Judson College :: Senior/Transfer

Pageant is quickly approaching. No, pageant is not a beauty contest; it is a musical that the Junior/Soph class puts on for the Senior class. In other words, the Junior/Soph class presents a play for their big sisters.

The name of the Pageant is kept a secret for as long as possible. The Senior class tries to break into practice whenever possible. We listen for clues as to which part our little sisters play. The Freshmen guard pageant each night. It is their job to keep the Senior class out. Everyone is involved in Pageant in one way or another.

Last year, I was in Pageant. It was such a stressful, yet fun time. For the month of September, the Junior/Soph class practices every night for several hours. When preparing for our Pageant, my class practiced from 9-12 each night, but this year I heard that they finished by 11 most nights. My Pageant was the musical Honk. I was Grace the Red Banded Duck.

Pageant is one of the many wonderful Judson traditions. Each night the big sisters leave their little sisters Pageant prizes. Last year when I got three little sisters, I had no idea what I was up against. I try to at least have a sign for my little sisters each night. My big sister is wonderful. Mary Amelia had something for me every night. She graduated from Judson last year, and is now in Grad school. I miss her so much. I Love MBS (My Big Sis)!

During Pageant, I had the opportunity to make new friends. My Junior/Soph year was my first at Judson; Pageant was really helpful for me to meet people. Looking back, I wish I was still practicing for Pageant. I love the sisterhood that our class built. I’m not going to lie and say that there were roses and sunshine everyday; there were many issues our class had to work through, but in the end, it was worth all of the work. I can’t even believe that I was able to do it all. Class all day, club meetings, Spanish lab, tennis, and Pageant. It was a crazy time!

I remember being so relieved when I didn’t have to go to practice the Monday after Pageant. Now I wish I had that time back to spend with my sisters. It is funny how we can’t wait for certain things in our lives to be over, and then when we get what we want, we wish we still had the past. I wouldn’t ever trade those late nights for sleep. I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to be involved in Pageant.

So, my few words of advice for you Junior/Soph readers…..  Cherish your last week. In the future you won't be able to remember how late you were up each night doing homework because you had to practice everyday. You won’t be able to remember the minor disagreements that you had with classmates.  You will only remember the fun that you had backstage dancing with friends, or the little phrases that you repeat over and over again.  Have fun! Make memories! You will be glad you did in the future.

Love Conquers All!

For the love of Mother Judson, Anne Kirtley, and Sandra Fowler.

~Jodie~

Unwise, it is unwise to, waiting until the last minute; it is unwise to wait until the last minute to complete an assignment.

That sentence may be confusing but, I wrote it after reading the book “What Jamie Saw” by Carolyn Coman. My first sentence models the opening lines of this book. Often writers use techniques to draw the reader’s attention to particular topics of importance. So what I am trying to tell you is… DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.

We have been in classes about a month and I still don’t feel like I am on top of my classes. I generally make pretty good grades and that has not been a problem this semester. I just know that I need to figure out how to handle seven classes before they all begin to get difficult. A few weeks ago, Dr. Judy Favor spoke in chapel. One of the topics she discussed was time management. It is so important to balance our time as college students. We must make time for our studies, to socialize and most importantly to grow closer to God.

So as I search for a way to manage my time, I have found that I procrastinate. This is not good. It’s so easy to fall behind. As I look at my list of things to do: write an annotated bibliography for my research composition class, reading for several classes, Spanish workbook, write a newspaper article, study for tests this week, guitar practice, running,  I think that I just waited too long to begin this stuff. But what can I do? JUST Start! So I guess my few words advice are stay on top of your school work before it builds up to maximum proportions.

This semester has already been a roller coaster of good and bad days. My Judson sisters have been with me through it all. One of my favorite things about Judson is Sisterhood. Anytime one of us needs encouragement, a smile, or just a hug, we are there for each other.

When I first decided to transfer here, one of the things that weighed on my mind was the fact that Judson is a women’s college. I could not imagine going to class with only girls. In high school, I had just as many guy friends if not more than I had girl friends. I thought that going to a place with all girls was crazy. Now I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I never thought I would say this but single gender education is wonderful. In class I am not self conscious of messing up or embarrassing myself, as I may have been in another school. Here I am given the opportunity to take on leadership roles that may not have been available somewhere else. When I was running today a friend of mine said that Judson is a good place to build self confidence. I agree with her statement completely. Judson College provides so many ways for young women to grow!

Well I must begin this endless list. Did I already tell you not to procrastinate?  Just a friendly reminder.

For the love of Mother Judson, Anne Kirtley, and Sandra Fowler.

~Jodie~

I really am a senior. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I have been doing this for four years. I guess my first two years of community college felt a little like the 13^th and 14^th grades. I am not going to lie, I enjoyed my time at home, but I was ready to transfer to Judson when the time came. I wish I could have come a semester earlier. I joined the education department at Judson the spring semester after I transferred. So I am a little behind in the department. Rather than graduating in the spring of 2010, I will graduate in the fall of 2010.

I am beginning to think about graduate school. I know that I want to go to grad school to earn a masters degree in English as a Second Language. I don’t know where I will be going. For the first time in my life, I am considering stepping outside of the box. Maybe I will go to grad school at Columbia or maybe somewhere in California. I have no idea where I want to go but I am really excited about it.

Today I joined a group of Judson students  that attended Grad School Preview Day at a local university. I got a lot out of the experience. I highly doubt I will attend this school, but it was nice to get out there to see what options I have after life at Judson.

I also registered for the PRAXIS. The PRAXIS is a test that all education majors must pass before they begin their student teaching. The test covers content knowledge in the field we want to be certified. I will take the test November 14. I signed up to take it in January, as well. I hope that I don’t have to take it a second time, but I registered just in case. One of my fears is taking tests so I am taking the PRAXIS a little bit earlier than other girls in my class. I want to give myself enough time to pass.  I hope I do well.

The other day I mentioned training for a 10k. I am running most days of the week now. I have even had the opportunity to run with one of the teachers at Judson. It was a lot of fun! I hope that I can keep it up. I need to get into shape for tennis season. I can’t wait for that to begin.

 I have been hearing a lot about the Judson soccer team recently. I saw the other day that a few of our athletes were recognized as USCAA players of the week. Not too long ago Becky Ellis earned soccer player of the week, and this week Lauren Browning was named women's soccer goalie of the week. Lisa Dundore was soccer player of the week honorable mention. These ladies are doing a great job. I read that the Judson Soccer team is ranked second in the Nation in the coaches' poll. They seem to be having a great season. Amber Owen a senior volleyball player was also named player of the week. GO EAGLES!

For the love of Mother Judson, Anne Kirtley, and Sandra Fowler.

~Jodie~

It is already the end of the third week of school, I can not believe it. Things have been pretty busy. I am actually still trying to settle in and get on a regular schedule. I need to find a way to balance my time successfully. I know this will come in time; I just have to hang in there until I figure things out.

Last Friday, I began my first day of field experience. As an education major, I have to spend 60 in the classroom each semester. This semester I go to West Blocton, a small town near Marion. I will spend my time observing in a 10^th grade English class.

Friday was a very interesting day for me. A relationship back home ended for many reasons, one of them is the need for both of us to take a step back to focus on God and His plans for our lives. There are so many seasons in our lives; college has led me through many seasons. Looking back, I cannot believe how far I have come in my four years of college. I have made so many life changing decisions and grown so much in the Lord. I have learned that it is great to have my own plans for my life, but if those plans do not match up with God’s plans they change quickly. I have changed majors several times since I began college, and when I was in community college I struggled with what college to transfer to in order to complete my degree.  After an amazing mission trip one summer to Moldova, a country in Eastern Europe, I knew I needed to attend a Christian school. I knew that missions would play a large part in my life.  From then on Judson College was at the top of my list of prospective colleges. I am so glad that I followed the path that the Lord led me to take, the road that led me to Judson.

Although my Friday turned sour towards the middle of the day, it ended on a good note. My roommate and I loaded the car and made a six hour drive to Mexico Beach, FL. We planned a weekend of beach time with our families. Saturday we spent the day on a boat and amongst the scallop beds of Port St. Joe. We caught so many scallops. Supper was so incredibly tasty.  We had several different seafood entrees. I had a fantastic weekend.

It was back to school on Monday and into the swing of classes again. I have decided to train for a 10k run. I am excited to train for this race. Right now I can run two miles so I have some time to go before I am ready for the 10k. I will keep you updated on my progress. A couple of other girls are training with me.

The other night some friends and I decided that it would be a great idea to go mattress surfing. We borrowed a mattress from the basement of Kirtley, the freshmen dorm, and used the stairs of another building to have some fun. On the way back to the dorms a storm began outside. I stayed outside in the rain with a few friends. We had a great time just joking around and taking pictures.  It is so much fun spending time with my Judson Sisters.

This week has flown by so quickly. I am ready for the weekend already. It is Labor Day weekend so I am going home. I love Judson, but I also love three day weekends!

For the love of Mother Judson, Anne Kirtley, and Sandra Fowler.

~Jodie~