Wowzer! Hard to believe my second semester at WMU is almost over. Getting ready for finals next week and I can’t help but to reflect on how fast this semester flew by compared to my first semester here. I never imagined feeling home at WMU. This semester has brought many different opportunities.  I joined the School of Social Work’s Admissions Committee as the BSW student representative. It was great to step out of my comfort zone and get involved with the school I attend. I absolutely enjoyed all of my classes and building relationships with other students in the class. It’s amazing how much WMU has to offer, I had to let go of the fear of transferring and open my eyes to realize it!!

My advice to any student who is considering transferring would be: Let go of your fears, hold your head high and grab on to all that WMU has to offer.  You can do it!!

I started my college journey at a community college and even though I knew it was time to transfer, I was sad and scared; it was like leaving home all over again. Today I am proud to call WMU my home well, at least for the next couple years!

Go Broncos!!

- Christina

Hello!

Another semester already; I feel like the break wasn’t long enough.  I survived the first week of classes and happy to say that I love all of my professors. I got accepted into the social work program and am officially a BSW student!  This semester I am taking two social work classes and I changed my minor to criminal justice so I am taking to criminal justice classes as well.  It makes the classes so much more fun and interesting when your professors actually have experience in what they are teaching. You learn so much from listening to their stories and experience. I’m happy to see so many familiar faces this semester. I remember my first week last semester I didn’t think I was going to make it, WMU seemed so huge and overwhelming. This semester in EVERY one of my classes there is someone I know or have had a class with before, I guess WMU isn’t as huge as I thought it was. 

Till next time,

Christina

Hello!

I’m super excited for this week! My friends and I are going to see West Side Story at Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium.  It is such an awesome opportunity to see a musical at Miller and the tickets are super cheap, student tickets are half off.  Other shows coming soon to Miller Auditorium are Bill Cosby and Matchbox Twenty. With Kalamazoo being directly between Detroit and Chicago tons of shows stop to perform at Miller.

Miller Auditorium had its grand opening in 1968. Over 40 years later, Miller Auditorium is still ranked as one of the top ten facilities in the United States, and is the third largest theatre in Michigan. Miller Auditorium has always been careful to never lose sight of its purpose in the cultural landscape of the community, and has become the premier center for performing arts not only in Kalamazoo, but also in all of Southwest Michigan.

For more information about Miller Auditorium or tickets visit:  http://www.millerauditorium.com/

Hello-

The semester started off pretty slow but has picked up and turned out to be one of the best college semesters I’ve experienced so far.

I went to homecoming with some friends and had an amazing time. Looking forward to making it to more home games this season, it’s awesome that admission to home games are free for Western students.

Homecoming 2012

Work has been awesome; I  love connecting with other transfer students. This past week I helped out with a WMU Open House. I met a lot of cool people and had a blast!!

A few of us at Open House w/ President Dunn

This week I am meeting with my advisor to figure out what classes I should register for next semester because registration for spring 2013 is right around the corner!!  Click on the link below for more information about registration dates:

http://www.wmich.edu/registrar/calendars/timeticketSpring.html

Hope you have a good week!

-Christina

PS,

Check out the WMU Transfer Facebook page!  https://www.facebook.com/wmutransfer

One thing I love about Kalamazoo, Michigan is there’s always something to do. The city of Kalamazoo is very friendly to college students. Almost anywhere, movies, the mall, restaurants will give you a student discount as long as you have your student ID.

This weekend I went to the Rave Movie Theater downtown Kalamazoo and admission is only $5.00 with your student ID.  Whatever your favorite food is I am positive you can find it in Kalamazoo. Most places give out a student discount or you’ll get a free drink by showing your student ID.  After the movie we went to Old Burdick’s downtown and on Sundays students get half off!  It’s always great saving money.

There are also tons of places to meet friends to study or have a cup of coffee. Places like Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, Water Street Coffee Joint, Fourth Coast and there is also tons of coffee shops downtown. Most all places are equipped with Wi-Fi and have comfy couches where you can hang out with friends or do homework. We have a mall in Portage about 15 minutes away from campus and there are also tons of department stores all over Kalamazoo. Lots of options of you like to shop.

Of course, if you feel like doing something you can ALWAYS find something to do right here at WMU. This weekend is homecoming and I am super excited for the game. I went last year with some friends but it’s a different kind of excitement now that I am a bronco.

Homecoming info:  www.wmich.edu/homecoming <—- Vote for your homecoming King & Queen

There are many interesting facts about Kalamazoo and lots to do. Find out more here: http://wmich.edu/visit/kalamazoo/

Hope you have a great week,

Christina

I survived!!

After 2 parking tickets, getting lost a dozen times, losing my Bronco ID and starting a new job the first week of the semester… I survived.  It’s now my third week at WMU and I love it.

My classes are awesome and I really like my professors. I love the fact that my professors have experience working as social workers or in the nonprofit sector which helps me understand the material because they relate it to their real life experiences.

Also, I’ve noticed the same people walking around campus and after going on the campus tour. I realized that campus isn’t as huge as I thought it was. I really enjoyed going on the campus tour! One of my favorite parts was listening to the student panel. It was great listening to students talk about their experiences here at WMU.  After the panel we broke out into smaller groups and went on a tour around campus. I learned tons of useful information about Western.  Again, go on a campus tour… I promise it won’t be a waste of time. To schedule one click the link below:

http://wmich.edu/admissions/transfer/visit/

I even joined a student organization this week called the Nonprofit Leadership Student Association. There are over 400 student organizations on campus and I encourage you to visit the website to see if there is one that interests you.  Click on the link below to see all the different student organizations:

http://www.rso.wmich.edu/

Things are not overwhelming anymore, campus is NOT as huge as I thought it was and I have met some really awesome people!

Hello!! My name is Christina; this is my first semester here at Western Michigan University and I am a transfer student from Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC). I am a first generation college student and coming to Western was something I only imagined, so I was super excited to become a bronco and start taking classes this fall.

I went to high school in Bartow, Florida and moved to Kalamazoo in 2008. One of the best choices I made was going to KVCC. I absolutely loved it! I am not a shy person and it didn’t take me long to make friends and learn my way around campus. I even started working at KVCC  as a Student Strength Ambassador, anybody who was a student at KVCC will know their Top 5 Strengths. (You better.) My Top 5 are: WOO, Connectedness, Communication, Empathy and Arranger. I really enjoyed working with other students at KVCC, it’s awesome when you’re able to connect with somebody and they truly understand what you’re experiencing.  I graduated from KVCC in April and decided to take the summer off before I become a full time student at Western.

So here I am…into my second week at Western and am ready to pull my hair out!! I am learning to have patience and working on my time management skills. Okay, it isn’t that bad but this school is huge and I hardly know anybody. My major is social work, I will apply to the program this October and I am minoring in nonprofit leadership.  I have to admit, coming from a college where I knew EVERYONE to Western has been a little overwhelming but I am getting used to it. Did anybody else have trouble finding parking or your classes? Get lost or not know how to find something you needed? Showed  up to class late because it takes  15 minutes to park and another 10 minutes to walk to class and another 3 minutes to find it?? Maybe it’s just me and perhaps the rest of you went to the orientation especially for transfer students called the Transfer Transition Program and you haven’t experienced any chaos these first couple weeks but IF you have had a few of these experiences don’t worry it gets easier.

I recently started working in the admissions office as a Transfer Admissions Intern and part of my job is to help transfer students prepare for and transition to WMU. My hopes for this blog are to ensure you that you’re not alone and answer any questions that you might have. I will be sharing my own experiences as a transfer student and I would really love to hear your experiences too.

Let me leave you with one piece of advice: GO TO ORIENTATION!! Look, I know we are all busy with classes, work and life BUT do you really have the time to spend being lost on campus?? During orientation you will get a tour of campus, learn about financial aid, advising and so much more. You can always schedule a campus visit/tour anytime.  To sign up for a campus visit click on the link below:

http://wmich.edu/admissions/transfer/visit/

Please, please, please…  let me know of any questions or comments that you might have and I will definitely try my best to find you information you need.  I’m looking forward to a great first semester here at Western Michigan University.