To the juniors of Spring Arbor University (SAU), first of all, the responsibility of keeping Qdoba open in Jackson now rests in your hands as we seniors depart this comforting campus environment.Second, don’t pay for laundry. It will end up being more expensive than buying a new pack of socks and underwear on a bi-weekly basis. The Hanes t-shirts are quite cheap and now come in v-neck style.Now, as we are baristas and soon departing, it’s time to say what we need to say (in the words of that ever so clever and now cliché John Mayer): the word “frappe” has no accent on the end; therefore, the ending “e” should remain absent from your mouth. Please and thank you.Soon you will be a senior. The kissing up is done; embrace the rebel side in yourself.Calm the heck down. There’s a reason you’re a senior. You’ve made it this far, and you’re almost guaranteed to finish, unless of course you choose to drop out. That’s then your fault. So don’t overcommit and simply allow yourself to enjoy free time and time with friends. You often meet the best of those friends your final semester. So if you’re walling yourself up with the mass amount of research books, no one can really find you.Blackboard is simply from the devil. So don’t try to embrace it. That doesn’t mean slack on your posts; however, don’t fret over them. They’re not worth it.
Ladies, embrace the classy element I (Brianna) know you possess. Don’t be afraid to venture out of your sweatpants or skinny jeans. You’re in the prime of job hunting, so look good because you never know when you’re going to meet your future employer. And on a more serious note, keep yourselves covered. There’s a lot more mystery and intrigue in a woman who covers up – but you don’t have to look like “Ugly Betty.”
Men, be men. Be Alaska-worthy men. But tone down on the flannel, it’s losing its appeal.
There’s always talk about finances, loans, lack of jobs – overcome this because you can. Know your loans and know your financial weaknesses. Rely on God because He’s the only one who’s going to get you through this. Even if mommy and daddy do have money, they can easily take it away from you.
Now that you’re seniors, you can be let in on a few of Jackson’s best-kept secrets:
Rocky Top Bar and Grill, 1900 Lansing Ave. Jackson, MI 49202. Grab your pretzel-bun burger and waffle fries with your Mason jar full of Coca Cola then you can run and get your corporate Starbucks.
Chilangos and El Compa, right across the road from each other, these two authentic and local Jackson restaurants are great places to hang out. Really, people, when Brent Cline tells you about a restaurant, you know it’s good. E. Ganson St.
Cuttysark Restaurant, 11021 Moscow Rd. Hanover, MI 49241. One of the creepiest restaurants tucked away in the hills of Moscow Road. Its unique cuisine offers an experience necessary before graduation, even if that means taking mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and Aunt Marge after the ceremony.
Our parting words: be circumspect. Don’t know the meaning? Then add “get a dictionary” to your list. And of course, let the noble words of “Vitamin C” ring true in your heart during your last year at SAU:
“As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
And as our lives change, from whatever
We will still be, friends forever
La, la, la, la; yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la, we will still be friends forever”…yada yada yada.
With love and sage wisdom,
Brianna Fairhurst and David Blackburn
Advice to Sophomores: Transfer TransitionsAs a transfer student, I can remember the uncertainty of going to a new school. Numerous questions consumed my thoughts, like, “How much harder will Spring Arbor University (SAU) be compared to the college I am transferring from? What will the classes belike? What will living in a dorm be like?”Although the questions I was asking myself would have been the same if I were a freshman, one worry consumed the majority of my thoughts: “Will I be able to make friends?” This worry was unique because I feared most people who were “normal” students would already have their friendships established, making me an automatic “outsider.”Luckily, I started my journey at SAU with two of my best friends from high school, who were also transfers. As roommates and close friends, we shared many experiences together that not only helped us transition into campus life but also deepened our relationships with one another. Not everyone, however, is lucky enough to have his or her best friends as roommates. That is why I encourage all transfer students to become involved in their respective CELL groups. The people in your CELL are likely experiencing the same struggles and difficulties of transferring as you are, and they can serve as a crucial support system.Additionally, I would encourage all transfers to get out of their comfort zones and start reaching out to other students. This may seem difficult at first, but I can say from experience that the majority of students at SAU are friendly and are typically eager to meet new people and make new friends. Getting involved in your floor’s Bible study, intramural sports and other campus activities will help you find ways to interact with new people and establish friendships.After making the transition into college life here at SAU, I learned the importance of reaching out and doing things that are not always comfortable. We only have a few short years to not only gain knowledge and experience in our chosen career field but also to develop lasting relationships.
I would encourage all students, not just transfers, to take advantage of and thrive in your current environment. Life can be difficult, but right now you have the opportunity to surround yourself with people in a loving, Christian atmosphere. Love who you are, where you are and who you are with, because the friendships and relationships you nurture today will last a lifetime.
Advice to SophomoresYou’re a sophomore. You now have three semesters under your belt, and you’ve finally gotten a handle on the typical college life packed with classes, homework and a social life.Classes may not seem so hard, but make sure to put in the work. If you’re not putting in the effort now, it’s going to be more difficult to handle the stress of classes in your junior year. Not only are classes getting harder, but they require more time spent on homework and you will be expected to remember the information you learned in your first two years on campus.If you have to spend time doing the work, you may find yourself calling the library your “second home,” and there is nothing wrong with that. The library has every resource you could possibly need, ranging from books to computers and from newspapers to Sacred Grounds. Encourage your friends to go with you and have study dates, as long as you get work done.Being a part of a group of friends is important. They help reduce your stress when life feels like it’s gotten too far out of your control. When you need to escape from homework and drama, they are the people who will take you to Coldstone at midnight and keep you up late watching movies.
But if there is anything that I learned so far in my junior year, it is that sleep is necessary and very important. That applies to all students on campus, not just juniors like myself. Four to six hours per night isn’t enough to operate at 100 percent. It isn’t good to crawl into your bed at 2:30 a.m. and wake up early to finish homework or go to class.
College definitely is the time of our lives. There will be moments you never forget and there will be times you wish you could remember. You’ll see people come and go and remember the importance of your college friendships, but until you graduate, focus on the here and now at Spring Arbor University. It’s the stepping stone to our future, and amongst the memories we should focus on our education, too.
Sophomore Advice To Freshman
Kelly Lynne Trawczynski:Dear freshmen, you are at a place in your life when you come in with a blank slate. Everyone around you is in your place or has been there before, so it’s easy to try to abandon your childhood tendencies. You try to grow up faster so that you can seem more mature. However, this can cause a person to lose that simple love of life.Never lose your authenticity. Be as real as you can be. When you are real, you don’t have to worry about whether a person likes you because of who you really are or because of the mask you put on that you think others will like best. God calls us to be real. It’s so freeing to know that you do not have to hide yourself away from those you are in community with.DeJuan Bland: 10 tips for freshmen#1 In the midst of your late nights remember you are paying for a room with a bed in it; utilize it.
#2 College is not high school. Not studying is not an option, and neither is missing class.
#3 Enjoy campus, make friends and learn to love people. Being social isn’t bad, but enjoy in moderation.
#4 Get Ron Kopicko to tell you to shut up; it’s on my personal bucket list.
#5 This is a Christian campus, so enjoy and take advantage of the opportunity to grow.
#6 Try an open mic. You just might have fun.
#7 Everybody can play the guitar, so don’t waste your time learning the guitar.
#8 Understand the difference between the concept and community standards.
#9 The professors are understanding and gracious, so save the excuses.
#10 Learn to love UHall! It’s the best place on campus.
