I am a senior Psychology major and a Leadership Studies minor. I am from West Hartford, not too far from campus; therefore, I commute. Just because I am a commuter does not mean that I do not enjoy the life a college student at SJC.
I am involved in many different activities on campus. I am a Student Ambassador, a position with Admissions where I provide tours to prospective students and their families. I am also on the Executive Board for the Student Programming and Events Council, commonly referred to as SPEC across campus. This organization plans many different events for students to attend—almost always free of charge! I am also an Orientation Leader and Peer Mentor.
Orientation Leaders and Peer Mentors facilitate the orientations that happen in June and then again at Welcome Weekend in August. The Peer Mentor also is assigned to a First Year Seminar (FYS) class to assist the students with transition issues to college. The FYS class I’ve been assigned to for the fall of 2010 is “Psychopaths & Maniacs” — I am very excited to meet and work with the Class of 2014!
My other interests include: learning, friends, music, traveling, occasional scrapbooking, cooking, baking, and just letting life happen — I love experiencing new things and meeting new people.
Check back for my latest blog!
Kimberly L. Wennerberg ’11: Letting Life Happen
March 26, 2011
IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR
I just completed my first week back after my last spring break as an undergraduate student. The week was not as relaxing as I would have liked, but I accomplished some important things. After settling back into somewhat of a routine over the past week, I wish I had relaxed more over break.
This past week has been a little chaotic. Between adjusting back to my internship and classes, homework and extracurriculars I was worn out! However, a lot of fun things happened this week.
Every spring the SPEC Executive Board spends a portion of their meeting reading through applications of students interested in becoming an executive member the following year. My meeting Monday night included the reading of those applications. Tuesday night, we had a coffeehouse with JD Eicher, it was nice to get out of class and go to the event and relax with some friends. The rest of the week consisted of work, homework, classes and my internship.
Today, was Saint Joseph College's Accepted Student's Reception. In a nutshell, all students who have been accepted thus far for the Class of 2015 were invited to campus to meet with different departments on campus, current students and take tours of campus. It's a busy day full of taking families on tours as well as talking about our experiences as a St. Joe's student. It's so excited to see the excitement these girls have about their future as college students.
The next big admissions event (and my last) will be our Open House on May 1, 2011. To learn more about this event or other upcoming admissions events, go check out the events section on the admissions section of the website.
March 8, 2011
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
So my attempt at taking a class at the O'Connell Center did not happen. Maybe choosing that goal during mid-terms, coupled with everything else going was not the smartest idea. ( Even though it would have been good stress relief!) I still have some mid-term assignments to complete this week, so this week doesn't look the best either. I guess my I'll have to wait until after spring break. Spring break is next week, which will be a nice break from my chaotic school schedule.
I have never been one to travel very much over my spring breaks. In fact, the last time I left New England for spring break was my freshman year of college. As much as I would like to take a journey down to somewhere warm, I'll enjoy my week off here in Connecticut. Some of the girls from St. Joe's are going to be spending time in NY working with Habitat for Humanity.
Knowing that spring break is just days away is exciting though. That means the weather will be getting warmer soon, which is always a nice treat! That means the flowers will be blooming shortly and make our campus look wonderful; but it is always beautiful here no matter the season.
February 24, 2011
NOT ENOUGH TIME
24 hours a day does not seem like enough time to accomplish everything I need to get done in a given day. 79 days until graduation does not seem like enough time to accomplish all the academic things left to do on my "to-do list". 79 days also does not seem like enough time to relish college life. So I've made it my mission as part of my bucket list to somehow find the time to enjoy college life and the things St. Joe's has to offer.
Somehow I must find time to enjoy myself between taking three classes on campus, my online class, my internship, S.P.E.C. events and meetings, my on campus job in Admissions as well as my part-time off campus job. The combination of all of those sometimes makes it hard to find the time to do what I want to in my so called free time.
Next week, it is my goal to take advantage of one of the many free, yes free, classes offered at the O'Connell Center (also referred to as the OC on campus).
February 16, 2011
TIME IS FLYING
While classes started just about a month ago, I am just in my first full week of classes. It doesn't seem possible that in under 90 days I will be graduating if I am just in the second week of classes. However, this semesters schedule is shaping up to be nice.
On Monday and Friday I intern at Capital Community College in Downtown Hartford as a required "capstone" experience for my Leadership Studies minor. The rest of my classes are Psychology electives. The electives I have enrolled in are: Social Psychology, Victimiology, Art Therapy with Children and Positive Psychology. So far the classes are proving to be thought provoking and interesting.
I was looking at my calendar recently and realized just how quickly time is going and if I want to complete things on my "SJC Bucket List" I better get going on that. Yesterday, marked the three month mark until graduation and while the thought of that excites me, it also makes me nervous. Not only do I feel there is way too much work to be accomplished between now and then, I am also unsure of what the future brings post-graduation. With just under 90 days to go, I am going to give it my best to enjoy these last few months. Four years really does go by in a hurry.
For now, I am off to contemplate what it is that I want to accomplish at SJC before I graduate on May 15, 2011.
February 8, 2011
BACK AT IT
After taking some time off, I am back on the blog scene. As last semester came to a close, life got hectic with everything I was involved with. Now I am into my third week of my last semester at St. Joe's and I must admit it does feel a little strange.
This semester is off to a slow start because of good old Mother Nature. She has caused havoc, the school has been closed and classes have been delayed or let out early because of all the winter storms. Thus, I have not had one "normal" week on campus. However, it looks like this week will be my first normal week of classes and internships.
I've decided that in honor of my last semester here at SJC that I would take a "Bucket List" approach to many of my blog entries. It is my hope to create a list of things I want to accomplish and do before May 15, 2011, graduation day. Today marks 97 days until the big day. I am not too sure what my list will entail, but I know there are a few things I want to take advantage of on this campus that I have never done before.
Stay tuned to see what the "Bucket List" will include.
November 12, 2010
PROGRAMMING
It's been a little while since I've blogged . I got out of my groove last week because I was away at a conference. Technically, I really was not away, I was just down the road at the Connecticut Convention Center. I was away at a weekend long conference for college programmers. It was regional convention for the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA). An association dedicated for those involved with programming activities on their campuses.
This was my third time attending the conference. Last fall I went to the regional conference in Hartford and this past February, I went to the National Conference which happened in Boston.
I went to NACA with the Executive Board of S.P.E.C.. Over the weekend we attended educational sessions devoted to personal and professional development as well as new strategies we can implement on campus. In addition to educational sessions, we also attended showcases, which are short performances form a variety of musical talents, magicians, comedians and other talents. From there we are able to book acts we'd like to bring to our campus.
O ctober 29, 2010
TIME FLYS...
Where has the time gone? We've been in full swing on this campus for two months already and after this weekend, we'll be in November. November, already? It seems crazy that we are already this far along in the semester, it just doesn't seem possible. Time needs to slow down! A.) There's far too much to be accomplished before December 17, the last day of finals for the semester. B.) I'm not ready to graduate in less than 200 days.
I guess I better just sit down and enjoy the fast ride because time is flying.
Right now, I am in the midst of finalizing my schedule of classes for the spring semester, my last and final undergraduate schedule. While I'm feeling excited, it also makes me a little sad that the ending is near. However, I'm enjoying class selection because I have the ability to take any classes I want; with the exception of a required one for my major. It is nice to be able to enroll in a class just because it sounds interesting or I want to take a class with the professor teaching the class. But this process is also a little overwhelming because there is so much flexibility for me in my schedule.
To see all the exciting classes offered go to: Course Search.
October 22, 210
FALL IN NEW ENGLAND
Fall foliage is said to be on of the best things about living in New England. Last weekend I had the opportunity to get away for a day and travel to Massachusetts. I went up to the Mohawk Trail to enjoy some of the fall foliage. Even though the recent rains and winds had taken some leaves, it was still beautiful!
This is one of the benefits of going to Saint Joe's you are pretty much within two hours from a lot of great attractions!
You are within two hours from:
- Boston
- NYC
- Providence
- Beautiful fall foliage in New England
It was a nice little day trip to reenergize me for the Open House the next day and for the upcoming week.
What are your favorite things about fall in New England?
October 15, 2010
TIS THE SEASON
No, I am not talking about the holiday season; I am talking about the season of mid-terms. This past week was the so called official week of mid-terms here at St. Joe's. Now that it is Friday, I can almost take a little bit of a breather after a busy ten days of papers and exams. However, I know if I relax too much the work will pile up and I will not be happy.
However, now that we are at the mid-point in the semester, we are now that much closer to Thanksgiving and winter break. It is scary to think the semester will quickly come to a close and I will be entering my last semester as a student at Saint Joseph College.
It also is the season for pumpkin picking and beautiful New England fall foliage. I am hoping to take advantage of some of the beauty the area has to offer this weekend.
Every fall season also means time for Open Houses on college campuses. This Sunday, SJC will have their annual fall open house. Prospective students and families will arrive on campus this Sunday to tour the beautiful campus, meet current students, faculty and staff. I'm looking forward to this event because I love showing this campus to prospective students.
October 8, 2010
MID SEMESTER
It is already about mid semester of my senior year; I can't believe how fast it is going by. The work is piling up and memories are in the process of creation.
This is the part of the semester where everyone, or most everyone begins to feel the stress and pressures of being a college student. However, at college there are plenty of things to do outside of the classroom that allow for stress free times with friends.
On Wednesday night, S.P.E.C. had their first coffeehouse of the semester with a piano/song writer from Ohio-Andrew Varner . Students came into McGovern and got hot chocolate, tea or coffee and our favorite sugar cookies with frosting.
With a hot beverage and cookie in hand, people sat down on the couches in the lounge and listened to Andrew play his own songs as well as covers as requested by the audience.
Having the opportunity to sit back and enjoy about 90 minutes of music and laughter with friends was a great escape from homework and studying; just enough to get reenergized for more homework.
The best part about events like the coffeehouse is they are free to students. What could get better than a free performance, coffee and a cookie?
October 1, 2010
RAINY DAYS
For the past few days the campus has been very wet; thanks to Mother Nature. While we desperately needed the rain, it certainly puts a damper on the mood on campus. As beautiful as the campus is no matter the weather, I just longed for a beautiful crisp fall day, not a rainy one.
For the past few days I've been in rain-boots, not the most comfortable footwear to wear for a few consecutive days, but they are essential to keeping dry on rainy days such as today, yesterday and maybe even the day before that. I longed to be in flip-flops, just because they maybe one of my favorite things to wear. My longing for flip-flops increased in my communications class at University of Hartford today. (Like I mentioned before, one of the benefits of attending SJC is you are able to register at neighboring colleges to attend class through the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education).
Today, in my communications class, we had a guest speaker from the Royal Caribbean International cruise line come in and talk about their marketing and branding strategies. While it was exciting to hear from a professional in the field talk about concepts that I had just recently learned about, I yearned to be traveling to a sunny location to escape the upcoming winter weather.
Well, I am sure the rain will subside soon and a sunny fall day will be here before you know it and then I will forget all about the sunny warm weather that the Caribbean promises.
September 24, 2010
A NEW LIFE?
This week, I had no idea what I was going to blog about, until this morning. This morning I heard Augustana's "Boston" on the radio and I had an epiphany. I thought, why not write about my transfer decision from Boston to Saint Joseph.
The lyrics of the song go like this:
She said I think I'll go to Boston
I think I'll start a new life
I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name.
I thought this song fit perfectly to the story of the start of my college life. I wanted to go to college in Boston for most of my high school career and in the spring of my junior year I selected to go to school right outside of the city. College is about defining yourself, for the most part you are surrounded by people who don't know anything about you so you can in fact almost start a "new life" I could start over and become someone else, someone who I wanted to be because I only knew three people that were attending the college I started out at.
On the other hand, it was great that I could recreate my self something was missing, a personal feeling where people actually knew my name and who I was. (So much for where no one knows my name.)
After one semester, I found myself packing up from the city I loved and moving back home. I quickly enrolled in Saint Joseph College for the spring 2008 semester and really liked that I could start a new life at a new institution.
While I was excited to be able to get out of a situation where I was not happy in a city I loved, I was also nervous to transfer into SJC. It is hard enough being a new girl, but never mind the fact I was the new girl coming in half way through the year, I came halfway through one of the hardest semesters in college- FRESHMAN year! But, Saint Joe's made the transition easy for me and I was able to connect immediately to the campus and all it had to offer.
Finally I was able to start a new life and I loved it and all the experiences I've been able to soak up at SJC. Not only was I able to start that new life I had longed for, people actually new my name at Saint Joe's.
Transferring to Saint Joesph may have been the best thing I've done for myself.
September 17, 2010
FULL SPEED AHEAD
Where has the time gone? It seems like I was just writing about my first week of senior year at St. Joe's. Now I am looking at heading into week four. Can time just slow down a little so I can enjoy senior year and stress a little less?
Now that the semester is in full swing, there is no shortage of work. I'm already looking at my first exam next week and a couple of a papers following shortly thereafter. It doesn't seem possible that I could already have an exam! It seems like I just started the class.
While my busy student-leader/involved-student life has also kept me extremely busy, I had the opportunity to enjoy some campus activities recently. My favorite event was attending an event run by my own club, S.P.E.C.. This past Wednesday, S.P.E.C. hosted black-light mini golf. McGovern Lounge was turned into a small version of a mini-golf course for the night. It was so nice to take some time away from my busy life to have some fun with some friends and play a few rounds of mini-golf, in the dark, for FREE. Now, what could get better than that? FREE things in college are amazing and a majority of events on campus are free for students or at the most are very inexpensive.
Speaking of FREE events, S.P.E.C. is starting a comedy-club series next Thursday (September 23). At 8PM McGovern will turn into our version of a comedy club. We will be blending a variety of smoothie flavors for attendees to enjoy. I'm looking forward to this event...another night to take a short break; about an hour, away from studying and to enjoy myself.
Notice a theme of "stress-management"? This past week I briefly talked to my first year students about stress management. Taking some time out of your schedule to have some fun is so important. SJC offers numerous opportunities and events around campus to reduce stress.
Take some time this week and do something you enjoy & hopefully you'll stress a little less.
September 10, 2010
A UNIQUE EDUCATION
It's hard to believe another (hectic) week of school is coming to a close. I still haven't had a "normal" week of classes so I can imagine in the coming weeks my life will become much more hectic as a "normal" routine sets in.
I'm really enjoying my classes this semester. Many of them are much different than any other classes I have experienced. For example, Group Dynamics is co-taught by the wonderful Adventure Education guys: Mike & Justin.
Unlike most classes where you sit in a seat at a table for the class period, Group Dynamics is about getting out of your seat for most of the class period. Group Dynamics is more of an experiential education environment- learning through experiences. Hence, "experiential education". This type of learning is a great and fun way to learn new things about the subject matter and yourself.
Many of the activities in this class are focused on group interactions and leadership styles in a group. It's interesting to participate in activities and see how every leader leads differently.
It's already been a great experience and I can't wait to learn more.
September 3, 2010
THE BEGINNING
This past Monday (August 31) my senior year at SJC began. It has been a whirlwind of a week, filled with new classes, SPEC and the ending of Welcome Weekend. As a senior at Saint Joseph College, I've completed a majority of my major requirements and general education requirements. However, this semester, I have to complete the final required class for my major, one last general education requirement, a few required class for my minor in Leadership Studies and I also got to select a couple of electives.
I'll give you a closer look at my academic life at SJC.
I am in classes Monday through Friday and have up to three classes on a given day.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I start my day with a Communications class at University of Hartford. Yes, University of Hartford. You may wonder how this is possible if I am student at Saint Joseph College. I am able to take classes at area colleges that participate in the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education. This class meets for 50 minutes in the morning. My other class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday is my Introduction to Leadership Studies class also meets for a 50 minute time period in the afternoon. Monday's schedule is a little different than Wednesday and Friday because my Coordinating Seminar for my Psychology major meets at night for two and half hours.
On Tuesday's my day starts at 9:30 in the morning and goes until 6:30 at night, with only a few little breaks in between. My first class on Tuesday is not one of my own. As a Peer Mentor I am required to sit in on a First Year Seminar class. This class meets every Tuesday and Thursday for an hour and fifteen minutes. My other classes that meet on Tuesday and Thursday are my general education requirement class which is Spanish and my other required class for my minor, Group Dynamics. Both of these classes also meet for an hour and fifteen minutes. Like Monday, I have a night class that meets for two and half hours. This class is actually in the Graduate School. Psychology students are selected at the end of their Junior year to enroll in one graduate class in each semester their senior year.
August 26, 2010
NEW BEGINNINGS
Tomorrow will start a new beginning for many students on the Saint Joseph College Campus. Freshman move onto campus and Transfer students also embark on a new journey. Tomorrow also marks the start of Welcome Weekend. This weekend promises to be a fun-filled weekend!
We have moving in, a BBQ, team building activities, a carnival, a game-show and more exciting events to get students geared up for the school year and to start forming friendships.Welcome to Saint Joseph Class of 2014 and transfer students. I leave you with the words of Natasha Bedingfield : "today is where your book begins...the rest is still unwritten."
August 20, 2010
BACK ALREADY?
I can't believe that I am officially back on campus daily now. My first official/unofficial day back was yesterday. Even though classes are not starting for another ten days, my life as a SJC student has started. As I've stated previously, I had training for SPEC to attend to. Today was the last day of the training. These past two days have gone so fast. I can only imagine how fast student leader training will go next week.
Starting on Monday all the Orientation Leaders ( OLs ) and Peer Mentors ( PMs ) will gather together to begin our training to gear up for Welcome Weekend and the coming year.
These past two days have been slightly tiring, but incredibly fun and full of laughs and of course some "serious" business. I am certainly going to enjoy Saturday and Sunday amongst working at my off campus job and getting together some last minute things for the coming semester. I'll also need to be sure to get plenty of sleep as I really won't see too much of my pillow for a while.
As student leaders we have training for four days and go right into Welcome Weekend. A weekend of move in and tons of activities for new students. I'm excited to meet students who I did not have the chance to meet at orientation sessions June and say hello to those students I did get the chance to meet. While the experience is exhausting it is most definitely rewarding and a great learning experience.
Also, as a member of SPEC we are responsible tor working at the events that happen the first week of classes. There are activities scheduled pretty much every day or night. We have everything from a concert on the patio of McGovern, to a late night Bingo & Breakfast and a big screen movie on the quad. To see what other events are happening during Welcome Week and the upcoming semester look at S.P.E.C.'s calendar:
August 11, 2010
AUGUST ALREADY?
Where did summer go? It seems like it was about this time in May when my summer was starting and the fall semester was weeks away. Now I am looking at about a week before I am heading back to campus--I can't believe it nor can I believe this will be my last Fall semester in college.
I head back next Thursday to begin training: one to get ready for the coming semester with SPEC and then the following week a four day preparation to get ready for Welcome Weekend to welcome new students back to campus.
I'm looking forward to both of these trainings and of course Welcome Weekend! It's a fun filled weekend with a lot of activities to acclimate first year students to campus and a time to start forming friendships.
July 31, 2010
BRIEF RETURN
This past week I was back on campus a couple of times providing tours. One for two high school students and another for individuals attending the Transfer and Transform event. It was great getting back onto campus for two beautiful days.
While it was nice to get back onto campus again after almost two weeks, I will be leaving again to go on one last vacation. After that, my summer days will be numbered and my official return to campus life will be on the horizon. Even though the end of my summer is quickly approaching, I am excited and ready to get back to campus; except this time in full swing.
July 23, 2010
HIATUS PART II
This week my hiatus from campus continued, well sort of. I spent some time on campus today taking care of some miscellaneous things. I also spent some time working in the library on an assortment of things as I begin to get ready apply to graduate school. The library provided me with plenty of quiet space to accomplish some work.
After today my hiatus will not continue as I will definitely be on campus next Wednesday afternoon providing tours as part of the Transfer and Transform offered by Admissions. I look forward to events such as this one because I am able to share my personal transfer experience with students in a similar position as I was in not too long ago.
Although I've enjoyed having some time off to travel and just have some "me" time, I miss being on campus and sharing it with others who are interested in joining the Saint Joseph College community.
July 17, 2010
HIATUS PART I
So my hiatus from campus finally came, that is why I have not been blogging recently. Over the past few weeks I did not have to go to campus to give tours, which was a weird feeling. However, I was able to relax, enjoy some time off, as well as go on vacation for a week. Now I am back and ready to blog about my life as an SJC student.
While I have missed going to campus, taking time away is important; it is summer after all! (A summer that is quickly coming to an end!) I can't believe that I only have about a month left of my summer vacation. As a student leader I have to go back to campus early to start preparing for things like SPEC (Student Programming and Events Council) and Welcome Weekend for the freshman class. All of these things are fun and exciting reasons to have to shorten my summer by about ten days.
July 1, 2010
PERSONAL TOUCHES
This summer it feels as though I've never officially had a hiatus from campus, so far this summer I've been on campus at least once a week. Although, that had to do with orientations. However, now that orientations are over, I still find that I am on campus (which I don't mind). Recently, I have been providing multiple tours for Admissions, in my role as Student Ambassador.
I love serving as an ambassador of Saint Joseph. Not only do I get to show others the campus I love and why I love being a student, I also get to meet and interact with so many different people.
Over the past two weeks I have given many tours and each one of them was completely different than the previous one, at least in some respects. All tours show all the different buildings on campus, services offered, as well as ways students can get involved and enjoy their life as a student. But, they were all different in other respects.
My recent tours have included: a high school student entering their senior year in high school, a prospective Second Degree Student, a group of students that are participating in one of the summer programs on campus, a possible transfer student, and guidance counselors.
I was able to personalize each of these tours so the guests on campus had their questions answered and were also able to see themselves or students at their school as a Saint Joseph College student.
June 24, 2010
NEW BEGINNINGS
It is the eve before the last day of orientation for incoming first year students. Well, at least the last orientation until August. Tomorrow marks the second orientation for this week! There was another orientation earlier in the week on Tuesday.
Tuesday was the third orientation day and third orientation that was rain free this year! Approximately 60 students and their families/guests arrived onto campus around 8:00AM for a fun filled day of information sessions on life as an SJC student, a chance to meet other classmates and something many students look forward to--picking their classes for the fall semester.
Prior to each orientation advisors from the Academic Advisement Center devise a schedule for each student. These schedules incorporate classes that they need to take for their first semester. For example an incoming Nursing student would have their Biology and Chemistry lecture and lab classes already filled into their schedule. Also, all first year students are put into a First Year Seminar class or as it's commonly called...FYS. Many students are given a few options of electives that they can take to round out their schedule.
As a Peer Mentor I assist in a schedule planning workshop alongside an advisor assisting the incoming students with course selection and eventually registering them.
As an upperclasswomen, I can give my insights and suggestions on elective classes to take as well as answering questions like: "Is it too hard to take four courses on one day?" or "What is a minor like?"
Attending orientation is such an integral process in acclimating to the college community. While the day is long students and families get their questions answered and are now a part of the Saint Joseph College community!
Tomorrow looks like another great day for an orientation!
