Entry: 3/13/2008

Hey guys,

Well, so far this semester has been an absolute frenzy. It seems that Spring semester always flies by, which can be both good and bad. It's also the infamous crunch time, that special time that starts right before spring break and ends well after spring break - the time when professors seem to expect you to hit the ground running. If you're feeling a little overwhelmed, then trust me, you're in good company. On the bright side, we're past the halfway mark with just seven or eight weeks of classes left. I know, I know. That sounds like a lot, but really it isn't. It FLIES by. Take my word for it.

Personally, I've been keeping myself busy. Between my four classes and working I haven't had much spare time. I guess that's a good thing, though. Less time to procrastinate.

Exciting news on the campus life front!

First things first, Earth Awareness Club is hosting their annual EarthFest towards the end of April. Mark it down on your calendars! There will be lots of fun activities, neat vendors, and good food - all promoting ecofriendly ideas. Jan Bowman, one of JCC's biology professors, as well as the other members of Earth Awareness are very excited about this. It should be a pretty info-packed day, so keep your eye out for the flyers (coming soon). And make sure you come check it out in April.

Alright, on to a more personally exciting newsflash! I've been working on a project, alongside the other student ambassadors and the student senate, as well as Mark Suida, Director of Campus Life, and Julie Ellis, Coordinator of the Student Ambassador Program, that will come to life this April. As many of you know, April 16th of this year will mark the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy. Crazy to think it's already been a year. I've been brainstorming different ways we, as a community college and a college community, can honor the 32 lives lost on that day. We will be hosting an "event" in the union on the 16th of next month, called 'A Day of Remembrance'. There will be a few tables set up where people will be able to sign letters to the victims' families, and there will be a slideshow on VT as well. We'll also be doing something to honor last month's tragedy at NIU. Pretty cool stuff. More information on this event will be available as we develop it a little more. Hope to see you there, though!

Also, a recent tragedy hit a little closer to home just a few weeks ago. A current JCC student, Dave Love, passed away tragically and unexpectedly on March 2. I didn't know Dave very well, but I did have a philosophy class with him last semester. He was a really nice guy, always smiling and cracking a funny joke or saying something goofy. His closer friends only had nice things to say about him, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to get to know him (if only a little). It's always so sad to lose someone so young and so nice... someone with such a promising future. It's in tragedies like this that bring strangers and friends together, even if in sadness.

Enough about tragedies. As for now, let's just do the best we can (which is all we can ever do). And don't give up hope yet! Spring break is just a few days away. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Keep up the hard work and the studying...it all pays off in the end. And make it a priority to relax over break. Breathe. Take time to do some of the things you enjoy, the things you haven't had a spare second to do. Spend some relaxing time with family and friends and stay safe. Good luck on your upcoming exams, projects, papers, practicals, etc. !!

But enough preaching. It's time to get to work.

There's so much to do!

Stay tuned for more information on the VT event as well as some other exciting things. If you have any ideas about the commemoration event for NIU and VT or any questions about JCC, school, or just life in general please feel free to email them to me!

Have a good break everyone!

Entry: 2/14/2008

Hey all! My name is Regan Gifford and I’m JCC’s rookie blogger. I’m currently a sophomore here at JCC and my major is Math/Science with a minor in procrastination. My hope is to one day go into the Environmental Science field. For any of you Math/Science people out there, you know just how difficult this curriculum can get. But, honestly I’m so glad I’m getting my foundations here. For Math/Science (and every major, for that matter) there are a number of tricky “weeder” courses we’re all forced to get through. And we learn to either sink or swim. Luckily, JCC has blessed me with teachers that truly want me to do well and succeed. The first big lesson I learned after graduation was that high school and college are WAY different. You’re on your own. Like…completely. And suddenly all the responsibility is on you and despite your (my) best efforts, we only have ourselves to blame for our laziness and procrastination. Teachers no longer have to care whether or not you turn in your research paper. Or whether or not you study for your test. It’s ALL on you. So once that lesson has been learned, it’s easier to know what to expect. And I’ve found over the three and ¼ semesters I’ve been here that teachers do expect a lot out of you. It’s not because they’re sadistic, but because they know what you’re capable of and truly want you to do well. And although it takes some time getting used to, (there’s a lot of hard work involved), in the end it’s only a good thing. And I’ve found that the professors here are more than willing to help you out. Many professors have stayed with me after class and explained something I was confused about. They’ve also been more than willing to sit down with me in their offices and go over and over and over something until it’s pounded in my head (however long that may take). The best part is they never give you that “it’s not my job” attitude. They’re in it for the long run and your success is their success. And that’s so good to know. Anyway, enough gushing about professors and success and all that. It’s time to actually go do some homework (boo Chemistry). I’ll write another post soon. Until then, keep at it and know that you’re surrounded by helpful resources. So go study!

E-mail Regan a question about JCC