Advising Week

Guess what happens next week? Advising week. Goodness I feel like I've been waiting for this since the beginning of October, but that's only because I like to be way way overprepared. As an Honors student we get priority registration, meaning that the normal advising week is when we actually register.

I can't tell you how confused I was the first time I went in for advising, although I had everything I needed I wasn't ready to talk to my advisor. He was great, and everyone I've talked to has a great adivsor. They know their stuff and know what you're going through and the best classes to take. However for them to help you to their fullest extent there are several things we need to bring in as students.

1) Degree Evaluation - for UW students its under the student resources tab Wyoweb. This shows you what you need to complete your major, your minor, and what you've already completed. I check this regularly especially when trying to figure out GPA and class standing.

2) List of classes you want to take and a tentative schedule - Seriously this may be the most important part. The new class list is up, as of last Thursday, so you can see what classes are available and what times. Having a few schedules that you'd be okay with having next semester is a good idea. Also not all classes are offered every semester.

3) Anything extra to help you plan - As a Political Science Major I know that the only place I go to look for advising information is in the Political Science Advising Page. Almost all majors have a little something different to help those going in for advising. Try and knock out some USP's (Gen ED) because if you haven't covered all of them by senior year you don't get to graduate.

If you have all this you will fly through your advising session and walk out with your PERC number ready to sign up for classes when your slot opens.



Extra tips I've found useful:

• Register as soon as you can, seriously getting up at that 7 am sign up may mean getting into the class you need for the semester. Last year we had a class fill up in under 5 minutes. Not all classes are like this, but remember there are only a limited amount of spots and you have to make it work with what you get.
• When making your schedule remember that it's not just the classes you can take, its putting in time to study and time to relax and eat! If you're a morning person take early classes, if you doze in the after noon think of that. If you want to look for a job schedule around those hours. This will be your life next semester, will you be happy with it?
• Have a back-up plan, and a back-up-back-up plan. If your first class doesn't work out you want a list of others right next to you that you can work with as well.
• Breathe, its not that scary and it won't kill you. I may seem terryfing but its the first step to figuring out life, somewhat, on your own.
• Take a lighter class, one that you can slack off in a little, or will look forward to everyweek. If you take all heavy classes, that is when students tend to burnout and drop classes. It can be a fun one! I'm taking Zumba for my PE credit this semester and last semester I had beginning acting. Its a great release and way to help motivate you. 

- Wyobelle

P.S. I've done this a few times and have it pretty much figured you, if you need help or just want to talk let me know!! Wyobelle1@gmail.com

Halloween and halfway through!

Can you believe that it is almost Halloween, or that it is halfway through the school year? I certainly can't it feels like everything has flown by so fast, and yet the fact that we only have a month and a half till break seems like a short amount of time.

How have your study habits been lately? I know mine have been subpar for what they were earlier this year. Now that finals is almost over, Homecoming has gone by, and Border Wars is waiting for basketball season I feel like I might be able to pick up those last few weeks with some better habits so I can pull a few of those B's into A's.

However what I have also noticed is that my November weekend is almost filled up already, I want to take this point to remind everyone(myself included!) that it's okay to take a break, and just enjoy yourself. Understand that life needs balance. That balance might be in a night out with friends, a good book, or a nap.

I am particularly bad at balance, I tend to tip onto one side but my goal this week is to finish strong, and breath.

Whats your goal for the week? How do you balance life? Any big accomplishments lately? 

-Wyobelle

P.S. Who else is ready to carve pumpkins? It's officially the beginning of the holiday season, the pumpkin flavored everything has hit with fall. I'm trying to figure out my costume this year, and I've been talked into a comic girl, what do you think?

But what? Boots!

Hello world,

Midterms caught me off guard so hard this year, but not as badly as our football team did yesterday. Bit of a let down that one, well more than a bit. Went up in the hills this morning, early this morning, didn't see any elk which was our goal but I did see lots and lots of snow.  By the time my friend and I got back to town it was snowing pretty hard. However, this afternoon all the snow had melted again.

This trend of snow and melt is beginning to become quite the pattern over here. And rain, we have had sooo much rain this year, more than I think I've seen in Wyoming in my entirety of living here (almost my entire life)! With so much snow and rain and the wacky Wyoming weather, I've been caught off guard with my choice of shoes.

I have heavy duty snow boots for the really wet storms and  otherwise have been able to tough through with tennis shoes the rest of the time, because honestly when the snow comes you aren't outside for very long normally. This bizarre year has made me lust after duck boots. Its the main thing I'm going to be asking Santa for for Christmas this year ;)

Here are a few of my favorites:

Tivol by Sorel
. 
Women's Shearwater by Sperry Top-Sider





and finally the Women's Bean Boots by L.L. Bean's



I just can't get enough of them, and they just me so well. My best friend loves her Uggs and she looks good in them, but it's just too much fluff and size.

How has the weather been for you? And midterms? Are you looking into anything new for the winter months?

-Wyobelle

Midterms

Alright guys, have you noticed that things are getting busy again?

I had the best weekend, stayed up way to late, and once again found my addiction to D.P.Dough.

(The Parmazone is my fav, especially with garlic butter!) However, it's time to hit the grindstone once again because midterms are next week, and I repeat next week. Where has the time gone? I feel like I'm just starting to get into the swing of things and we only have half a semester left, and from my previous experiences the second half goes by so much faster than the first. 

I know this week isn't too terrible homework wise for me, but I also have homecoming sing this week, a crazy work schedule, and family coming into town next weekend. That means that I need to start studying for classes, like now. Which coincidentally is when we all should be studying for our midterms. 

I didn't find out what good study habits were until this last spring semester. BAD IDEA. There are so many options out there, so many. In the dorms, on campus, in Greek life,  just put yourself out there and look for if you need help, because its not shameful and I can promise you that after midterms it's soooo hard to pull your grades up. The first test was a flop? That's ok, take a deep breath learn what you need to fix and move on. 

My favorite places to look for study tips are:

http://www.uwyo.edu/bettergrades/index.html
      which has a ton of resources and links to other sites

Pinterest.com
     I have a board called College Tips and Hacks which has basically everything that a college student needs, from funny t-shirts to study tips, and dorm/apartment food tricks to organization ideas. 

-Wyobelle

P.S. If you're in town Wednesday, come to Homecoming Sing in the A&S Auditorium around 7 o'clock! It's going to be awesome!!

P.P.S. If you're having a late night study session... or just a late night ;) I totally recommend D.P. Dough they have the best calzones and they deliver up till 2 am. They are chain that only pops up in college towns, something I think is brilliant.

http://www.dpdough.com/

Preparing for Homecoming

So, this weekend was particularly odd for me. Mainly I think because I didn't have too much to do, and I did homework for most of the weekend. I feel like I'm finally starting to grow up because, 1) my tastes have been changing and 2) my out look on school and life have been changing. However, these next two weeks will have me as excited as a high schooler again, because we are getting ready for Homecoming!

Being in a sorority have made a few of the things I'm doing a little different, but this is such an exciting time for the campus as a whole! Next week, any RSO's or groups that want to participate can join in Homecoming Sing. Normally Greek Life has a huge turn out for this, and this year is no different. I've already been preparing with my sisters for our Sing performance. It's normally super funny and a good time, lots of different groups up on stage in A&S doing skits and choreographed songs. That's happening Wednesday.

Then during the rest of the week we have the parade on Saturday, the football game Saturday, normally a volleyball game that weekend as well. Also the sports teams compete against each other in a car push up the ramps of Memorial Stadium. There is so much more, but please go out and support our sports teams! I can't wait. As a member of the newspaper I'll get to see everything written down after, so if you can't make it next week read about it in the Branding Iron!

The picture below should take you to the Homecoming page at UW!

It's going to be a blast and I can't wait to show everyone what Chi O has been working had at for the last few weeks! I love fall, the weather, the clothes, the drinks, the food, but mainly it means the start of some amazing times! Football, Homecoming, Halloween, and soon after Thanksgiving will kick off our holiday season! 

-WyoBelle

P.S. How are you enjoying the switch into fall? Are you as excited for Homecoming and all the fun activities as I am? Will you be superfanning it for our football game? I wanna know! And to the readers outside of UW is your Homecoming soon? How do you celebrate it? 

Turn Your Whole Body

Okay, so I've been reading Plato's Republic for class.

However out discussion today got me thinking, a little after chapter 7 when Plato is explaining the Allegory of the Cave he states that education is not looking in the right direction. My teacher then explained more saying how one must turn their whole body to learn and become wise, this will then change how they feel about life and how they want to work in the world.

I know that most of that was boring, but it correlates to what we are doing with college. Now that may just having you rolling your eyes, but originally I was going into Pre-Med. I find Science soooo interesting, however I have found out that I don't always understand it. My first semester was kinda (really) rough. I'd already decided to major in Political Science because it was something I enjoyed learning about, and for Pre-Med you can have any major you want.

 I'd already found that I loved government, history, and politics when I was in high school. I decided to take a break from Pre-Med second semester and knock some of my major requirements out of the way. I found out that college classes can be fun. That I love to learn again. Most importantly, that I never wanted to go back into my science heavy coarse load of the Pre-Med world ever again.

Today I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do in a few years, I may go to Law School or maybe just intern somewhere. I may even get to go work in D.C. or maybe our state capital. As long as I'm working somewhere within the world of government I know that I'll be happy and that I'll be helping the world in the best way that I can.

It doesn't matter to me if I don't get a doctors salary, because I will have a job that I love doing. To me it was worth reading Plato just to realize that I'm on the right path.

Have you realized what you want to do with yourself? Or are you still searching for the right niche? I want to hear your stories too!

P.S. I have been ridiculously addicted to drinking London Fog since I've come to college, but this last week or so I've gotten really bad about it, and thanks to Starbucks it's gotten really popular!

Chase your passions

Ok guys so this really has been a long week so far, and I am so sorry I haven't been very active.

I know I'm not the only one feeling like this because all of my sisters do as well. Sisters you may ask? Yes! I am officially part of Chi Omega here at UW. That’s why my posts have been kind of odd lately. I'm starting to finally settle down and hope that I can have a normal schedule.

Here I am advocating for Fraternity and Sorority life, but also any other activity you want to get into. My freshman year I was waaaay to laid back, I hung out in my dorm became friends with my floor and didn't leave. Which isn't bad, but I feel like I didn't get to know Laramie or UW at all until second semester and even more this year. Now that I have a job and am in a Fraternity (Chi O is a womens Fraternity, founded well over 100 years ago) I'm super busy. However, I also know so many people now! I can't walk across campus without seeing someone that I know.

Halfway through my first year I really began to miss the sports teams and extracurriculars I'd been involved in all high school. I looked into several things, but what stuck out to me the most was going Greek. I didn't feel like joining a club sport though I knew many people who had and loved it, and I wasn't all that into going to a Church group. I have nothing against them, actually I have several friends in Navigators (one of our groups) and have seen it to be a postitive influence in their lives.  So look around and find something that interests you.

The main motiviator for going Greek was the fact that I had so many friends in the Greek system, saw something I liked and wanted it too. Now I won't only have friends or sisters that I can call on for help no matter what, but when I graduate they will still be there and I will join and even larger group of alumni across the nation. Those who went Greek in college are almost everywhere and have a bond with one another. I gives a great network to start out on, plus it looks good on resumes. Apparently I'm not the only one who thought that going Greek was a good idea, as my pledge class across the row was over a hundred girls, extremely large for the last few years. I can't wait for the experiences and memories I will make.

Look into your passions chances have it that there is something on campus you can join! College is for making great memories and great friends, go out and do something!

-Wyobelle

P.S. If you are interested in going Greek here is a little video they showed us girls at orientation night before we started recruitment: Our potential, your  move: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un6c-MY4FEY

Step back and breathe

Alright, so my week started out pretty badly to be honest. I woke up Monday morning ready to

Take a shower and get ready for the week, only to find out our water had been shut off again. Twice in four days actually. I understand that construction happens and life happens, but when its 7:30 and you can't use your bathroom at all? It stinks.

 I then began to feel overwhelmed by homework and finishing recruitment and work By Tuesday night I was ready to quit something, mainly my math class as it was assigning the most homework and is my least favorite class.  However, when I went to church this weekend the homily was about not committing if you can't finish the job. I am completely in agreement with that, I don't like quitting. I never have, and I am super stubborn so when I should learn to back down I go harder at it. Unlike my freshman year when I overloaded on classes, I now know my limitations. I also know that doing things you love makes them easier to do. So while I have a pretty full school schedule, and I now have two more extracurriculars, I love everything that I'm doing.

 Yesterday when I realized how stressed I was about everything and that we haven't been in school a month I decided to take a step back.  I did nothing. I sat around with my friends, I talked with one of the RA's who lived on my floor last year, and I took a walk. Better yet I took a walk in the rain. I don't know what it is about the rain but lately it's been improving my mood to no end. I love the sound of it, the feel of it, and the comfy clothes and hot drinks it brings. It's killing me not to curl up with a good book while the rain pounds on the windows. When you get overwhelmed find something you love, it helps I promise.  

- Wyobelle

P.S. if you love the rain and want to listen to it even when it turns back into wyoming, try rainymood.com. It's the perfect white noise to do homework to!

Today will be a good day

Alright so it's the middle of week two and we are finally starting to get into the swing of things. Teachers are finally assigning more homework, we know where we should be going (for the most part) and we even know the names of people we sit by in class. The grindstone is upon us, and its looking scary as ever. Everyone starts of the year with great ideas and huge goals. Straight A's, never missing class, hanging out with friends all the time. However things don't normally turn out that good, at least they haven't for me, second semester was easier than first, and so far this semester is going better than the previous. That doesn't mean I'm taking easier classes, actually totally the opposite, but I'm starting my days on the right foot.

As of yesterday I've made a pact with a few of my friends to go running on Tuesday, Thursday's and go to 'Boot Camp' (one of Half Acre's programs) on Monday, Wednesday, Friday's. Today was our first day of 'Boot Camp' and saying that it was rough was an understatement. By the end my whole body was shaking because my muscles didn't want to go anymore. Now while it was rough, it has so many perks to it, and not just the fact that I'm getting in shape. I think my favorite perk is that I'm awake early, for a night owl like me that's going to seem pretty odd to get excited about, but I love being awake when the sun comes up. Its all quiet and it feels like no one else is there. I savor my mornings when I don't have to rush. 

I am making a point to just be in a better mood. Smile at people as I walk past, wave to people I know, hold the door for people, so far it's made my days seem better. I have a really odd schedule because work is all evening long. With really interesting, and challenging Political Science classes this year, a job, and the fact that I am going through RUSH and joining a Sorority (not quite sure which one yet, but super excited) I'm extremely busy so when things go smother because I'm in a good mood I don't ever want it to change. 

I hope your second week is well so far, and here's a challenge try doing something nice for a day. Do a random act of kindness or just smile at people as you walk by, I guarantee that you will get more smiles back than odd looks (which I have gotten as well) and it will make your day seem a bit brighter. 

Look at this! I was in the Union and a girl who had been eating near me offtered me some cake because she couldn't finish it. It had been a handout from one of the vendors or fairs today. Sometimes its scary to take free food, but she was really nice about it and there has been free food everywhere. I believe that everything happens for a reason and if you put good into the world you will get it out. 

Is your new schedule odd? Have you had anyone perform a random act of kindness for you? Are you trying to have a better outlook on life? I want to hear!

-WyoBelle

Labor Day Weekend!

Can I just say that having a three day weekend after we just started school is heaven and hell?

I had a blast, a few friends and I went home and did silly small town stuff. Mainly taking a few 'Mains' in our friends truck, looking at stars, laying out on the deck, and most importantly Bonfires! I love to eat out over the fire, we did hot dogs and smores, but my absolute favorite is roasted Starburst! It seems to mainly be a southwestern Wyoming thing as most people have no clue what I'm talking about but it is the best. Roast it over the fire until it starts to bubble and drip. Pull it out and let it cool. You then eat it and its all gooey and crunch and absolute bliss! It seems so odd, but its one of my favorite camping treats. Its always a good idea to keep an open mind and you may find a new favorite!

Look I found someone else who does it! She lives in Utah so I think it must be a thing for our region, check out her page there were lots of other yummy treats that I'm going to try next time I camp!

It was a long crazy weekend, but it brought me closer to the two wonderful girls who came back with me. One is thinking of joining my crazy family and I for Thanksgiving! I love going home, even if its only for a little. I'm never sure how much longer I'll get to go home when I want so I make sure to have a blast when I go. Sometimes the littlest things really are that biggest. For instance we said goodbye to one of our girlfriends from high school that is going on her mission soon, 18 months she will be gone. I am so going to write her letters and maybe even get to send a care package or two! I'm so glad I got to visit with her when I came home this summer because who knows where we will be when she comes back. 

How was your labor day? Do anything fun, or memorable? I'd love to hear stories!

-WyoBelle

First Week Madness!

Oh my goodness! This last week flew by!

It was so crazy, first is move in and putting the room together and meeting up with friends. After all it had been a long summer and I missed my Laramie people. I also started my new job, which was terrifying. I am Copy Editor of the Branding Iron, which basically means I put the stories that are all written up onto the paper and make them look pretty. Its definitely a learning process but a week later everything is going by much faster. As my boss keeps telling me, just ask when you don't know something. Its better to ask and do it right then to have someone else fix it later, which is my boss's job but when its done right the first time everything goes faster.

 So after getting back into the swing of things is when I went to get my router fixed it turned out that my computer had malware all over it!! (Well they said it wasn't that bad) However, two and a half hours later I had to run off to work leaving my computer overnight at IT. Seriously guys, go to IT. They are super under-appreciated, but it all comes down to customer service. I have had wonderful and terrible experiences with IT just depending on how my mood was and who I was talking to. They know what they are doing and have always been able to fix my computer. So plan for up to an hour or two to go over if your baby is sick and more often than not you're walking out a whole lot sooner.

Alright I'll post more later, just wanted to let you know I hadn't fallen off the face of the earth.

How was adjusting to the first week?

- WyoBelle

First Day Back

Hey all,

Hope this last weekend before classes went well, mine flew by. From going around with family to hanging out with friends I hadn't seen all summer I looked up at about midnight last night and realized how long I'd been away.

I'm officially done with classes for the day, I love my that I'm done with class before noon on Mondays, it makes them much more likable. It doesn't seem to be that bad of a Monday, mainly because the first class is always going over the syllabus and getting a handle on your Professor.

It seems so crazy that school is finally in swing, and getting used to what's going on around you. You may even have had homework get assigned already, I did. Get a jump start on it now. It's the very first day and what has been assigned isn't awful, however it will start to pile up by the end of the week. I'm going to try and crank mine out after lunch so that I can go to work (yes I now have a real job! All the paperwork is done!) not worrying. Then when my busy day tomorrow hits I'm not worrying about already assigned homework.

Can't wait to see what this week has in store for us, how was your first day?


-WyoBelle

Packing Up

Today marks the day of getting ready for going back to school. Tomorrow I begin to pack my clothes and other possessions.  In less than a week it will be time for move in and soon after starting school. Thursday is the official move in for on campus dorms here at University of Wyoming and I can't wait.

The big question is what to take to school? Remembering last year I realize that I overreacted. I in all the infinite wisdom of a new graduate decided that my room would be as empty as possible so that my parents could use the room as whatever they wanted. I took almost everything I owned, including almost all of my clothing. What I didn't take I put up in my closet or up in or attic. My room was absolutely bizarre looking after I was done.

The plus side to taking so much was the fact that I had everything I needed, and everything most of my friends and hallmates needed as well. Everyone would come to me if they needed to borrow something or eat food, as I was always well stocked up. This earned me the title of floor mom which had its ups and downs. The best part was that I knew almost all the girls on my floor, and we all became really friendly. It also meant that everyone would stop by, no matter when sometimes early in the morning, or late at night, or when I was busy writing a paper. It didn't bother me too much in the beginning but after months of this it took its toll.

One of my really close friends didn't bring much, about three weeks worth of clothes, four pair of shoes, her laptop and notebooks. Oh and food, that girl loved her food. Did she have what she needed? Yes. Did she borrow from me? Yes, but very very rarely. We seemed like polar opposites but for each of our own needs it worked for us.

 It was nice having so much with me and knowing that I would always have whatever I needed. The truth was that I didn't need everything I owned and as the year went, and when I went to visit family I'd take home certain things I wasn't using. Going back this year I have twice the closet space I did before, but I'm going to be taking a lot less. I only live four hours from home and if I realize I'm really going to need it in the near future I can always go home.

Even after the great realization it will be hard for me to leave things and I will probably overpack, but I'm working on it.

Are you getting ready for school? If so what's your strategy? A lot? A little? I'd love to know!!

-WyoBelle

P.S. Best tip for moving clothes on hangers is to leave them on the hangers through a black plastic bag over them make a hole in the top for the hanger loop and cinch the bottom... saved me so much time packing and made it so much easier!

Family

One thing I think we all need to remember that even when we are finally adults and on our own, our family is always there. However, they may not be there in the way we are used to, and that may be the most difficult thing of all. We are used to a certain way of acting, and then we hit adulthood and college, and life gets all topsy turvy on us. No longer living at home, trying to make our way in the world, yet when we come home we still have to respect our parents rules. It can be frustrating and we often wish to get far away from them or go back to the way it was when we were little. I especially miss being five, it was a blast!

My relationship with my mom got a whole lot better, my relationship with my dad basically didn't change. He expected more of me, but not unreasonably so. Which is really amazing for a guy who got thrown out of the house after graduating high school. I know that I can always come home, however it won't always be like that and after college if I ever want to do that I will be paying rent.

What I realized when I went to college, was that my parents did this! They moved out went to school and learned to live in the world all on their own, and they have had great experiences and know a few things. They were plenty happy to tell me that. I learned so much about my parents in the last year, its like they are different people. They have the best advice and understand what we are going through.

So while its not always easy to go through things, I just hope you remember that your family is always there to fall back on. They've been there the whole time and they want to go through this phase of your life with you as well. We often take parents and grandparents for granted, but they won't always be there and life is to short to waste time holding a grudge.

I have seen more of my Uncle and his family than I had in the last 5 years, and I only lived about 45 minutes away from them. Seeing his family and realizing how much I missed them was hard. I now have my aunts number and my cousin's number and we are planning on getting together and going sledding when I am back for Christmas break.

Cherish the last few days with family before we go back!

-WyoBelle

Jobs and Interviews

Today I had my first interview, it was a phone interview which made it a little better and also worse. Better because I didn't have to dress up and they weren't able to see me nervously pace and worse because there was a very quiet woman in the back and every time she talked the phone would cut out, every single time. I was so nervous because this was my first interview and now I know that I really need to do my homework.

Coming from a small town in Wyoming, I never really had to interview and the only time I did was with someone I've known since I was small, runs the high school church group, and is my nephew's Godfather. Not exactly nerve wracking. When I was applying for the Air Force Academy I did have to go through interviews, but I was prepared for almost every question and after three interviews I felt like a pro. Interviews are scary but they don't have to be.

 I'd pinned several things on Pinterest about interviews and what to do, but I really didn't take them seriously and I didn't read them well enough. They tell you to rehearse some things and be ready with certain questions, for example I got asked what my weakness was, a terrifying thing to share with a group of people who you are potentially going to work with, but find some way to show that you have been trying to fix your weakness and that you know how to fix that. Also I seriously recommend having certain questions ready for when they ask you at the end if there is anything you want to as, it shows that you are more serious about working there.

This was a total fluke, I had originally applied because I wanted some working experience and a little cash while I'm at school. I looked through several of the student listed jobs that had been posted and saw varying level of commitment, skill, and time in different jobs. I applied for two I thought would be easy enough to work on while at school and then hoped I'd get some kind of notice within the next two weeks. I got a phone call four days later, but this was for a similar job in a different area. I leaped at the chance. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be able to see if it was worth it.

Jobs aren't for everyone and some people need two to pay their way through college. Every situation is different and I encourage someone to see how much time they really can dedicate to what they are looking at. One must be logical and look at how that will hold up against school. It may be to difficult for some, while others like me need more than just one thing going on to really get the best results out of themselves.

My best tips are do your homework, know what the job requires, how you will be required to work (alone, group setting), and basic interview questions. They normally always end with a goofy question, try to be creative I wasn't ready at all for mine and had an odd answer. Again have a few really good questions for the interviewers.

All my best wishes towards nailing that interview, hope this helped.

-WyoBelle

Freshmen Fifteen?

As school creeps closer and closer it seems everyone has advice for new students. Work hard, have fun, enjoy your time, talk to your professors, and watch out for the freshmen fifteen. It seems like simple advice, but it is beyond true.

Especially the freshmen fifteen, now I'm not saying everyone is going to gain the freshmen fifteen. I didn't, but I had a friend who did and goodness about two months in she couldn't fit into her pants anymore. 

This mostly happens because of the food. I know that Dorm food can't compare to a warm homecooked meal, but some times they have pretty good food. Not to mention Washakie has a large variety of options, including desert at every meal and ice cream on demand. Remembering to eat in moderation and not load up on three entree's is important. Though every once in a while it can be fun too. 

Remembering to get in some form of exercise is the best thing I can recommend, a lot of high school students, especially those from small towns, did a lot of sports in high school. Now that college has happened only the elite are one sports teams, but there is always club and intramural which is even more fun. 

I really didn't want to get into sports again, and every so often I'd go running or hit the gym. Half Acre Gym like many college gym's is free to full time students because its part of what you pay with tuition. These are fully stocked gyms with many types of classes, a swimming pool, a track, four (yes four) basket ball courts, and of course work out equipment. Oh and a rock climbing wall. 

If the gym isn't your thing, I know places like Laramie have so many areas around it that are great for hiking. Vedauwoo for one. They also have a great Nordic skiing area and several Alpine mountains to ski on only an hour or two away!

With all these opportunities there is no reason not go do something physical, plus a good work out means your brain releases happy endorphins and makes your day seem brighter and homework easier to tackle. 

-WyoBelle

Go out and DO something

One of the most important things to learn about college and everything after, is that most often you are in a brand new area. That's a great thing it's a fresh start, however, because it's new not everyone is willing to go find the fun things to do.

 I can tell you I spent way to much time in my dorm freshmen year. We have this amazing park area just up the interstate about ten minutes, everyone calls it Vedauwoo (Vee-dah-voo). At Vedauwoo you have all sorts of difficulty level hiking trails and these great big bolders EVERYWHERE, its amazing. I didn't end up going to Vedauwoo until this summer when I went back to Laramie to visit friends, I loved it.

So get up and find great things to do, you will always have better memories of going and doing things than sitting in your dorm/apartment all the time. This summer I lived with my grandparents in Evanston for an internship opportunity. I still didn't get out as much as I wanted to but we would go to the Farmer's Markets on thursdays, go out to dinner, meet up with my grandma's bridge club ladies, and this last week we went to the Uinta county fair. 

It's August, which means fair time in Wyoming. It's a great way to go see what a lot of the local youth do all summer long. I love fair it's a blast, and just this past wednesday was pig wrestling. One of my grandmas friends, who told us that she was 68 not 21, decided that she wanted to pig wrestle before she dies and this was the year. It was so funny. My friends and I think we might do it next year. It was a really great time and it raises money for the local 4H and FFA. 

I can't wait till next weekend, it's the Lincoln county fair and for the past few years my family has been making it up to Afton do go watch.

Hope your July went well, its August and school is just around the corner.

- WyoBelle

Organization

So I have been flipping through the electronic world pretty much ridiculously these past few days, why you ask? Well in addition to trying to figure out the world and all its problems, I've been looking at organizing things.


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When I went to college for the first time last year, I was pretty awful at organization. I mean it was organized chaos in my room but that was about as far as it went. I've always been good about keeping my school things organized so when I started last year I wanted to be well put together, and I managed for a while.

Second semester really had me hitting my schedule with precision and getting everything done that I wanted, however I want to come back this year even better. From scheduling, to looking at what I want to do with my closet, and how I want to set up my single dorm it all needs to be organized. I want to rock this semester hard pull my GPA up a bit and do all those college-y things.

Beginning my quest had me looking at Pinterest and going from there, it however is a place that suck your soul and time away, so while I enjoyed looking there I really loved going through all these blogs that have great ideas. I'm not taking quite as much to college this year... I may or may not have been a little to over-prepared last year, and I'm cleaning out my closet before I go. Those two things alone should help me get settled in better.

How do you guys get ready for the new school year? Is organization just as important or are there other things that take precedence?

Starting School

School.

It's coming, and if you're going to school at University of Wyoming, soon. The official first day for classes is the 26th of August, but if you're moving into the Dorms you can come the 22nd. Literally only a month away before we will be back. I for one am extremely excited. However, being an upperclassmen is wonderful, nothing like last year when I was excited but so unprepared. I didn't know the first thing about being ready for school, or anything else. 

So for those I recommend five extremely important things:

1) Get involved. Honestly, it is the best thing you can do.

I didn't, my best friends Rushed Greek without me, and now after realizing what I did wrong I am Rushing this fall. When about halfway through first semester I started to get lonely and miss my sports teams from high school, freak out over classes, and get frustrated at my dorm mates, my friends had sisters to bond with, go places with, and get advice from. I ended up being great friends with girls from Greek Life and that was just from meeting them in class. It doesn't really matter what you're doing as long as it's something you love. Greek, intramural, and other groups are great.

2) Do the Homework.

This is the first time you don't have parents over your shoulder and a lot of the time, you don't have to turn in the homework. However, if you don't end up reading the chapters they tell you to, come test time you are going to realize how behind you are.

3) Go to Office Hours

Just go meet your professor. I read all about that and I heard everything I needed to know that it was the best idea for someone. However, I didn't go. And to prove that it really does help, when I did end up going I understood everything so much better, my chem teacher? ya I didn't get anything in his class until we were one-on-one. It is scary, but if I'd been going from the beginning instead of from midterms, I might have actually passed the class.  Now, technically a is passing, but you need a C to move on, so in reality it really isn't.

4) Leave your dorm door open.

It sounds silly, but everyone in my dorm did. We all became really close, with closeness came some drama but with 40 girls and 40 boys living on one floor that is bound to happen at least a little bit. I had friends in other dorms that didn't know the girls living next door, and it was eerie to go to their halls after my loud boisterous floor. Over time they eventually got to know each other, but not in the way my floor did. We had girls nights and went out to dinner together. We all just wanted friends and wanted to fit in,  I may not end up being best buds with all of them forever, but now that they are in apartments and we aren't living together I know that if I need something I can just call.

5) Read The Freshmen 50 by Carly Heitlinger

I was looking through my Pinterest board and found Carly's blog, The College Prepster.
I then proceeded to find the book and buy it and read it. It includeds litterally everything I went through, how I felt and what I wished I'd done. She puts everything perfectly. I really can't recommend a better thing to do than to read it. There are tips I'm going to take from her to help with this next year of school. I am making plans and getting ready to go back, I'm ready to get the most out of college and put myself out there. This is my time and now that my feet are wet I can't wait to jump in wholeheartedly.

If you want to go to Carly's website here is the link: http://www.thecollegeprepster.com/

Hope your first year goes great!!

-WyoBelle

Shakespeare Weekend

Had a lovely time this weekend! Ended up going down to the Utah Shakespeare Festival, which is absolutely brilliant. I've been going since I was little and comparing them to some Broadway's I've seen they really hold up to snuff. I was able to see King John (wonderful, and very interesting I wish it was done more), the Tempest (great designs and a new take on the original), Anything Goes (sooo funny and cute), and Love Labors Lost (adorable). They hold literary seminars, costume/actor/set seminars, and a Guild lunch with the Actors. All of this is wrapped up in the adorable little town, well maybe not so little, of Cedar City. It is home to Southern Utah University and a great second hand bookstore. Also we went to the Garden House for lunch and had some amazing food.

Overall I'd say it was a great trip I loved the entire thing, the food in concessions is great with its 'Ye Olde' feel to it. Before the evening performances they have a free Greenshow outside the recreated Globe theater, its great to bring younger kids too but has plenty of adult humor as well. All the actors are amazing and most of them are in at least two if not three of the plays going on. The Elizabethan language isn't difficult at all because the actors really know how to sell it.

The star show this year is Peter and the Starcatcher which the USF has the first regional production rights, in other words this is the first showing off of Broadway. They were even visited by the original producers and creators. I think all of the shows are great though and would recommend seeing any of them. Starting last year, the festival is dedicated to going through all of Shakespeare's 38 plays through out the next ten years. They started this summer going through the histories in order. They also have the 2014 plays announced. I hope I get to go back soon!

Here is a picture from their site, hopefully it links to the site otherwise here is their website!!
www.bard.org

That picture is property of the Utah Shakespeare Festival and not mine, I am using it so help with my review.


Yours,
WyoBelle

Weekend and Exciting Nerdy News!

Can't wait for Sherlock to come out... thought that I'd try and add the countdown widget here :D
Anyway, I had a lovely weekend. Went to a cousin's graduation party, and then went to visit my mom in Salt Lake with an old friend. We went out and had some retail therapy, new clothes, new shoes, and new books can make a nerdy girl verrry happy! Now its off to work today, but I found out that the third season of Sherlock on BBC is coming out on Oct. 31, 2013. I love Sherlock, I waited and waited and finally had to give in to watching Sherlock and now I'm pushing it on whoever I'm talking to. Its like me and Doctor Who but worse, which I wasn't sure was possible. However, growing up reading Harry Potter has lead me to love anything nerdy. Speaking of the amazing world that J.K.Rowling made, it is has been two years since the last movie came out and the Harry Potter fandom is still going strong. I saw a post on Tumblr earlier that mentioned how they had just seen that there were special mini movies being made for the Harry Potter parks, the person then told the HP fandom to awaken, I corrected them... as a matter of fact here it is,

lumos5000:

WHAT!!! HOW THE FUCK DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS!!! HARRY POTTER FANDOM AWAKEN!!!

We never slept… we were just enjoying the hard won peace after the Wizarding War.

Other than my almost appalling amount of time spent on various social media websites I haven't been up to much. My time on Pinterest however has given me great ideas for when I go back to college this fall. I am going to be rushing, which admittedly I should have done last year but somethings you must learn for yourself, and so I have a board for crafts and soroitity things going on and I have a college organization board.  It makes me want to be back in Laramie, but for now I'm going to finish out the next three weeks of my internship. This week is going to be a short week however, because I am going to be travelling down to Cedar City with my mom to watch some plays at the Shakespeare festival!! I am so excited and this year they are doing King John which isn't a very commonly portrayed play so I am very excited. Alright I actually need to get work done today so I will write more later!! 

Loves

WyoBelle

Getting Started

Hey there,

I'm just starting up now, I've been toying with the idea of having a blog, at least a different blog than one I set up in middle school. Just being able to get my words out and talking, even if it is to myself for the moment that's okay with me!

I will be starting my second year at the University of Wyoming and I want to keep a record of it. I was never much for writing in Diary's when I was younger, but these times need to be remembered and recorded. I realized this when I was on Pinterest earlier, I have to admit it has become my all to unhealthy addiciton, I followed a pin I had pinned to look at later. It lead me to www.collegeprepster.com an amazing place if I do say so myself. After looking through her blog it made me realize that this would be the perfect place to start. As it seemed this is where Carly did as well.

I'll be getting on again later, for now I'm just going to go play around with the site!

Tootles,

WyoBelle