It’s that time of year again! It’s midterm time and everyone is in the library. All of my fellow Broncos have taken over my second home and have beat me to my favorite places to study in the library. I’m only going to let it slide because President Dunn would say it’s the right thing to do.

So, I’ve found me a new cozy spot in the library to study. In the midst of my journey through bookshelves and students a wild skeleton man stopped me. No really. I should’ve taken a picture. A wild skeleton man stopped me to let me know he, the gypsy, and the witch behind him could help me with my research papers if I had any. Which by chance I do, and it’s due in a couple of weeks. He also offered me coffee, which honestly made my night because it was free!

Bwahahahaha!  (Evil laugh)

Hey! I’m trying to stay in the Halloween spirit!

I have to get back to studying now, just thought I’d let you guys know that apparently we have skeleton men and witches in Waldo Library that’ll help you with your research papers. Pretty awesome right?!

I have 5 MORE things that you have to do when visiting or attending Western Michigan University, check it out!

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THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHILE VISITING OR STUDYING AT WMU

01. Download the WMU Mobile App. (which is available for Apple or Android devices)

02. Find out why we call our “literal” bookstore, Textbook Alley. (It’s really cool, I promise!)

03. Have someone teach and sing the “Fight Song” with you!

04. Jump on the BroncoTransit and check out the Parkview Campus where our Engineering students have some of their classes.

05. Have stir-fry from the dining hall in Valley 2.

If I had to recommend two things to do during your college career, I would tell you to study abroad and to participate in the Disney College Program! I had a wee bit too much fun while down in Orlando, FL. at Walt Disney World Resort to post as frequently as I should have but I’m here now to give you a recap of my overall experience.

For starters, Walt Disney World Resort is by far, hands down, without question, THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

At the time when I applied for the Disney College Program I was a student who had never gone past the state of Ohio, and when I say Ohio, I really mean whatever city that Cedar Point is in. Also, I’d never gone any further west than the city of Chicago. I wanted to go to Florida to work for the “Mouse” because it seemed to be an INCREDIBLE opportunity, also, I was terrified to study abroad to Japan.

Although participating in the Disney College Program pushed me back a semester in my academic plan I don’t regret going one bit.

I flew down to Orlando a few days before my program started and I took that time to explore my new home for the next few months. The bus system was really easy to understand and use, and because Orlando is a tourist city there was a wide assortment of different restaurants and shopping areas to visit. Not to mention there were more than a handful of attraction sites to spend your time at as well. I did a lot of research on places to stay my first few days in Florida that were conveniently placed between lively parts of town and the place I needed to check in at for my program.

* Quick bit of advice, if you are as scared as I was about studying abroad, I can say simply from moving down to Florida that if you do enough research about the place you plan on staying that can relieve a lot of your anxiety.

Skipping a few months into my program, I will admit that I had a huge dose of homesickness thrown my way which was easily cured by constant Skype video calls and phone calls. Also, my AWESOME roommates, who had been to Disney World multiple times before had a blast taking me to their favorite spot around the parks. Once you have that great support system of friends, whether you’re going across the sea or flying through a couple of states you will be fine! We usually spent our free time going to different parks and watching Disney movies because we were all 18 – 21 and that was the appropriate thing to do, next to singing Disney songs at the top of our lungs in our apartment.

In the end of the program, my roommates and I all went our separate ways but we’re actually all really good friends still. I talked to all three of them yesterday when the Lion King played on cable in my apartment and again today when I asked if they were okay with me posting pictures of them here.

If you have any questions about the Disney College Program that I didn’t answer in this blog or in any of the previous blogs please let me know! I’ll answer them happily. For now I’m going to leave you with a few pictures from my trip.

Have a MAGICAL MONDAY!

It is the first semester of my senior year at Western Michigan University as well as my first semester back on campus since my Disney College Program Internship and I’m developing severe ANXIETY! Why?! Because, I just got back on campus and now I’m about to graduate! I feel as though my time at the university has been short and I do not want it to end.

Words spoken by a true Bronco.

I’m here to give advice to all prospective and current students of Western Michigan University, so prepare yourself. While giving advice I’m also planning on making a list of 05 things every time I blog that you HAVE to do while visiting or studying on campus. Ready? Here we go.

Advice for a High School Senior:

Take a DEEP breath. Okay. I know that the search for the best university to attend is stressful, I’ve been there. Make sure you do a couple of things before you choose the best university for you. Find a school that is not only well known, but is accredited in your program. Once you’ve done that I also recommend taking a tour of the campus. One of the reasons that I chose Western was because not only did the university have good departmental staff for the programs that I was interested in, the campus is BEAUTIFUL. I fell in love with the campus when I stepped foot on it and I discontinued my college campus tours because I knew that this was it for me.

So remember those two things I told you for this time.  Find a university that is well known and accredited in your program and also make sure that you visit the colleges that you are interested in.

Advice for a Current WMU Student:

Get involved, get involved, GET INVOLVED! Our university has OVER 300 Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) and if you can’t find one that fits your interests, you can start your own! (For more information on starting your own organization please stop by the Student Organization Center in the Bernhard Center) We have everything from Zombies versus Humans to multiple Greek Organizations. Also, I would highly recommend, if you haven’t, going to a sporting event! It’s a great way to relax and hang out on campus while supporting your fellow Broncos! We don’t just have Football and Basketball either! Make sure you attend a few of the Hockey games at Lawson Ice Arena or the season of Women’s Track & Field meets!

So remember the two things I told you this time Broncos! Get involved with one of our 300+ Registered Student Organizations on campus, or make your own and attend those free home game sporting events!!! Support your fellow Broncos!

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THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHILE VISITING OR STUDYING AT WMU

01. Talk to President Dunn.

02. Attend a sporting event (if you’re a student they’re free).

03. Stop by Busters in the Bernhard Center and purchase some Western attire.

04. Find the “W” on campus that you aren’t supposed to step on and don’t step on it of course. (Unless you want to fail all of your classes)

05. Check out the “New” Sangren building.