Monday, April 5, 2021

A Weekend in the Life of a UVA Student

Thursday
At UVA, it starts to feel like the weekend on Thursday. Many students don’t have classes on Friday, so Thursday nights you can start to relax and celebrate the end of the week! The Corner restaurants often have food deals for students; one of my favorites is Trinity Irish Pub, which serves burgers and Bold Rock Hard Cider (if you are 21+, of course) for $3 each on Thursdays! It’s so cheap and delicious. Many student organizations will hold social events both on and off-grounds as a way to kick off the weekend. If I have a class or important meeting on Friday, I’ll spend my night in, preparing and getting a good night’s sleep.
Students often frequent restaurants on the Corner, especially on the weekends. Photo via cavalierdaily.com

Friday

For me, Friday mornings usually means Bodo’s Bagels! Whether it’s meeting up at the beloved bagel shop to chat with friends after a long week, or heading to the lawn where a fourth year lawnie shares bagels outside their room, I love this routine. Then, if I don’t have class, I’ll head to the library to get ahead on work for the next week. Friday is usually the day I work on group projects for classes, because people tend to have the most free time on that day. After being productive, I’ll head out for dinner and make plans for other evening social events with friends. The University Programs Council often hosts concerts, food nights, and other events to attend often for free! For example, in the fall semester of 2019, my friend and I went to a Still Woozy concert at the Jefferson Theatre on the Downtown Mall, put on by UPC!
Photo from the Still Woozy concert in the Jefferson Theatre!


















\







Saturday
For a lot of UVA students, Saturday means game day. Whether it's football season, basketball season, or anything in between, this can mean tailgates, spirit gear, or even just an excuse to pick up free food at one of the less mainstream sporting events. These games are a great, free way to bond with your friends or hallmates, but if sports aren’t your thing, there are a ton of other things happening on Saturdays, too. One of my personal favorites is the farmers market, which happens downtown every Saturday morning-- you can get lots of awesome food and produce from local Charlottesville businesses. 

Scott Stadium is often packed with fans for an evening football game!

A typical Saturday at the Charlottesville Farmers Market near the Downtown Mall. Photo via visitcharlottesville.org

Sunday
While this day is often referred to as the “Sunday Scaries” because you are getting ready for upcoming exams and papers in the week, Sundays can also be quite rejuvenating! I love getting my Sunday morning started with a good breakfast or a run or workout if I have time. Then, I’ll head to one of the 13 libraries to hunker down and study. I love taking coffee breaks either at the Starbucks on-grounds or Grit Coffee on the Corner. If you have a religious practice, you can find a church or place of worship that suits you. There is a diverse variety of religious services held both on and off-grounds. You can learn more about religious life at UVA here. Personally, I attend Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville; after the service, the church serves an amazing free dinner! It’s such a great way for me to rest and fuel myself before and after studying on Sunday.

Students studying in an academic building with plenty of tables and snacks available!

Monday, November 2, 2020

Winter Weather in C'ville: What to Wear!

Especially if you are an out-of-state student, you might be wondering what types of clothes you’ll want to bring to Charlottesville for those chillier winter months. Charlottesville doesn’t usually hit temperatures below 20-30 degrees fahrenheit, but that cold can get to you when you are walking back to the dorm at night or in between classes. Here we have some tips on what articles of clothing are essential for Charlottesville winters!

Looks:

The Spirited Beanie

At fall football games and on the Corner, you’ll see plenty of students sporting a cozy beanie or hat! Mincer’s, a store on the Corner that sells UVA gear, as well as the UVA bookstore, sell plenty of versatile hats that can keep you warm while cheering on the Hoos.



Hats while hiking Humpback Rock!

Rain Ready

Charlottesville gets lots of rain, so you’re going to want to have a raincoat, boots, and umbrella on hand whether it’s September or January! Trust me, it’s worth investing in these items- you don’t want to get stuck in the rain and then show up to your class dripping.



Snow Coming Soon!

While it does snow at UVA, ski/snow themed events are way more prevalent than actual snow. So be prepared and obtain snow gear that is practical, but also know you might be wearing it more often for style more than real snow! It’s good to have one warm puffer jacket, some boots for mixed weather such as Bean Boots, and at least one pair of gloves for the months of December-March. You might not have tons of storage space in your dorm room, so it’s a good idea to plan to bring those items after Thanksgiving and take them home over spring break.

Friends dressed warmly to play in the snow!


My friend Emily and I at a snow themed event!

Lovely Layers

In classrooms and libraries, the temperature can fluctuate significantly. Once while studying in Clemons library my hands got so cold that I was typing with my gloves on and hugging a hot coffee to stay warm!

Don’t worry, though, because the best way to stay comfortable while studying is by bringing layers. Wear a comfy t-shirt underneath your favorite collegiate sweatshirt so you can easily change. If the forecast is hitting lows, you can throw on a warm jacket or even an extra sweatshirt or blanket in your backpack!

Layers are also great if you know you’ll be stopping by the Aquatic and Fitness Center or one of our other recreational facilities. While it may be cold outside, the gyms can get hot, so you may want to wear sweatpants over your shorts while walking from your dorm to the gym.

Lastly, a final plug for layers is that Charlottesville is known to be chilly in the mornings, sunny and warm during midday, and then cool right back down again in the evening. Sometimes, you might have a busy day and not return to your dorm or apartment, so those layers will come in handy throughout the day!



Wear fun layers that show your pride for your favorite organizations on-grounds! I’m involved in Chi Omega, The University Guide Service, and Club Running and love my gear!

Ugly Sweater
In addition to more practical or stylish sweaters, you’re going to want to have an ugly holiday sweater. Many people have ugly sweater themed events and parties around this time. If you find yourself lacking this essential accessory, it’s easy to find one for cheap at one of Charlottesville’s many local thrift stores!





The inside of one of my favorite vintage thrift stores on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall!

Hours before I had a holiday party to go to, my roommate was going to Target and so she picked up this ugly sweater for me!

















Sunday, October 4, 2020

Hiking + Outdoor Recreation at UVA

One of the best things about going to school at UVA is having access to the extremely beautiful Appalachian countryside, which surrounds the school and makes up some of the most beautiful landscapes on the east coast. If you’re an incoming first-year at UVA, one of the easiest ways to start getting outside is by joining one of the most popular clubs on Grounds: The Outdoors Club. When you join the outdoors club, you are placed on an email list along with the rest of the members of the club. Members use this email list to announce when they will be going hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, or any number of other outdoor activities. In the message, they will say how many open seats they have in their car; after that, it’s first come, first serve.

The most popular place to go if you’re interested in hiking is Shenandoah National Park, which is just a 40 minute drive from Grounds. Shenandoah’s premier feature is Skyline Drive, which is a winding road that runs south-north through the park for over 100 miles. One of the most popular hikes in Shenandoah is Humpback Rock.



Humpback Rock is a short hike up a sort of “staircase” that ends with a spectacular 360 degree view. This hike is popular among students and is often traveled to early in the morning, before class starts, for its excellent view of the sunrise.

If you aren’t interested in going to Shenandoah, and are looking for something a little closer to school, you can check out Ragged Mountain Reservoir. Ragged Mountain is Charlottesville’s water source and is located just 5 miles away from Grounds. It offers a 7 mile loop that is popular amongst casual hikers and trail runners alike.


Another great hike and place to swim is Blue Hole at Sugar Hollow. It's about a 30 minute drive from Grounds to Crozet, VA, where there are trails and beautiful swimming holes like this one!

Whatever outdoor activities you’re looking for, there are a ton of options available around UVA and many eager students waiting to join you. Joining the Outdoors Club is a fantastic way to make friends early on in your UVA career, and it also helps familiarize you with the surrounding area, which is renowned for its beauty.

Monday, September 28, 2020

The Charlottesville Farmers Market

One of my favorite things to do in Charlottesville is to visit the local farmers market. The farmers market operates almost all year long-- throughout the spring, summer, and fall, only closing during the winter. While it is of course popular with Charlottesville locals, many students also enjoy walking downtown on Saturday morning to get some fresh produce or locally made food. Oftentimes, RAs (Resident Advisors) even take their residents during the first couple weeks of school as a bonding experience. During my first year, my friend and I would run from our dorm all the way to the market, buy breakfast, and meander slowly home as we got ready for a day of studying.

The farmers market is located just off the downtown mall.

Of course, the farmers market is a great place to get fresh produce, like fruit and vegetables (I highly recommend trying to get your hands on some peaches when they’re in season). There are dozens of vendors and food trucks, selling all kinds of specialty goods, as well as meals for breakfast and lunch. Once you're an upperclassmen, buying your produce at the farmers market is an awesome way to use some of your grocery money to support local businesses and growers!

But there’s one place you absolutely have to check out: the Bageladies Cafe. 

The Bageladies sell their one of a kind “Bake’mm” bagels and bagelini sandwiches, which are specially made to be low-glycemic, so they don’t make your blood sugar crash like a typical NYC bagel. The Bageladies make lots of different delicious sandwiches (I usually go for a classic egg and cheese), but they’re unlike any other bagel sandwich I’ve ever had. Make sure you grab a punch card, so that once you buy 6 sandwiches, you can get your 7th one free!

Bagelinis are a wholesome and filling way to start your day.

One of the other great things about the farmers market is that it is a super easy way to get out of what we call the “UVA bubble.” No matter where you go to college, most of the people you interact with on a daily basis are a part of that 18-22 year old age bracket. Getting off Grounds and out to the farmers market on a Saturday morning is a great way to see some little kids or dogs and remind yourself of the larger, vibrant Charlottesville community of which you get to be a part. 


Monday, August 31, 2020

Secrets to a Successful First Day of Classes at UVA

Since the beginning of formal education, the first day of class (FDOC) has always been a day of excitement for students, teachers, and administration. FDOC marks a new beginning, a fresh start for many and a time where everyone is looking to start the year off on the right foot. As a fresh-faced first year, I had no idea what to expect; Would I be randomly called on to answer a difficult question? Will I make any friends? Will I make to class on time? Will I even make to class at all? 

Looking back on it, I would tell myself to R-E-L-A-X. In reality, FDOC is more of a symbolic day than an event that will determine the success of your entire school year. Nonetheless, I do have some tips and tricks that any incoming student can use to ensure that they get their year started on the right foot.


  1. PLAN 

Everything in life comes easier if you plan. In order to alleviate stress of FDOC, you should consider walking your class schedule the day before. The University’s Grounds is not incredibly expansive. Nevertheless, Grounds can become chaotic and hectic if you have no idea where you are going and have little time to get there. 



  1. BE ON TIME.

Speaking of time, there is nothing worse than being that one lone student who walks in to a 300-person lecture fifteen minutes late on the first day of classes. Most classes at UVA are about a fifteen minute walk from first year dorms. With this in mind, be sure to head out for your class with enough time to get there without having to sweat. 


  1. Introduce Yourself. 

When you walk into your first class, it can feel like everyone else already has a person to sit with on the first day, but remember that you are not the only who feels exactly like that. Except for a lucky few, most of your fellow first-years do not know a lot of people in their classes. This is the time to make those awkward introduction and meet new people. Moreover, this advice doesn’t apply to just your classmates. Use this time to introduce yourself to your professors. Meeting and engaging with professors will only improve your standing in the class for the rest of the semester. Professors at UVA love to interact with students. Professors at UVA love students even more if said students are excited to interact with them. 


For first-years, FDOC marks the beginning of your college career. It’s a chance to craft a new path for yourself in a unique environment unlike anywhere else in the world. FDOC is your first look into this very unique space we love so much. As the saying goes, you only have your first day of class once.


Isaiah Jenkins, Class of 2022


Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Signing Off for the Summer-Staying Around for the Semester!

As the summer comes to an end, the interns are getting ready to return to classes as we begin this unprecedented fall semester in the era of COVID-19. Even though we’re going back to school, we’ll still be here to assist prospective students virtually in any way that we can! You can reach us through Instagram direct message (@uva_summer) or by emailing the Office of Admission and requesting to be connected with a student intern. We will also continue to hold virtual information sessions Monday, Wednesday and Friday and office hours on Tuesday and Thursday, and we look forward to seeing you on screen! The interns wish you the best of luck in your college search process, and we look forward to staying connected with you!

The interns' last Zoom meeting of the summer.

Jada

Thanks so much for keeping up with the interns this summer! I’ve had so much fun working with the Office of Admission this summer and helping answer your questions. This semester I’m so excited to enjoy my fourth and final year at UVA, while continuing to work to assist prospective students!


You-Jin

Summer flew by so fast! Actually, I realize that my undergraduate years at UVA seemed to go by in a flip of a page as I am heading into my fourth year. However, I am so glad that I can spend my last year with you all, so this is not our official good-bye! We will still be available to chat or answer any questions so hit us up! 


Abby

We’ve had so much fun keeping up with you all this summer! We hope you continue to follow our blog and Instagram throughout the year to see more about the school we love so much. I am so excited to be entering my fourth year at UVa and to begin working towards my graduate degree here as well! And of course, I can’t wait to see more of you on Information Sessions and Office Hours throughout the year. 


Sam

I loved being able to work with prospective students this summer and I’m sad it will soon be coming to an end for me. I’m about to start my fourth year and I can’t wait to just spend time with my friends before I graduate. I’ll still be around for office hours and info sessions also, so hopefully I will see you there!


Kelley

It’s been so much fun getting to know you all (virtually!) this summer! I’ve had such a blast working with the other interns creating content to help you in your college search process and am excited to continue connecting with prospective students as we head into the fall semester. 


Leah

It’s been such a pleasure working for the UVA Office of Admission and getting to connect with prospective students! We hope that you’ll continue to visit this blog if you want to read more about the UVA student experience-we’ve worked really hard to create content that will be helpful and interesting to you! Of course, if you want to talk to us directly, don’t hesitate to DM us or come to an office hours chat session. 


Ben

It feels like our first intern zoom call was yesterday - the summer months flew by in the blink of an eye! We’ve all had so much fun working with everyone at the UVA Office of Admission. As I head into my third year at UVA, I am so excited to continue connecting with prospective students this fall through virtual office hours and info sessions! In the meantime, be sure to check out all of our content on our blog and YouTube, and feel free to reach out anytime @uva_summer on Instagram. “Don’t be fooled by the handle, we’ll be here all year!”


Isaiah

WOW! The end of summer is quickly approaching :(.... I am so thankful for everyone at the UVA Office of Admission. We've had so much fun working together and interacting with all of you. I am even more excited to say that we will continue to work and provide information throughout the school year to prospective students. Let the fun continue!


Monday, August 17, 2020

Spotlight on the Arts: Veronica Merril, Architecture

Are you an incoming or prospective student with a passion for the visual and/or performing arts? Then this is the week for you! Every day we will be featuring a guest blogger, each with a unique story to share about the thriving artistic communities at UVA. Our seventh guest is Veronica Merril, a fourth-year student in the School of Architecture!

 

“Oh wow, you’re in the ‘A School?’ I hear it’s really hard… do you even sleep?”


There are many specific terms and common sayings at UVA that incoming first years will learn throughout their time in college. For example, campus ‘must’ be called Grounds, O’Hill is a dining hall, and the Rotunda is often referred to as “Tundy.” Unfortunately, in a similar way, sometimes the term ‘architecture school students’ is seen as synonymous with the word ‘zombie’ or ‘sleep deprived.’

 

When I arrived at UVA, this was an off-putting reputation. Walking around grounds, I felt like every time I mentioned that I was in the A School (architecture school), people would widen their eyes and say “oh.”

 

It wasn’t that people didn't like A Schoolers, it was that they didn’t really understand what went on in the A School’s Campbell Hall. They had heard stories about long studio hours and difficult reviews. However, I am here to tell you what being in the A School as a first year is really like. Hopefully I will show another side of the A School and let you know about our supportive community, meaningful courses, interesting projects, and more.


Veronica with her first year, first semester studio group.

 

The architecture school offers three majors: Architecture, Architectural History, and Urban Planning. Within these three majors there are different options for your course work including Design Thinking for Architecture, Pre- Professional Architecture, Historic Preservation for Architectural History, and so on.

 

All incoming students are placed in a common curriculum their first year of study and later choose their major. The common classes include two architectural history classes, an introduction to urban planning course, a school of architecture seminar/discussion course, an introductory studio course, and a course that teaches the principles of design in general. These classes are interesting and intellectually challenging which is a great combination. For more information on the specifics of this program, check out the UVA School of Architecture website! There is also information for transfer students and students at UVA looking to transfer into the A School.

 Veronica works on a studio project during her first year.


As you progress through the first year common curriculum, you will be introduced to a variety of disciplines and by the end of the year you will be able to choose your major! I chose Architectural History because I felt that I wanted to learn more about different systems in the built environment and the way that different cultures and societies interact with these systems. For me, out of all the classes I took my first year, the architectural history courses stood out to me as meaningful and well-rounded, and I found myself wanting to learn more about the manifestations of different philosophies within our cities and structures. My friends who are majoring in urban planning and architecture in the A School found their studio or planning courses to be the most fulfilling. The wonderful thing about this common curriculum is that it introduces you to various subjects and you are able to choose your path, empowered by the experience of your courses! Regardless of your choice, there is a great education to be had in all the majors.

One aspect of the A School that I love is that most courses are open to all students. Additionally, students are encouraged to take courses in other schools at UVA like the College of Arts and Sciences. Having options to explore subjects outside of the A School is really nice and something pretty unique to the UVA Architecture School because many other architecture schools require students to exclusively take architecture classes. In doing this, the UVA Architecture school allows students to be well rounded individuals who in turn are better architects, historians, and planners. Go UVA!


A first-year studio desk in the Architecture School.

As you begin your time in the A School, the core classes will teach you more than just the history of Rome or how to draw. Though you will learn important basic skills and knowledge like sketching, pillars of design and history, and how to use an architectural scale, you will also be introduced to a culture of comradery, excellence, and support. Your courses in history will show you the untold stories of oppression in the built environment and you will learn from professors who tell a multifaceted story about our world. Your professors will expect you to produce the best work that you as an individual can create- inspiring you to think beyond your designs in studio courses. In urban planning, you will learn about what makes a city great, who cities have been designed for, and the intricacies of cities in a changing world. There is so much to learn and while it can be stressful at times, the community in the architecture school, whether it be peers, faculty, or staff, will always be there to support you. 

In studio courses, which usually meet 2 or 3 times a week, professors will take the time to individually meet with each student, thinking through their designs and discussing their projects. This relationship with incredible faculty is hard to replicate and a truly special experience that is unique to A School. This relationship building begins first year in the introductory studio class and lasts throughout your time at UVA. Though your instructors will change, many students remain close with their studio professors and see them as mentors throughout their time in school and beyond.


Veronica and her project partner, Genesis, created this sculpture out of recycled dining hall cans from UVA's recycling plant for their first-year studio class.

 So, what is a studio class? Studio is when students, typically majoring in architecture, though there are urban planning and history ‘studio courses,’ meet for class 2-3 times a week for around 4 hours a day. These courses are usually structured around a semester-long design project. Typically, studios have small numbers of students, allowing them to work closely with the professor leading their studio group. During the four hour classes, students are asked to work on their projects, meet with their professor or another mentor from the A School, work in the fabrication lab, or attend lectures that their professor has arranged. Often, students have to work on their projects outside of this studio class because projects will require students to build different types of architectural models or complete advanced renderings and 3D computer models. Though this work takes a lot of time, when I talk to my friends in studio classes, they are all invigorated by their work as their projects often work towards the goal of improving our world. Professors tailor studio classes to inspire students and it is clear at the end of the semester when students participate in ‘reviews,’ they have become really invested in and excited by their work. Just to let you know, ‘reviews’ happen at the end of the semester when you present your work to a panel of professors and architects who come to UVA to critique your work. These are often a little nerve wracking at first but are great practice for public speaking and learning how to express your ideas verbally. Also, your peers are always with you, sitting behind the panel and cheering you on! These reviews are usually filled with support from your friends, professors, and TA’s and are a wonderful way to conclude the semester.

 

One of the most incredible times at the architecture school is a time called ‘charette’ when everyone in the school is finishing their studio projects for the semester. Though many people spend long hours perfecting their work, the Architecture School Student Council brings food and coffee to the school and everyone is working alongside each other, encouraging their neighbors and commiserating at the same time. This studio culture of support is unique to the architecture school and a wonderful part of many students' time at UVA. While it's true that studio courses require many hours of work, it is rare that students pull all-nighters. Though A-Schoolers are very busy during the day and spend hours in studio classes, often working into the night, it seems to me that other students outside of the A School pull all-nighters more than Architecture School students…!


Veronica poses with her work during a final review.

 

There are many other incredible classes offered by the A School. As an architectural history major concentrating in historic preservation, many of my courses are hands-on, like field methods. In the class, we visit historic buildings and document them through 3D scanning, and drawings. We also learn about construction methods and materials and participate in demonstrations like learning how to lay bricks! I particularly loved conducting archival research on a building we were assessing because I learned about its hidden history through piecing together clues from the UVA Special Collections library. Then, I visited the building and was able to understand the structure in a more complete way.

 

Speaking of Special Collections, another course that I loved was a course called ‘Evidence and Archives,’ where we were tasked with exploring UVA Special Collections, the Charlottesville Deeds Office, Charlottesville Historical Society, and other collections to learn about the African American history in Charlottesville. Being able to handle materials from the 1800s and study the handwriting of individuals from the past is such an intimate and eye-opening experience. I am so thankful that I am able to attend a school like UVA in a town like Charlottesville where these records are accessible to all. Additionally, professors like Louis Nelson and Andrew Johnston attempt to ensure that the way we are learning history is not exploitative and we are understanding the full scope of the field. Our architectural history program is truly excellent (as are our architecture and urban planning programs!).

 

Finally, I want to make it clear that entering college is difficult. Especially in the era of Covid-19, the experience of students entering the architecture program will be different. My main advice to incoming and transfer students is to be kind to yourself and know that no matter what happens or how stressful this experience will be, there are students around you who are here to support you. So lean into your community when you need to! The professors at UVA truly want to see you succeed and will help you adjust through this period. I know that I speak for many at UVA when I say my ‘inbox’ is always open and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions regarding A School or the arts at UVA in general!

Blog by Veronica Merril, a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia. Contact her at vrm4bs@virginia.edu with any questions or curiosities about studio art at UVA!