fall Reflection

Such a ‘Bler: Sophomore Fall Reflection

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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?

 

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

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

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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.

A Series of Firsts: My First Finals Week

A Series of Firsts: My First Finals Week

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A glimpse at the spread for Finals Breakfast. December 12, 2017

It’s been a year since my First Finals Week, and I still remember how nervous I was about my exams. It was my first time taking a final exam in the U.S. and I was definitely overwhelmed with homesickness and stress by that point in the semester. I had started studying for Finals a little in advance, and since I did not have any exams until Wednesday, my nervousness was just building up. My friends were well into their finals week and I hadn’t yet taken mine, and I just wanted to be over with everything and head home. Thankfully, I was able to come across a couple of activities that helped relax a little and bring me to a mental space where I felt ready to tackle my finals.

On Tuesday, as the first two days of Finals drew to an end and I kept studying for my first exam the next day, I decided to go with my friends to Loyola’ Finals Breakfast. Every Tuesday of Finals Week, SAGA offers LUC students a late-night breakfast for everybody to take a break and enjoy good food in great company in order to be ready for the final half of Finals. I was amazed at the amount of students that were there, and I was so excited to be eating breakfast for dinner, as Loyola’s Finals French Toasts are delicious! I had such a good time with everybody and my friends and I were happy to have gone to the Breakfast and take a break.

Furthermore, it is widely known that Finals Week can be a very stressful time for us all. That week was definitely stressful for me. Therefore, to help students relax a little, the Wellness Center hosts a Study Day Stress Relief event every Wednesday of Finals Week. The Study Day Stress Relief takes place in the IC and offers several de-stressing activities like Badge Making and coloring sheets, as well as massages for students. When I went, it allowed me to catch a break from studying and afterwards, I was able to concentrate a little more on myself at a time in which studying and stress take up much of my time.

Activities like these allowed me to be able to concentrate on studying and give my best on my exams without forgetting to take care of myself. They also let me get through the week on a happy note, and by the time I was done with my Finals, I not only felt relieved, but I felt like my trip back home and my month-long break was worth it.

Now, as I prepare for this semester to be over, I recall the advice my Sociology professor gave me last year “You’ve taken exams before, and you’ve done well, because you’re here now. This is just another exam. You’ll do well on this one as well.” I wish you all good luck with your Finals, and hope that you all take care of yourselves as well!

Such a ‘Bler: Sophomore Fall 2018 Student Organizations!

Such a ‘Bler: Sophomore Fall 2018 Student Organizations!

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I am currently pursuing a major in Communication Studies at Loyola’s School of Communications and there are a lot of student organizations featured:

The Loyola Phoenix: This is Loyola’s student newspaper. Being an award-winning student newspaper is definitely something worth applauding. I myself have expressed interest in the publication for its professional coat and commitment to weekly issues. Its articles are extremely up to date, informational and stylish. I was editor and chief of my middle school’s newspaper, before it crashed due to our low population of word nerds but that’s beside the point, and this would be a stack of paper fourteen-year-old me would look at in awe.

Having also met some of the writers myself, the space behind the print is one really worth entering. They eagerly welcomed me since last year and as of the beginning of sophomore year, I honestly considered joining their Arts and Entertainment Section. But I am quite convinced that I am perhaps too abstract for their choice of writers. We’ll see where things go!

Kettle Camp Studios: KCS is Loyola’s student production team. Each semester they write and produce an original web show which is then posted on their YouTube channel. Like the Phoenix, their work is extremely professional and oh so pretty. After watching their past series, I attended a few meetings and went on set as a crew member of the Production and Post-Production team. I even got to make a small cameo as an extra in the evacuation scene of the new series: Incidental!

I eventually had to drop out because my schedule was getting out of hand and I felt like I couldn’t deliver my best efforts to the team, but I am definitely considering rejoining next semester! I miss these shutterbugs heaps.

Diminuendo Literary & Arts Magazine: While the magazine isn’t sponsored by LUC’s School of Comm, I still wanted to mention it because it is the student organization that I’ve been most involved in and been involved in for the longest. As of this year, I am Diminuendo’s AD/PR Chair!

Every semester we publish a free issue that supports and promotes student artwork and literature. The creative works are submitted by students, reviewed anonymously by students, then assembled by students into a magazine. With every release of an issue, we have an event open to the public, whereat the published artists read and present their work. For several years now, faculty have participated in our open mic afterwards presenting their favorite works, and sometimes works of their own.

Our Fall 2018 Issue was just published last Friday and copies can be picked up at Connections Cafe in the Loyola Information Commons now! I couldn’t be prouder.

It’s been great fun and I can’t wait to see what next semester will be like…stay tuned!

 

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Such a ‘Bler: Finals Fun

Such a ‘Bler: Finals Fun

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How’s finals been for you? Here’s a sneak peak of my theatre scenic practicum final: it’s a miniature drum set. It’s not quite finished yet but I’m getting there. All the other scenic students are also wrapping up their work so it’s been quite an exciting atmosphere in the scene shop.

I’ve been stressed if I am honest. But things around campus have been very jolly so my energy are sort of still intact. The Christmas tree in the Damen Student Center is up and beautiful. Everyone gathered for the annual lighting with hot chocolate and the Damen ice rink! There’s one week left, and well two weeks until Christmas but my roommate and I also put up our Christmas tree for extra motivation.

The sun was also sweet enough to shine so prettily through my window this afternoon. Marquette South Hall really isn’t that bad guys, it even smiles at you sometimes.

I’ve been seeing a lot of events around campus lately, from build your own break parfaits at Damen Dining to holiday movie nights. I think I’m going to see the Polar Express tomorrow at the Damen Cinema as a study break. It’s honestly weeks like these when I feel extra grateful for campus activities.

Happy Finals Ramblers!

 

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Such a ‘Bler: Learning Community Reconnections

Such a ‘Bler: Learning Community Reconnections

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Freshman year, I was accepted into Loyola’s Leadership for Social Change Learning Community last year (here’s a picture of some of us at the Learning Community 360 Retreat last Fall semester). This year, I returned as an LC alumnus to talk to some new LC Ramblers about my LSCLC experience and my Loyola experience as a whole.

They were as enthusiastic and determined, maybe even more, as I remembered my community being. It was interesting to hear their questions regarding student organizations and opportunities available at Loyola. One even voiced that she was concerned she was behind with her involvement (though she’s in her fall freshman semester and in 3 organizations and is looking for an internship!) I was very impressed and applaud them because I only got my job this year and am still looking for an internship. But I made sure to remind them to take things easy.

During freshmen orientation, we were advised to join 2, and not 5 organizations as a start. I of course joined around 5 which I eventually learnt as of Spring semester was a bad idea. I eventually slowed down and found my rhythm. I told them my story, but then again that’s just me. I know for sure that whatever they choose, they will go onto achieving inspiring great things! I’m excited for these new LC ramblers and the differences they will make for Leadership and Social Change.

 

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