This past Saturday night was the semi-formal Simmons Soiree at Fenway Park. I wrote for my first op/ed how Campus Activities Board (CAB) should have found a bigger location for the dance to allow for more than the 400 people. With 400 tickets, only 200 Simmons students, plus dates, could go to the dance. After writing the article, I was anxious to see how the Soiree would go.
Overall, my friends and our dates had a lot of fun. There were definitely some down falls that I wasn't expecting. The bar area was limited to only 21 plus, which was fine. However, once you had your drink you couldn't leave the area. You had to suck down your drink so you could go to the dance floor. With a 4 drink maximum though, (which they helped you remember how many you had by punching a hole in your wrist band) I guess no one could really get too out of hand. The dance was scheduled to go until midnight, but the bar closed at 11...
The security was also pretty tight. Any sight of drunken antics ca ... more »
Posted: March 1, 2009 8:37 pm | 0 comments
Tags: dance, semi-formal
On Sunday night I felt like I was 10 all over again. With such a huge snow storm coming at a perfect time that would affect the morning commute, my roommates and I checked wbztv.com, whdh.com, and all other snow day cancellation hot spots.
Around 8:30 p.m., my roommmate found out the preschool she teaches at in Newton would be closed. Newton NEVER closes. The rest of us had hope. Around 10:30 p.m. we all got a text saying Simmons would be closed on Monday. It was just what we all wanted and needed.
I slept in, made my roommates waffles, ran a few errands, and took a nap. It was really the best snow day any senior in college could ask for.
My Christmas-eve like anticipation the night before the big snow day reminded me how precious my time left in college is. I may never get another snow day again...
Posted: March 3, 2009 5:06 pm | 1 comment
Tags: day off, relax, sleep, snow, snowday
I worked everyday over spring break, which I didn't really mind because I didn't have any plans and the extra money wouldn't hurt. I thought I was the only one of my friends not going to sit on a beach in Mexico or Florida drinking Margaritas all day, though. (...and I certainly wish I was doing so.)
I was shocked when I spent the afternoon in the Simmons library yesterday. It was a rainy Wednesday afternoon on spring break and the library was pretty busy. A lot of students were working on computers and some of the group study rooms were full. I saw some classmates working on group projects. Every time we passed each other there was the obvious smirk of "Hi, yes I'm in the library on spring break and it sucks." I thought for sure I'd be the only nerd in there.
I got a lot of homework done over break and although I wish I was getting a tan at the beach, I hope my hard work pays off as I continue the job hunt.
Posted: March 12, 2009 4:11 pm | 1 comment
Tags:
Two months, exactly, from today is graduation. I woke up this morning and when I looked at my phone and saw, "Sun, Mar 15" I had a moment of panic. Two months from today the class of 2009 will be getting their diplomas. Am I ready--absolutely not. Am I excited--yes!
In the past few months I've been thinking a lot about where I want to live after graduation and if its even feasible to move out of Boston right now. Two months ago was the beginning of the semester and that certainly didn't feel like that long ago. Now I'm thinking about moving and starting all over--without a job. Probably not a good idea...
Anyway, in one of my firs blogs I talked about my resume. I have almost finalized and have been sending it out as is, but any extra feedback I get along the way I incorporate. My brother sent me a link to a really great blog with resume tips that I wanted to share. www.squawkfox.com has lots of information about living on a budget/being frugal and enjoying it. She posted a l ... more »
Posted: March 15, 2009 9:58 pm | 2 comments
Tags: graduating, graduation, seniors
During the job hunt it is always nice to see in a posting that a company offers health benefits. Before now, I really never thought anything about it because I just assumed everyone offers health benefits and for so long I have been under my parent's work health benefits.
Someone recently said to me that I should find out how long I am still covered under my parents after graduation. I thought to myself, 'well, I'll just find a job that has benefits and that won't be an issue.' In this economy though, finding a job is difficult and finding a job with good benefits or any benefits at all could be even more difficult as well.
For seniors, or even juniors thinking about next year, you should find how long you will be covered under your parents' health insurance or how long the coverage from Simmons lasts post-graduation. I think each provider is different ranging from not covering you as soon as you graduate to 3-6 months after graduation. I'm sure by just going on the Web site or ... more »
Posted: March 17, 2009 5:22 pm | 4 comments
Tags: health, health insurance, plan, policy
Here's another way for college grads to get into even more debt and yet another payment to make.
If you're not working and living in a city with public transportation, you need a car to get to work. If you're like most college grads, you will have to start to make student loan payments a few months after May 15. Why not add a car payment into the mix?
I've recently learned about car companies with special offers to recent graduates. For example, Nissan offered $500 cash back if you bought or leased a new Nissan from a select group of vehicles like the Altima, Rogue, Versa, etc and were a recent graduate. "Recent graduate" varies by car company--for Nissan you had to be graduating and have proof you were (transcript w/expected 05/09 date) graduating in 6 months or graduated 2 years ago. If you can't buy a car right away, they give you 2 years to save and still get the deal.
Other companies have similar offers. Volvo offers special financing for those graduating in 3 months or 24 m ... more »
Posted: March 20, 2009 10:18 am | 2 comments
Tags: car, financing, graduate, new car
On Thursday, March 26, the 50 Days Fundraiser for the Class of 2009 will be held at the Improv Asylum on Hanover Street in the North End at 8pm. The purpose of the event is to celebrate 50 days until graduation at a venue outside of Simmons.
Another purpose of the event is to raise money for the class of 2009 and events during Senior Week. Tickets are $20 and half of all ticket sales will go to the class of '09. An e-mail to the class of 2009 states that students can get tickets by calling 617-263-NUTS (6887) and mentioning the promo code GRAD09.
All seniors are invited to attend as well as faculty and other Simmons community members.
I think it sounds like a fun event, if seniors go. It would be nice to raise money for events during senior week like the Commencement Ball. Perhaps the commencement ball won't be as much as a controversy as the Soiree was...
Posted: March 24, 2009 4:47 pm | 1 comment
Tags: celebrate, fundraiser, graduation, parties
It seems like everyone has a birthday in March or April. I've realized I'm going to start going broke on birthday gifts in the next few weeks. In fact, a friend is having a joint birthday celebration in 2 weeks. It's her birthday, her boyfriend's birthday, her boyfriend's friend's birthday and his girlfriend's birthday. Three out of the four of them were born on the same day...all different years.
After living with my roommate for four years now, I'm out of ideas for a birthday gift. Last year I got her 21 balloons in her two favorite colors and filled her room with them. She liked it, but the gift was "dead" after a week and ended up costing more than you'd think. I decided that was a waste of money this year.
I am struggling with what to get her. I have an idea but won't write it in case she reads this. I want it to be useful, unique, and worth buying all at the same time. Who knows where we will end up a year from now, so we might not celebrate her birthday together next y ... more »
Posted: March 29, 2009 4:33 pm | 1 comment
Tags: birthdays, celebrate, parties, spring birthdays
