Y'all want to know what my best friend has been lately?  (To my bf and roommate, you guys are still number one in my book but...)

WEATHER.COM

For the past couple of days, I have woken up every morning and have looked out my window and have been almost fooled by the great cloudless and sunny sky outside.  As I think about putting on a nice and comfy Tee, some well-worn jeans, and a pair of slack flip-flops, I touch the glass window and find my fingers get frozen in a split second.  I know better than to believe the misleading sunny day.  I make my way through the maze of disk chairs, remote controls, and other what nots on the floor back to my desk (my roommate has later classes than I do and tend to sleep in more than me).  I know that I should get to my computer and have a meeting with my new bestfriend.

Oh, Weather.com tell me what 29225 is experiencing for the day?

With winds constantly blowing, temperatures have been around the 40's and 50's around here in Cola.  I know that that's not too terribly cold, but when the wind hits you as you are walking through shady parts of the campus...it's just not much fun.  In addition, when you are briskly speeding on a power walk to class because you are running a tad bit late, the wind blowing against you is exactly just that--AGAINST YOU!  I had that happen to me this morning as I was rushing to my criminal justice class.  As I was making my way behind Currell Colege, big old trees created this shade that you just knew from afar was a zone you did not want to be caught speed-walking through.  I wish I had some gloves, a scarf, and even some ear muffs.  (Slight exaggeration, of course, for a more dramatic effect!)  But I'm sure y'all get the picture.

Just when I thought that spring is well on its way and that the temps would start to rise, I'm seeing and feeling way differently.  Oh, how I wish that the weather would start changing some time.  Spring break is in a week and a half, and for the first time, my parents are actually letting me enjoy it with friends.  It'll be a shame if my week at the beach will be a cold one.

So, guys...Here's what we're looking at for the next couple of days.  Courtesy of Weather.com

Thu Feb 28 Sunny 52°/33° 0%			52°F
Fri Feb 29 Partly Cloudy 63°/42° 20%			63°F
Sat Mar 1 Mostly Sunny 69°/42° 10%			69°F Car Care Tips
Sun Mar 2 Sunny 70°/47° 20%			70°F

I hope it holds up.  Temps in the higher 60s and maybe even a 70 will be nice.  I'll just make sure to keep a hold of my coat for those 40s I'm seeing for lows.

Stay warm and cozy Carolina!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hello Gamecocks!  As promised from the last blog entry, let me share with y'all a Southern delicacy, the Chicken Bog.  (Like I said, I've lived here for almost 9 years and have never had this dish until this past weekend, but apparently it's pretty big in the South.)

Chicken Bog is pretty much an entire meal on its own.  A good serving of this fantastic and hearty entree for lunch will have you pretty much rolling over and laying in bed for an afternoon nap.  Every Southerner will have their own little chicken bog spin but the main ingredients that make an appearance at each bowl include rice, pulled chicken, link sausages, and your everyday pantry spices.

I'm not sure if I've made this confession before, but I'm a pretty big Food Network Channel Junkie.  That's probably my only gripe with USC.  I more than love being a Gamecock and all, but they've yet to get my favorite channel on their cable network.  I've suggested this on the technology and services survey, so maybe in the next year or two, we'll be getting that channel!!!  I'm blurbing on the Food Network because I'm going to reference the woman known as the "queen of southern cuisine and home cooking" for a chicken bog recipe.  The one and the only, Ms. Paula Deen...

Paula Deen can best be seen on the Food Network Channel melting away 3 sticks of butter in a pot.  She is soul food and good ol' home-style cooking all the way.  Onions, salt, ground red and black pepper corns, House Seasoning, and bay leaves add a spin to her version of the chicken bog.  For the kind of link sausages she uses, she likes the smoked kind to add more depth and variety.  And to top it all off, for her chicken bog recipe, she uses a stick of butter.  I'm surprised to see she only uses that much, but I'm sure she probably sticks another half or two when no one is looking!  To see exactly how the lady with the thick Southern accent puts this dish together, you can click right here!

Dillon High School prepared a mighty big spread for us USC students who came out to volunteer.  Fried chicken, mac and cheese, green beans, chicken bog, and ice cold sweet tea...it does not get any more low country South than that!

Everyday I'm feeling even more and more like a Southerner.  My friends even enjoy my occasional slurs in addition to the "y'all" that I have managed to stick into my everyday language.  Oh, what a great thang it is to be a Southerner!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

P.S.  As y'all may notice, I've added a new category..."It's a Southern Thang!"  Look forward to more blogs about everything southern.  From cornbread muffins to banana puddin's, from country gravy to black-eyed peas, from thick accents to country music (okay, so maybe not that.  That's taking me until now to get used to!)  I'll take y'all along on my journey through the great South!

Posted by Kriska at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi Molly, avid readers, occasional ones, and most definitely, welcome to all of you newcomers!

Today has been perhaps one of the most tiring and yet most rewarding days I have had here at USC.  I've been talking a lot about volunteering and the many opportunities available to do so here with Community Service Programs (CSP) and Carolina Service Council (CSC), but today was perhaps the most special to me of all the events that I have participated in all year.  I think that it might have been even more special than the program that I planned last October with my committee.  Today was just quite an eye-opener, and it was really a great experience.

Have you guys heard that the state of SC is one of the lowest in ratings of education?  I have, and I've actually griped about this one...but man was I whining about the most trivial things about my high school.  My classmates and I used to complain about the lame early to late 1990's video that we used to watch in our classes.  We used to whine about taking notes because our teachers couldn't make copies because they didn't have a paper budget.  We complained and whine about being the last graduating senior class in the original Southside High School building, while the classes after us will be occupying the newly built one.

Well, have you guys ever heard of Dillon, South Carolina?  I've lived here in this state for almost 9 years, and I've never known about this area.  I never knew that an area in the US, where my family has had the great idea of the American Dream, could exist.

About a couple of years ago, CSP created a program called "Day for Dillon."  Dillon, South Carolina is one of the rural areas here in this state that has had lots of trouble within their education system.  Not enough resources, not enough buildings and spaces, not enough teachers, not enough time, pretty much not enough of anything.  USC students volunteer to attend this event, and on a first-come-first-served basis, 60 students ride on a bus to Dillon and watch the video titled Corridor of Shame to begin their journey that prooves to be quite the experience.

When we got to Dillon High School, we were greeted by faculty, staff, and students with some welcoming smiles.  They were so grateful we were there, and even though I had to wake up at 7:30 in the morning and ride a bus for almost 2 hours to get there only to work and clean for hours, I just knew it was the way I wanted to spend my Saturday.  Due to limited spaces in their facilities, they have had to convert their boy's locker/shower room into a book storage room.  It was a cramp space that had accumulated a lot of dust, and it also meant some pretty stinky boys after gym.  They finally made room, and that's what we ended up working on.  We cleaned rooms, set up shelves, organized books, and did all sorts of other stuff.  Another group went to a neighboring elementary school and painted because apparently the building needed it.

Besides doing back-breaking work, my favorite part was having lunch.  And no it wasn't because they served as fried chicken, mac-and-cheese, green beans, and chicken bog**.  Although the food they served us was great, lunch was probably my favorite part of the whole experience because I got to hang around some of the high school kids and talk to them.  They had so many questions about what college life is like.  Some had some awful and discouraging experiences and were not so determined about pursuing college anymore, but we talked.  We exchanged e-mail addresses, and I hope to keep in touch.  Maybe be their big sister.  (Okay, big lil sister as they were definitely at least a foot taller than I am.  Being taller than a 4'11 girl isn't too hard to pull off!)

The students made me feel inspired.  They made me feel good about serving their community.  They made my afternoon shower feel great because I knew that all that dust and dirt was work that they were going to benefit from.  There's nothing better than that warm and fuzzy feeling of goodness!

Well, I hope you guys are having a great Saturday.  Be pro-active and serve your community.  A true Gamecock doesn't just have garnet blood flowing through his/her vein...a true Gamecock has a heart of gold!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

**P.S.  It was my first time having chicken bog.  I've never even heard of it before.  Apparently it's a Southern thang!  I'll make a separate post some time to get you non-Southerners up to speed!

Posted by Kriska at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As un-superstitious as I am, I have been withholding blogging about this for fear that I'd be jinxing myself, but the results are in and I can now confidently speak about the process of applying to Pharmacy School because I'M IN!  Y'all are officially reading the blog of a member of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy Class of 2012.

In the past two weeks, I have had two interviews with the College of Pharmacy, and I have been anxiously awaiting to hear from the Dean if I made it or not.  Although my family and friends constantly boosted my confidence by reminding me that my resume is rather scholarly and that I most likely had nothing to worry about, the fact that my application was still in the hands of the admissions office and that no official answer was still given made me really worry.

Actually, if I'm going to tell you the full story of how this whole application process for me was like, it would consist of a lot of me worrying and freaking out.  People said I was crazy and way too pessimistic, but until I heard it straight from the Dean's mouth, I could not be any more concerned about the direction of my future...oh what would I have done had I not gotten in?!? Hehehe!

So...what about the application for pharmacy school?  Let me take you back to several months ago, back to the fall semester...

I had taken the PCAT for the first time in late August and boy, was that experience something!  The only exposure I had to the test was a Kaplan prep book and another PCAT practice book that I had purchased on Amazon.com.  I had intended to really focus and devote a good amount of time to prepare for the exam, but as always with so many things going on, I could only do so much to get cracking on the books.  So, as my boyfriend took me to the good ol' small town of Orangeburg, SC and he aimlessly drove around the pretty bare town, I spent my Saturday morning into the afternoon taking the much dreaded PCAT exam.  I felt so overwhelmed by the material, and I didn't feel all that comfortable about the test.  The next available time to take the exam again, however, was going to fall on my birthday in October and I wasn't really looking forward to spending it by taking another 5-hr exam and cashing in $105 for the exam fee.  I knew my future lied in the hands of that one decision, but I weighed out the pros and cons and just crossed my fingers, hoping for the best score possible.

And so the process continued...

The application was on-line, and I began to fill it out sometime in mid-October.  Fall break was towards the end of October, and again I intended on finishing the application by then.  But as things would have it, the list of things to do kept growing and it just took me some time to get the ball rolling on my application.  I did manage to get my recommendation forms out to my references some time around early November.  The application required three references, and I really tried to choose wisely of the people who I felt knew me not only in the academic field but also with my extracurricular and work experiences and personal background.  I chose one of my mentors from the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs.  I felt that she knew me well not only as a Carolina Scholar but also as an Honors student as I have spent countless hours in her office seeking her advice for the many options available here in Carolina.  The second person I chose is my "boss" for this blogging job who is an assistant director in the Undergraduate Admissions office.  Not only has she followed my blogging and knows about the kind of things I've gotten into here these past couple of years, but she was actually also one of the people who read my Honors and Scholarships application when I was applying to come here, so she really has gotten to know me from the very start of my career here in Carolina.  The third person I chose is my pharmacy supervisor that I worked with during my summer work experience in CVS back home.  I felt that she would give a good perspective of my work ethics as well as my background in pharmacy that I picked up from working with her.

Eventually, I got my application finished and sent it in some time early December.  From then on, it was just a waiting game until the school finally called me for my interview.  I was a lil bit of a worry wart about this process because many of my pre-pharmacy friends were getting interview appointments set and I hadn't even gotten my phone call yet.  It was probably 3 weeks later until I finally heard from them.

My first interview was very casual.  My interviewer is one of the professors of the college whose main expertise is in clinical pharmacy.  He was very nice and very reassuring about my application.  He also shared with me great insight about other programs beyond the Pharm.D.  A week after that interview was my second one with one of the deans of the college.  This interview was a bit more formal than the first, but nevertheless, it went smoothly.  The interviews were not so dreadful and scary as most students probably anticipate and get all worked up about.  They were very pleasant, and truly they just wanted to get to know you far beyond what your answers on a piece of paper may look like.

And so now we are back to here.  Several months after my first and only PCAT.  A couple of months after my application was sent in.  And a week after my second interview.  I am going to be officially a Pharmacy student.  Well, I'll be officially one provided I finish the rest of the two courses I need for my prerequisites, send in the acceptance packet, and pay my $300 fees.  I am really excited!

So...now that I have gone through this experience, any of you who may be considering Pharmacy school can ask me questions, and I can share with you even further how my experience has been like so far.  I may be no expert, but I can definitely share with you guys what wealth of knowledge I may have!  Hehe!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 08:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yes, guys, y'all read it right.  It's election time and the ballots are waiting to be cast.  I know it's not yet November, nor have the candidates for either parties been officially chosen (although some may probably disagree), but I'm not lying.  It is election time.

For the past two weeks, Student Government candidates have been campaigning all over campus.  From promises of off-campus use of the Carolina Card to paying parking ticket fines on-line, from textbook vouchers to lowering of textbook prices, from better wireless technology to cheaper and healthier meal plan options...the platforms of our very diverse and much qualified candidates touch on many different topics that are major concerns of our student body.  The past week has been the hard push for most of the candidates.  They've had debates at the Russell House.  They've made speeches at many organizational meetings and even in some classes when professors would permit it.  Campaign materials are not limited to your high school homemade posters as our candidates go for the big bite and have professional banners, posters, and flyers all over campus, as well as T-shirts, stickers, pens, and many other freebies.

In high school, most students don't care to run for student government even if they want to make a difference in their schools because they feel that the student elections are just popularity contests.  It's better to just join an honor society, a booster club, or some volunteer organization, if you truly wanted to make a difference.   But this campaign season is no joke.  Every single candidate means serious business.  This is definitely the big boys and the big girls going for the big one.

For these candidates, campaigning is an experience to gain much knowledge from even if they do not win the office.  Like I said, they mean serious business.  Just like Obama and Clinton and all other presidential candidates, they have written letters, talked to businesses, and solicited money for their campaign.  (Freebies and posters don't come cheap!)  Their debates are well-organized and mediated much like the debates we've been seeing on CNN.  Running for Student Government is kind of like a preparation for those who may see themselves going in to law school or politics or some kind of social reform program.

Have you ever been a part of your school's student government?  Have you ever wanted to see some things happen in your school?  Have you ever felt the urge to make a difference? 

Maybe now is the time for change...Hope you guys are making a difference!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So as y'all may have already guessed from reading several of my past entries, I just love volunteering.  Whether it be working with some kids or the elderly, raking leaves in the yard or scrubbing down kitchens, whatever the tasks may be, volunteering is something I truly enjoy!  Being a part of the executive board of Carolina Service Council has really helped me to be connected with many different opportunities that USC students can participate in.

The Gamecock Connection's recent main article features what they believe are "Five Reasons to Give Back."  Here is what their list looks like:

Get Addicted to Giving: "engaging in good deeds can affect our sense of well-being."

Take Baby Steps: "recognize the importance of even small civic actions. If you're shy or unsure where you could best contribute, first consider on-campus sources."

Think Global, Act Local: "This 1970s phrase, coined by Hazel Henderson, still holds true."

Consider Off-Campus Projects: for when "the academic year is over or college is on break...support your "habit" and gain practical and beneficial knowledge"

What's In It for You?: "...you can benefit, personally, from donating your time to a cause. Volunteer work, social activism and service activities always offer valuable and practical hands-on experiences."

To read more about this article, register on the Gamecock Connection at www.gamecockconnection.org  Here is the direct link to the article once you've registered to the network: http://www.gamecockconnection.org/article/10757

So, what are MY reasons for volunteering?

Meeting new people: From volunteering in senior residence homes to afterschool centers, from food banks to home building sites, from cultural centers to even animal shelters...there are so many things to do and so many people of all walks of life to meet when you choose to volunteers.  It's a great way to make new friends, find passions to share, and have a great time.

Expanding horizons:  Every experience is a learning one, and with meeting new people and doing many different tasks, the number of things to learn are endless.  Like in the Gamecock Connection article, "practical and beneficial knowledge" can be learned from volunteering.

Being a good role model:  Mother Teresa, Michael Jordan, Gandhi, and Peyton Manning may have very little in common but I know of one for sure.  Whether it is because of their good nature or their athleticism, they are all role models to thousands, perhaps even millions, of people.  Every person has an idol that they look up to, why not be that person to others?   

Oh, and that bubbly feeling inside:  Oh, the goodness!  There's no better type of feeling good than the kind you feel when you've served others.  Many are skeptical about people doing good just for the sake of doing good and that many have ulterior motives, but don't be such pessimists!  Altruism does exist!

There are many great reasons to volunteer.  The benefits for those you serve, as also the benefits for yourself, are endless!  Consider serving your community if you haven't already.

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, every once in a while Gamecock Connection sends an e-mail out to most students registered  to the network.  What is Gamecock Connection you ask?  Well it is exactly what the name stands for...a means for connecting all of us Gamecocks!

It's one of those networking sites, much like the MySpace and Facebook crazes, but this one is tailored to the best of the bests...the Gamecocks!  You can create your profile and get connected with several other proud Carolinians.  There are discussion boards to talk about anything and everything--from the Democratic Primary to your favorite top 5 bands, from winter break plans to tips on exercising, pretty much whatever floats your boat.  There is also a features page where you can find articles, videos, and other resources for many topics that college students are concerned about.  Whether it be about your concerns of exams or paying your bills, or concerns about politics and privacy, or even concerns about health and lifestyle, there are lots of things to browse through on this link.  There is also a place to find out what people are into--the favorites page.  You get to see what  things you may have in common with others and post those on your profile.  And many more.  These are just a few of the many things from that are available on the network.

I have created a profile myself and have gotten started.  If y'all want to get into this, y'all should visit www.gamecockconnection.org and get registered!  Y'all can look for my profile and add me as a friend.  My profile name is krissyka.

I write about the Gamecock Connection because I think it's such an innovative move on the part of Student Life Offices here at USC.  They are making every effort to bring such a huge university feel like a truly small and personal college experience.  There's no need to feel lost in Carolina because there are so many ways to get connected.  There are so many ways to get involved.  There are so many ways to be a part of a great community.

Well, I hope y'all check out the site.  I'd love to see you guys on there.  Just register and add me as a friend and introduce yourself to me!  I'd love to put a face to my readers!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

P.S.  Stay connected!

Posted by Kriska at 01:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, in Mr. Black's recent blog on "The Voice of Mister Ed," he posted about the Capstone Scholarship Program.  I have heard of the many great things that that program has done for many students--financial help for tuition, great housing, study abroad programs, and many other perks.  (Click here for Mister Ed's Capstone spiel!)  Being a scholar is a really great thing, and I'm sure y'all are trying to dip your feet in all of these programs as well.

Here is my student's perspective of some of the perks of being a Carolina Scholar...

Perk #1:  THE GREAT FINANCIAL HELP!

Coming from a family of four kids who have only been living here in the US for about 8.5 years, making the "American Dream" come true is not the easiest adventure.  I feel like I have worked hard to ensure that I keep making the grades, and it's really paid off because being a Carolina Scholar has taken a great big burden off of my shoulder (and my parents' too!).

Perk #2:  THE GREAT MENTORS!

Carolina is like a home away from home for me.  With great people like Jan, Novella, Margaret, Ali, and Jennifer in the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs, you are in really great hands.  I don't know how many stressful times I've been through here, and I've always been able to run to the office and talk (whine and complain) to Jan.  Just like the great mother she is to her own daughter, she gives me great motherly and scholarly advice and the physical hug that I really miss from my own mom.  They also push me and other scholars to always go to the next level, like compete for national scholarships, go into research, or study abroad.

Perk #3:  THE GREAT FRIENDS!

I have met so many people that are from all over the Carolinas, as well as from all over the US with the McNairs, and I have made some great friends through the program.  Everyone is really nice and friendly, and cheesy as it sounds, we are one big family.  We even like to take cheesy group pictures together!

Perk #4:  THE GREAT EVENTS!

From welcome receptions to dinner banquets, from monthly meetings to monthly scholary lectures, from cultural programs to a tailgate with the University's President...the list goes on.  There is no better way to mingle with other scholars than mingling outside of the classroom setting.  Even if we are scholars, we still like to have fun together and take a break away from the studying.  Oh, and the food is always fantastic (and free!)

So, there you go!  Those are my four greats of being a Carolina Scholar.  If you want to know more about the program, just holler at me guys!  You can also visit the program's page for prospective scholars, just click here!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fast-forward through all of the application/selection/acceptance process of seeking your college of choice, what concerns do you still have?  I started thinking about the kinds of things I started to consider once I made my choice that I would attend Carolina.  I was finally stress-free about college choices since I knew exactly where I wanted to be, but I knew that the planning game wasn't over yet...It only had begun!

One of the things I knew I had to think about was what I would like to do as far as my college living was concerned.  For most colleges, living on campus is not only highly encouraged but even mandatory for incoming freshmen.  This serves many purposes, and I think it is a very great idea for you "newbies" on the block.

Here are my top three reasons as to why living on campus is good:

Good Reason #1:  INTERACTION IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE

With so many clubs, organizations, and events happening right on campus, everyone's bound to find something to cater to their needs, hobbies, and interests.  Meetings and events can take place in the afternoon or at night and just being already on campus makes it much easier to make those commitments and opportunities.  With gas and parking to worry about, it's such a hassle to get to drive to campus.  Also, you might find yourself having all of your classes in the morning.  You'll most likely want to go back to your apartment off campus, and between homework and studying you might find very little motivation to drive back to make your gatherings.  Being on campus makes getting involved a very easy thing to do!

Good Reason #2:  STUDY BUDDIES AROUND THE CORNER

When you're living in the same building with most people taking about the same classes as you are, it makes for an easy way of networking with classmates for study periods and such.  When you start taking intro classes that are ranging in the size of 60-300 students, it's hard to meet people when you want to just focus in class.  If you can live with them, you can easily get to know them out of the classroom setting and get in good connections for great study partners, especially when those mid-terms and finals roll along.  They're also good for those late night on-line homeworks with deadlines at midnight.  I remember freaking out about some Physics CAPA HW.  Thank God I was able to run down the hall for some good help!

Good Reason #3: CLASS ATTENDANCE

So, it's Monday morning and you've got an 8AM class.  You just had the most amazing weekend with your friends, and you are dead tired.  You know how important classes are, but the hassle of getting up out of your bed, getting ready, and then driving down to fight the morning traffic of Columbia only to find that you have to park 4-5 blocks away from your class's building where your classroom is on the 7th floor...it just doesn't seem worth it to get to class.  Well, when you're living on campus, you don't have to worry about those things.  You might still have to battle the Monday morning laziness, but the extent of getting to class is not as much of a hassle than if you were living off campus.  Actually, for some of my first morning classes, I have managed to wake up, get ready, and walk to my classroom all in 15 minutes.  Everything has to be done in lightning speed motion, but I get there...I do get there.  Being on campus helps you get to your classes, which is a very vital part of your success in college!

There are many other great perks to living on campus; these are just my top faves.  If you guys have any questions or concern about living on campus, just let me know and leave me a comment!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, I was reading my fellow bloggers' most recent entries, and I happened upon the Director of Admissions, Scott Verzyl's recent entry about scholarship time drawing closer.  (To see what he has to say about the timeline of scholarship evaluations, click here!)

Scott's advice was to be patient, especially for those who applied for the Carolina Scholars Award, and I would definitely suggest the same for y'all.  We all know how anxious y'all are probably feeling right now as you await for your letters from all the different schools and scholarships to which you've all applied.  It's a hard thing to play this waiting game, but I'm sure that with your brilliant, diverse, and scholarly applications, y'all are bound to get great offers!

So, what happens when the waiting game is over, and that FedEx truck comes rolling down your street and the nice man in brown hands you that crisp FedEx envelope?  What do you do after you've jumped up and down over great excitement and have called all of your family and friends, even distant Uncle Bob?  What do you do to prepare for that fateful day of "THE INTERVIEWS?!?"

Dun, dun, dun...After all of the excitement, it begins to dawn on you that you have to get prepared for interviews that determine what scholarship you'll get.  BUT DON'T FEAR!  In addition to being patient, I'd love to add a couple more of advice for you prospective scholars. 

1) Think these thoughts:  "Dress to impress" and "Look the part"

This is probably not the most important thing on the list of things to start thinking about (I'll tell you later what is), but preparing that suit is definitely a key part of interviews.  You want to make sure that you make a really good first impression.  Not that the interviewers are close-minded and would not give you the time of day simply based on looks, but if YOU want to set the tone of YOUR interview, then you should definitely look the part!  Oh, and don't worry about pricey suits.  Ladies and gents, a good suit doesn't have to come up with a pricey tag.  Visit your local Kohl's, Belks, or Dillards stores, and you're bound to find a fitting suit for a fitting great scholar!

2) Know what YOU want!

When the interviewers asks you a question, just answer the way YOU want to answer.  No need to start thinking right now about what "they want to hear."  (Besides, who knows exactly what they want to hear!)  You applied to that school because it's what you wanted, and they picked you for their interview because they saw that in your application!  Also, in addition to knowing what you want, if you have questions about the university and their programs, you should ask those questions.  Actually, in my interview, they asked me if I had any questions about the S.C. Honors Program and the Carolina Scholarship.  I think my interviewers had a great idea about me, and I left knowing more about Carolina, too.  The interview is as much about what they want to know about you as it is about what you want to know about them!

3)  And last but most definitely not least...the most important of all: BE YOURSELF!

There is no need to worry about faking yourself or about pretending to be someone that you're not.  Like I said, you already got the interview.  There must have been at least one thing on your application that the admissions people already fell in love with, so you shouldn't worry too much about being anything but yourself!  In addition to being yourself, enjoy the moment!  There are so many incentives about going through an interview, and the experience itself is something to gain.

I wish all of you seniors the best of luck as y'all make your final choices for your college career.  Honestly, you've all already taken the right step to success by choosing to go for a degree!  If y'all have any other questions about the college application/interview process, let me know.  I'd be glad to share what I know and what my experience was like!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As y'all probably guessed from my last entry, I was a very happy person Sunday night.  All Giants fans, can I hear a "Yoo-hoo!!!"?  All I could think of in those last 2 minutes and some-30 odd seconds was I really hoped that my Eli could get a really good drive down the field and not lose the ball.  It wasn't much time, but I knew it was long enough for my favorite team to get the edge on the Patriots...and boy did they get it! 

So, with all the football talk going around from Super Bowl Sunday recaps, I got to thinking how school is much like a football season.  Let me give you guys a sample play-by-play...

It's been three weeks into the semester.  The notes are in the books.  Lecture time is over, and the professors have called you into the field...errr...I mean, they've called you in for the test.  It's exam time, GAME TIME!

Being a student is just like being an athlete, except it's more on the mental side of things as supposed to a physical one.  Class lectures are like meetings to go over the playbook and the game plan.  Classwork and homework is like practice--on the field with the rest of the team or a personal workout at the gym.  Quizzes are like scrimmages, while the tests and exams are your big season games.  And, of course, who can forget the big Super Bowl event of academia...YOUR FINALS?!?

College and NFL football seasons may be over, but the academic field turf is only beginning its call.   Like I said, being three weeks into the semester, professors are expecting a lot of their students with exams pretty much creeping on by.  It's just like practicing on the field those first couple of weeks into the season.  Before you know it,  your team's first game is right around the corner, and you better be ready!  Athletes pack their gym bags with their cleats, uniform, and helmet, while I pack my bookbag with my calculator, eraser, and definitely several #2 pencils!  (You can never have too many #2 pencils or extra lead.  Like I said, BE PREPARED!  The last thing you want is to have to get up and sharpen your pencil and disrupt the entire class! Oh, those horrible stares and glares!!!)

Now, y'all may not be as excited about tests, exams, and finals as you would be for those football games, but as a student you should always try to keep an optimistic and enthusiastic approach when these things make their way thru the calendar.  There's nothing worse than feeling completely bummed and discouraged about an exam.  I'm not saying that I cheer for when exam times come as I do with Gamecock and Giants football games, but I don't try to get too bogged down about them.  So, anyways, now that I've used up a good amount of time giving you my little blurb about classes and such...I should head out and get my studying on.  It's GAME TIME, baby!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 09:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, I've been thinking about something clever to write about, since it seems like it's been several days now since I've last blogged.  I figured I could write about how my classes were going, but nothing too exciting going on there for right now so I'll skip that one.  I thought I could write about the movie my friends and I watched last night at the Russell House--30 Days of Night, but I don't really have much to say about a vampire movie.  And well, after much more thought, I have decided to just write about what y'all are probably going to care about today...

SUPER BOWL XLII!!!

Super Bowl Sunday is yet upon us, and so let's bring on the chips and dips, wings and pizza, and the good ol' couch for a great game and a ton of awesome commercials.  Oh, the classic American tradition!

We've heard it a thousand times over on every single ESPN channel: "both teams are about to make history."  With the Patriots seeking a perfect season all the way to the Super Bowl, they could possibly be the second team in American football history to complete such a feat.  With the Giants trying to prove that they're in it to win it, quaterback Eli Manning could get the most coveted Super Bowl ring and have the Manning name be back-to-back year winners.  Either way, it's going to be an amazing time for Brady, Manning, and of course their respective teams.

Personally, I am tired of hearing about the "perfect season," and I am really in love with Eli Manning.  So, I will most definitely be cheering for the Giants, no doubt!  Some friends of mine will be with me on this, while a couple are going for the team supported by the stats.  Even if the odds are against my team, I DO BELIEVE in ELI!  Hehehe! 

I have been looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday, and with all the hype over the past two weeks, I just cannot wait to see the two teams out there in Arizona.  Who wants it more?  I guess we'll soon see!

Hope y'all have a great Super Bowl Sunday, and catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 03:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)