Freshman Year @NNU

Registration for Fall Semester and starting to pack up my room can only mean one thing: IT’S ALMOST SUMMER!! It’s so beyond exciting to think that my first year as a college student is almost over and that there’s only three more to go! This past year has been so full of changes and growth that I can really only be excited for those to come. 

But nonetheless…I’m gonna miss all of my friends here. It’s so weird to think that I won’t see everyone for 3 months. I mean, I live with these people. I don’t know what I’m going to do with all the time and space that’ll be on my hands. I guess Skype just might be my new best friend. :)

The end of the school year is rapidly approaching, so life is beyond busy right now! I’m currently deciding what to bring home on the plane with me, what to ship home, and what I need to store. Goodness. Then there’s registering for new classes (and my class schedule next year looks like it’s going to be SO much fun!) as well as finishing up projects and hanging out with friends. Oh, and working on my tan. You know we can’t get those in Alaska. ;) So registration is done and there’s only 3 1/2 weeks left…time to crack open the books again. Dead week will be here sooner than I’d like.

My name is Lexie, and I have a problem.

I think it’s probably pretty obvious (at least, if you’ve ever met me) that I have a shopping addiction. So many stores, so many different articles of clothing, and so many throw pillows are out there, all calling my name! It’s seriously getting to a point where I need to go through everything and decide on what to donate….but I digress.

The point is, you sillies couldn’t possibly think that only one job would keep this addiction alive..right? As much fun as blogging for NNU Admissions is, I had to take one of the opportunities for on-campus jobs offered here.

So here I am, about to graduate from my freshman year as a seasoned Phonathon caller! I spend every Tuesday and Thursday night calling alumni and friends of the school, with friends of my own, and with provided gummy bears! The best part? I’m getting paid for this! 

I just think it’s really cool how NNU offers on-campus jobs that are fun and and student-friendly as a way to earn some extra cash. I certainly have enjoyed not just the academics here, but also the great job experience I’ve been getting!

Tests, Tests, Tests.

Good grief. I’m in the last 3 1/2 weeks of my freshman year of college, but it feels like this year might never end. One of my friends on Facebook just recently posted: “I just finished a 10 page paper. If this is anything like what college is going to be like, I’m not stoked.”

Ha! He is certainly in for a surprise when he gets to his college years! I wish I had just one 10-page paper due for school. Instead, it seems as if I have a running checklist of things I need to do for all of my classes, but never enough time in the day to finish everything. And then, as if that isn’t bad enough, I am constantly adding things to my list—as opposed to taking things away!

I have tests, I have papers, I have assignments, I have labs, I have field experience hours, I have meetings, and I have portfolios to finish…all before finals. One awesome thing about NNU is that—free of charge—counselors, health educators, study groups, and peer mentors are all offered to its students! Any student can go in and make an appointment to meet with any of these people to use as resources to help make a plan and get through all the stress the end of the semester brings! Yet as thankful as I am for all that NNU offers, it’s definitely going to take a great, big God to get me through these next 24 days!

So one of the coolest things about Northwest Nazarene University is probably the Academic program. No joke, I absolutely love being an Elementary Education major! 

In most schools, you start your field experience, observation, and student teaching around your Junior year of college. One of the reasons why Northwest Nazarene has such a high placement rate (especially within the Education Department) is because you get the chance to start your interaction with the public school system and its students your very first year!

I personally have loved being able to go into the classroom this semester! I was originally wary about being placed in a middle school, but these kids are great! They’re all enthusiastic, energetic, and totally open to having me help them with their work!

I believe that part of the reason why being in the classroom right now is to get us comfortable with being in front of kids and teaching them. At first, I was very uncomfortable and just kind of watched the teacher interact with the students, but I finally got comfortable enough to walk around, interact with and develop relationships with the kids. This past week, I’ve actually gotten to proctor a test and now I’m checking off their work and helping them with every assignment I’m there for! This is definitely one of the best reasons for coming to NNU: you grow spiritually and gain new friendships that will last a lifetime, but the school also totally prepares you academically!