I May Be Too Excited for School - Binder Organization & Note System

So I love school. I love learning. I love organization. There is only 91 days until the new semester so I have already started preparing.

Last year I tried a folder system with loose leaf paper for notes. I loved this system. However, it wasn't practical having to search for all the folders I needed for the day. This year I have decided on the two binder system. This means I will have one binder for M/W classes and one binder for T/R classes (R means Thursday at my university.) This could be modified if you have weekend classes or MTW classes, or anything like that. This especially works for me because I have the same amount of classes in both binders.

"But Kennedy... How are you going to organize all of your classes in two binders???"

That's a good question. I have a fairly good idea that I will share after some trial and error. Yes, I do experimentation on my school note/class organization systems. 

I do know that I will have a folder full of loose leaf blank lined paper permanently in my backpack. That is where I will get my paper for notes. The notes will then go into the designated binder to the designated class behind the designated tab. I'm quite excited.

"But... Kennedy... What is the point of this post then???"

That is also a good question. I just want to show off the covers of my class dividers and the cover of my Sigma Kappa binder. Enjoy! Let me know if you want the sites to get similar stuff! The site I used has both Lilly and Vera patterns.

This will go 2nd in my T/R binder. 

This will go 3rd in my T/R binder. This is only a Tuesday class though. So happy it is also last in the binder. I just feel like that worked out perfectly.

This will go 1st in my M/W binder. I chose this pattern because I am hopeful that it will be inspirational.

This will go 1st in my T/R binder. I love classic Lilly. 

This will go 2nd in my M/W binder. 

This will go 3rd in my M/W binder. This is only a Monday class though so I'm really happy that it worked out to be last. 

Obviously this is my Sig Kap binder cover. This is its own binder. I am going to use it to keep updated calendars, notes, handouts, etc. I didn't like my system for SK last year. It was so unorganized and I lost dates and everything. I'm so ready for year two.

I hope you enjoyed! If you have any tips, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to comment!! <3

Going Greek - Sigma Kappa Style

In the summer of 2014 I decided to go Greek. I had seen all the beneficial things Logan and many of my friends from Northern Michigan received and I wanted in. Another big reason I wanted to join Greek life was because I was transferring to a school that no one I knew at the time! I wanted to become a part of something and make friends that would last a life time. Therefore: Greek Life.

So I go to EMU, I am registered for sorority recruitment, and I had gotten my supa fly roomie to sign up as well. We are in different Rho Chi groups which is cool. I also learned I want to be a Rho Chi at some point. We go through recruitment and meet up at the end of the day to talk about each experience we had. Emily ended up getting pref'd by ΑΣΤ and ΑΓΔ. I was pref'd by ΣΚ and ΣΣΣ. I felt a very strong tie to both sororities, but one was just a little stronger. I ended up putting Sigma Kappa as my number one and I ran home to them.

Bid day was great! Shortly after bid day was homecoming. This was a very important event. This is where I met my future male big, but at this point I did not know male bigs were a thing and was not scouting for one. I was just looking for friends. We are paired up with ΑΣΦ and I took this as an opportunity to scope out friends. I love that fraternity so much. So I make friends with future male big and we go get food together a few times and we end up hanging out ALL OF THE TIME and watching American Horror Story together.

So also in the time between bid day and big little match up I messaged nearly everyone on the big little list to truly figure out who I should put on my list. I met a lot of fantastic women. I ended up meeting my big the day before the list was due and she totally dealt with a Kennedy that was not feeling so great and it was so great of her. Even though our family line is tiny, it is mighty.

While I am still trying to find my place in the Greek community, and while it is nothing like NMU's Greek life, I am still enjoying it and I can't wait to become fully acclimated.

Logi and Keni: An Update

Logan decided it was time for a change. After receiving his associates degree in general business at Northern Michigan University, he transferred down to Eastern Michigan to finish a bachelors degree in hotel and restaurant management in Winter of 2015. I know what you're thinking: He went to Eastern to be with you. Well I was afraid of that, too. So I made him make a list of five reasons why he wants to come here other than me. That list included: It is cheaper, closer to home, there is an AΣΦ chapter, different degree, and a better program. While it isn't as strong as I would like, I can deal, because, lets face it, I was so over long distance.

The last few months have been insane. Not only did Logan transfer into EMU, but he transferred into my residence hall... right downstairs. At Northern we lived in the same building, but he was right below me as well. It's weird. So with him being downstairs I stay at his place at least 3 times a week. But usually more than that. He has a single so it's nice. He gave me a drawer to keep clothes in and I have a toothbrush there!

It's still kind of weird to be around him this much. It was definitely a transition at the beginning of the semester, but now it is more of an inseparable type of deal. While the last few months have had ups and downs they have been the best. Now it is the end of the year and we have to separate again. I'm not looking forward to it all.

One crazy thing about Logan being here is that he became best friends with my best friend. Emily and Logan were literally meant to be friends and I don't understand it. While I don't understand it, I do love it.

Summer "Vaca" Indeed

This summer hasn't felt all that eventful. When I take a second to think about it, though, I realize I actually have had a pretty interesting summer.
After working at Rite Aid for a bit, I learned that retail is not, I repeat not, for me. So I did what I knew would make me feel more comfortable for the short amount of time that I will be in Battle Creek: Go back to the day care. Going back has definitely been challenging. I can't believe I only have about five more weeks with my class. I am throwing a goodbye party. I might be back for break though.

I have taken a few trips to EMU. One trip was for an interview with dining services, once to talk to an honors advisor and to sign up for honors classes, and the other was for a tour and to talk to a general ed advisor.

Instead of going to B.93 Birthday Bash, I went up north to see some of my favorite people. Basically Allie, Logan, and myself traveled up to Charlevoix and then Carissa joined us and we went up to some campground in the U.P. I don't remember the camp name, but we got to stay in a cabin and it was awesome. The first night I am pretty sure we just went straight to bed. We got there after 2 AM. So the next morning we got up and Carissa's family was so kind and provided us with breakfast! Then we went on the search for a bugless beach. Guess what. That's impossible. THERE WERE SO MANY BUGS. Oh my gosh. I thought I was drowning in bug. Anyways, we ended up finding a nice little spot to have our picnic. Then we went to a nifty spring where we were surprised by NICOLE! She is so amazing. The spring was beautiful. Then we went downtown and walked around. On the way back to the campground we stopped a few times to take fun pictures and walk to a lighthouse. When we finally got back to the cabin we played poker and watched "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." The most awesome part is that I got Allie, who is on the road to recovery from her third knee surgery, to actually WATCH the show! She is a Khloe lover. The next morning we went fishing! This was my first time and I caught so much! Only one fish I caught was edible. It was so much fun though! Then we headed back down. Shockingly enough, that trip up north was way cheaper than Birthday Bash. And it was more fun.

I see Logan a lot. I don't think we have gone three weekends without seeing each other this summer. This is amazing compared to our usual two months. Oh my gosh. Last time he was here he slept on the floor! I still can't believe it. Ugh. Boys. We have done a few things. We have gone to our first wedding together. We road tripped. He rafted with my family. We sat around all day watching TV/Movies. It has been such a nice alternative to what the usual school year consists of.

I took summer classes! This isn't that big of a deal. I am only taking 7 credits (four of them are physical education classes) but I am really love school and I am so appreciative that I had the chance to take these classes. Statistics is amazing. SERIOUSLY. If anyone has to take a math class at KCC, try to take it with Anderson. He is incredible. He nearly had me convinced I should actually take more math classes. I'm not going to, but he almost got me.

I went on a family "rafting" trip. We just went down the Kalamazoo River. We started in Ceresco (near the post office) and ended in Bridge Park. It was pretty fun. While everyone was relaxing in their tubes, I kayaked. Kayaking was awesome.

<3

Pre Semester Goals

"I want good grades."

"I am going to apply for an internship."

"I am going to get a job on campus."

"I am going to build a connection with my advisor or professor."

"I am going to..."

Anyone can say they are going to do something over a semester, but it takes a special type of person to be able to set a goal and follow through. For most of you, the school year has already begun. If you're like me, you are impatiently awaiting the third of September to rip open that saran wrap on your textbooks and obsessively use your beautiful Lilly planner. Since that is me, I figure it is time to make my goals. Those four statements up above may "look" like goals, but they are really not. I am very particular when it comes to goal setting. You need three parts: a statement of improvement, a process, then an end result. Throughout this blog I am going to show you an example of my process, show you my semester goals, then provide some tips on how to stick with them throughout the semester.

There are two ways to come up with goals; you can either look into your past or your future. So looking into your past means to look at past semesters and see where improvement could have been made. So maybe you didn't study as much as your should have or perhaps you got a D- (god forbid) and need to retake that class. Looking into the future entails thinking about what you want your end result to be. This could be having a good relationship with the professor or passing with an A. For the example, I am going to look into the future. I will start with a very broad, can apply to anyone, type of example. My statement of improvement is that I want to study more. Your statement should be broad, and realistic to complete in one semester (unless you are making academic year goals.) A few examples of statements can clearly be seen at the top of this post.

Step two would be figuring out the process. This can be as detailed as you want it to be. So back to our example. I want to study more. This is when you brainstorm. I have already brainstormed for you. You're welcome. In order to complete this goal I will plan studying time, keep track of how many hours I study a week, have one night (3 hours) that I spend in the library a week, and attend a study group at least once a week. So now that I have my process it doesn't mean that it is set in stone. Say that there isn't a study group in any of the classes and you are not in the position to make one, in that case you can cross that off your list and put more focus on the other process ideas. Do not be afraid to edit! I am serious. Don't.

Step three, the end result. This could be super similar to your statement. This is basically a less broad version. So you want to study more? A great end result would be something like "study thirty hours a week." See how we started with a very broad statement then narrowed it down to what we want to see by the end of the semester? This is how every goal should be. Now that you understand the way to make goals, I can share my personal goals with you.

Goal 1
Statement: Study more.
Process: Schedule study time. Keep track of study hours. Spend at least, but not limited to, three hours in a night at the library once a week. Join any study groups.
End result: Study 30 hours per week by the end of the semester.

Goal 2
Statement: Start a solid GPA foundation.
Process: Go to professor office hours. Keep school work organized. Keep up with goal one. Take advantage of any resources you can.
End result: Have a GPA of 3.8 or higher.

Goal 3
Statement: Get involved on and off campus.
Process: Go through sorority recruitment. Take advantage of any honors opportunities.
End result: Be part of a chapter and end the semester with at least 15 volunteer hours.

So you've made your goals. How do you stick with them? First, print them off and put them in a place that you see every day. Another great way to keep up with your goals is to do a half way check up. I will actually post another blog about a goal check up sometime in October. As long as you keep your goals in sight, you shouldn't forget them.

Happy goal making!

Masters Programs

I don't have a notebook and a pen next to me, so I am going to use my blog as a notebook. I am looking up masters programs that are at least near me. I have decided, for now, that I am interested in higher education/administration programs.

Northwestern University - Evanston, Illinois
MS in Higher Education Administration and Policy
Total costs for program: $53,625

Indiana State University - Terre Haute, Indiana
MS in Student Affairs and Higher Education
Total costs for program: $19,000

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Michigan
MA in Higher Education with a Concentration in Student Access and Success
Total costs for program: Approx. $22,000?

I have kind of had my heart set on U of M for my grad studies for a while now. But, you know me, things change.