Tag: Lakeshore Campus

Life at Loyola

Life at Loyola

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Hello to anyone reading this! I’m Meredith Simmons and I’m a Freshman here at Loyola, this is my first post as a LUC admissions blogger so introductions are necessary. I am a marketing major and I grew up in Northwest Indiana about an hour outside the city. I love reading, music and exploring the city. I chose Loyola because I love Chicago and wanted to go to school in the city.

As we enter the second semester of the school year I want to reflect upon my first semester as a Loyola student, and really as a college student! It’s so hard to judge what life is going to be like as a college student. I think that everyone has a preconceived idea of what college will be. Some imagine the classic University from the movies, others imagine fast paced city living, for me I was really unsure of where I wanted to be after high school. I was torn between the fear of missing out on a “normal” college experience if I didn’t go to a big state school and the fear of missing out on the opportunities and excitement of living in the city. I found the perfect balance here at Loyola.

I didn’t know, of course, when I first applied to Loyola, that I would end up loving it as much as I now do (or even that I would end up a Loyola student at all). The decision was difficult, but Loyola became the best option for me. Though, I knew that I would be fine where ever I ended up, my decision to go to school in the city was the best decision I had made in a while. The first semester absolutely flew by, and I know everyone says that, but it’s true.

The adjustment to college classes took me a few weeks. I was truly scared that I wouldn’t adapt well to my new schedule, I think that’s a common fear for anyone starting college, but it didn’t take long for me to find the right balance of fun and work. Going into second semester I have already formed my study habits and found my favorite study spots. You can find me doing homework at Metropolis Coffee Co. or the second floor of Damen any weekend.

Overall I am very happy with my choice to come to Loyola. Everyday I find new reasons to be happy, whether it be with the amazing friends I’ve made or discovering new parts of the city. If you’re a senior in high school considering Loyola, I urge you to visit and take some time to get a feel for the amazing community and location that Loyola has to offer in addition to the phenomenal academic opportunities.

I can’t wait to continue sharing my journey as a Loyola student and am so grateful for the opportunity to write about it for you! See you next time!

-Mere

 

Recorded Lectures: a love and hate relationship

Recorded Lectures: a love and hate relationship

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I cringe every time a professor tells me that they record his or her lectures.  Why?  Well, at that point, he or she is giving me the chance to not listen.  I am tempted and the struggle is real.  However, I understand why the professors do it.  I really do!  I love hand writing all of my notes.  I am a fast writer, but sometimes I cannot get every single word that the professor is saying.  Sometimes, it is so difficult to understand what he or she is saying.  Sometimes, my thought processes are faster than my typing.  There are pros and cons to every method of note taking.  This is why recorded lectures have been very beneficial to me as well.

When reading my notes, I find uncompleted sentences and sometimes I do not even understand my own handwriting!  However, these recorded lectures do allow me to follow my notes and clarify what the professor was saying. This is a pro, right!  This is like listening to the lecture twice.  Then, there are other days…

…Days which I find myself just sitting in class.  Sitting in class and that is all.  I am not listening to a single word the professor is saying.  This is just very easy to do since I know that I can just listen to lecture later at home.  To me this is a con because it is not fair for the professor or for you.  The professor is obviously trusting that you will still listen in class, regardless whether she uploads the lecture or not.  This is why I cringe every single time a professor says that he or she will record the lecture.  It is a love and hate relationship!  Do you love it more or hate it more?  Please leave your comments below.  What are your thoughts on this?

I think that recorded lectures are great for reference use while studying, but you cannot solely rely on them!  I understand how some commuters appreciate this because accidents happen and sometimes they are unable to make it to class.  We are all old enough to understand that recorded lectures are not substitutions for class time.  We should still go to class, right?

 

Red Line Conversations feat. The Guy in The Blue Sweater

Red Line Conversations feat. The Guy in The Blue Sweater

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You hear the craziest of things on the red line.  This is why I try to remember to pack my headphones.  It is honestly such a sad experience when I forget them, but I cannot lie and say that is not entertaining!  I have heard some of the most inaccurate facts that make me giggle, but leave me with a good time.  Then, there are some conversations that just get you so angry.

Well, this was the case the other day.  The other day, I was on the red line, minding my own business, like usual.  All of a sudden, I saw a guy look at my Loyola brand tote, which I proudly bought at the Loyola Bookstore, and he he started talking to his friend about college.  He was saying remarks like: “college is not important, why do people waste their time on college, I can get rich without school, etc.”  Here I am thinking like is this guy serious?  I mean, his opinions are nonetheless, his opinions.  I, also, do not disagree that there are some super successful people out there who never got a college degree.  This is fine, but the way he was talking was not okay.

It made me reflect and really think about college.  Instead of upsetting me, I turned it around and made it into something positive.  A college education is not for everyone, but that does not mean that one should start discouraging people from attending college in the first place.  There are so many reasons as to why one should go to college.  The most important one to me, and the one that I felt like telling him, is that a college degree gives you credibility, knowledge, and makes you a competitive employee.

If those three things do not stick out to you then I don’t know what to tell you.  There are many people in college who do not end up making it, but that all comes down to persistence.  How willing are you to stick out through the highs and lows of college?  College are for the people who are willing to put in the work.  College is work and it is not for everyone!  We are a few of the lucky ones, so next time you’re feeling down remember this: you’re a small percentage and your education is worth it.

The Guy in The Blue Sweater: you were wrong.

 

CHAARG

CHAARG

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I believe that by now everyone accepts and understands my fitness posts.  (Yes, you guessed it – here’s another one).  However, in this blog post, I want to talk about a topic that I had not heard about before.

So, Mary, one of my good friends and Halas fitness instructor had previously posted on Facebook a beautiful picture of herself in workout gear.  This picture looked like it was professionally taken.  I creeped on her profile until I realized that she was a member of “CHAARG.”

I was so confused because I was so used to her talking about “Booty Lift,” “Turbo Kick,” “Beachbody,” “21 Day Fix,” “Shakeology,” etc.  So, I shot her a text and asked her what it was.

I was very interested when I found out, so I had to Google it!  What intrigued me the most was the motto: “CHAARG has been liberating girls from the elliptical since 2012.”  I knew that these girls had the same mind set as I did!  I am all for #lifting, #girlswholift, #swolenation (haha), #butreally.  Besides the fact that I have lost the most weight by incorporating dumbbells into my workouts, I had to say that this program was so right.

I love lifting and doing plyo workouts; I’m a fanatic of intense workouts, but I also love running.  However, through out my years at Loyola, I have found out through my peers that there is more to losing weight and being healthy + fit.  Weight lifting and alternating workouts ASIDE from the elliptical will get you ultimate results.  Besides, you will feel strong. REALLY STRONG.

Mary is working on starting a chapter at Loyola University!  This is so exciting because this movement has just started and is active in 17 universities in the U.S. , let’s make it 18!?

I enjoy talking about this because I love living a healthy lifestyle.  I do binge on certain occasions and some of my friends follow the 80 and 20 diet.  80% healthy foods and 20% of whatever they want.  So, if this is motivating then my purpose for this post is fulfilled.

You know you’re body and you have your own definition of fun, but most importantly what will work for your body.  CHAARG is just that. Check it out!

Loyola keeps winnin’

Loyola keeps winnin’

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It’s difficult to not sound cliche every time I have to answer the question: Why did you choose Loyola?  First, let me take you to 2007.  I remember that year perfectly because I had my list of universities I wanted to apply to.  Loyola was the first one down on the list.  My mother’s good friend had two sons who had just graduated from Loyola and she always talked to me about it.  Always.  Among DePaul, U of I, UIC, Saint Louis University, Iowa State University and Northwestern, I knew Loyola stood out the most to me, but I wasn’t sure as to why just yet…

It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when I received all of the acceptance letters that I started feeling overwhelmed.  I took it one step at a time and decided to visit the campuses.  You know how they say don’t judge a book by its cover?  I had to.  No other campuses compared to Loyola’s breathtaking views.  Needless to say whenever I mentioned Loyola to anyone they always “oohed” and “aahed.”  It’s prestige made it that much better.

I had finally realized why Loyola stood out to me the most.  I always wanted to be a city girl, but still be close to home.  I wanted a prestigious education, but at a reasonable price.  I wanted a beautiful campus, but still feel at home.  I wanted to meet people, but make lifetime friends.  I wanted to challenge myself as a student, but find myself as a person.  I knew Loyola would make all of this happen and it did.  It also made me realize that it’s OK to sound cliche when you appreciate your education THIS much.