we're backkkkk

SENIOR YEAR GET IN GEAR!

I can't believe I'm actually a Senior and 3 weeks into my last semester at Coe...it's awesome and bittersweet all at the same time. I truly feel like everything is my "last". College is such a weird experience because it is an entirely transitional period and never in your life will it be okay to stay up so late, eat so terribly, and nap so frequently.

Just last night, I sat with some of my best gal pals and talked and laughed until 2am. We all had studying to do and papers to write, but how many more nights like this will we have? We never know, so sometimes a test can wait and that paper can be put off until tomorrow and just staying for one more story from freshmen year makes all the difference.

If someone had told me 4 years ago that my journey at Coe would lead me to all these wonderful people and to this great place, then I would've signed on the dotted line.

springggg breakkkk

why did spring break have to end?! this past week off from classes was exactly what I needed, but I am definitely not ready to start back today...

taking time off in the middle of the semester is a blessing and a curse. it's a good time to catch up on work and relax, but at the same time it's so hard coming back after a week of vacation (no matter how nice the weather is now).

my spring break this year was a lot different than the ones from years past because my family moved to Stafford, VA (about 30 mins outside DC), so I went "home" to a completely new house. luckily, my parents made sure there was a room for me and took all my stuff from home when they moved, but it was still weird adjusting to an entirely new place. however, despite the initial shock, it was awesome exploring DC and seeing all the awesome museums and sites. 

getting to see my "little" brothers was also really awesome - I hadn't seen them in months and it's insane how much they've grown since December! but, when the 3 of us get together, there's no telling what will happen. by the end of the week, I'm sure my parents were relieved to see me go back to iowa after all the shenanigans we pulled. 

being back in cedar rapids is pretty cool, especially now that it's FLUNKING SEASON! 

TOURS ON TOURS ON TOURS

One of my favorite jobs at Coe is being a tour guide!

Rain or shine, we will take prospies (prospective students) & their families around campus and it's awesome because no two tours are alike.

I've given some tours that take 2 hours because the prospies are so excited that they want to see EVERYTHING & other families take 45 minutes on their tour because they only want to see essentials, but either way it's always an experience!

One of the most fun opportunities I've had was giving tours during IPCW (Iowa Private College Week) over the summer - not only was it really awesome to see all my coe-mies again, but we got the chance to show Coe in an entirely new way. The larger groups over the summer had so many questions that they really tested my tour guide skills, but I honestly learned tons of new tricks & tips for showcasing Coe in the best way.

I'm pretty bummed that I only have a semester left of touring, but I've trained my fair share of tour guides so hopefully my legacy will live on.

$$$

One of my favorite times visiting Coe was during Scholar's Weekend - not only was campus swarmed by other prospies (prospective students) which was awesome, but all the faculty and staff were just waiting to meet us. Campus was so welcoming and inviting, that I immiediately felt comfortable despite my 3 different scholarship interviews.

I practiced answering interview questions with my dad and guidance counselor for weeks leading up to my official scholarship interviews, but nothing could have prepared me for how laid back and easy the interview was. All of my interviews quickly turned into conversations and when I left, I felt excited about everything we discussed and I know I could've just kept talking to the interviewers for hours. Even the departmental interview with only faculty members went very smoothly and I knew that I had chosen the right course by the time we concluded.

About a week later, I was told that I won a Diversity Leadership Scholarship and it was the best news I had gotten since I found out I was accepted to Coe!

This year, I am on the other side of the table and get to interview potential Kohawks for the DLS and Distinguished Trustee scholarships. It's been really enlightening to meet tons of new prospies and hear more about them. Being able to interview my potential classmates is so rewarding and it feels awesome that the admissions staff trusts me to know what kind of qualities and experiences shape into a great Kohawk.

SBP

Let me tell you what it was like being student body president aka SBP. 

Over this last year, I've served as Coe's SBP and it has been the most challenging, exhausting, rewarding, and terrific year. My VP and I focused on students' needs and we made huge strides in improving their Coe experience. We didn't back down when we faced opposition from within Senate and kept pushing to improve relations with faculty, staff, and students.

I am beyond proud by all we have accomplished, but unfortunately we weren't re-elected for this year. I don't know what we could have done better or differently, but the great part about moving on is moving up. There are tons of other clubs/organizations to get involved with and I just have to continue being a leader on campus by not letting this loss redefine my Coe experience. We still have the successes of this past year and we have left a great a foundation for the new SBP/VP to build upon. 


I'm excited to see what's next and I know that Coe has much more to offer me. 

Every setback is a setup for a comeback.

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY!

I am so excited today because I am finally turning 21! Not only have I waited 21 years for this, but I've waited 11 long months for my birthday!

The only reason I'm blogging about how special today is is because I feel so very special - not only did I receive a card from the Admissions office where I work, but I also found a card and chocolate in my mailbox from the Student Affairs office and one of my professors! I'm just beaming with joy from all the celebratory facebook and instagram posts, not to mention all of the tweets and texts.

This feeling of absolute elation is 100% because of all the amazing relationships and friendships I've built over my 3 years at Coe. I cannot begin to explain how great it feels to walk to class and get hugs and high fives from my fellow Kohawks wishing me a happy birthday! It may seem superficial, but it is amazing to be reminded about how close-knit the Coe community is and days like today make me so happy to be a Kohawk.

So thank you to everyone who wished my a happy birthday because today truly is the BEST birthday I've ever had! :)

The Original Cinnamon

Fun fact: I'm named after my mother, so when she comes to visit it is extra spicy on campus ;)

A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have my mom and sister fly out to visit me for Family Weekend! They traveled all the way from Colorado Springs, CO to hang out with me for the weekend and I could not have been more excited. My older sister has never been to Iowa and it was awesome to watch her experience Coe and the Midwest for the 1st time.

My parents switch off coming to visit me for Family Weekend, so last year my dad came & my mom has visited me twice - once freshman year and again, this year. It's awesome to have a chance to share Coe with them especially considering how far away Colorado is! Coe puts on tons of events for the families and a home football game always happens to fall on that Saturday which is well-attended by all the football-lovin' dads & brothers. 

I would have to say the best part about having my mom in town was all the shopping trips we took  - my mom, sister, and I went shopping in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids! Plus she hooked me up with a fridge full of food! Now that it's passed, I can't wait for next year when my dad will come to visit (plus my snack supply has since been depleted).