The spring semester of a student’s sophomore year is exciting at a community college. This time of year can also be slightly scary and maybe a little bit exhausting. In the spring of 2008, just as in my senior year in high school, I had to begin searching for a college to attend. Of course there were tons of options, but I was searching for a school that would fit me perfectly. When I applied to and was accepted to Judson College, I knew that I had found my match. As a transfer student, I knew how college worked. I understood the importance of getting to know the staff in financial aid and my advisor. With the help of these two offices, I was bound to be successful.
Financial aid is such a scary concept. My community college boasted that it provided Alabama’s most affordable tuition. But Judson College is a private school. That means that it is expensive, right? There is no way I could pay to go to school here. That is where the financial aid office stepped in to save the day. I filled out FAFSA and qualified for a low interest loan, but not for any of the grants that student’s commonly get. I remember sitting in tears as I worked on the loan papers. My family was able to pay for community college and this was the first time I would have to go into debt for my education. I couldn’t wait to get out of that office! I didn’t want to owe anyone money.
Soon after that meeting, I got an email. The financial aid office found a grant that I qualified for and I chose to take it. The day that I was supposed to sign my loan check, I was able to receive my grant counseling, sign an agreement, and send my loan check back refusing the funds. One of the advantages of Judson College is that it is a small school, and most everyone knows all of the student’s names on campus. But as a transfer student, I was new and unknown. I knew that I couldn’t find aid completely on my own, so I made myself known to the people that could help me. I spent time in the financial aid office, and helped them put a face to my name. I know that the financial aid office seeks to help all students and at Judson that is especially true, but I believe that being proactive was the right thing to do. Mrs. Wilson (director of financial aid) worked to find grants and scholarships that met my needs directly. This was step 1 in a successful transfer to a four year school.
Step 2 involved my advisor. While meeting with my advisor, we planned my entire time at Judson. I decided the classes that I would take and the semesters that I would take them. For transfers it is sometimes difficult to get certain required classes. At smaller schools many classes are not taught every semester. When I planned out my time at Judson, I was able to foresee these conflicts. I was even able to request that certain departments offer particular classes when I needed to take them. It may be hard to believe, but Judson offered classes that I needed simply because I needed them to be offered. I would venture to say that not many of the other colleges I considered would have even considered doing this for me. I believe that because I made myself known, I was at an advantage.
I am now looking at my last semester of college. I have enjoyed my time at Judson, and I am so glad that I continued school after community college.
For the love of Mother Judson, Anne Kirtley, and Sandra Fowler!
We had our first tennis match on Monday. I know that I mentioned in a previous blog that we should have already had our first match, but sadly that match was cancelled. I hate to say it but we lost the match today.
My doubles partner and I did not have a good day. We couldn’t seem to get it together. At the end of the match, we looked at each other and said, “This will not happen again!” I also lost my singles match. Although that match didn’t go as poorly as the doubles match, it was still a disappointing loss. Both of our sets were really close. My opponent would win a game, and then I would win a game. I just couldn’t win enough games. I think that my opponent was the fastest girl I have ever played. She ran me all over the court, and no matter where I returned the ball, she was there. I can say that at the end of the afternoon, after playing tennis for a total of four hours, I was exhausted.
My doubles partner, Dominique, won her singles match, and my roommate, Anna, won her match. Anna and Lauretta also won their doubles match.
Overall we lost the match, but I believe that we will do better next time. We play Tuskegee the 22nd. That happens to be the first day that we return back to school after spring break.
School this week has been rather interesting to me. We have all been wrapping things up and striving to maintain some level of motivation as we await the opportunity to spend time away from school and our classes.
My plans include spending time at home doing class work, working out, and spending time with friends. On Wednesday I am leaving to go on a cruise with my family. I am really excited about the trip because we are going to Mexico. I will get to use some of the Spanish that I have learned in my semesters at Judson. I will tell about my trip in an upcoming blog.
For the love of Mother Judson, Anne Kirtley, and Sandra Fowler!
Wow! Last weekend was such a busy few days. As a member of the Beta Rho (Judson) Chapter of Kappa Delta Epsilon, I helped plan and host the South Regional KDE conference. Our chapter was the appointed host of the conference, and our advisor Dr. Sheek worked tirelessly to plan a wonderful weekend.
Friday, after the conference attendees registered, we all headed to a local restaurant for food and fellowship. I had a lot of fun at the restaurant. I made friends with one of the KDE national officers, who happens to live in Tuscaloosa, AL.
I also enjoyed a very comical discussion. One of the women attending the meal was an extremely proud mother. She told all of the young ladies attending about her son. I think she was trying to help him find just the right girl. She must have known that Judson ladies are wonderful company to keep. We all kind of joked with her and laughed, but maybe she was complimenting us in a way.
The evening concluded with a pajama Party. Yes! A Pajama Party. Can you see a group of college students, their advisors, and retired teachers playing games and eating ice cream in their pj’s? Let me tell you ….. It was so much fun. Some of the Judson girls lead icebreakers to help the group get acquainted, and then everyone began playing board games. I played “Scattergories” with girls from Judson and LSU. We laughed and joked around together, but we also discussed serious matters as well. In order to get a license to teach, we must all pass the PRAXIS II Exam. I am relieved to say that I passed the exam last semester, but the ladies from LSU have not taken the test yet. The group was able to discuss the emotions surrounding the exam. It was cool to hear the perspectives of students from a different state. I would say that the night was a success.
Actually the whole conference was a success. Saturday morning we were busy setting up, and then doing all of the things necessary to help the day go smoothly. We also had the opportunity to listen to presentations about various topics. My favorite presentation was led by a recent Judson graduate, Laura. She graduated last year and was able to find a job right away, even in the scarce job market. Laura spoke about creating a resume and about applying for and obtaining a job. I will definitely remember the tips that she gave us. The conference was a great way for us to gain a bit of professional development. I am glad that I got to play a role in the event.
For the love of Mother Judson, Anne Kirtley, and Sandra Fowler!
This week a group of us began a program at Francis Marion High School. The Alabama Poverty Project sponsors a program entitled BluePrints. Through this organization, eight Judson girls go to the high school to mentor 11th graders. We provide the students with information about college and career goals. We will discuss FAFSA, ACT, career choices, college choices, and interview skills. This semester we will go to the high school a total of six times. We have an hour of preparation on Thursdays and an hour of reflection for each mentoring session. The program looks like a big commitment, but I think it will be well worth it in the end. I really enjoy working with high school students. I hope that we can encourage them and supply them with information that they need to go to college and into the professional workforce.
Scholarship day is coming up; it is Feb. 27th. If you even think that you want to attend Judson you should come check it out. The day will be used for campus tours, meeting teachers and even athletic try-outs. Speaking of athletics, any of you play tennis? We will need to make a few additions to the tennis team next year. Be sure to let your recruiter know if you are interested in playing any sport at Judson. We Lady Eagles would love to have you on our teams!
I am particularly excited about this day because we have our first tennis match. We are playing Tuskegee. I cannot wait! My mom is driving up for the match. I think my sister and dad may come too. I am a little bit nervous, but I think that we will do great.
Another exciting event will be taking place that weekend as well. The Judson chapter of the Kappa Delta Epsilon (Education honor society) is hosting the organization’s South Regional conference. I am the president of the Beta Rho chapter, and I along with the other members of KDE will be involved in activities Friday evening and Saturday morning. The conference is going to offer professional development and fun.With scholarship day, tennis, and KDE, I am going to be one busy Judson girl! We shall see how it goes!
For the love of Mother Judson, Anne Kirtley, and Sandra Fowler!
