Observation: Students who attend city schools each have their own agendas. Their own things to do, their own places to go, etc. On the flip side, students who live on a campus all have the same agenda. Lots more time to spend together. Plus your friends are literally next door. (sigh)

MHC v. CCNY

Let me tell you about my days at Mount Holyoke.
Monday through Thursday, I had classes from about 9 AM to 2 PM which also included breaks in between classes. Then I would have a single class on Friday and perhaps a lab someday during the week. I had a lot of free time. I joined crew, that was a really great way to start the morning which I prepared for by going to bed at 10 (crazy early, I know). But really, I had a lot of free time. It also didnt help that my professors didnt assign much homework.

Well, all that free time is gone now.
Because I'm commuting, I have to allot enough time to travel to class. Mondays and Wednesdays are okay since I can catch the express train. Wake up at 6:30/7 for a 9 AM class, and all is well. But then I have class until 5. And I have a total of three hours of time to kill between my classes. I suppose that time won't go to waste considering that there are architecture assignments to be completed now. But still. Tuesdays and Thursdays, however, are studio days. Class starts at 2 which means I can spend about an hour and a half on the train. Of course, I always have the option to leave early, but we haven't officially claimed space in our studio (yet). Four hours later, and we finish at around 6 (maybe slightly later).

My days are full. Fridays are a lovely break from learning although I doubt they will be thoroughly enjoyed. I nearly took a French class that met on Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays that I kinda wish I took, but I'm kinda glad I didn't. There's also a lecture series on Thursdays after class that we're encouraged to attend, so I guess I'll go to those. And I've been considering participating in the SSA student council thing, but we'll see.

I have to learn to satisfy my time as well as possible and work on time management. Also: snacks. Have to pack a lot of snacks. I'm going to school tomorrow despite the fact that classes are cancelled. And maybe the day after. We'll see.

I'm mostly just tired at this point.
(Goodnight)

You know what the Triangle of Truth* is, right? Here are three things: You can only pick two. You know what I'm talking about, I know you do.

Whoever created this should correct their syntax and obviously chose social life & sleep.

Well anyway, naïve Julia thought that she could successfully maintain life as an architecture student with all three attributes. In my mind, the Triangle of Truth is between Sleep, Grades, and Fun. Obviously, sleep accounts for the number of hours of sleep I can get/how well rested I am. Grades accounts for all the work that I have to accomplish in order to get excellent grades (I'm shooting for all As, but it's too soon to tell). This also includes all the architorture work I have to do (bleh). Then fun is a very, very big folder of all the fun things I could be doing instead of working or sleeping. This includes, but is not limited to, watching TV, socializing, or any other activity that is considered leisurely or enjoyable.

Thankfully, I haven't fallen victim to the woes of the Triangle too severely. In fact, today I decided to sit through nearly the entirety of four consecutive Harry Potter movies despite having things to do. And my very impressive streak of going to bed around this time (midnight) is now over. Long live a good night's sleep.

It's needless to say that I will be considerably unsocial in a social kind of way. Hours worth of work at the studio will be spent with a dozen other poor children. We'll all be suffering together. I think that's what everyone meant by "studio culture." Studio culture consists of regular caffeine infusions, group naps, sleepovers, blade cuts, graphite smudges, amongst other things.

Nevertheless, studio culture is one of my favorite things about being in architecture school. Everyone is laboring, working hard, and applying every iota of effort to accomplish something that could be great. There's a lot of potential in architecture school, I think. What matters is whether or not someone can apply themselves and achieve that potential. Good things don't come easily.

Over and out.

*I did not realize that "Triangle of Truth" was the actual name for the triangle. I took a stab at it, looked it up to see if it was accurate, and voila! I was really surprised.

This Week in Review

I woke up before 8 AM on a Saturday. On my own. Without an alarm. That, my friends, is an accomplishment all on its own. Granted, I rolled around in bed while checking all the social networks for an hour, so there's that.

This week felt pretty long, which is probably partially due to all the time I've spent on trains and whatnot. Otherwise, I'd say it was slightly eventful sprinkled with a whole lot of awkward. My schedule has been finalized whether I like it or not and includes Physics for Architects, Lit & Psychoanalysis, and my studio class "Design Communications." 
(Wow this is really boring and dull so far)

To sum things up, here's a list:

• My Lit/Psychoanalysis class is a weird two-part combined class with an awkward two hour break in between
• The writing prof for the aforementioned class is pretty cool (with cool hair and cool glasses)
• Had a really yummy shroom burger before class on Thursday (whee)
• I have Fridays off
• Tuesdays and Thursdays start at 2 but I dislike the local 7 so I'll probs just go in early anyway
• My studio TA okayed my coffeemaker
• Now I can get a new mug too!
• I miss getting supplies for free 
• My new mouthwash makes me cry (literally)
• I have groovy teeth
• And I made cookies again but I don't like them as much.
• I also supplanted my dumb back breaking chair with the roller from upstairs but now I don't have a chair upstairs (whatever)
• Michael's has Strathmore sketchbooks on sale: 2 for 1 
• I've been bombarded with Labor Day sale emails and I... just... have to control myself because merde, I am poor.
• People come to City College from everywhere. That surprised me. (People actually really want to come here)
• I found Mount Holyoke's Big Picture calendars really useful last year so I made one of my own using iWork's Numbers. The program is pretty icky but my calendar isn't :)
• I'm expecting Moleskine to send me a new planner because I found a hole in a page in my new turntable. Now I'll have an extra turntable if they actually honor the quality control thing I had to submit
• Muji pens are more expensive than I remember. 
• Muji pens are more wonderful than I remember.

Okay bye

blergh

Oh no. Oh, no!

Tomorrow I return to 160 Convent Ave. to resume my studies (yay)! If I calculate correctly, I have to set a 6:30 alarm for my 9:30 class. I gave myself a lot of extra time because I tend to loaf around in the mornings. Sometimes I just... sit.

Anyway, the school posts will probably be few and far between this year. This is partially due to the fact that I am taking 'Physics for Architects' which will probably butcher me. But if I pay attention in class, I think I have a fair chance of making it out alive. Funnily enough, my physics class is first thing in the morning... kinda like my high school physics class. And we all know what happened then, right? Breakfast and crossword puzzles. Those were fun.

I also realized that this semester I'll be pursuing 14 credits, but my classes last 17 hours a week. If I can recall correctly, I was doing 17 credits with a 15 hour week during my first semester at Mount Holyoke.  Huh.

I don't know how to feel about the new semester. It feels weird in a weird way.

How To: Make New Friends in College

"Hi."

Isn't It Funny to See How Things Turn Out?

William Arthur Ward once said "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; If you can dream it, you can become it."

One year ago, I was excited to be preparing myself for my first year of college and the "beginning of the rest of my life," as I so aptly called it in my head. I had this idea that once I left my house that August, I would never be returning to live there. Rather than return home for winter and summer breaks, I would spend my time studying abroad, taking summer classes, or volunteering abroad. I would only return home for Thanksgiving, and that would be that. The cycle would continue for the next four years until graduation, when I would find a job and an apartment.

But look where I am now: enrolled in a city school which I would be commuting to from home for the next four years.

No matter how many times I iterate Ward's quote, I can't help but think of the single obstacle that stands in my way: Money. If I could afford to buy a plane ticket to Paris, believe me, I would. I often find myself basking in overly ambitious plans that idealize the rest of my life. There are infinite ways to enjoy the time I get to spend on this earth, but are any of my grandeur schemes actually plausible?

I'm stuck in a rut. I barely pay attention to what my parents have to say, but when I do, it regards big things.

--Can I get an apartment with my friend in the city?

-No.

--Why not?

-We're poor.

I shouldn't be seeking my parent's approval, right? Wouldn't college be more fun spent living with your friends even though you're all dirt poor in comparison to living at home and commuting to school every day? I calculated how much time I would be spending with the MTA every month and it comes out to about 80 hours of commuting.

If I spent that 80 hours working near where I would potentially live by my school, I would be able to scrape enough to make rent with a roommate or two. Throw in a couple more working hours on the weekend, and I'd be able to afford food.

So what's stopping me?
I think it's society.

(omg)

I was thinking about the title of this blog today and why I ended up naming it "Julia... in College (omg)" because in retrospect, it seems rather excessive. Why not "Julia's Adventures in College" or something similarly simple? I have an easy explanation: When I was younger, I couldn't imagine myself in college or living life beyond my college years. I simply thought I was going to die before I reached university.

So think about my title this way: It's Julia (duh)... but now she's in COLLEGE (OMG how did that happen)

And no, I have not died yet.

Hey, I have a new banner!

Thanks to the marvelous Elizabeth W, the head of my blog spin-off is crowned with the spectacular Manhattan Island.

And a handful of congratulations are in order because she won the banner design contest! She will be receiving a prize that all y'all wish you'd get.

over and out.

About the School: The New and Enhanced Version

I thought Mount Holyoke was the most magical place on Earth where unicorns ate rainbows and butterflies were besties with purple squirrels. That was before I got there. Soon after my arrival, the school's enchantment wore off after a couple weeks and I started wondering what college life would be like at other schools. There I was, three weeks into the semester silently wishing that I could change schools or hoping that someday Mount Holyoke would prove that it was a good fit for me. One and a third semesters and a handful of decisions and occurrences later, I found myself at home in New York and in bed much too often.

That previous January, I applied to City College's Spitzer School of Architecture right here at home. Five months later, I was accepted and five months of hair-pulling over my uncertain future had come to an end.

I chose this school because 1, it's cheap. While at Mount Holyoke, I met a guy who attended UMass Amherst and when asked why he picked UMass, he said "because it's cheap" and that line firmly planted itself in my head. 2, it's in NYC AKA the greatest place on the world AKA home. I intend to commute the hour and a half to school for the next four (or five) years while silently wishing for a private bus service to take me to school everyday. Regardless: Oh boy, METROCARD fare... (sigh). Number 3: I had taken a summer architecture class there and it basically molded the way that I envision architecture school. Whatever they say, goes.

In the end, I'm just a normal kid in kollege.

She's Back!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone! Hope you're spending tomorrow at the beach and I hope it won't be as blustery as today is.

But on the topic of college, City College's Spitzer School of Architecture has welcomed me with wide open, warm, loving arms! (hoorah, break out the sparklers!) To be frank, I was slightly fearful that I would not be accepted. But why? you may ask. Isn't City College a public university that anybody can go to?! Yes, that is correct: City College is part of NYC's CUNY university system. However, because I specifically applied to their school of architecture, the admissions committee is much more selective. I also doubted my acceptance because to be honest, the Creative Challenge that I was required to submit was really, really bad. In comparison to the same assignment I had submitted a year prior, this one was a lackluster effort completed within a week without much regard.

But in the end, I'm going back to college and all is well! I'll be a freshman without the comedic freshman naïveté.

Stay tuned for August 28, the first day of the rest of my life (but not really)

I also have to change that banner.

Until Next Time

Dear Friends,

        I hope this notice finds you in good health for I could not forgive myself if what I am about to announce causes a sudden cardiac-related event that leads to your instantaneous death/misfortune. I'll just cut to the chase: this is my formal announcement of withdrawal from Mount Holyoke. 

        After considerably ponderous thought and consideration, I have decided that doing so would only be in my favor.  I could lay out the entire situation right here but for the sake of privacy and a boring explanation, I will refrain from doing so. But in an attempt to explain myself, I will simply say that Mount Holyoke was just not a good fit for me. What has ultimately compelled me to leave is a combination of reasons that include financial, academic, and personal issues. However, I intend to enroll in an architecture program in the fall that will allow me to matriculate with a professional degree rather than this flimsy architectural studies nonsense. So I'm basically just taking the rest of the semester off.

        Vous me manquez! While I am terrible at goodbyes and don't believe in a permanent farewell, I will regret not getting the chance to properly part with everyone. Although I am gone, I would like to thank everyone who has been a friend to me during my time at Mount Holyoke. You've made my time here a lot more enjoyable and for that, I thank you. A huge shout out to MHC Crew: this team is easily my most favorite part of Mount Holyoke despite the 5AM mornings.

        The blog will continue on as I fully intend to resume my studies at a different school. My college experiences have not ended and my leaving Mount Holyoke is just the end of a chapter in the expectedly never-ending tome of the story of my life. 

I wish you all the best in all your future endeavors and hope that you never keep yourself from happiness.

Cheers,
J

P.S. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have but know that as I write this, I can count the number of people who truly know about my departure on a single hand. 

SNOMG

Hello, internet world! This is Julia reporting to you live from (what was) South Hadley on the incoming Snowpocalypse that will freeze us alive in a massive iceberg. A million years from now, archeologists will discover us staring blankly into our screens and will be deeply impressed by our Pocket Planes. Models will be frozen mid-stride on the runway (it's NYFW) and Leandra Medine will be preserved Instagramming said models.

Well, Moho is smack in the middle of the "ZOMG ITS THE END OF THE WORLD" zone for Señor Nemo so this may be the last time you hear from me. But I'm okay, Mom. Don't freak out. Speaking of parents, I have a vivid memory of Dad throwing a snowball at my face when I was a wee child. I just schlumped over in my snowman suit and cried. (Thanks, Dad)

In other news, the college is closed tomorrow which I found out via Facebook, by the way. Are we not important enough to even get a decent email, Mount Holyoke? Wait just kidding, there was an email. It just didn't have a very demanding subject line so it was left unattended with 300 other emails (362, to be exact). In plain English: There is nothing to do for three days and I will be stranded in my nest of yarn and comfort. I'll probably end up online shopping for the entire 72 hours.

Au revoir, mes amies! Stay warm and don't get out of bed unless, well, there really is no good reason to get out of bed.

It's Winter, There's Snow

It's winter. This is Massachusetts. There's snow. Stop freaking out. The majority of people have one of two opinions in regard to snow. The first: "OMG WHAT IS THIS COLD MISERABLE NONSENSE ARCTIC TUNDRA THIS IS ANTARCTICA BAH HUMBUG," and the second: "Wheee~ I simply love this magnificent and pristine blanket upon the weathered earth and cherish its presence." The extent to which either opinion is exaggerated is up to your interpretation. No matter whether you've already built an armada of snowmen or have imprisoned yourself in the warmth of your bed, let's face it: snow is good.

When I say that snow is good, I don't mean that it's good because it causes frostbite, pneumonia, broken hips, lost toes, or any other misfortunate byproducts. Snow is good because it means that the people of Earth have not ruined the atmosphere to the point at which the good Earth is a boiling vat of hell. Hobbits would shake their fists at us in anger and damn us for ruining the good, tilled earth.

It doesn't matter whether you like snow or not because the inconvenient truth (pun intended) is that it's a vital part of the eco-structure, much like rain is. Snowy climates act as homes to organisms that are seldom found elsewhere and is a critical method of water storage. Without it, areas will be more prone to wildfires and droughts in the summer because of the lack of moisture throughout the year.

Lesson: don't pollute the Earth to oblivion, please.

For further reading,
NYT

College Lyfe: Showers

I showered in the dark today. Yep, that's right. A nice, long hour spent in warm-tempered water spewing out from a pressurized spout a foot above my head. In the dark. Why? Because the light in my preferred shower wasn't working (so much for motion-detection lights). Allow myself to insert the next point of concern: Why is that shower your favorite even though the light isn't working? Well see, the disfunctionality of this light is a very recent occurrence which I quite hope will be solved within the next day because I really do not prefer to shower in the dark. But yes, I have a favorite shower. Because unfortunately, showers are not equals and they are not all made the same. It's the sad truth, but it's TRUE.

As a matter of fact, upon arrival to this school I made a point to find the best shower on my floor. At first glance, I liked the middle shower in the unisex bathroom because of its location, but the water pressure SUCKED. Then I tried the handicap shower, thinking that it would be nice and roomy and comfortable, but nope. Disappointed again and left with the third and final shower which has now become my shower. But I didn't stop there! I tried the showers in the second bathroom too, in the event that someone happens to be using my shower during the frame of time that I intend to shower. So yes, I have a backup shower in the backup bathroom. And this, my friends, is what college students do! When given the option to shower in 7 different showers, one should try them all and discover the best option of the given choices! Smart kids pick smart showers. Except mine has a broken lightbulb, so I guess it's not smart anymore... and I guess that means I'm not smart anymore. Boo hoo

January Blues

It's 4:16 and the only thing I'm thinking about right now is dinner. Not really, but it's on my mind. Anyway, today was our first day back in classes so I got to enjoy a lovely 2 hours and 15 minutes worth of valuable learning-edumacation time. Splendid, isn't it? But actually, it is kind of splendid because my Tuesdays and Thursdays end at 11:15. Which is cool, I guess. But then I have a lot of time to kill do work (heheh yeah right). It's probably just me but I just don't feel mentally competent to be starting classes. Break was too short. That's right, my brain hasn't fully recuperated from the horror of finals week. But I just have to get over it, don't I? It frightens me to think that in a couple weeks we'll be getting the first of our exams... UGH. Whatevs, I can handle it (jk not really).

So, what's going on? Well I guess I write for Uloop now (whoo!) so you can expect articles from me on the site. This semester I hope I can get a chance to do a Habitat for Humanity build because CARE gypped me last semester (jk i love you guys). Other than that, crew is starting in mid-Feb so my 5:00 mornings haven't started yet (thank the lord). Oh, and ITS REALLY COLD HERE. It's actually really cold everywhere so why am I complaining? You Ithacan kids are probably icicles walking through a bajillion feet of snow (I dunno, is there snow up there?). Anyway, the cold sucks and the snow sucks and I would very much rather be in my bed at home all day.

Speaking of frigid temperatures, this semester should be called the "ITS NEVER GOING TO GET WARMER THIS IS NEW ENGLAND WHAT WERE YOU THINKING" Semester. Because even in the spring it's chilly. And classes end at the end of April. So if you think about it, this semester mostly takes place during the winter. I don't know why I packed so many shorts. I might as well surgically attach myself to my bean boots and ski jacket.

I also appreciate any and all care packages that everyone should be sending me. I forgot my mug, water bottle, tea measuring spoon, and I purposely left my french press at home. I could use all of those. (But I miss my mug the most. Twas such a great mug)

Now I have to muster up something to submit to Uloop.

PS Did Facebook just have its first site crash? WHOAH. (or is it just me)

The Wardrobe

I am sitting in my closet. On my immediate to-do list: figuring out what to bring to school clothing-wise. See, this really shouldn't be a concern considering that I know I'll probably be wearing the same thing every day until laundry day comes. My typical school-day uniform consists of skinnies and a tee, but it's nice to look decent once in a while, right? That's my justification for everything else I may be bringing... But wearing skinnies every day probably also doesn't mean that I need 20 pairs, right? And do I really need to bring every single shirt I own? Probably not.

What the world needs is a college clothing calculator to calculate how much clothing you need to bring. Let's see, it would start with initial physical boundaries in regard to luggage size and how much you can actually bring. If you're travelling internationally, you're probably not going to send your entire wardrobe to school unless you're super mega rich and you have a private jet. Students who intend to travel by car can pretty much bring whatever they want, as long as it fits in the car (which would be fairly difficult if you have a smartcar. but hey, it's smart- maybe it can expand ten-fold to fit a full fridge). Then there would be a coefficient spectrum on which a person would identify their level of fashionista-ness ranging from "I am a hobo and I wear what I can" to "I am the ultimate fashionista and I am Kate Moss' IDOL." From there, factor in meteorological change within the time frame that you will be at school and voila! Now you have a magical number providing a rough estimate of how many clothes you should be bringing. Of course, there would be a Premium version with the payment of $1.99 which allows you to factor in frequency of laundry, how much space you have in your dorm, whether or not you intend to be making trips back home, extracurriculars that may need a specific wardrobe, and a bunch of other relevant things that have sent us back to the mall with a plastic card and an intent to buy.

Well, I have a week left until my imminent departure and no matter how much I want to bring my 30-pound pink tulle ballroom gown (jk I don't have one), it'll have to stay at home. Now I have to find space at home to stow away the clothes that I won't be needing. Oh goody. Watch out, Mount Holyoke: the return of this skinnies and tees chica will be uneventful and un-fashionista-like. Cheers to fashion uniforms and predictability!

+ Cross your fingers for the one and only Butterball and her application to Moho! (Although she seldom needs luck) She's my only fan.

The Ghost of College Past

The summer before I started school I was offered an amazing opportunity to spend a week in Chicago for the international Girls World Forum. I was more than eager to go and it would be the first time that I'd be traveling out of the time zone. Read about my trip here: http://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/blog?p=470

... and learn a little about one of the greatest experiences ever.

This is not a healthy way to live.
Welcome to college, it's all fun and games until its not.

Hell Week

Finals are upon us, and here's what's going down:

1. Sleep, but no rest
2. Adrenaline, but no will
3. EXHAUSTION, but no end
4. Sugar, but no high
5. COMPLETE AND ABSOLUTE EMPTYMINDED-NESS

On this day, I stared at my computer a whole lot and bought things from the interwebs.
Progress scale = 2% Accomplished!
It doesn't help that you can see turquoise water in the Caribbean from Living Earth. This chica needs a long vacation.