FIRST BLOG OF THE YEAR

Hey,

I know-I know, it's been forever since I last made a blog entry. For anyone who happens to follow this blog, I apologize. Last semester was a huge ordeal for me. Along with classes, I was also working as the Student Admissions Association Coordinator, a writing Tutor,and the Food Committee Chair of SGA. I also had a part in our school production of "Our Town", and I had to work on putting together our school paper. There's probably other stuff, but I won't bore you with the details. Needless to say, it was a rough semester, but I came through with good grades and am ready to leave it behind.

Anyway, Christmas was a lot of fun for me. I had the full series of both “The Wire” and “Battlestar Galactica” (both excellent shows which you should check out as soon as humanely possible). I had the whole extended family over (both of my sisters and their husbands) so I had to spend a lot of money on presents this year. The rate this is going, I’ll have no money left by the time my sisters start having kids! (this is all, of course, in jest).

So far, this semester seems to be going well. I’m currently taking Spanish 102, Film Studies and a class called Memoirs. What’s really cool about the Memoirs course is that we actually get to travel downtown every Wednesday to the Metro Women’s Prison in Atlanta and have class with some of the inmates. Our first venture will be this upcoming Wednesday, so I’ll let you all know how that goes.

Also, I finally ended up settling on a major (though this will probably change). I am now officially an English/Film Studies major.

Finally, since 2009 has come and gone, I figured I’d leave you guys with a list of my top ten favorite movies of the year. Feel free to comment on my choices or post some of your own! And, yes, I am aware Avatar is not on my list.

Catch ya’ll later!
Mark

TOP TEN OF 2009
1.Where the Wild Things Are
2.The Brothers Bloom
3.Observe and Report
4.A Single Man
5.Inglourious Basterds
6.The Hurt Locker
7.The Hangover
8.Moon
9.District 9
10.Star Trek

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everybody! Campus has been brought to life again as classes started this week. We had a wonderful treat last week- snow! There was a great blanket at Oxford and the Atlanta area which made campus look beautiful. Just a reminder that the regular decision deadline is today at midnight! Make sure you check the admissions checklist to confirm that you have submitted everything. This is a very busy and exciting time in the office for us, please bear with us as it may take a about 2 weeks for us to process your documents and update their status on OPUS. Please keep an eye on your OPUS account to check your application status. If you are a Georgia resident, come check visit us at the Atlanta NACAC fair on Sunday, January 24th!

My First Semester In Review

Hi Readers,

    I know you haven’t heard from me all semester so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Imani and I am the Oxford College of Emory University freshman blogger. I’m currently on winter break but I must admit, I cannot stop thinking about Oxford! College has become such a huge part of my life and I love it! I can’t believe I halfway done with my first year :D

    As I type (and as you read) I am only three days away from returning to school after a long and well deserved hiatus. This semester has been so eventful and exciting! It seems like just yesterday that I was freaking out about my first semester and wondering what college would be like.  Now I’m steadily approaching my second semester of classes and the beginning of my sophomore year. I guess it’s true what they say: time does fly when you’re having fun. I’m feeling very well adjusted and ready to go back.

I won’t lie; college can be extremely stressful. Still, rest assured that Oxford has made the entire journey a lot of fun for me and my peers. For example, during finals week when everyone is pulling their hair out over exams, Oxford’s wonderful staff (including our deans) made us a huge pancake breakfast featuring superheroes. I had never heard of such but I loved it. We also had a fall formal at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in downtown Atlanta in early December. My friends and I had a blast there too.  Dooley, the spirit of Oxford even made an appearance—body guards and coffin in tow. In addition to that there was delicious food and dancing. It was an all around good time. Another exciting event occurred when we first arrived on campus in late August. The school hosted Oxford Olympics, during which teams from each residence hall would compete in challenges such as tug-of-war and an inflatable obstacle course for the title of champion! My hall didn’t win but I will never forget that night; the school spirit was contagious.

Another aspect of the Oxford experience that I really appreciate is the close-knit quality of the entire campus.  The teachers are very personable and openly encourage you to take advantage of their office hours to discuss and difficulties you may be having. My advisor actually scolded me for not visiting him more often : P. The teachers are genuinely concerned about your academic and personal well being and it shows. Even the maintenance workers, receptionists, and cafeteria personnel are friendly and warm. I’ve actually eaten dinner in the homes of some Oxford staff with their families. Nothing about the campus seems cold impersonal and I truly value that feature in Oxford.

A final piece of Oxford that I love (there are so many) is the history. As the birthplace of Emory University and Georgia Tech (yep, Tech too) the entire campus is historic. Each building on campus tells a story—some of which date back to the 1800’s. Just a few steps behind the gym and the library is a Civil War cemetery that some friends and I visited one night with sophomores. It was a little spooky but mostly awe-inspiring. I discovered at that moment that I’m attending an interactive museum of sorts for college; we learn and study in original buildings. The rustic charm and historic elegance of the campus just can’t be ignored.

Overall, my experiences during my first semester have been largely positive. Oxford has made a great impression on me thus far and I can only hope that these upcoming semesters will be just as brilliant if not better!

'Til Next Time,

Imani :)

Get connected!

Congratulations to our first accepted students to the Oxford College class of 2014! We are excited to add you to our wonderful Oxford family! I encourage you to sign up for one of our Spring for Oxford Events that are coming up in April. These events include a tour of campus and a student panel, and really give students a look into all that Oxford has to offer. Register for one of our Spring for Oxford events by clicking here. I also encourage you to interact with current Oxford students and other accepted students by joining the Oxford College of Emory University Class of 2014 group on Facebook- check out our group! Here you can post questions and introduce yourselves to fellow future classmates. There are many other ways to interact with current Oxford College students and get connected with the Oxford community. Happy Holidays!

Winter break is so close!

Only 3 days until I return home. The only things standing in my way from heading back to the Big Apple are two finals: Genetics and Calculus. I still have some studying to do for both, but I have been feeling well about both finals.

Of course, I have the last final this semester (no, really, I have the very last final slot). Some students have already gone home for the winter break. I'm a bit jealous, not going to lie. Once these two finals are done, I have winter break to look forward to!

So, over the next few days I shall be studying, cleaning my room and packing for winter break.

Happy Holidays!

Peace and love,
Lizzy

December Notes

Finals are here and our students at Oxford are studying hard! The holiday break is coming up which means decisions for Early Action applicants are coming out soon. You may view your decision online via your OPUS account tomorrow. For instructions on how to log in, click here. Congratulations to our first accepted students to the Oxford Class of 2014!

A group of students will be returning to Oxford early for Dr. McQuaide's Social Problems class, which examines various societal issues in the Atlanta area. Some of the places the students visit are a battered women's shelter, a homeless shelter, a geriatric facility, a waste water treatment plant, and they also have the opportunity to ride along with a police officer in one of the most dangerous areas in Atlanta. These experiences in the field allow them a first hand look into the different social problems that are right in our backyard.

Check back for more information about the Social Problems class and other happenings with Oxford students during the holidays!

Finals week!

This morning I took my first final: Chemistry. I felt it went well. Now I only have two more exams (on of my classes doesn't have a final - Thank you, Dr. Stutz!!). My next two finals are not until next week, so I have ample time to study for both of them.

And then, after my last final, I'll be heading home!! Yay! So excited! I'll be going to visit my high school and spending time with friends and family. And sleeping! Lots! Haha.

I just discovered this great website. Perhaps the college bookstore cannot take back your textbook, because the professor is using a different edition. Or you know you will not be keeping the textbook after this semester. Well, no fear! www.chegg.com is the answer!

www.chegg.com/buyback/ They’ll pay you top dollar for your books, like $40 each – and no lines because it’s online. Chegg even pays the shipping and plants a tree for every book you sell.

How about the fact I have a promo code CC107355 that gets you an extra $5 with your order?

Go to www.chegg.com/buyback/, you can get your used textbooks sold now.