I got to thinking...Two years ago, I was filling out college applications.  One-TWO!  It doesn't seem that long ago, but in fact it really has been two years.  About this time my senior year, I knew I was filling out on-line applications, spending some lunch time at the counsilor's office to get my transcript grades and such, and trying to determine which high school teachers did I need to ask for recommendations.  (TIP:  Which one did you suck up to the most. Hehe!  Just kidding.  Which one knows you the best is the rule of thumb!) 

I know for some people in my class this was quite a stressful time.  With application forms ranging from basic information to essays and 3-4 recommendation letters, the process can get overwhelming.  Of course, there are also numerous deadlines to keep in mind!!!  At some point all the forms will need to be sent in...oh and definitely postmarked on the right date!  With students now applying to an average of 4-8 colleges, it's hard to keep all of the dates straight!  So, I thought I'd help y'all out with the USC deadlines...

Here are some key dates to keep in mind for those wanting to be in the Freshman class next Fall:

October 1 (which is only four days away!) - Early Answer Application -- All of your materials need to be postmarked by Monday!

November 15 - South Carolina Honors College/Top Scholarship Application -- If you want to compete for the University's most prestigious scholarships, you better fill out the special application form and have it turned in by this date.  If you are just wanting to get into the Honors College, it will be a great idea to get your application turned in by this date as well.  By turning it in at this time, (1) you can be considered for the top scholarships and (2) after this date, consideration for acceptance into the Honors College will be based on space availability.

December 1 - Regular Decision Application

These are the most important dates to keep in mind for now for all of you seniors vying for a spot in the Fall 2008 semester.  The application pool gets bigger and bigger each year, so definitely get your application in early!  If you'd like to see more about these deadline dates, you can visit this link: http://sc.edu/admissions/freshdeadlines.php

Well, I hope that helps y'all out some.  I gotta bounce out.  It's time to study for my first Organic Chemistry exam.  Please keep me in y'alls prayers!!!  Hehe!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 01:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Carolina Gamecocks are so talented.  Well, actually, that's quite an understatement.  Carolina Gamecocks have top game even in the realm of creativity.    Several organizations are participating in the week-long Homecoming Mural Competition, and this year's mural contenders come from several Greek Life communities, service-based organizations,  and cultural/social groups.  As I promised y'all a couple of days ago pictures of the great murals lining Davis Field, here they are.  Please enjoy!

This one is my favorite.  I love the pop-up buildings.  Another feature is that building on the top left has lights that light up at night.  The lights are kind of a Carolina skyline trademark.  Capstone is a dorm for Capstone Scholars and Honors College students with several amenities.  There is cafeteria on the first floor, several meeting rooms, the Top of the Carolina room for official and pretigious meetings, and the famous rotating restaurant on the top floor.  It is that rotating restaurant where the trademark lights go around.  When I'm seeing the lights from afar, it makes me think of a UFO...hehehe!

I like this one a lot, too.  This is my second favorite.  I love the Williams-Brice Stadium effect.  At night, the bars to the left and the right actually light up just as in the stadium.  The gates on this mural also pop out of the board--really capturing the iron gates that surround the USC campus entrances.

I like the picture of the students in the stadium.  That's pretty much how it really looks like in the student section at the stadium.

Oh, yes, of course!  Here's a health, CAROLINAAAAAAAH!

Oh, that Cocky!  USC...Carolina, that is...truly are NUMBER ONE!

And of course...this Homecoming's theme is a throwback to the Carolina Tradition so what better way to depict it than this--100 Years of Carolina Tradition, through the years.

I hope y'all like the murals.  There are other murals on Davis Field.  These are just my favorite ones.  Comment me on which ones you think is the best.  The winner of the mural will be declared on Saturday!  Aight, peace out.  I've still got an Organic Chemistry exam to study for!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 09:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now that JT has brought sexy back, it's time the Gamecocks brought the spirit back.  It's homecoming week, and this time's theme is giving a throwback to all of the great Carolina traditions that alumnis, students, faculties, families, and friends have shared over the years.  Starting today, a series of events will be celebrated all week long with the Mississippi State game to look forward to on Saturday!

The Homecoming Committee chose the theme to really celebrate homecoming and all that it stands for--Carolina successes and traditions!  There are many events to enjoy this week starting with the Mural Competition wherein groups have been invited to enter a mural for display in the Davis Field by the Russell House, in front of the Thomas Cooper Library.  Carolina Productions provided organizations who wanted to participate with the wood on which to draw, and the organizations provide the creativity and art.  The murals are now lined up on the field for all to see.  I'll take some pictures and post them soon!

The Carolina Showcase started just an hour ago...8PM, Monday!  I had to miss it because I've got some exams lined up this week, and I just have to get some studying done!  I've actually got a couple of friends from the CSC Executive Board showcasing their talents to win the titles of Homecoming King and Homecoming Queen, as well as Prince and Princess!

Tomorrow will be Canned Creations, an event that Carolina Service Council puts together.  Organizations collect a minimum of 200 canned goods and bring them to Greene Street, in front of the Russell House, for some creative "can-sculpturing."  It's pretty cool what "sculptures" students come up with.  By the end of the day, all cans collected are donated to the Harvest Hope Food Bank here in Columbia.  On Wednesday, there will be a dance competition...the annual "SPURS AND STRUTS!"  All genres of music and dance are encouraged and entries for couples and groups can be made.  Gamecocks gettin jiggy with it...loads of fun!  Then on Thursday, a real traditional pep rally will be hosted, and of course, COCKY will be there to get everyone pumped up!  Carolina's very own Heisman Trophy winner, George Rogers will also be at the stadium during the pep rally to judge in the "Strike the Heisman Pose Contest!"  Then we get to Friday...The Greek Life will be hosting a Step Show!!!

There's so much to do, and the fact is, these are just the events hosted on campus for students and all around the campus.  There are still many events--dinners, galas, and parties--for alumnis, families, and friends!  Ohhhhh, how I LOVE BEING A GAMECOCK!

Well, once again 'tis all for now folks.  Like I said, I have some studying to do for some exams!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, GAMECOCKS!

Posted by Kriska at 07:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After seeing the city of Columbia, I would have never guessed that a forest...yes, A REAL FOREST, is located only 10 minutes away from the campus!  This month's Service Saturday is all about the environment and the outdoors and is so aptly themed as "Enhancing the Great Outdoors."

A little blurb about the program of Service Saturday before I go on about my experience in the forest today... Service Saturday is just one of several volunteer programs of the Community Service Programs here at Carolina.  Once a month, a Saturday is chosen to serve a specific cause that the city of Columbia is in great need of volunteers.  The program starts with a check-in at about 10:45 am in the Russell House Patio.  Shortly thereafter, the day's schedule is announced, and the students are split up into their groups.  Buses transfer the students to the site where they will volunteer for half of the day.  A lunch is provided by the program, which is just one of the cool parts of Service Saturday by the way.  Of course, the great satisfaction of serving makes up the most of the "cool parts."  Many students from different groups, like University 101, sororities, fraternities, scholar groups, other organizations, participate in this program.  Up to 200 students usually show up, and it's just such a great way to serve others.

So...to today's forestry events!  I ended up in the Harbison State Forest just off of Broad River Road.  Our group worked with the "forest man" (I forgot his official title) and several members of the Friends of Harbison State Forest.  Our group was divided into three groups--one to hike a trail and pick up the trash along the way, another to hike to the creek and do some clearing and reinforcements, and the other to repair a main trail.  I was in the last group, where I found my little, itty bitty self hauling rocks the size of my head!  Yep, it was some back-breaking, manual labor out in the heat today!  But it was a lot of fun...sort of!  Hehehe!  I got to meet a lot of people and got to talk to them about their interests, their majors, their reasoning for volunteering, and about many other things.  I got to also get my work-out hours...something I've not done in about a year. Haha!  But in all seriousness, it was a great experience.  Volunteering always is!

In addition to that feeling of satisfaction from giving your time, it was just so nice to also get away from the city for a little bit and get back in touch with the outdoors.  It wasn't really the perfect day to be out there as it was so hot, but just being in the woods and in nature just really makes a lot of difference.

Well, as y'all can tell, I'm not really watching the game as I am blogging at the moment.  I was watching it, but I was starting to get annoyed.  My friends are still watching it in the room though, so I'm still hearing the play by play calls...just not watching it though...heh!  I still hope we can pull it through, but if not...I'm just hoping for a close game!

'Tis all for now folks!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PSYC 300 last week.  BIOL 243 two days ago.  PSYC 440 on Monday.  PSYC 410 on Wednesday.  Rounded out by...CHEM 331 on Friday.

What am I talking about?!?  I'm talking about the "first-exams-of-the-semester-stretch"--the much dreaded, much stressful time of the semester next to finals week.  You spend hours studying your notes, reading your book, checking Blackboard for a much-hoped-for study guide, and still you can't stop being restless because you're just so worried.  If only you can just get to the day of the exam to get it over with!  After that, the 2nd or 3rd exams can be pretty difficult too as the course material gets progressively harder, but at least you know what to finally anticipate when you walk into that class with the #2 pencil in tow.  It's that scary idea that you have no clue about your professor's style that makes that first exam just that much more stressful!

But don't fret!  Here are tips to overcome such worries and fears:

1.)  First and foremost, DON'T PANIC! If you do, you only get further behind.  You'll only lose valuable time worrying over a test than actually studying for it.

2.)  Try different methods of studying if you still have not found that #1-full-proof-will-always-work strategy for yourself.  For classes that have a lot of definitions, use flashcards!  For classes that have a lot of mathematical problems, use repetition and practice.  For language classes, try speaking in that language and get practice--just be considerate of those around you, especially your roommate!

3.)  Find a place to study.  Let me repeat that: FIND A PLACE TO STUDY.  Good places to study will probably be ones that lack a TV, internet, loud music, crowds, etc.  Anything that will get you easily distracted should be an automatic NO!

4.)  Studying in a crowd may be bad, but studying in a small group may be a good idea.  Y'all can ask each other questions or just work through the problems with each other.  Just remember not to get distracted and off-topic!

5.)  Have a power snack!  Peanuts, granola bars, and crackers are among some of the snacks that are found to be good for the body and mind.  After hours of staring at your notes, your body will have used up a lot of its nutrients, and you'll probably need some help!

6.)  Speaking of help...SEEK HELP!  If you are having trouble, make sure to contact your professor, TA, or for some people, your SI Leader or tutor.  If you can't get a hold of your professor and TA from class, visit the Student Success Center in the Thomas Cooper Library and get help there.  That is why the SI Leaders and tutors were hired--to help y'all!

7.)  Lastly..lucky number 7 tip is to...REST!  Studying over long periods of time can get very exhausting.  Make sure that you are getting plenty of rest!  Your brain can't function well, if you're not taking care of yourself!

Well, I hope this comes in handy some time for y'all.  I know I need to check myself in line sometimes with these tips too as I have the tendency to forget about them, regardless if it's my list.  Well, tis all for now folks!  I'll just catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

P.S.  College-level or not, I'm sure these tips will come in handy for any student!

Posted by Kriska at 03:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the basketball games, if he's not shakin' his tailfeather with the cheerleaders he's trying to beat the other mascot in a one-on-one half-time shootout.  Some Wacky Wednesdays, he can be seen mingling with students.  And, well, who can forget that "magical" and "smoky" entrance at every single home football game?!?

Oh, that big yellow beak and that signature move!  No one can deny that our mascot, Cocky, is totally the best university fuzzy friend ever!  Standing at 6 foot 2 inches and weighing in at 200 lbs, Cocky can make a killing on the football field, but we keep him on the sidelines to get the crowd pumped up, crunked out, hipped-hopped, whatever you want!  With his signature "Beak Flap" move, you can't help but go crazy yourself!

And, well, it's that time of the year to let everyone know that not only is he "cocky" by name but that by his own merit he does have something to be cocky about!  Cocky once won the Capital One Bowl Mascot Challenge back in 2003, when he was once first nominated.  In addition, he was also in the 2004 and 2005 challenges.  Although, he didn't win those two times, everyone was proud that our great Cocky represented the university so well.  This year, however, Carolina folks hope to not only take the SEC Championship but also to finish first for Cocky!  This year's Capital One Bowl: 2007 Mascot Challenge, our Carolina Cocky is once again "representin'!"

As of this moment, Cocky is holding down the lead going up against some pretty good contenders.  I encourage all of you to keep him in first place!  Go to capitalonebowl.com everyday, and vote for Cocky (and also vote for the mascots with the lowest score in each match-up so that those with higher votes don't get any closer to Cocky!)  In addition to the recognition of having the best mascot, the university that wins gets a pretty good sum of money for school programs including the mascot program.  I try to make sure that I vote everyday!  I hope y'all check it out, too!  Here's the cute little commercial that Capital One put together.  Check the link out, if you still have not seen it on ESPN. 

>>commercial<<

Well, that's all for now...catch y'all later on the flipside and hope y'all vote for Cocky, GAMECOCKS!

Posted by Kriska at 03:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Besides yet another awesome win that our completely awesome Gamecocks pulled off, this past weekend's game was a blast and completely a whole new and different experience for my roommate and me.  This experience has lead me to blog about..."THE VIEW."

Yes, "THE VIEW."  No, not the show, silly guys!  "THE VIEW" from the upper stands.

See, I always wondered why my boyfriend would rather watch the game with his parents up in the upper stands because I thought that it was just so far up you probably could not see a darn-tootin-thing from up there.  I mean, what could you see from being so high up?!?  I figured he had his reasons.  I guess he's always watch the game up there with his parents with those same season tickets since he was 8 yrs. old and also because season tickets are hard to come by and expensive...so I guess it's okay that he'd rather not watch a game with me.  I guess...I didn't quite understand until I got a chance to see what it was like for myself.

His parents decided that the drive is getting to be too much for them and that making every single home game is just getting to be quite expensive.  So, for the first time in several years, they missed a home game and so nicely gave their tickets to my roommate and me...

I will let the pictures speak for themselves, just think..."THE VIEW"

Catch y'all later on the flipside and enjoy the picture, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 09:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A grande caramel macchiato here.  A venti cafe au lait there.  A grande cafe mocha over there.  Oh, and another grande caramel macchiato, please!  Good ol' Starbucks has been getting quite the great business with myself these past couple of days what with the craziness this week has thrown me.  From back to back meetings, to SI sessions, then a couple of recitations, some quizzes, one of those "first exam jitters," and finally topped with a boring Organic Chemistry lab...this week has been definitely one of those weeks.

I felt quite the zombie this morning, dragging my feet across the brick pathway through the Horseshoe to Sloan, where my first exam of the semester was to take place at 8 in the morning!  Fortunately, I did manage to stay awake through the entire thing, and once I was out of the exam, I dragged my lil short legs along towards the Colloquium for a caffeine fix for the day.

Luckily for us Carolina college students, two Starbucks locations can be conveniently visited for that buzz that we so heavily rely on.  The Russell House is one of these great spots, where comfortable couches and coffee tables are accessible for students to plop down on with their lattes and fraps and a book in tow for that last minute cramming session.  The other location is in the Colloquium, which is in the "busy district" of the Business, English, and Humanities area.  The lines are usually long, but anything for coffee, right?  There are also other options for those who can't stand the "Starbucks Corporation" or those who cannot afford the long lines.  There are different coffee joint options in different buildings all over campus.  A couple of the academic buildings offer lobbies with a quick-stop cafe, as well as most of the cafeteria dining areas offer the easy house coffee dispensers.  Yep, Carolina definitely has everyone covered!  They understand our late-night-early-morning-needs around here!

As busy as this week has been, I'm almost sad to say that it's still not over.  I'm done with classes today, however, I do have an SI Session to hold for my CHEM 111 students tonight.  Tomorrow, I have three morning classes, but most definitely, as soon as my Abnormal Psychology ends and I am able to carry myself back to Preston...my head will probably hit my sweet, soft pillow.  You can hear from me again after this weekend's game against SC State!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, I promised y'all that I would post pictures from the past weekend.  Besides the awesome win over UGA, my trip back to Greenville to visit family and spend time with my mom on her birthday also included a mini-camping trip with my siblings and cousins.  We stayed at a campground off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Mt. Pisgah.  An hour-drive north of Greenville towards the other Carolina lies an amazingly beautiful set of rolling hills.  A mile and a half hike on a trail off the Pisgah landed me in a panoramic scenic view of endless mountains.  It was just GORGEOUS!  I hope y'all enjoy the pictures and find the time to visit up there, too, some time.  I'll leave y'all with these pictures, and well, catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 07:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I don't really know what one word could encompass how the South Carolina v. Georgia game was like for me from yesterday.  I mean it was amazing...exciting...intense...riveting, oh and did I mention, such A BIG RELIEF!

During the entire game, I was on the edge of my seat.  I knew that a lot was riding on the game for this season for the Gamecocks, and something was also in it for me...BRAGGING RIGHTS!  I have numberous friends who live in Georgia.  Several of them actually attend UGA.  I knew I was never going to live it down if we lost again.  It's been pretty much a battle of the smack talks for the past couple of weeks.  I actually had a missed call from a friend 5 minutes before kick-off, and a message along these lines was left: "I just wanted to remind you that it is about five minutes before the Dawgs beat some Gamecocks.  I hope that you are ready for another let down."  There was just no way we could lose.  So with my Garnet South Carolina shirt and my garnet and black bracelet, I prayed to the Gamecock gods for a win.  Mitchell getting sacked in the beginning of the game had me worrying and shaking, but I knew the gamecocks would pull through.

There was no doubt in my mind that the Gamecocks had their hearts and minds set in winning and beating "the-team-we-lost-to-5-years-in-a-row."  Spurrier has his own motivation as he has not won a game against the "Dawgs" since his stay here in Carolina even if he's beaten them numerous times during his reign in Florida.  In addtion, a win against UGA would give us a good stepping stone towards the oh-so-glorious SEC Championship!  Lastly, with some of our key Carolina football players being Peach State natives, the goal of winning the game seemed just oh-so-sweet! 

And boy was that victory SAH-W-E-E-T!  Even before we took a knee to end the game, I had already picked up the phone and was already waiting for my friend to pick up.  A completely embarassed, "I know.  I know.  I know," followed three rings.  Oh, what a great hello!

I'm so excited that we won against "them dawgs."  I know this will surely get us ranked!  Oh, keep on pulling and cheering for our boys, Gamecocks!  The excitement can only keep on growing, but 'tis shall be all for now until I get pictures from my trip home this weekend uploaded for another picto-blog!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You'll advance your career now by doing what you promised, on time.  There will be no more excuses allowed, so don't even ask.

How's that for what the stars in the skies have to say about my work ethic!  Yep, astrology!  Flipping through the Daily Gamecock, I happened to glance over page 6 on the horoscopes section for my dear Libra reading.  Mind y'all, I don't believe much in horoscopes and in what the stars nor the lines of my hand have to say, but I do find the column sometimes fun to read.  Whenever it tells me that the love of my life will learn to appreciate me more because the stars and the moons have lined up perfectly, I find it the best time to point out to my boyfriend that it's perhaps the best time to take me out to dinner and a movie.  Hehe, just kidding!

All joking aside.  I'm citing the stars today because the advice does seem very useful.  I'm a pretty busy girl, and as y'all may have followed from recent posts, I am at an extracurricular overload right now.  I do, however, enjoy the "busy-ness" and find that being productive keeps me fairly satisfied.  But just as Howie Day sang in his hit single, "Even the best fall down some time," I have also found myself in numerous situations digging myself out of one of those procrastinator's holes!  Let this not be your case!!!  Try not to get behind.  That is perhaps one of the best piece of advice I can give all of you, especially all y'all freshman in college and seniors in high school.  Don't start getting behind freshies because there seems to be so much free time now that you're on your own, and all of you seniors, don't get too caught up into that bug called "senioritis."  Stay on top of things and avoid procrastination at all cost!  I'll try my best to stick to this as well and not have to stick my foot in my mouth later down the road...hehehe!

Well, that's enough for my soapbox.  Tis all for now folks.  Send your comments my way, especially with regards to how you freshman are adjusting to college, how the college applications are coming along for seniors, or even with just what you think about our football team this season.  I'd love to hear from y'all!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Carolina Gamecocks don't just bleed any shade of red.  A true gamecock bleeds only GARNET, and starting this season, we want to let the entire nation know it!  "Garnet on Game Days" is the new tradition that has recently been declared for all Gamecocks.  It's not just for current students but for alumnis and fans as well--Calling ALL GAMECOCKS!!!

Everyone's encouraged to sport their favorite garnet apparel when attending any of Carolina's athletic events, and really what a great way to show school spirit!  Williams-Brice Stadium looked amazing at the game over the weekend as it was swarmed by fans donning the team colors.  It really emphasized school unity!

Here's a picture of part of the stadium during half time:

In launching the "Garnet on Game Days" tradition, the Athletics department also made a shirt, and for the 2007-2008 season, one can proudly wear a "WE ARE CAROLINA" shirt.  Spurrier is really pushing for this one because as you can see in the picture, the atmosphere is just more pumped and more Gamecock-y (for lack of a better word, hehe!).  I actually bought a shirt for myself last week and have already worn it to the game over Saturday.  I hope everyone will also go out and get one!  Let everyone know that we are the TRUE CAROLINA!

Well, guys, I can't wait for this weekend.  I'm actually going home to spend some time with the family since I stayed home this weekend and also because it's my mom's birthday the following week.  I hope y'all got to enjoy your labor day weekend.  I sure enjoyed mine with the game and by just catching up on some good ol' fashioned rest today!  I really just can't wait for my trip back home and for the Georgia game for this upcoming weekend though!  Thanks for only a 4-day week of school!  I sure do hope that it goes by fast!

Well, catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Final Score: 28-14  GO GAMECOCKS!!! 

We're off to a great start this season.  Keep on cheering and sporting the Garnet & Black, and catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)