#wacluv

[centerforenvironmentandsociety]

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Hanging out with my new Oyster Toadfish buddy today. @vainstituteofmarinescience #toadfish #oystertoadfish #mondaysright #afaceonlyamothercouldlove #washcoll #wacluv #learningbydoing #experientiallearning #centerforenvironmentandsociety (at Virginia Institute of Marine Science) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_MEgBHppY/?igshid=1chpfk6aprpst

[thegoldengoosewac-blog]

Summertime!!!

Hey Goslings! 

As much as I LOVE Washington College, I am very much ready for a break from classes! 

This summer, I have quite a few fun things going for me that I am very excited about. I am going to list them below! 

1. Archaeology Field School 

Eight weeks of my summer will be spent working on archaeological excavations here in the great state of Maryland. The first four weeks will be spent at a campsite in Anne Arundel County, and the final four weeks will be spent here in Kent County! I will in fact be staying here on WC’s campus which is very exciting for me! 

2. Summer Storyquest Remote Internship 

As well as field school, I am also going to be working on the Starr Center’s Summer Storyquest program. I will be working as an interviewer and an archival intern. I am very excited to gain more experience with the Starr Center while learning some great local history! This will run from June to August! 

3. Contributor Writer 

I will also be occasionally writing for a magazine called Sustain! This magazine promotes eco-friendliness and everything sustainable! I am excited to be published while also learning a lot about new techniques for sustainability. 

4. A Week in LBI 

When I come back from Field School, I will be going on a short trip to Long Beach Island! I have never been, so I am very excited to be visiting and celebrating my grandmother’s 70th birthday! 

I will probably be updating every once in a while over the summer, so stay tuned! I hope all of you have an amazing summer and that I see you in August during orientation week! 

[tamtamxtakesxwac-blog]

Summer

Goslings, summer is just around the corner! What are your plans?

I was blessed enough to get an internship through the Explore America Summer Internship program with the Starr Center. So I'll be at the Library of Congress's Publishing Office!

Huzzah!

I'm really looking forward to all the fun experiences and the new things up be learning. Plus, all of my coworkers see really nice, so it should be great!

Until next time!

[natcatatwac]

The Two Things About College Stress That No One Tells You About (And How To Deal With Them)

#1)Stress is cumulative.

You’ve probably heard something similar pertaining to sleep. What it means when people say “sleep is cumulative” is that your sleep debt builds over time. When I was in high school, classes started at 7:20AM. Then one year, they pushed back the start time to 7:40. Although it didn’t seem like much, every day we would get 20 extra minutes of sleep, every day for five days in a row. This meant that at the end of the school week, we had paid off over an hour of sleep debt.

The same applies to stress. It will only build unless you take a little bit of time each day to deal with whatever is on you plate.  

#2) Procrastinating:

A wise man once said:

“Percentage wise, it is 100% easier not to do things than to do them. And so much fun not to do them!  Especially when you were supposed to do them.“

Procrastination is so easy to do, and so hard to deal with. To avoid procrastinating, take these steps to maximize your productivity:

1.Put your phone on do not disturb. Zac Efron’s tweets can’t bother you if you’re not getting the notifications!

2.Right now, your screensaver probably says something along the lines of: “Natalie’s computer,” or maybe it’s, “Property of Natalie,” or “Zac Efron’s Wife.” It’s in your ABSOLUTE BEST INTEREST to change it to something more mean.  This way, when you stop doing classwork on your computer, and instead mindlessly begin scrolling through your phone, all of a sudden, your screensaver will be yelling at you saying something like: “You’ve got a long to-do list, young lady,” or maybe it’s: “You should be doing that thing. Go do the thing,” or my personal favorite: “Who cares about the 10 best easter eggs you probably missed when you watched Quentin Tarantino’s movies?? Get your butt off Buzzfeed Natalie!”

3. Go to the library, specifically the quiet floors. Not only is it always quiet and peaceful all the time, but also there’s this: people are literally not allowed to talk to you, ever! No one can bother you for any reason. If you’re procrastinating on a quiet floor, then I applaud you, because that’s actually very hard to do. (that being said, the library is also a great place to avoid the following: talking to people, talking in general, and people #PeopleAreTheWorstSometimesLikeWhyAreYouBotheringMePleaseStop).

[wacadoodledo-blog]

the bachelor

Let me start off this post by mentioning that yes, I am a Communications and Media Studies major AND I love The Bachelor. There is A LOT wrong with reality television and we all are completely aware of that fact. But do I stop myself from watching the ~most dramatic~ show ever? NO.

I got into watching The Bachelor in 2016 with the amazing Ben Higgins. Ben was such a pure and sweet and kind bachelor and I loved him all the way up until the end. Then of course, I had to watch my favorites go on Bachelor in Paradise and then I was hooked. Now I watch the show with my roommates and I even have my boyfriend watching too.

Now that I’ve been studying media here, I’ve grown to be more critical and actually analyze the work that is being produced instead of just consuming it for plain entertainment. I’ve questioned why reality tv is even a thing, and why does it matter that it’s actually trash tv.

Anyway, the whole point of this blog was to tell you all about my favorite tv show and honestly if any of you want to talk about the Bachelor, I'd be down! Just contact me via dm or email!

[jessievngo-blog]

Clubs!

Whatever you’re interested in, whether it be marketing, writing, psychology, reading, etc., WAC is sure to have a club to meet your interests! Right now, I am in Psychology Club and Secretary for HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America).

HOSA is a club that I have been in since freshman year of high school, so I’m a little biased. But according to HOSA’s website, its’ mission is “to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of all health science education students, therefore, helping the student meet the needs of the health care community.”

And that’s exactly what we’re doing here. This semester, we (the HOSA Exec Board) have a bunch of fun things planned for students that are interested in the health care field; CPR/AED certification, a community health fair, a blood drive, Army suturing, and so much more! I am so excited that I get to play a part in all of these events.

The club fair in Martha Washington Square will be held next Friday, so that students can decide what clubs they want to join/how they want to be involved on campus this year. If I decide to join any more clubs, I’ll be sure to update with a later post.

In the meantime, the HOSA Exec Board and I are getting ready for Club Fair! We’ll be there from 11am – 3pm next Friday. If you are considering a career in the health care field, you should definitely join HOSA!

[kellenhanley]

Biggest Changes: HS to College

I went to the same school from 6th until 12th grade. 

To say I had gotten very comfortable within my campus and within my community would be an understatement. 

I lived an hour away, was on a Varsity sport, president of five clubs, heavily involved with leadership on the campus, as well as somehow managing to be a Merit Scholar and graduate with over a 3.7 GPA.

Coming to college, I wish someone had told me that it was ok (and actually necessary to take a breath).  To say that last year I absolutely 1000% overloaded my schedule and became too busy, would be the understatement of the year. I was constantly going and going, and on weekends, I felt absolutely burnt out. I was taking five classes, rushing, joining clubs and trying to balance a social life all on top of everything. 

I was losing integral parts of who I was. 

Because college isn’t HS. Responsibilities grow. There are more of them. There are more pressures. More things to do. A thousand and one things and places to see, people to meet. Even at a small school like this, there is an endless stream of things you could do. 

And with that, there can be a lot of freedom, and there usually is. But sometimes, and every so often, it can also be ridiculously hard to find that balance. 

It’s something I still am trying to find. 

But with that being said, college is liberating. 

There are so many things you can do. And so many people you can become. You have the opportunity to become the person you want to be. And that’s one of the main differences between HS and college--you get the opportunity to explore your options. 

[classypoetrynightmare-blog]

Guys, I had a crazy weekend! First, on Friday, I went to the “Shoremal” bonfire (Which is our homecoming bonfire) then on saturday I went to Harry Potter Festival in town (which is pretty HUGE. I was told people from different states came and the woman running it told me that they had to turn down NATIONAL press because Chestertown would not be able to hold that big of a crowd! I mean there were so many different stalls and events going on all weekend. It was definitely  a wonderland of sorts--I even saw some of my students which was weird. Then that night was homecoming which I heard was cool and awesome; BUT I did not go because I went to see Kesha in Philly. You know how I got to see Kesha in Philly? Because it was just under two hours away! I mean, Chestertown is equally distant from three  major cities: D.C., Baltimore, and Philly. Meaning, there are all about hour and half (give or take) minutes away! Isn’t that insane! So my weekend was a blast. WAC and Chestertown always have crazy stuff happening. We might be rural and small, but we know how to throwdown ;)

[chiricoscorner-blog]

Town Tip #2

Saturday mornings are your friend, walk into town and visit the farmers market. This is one of my favorite things to do, especially when the weather is nice.

The farmers market offers arts and crafts, and most importantly... amazing food. Whether you want vegetables, fruit, or of course, baked goods (my favorite), the market has it.

The overall atmosphere down there is incredible with people from the town and students getting together. When you visit, be sure to get down there and see what it has to offer.

[maiaduval-blog]

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Dear Traveler, Shorefest was awesome! We got to play on bounce houses. It was like we were on "Wipeout" and it was awesome! There was an obstacle course, a soccer game, and a caricature artist...and it was free! The raffle tickets, the shirts, and petting kittens were all free! Usually this takes place down by the water in Chestertown but this year it was rainy so the SEB decided to move it to the JFC. Hope you can enjoy Shorefest next year!

[centerforenvironmentandsociety]

CES and @wcadmissions spent the evening out on @riverpacket yesterday. We had dinner and a show! #rainbow #doublerainbow #chesterriver #centerforenvironmentandsociety #washcoll #wacluv @washcoll #sunset https://www.instagram.com/p/BxfJxTCn4Wg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hm7n35efgdr0

[thegoldengoosewac-blog]

Aquarium Basics 101

Hey Goslings! 

One of the many things people miss from home when they come to college are their pets. I miss my fur babies every single day, but unfortunately I could not bring them with me. Emotional support animals are great but you really should not be getting one unless you actually need the support. Luckily, fish are excellent pets for college dorm rooms that do not require any special certifications! 

I would highly recommend a Betta fish, they live long and are very easy to take care of, they are also beautiful fish. Please note though that being easy to take of and not needing any care are two completely different facts. Betta fish still need their tanks cleaned, and they need to be fed every day. I would recommend a tank with a filter, they make cleaning a lot easier. 

This a photo of my new fish tank! Listed below are a few things I would recommend buying for a betta fish pet! 

1. 2 Gallon Fish Tank with Filter and Light 

Betta fish need a lot of room to swim around, they like to  hide and move around a lot. Filters are also great to help out with cleaning the water, with a filter you only need to do 10% water change which makes it a lot easier to clean. 

2. Simple Colored Gravel

I would recommend a basic colored gravel for your fish, rainbow gravel is very bright and can hurt your fish’s eyes. 

3. Water Conditioner 

A good water conditioner is very good for the fish. It keeps the water nice and clean, it is a great way to avoid parasites. 

4. Freeze Dried Blood worms 

These are very easy to feed the fish and provide great nutrients for the betta fish! 

These are all great things to get your fish! Plants and statues are also encouraged! Enjoy the holidays! 

- The Golden Goose 

[tamtamxtakesxwac-blog]

Fresh Houses

Hello goslings! I hope you’re having a great 2019 so far. For seniors, your graduation must be coming up quicker than ever before. For those of you coming to WAC next fall, I’m here to tell you what to expect from the WAC housing process. 

First, you get to do a survey. It’ll ask about allergies, cleanliness, and social life (like would you be okay if members of the opposite sex visited your dorm). Everyone does this since it’s considered the housing application. Your answers can influence which dorm you are put into. For example, if you’d rather have a single sex on each floor, then you wouldn’t be placed into a co-ed floor dorm. 

After the general survey, you can decide whether you want a random roommate (which would make you take another survey to find out more of your preferences, like your smoking habits) or you’d like to request a roommate (which means you need that person’s full name and email). Either way, you have the opportunity to find an amazing roommate. 

Also, most freshman live across the street from WAC in either: Minta Martin, Queen Anne, Reid, or Caroline Hall. I stayed in Minta! Each hall has it’s own ups and downs, but they’re where you’ll make your first college memories. 

Until next time!

[natcatatwac]

The WAC’s Watch

Fair warning, for this post is dark and full of nerdy references. 

It’s cold here at WAC.

And Winter Is Coming. 

The best way to stay warm on your way to classes is to wear layers. It won’t be as warm as the dark cloaks of the Night’s Watch, but it is far less windy and snowy than a Westeros winter. Make sure to have hats, gloves, scarves, a big winter coat, and plenty of hot cocoa to get you through the cold.

The Wall is not the only place that gets mountains of snow. Be sure to bring tough boots to Chestertown that can get wet and muddy. 

Don’t let a little bit of snow get in the way of you getting to class!

Semesters gather, and now my study begins. It shall not end until my graduation. I shall skip no class, drop no course, fail no assignment. I shall wear no colors but maroon and black. I shall study and eat at my desk. I am the goose in the flock. I am the resident in the dorm. I am the shorewomen who burns against the cold on the way to class, the student that brings the completed assignments to class, the alarm clock that wakes the sleepy roommates. I pledge my life and honor to the WAC’s Watch, for this night and all nights to come. 

[wacadoodledo-blog]

Semester Goals!

So now that we’re finishing up the 4th week of the semester (what!!!!!) I’ve decided that I’m setting a few goals for the rest of the semester.

1. Stay Organized. As a junior, you’d think I would be able to keep track of all my deadlines and papers and meetings, but I can’t. Sooo, I’m trying REALLY HARD in these up coming weeks to get it together.

2. Try something new. I’ve done the same stuff since freshman year and I really want to get outside of my comfort zone and try something new.

3. Be happy and enjoy my last few semesters. I’ve gotten really good at prioritizing school and my extracurriculars so this semester I want to prioritize myself. I want to spend time with my friends and my partner, as well as watch tv and relax every once in a while.

[jessievngo-blog]

The Scariest Thing About Going To College

For me, the scariest thing about going to college was definitely moving out of state, a plane ride away from home and everyone and everything that I had ever known. On top of that, I’ve never been someone who can make friends easily, so I was worried about being able to make friends at a college where I knew absolutely no one.

Once I got to WAC, I realized that I had absolutely no reason to be nervous. I was paired with a random roommate, but as it turns out we have a ridiculous amount of things in common and we spent a lot of time getting food and hanging out together. I don’t live with her this year, but she is still one of my closest friends.

As soon as pre-orientation started, I made even more friends and I’m still close friends with a few of those people today. Looking back, I don’t know why I was ever worried about not being able to make friends!

Below: My pre-orientation group in front of the Reflecting Pool in DC!