Arts in April Blog

Last Thursday, as a part of Arts in April here at the college, Iranian-American Poet Roger Sederat came to do a reading on his poetry and a question and answer session with students and professors.

I will be the first to admit that upon hearing this is what we were doing for my 11 o'clock literature class last Thursday, I was instantly considering who I would text, what blogs I would read, and who I would try to sit next to. To most who know me and my characteristics this is par for the course. But, to shock the masses, my phone didn't leave my pocket till the very end when I had to check to see what time it was. I'm sure your curious why it didn't move and I'll tell you: Mr. Sederat, while everyone was finding seats, was mentioning how Iranians are playing in the NBA. Now to some, this might sound like a small thing. But, it already proved to me Mr. Sederat understood college students and what they are interested in. As Mr. Sederat read his poetry, he referenced his musical background and how he found a big influence in rap music. To everyone's shock, he was quite familiar with Lil' Wayne, and even threw out this Notorious B.I.G.: "Livin' life without fear / Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ears" which open a lot of eyes, proving that his knowledge of rap went beyond one major artist. I for one, have a strong belief that some college professors do not understand the students they are teaching. Mr. Sederat proved this isn't always true.

His poetry was also very good. Although hard to relate to, it was very interesting to learn he, as a passport holding dual citizen of the US and Iran, he has been advised not to return to Iran for fear of government reaction to his poems (which I am told points to several Iranian government officials).

Once again, the college did a great job of bringing in a speaker that challenged and brightened the horizons of the students.

Senoritis? Oh wait..I'm in college now..

Last April I was hit with a severe case of "Senoritis" also known as, I am a senor in high school and I graduate soon so I do NOT plan on doing my homework or studying! For some reason now, I have been hit with it again but now I am a freshman in college and procrastination and I do not get along. I do not know if it is because I have been feeling under the weather or the fact that my stress level is through the roof. Is it just me that is going crazy?

I have been forcing myself to get things done but my computer decided to rebel against me and cause complete havoc by getting a virus because my virus protection failed epically at detected it. Then I kept getting sick and may be faced with the reality that I now have allergies like everyone else is America. (I have never been allergic to anything besides animal fur).

I have found that non-drowsy generic brands of allergy medications are life savers. My eyes are no longer watery and red. Success!

But as for my "senoritis" - I am at a loss. I have made lists and tried to become motivated. Usually listening to Lady Gaga gets me excited and I do work but now its hopeless! To make things even worse, I am taking classes over the summer. I need to get my act in shape!

I think I pushed myself so hard first semester that I am all worn out!

Dear Senoritis, go find someone else :(

Spring Break! Or is it?

I woke up this morning only to look out my window and see SNOW! So much for "Spring" break.

I feel that this spring break has been very rewarding. I have done two events this break...the Reality Check with Danvers High seniors and the NCBI training. I enjoyed doing both of these events because I love to work with people within a group setting. I have been so busy this break with school work and the regular life stresses that I just need a day to myself or a real vacation! I wish I could of gone away like everyone else does when they are a freshman in college! I feel kind of left out. When everyone comes back from Canada or Aruba and asks what I did this vacation, I am going to tell them I sat in my kiddie pool in my backyard during the warm days and read The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I wonder what they will think of me?
To be completely honest, I cannot wait for school again on Monday! I miss my friends so much! Everyone is off busy doing their own thing...so I want to hear about your vacation experience! I hope it was more eventful and exciting than mine!

TALENT SHOW: APRIL 2ND ...wait --what!? where?!

Hello everyone,
I've recently been interested in the talent show--- and I know it's going to be a huge success!
I've been at 2 talent show auditions, and all I've seen were great! Unfortunately, not many people showed up... and I personally think not many people knew about it.

When going to classes and walking around the school in my Presidential Scholar shirt, people were asking me what club I was from, and of course, I told them the Presidential Scholars. Then, they asked me what I was doing in the program, and I told them that currently, ---- the talent show auditions. Most reactions were the same, "what? there's a talent show?".

I know the students and faculty advertise and work hard to try and let everyone know of these things, but something is just not working. I would think, that a college of thousands would get more of a response with this type of event. Just in my speech class alone, some students spoke about talents/activities, and hobbies they participate in or do. One student loved to breakdance, and even showed the class some of his skills, while another student's musical talents were impressive considering he has recorded a CD in a professional recording studio, and is considered somewhat of a celebrity in certain parts of South America. Neat, huh?

Honestly, sometimes I'm in a rush, and do not check the Pipeline bulletins, and do not have time to check out signs around the buildings.
What about the Presidential Scholars? Our group could maybe make announcements in classes before class? What do you all think about this? Would students like to be aware about certain major events by word of mouth rather than leaving it up to finding it out?
Sorry if I seem negative, but it's sort of sad that not a lot of people know about certain things. hmmmm...

-Kristen

Forgetfulness

I'll be honest, I totally forgot that I had to write a blog until my mom reminded me the night before it was due. I was getting ready to fall asleep when my mom yelled, "your blog is due tomorrow!" Well thanks for telling me now when I'm in bed and I was walking around all night trying to figure put what I could do with my time before I go to bed. But it is my responsibility, sometimes I just forget. If I don't have the important thing written down on something that I check all the time then I'll probably forget about it, unless it's like a big test or 10 page paper that I'd be insane to forget about. Those things I can't seem to forget, not that I try or anything.

My parents use to say I forget because I want to forget, or I just don't care about things like school or chores. Then I would reply, no sometimes I just forget, doesn't everyone forget something sometimes? And they would reply with the familiar state that if it was a song, or artist that I really liked I would remember it, and make sure I didn't forget it. Which is half true. I'm not the type that needs to know everything about an artist to the point where it's considered stalking but if I'm curious about something I'll look it up and I'll usually will remember it because I made an effort to look it up. And with songs more often then not they just stick in my brain, whether I want them to or not.

Like I'll hear a song once and then I'll hear it again, and I'll be able to sing a few words and hum the chorus, which will lead my parents to think I've heard the song 50 times, then I'll tell them I only heard it once. They usually don't believe me. It's not like I want to forget the important things I have to do, it's just that I temd to remember the things that I like and in the hustle and bustle of life the things that I don't nessesarily like are pushed to the back of my mind, they're probably there I just don't think about them. Some people have the problem of procrastinating, I have no problem with that. I map out my schedule in my mind and figure out when I can get my work done. I do have the problem of forgetting until the last minute and then making it seem like I'm procrastinating but I really just forgot. I just have to rember to write everything down in a place that I always look, or write the important things down in multiple places and where I would least expect it and then be surprised and reminded at the same time! I think it all comes down to prioritizing, and once I get all my priorities straight, I'll have no problem remembering important things.

A Perfectly Good Heart

During this winter break, I decided to go through some old "rubbish" I had laying throughout my disaster of a bedroom. Within my room I found things from my previous years of high school. Old projects, homework assignments, pictures and letters from friends (and exes) that brought back many memories, good and bad. While rummaging through the clutter I realized that high school was a truly grueling experience for me. For the four treacherous years that I was at Stoneham High School, I went through hell and back. Whether it was with teachers, friends, stress or just the overwhelming realization that what I did in high school would ultimately have a huge impact on the rest of my life. I struggled with my acne and self esteem, confiding in writing and music. I found comfort in friends who turned into enemies and realized that life is not always fair. I no longer let these memories haunt me. Instead, I learn from them and I decided to move on from it by discarding some of these items...

Although I got adequate grades in high school, I never felt that I was smart or somewhat of a good student until I got into the Presidential Scholars Program at NSCC. The effect the program has had on my life has been amazing and I have met some of the most wonderful people in the world. I feel like I have finally felt a place where I can be myself. I had a big personal break through at the last meeting when I came out as being bisexual, something I have struggled with for many years because of not being accepted for it by certain friends and family. The encouragement and feeling of weight being lifted off my shoulders was enormous and a great life changing experience.

I wish I could be flawless, perfection at its greatest. But I know that I am just a girl who grew up in a small town twenty minutes north of Boston with the perfectly good heart full of love and a back bone stronger than concrete. I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished. NSCC and the people I have met have made me see how much I am able to accomplish and overcome in such a short amount of time. I am a hard worker and believe that as a person I have changed for the better. I am on a road to better and greater things. My first semester of college has taught me to leave the bad and grab onto the good. Your past should not make you into who you are going to be. I get to choose who I want to be and who I want in my life along for the journey into my new beginning.

SEMESTER: ALMOST OVER AND OUT

Well, I haven’t posted in awhile, and it’s great to finally be back! Sorry all for not posting on Halloween; must have missed that one because I wasn’t sure if it was my turn to blog.
So... The good news – I’m just going to have to make up for it! :) I hope everyone had a nice Halloween, and a nice Veterans Day. I am just so thankful for everyone fighting for our country. Past and present.

So, I’m VERY excited that this semester is almost over. I don’t know about all of you, but this semester has been kicking my you know what. I’ve never taken as many tests, quizzes, and done this many lab reports in all of my 19 years of living. NO JOKE. Going to both campuses and working doesn’t help either! However, I know my education is going to pay off in the end. (let us hope.. haha)

The best thing to do is to think forward and positively.
What is everyone’s outlook on this semester? Any regrets, thoughts, experiences, etc?
The best part about this blog is that people can post anonymously. It’s so good to get things off your chest, and just to vent! (Just be courteous, and obviously... don’t mention names!)

For me personally, aside from all the work, a few things came to mind. I’m not a smoker, but it bothers me how as I’m walking into the building, I end up smelling like a smoker. Anyone else feel this way? I just think smoking is gross, and the smell just grosses me out. I know there is nothing I can do, but at some campuses, smoking is not permitted anywhere near the building; smokers would have to smoke in their car, etc. Just thought I’d throw this smoking situation out there.
Hmm.. ...


-Kristen

Guide for the Eater

Seeing as I have been doing a couple guides by experience, I figured I might as well continue. So here are some suggestions on how to save your hard earned money.

If you’re like me you’re trying to hold onto every last dime that you barely have the time to earn. So it can get kind of hard when you end up spending 10+ for various snacks and food at school. Here are a couple tricks, and how I try to do things

1) Always always always bring a drink with you, I suggest water since most of your body is made of water, but its up to you

2) Bring your own snacks, I find that a mega pack of snacks is a lot cheaper at BJ’s than at school

3) Bring a piece of fruit. Not only can you barely find fruit at school, but it’s also expensive when you do. So do your wallet and body a favor and bring some fruit

4) Eat breakfast! Everyone’s heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it also saves a few bucks as well so you don’t feel the need to grab that caramel macchiato and coffee roll.

When I follow my own rules I find that I only need to buy a sandwich or burger each day. It costs around $5 but is a lot less expensive than buying a whole meal and lots of snacks in between. However that’s only when you eat at school. If you go to Lynn, like I do, than there is a large selection of equally expensive meals within walking distance from the campus. I find that its just easier to stay in school since the food their tastes just as good.

Mentors

When you join the elite group of President Scholars, you are assigned a mentor who you meet at the luncheon before the school year starts. Each scholar is given a mentor, usually someone of high capacity at the college [some even with three funky letters at the end of their name], to which they meet with and discuss everything from life at school to things bigger than North Shore (life skills to be exact). My mentor happens to be a very busy man at North Shore, so when we are able to meet, I like to squeeze every last drop of information out of him. This week, I had a issue with something at the college, something that I really didn’t know how to deal with without offending the professor I was dealing with. So, I did the adult thing, and seeked out my mentor, with who sat me down and give me one of the best lessons in life you can be handed: when dealing in a situation like this, you need to craft your words so carefully so that you can get your point across, not offended the other party, and find a resolution that fits both parties. After being told this, I realized how valuable that lesson from the my mentor was. 

Dealing with difficult situations is a fact of life, but dealing with them respectfully and in a proper manner can make all the difference in the end result. Its get better though. I found out that day I had two mentors: I walked across the hall to check in with one of the three-at-the-end-of-her-names and asked her opinion. This young lady stressed something that my other mentor stressed: grades aren’t everything. They aren’t the end all be all. Its what you take from the class and can go forward with that matters at the end of the day

Agoraphobia: The Fear of Embarrassment or Losing Control

Before entering college I had a few thoughts in mind: 1) I was going to let go of my past & look forward to the future 2) I was going to keep to myself, not let anyone get to close to me because I was scared of drama (a lot like in high school) ruining my plans and dreams 3) Study my hardest, and make something of myself by doing so Well, numbers 1 & 3 weren't so bad right? Number 2 was my biggest issue.

A Quick Change of Scenery

As I sit here on the brisk first day of October, a lot has changed since I first arrived on the Danvers campus a month ago. On the first day, anyone that took a second to look around would see people fighting for “primo” parking spots, Campus Police trying to catch students parking on lawns, shorts and t-shirts, new students rushing to find their first classes before the Professors start their lectures and a sense of wanting to go out and sit on various walls and lawns between classes to catch a breath of the summer air. Today, upon arrival, I noticed people journeying way into the deep woods of the campus to the already paved parking spots, and Campus Police at ease. Shorts and t-shirts have been replaced with jeans, sweatpants, and of course, “Uggs” boots for the female population. No longer are their students with lost of confused looks on their face, only looks of “I should have studied longer last night but fell asleep on Facebook”. Lastly, the walls and lawns looked very bare today. It seems as though North Shore does not have a outside heater for students to use while catching a wisp of the brisk fall air. As we roll into fall, Professors get more and more intense, and thoughts of mid terms and final exams are on the horizon. As a reader, what part of North Shore inside or outside of the classroom would you like to hear about? For this interested in the inside, here is a snippet of a Professors quote on the first day of classes referring to final grades “I drink wine the night I figure out final grades”.

Procrastinating Through the Day- an Introduction to the NSCC Blog

To start off I would just like to say to anyone reading this, welcome to the first NSCC Blog. My name is Ortiz. The whole idea of this blog page was to try and get students connected, and for future /prospective students the opportunity to see what it’s really like in NSCC, not just what the pamphlets tell you. And so to start things off I thought that whoever might be reading this would probably want to know a little bit about myself and what I’m suppose to be doing at the college. I’ve always been a person who likes to do things with my hands. Whether it be legos, chairs, robots, kitchens, or houses, I liked to build it. I am also a Maintenance Worker/ Landscaper. Therefore I knew I wanted to pursue a vocation. I ended up choosing the Energy Utilities Program here at NSCC for a variety of different reasons, the major ones being cost, location, and it was one of few focused, hands on programs. So the one year E.U.T certificate fit the bill (more information about E.U.T can be found on the main website). Anyways that being said, I would like to let everyone know what a day in the life of a nscc student is like.