Lierin K.

"This is the first day of the rest of your life."

Sometimes, you have these experiences that you know can possibly change your life, and you're terrified and excited at the same time. I felt that way when I got into college, I felt that way when I decided to transfer, I felt that way when I added Criminal Justice as my second major, I felt that way when I met certain people in my life, and I felt that way when I joined Phi Sigma Sigma. And that's how I felt last Saturday, when I took my LSAT.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a lot of things. I wanted to be a teacher, and I'd make my little brother sit at a desk that my dad found at a garage sale, and I'd make tests and have him take them, and I'd grade them. I wanted to be an animal -- any animal would do, but I wanted to be an animal. I wanted to be a doctor, but then I decided I wanted to be a nurse because they were nicer...but then I realized I get sick at the sight of most bodily fluids. I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and didn't understand why people told me I had to have a job -- I thought being a mom could be its own job. I also wanted to be a news anchor at one point...I'm unsure why, but I did.

Since hitting adolescence, I've wanted to be other things. Some of these dreams were serious, others whimsical. There was a period of time where I still wanted to teach high school. Then I wanted to be a cop. I also wanted to be a clinical psychologist (hence my original major in Psychology) and then a forensic psychologist (hence the second major in Criminal Justice). I've also toyed with the idea of being a party planner, because I think it would be fun, and also with being an interior designer (if I had the style). I've also always wanted to write a novel. 

One dream that has been at the back of my mind throughout my entire life was to be a lawyer: specifically a criminal lawyer (prosecution, not defense). I always ignored that desire, though, because that's what people told me to do. I'm stubborn and I wanted to be my own person, not be what other people wanted me to be. But as I've taken more and more CJ courses, I've been more and more tempted to consider that being a lawyer might actually be the career choice that really would make me happy. And when one of the best professors I've ever had pulled me aside after class and told me that he thought I should seriously consider law school, because I have a brilliant analytical mind and he thought I'd be an incredible lawyer, I was floored and I took the time to seriously think about it...and here I am, applying to law school. Throughout my whole life, the dream was trying to get my attention. My family, friends and boyfriends insisted throughout my entire life that I should be a lawyer because I never lose an argument...and that one compliment from someone I admire and someone who is a lawyer and knew me for a few months just made me snap out of it. I was being stubborn in an attempt to be myself and not listen to anyone else, when in reality, being a lawyer is probably the one thing my mind is most suited for and the one thing I would be most effective at. 

So I took a leap, and I took my LSAT. I didn't feel nearly prepared enough, and walking out, I felt relieved that it was over, but so much more stressed...because now I have to wait until October 26th to know how I did. I'm looking at some pretty great schools, because my GPA would get me into them...but my LSAT score and make or break my applications. 

I've already warned my mother to prepare to have a very annoying daughter for the next few weeks, because I'll be calling her nonstop stressing about it. But hey...I took the step. And it's big. Regardless of my score, I'm kind of proud of myself for figuring out that this is what I want to do.

"How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?" - Dr. Seuss

It's taken me a while to get back to my blog, and I'm sorry for that! Senior year has already been full of craziness, and I've been very, very busy! 

 

It's official, senior year has begun. So has senioritis. I'm sure that many of the people reading this are seniors in the process of applying for colleges...so you know exactly what I mean. In some ways, you're so ready to move on. You're so excited for the next part of your life that you kind of want to get the current part over with. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I'm not the traditional 4-year college student. I'm 23, when most incoming seniors are 21 or justttt turning 22. I started college in 2006 at another school, before taking three semesters off (beginning with Spring 2008). Then, when I decided to return to school, I found Sacred Heart. I started here in Fall 2009. So obviously, knowing that I've finally reached my senior year is a great feeling.  At the same time, it's a sad feeling to know that the end is near and all of the things I love about my present life are soon going to be the things I miss. Neither of these feelings are conducive to doing work...all I want to do is enjoy everything, and somehow homework keeps falling by the wayside. I'm currently in the library, about to buckle down and study until my brain melts, but I wanted to make a post on here first about the first parts of my lasttt year as an undergraduate student.

 

I'm actually a part-time student right now. At the end of last year, I realized that I only had 10 courses left to complete my curriculum for both of my majors. So, I could have done two full-time semesters...but I've always taken summer classes, so I arranged it so I can finish the rest of school as a part-time student and be able to focus more time on the things I want to do, instead of homework and classes. So, I took three summer classes, I'm taking three classes right now, one in the winter session, and three in the spring...and then I'm done! This semester has been packed with the other things I care about, like my sorority and other activities on campus. I've also been attempting to prepare for the LSAT (a law school admissions test, for those who don't know) and work on my law school applications. 

 

The past few weeks since school has started has mainly been filled with Greek Life/Phi Sigma Sigma stuff! Last weekend was Panhellenic Recruitment, and each of the sororities spent the weekend getting to know the girls who were interested in becoming Greek women. We all ended up with some fantastic new member classes. I've already begun getting to know my new sisters, and they are all wonderful people. If you're a girl who is reading this, I encourage you to at least check out Greek life at SHU, even if you decide it isn't for you. There are some great women in each sorority, and you have nothing to lose by seeing what each sorority has to offer. The same advice actually goes for the guys out there as well -- check out the fraternities before forming an opinion about Greek life. Being a member of Phi Sig has really made my junior and senior year so much better, and has given me the courage to get involved in a lot of other things on top of just Greek life. 

 

I meant to write a lot more today, but I was sick all week last week and missed my classes, and I just took a look at Blackboard and discovered an assignment that I didn't know about! I'll try to post more often this semester, so that those who are seniors in high school can get an idea of what it's like to be a senior in college four (or in my case, six!) years later :)

 

I'll leave you with a picture of me and my sisters on Phi Sig bid night! Shannon is one of our good friends who just joined Phi Sigma Sigma this semester, and we couldn't be more thrilled :)

(L to R: Rosalie, me, Shannon & Nikki)

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

I chose to start this entry with a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, not only because I have loved the quote since I first heard it, but also because the fulfillment of dreams and goals has been on my mind lately. If you're reading this blog, you are either a curious SHU student wanting to see what other students are saying...or more likely a high school student or a parent of a HS student. If you are searching for a college, or you're already in college...you're lucky because you have the chance to pursue your dreams and you will have the tools to succeed in achieving them. People go to college because someone believes in them, and believes that their potential makes them worth the investment. College is not cheap, especially if you go private, and every student in college is there because someone decided to invest in them: whether it be their parents, a scholarship granting organization, or that student believing enough in himself/herself to take out a loan to pay for their own tuition. And if someone believes in you enough to grant you the amazing opportunity of higher education, you really need to honor them and yourself by taking advantage of all the opportunities you are given and really chase your dreams.

 

As a transfer student, I have a unique ability to compare experiences at a public secular college and a private Catholic college. Both schools I attended have their own unique set of strengths and weaknesses, but what I got out of each has been proportional to what I put in. Ramapo was an excellent school and I loved it there, but because of personal issues, I really wasn't invested in my education or the college experience when I attended school there. Ramapo has strengths where SHU has weaknesses, but SHU has the same amount of strengths where Ramapo has weaknesses. My differing levels of fulfillment have to do with the effort that I put into my experience.

 

At SHU, I have become involved in more than one activity and organization. I've put in effort, holding e-board and e-council positions, and each one has given me something that I didn't have before, proportional to the amount of time and effort I have put in. Academically, I have put more effort into my work and my GPA and the amount of knowledge I gained have been rewards for that. Last semester, I got a 4.0 GPA in the 5 classes I took, and I'm looking to repeat that same success this semester. Sometimes college is difficult because you're torn between putting extra effort into your work, or joining a club and having a leadership position, or going out on a Thursday night with your friends...but if you prioritize you do get rewarded for it. As of this semester, I'm eligible for membership in the national Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma. I will be inducted next month. I'm also on the executive board (as Programming Director aka secretary) of WHRT Radio and executive council (as Philanthropy Committee Co-Chair) of Phi Sigma Sigma. Yes, sometimes I wish that I didn't add extra responsibilities to my plate, or that I could produce B or C quality work and be happy with it and then go out...but at the end of the day, I'm happy with the things I have to show for my work and I do still have a social life and go to parties, bars, etc. I prioritize and fit everything in, and when I really need to go out and relax with my friends, I do. 

 

When you come to college, find a balance. Don't spend every night partying, because that's how you fail out or find yourself not performing as well as you would have liked. If you want to go to graduate school, you need a good GPA in undergrad, and many people who spend too much time socializing and not enough time studying find themselves panicking when they are applying to grad school. But don't spend every night studying, either. Don't study so hard that stress affects your physical or emotional health. Take a break and go out with your friends at least once a week. Join a club that engages you and interests you, and get the added benefit of putting it on your resume. Find a balance, chase your dreams, and honor the people who had enough faith in you to invest in your future.

School? What School?!

With all of this snow, I really don't have much to say about the Spring semester! I only have three classes that meet in person (the other two are online courses), and because of this crazy weather we've been having, I've only been to two of them once, and the other three times. I work at Outpost, and I've only been to work once! Even with basically no class, I still have homework to do, so I've been keeping up with reading and assignments, but other than that, I've been using all this free time to catch up on personal things I need to do and having fun with my friends!

 

 

Some sisters and I surprising Abby at the birthday dinner her suite made for her!

At the Page (aka Capri) with some friends!

 

Abby & myself at our girly Phi Sig sister sleepover!

 

Playing in the snow with Christopher!

Sláinte!

That means "cheers" in Irish! Over break, I spent two weeks in Dingle, Ireland with SHU's Study Abroad in Ireland program. It was a great experience. I've never been out of the country before, and I've wanted to go to Ireland since I was a little kid, so it was a great first place to visit. Ireland is absolutely beautiful. The mountains and beaches are unlike anything I've ever seen before. I took a class, of course, and spent my nights at various pubs...but honestly, there was nothing better, in my opinion, than seeing the amazing sights that Ireland had to offer. 

 

It's nice to be back in the United States, but I have to say that going back to school has been a bit of a buzzkill. Some of my friends are still in Ireland for the semester and I'm pretty jealous! Studying abroad has always been something I was interested in doing and I'm really glad that I got to go. 

 

But now it's back to normal. I'm taking five classes this semester, four of which have to do with my two majors. It looks like it's going to be a good semester and I'm really interested in the classes I'm taking. I ended last semester with a 4.0 because I was really enjoying the classes I was taking, and I'm hoping that will be the case again this semester. But if I want a 4.0, I have to get sleep, so I'll keep this post short and bid you adieu until next time! But to make up for the short post, I'll post some of my favorite pictures from Ireland!

 

An Droicead Beag (The Small Bridge), one of our favorite pubs!

 

Chris & me at Dingle Pub

 

 

 

 

a bunch of us at The Small Bridge

 

Dingle bay

 

 

 

 

the group of us who went on the beach walk

I have officially survived Fall 2010.

This week was finals week. Unlike most people, I was lucky enough to finish all of my take home exams, papers, and tests by Monday evening. Many of my friends were taking tests up until tonight, and some have tests in the morning. Even though I was done on Monday, though, I was still pulling all nighters this week for finals. Why? Because I was helping Chris study for his finals. Not everyone was lucky enough to have only one test and a bunch of papers, and what can I say? I'm extremely helpful.

 

I'm so relieved that this semester is over. I've finished Sacred Heart's Common Core, and I've completed all but one of the rest of the Core requirements. Next semester, 4 of my 5 courses will be for one of my majors. Next year, I won't have to take anything except major classes. So. exciting. 

 

What is also exciting is that in two weeks, I will be on my way to Ireland! I'm going to Ireland for two weeks with Sacred Heart's Study Abroad program. I'll be taking a class while I'm there. I'm so excited! I've never even left the country, and now I get to go to Ireland for two weeks. Chris is going as well. We're taking a course called "Life Histories & Culture Change in Dingle." which is an Anthropology course.

 

It's late, so I'm going to keep this post short. I'll leave you with a few fantastic old Christmas pictures I found the other day, since Christmas is a week away and I'm trying to get into the spirit.

Pie-A-Phi & Kidney Week 2010!

One of the (many) great things about being a member of a sorority is being able to support that group's philanthropic causes. My sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, supports a national cause and a local cause. In the fall, we fundraise and raise awareness for our national philanthropy: the National Kidney Foundation. In the spring, we fundraise and raise awareness for our local philanthropy, AIDS awareness.

 

This week was our annual Kidney Week! We held a raffle for the past two weeks with prizes like an iPod shuffle and a camera. Last night was our candlelight vigil, where we shared facts and stories and prayed for those suffering from kidney disease with other members of the SHU community. My favorite part of the week, though, was Pie-A-Phi!

 

On Monday, we had the most fun and disgusting event I've ever attended, Pie-A-Phi! People were able to pay $1 to pie any Phi Sig or any of our volunteers (which included my ex-boyfriend, Chris). All proceeds went to the National Kidney Foundation. I got pied in the face three times, and the whipped cream smelled disgusting after it was on me for a while, but it was so much fun! It was definitely a great turn-out and an amazing time, and if you come to SHU, whether you want to join Phi Sig or not, you should come next year!

This is my sister, Kiah, and me before being pied!

It's not a good picture of us, but it's definitely better than what we looked like afterwards!

 

This is my friend Sophia, who is in a different sorority (Theta Phi Alpha)

but came to support us and join in on the fun!

Sophia and I pied our friend from Kappa Sigma

(and my sister, Abby's boyfriend), Jesus, at the same time.

 

 

I wasn't laughing for long...Dylan got me with a pie,

and then one of my sisters came from the side with a blitz attack.

 

I got to pie my ex, who came to support us and represent Kappa Sigma.

It was an extremely enjoyable experience.

 

Abby and Jesus pied each other at the same time.

 

Some of my sisters, in the aftermath of the event (L to R: Amanda, Allie & Nikki).

 

Phi Sigma Sigma, Iota Nu Chapter, after a very successful and messy event!

This is Halloween, this is Halloween...pumpkins scream in the dead of night!

If you know what the title of this post is from, *snaps* to you!

 

This weekend was Halloween, one of my favorite times of year! Although it means that October is over and the year 2010 is rapidly reaching its end, I loveeee Halloween. This year's Halloweekend was not a disappointment (except for the fact that I bought three bags of candy and didn't get a single trick-or-treater!). 

 

I had two costumes this year: a kitty, and a fireman. My boyfriend, Chris, was Bob Ross. For those of you who don't know who Bob Ross is...you didn't grow up in the 90s!   

 

Anywho. We had a great weekend with some great friends, and everyone's costume was fantastic. One of the many things that makes me grateful for my choice to transfer to SHU is my friends, and Halloween was a fantastic weekend that reminded me (once again) how much fun my friends are. If you love Halloween (and dressing up) as much as I do, you'll enjoy these pictures of SHU students having fun and being creative with their costumes!

Sophia as a flapper, Lauren as a character from M*A*S*H,

me as a kitty, and Donna as Lady GaGa!

 

Chris, as Bob Ross

Abby as a bunny and Allie as Lil Wayne

 

Jensen made a beautiful nerd!




Night #2: Definitely the best Ke$ha costume I saw all weekend! Props to Abby for this creation!

 

 

One of the best things about being a college student is getting to celebrate the best days of the year with your friends. This year was definitely one of my best Halloweens to date (despite the lack of trick-or-treaters!)

 

Until next time!

I made it through midterms! And now...advisement.

Hey guys! Midterms are finally over (for me, anyway) and I made it through. It was a very stressful two weeks, with exams, papers, and take-home exams...but I handed in my last paper today with a sigh of relief. I might have been less stressed if I managed my time better (if you're in high school, remember that for when you start college! TIME MANAGEMENT IS KEY!), but I've been having so much fun this semester that it was hard to focus on homework. I was more concerned with Halloween costumes (I have two -- a kitty and a fireman!) and formal attire for my sorority's formal than I was with homework, until I realized it was CRUNCH TIME and then I disappeared from the face of the earth for a few days except for going to class and meetings.

 

I love my majors and wouldn't give up either, even if it meant I could lounge around all day and watch movies because I didn't have to worry about homework as much. As I mentioned before, I'm a Psychology and Criminal Justice double-major. Both departments at SHU are excellent and filled with wonderful faculty (full-time and adjunct) who do their best to make all the work fun and make you feel that you've actually learned something.

 

I may be a bit biased, but I absolutely love my advisors for both majors. Dr. Shirley Pavone is from the Psych department and Dr. Patrick Morris is from CJ. I asked them to be my advisors because when I transferred here, they were each the first professors I had from their departments and they immediately made me sure of my decision to come here. Dr. Pavone and Dr. Morris are very different, but they are both amazing teachers. I learned so much from them, both in class and in a personal way. Their years of experience in their fields gives them a lot to talk about in class and they draw connections to real life when they lecture. I absolutely love them both and am saddened that I have taken all of the undergraduate courses that Dr. Morris teaches. I would definitely recommend taking a class with each of them if you can! Another excellent professor in CJ that I have right now is Professor Anthony Papa. He just started at SHU this semester, and I'm glad SHU's administration found him. He's funny and knowledgeable and I'm already learning a lot from him. He's a retired cop and also a lawyer in the state of NY, so there's an authenticity in his teaching because you know that he really knows the material from experience, he's not just teaching out of a book. It was one of the same things I loved about Dr. Morris and Dr. Pavone's classes.

 

The reason I mentioned my advisors before I went on that little tangent about how awesome they are is because now that midterms are over, it's time for academic advisement at SHU. When you come to SHU, you get an advisor (you can choose your own within your major and ask them to be your advisor, or you can be assigned one in the department). Every semester, before you can register, you have to see your advisors to get them to release your "hold" that keeps you from registering. Your advisor's job (in addition to being the person you turn to when you have academic problems or concerns) is to help you choose your classes and make sure you are fulfilling all of your requirements in order to graduate (to give you advice, hence the word "advisor"). They help you choose which classes to take when, and what electives you should take. Once they help you decide this, they release your hold and then you can register on your scheduled date and time given to you by the Registrar. Your advisor is like your guidance counselor from high school, except they treat you like an adult and expect you to come to them when you are supposed to or need help. They won't chase you, you have to make an appointment with them. 

 

My advisors allow me to choose my own classes, but they ask that I come see them and discuss my choices with them before they will release my hold. Hopefully, with my own organizational skills and their watchful eyes, I will graduate on time! I appreciate their input, because they've caught mistakes I've made when registering before. At my old school, I had an advisor but there was no hold on my account, so I never saw them. So although it can be annoying to have a restriction that forces you to make an appointment with your advisor, I'm glad that SHU applies blocks to every student until they go to advisement. Otherwise, I may not graduate on time!

 

I have to head to class soon, so I'll end this here...but expect to hear from me soon!

Hi, my name is Lierin. I like long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners and deep conversations.

Just kidding! (Actually, I do like those things, but I'll give you a more serious introduction). 

 

I'm Lierin. I'm a junior at Sacred Heart University. I transferred here last year (Fall 2009) after taking three semesters off, so at 22 years old, I'm a bit older than the average junior here! I am a double major, pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. I participate in a few extracurriculars here at SHU.  You'll hear a lot about them throughout the course of the year. I'm on the executive board for WHRT Student Radio (The Heart), I'm a new member of Phi Sigma Sigma (one of SHU's national sororities), and I also just joined Best Buddies (an organization devoted to disability awareness) this semester. I also have a work study job at Outpost Pub (SHU's on-campus 21+ pub).

 

I'm currently taking five classes. Two are for my majors and the other three are to fill various core requirements. I've got a lot of work this semester, and I'm trying to figure out how to manage my time with all of my extracurriculars, work, my friends and my boyfriend. We're just about at the halfway point of the semester (this semester has flown by so far) and it's that dreaded time...midterms! 

 

And with that, I will leave you to work on some of my midterm essays and do some studying. Expect to hear more from me soon!