Looking at colleges can be a difficult, challenging, and exciting process. You may have parents suggesting possible options, a high school guidance counselor advising you on fit, or your own opinions regarding the qualities that your ideal college should hold.

Southwestern’s academic atmosphere, dorm and social life and extracurricular activities can best be explained by those of us who live here. To allow you to see the many possibilities that attending Southwestern can bring, we want these journal entries to reflect what Southwestern is through our eyes. Each of us posting journals has a unique view of the school – we are from different cities, each involved in different activities, live in different residence halls and have different majors.

Facts and figures alone can’t explain what it’s like to walk around campus on a sunny day, play on one of Southwestern’s athletic teams or make your first ‘A’ in a college course. These are our lives; hopefully they will help you decide how you want to live yours.

Southwestern University, as you probably already know, has pretty high academic standards; most every student here is committed to their education with a genuine desire to be the best at what they do and study. AES courses are designed to help you transition from a non-academic or less rigorous academic life to the sometimes intense learning expectations here.

I don’t mean to make it sound like SU’s all work, but it’s certainly not all fun and games—this is why AES is your first class! You’ll probably given something to read before your first class, and have to write an essay about that reading. Now, the first essay serves two purposes: to give your professor and idea of the sort of writing you’re used to doing, and to make sure you’re ready to jump into a discussion right away.

A lot of the AES time and many of your other classes are going to be discussion-based; professors expect you to know the material well enough to ask questions and present the themes and theories presented in your readings. This is why AES works so often in groups—you get to read and edit other students’ papers, and they’ll read yours. The feedback, both from professors and peers is great because you get a feel for what your strengths are and see examples of where you may want to work harder.

Another big part of AES is the people who will come to visit and the places your class will visit. Generally, the visitors are coming to provide you with opportunities to learn more about campus resources without having to go to their offices. You’ll learn about Career Services and Civic Engagement, and have a chance to ask questions on the spot.

Visiting the library, though, was the best part of AES for me; it’s one of the better libraries that I’ve been in, especially for a university the size of Southwestern. The tour includes a class on researching, which is way more interesting than it sounds, but you’ll get to go through Special Collections. They have illuminated manuscripts and issues of Vogue from its beginnings, which you can browse any time it’s open—a great way to get away from all the class assignments for a while!

So, next time I’ll discuss something a little more interesting than classes: student organizations. There’s a group for every interest here, and if you can’t find one, you can make it! That’s what I did, and I’ll go into more details about that process, joining, and getting in the Greeks in the next update. If you’re thinking that Southwestern might be the university for you already, I’m sure knowing more about all the really fun (and not study-related) stuff will be the motivation you need to apply!

London was a whirlwind.

London bridge! There’s a fun fact about the bridge being raised and good luck. Unless that was some other bridge.

I wonder how much this guy hates his job. Scale of 1 to 10.

Westminster Abbey is very lovely. We went for even song, and it was so relaxing!

SNOW! But I think that’s actually just rain on my lens. But it looks like snow!

I got to see Thandie Newton in a play called “Death and the Maiden!” And, in case you were wondering, I am, in fact, a criminal. This picture was illegally taken and I apologize. Sort of.

Our best friend from Couchsurfing came to visit us all the way from Amsterdam! He brought us lots of goodies even though it was his birthday. So caring

He doesn’t really like to smile with his teeth. Although I’m sure he loves when I stick my fingers in his mouth.

Happy Holidays from Lauren and Beeza.

Fosdal took us to see a mosque. That was the day I learned how heavy his briefcase is. Don’t be fooled, ladies and gentlemen. It weighs like, 26 lbs.

We finally made it to the Tower of London.

This is where Anne Boleyn had her head chopped off! This very pillow.

Oh, hi, we’re from America.

I want to have 14 of Dale Chihuly’s babies. Dale, if you’re out there…that was a hyperbole. Maybe 1.

We finagled our way into a VIP Mastercard party and found some friends, one of whom’s bow-tie was the size of my face!

Classiest ladies in London, right here.

We got to meet Beeza’s brother’s band mate’s friends named Rowan. Hi Rowan! Also, she makes very cool art.

A proper British football match. Crystal Palace vs. Millwall. Very intense.

Their cheerleaders were…phenomenal.

I’m going to miss this class a lot.

Holy cow. Billy Elliot is so impressive.

Oh, just ice skating in Hyde Park. nbd.

Blood Orange and Das Racist! This was an awesome concert hidden in a secret, unmarked location, which took an hour to find. YAY!

Happy 21st birthday to Beez-kneez!

Turns out the expensive seats on the sides of the theatre are not so great after all.

We held out on the London Eye until after the Christmas (and Hanukkah and Rohatsu and Kwanzaa , etc.) lights were up!

Funny little capsules.

A proper “high tea.”

Allllll done, London. It’s been real.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to afford to stay here when I come visit you again, London.

Finals time definitely provides a sense of community for all college students.  We study together, we work together, and most importantly, we complain together. But after two weeks of cramming and crunching, its over and we are rewarded with a month-long Christmas break that is the epitome of lazy.

This is my seventh round of finals and I would like to think that I have gotten pretty good at it.  But that maybe a lie.  Each year I feel as stressed as ever, but the good thing that seven finals week has shown me is that we can ALL make it through and we can ALL pass.  This year I have four papers and three finals within a ten day period, and for the most part, I am dreading every single one of them.  Except for one paper.

For my Global Environmental Justice class, we all had to work on a civic engagement project related to the environment for the entire semester.  We each got to pick what we wanted to work and then present it to the class and write a reflections paper on it.  This may be one of my favorite projects I have done here at SU and was probably the most insightful.  It is also a great example of how SU professors are constantly thinking outside of the box to challenge students and get them involved in their coursework.  For the semester, I chose to work on pit bull rescue projects in both Austin and Georgetown.  At first I did it because I love dogs and I thought volunteering at an animal shelter would make the hours go by fast, but I focused on pit bulls after I realized how many shelter dogs are listed as pit bulls and never adopted.

Every couple of weeks I would go to the Georgetown Animal Shelter and Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and talk with adoption consultants about the pit bulls in the shelter.  I also went to the Texas-Sized Pittie Parade in Austin in November.  This annual festival brings together pit bull owners and pit bull rescue groups in order to spread awareness about these awesome dogs.  If I did not already have a puppy, chances are very good I would have taken four home.

So as I go through the next couple of weeks slaving over tests and papers, I know that I am excited to write at least one of them!

Only two weeks left. Where did my semester go? But seriously, it’s almost finals and I have no clue where all of my time went. Not that I’m complaining that it’s almost Christmas break. Instead of writing about the daunting two weeks ahead, why don’t we rewind and talk about the past few weeks, instead?

I just wrapped up my Thanksgiving break, which was wonderful, but before that, I did musical direction for our main stage production of 1940s Radio Hour. It was my first time providing direction for a mainstage show in college, but I had been doing musical direction since I was a junior in high school. Unfortunately, this was my first time working with a full band. Let me preface this by saying I had never taken a conducting class in my life. Fortunately, my friend Katie met with me to go over some basics, but that was it. Needless to say, I was terrified, and it didn’t help that our trumpet player, Bud, had played in the Lawrence Welk show and our clarinetist, Pete, had played in the pit of both Fiddler on the Roof and Man of La Mancha.  Our first rehearsal was, to be honest, a little rough. I didn’t quite ever manage to shake off my nerves, but, the band did their best to follow my shaky conducting.

Fast forward to the sing-through with the cast. Miraculously, between Tuesday and Friday, things had come together. The sing-through was beyond smooth and during one of our breaks, Pete congratulated me on how well he thought I was doing. I about wet myself.

Although, like any live art experience, there were always some hitches, the process succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. The band rocked and encouraged me through every step of the short journey. And, of course, the cast blew me away nightly.

After that whirlwind wrapped up (sorry for mixing my metaphors), I celebrated a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday with my family. Since this is getting a little lengthy, I’ll go ahead and close off so I can get some rest before my early EARLY flight back to Austin tomorrow morning. Adios!

Our hostel: the second most wonderful place on Earth! After Disney World, of course.

And so our final excursion begins.

The greenest place around.

These people were intriguing.

A toddler took this photo. Hence the unflattering angle.

Hobos in Ireland dress like leprechauns. Not a bad move.

This is The Temple Bar in Temple Bar. Tricky, I know.

It tastes like coffee!

I like cobblestones.

I spelled “Guinness” like such a n00b. Sorry.

Here are some windows.

A pub near our hostel.

Another hobo leprechaun.

Vanilla hot chocolate at this cafe that specialized in varieties of hot cocoa. New life plan? I think so…

All gone.

This is so much fun.

I’m going to miss pubs back in the states.

My calves are looking very muscular from all these stairs.

Slanty building and slanty stick thing.

Pretty money! Of which I have none.

Carlie!!!

Fun story about a flag that is not entirely visible in this picture. It was not supposed to be up there because of very intense conflict between Loyalists and Protestants. But someone sneak-attacked and placed it on top of City Hall!

<>Belfast is apparently known for its world-class linens. Who knew?

Oh, look! Another pub!

Men with furry hats!

This is the Peace Wall. Despite the fact that it divides these two opposing groups, it is somehow representative of their coming together. I don’t know. Not my idea.

BANKSY IS MY FAVORITE HUMAN IN ALL OF EXISTENCE!

Viva la paz. That’s what I’m saying.

Cheers, friends

“Waterfall” by Gorky at the Tate Modern. One of my favorites of the day.

A projected work by Tacita Dean. I can’t post a picture of every painting, but I also got to see “Waterlilies” and “Nude Woman in a Red Armchair.” SO COOL!

Pooh’s Blustery Day!

I don’t remember where this was or what it is, exactly. But I like it.

There is a lot of delicious food at Portobello Market.

Okay, I can explain this. Basically…we were wandering around late at night and I saw this adorable woman through her window and I decided to take pictures. I hope this isn’t incriminating.

Beeza, Greg, and I ventured out to a new pub on my birthday and it seemed like a good idea to blow out the candle on our table and make a wish. Unfortunately, I forgot the whole “make a wish” part and then it was just dark.

Oh, hello, London Autumn. I like you.

Smoked salmon, cream cheese, and avocado bagels. Note to self: add this to Pinterest.

Hand in the Flower–a pub next to our house. No, I don’t understand the name either.

Fosdal took us on a trip to the Imperial War Museum and I saw one of the most moving Holocaust exhibits ever.

Truth. This is a piece of the Berlin Wall.

These kids were on a field trip to the museum as well. Their teacher asked them what three items they would bring if they were being taken to a concentration camp. Answers included: ipod, laptop, cellphone, and…Finding Nemo?

Nothing smells quite like fallen leaves.

Light posts just seem so British to me!

My birthday present: the spa!

Happiness.

This photograph reminds me of “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper.

Fortnum and Mason: this store has existed for more than 300 years!

One of my Comm. classes took a trip to the Freud Museum. There was a series of clock paintings.

Baubles. I suppose they weren’t all baubles. I’m just a fan of the word. Baubles.

Going out to Enoteca for my birthday dinner! Thank you to all of my wonderful friends

I bought “House at Pooh Corner” by British author, A. A. Milne, and the book is 60 years old. That’s even older than my parents! 0:)

I found this babydoll on the ground! I guess some people think I’m unsanitary…?

Harrod’s. They sure do go big.

These dresses have been to the Oscar’s.

Oh, just a crystal ball on a stick next to a crystal mirror.

More fun baubles at Harrod’s…

A few interesting works of art, aaaaand a few trite works of art. I’d have to classify this little gem as the latter.

These are shoes. And people wear them.

The chandelier room.

Me and my pals.

There was a point in time where I would have traded my soul for this dollhouse.

And what’s not to love about this remote-controlled, floating Nemo?

I would have definitely bought this puppy if I could easily get him back to the states and if he weren’t 3,000 pounds. True statement.

HALLOWEEN! Chola, sheriff, feral cat. Best friends.

The morning.

A breakfast place we discovered!

You tell ‘em!

This night was just…absurd. We went to the Ministry of Sound (one of Europe’s largest clubs). Amazing.

A pretty view on the way to Sir John Soane’s Museum.

Christmas Crackers in London! I can already smell the peppermint and hear the jingle bells.

This past weekend, Southwestern had its annual homecoming celebration.  Even though there is no football game during the course of the weekend (at least not until 2013!), students and alumni still have a blast in a very unique Southwestern way.

Homecoming thrives off of friendly rivalry and competition between the student organizations on campus.  This year, organizations competed for the very first Homecoming Cup by playing Capture the Flag, participating in the annual Homecoming Parade, and by making fools of themselves in SU’s annual talent show, “SING!”  Winners of each competition were given cash prizes and the chance to win the big shiny homecoming cup.

Check out these pictures of events from the weekend!  Tri Delta took home the very first homecoming cup after we placed first at SING!  Over 10 student organizations competed in SING! and it was a huge success.  The theme of this year was “Southwestern on the Silver Screen,” and you better believe that people fully embraced the chance to dance around in their underwear on stage, “Risky Business” style.  Stay tuned for a link to the SING! video of the entire performance.

Although the competition and games that we all play during Homecoming are exciting, the best part is getting to meet up with friends that recently graduated and meet those people that graduated not so recently.  I met a couple of women from the class of 1962 and listened to their stories about SU.  Times have certainly changed since then but they still love the SU campus and all of the students on it.  Students from the class of 1986 tossed back a few beers with seniors in the Alumni Hospitality Tent and even came and danced until 2:00 in the morning with students at the fraternity houses!

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend!  It is very strange to think that this will be the last time I will go through homecoming as a student, but I can’t wait to experience it as an alumna.  At least it will be nice not to have to worry about doing homework after a weekend like this.

President Barcus strolls with students through all of the floats at the Homecoming Parade. Yes, he is creepy, but he is a Southwestern legend.