One of UVA's Best Kept Secrets

UVA has numerous libraries - seventeen, in fact.  Many undergraduate students stick to either Clemons or Alderman library- though they can occasionally get crowded, especially around the time of midterms or finals.

Clemons Library

Alderman Library

These libraries are close to old dorms, and close to many buildings where classes are held.  They both have their advantages (Clemons is open 24 hours during the week, and Alderman has the much coveted MacGregor room - commonly referred to as the "Harry Potter" room).






But I've discovered one of UVA's best kept secrets:  the Arthur J. Morris Law School library.

Though the library is geared towards law students, I've found that it's an excellent place to study.  There's a main room (called the Caplin Reading room - pictured below) that is an extremely comfortable place to do work.  There's a second and a third floor, both with plenty of studying space and numerous study rooms for group projects.  Undergraduate students are allowed to study in the library (as long as it isn't during the exam period), and one benefit for upperclassmen is that there's ample parking.  The library is open 8am-midnight every day, and definitely worth checking out!

The Caplin Reading Room of the Law School Library (photo courtesy of www.virginia.edu) 

What to do after graduation? Reminisce, of course!

 It's that time after graduation when you have nothing to do but apply to jobs and reminisce about a time when everything was planned out for you in advance. I always knew I would be going to college, taking a year off was not even an option (I did not even know people did that until senior year in high school). And so, my four years at U.Va. are finished. No more classes, no more homework, no more tests, no more easy decisions. Now I have to find a way to support myself, figure out the future, find my own niche in the world, discover something new, and everything else that goes with "growing up." As a way to remember my years at this wonderful University, here are a couple of questions I answered just to make it easier to understand. Enjoy!

Why did you even look at U.Va. and what drew you to the school?
    I found a picture of the Lawn and the Rotunda in 10th grade and fell in love.

What was the first-year experience like?
    During my first semester I took 13 credits, studied and didn’t really do much else. I didn’t even meet that many new people. My second semester I signed up for 15 credits, joined Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated, and transferred from a Commerce direction to the School of Architecture to major in Urban and Environmental Planning. It took a while to get to know the Grounds and feel comfortable with the place but after a rocky first year I had no troubles at all.

What one activity has been the most meaningful and why?
    Two activities: my sorority and Residence Life. In my sorority, I met a great group of women and learned more about myself than I could have in any other club or organization. As the only multicultural sorority on Grounds the women who join are dedicated to diversity and are leaders in everything that they do. As a Resident Advisor, I met people with interested quite different from my own, learned to interact with them, and create an amazing living environment. These two activities influenced my University years so much that I sometimes wonder what my life here would have been like if I hadn’t joined one (or either).

What is your favorite memory from your time at Virginia?
    On the day of Foxfield, my third year, a couple of my friends and I decided to do nothing (i.e. lie on the lawn the entire day and do absolutely nothing) and it was everything we thought it could be. Yes, that’s an “Office Space” reference.

What’s next?
    I am looking for a job that might help me figure out what I want to do in life. Looking for a job is not easy but all you need is determination and patience. And as my dad always says: things will work out somehow and there's no need for worry as long as you put in the effort.

Sum up your U.Va. experience in one word.
    Multidimensional.

Best. Photograph. Ever.

 If I had to give advice to future students, it would be this: take advantage of the opportunities you have at the University. Seriously, you will never again have the same options. Meet new people, try new hobbies/activities, go out and explore the area. And don't let the future hold you back because you are only young once. Good luck! Go forth and discover!

A Fourth Year Reflection

On my first tour of UVa, I never imagined that I would someday be lucky enough to call myself a Wahoo. And yet, somehow, I made it. On Sunday, I walked the Lawn with my classmates during UVa's 181st Final Exercises and celebrated the culmination of the best four years that I could have ever asked for. Looking back, I can say with the utmost confidence that UVa is unlike any other University in the nation. There is something special about this place that inspires passion and dedication in its students and a tangible energy on grounds that I will miss terribly next year.

The thing that has affected me the most during my four years on Grounds has been the community I've felt. If someone were to ask me to describe the typical UVa student, I would say that he/she is incredibly smart, but never lets on. Active, but not in your face about it. He or she is incredibly passionate about making a difference at UVa and always eager to tell you about his/her favorite cause. He/she is extremely dedicated to having a good time, whether that be on the downtown mall, the Corner, Rugby Rd. or Scott Stadium. UVa students have the work hard/play hard attitude down to an art form, and I'll miss being surrounded by such smart, committed and passionate people.

My advice to the Class of 2014: Do everything. Just do it. There are thousands of things to do on Grounds, and I challenge you to do as much as you possibly can. Sometimes its worth it to skim your reading assignment if it means going downtown with friends and strolling through Charlottesville. I've never regretted putting down my homework to experience UVa, there is something to learn around every corner.

My advice to the future Class of 2015: Keep an open mind. There are infinite amounts of different ways to experience UVa, look for them as you tour grounds and cruise the website. Be yourself on your application, don't stress about it and seek a school that will be the perfect fit for you. UVa was mine, who knows what yours may be. Read the blog, talk to students and don't be embarassed by your parents on admissions tours.

Thank you, Virginia. Wahoowah!

The End

As Shelby stated in her last post, this truly has been a year of firsts for me. Now as it all winds down, I wonder what I’m going to do this summer without all my U.Va. friends and all the activities on Grounds. This is my last real weekend here and there are so many things planned. I mean tonight there is a Class of 13’ sponsored block party in the quad. They will have a mechanical bull, a dj, a foam pit, and food, all for free. Then there’s also FYP’s performance of West Side Story happening all weekend ( a wonderful show, go if you get a chance). There are movies playing this weekend and it looks like the weather will be beautiful for a picnic on the Lawn. This is what I love about U.Va., even though exam time is getting too close for comfort, there are still so many great ways to unwind and just enjoy yourself. As I look back upon this year, I realize there is nowhere else I would have rather spent this last year or the next upcoming three.

Have a great summer and wonderful first year! (Hopefully at U.Va.!!!)

Reflections on a year too fast

Dear Readers,

For this my final post, I have decided to reflect briefly on my first year here at UVA, the fastest year of my life. On April 20, 2009, a year and seven days ago, I decided to come to UVA. Caught up in the euphoria of graduation, I really never took the time to consider the possibilities in store for me at Mr. Jefferson’s university.

When I look back at that Shelby of a mere 53 weeks ago, I cannot help but ask, “who was that girl?” Not only have my address, my best friends, and my academic interests all changed in this past year, but my entire attitude towards my education and other people has changed as well. I really don’t think that I will be able to recognize the degree of change I have undergone until I am able to get away from Grounds and do more reflecting this summer. I do know this though: I used to view my studies as a means to good grades, but this wonderful place has broken me of my grade-addiction. It has challenged me to learn for the sake of learning and to take hard classes and stretch myself scholastically. My unbelievable friends here have challenged me to live out my beliefs and to orient selflessly each day’s 24 hours. In high school, stress was my middle name, but that is no longer the case. Peace reigns in my mind, even though my life in college has become significantly busier.

The changes I have described are just a few among many. And many of the changes in my heart, I have not yet fully recognized or examined. So as I conclude this final post, I would like to challenge you. If you’re stuck deciding between universities, I challenge you to pick the place that will stretch you most, give you the most opportunities to engage with issues that matter to you, and provide you with a wealth of scholastic resources. For me, that place was UVA and I hope it is for you as well. If you do decide to come, please let me know. Maybe a year from now we can go to coffee and discuss the changes you’ve undergone during you first year here. Of one thing, I am certain: you will change if you come to UVA. And it will be wonderful. Are you ready?

Love and best of luck with any last minute decisions,

Shelby

p.s. COME TO UVA!

College: A Time of Firsts

After going out this past weekend rock-climbing outdoors, I realized that I have had many "firsts" since stepping foot in Charlottesville 3 years ago. Let me try to give you a sense of how much you can do at U.Va. and in Charlottesville:


Sports

1) First time going to a college football game
2) First time going to a college basketball game
3) First time going to any sort of lacrosse game



Classes/Academics

1) First time taking a psychology class
2) First time taking a classics class
3) First time taking a teacher/professor to lunch
4) First time a teacher/professor invited me to their house
5) First time texting a teacher
6) First time presenting a research presentation at a conference
7) First time reading a textbook that the teacher wrote

Extracurriculars

1) First time reading an application and voting on it
2) First time leading a organization
3) First time volunteering at a daycare
4) First time rock-climbing
5) First time hiking
6) First time ice skating and playing broom ball
7) First time having a roommate

Misc

1) First time preparing a meal from start to finish
2) First time running a dishwasher
3) First time trying sushi
4) First time trying Afghani food
5) First time trying crepes
6) First time getting a flu shot

summer, summer, summertiiiime. time to sit back and unwind

Okay, I know it is not Summertime yet; but, it almost is! And few places are as beautiful as Charlottesville when it starts to get warm! Everything is blooming, the grass is healthy and green, and there is always something going on outside. Whether it be study groups, class, charity events, Frisbee, or even puppies! The other week UVa's Student Council had puppies and painting on the South Lawn for Wellness Week.

These are the type of great activities that happen outside during this great weather. Of course other great activities happen during the colder time of the year as well, just inside! Springtime brings about an exciting time of the academic year. The semester is wrapping up, people are everywhere, the grounds are beautiful. It could not get any better.

The picture above is from the balcony of Gooch, a UVa dorm. Even the area around the dorms are serene. UVa has done a great job of keeping a natural scene throughout all of grounds.

UVa has great people, beautiful grounds, and activities/clubs/groups galore. The perfect undergraduate experience!

Love Music? Love C-Ville.

It's been a huge week for the music scene in Charlottesville, and no matter what your taste in tunes is, there's been something for you!

On Tuesday, John Mayer headlined at the John Paul Jones Arena (our basketball arena that doubles as the largest indoor concert venue in Virginia). I heard it was an amazing show, there isn't a bad seat in the house!

On Saturday, Taylor Swift graced us with her presence as the "Fearless" tour swung through Charlottesville. Tickets sold out in under ten minutes, but I was one of the lucky ones who was able to snag an awesome seat for the show! The show was incredible, and we learned that her Grandfather is a UVa alumn; perhaps that's the reason that she donned a UVa basketball jersey for one of her final numbers!

Tonight, Ben Folds will be playing at the Jefferson Theatre on the downtown mall! It's a smaller venue than John Paul Jones, which will be the perfect setting. This is Ben's 2nd trip to C-ville since I've been here, and hopefully I'll be able to find a ticket in the next few hours so I can see him again!

And finally, something to get you excited about the fall, it was announced this week that Lady Gaga will be playing in Charlottesville on September 8th! Get your tickets while you still can!

Bottom Line: If you love music, concerts and screaming at the top of your lungs when Taylor Swift shouts out UVa, then there is plenty for you to get excited about here in C-Ville!

Greatest Memories (so far)

What have been your greatest memories (so far) during your time at U.Va.?

That was the question posed to me by an application that I was filling out. Oh boy...I hadn't really thought of them. So I started my reminiscing and here are some ones that really stood out:

First-Year 

1. Playing pick-up soccer on the basketball courts by the Dell 
2. Greek Rush 
3. Taking a USEM, The American Health Care System, which was taught by an ER physician 
4. Cheering on the Cardiac Cavs at all the home football games

                                           Second-Year 

1. Tutoring a girl at the local high school and having her test score jump from a 63 to an 83 
2. Going to Monster Jam at the John Paul Jones arena to watch Grave Digger 
3. Having lunch with the producer and director of the award winning documentary In the Family Joanna Rudnick 
4. Navigating the Popular Ridge ropes course 
5. Shadowing a neurologist at U.Va. Hospital 
6. Taking the class Arts and Medicine 
7. Ice skating and going hiking for the first time

Third-Year  
1. Attending Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Yunus's lecture on social entrepreneurship 

2. Having dinner in the Dome Room of the Rotunda and sitting next to the keynote speaker, a former Congressman 
3. Snowball fight on the Lawn 
4. Rock-climbing at Rocky Top gym

These are just a small sampling of the many memories that I have made so far and I'm sure there are many more to come during the rest of my time here.

JPJ picture from Wikipedia

Virginia Gets Snow?

When I learned I had missed a huge snow storm in Virginia when I went home for winter break, I was really bummed. Being from Boston I get to see snow all the time, but I had never seen snow on Grounds! I remember my first year it snowed once, at three in the morning, and I slept until eleven when all the snow had already melted. So for me, a snowy Lawn was just a dream. So I was pretty pumped when the weather forecasts predicted a "huge" (for Virginia) storm was going to hit C-Ville! We ended up getting in between one and two feet, and the University was transformed into a winter wonderland. It's one of my favorite memories of UVa so far! I went sledding for three days straight, and discovered that trash bags actually make awesome sleds although you do tend to get a little snowier. There were tons of giant snowball fights on the Lawn, and some brave streakers even dodged the snowballs as they ran. I visited one of my friends on the Lawn, and we made smores over the fire and drank hot cider as we watched the snow falling outside and people shoving snow in eachothers faces. Instead of the University shutting down, everyone geared up in all their snow layers and ventured out into the blizzard to have some fun. There are still the remnants of giant snowmen, igloos and snow forts on the Lawn as I walk by every morning. And although the snow is starting to melt as it gets warmer, I keep checking the weather and hoping for another big storm!

Need a Ride Home? Take Home Ride!

If you live in major metropolitan area in Virginia and go to UVa (or VTech or Radford or JMU) you have a great opportunity: Home Ride! What is this "ride," you ask? Well, it's run by a private company that serves students by providing busses to take them home for the weekend (or winter break). They route the busses to Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, or Richmond. The cost is different depending on the destination and starting point but I've taken this service many times and not only is it reliable (read: comes on time), the passengers are mostly students and there are no stops on the way so the trip to Northern Virginia takes only 2 hours.

Home Ride of Virginia, Inc. 

Is it costly? Well, maybe. But isn't home worth it? I know that as a first year student you don't have a car and not everyone knows an upperclassman with a private vehicle. You could also take Amtrak, I suppose, which I've done but it might not be as convenient for you if your hometown is in Hampton Roads. And do you really want your parents driving all the way to Charlottesville to come get you just to drive back again?

Consider this great service next time you are going home if you live in the state. And if you don't, see if maybe you can catch the train from Union Station in DC to your house (because, you know, the NoVA drop off location is at a Metro stop).

Good luck on finals, everyone!  

Happy holidays!

Not Everything's Rosy

Let's be honest: there are drawbacks to every school in existence. Whether it's the location, job opportunities, curriculum, staff, facilities--everything can't be perfect. So when you visit schools, make sure you ask students not only what their favorite things are but also their least favorite things.

Traffic

If there's a home football game, do NOT try navigating Charlottesville near game time. It's a mess. Friday afternoons can be bad, too. Oh, and parking? It's scarce and often costly. Personally, unless there's a pressing reason, I don't understand why students bring their own cars. The convenience just doesn't seem to justify the price.



Why It's Okay

The bus system is incredible! Between the trolley, city buses, and university buses, you can travel from Alderman Library to the Downtown Mall to the hospital to Hereford Residential College to the Law school for free. There is absolutely no charge for anyone to use university buses. Furthermore, the city is so beautiful and compact, I walk everywhere: to the shopping center, the Downtown Mall, the Corner. They're close together, and unless it's raining, the walk is scenic and enjoyable.

SIS
Oh, computers. They're wonderful and yet the cause of so many meltdowns all at once. The Student Information System (SIS) is a new version of the Course Offering Directory (COD), and I can list many things I'm more fond of than it. True, part of the dislike is that it's a change from the old system, but there is also the fact that course listings are now more confusing because every course is listed, not just the courses for a given semester. Also, the SIS doesn't allow testing periods to overlap, meaning lots of paperwork to override the system. It's a headache, and it's obnoxious, but we keep it around anyway.

Why It's Okay

The SIS allows you to list every class you want to enroll in and then when the time comes to enroll, click a single button and you're into each course. With the COD, you had to wait to get the list started and so people with 7:20 AM appointment times often complained of being too tired to sign up. Once I had a very early enrolling appointment, and I can vouch that trying to use the COD and correctly get each class when I'm that groggy is only asking for me to make a typo and end up in the wrong class. So that's a major improvement. Also, I did like seeing every course being offered when I had to plan out my major. Having every course just made the process simpler because I had the complete Record in front of me. And no matter how much the computer system upsets some students, they can usually just course action into whatever class they want. Course Actions override SIS restrictions and credit limits. They're an excellent ace in the hole to have when a class closes due to enrollment being filled. Of course, every professor can't always course action everybody, but chances are good that if you really want to be in the course, the professor will let you into it.

Fun Downtown

I've said it before and I'll end up saying it dozens of times over again to prospective students. Don't ask a magazine or ranking poll what college you should go to because you could end up seriously disappointed. Instead, figure out what you want in a college, and if writing out that list is difficult, then visit the colleges or universities you think you may be interested in. Talk to the students. Ask them what their favorite and least favorite things are about the school, why they chose the school that they did, and what do they do in their free time. It's so important to know that you'll have internships, jobs, sporting events, musical performances, and a host of other options available so that no matter what your mood is, you'll have the opportunity to go do what you want to do.

Now I must admit I love food. Restaurants, coffee shops, bagel stores, candy factories--they all sound amazing to me, and one of my favorite places to go to eat is Downtown at Chaps.

If you go to Chaps, you will probably get to meet Tony. This is Tony. He is awesome. Definitely one of the warmest people I've ever met, Tony is the kind of guy that always greets you with a smile and will remember your name. In general, I love diners because they remind me of Bethel Park, Pa where a majority of restaurants are owned by a family rather than a chain. The atmosphere is cozier, homier. I feel more like I'm walking into a friend's kitchen rather than somewhere less personable like McDonald's. Now, there's nothing wrong with McDonald's, but for me, I will always choose places like Chaps again and again because they are unique. McDonald's? The burger you get in Cleveland is identical to the one in Austin. You will not find another Chaps anywhere, and whenever you travel--be it for work, play, or whatever--go to these types of stores. Seek out those unique stores because that town is your only chance to experience them.

http://www.chapsicecream.com/menuchaps.htm
Pictures by Steve Norum.

Hear the Love

I was thinking of my next post topic and while Googling UVa, came across some great videos of students who were sharing why they came to UVa and what they love about the place.

Katie and Caroline talk Students and Social Life



Eric talks about Classes and School Size



Sara and Group talk about History and Traditions

Lingo, Language, and Traditions

Every area definitely has its own rhythm, a unique feel identifying it as an individual area. These differences spice up the environment, adding to the student culture.











Grounds
Thomas Jefferson thought that the word "campus" had far too stifling a feel and that it conveyed the idea of a community surrounded by ten foot high walls and separate from the rest of the world. Wanting to limit the restrictive feel, Jefferson opted for the word "Grounds" to describe his university.


First Year, Second Year,....
Again, Thomas Jefferson played a role in this tradition. He thought that no one could ever truly be a senior in learning, and so to label a person as such after only four years of school was ridiculous. This tradition is one of my favorites because I see it as a highly enlightened way of viewing education as well as an extremely humble perspective of learning.

Convocation & Graduation
These events are the only two times the entire class will be seated together. At Convocation, the President formally welcomes the entering class to the University, the Honor Code is signed, and perhaps a surprise or two might arise from mysterious places. The students sit facing the Rotunda, the heart of the University and Jefferson's original library. During Graduation, students process down the Lawn to Old Cabell Hall and sit facing away from the Rotunda. Both of these events are highly symbolic: the former represents the beginning of the quest for knowledge, while the latter involves the students walking out into the wider world with the skills they've acquired.