Monday Monday!! Unfortunately for most students including myself Monday is the worst day of the week for us, it’s the end of a relaxing weekend and the start to another stressful week full of tests and endless homework. Monday for me always seems better when I get to class and it’s a gorgeous day on Western’s campus. That always seems to make Monday a not so bad start to a stressful week.

My schedule this week is outrageous between 3 exams and 2 quizzes, homework, tons of reading, giving tours and telecounselling, I am not sure how I am going to make it. Fortunately for me I have a great group of friends that support me when I’m stressed out and feeling like there is no end. It is so important to find an outlet and away to escape from our stressful lives even if it’s for 20 minutes!!! For me it’s usually catching up on my favorite TV series (Grey’s Anatomy, which starts this week!! Yayayaya) going to the gym and getting a good workout, venting to my roommates and friends and cleaning which is kind of embarrassing. Yes cleaning, when I am stressed cleaning for some reason helps me relax and not over think and stress the things I have going on. You should definitely try it!!! I just cleaned my entire apartment and my roommates just looked at me like something was wrong. Seriously it works!!!

Well enough of my ranting!! I hope everyone has a great week! Take some time away from your studies and relax! At the end of the day, you can only accomplish what you have finished, everything else will just have to wait!!!

Its always a Great Day to be a Bronco!! =]

Hi!! My name is Andrea, I am from Niles, Michigan which is a small town at the southern-most part of the State (about five minutes from Indiana). I graduated from Brandywine High School in 2009.  For two years, I attended Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) in Dowagiac, Michigan. This is currently my 3^rd semester at WMU.

My graduating class was relatively small compared to the bigger school in my town. I graduated with only 82 students! I was involved in all sorts of activities during my high school years. I was Vice President of the student council and also of my Senior Class. I was an active member and secretary of the National Honors Society. I was a student choir director and also participated in many musical productions. For all four years, I participated in Solo and Ensemble and SWMVF (which is held at WMU). I also played basketball for three years in high school. I love being involved in school and the community and want to continue that in my college years.

My search for which college I wanted to attend was a slow process. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go, but I knew I wanted to be away from my hometown. Community college for me at that time was not an option. Western was my first pick and the first school to accept me. So, for me it was a no brainer, but not to my parents. They persuaded me to attend a community college to start, and get my pre-requisite classes out of the way. At the time, I hated the idea.  However, it was the smartest decision I could have made for myself. I enjoyed my time at SMC, but I wanted something more. I wanted to be at a university that wasn’t too far away from home, not tremendously big, offered my academic program, and also had a lot of activities that I enjoyed doing in high school. Western, of course, had been my first choice, so I chose to transfer there after finishing my pre-requisites. I knew I had made the right decision after attending their Transfer Transition Orientation. Hearing about the love for Western from students, professors and staff sealed the deal for me.

My first semester at WMU could greatly compare to a high school senior transitioning to a first year student. Yes, I did have some college experience under my belt, but being in a new environment with new people and a new campus often overwhelmed me. Having friends that already attended WMU helped with the transition, but I knew I had to be involved in something in order for the university to make me feel at home. At the end of my first semester I wanted to be involved in something that would give me more. The Student Ambassador Program was the most influential in my transition to WMU. It allowed me to be more involved in the university and it also opened my eyes to the various organizations on campus! I am currently a Student Ambassador, a council member of the Student Nurses Council, and a member of the Lee Honors College!

I could not have made a better choice! I am so happy with my decision and I hope one day you will be too! If you have any questions please, please, please, ask and I will do my best to answer them! I am so happy to be on my second year as a WMU Student!