Sean M

Final Post

So who can believe that the school year for 2007-2008 is over?  I know I can't.  My freshman year of college moved faster than I can even imagine and the fact that my summer starts in 9 days is unbelievable.  I've had so many great memories from my freshman year, that and I have grown tremendously.  I thought it'd be cool to reflect on some of the highs and lows of the last year and attempt get all of you who ready for what you'll be in store for next year. 

Upon arriving on campus, I was as nervous as everyone else, and wasn't sure if I was gonna be able to survive the first week.  Luckily I sought out friends I made during Orientation week in June and was able to feel slightly comfortable around them.  Along with people I made friends with on my floor, I attended the freshman events during the first week of school, and I have to say this honestly made things soo much better.  I know that my roommate didn't attempt to make friends or go to these events and needless to say, he transfered after 4 days at school. 

For the rest of the first semester I adjusted to the academic side of college, and tried out all different sorts of things.  Hanging in peoples' rooms, going out to clubs, and going into Fairfield.  All in all it allowed me to hang with different groups of people and see what suited me best.  During this time period I was lucky to have my own room because my roommate transfered.  I honestly think this was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to adjust to college life without having to adjust to living with another person. 

Once Second Semester started and I was more adapted to the college lifestyle I had the chance to adapt to living with a roommate.  After the brief process of getting to know the different tendencies of one another, we adapted well, and I have to say it was nice living with someone else, and having those inside jokes that only roommates understand.  Of course the second semester wasn't all smooth sailing.  College, and for that matter life is never smooth sailing.  I ran into some road bumps, academically, socially, and personally, but overall that's what made my college experience.  That's what defines who you ultimately become. Experience, mistakes, success; all of it helps you grow, and honestly more than the academics, college is about shaping you for who you'll be for the rest of your life. My freshman year has definitely helped carve me, and I have to say three more years of this stuff sure isn't gonna be too bad  :)!!!!

It's been a pleasure writing for you all and I Hope that my blogs have entertained and given insight not only to Sacred Heart but to the whole process of growing up.  Thank you all for reading

Sean

The Game of Baseball

The game of baseball is one that is truly a passion and a love.  How else do you explain playing 9 inning games Friday, Saturday and Sunday?  This weekend my life was consumed with Club baseball and I have to say that I'm bone tired, yet happy with how my weekend was spent. 

On Friday the guys of the Pioneers Club Baseball team gathered at the Pitt Center at 3pm for a brief pep talk before we all packed up and made our way out to Hofstra University.  After scoring 25 runs on Hofstra in our first meeting, the feeling heading into the game was one of extreme confidence.  After a long journey across the Throgs Neck Bridge and on the Cross Island Expressway, The Pioneers(all 10 of us) took the field and were set to play.  As stated Hofstra didnt' necessarily pose a large challenge to the bats and pitching of the Pioneers.  At the conclusion of the game, the Pioneers packed back up the car, and left Wantaug Park with an 18-4 victory.  Personally I managed to muster a dominate performance of 1-1 with a staggering 5 BBs. 

Saturday was much of the same as Central Connecticut made its way down to Beardsley Park to play Sacred Heart in a 9 inning game.  The Bats once again showed up for the Pioneers as the final score ended up being 22-2.  Bottom line for Me: 2-5 with two singles. 

Sunday's game took the Pioneers out to Brooklyn for a double Header at NYU.  After pushing the start time back due to impending rain, Sacred Heart was able to arrive at American Legion Field in just about 2 hours.  The game itself was competitive which was a nice change for once, however the bats for Sacred Heart just didn't show up.  We ended up losing both games of the double header, and driving back two hours after two loses is not fun. 

All in all I'm completely exhausted from playing so many games this weekend, but I have to say it was a lot of fun spending the weekend with people who share the same passion that I do for baseball.  The car rides and the stops at McDonalds make me realize how important it is to find something to be a part of up here at school, and how rewarding it can be.  I know Sacred Heart is really pushing club sports, and I think it's a great idea because honestly the second semester for me has been so much more enjoyable because I've been able to meet new people and continue to play the game I love; the game of baseball

Stress

Stress.  Funny how a six letter word can set the tone for a person's day, week, month etc.. and determine what type of mood their in.  Stress is an unfortunate part of most everyone's life, and how we deal with it determines how long we live before stress consumes us.  As a college student stress is pretty much as common as the word report.  In fact stress often comes from the word report, but that's a whole nother blog entry in itself.  As I was saying stress if very common in the college world.  All different topic cause stress, but no matter what the root of it is, it's never fun to deal with.  Venting stress in a productive way is probably the best way to deal with it so I figure I"ll be productive and write down why I feel so stressed. 

The last month of my life seems to be one of the most stressful periods I've ever gone through.  In addition to having final exams coming up and housing arrangements for next year, getting a summer job and having to face certain people at home is all weighing pretty heavy on my mind.  As I've written before Final Exams can be pretty stressful in and of themselves, but when you begin to realize that receiving the grade you hope for basically rests solely on this test, the stress gets about 10x worse.  Trying to orgainze everything and remind myself that I'm doing pretty well in these classes and I've paid attention all year settles me a little bit, but still thinking about all raises my blood pressure a good amount.  Housing Arrangements are a stress all in itself.  While the thought of "moving up" in the dorming world is one that is pretty cool, figuring out who's living where and with whom squashes the fun of enjoying your new housing assignments.  I was fortunate enough to land with some very nice people and people I'm friends with, but leading up to all of it was definitely not a fun process.  I guess I feel slightly more relaxed now that the process is over, but still, trying to regroup after the whole process is a bit lengthy. 

As if dealing with stress at school isnt' bad enough, its become that time of the year to arrange summer jobs so I dont' arrive at Sacred Heart University in September as a broke bum. Trying to make calls while up at school and send in applications is no fun process.  On top of this, I have a bartending job lined up at a private swim and tenis club, but the people there are very snoody and I dont' want to spend my summer with people who treat everyone like dirt.  Unfortunately, if I'm unable to find anything else I'll be stuck working at "Club Snoody".  Finally, and probably the most heavy thing weighing in on my mind, is going home this summer.  It will have been two months since my ex-girlfriend and I have seen each other, and when we arrive back home in the summer, we'll definitely be seeing each other since we hang in the same circle of friends.  Its difficult because when we broke up we said we'd try to remain friends, but I think I can speak for every guy and girl here when I say that is nearly impossible.  I'm worried about how it's gonna be when I go back home.  I dont' want it to be awkward because we were best friend when we dated for the year and a half we were together, but I also don't know how it won't be when I know there's definitely something still there between us.  Either way, this, added up with the other three topics I've talked about are all making stress describe my life.

After my large rant here you can all see that I definitely hae things weighing in on my mind.  I have to say though that after writing it all out I definitely feel slightly better.  Tying this all back into explaining the college experience, I have to say that no matter what you do or who you hang out with, or where you end up you'll definitely deal with stress at school.  The main and most important thing is to find an effective way to deal with it, and don't let it boil up to the point where it really effects you.  Talk to peer counselors, friends, a teacher, heck even write it down just so you can vent, even if it's to no one.  Just don't let stress completely take over

Sean

Effective Methods of Studying

I know not the most entertaining, attention grabbing headline, however I figure with finals coming up here at Sacred Heart and probably finals coming your way at high school, it's important to look over study methods and what is most effective.  Obviously study methods differ for everyone, but there are definitely key ways to study while in college.  These are some of the most effective as voted on by well mostly me but a few of my friends as well.

1.) Studying with a Friend

One of the most effective techniques I've found and has definitely saved me on multiple tests this year studying with a friend.  If you can find someone in your class who you know is as dedicated to the work as you are, come test time it will be beneficial to get together and review notes. Sometimes its best just to read over your notes outloud and have someone listen.  Its like teaching yourself the information and having someone there to catch you if you are incorrect somewhere.  Also with a friend, you have the ability to maybe understand information from a different perspective.  For instance if it's a math test, maybe your friend remembers a formula in a way that you never though of.  Having more than one brain in the room definitely plays to your advantage in that situation.

2.) Music Study

Now this may seem like an odd way to studying, and could be very distracting if you need total silence to studying, but sometimes listening to slower paced music quietly can actually help you remember more information.  This probably isn't going to work well with math, but when reading over notes for history or other subject areas, sometimes listening to a song in the background to break the complete silence can help trigger you memory.  It helps to keep you focused and can sometimes even actually help you remember tiny facts when relating it to the song.  I know this idea sounds far fetched, and like I said this definitely isn't for everyone, but it's just a different way to try studying if something isnt' working for you. 

3.) Web-studying

This idea of studying is more for the visual learner, and can really help in retaining a lot of information.  When reviewing your notes, use a piece of printer paper and mapout the information your studying.  If certain things are similar connect them in the web, if they're different denote that in your drawing.  With this method you'd still have to read and review your notes, but upon completing that you'd have a visual representation of what you need to know.  This way once you're done reading you can review your drawing, and "see" the information that you need to know. 

These are just three semi-unique methods that can help you retain the information you need for a final test.  Any other method that you stumble upon and seems to work for you is perfectly fine.  However there are some key things to avoid when studying for finals or any other tests when here at school.

Late Night Studying, is a huge no-no in college.  I know most of you probably use this technique in high school and think you'll be able to use it in college, but come that first test you'll quickly learn that it's not the same.  With classes spaced out over the week, it's not as easy to just studying last minute, because there is much more information present on the tests. 

Skimming and not doing work during the semester. In college you'll have no teacher require you do homework.  It becomes one of the "for your own benefit" type deals, and this often leads students to stumble down the path of not doing it.  Come test time you'll be sorry.  Almost all of the teachers I've had my freshman year have based tests off of homework.  If you do homework and study it for the test you'll be sitting pretty. Not doing the homework is a key to disaster

All in all however whenever and whoever you study with I wish you the best of luck on finals

Sean

Who we are

"...We break
And we bend
Turn it inside out
To take it back
To the start
And through the rising falling apart
We discover who we are..."

As I was sitting in my room the other day I stumbled upon a Lifehouse song entitled, "Who We Are" and I felt inspired to write.  In college we're suppose to discover who we are.  For the first time in many of our lives we're on our own.  We have our parents at home and friends at different schools, but in all honest truth we're at a college campus and told to live our lives and be in control of what we do.  The mere thought of that for so many of us is a mixed bag of emotion. On one hand we're granted independence, but on the other hand we're finally responsible for our own mistakes that have real consequences.  All our lives, or at least for mine, I was always taught to do the right thing, which is definitely a message that should be followed.  However, being out on my own, I've started to realize that sometimes you dont' know what the right thing is to do.    We're put in situations we're no longer are adults there to tell us what's right or wrong.  We are forced to learn it on our own.  We make decisions to do what we think is best for us, and in the process we're gonna make the wrong choice.  There will be consequences for the wrong decisions we make, but that's life.  That's how we learn who we are, or where we need to become a better person.  That's how our parents did it, that's how their parents did it and so on.  Who We Are is determined by what we do.  As Lifehouse says, "We break and we bend....and discover who we are"

--Sean

The Anticipation builds

Now I'm sure the title of this blog has you thinking "what could he be talking about?  The anticipation of finals, the end of school, what?!!!!" Believe it or not the anticipation I"m talking about is Sacred Heart's Spring Semester Concert, which will be in a little over a week.  This concert features Ne-Yo and T-Pain and is a follow up to the amazing Fall Semester Concert featuring Lifehouse.  While Lifehouse was an awesome time(My first concert experience ever) I'm sure T-Pain and Ne-Yo will bring a whole new excitment.  Since the announcement in December, the campus has been buzzing with sheer joy and patiently and anxiously waiting for Aprill 11th to finally arrive.  The night will be one I"m sure I'll never forget as well as the rest of the campus.  Coming to Sacred Heart, I had no idea that they hosted concerts, and when I found out they did, I assumed it would be some small indy artist coming to perform.  I had no idea mainstream bands and singers would be arriving and performing inside the William H. Pitt Center.  It's one of the great things that Sacred Heart does for its students by bringing in popular entertainers and allowing it's student body to come together for a night of enjoyment. 

I figure since I talked about the anticipation of a Spring Concert I should also cover the anticipation building for the end of the year.  My first year of college has definitely provided a great experience, but trust me when I tell you I am looking forward to summer vacation and being able to spend it at home.  No matter how old you get, or what level of schooling you're in summer vacation never looses its luster.  The only problem with this building anticipation is the amount of working pilling up since the year is nearing the end.  This can be the hardest time to get work done because instead of focusing on what's in front of you you're mind becomes fixated on the lures of summer basking in the sun and spending the day at the beach.  In addition the warm weather that usually accompanies spring(which we're still waiting to see on a consistant basis up here in CT) makes it even harder to stay indoors and accomplish work.  The one piece of advice I can give anyone reading this, is to bring your work outside.  Sit on your deck and take in the nice weather and fresh air while still being able to read your book for English class or figure out your math problems.  This maybe hard to do at home, but here at SHU and I'm sure at most colleges getting outside and doing work in the quad or even on the flik patio is an easy task.  It helps kill two birds with one stone. 

Until next time...

The Fun of Spring

Ahh warm weather, the sun, being able to eat lunch on the Flik Patio.  All things that we've missed during the long cold winter at Sacred Heart.  Just like any other year, the warm weather starts to wet the palet with the taste of summer vacation and long days at the beach.  However, before I start to drift off with rosey dreams of the Jersey Shore, let me get to the main purpose of writing this blog.  Here at Sacred Heart Spring and Warm weather are great.  Even today as I write this blog, I look out my window at the small field across the way and see people playing wiffle ball and football and having a great time.  It's something so cool to see, just watching people play outside and take in the nice weather.  It helps you forget about the work you have to do or test that's looming a few days ahead.  The fact that the students at SHU are so eager to just be outside and our friendly enough to invite others to come join in makes it even more awesome to be apart of the SHU community.  Well I hate to cut this blog short but I kinda want to go out and enjoy the nice weather.  Take care

Growing Up

Albert Camus once wrote, "Blessed are the hearts that can bend, they shall never be broken. But I wonder if there's no breaking then there's no healing, and if there's no healing then there's no learning. And if there's no learning then there's no struggle. But the struggle is a part of life. So must all hearts be broken?"

This quote is the quinticential question many of us must ask during times of heartache.  I dont' necessarily mean strickly heartache in the sense of relationships, but in general heartache when we feel that all around us is crumbling.  Even in the darkest of times, when we are overwhelmed with work, friendships, relationships, family crisis, etc... there is something to be learned.  As Camus said, "The Struggle is a part of life".  We learn from these struggles, not only how to get past them, but how strong we are.  We learn that we have the ability to overcome the pain, the suffering, the stress and everything we think is going to break us.  I remember writing my high school graduation speech, and in it I said that leaving high school brings on the scariest of times.  We will be forced to face our problems by ourselves.  In the process we will become adults because no longer will we have our parents to fix our problems, or our friends to be standing right beside us, or our teachers to help us out.  Sometimes we're forced to deal with our problems all by ourselves.  We teach ourselves how to grow and develop and shape ourselves into the people we are. 

I'll be the first to tell you, college can bring about the best and the worst. We finally are granted our independence we so long seek.  No longer are we confined by the halls of our small high schools, and restricted by the rules of our parents.  We think that we have the whole world in front of us.  And we do have the whole world in front of us.  However, in this world we so long seek we're faced with the isolation and independence even during times of hardship.  Maybe Camus knew something we all don't.  Maybe what he's trying to say is that if we don't crumble under the pressure and break, then we'll never be experiencing all life has to offer.  The world ahead of us is a confusing place.  We hope that we can protect ourselves from all the barbs and pain the world can sometimes throw at us.  However, sometimes just when we think we've lost it, we've gained the most.  Struggle is a part of life, but just as Camus said, during the struggle we learn.  So what I'm tryiing to say is even now as you feel burdened by the ending of school, the process of college acceptance, the threat of change, realize it is during this time you learn the most about yourself.  Blessed are the hearts that break because they are the ones that learn they can put themselves back together

For Love the Game

As I begin to write this post I'm reminded of a great line from the popular TV Show "One Tree Hill".  In what is one of his last high school basketball games, Nathan one of the main characters states,

"You know it's been said that we just don't recognize the significant moments of our lives while they're happening. We grow complacent with ideas, or things or people and we take them for granted and it's usually not until that thing is about to be taken away from you that you've realized how wrong you've been that you realized how much you need it, how much you love it. God, I love this game."

Tonight at The William H. Pitt Center on the campus of Sacred Heart University, The Men's basketball team will play the biggest games of their lives.  They will enter into the Arena in front of thousands of fans and give it everything they have.  For the seniors it may be their last game, and in essence the last time they will play the game they truely love.  Reflecting back on this thought, I am drawn to my own experience with playing in the big game.  My high school baseball career ended with a loss in the State Championship Game.  Throughout the year I had been given a decreased role on the team and had become so angry that I had lost sight of the game I loved.  It wasn't up until the last out was made in what was my final high school baseball game that I realized how much I was going to miss everything playing a sport brings.  Would I miss the 8am Saturday practices? Would I miss the running and conditioning we did?  Would I miss hours upon hours of drills in practice?  I'm tempted to say no I wouldn't, but now looking back I can't honestly say that I wouldn't miss it.  It's funny you hear so many people tell you to chearish the time you have, and you always think you are.  However, sitting back now I miss all of it.  I miss bitching about the hard work and the running and all of it.  I miss being around the team, even if I wasn't best friends with everyone.  I miss getting prepared each and every game day to go into battle and come out with a victory.  I miss the butterflies in my stomatch, and the competitive drive that pushes any athlete to be better than they are. 

Sports are a unique thing.  So many people see them as just a game, as a way to have fun.  For the true athletes that see their sport as a passion, we know that it's not just a game, it's a love that we have for something so pure that we can not leave it all behind so quickly.  I know that there are club and intramural sports for those that just can't cut it at the big time schools, and yes they bring about a competitive spirit, but they'll never quiet be the big time.  Last week for Spring Break I went home and saw the first practice for my high school team.  The one thing that stood out to me among all the kids eager to earn their spot on Varsity was the absence of nine of the guys that I had played baseball with for my entire life.  Nine seniors made up my baseball experience, and I haven't talked to about half of them since our season ended.  I guess the hardest part of giving up any sport is that we miss who we shared the passion with. 

To bring this long drawn out article full circle, tonight the Pioneers play the biggest game of their career.  How will they decide to go out?  Will it be with everything they have?  Will they let the passion that make them the best show?  I think the best anyone can ask for from these college players are to play with a burning passion that all the athletes sitting in the stands tonight still have.  Play for them, the one's who can't just leave the game behind. 

Three Part Series: With my random thoughts

Test This!!

            I knew I’d reach this point eventually in the semester; the week of the dreaded first test of class.  Now I know I previously stated that I wanted a quiz or test just to see where I stood in the class, to make sure I was handling the material well, but I want to rescind that statement.  I would now like to effectively push that first test back to….May 6^th.   I’m sure if I study and have enough time to actually look over all the material I’ll be ok, but the two test I have this week will be the first time I have to study with a roommate in my room. No more quiet time to just look over the material and review it in peace and quiet.  Now I have to actually see if I can work while my roommate has music playing or is watching TV.  Who knows I might even have to make a trip over to the library for only the second time all year. GASP! 

Balancing Act

            What’s the most famous balancing act at any College or University? The answer would be the almighty act of balancing college friends with high school friends.  After the first few weeks of school I honestly thought I’d never run into that problem, but I have.  For the last month I have gone home on two separate occasions and missed some good weekend times with my friends here at SHU.   Now don’t get me wrong I have had good reasons to go home, so I haven’t missed out on having fun on the weekends, I just feel guilty sometimes leaving friends up here.  This coming weekend I’ll be going home as well to go see my girlfriend.  That is the toughest part of the whole balancing act.  I love being with her and spending quality time with her, but I also like making memories up here with the college group.  It’s bittersweet because when I do spend the weekends here, there is nothing that I wish for more than having my girlfriend with me to experience the good times. 

Valentine’s Day

            I don’t by any means consider myself an expert in the field of romantics, however seeing as Valentine’s Day is tomorrow (or today depending on when you read this) I figure I can help a few of you guys out on what to do for your girlfriend.  As complicated as girls are I think these few little ideas will work for anyone.

1.)    The Element of Surprise- Any girl loves a surprise especially if it is romantic.   Anything that will catch your girl off guard will be good.  Maybe show up to take her out for a surprise dinner, or surprise her with a bunch of flowers at school. 

2.)    Keeping it Simple-Some of the best gifts are the small thoughtful gifts.  Anyone can go out and by a ton of chocolate and dozens of roses, but in order to show that special someone you care, do something small.  Little gifts like a card with a special message. 

3.)    Remember her favorites- If there is anything that your girlfriend has said that she loves, make sure to get her that.  Maybe she has a favorite candy, or a favorite movie.  Getting those things will show her how much you care and make you seem like the best person in the world