Next Year Already?

Spring Break couldn’t have happened at a better time this year. It gave everyone the opportunity to rest up for the last part of the 2011 academic year. What’s strange to think about is that this year is almost over. I can’t believe that my freshman year of college is almost finished. It seems like just yesterday that we started. I have met so many people and had so many different experiences, that I do not want this year to end. I think it’s really sad that freshman year has to end. Students are already starting to figure out where they are going to live, what clubs they want to be a part of, and who the RA (Resident Advisors) and PA (Peer Advisors) are going to be for next year. Everyone is getting ready for a good end of the year rush, taking training sessions for positions on campus, and trying to finalize class schedules. This is the time that professors are starting to talk about final projects, final exams, and the expectations of their students. Although I must say that it is great to know that I have already completed a year of college, and now have stories and friends that will last a lifetime. Open houses are just around the corner for accepted students (including the first one tomorrow), and we are all waiting for you to come to campus and get an experience of a lifetime like I have. It has been a blast here at WNEC, and I know I made the right choice.

See you at an open house soon,
-Jason

Bonding Under the Sun

To put it simply, spring break was a blast. The softball team left for Florida a few days before break began, anxious to get outside on a non-snow covered field. Being cooped up inside for so long, practicing on a court, we were ready to begin our season and get in the dirt. Though we had a rough start, we pulled it together toward the end of the week to come out with a few solid wins. When we weren’t on the field, we were enjoying the warm weather and the amazing pool at the resort. Together, we had dinner every night at places like Downtown Disney, Planet Hollywood, and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville after a day at Universal Studios. We left Florida with a 3-7 record, ready to come back and prove ourselves in the regular season. Even with a few losses, the team came back from Florida a tightly-knit squad, supportive of each other no matter the score. Today marks the start of our regular season with a home game against Amherst this afternoon followed by games against Curry and Endicott this weekend. We’re a confident team ready to take on some tough competition and hopefully by the end of the weekend our record will go from 3-7 to 9-7!

Spring Break Eve

It’s the day before spring break, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s been a busy first half of the semester, and just the right time to take a break. The snow is starting to melt and I can finally see the grass again. It’s also starting to get a little warmer and that means shorts, flip flops, and barbecues. I am looking forward to spending time with my family in Cape Cod and Boston. I couldn’t fly back to California to see my parents and my girlfriend, which I am disappointed about, but I recently got an interview for an internship with the Boston Bruins next week, which I am absolutely stoked about. It is for a position in the Bruins Charitable Foundation and if I get it, I will be working for the Bruins all summer. I will enjoy this time off from school, but when I get back I am going right back to work to finish out the semester.

Until next time,

The Kid from Cali.
Jay.Thall

Spring Break Reflection

It’s really hard to believe that only 10 weeks of school remain, one of those weeks including spring break. Being so close to mid-semester, thinking about the end of my freshman year is definitely bitter-sweet. I have come a long way since I moved in last fall especially when considering how much I’ve matured. I felt a wave of almost daunting independence when I was first on my own. I have now come to appreciate this individuality as an opportunity to prove to myself and my family that I am fully capable of accomplishing so much on my own. I partly owe the ease of this transition to the people living around me, people I now consider my closest friends.

There was a time when I arrived here that I had no determination to meet new people because I was so attached to the friends I already had back at home. I thought that making new connections meant weakening ties with my hometown friends. When second semester began, I realized when I had a problem, when I was stressed; I was turning to my friends here for support rather than picking up the phone to connect to home. I now realize that there doesn’t need to be a “balance” between my home friends and school friends, having both these support systems equally present just makes my life even richer than ever.

Follow Me to WNEC!

Last week was the second week of Western New England College’s Accepted Student Day Visit Program. High school students from all over came to spend a day as a WNEC student. I personally had two students follow me last week going to classes and sitting in on club meetings. This is a great way for you accepted students to come and get a true feel for the campus. The two students that shadowed me had nothing but good things to say, as they both had a great time being on campus. They got a chance to meet professors and even coaches. They also had lunch in our dining hall, saw what a residence hall is like, and met new people.

Are you interested in participating in this program? Signing up is easy. All you have to do is contact the Admissions Office to reserve a spot in the program. There are college students waiting to have you join them in your first day of college. The next time the program will run will be April 11th-15th and April 18th-21st. Call 413-782-1321 to register for your chance to be a Golden Bear for a day!

See you in April,
-Jason