Nov
30
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education” – Mark Twain
This is one of my favorite quotes and it is a motto that I have taken to heart during my time at OU. When I interpret this quote, I do not take it to mean that I should do away with schooling and instead take on a life of adventure (though that might sound appealing around midterms). Rather, I take this quote to mean that it is important to focus on both schooling and experiences outside of the classroom- two realms that I call theoretical learning and experiential learning.
Nov
29
Being from Kansas, I have had many people ask me over the years why I chose OU. It is actually a very simple answer. When I visited campus, I knew this was the right school for me. I felt at home and I could picture myself walking up and down the north and south oval going to classes and living in Norman. I also wanted to experience a school in the south and go where the best opportunities for my major would be.
The energy of this campus is amazing and football games feel like a huge NFL game! I visited 9 universities, and out of all 9 schools, OU had the most beautiful campus and welcoming people. Everyone I talked to was so friendly and always willing to help! I had a tour guide who went above and beyond to help answer any questions I had about the university. It definitely helped to speak with a current OU student and hear their perspective.
I am in the Gaylord College of Journalism studying Public Relations and apart of the Lindsey+Asp agency. OU is one is the few colleges that have a real public relations and advertising agency in their college. I have been able to get a lot of experience in my line of work and have loved the professors and other students!
It is hard to believe I am a senior now and only have one year left at this amazing university. I will always cherish the memories from OU and cannot wait to help others decide to come to OU! It is the best decision you will ever make. Boomer Sooner!
Paige Anderson
Public Relations
Class of 2013
Prairie Village, Kansas
Nov
27
This year I was able to experience Sooner Saturday from a different point of view. Rather than attending it as a high school senior, I was able to volunteer for it as a current OU student. It surprised me that I still learned plenty of things from it. I was not expecting to see so many prospective students engaging in the same major activities on campus. Sooner Saturday serves as a stepping stone to college life in my opinion because it allows students the chance to feel what it’s like to be on a college campus. In a sense students are able to feel more comfortable with the overall environment on campus after being able to roam all the ins and outs of campus life. Being able to learn about each respective department that students are interested in really helps to get to know your program before coming in as a freshman. Students are able to meet the majority of the faculty and staff in each department and ask any questions or concerns they may have about the program. Of the many students I met, one happened to be interested in the same major as mine. That led us to the discussion of what possibilities OU has to offer students interested in the health field. The HES program on campus offers a variety of field experience and the ability to participate in the actual research going on in the field. Thus, there is always going to be something remembered about Sooner Saturday that helps you in your future time at OU. There are many great aspects about Sooner Saturday that will definitely be vital in your life as a Sooner and they will be able to influence the success you have in your 4 years of undergraduate experience at the University of Oklahoma.
Esme Lopez
Junior
Hometown: Warr Acres, OK
Major: Health and Exercise Science
Minor: Spanish
Working Sooner Saturday was such an enthralling experience. Although it was an all-day event, it felt like just a few hours. For me, the best part of the day was welcoming the thousands of students and their families to campus. I couldn’t have been more excited to show our visitors the beautiful campus that I love.
My favorite moment was when I was helping to check in families and a dad made a funny remark that really embarrassed his son. It just made me smile and look back on the times when my dad and I were visiting college campuses. He would always tell embarrassing stories of me to the “cool” college kids too.
Another aspect of Sooner Saturday that I really loved was the excitement on the student’s faces. One could easily tell that they were beyond ecstatic to see what all OU has to offer them.
I know going to Sooner Saturday when I was a senior helped me solidify my decision to attend OU. The hospitality of the students and faculty won me over. Everyone made sure I had all my questions answered and that I had a great time. With all the help and friendliness I received on that day, I knew I would be welcomed into the Sooner family with open arms.
Jade Owen
Hometown: Oklahoma City
Senior
Major: Multidisciplinary Studies
Minor Psychology
Nov
26
Hey Everybody!!! Hope everyone is doing well! My name is Abby Hulsizer and I am a freshman this year! Now this is my first blog so take an easy on me because this might not be the best!
I just thought I would let all of you in on the top ten secret and not so secret places I love on OU’s campus. These places range from peaceful to insane so be prepared.
Nov
21
November has crept up quickly on campus and leaves both freshman and upperclassmen in high spirits. The leaves of autumn are changing colors just as our hearts and our minds are changing with determination and hope. OU is much more than football; it is much more than making friends and fulfilling filial expectations. From the very first moment you step foot on to campus to the finalizing chimes of graduation, OU will be a journey of self-discovery, growth, and opportunity.
This time of year freshman students will have finally settled into OU as they prepare for final examinations. While the seedlings plant themselves firmly and search for growth, the senior classes will be preparing for their graduation. In my opinion, fall is the most beautiful season in this retrospect. It captures a moment of infinite growth, of change, and of ascension. However no matter what season it is, the University of Oklahoma is always ripe with opportunity for involvement. There is a great spirit of community that exists on campus and it exists through the hearts of its students and their incredible passions.
From Sailing, to Fencing, there is a plethora of student organizations that exist to nurture your interests and passions. If you find that there is not a club that exists that meets your needs you can even create your own club and legacy! Active student organizations are a good way to get involved and meet like-minded individuals on campus, but if you feel service beckoning there are plenty of organizations that adhere to community service that raise money, rally, and fundraise for an incredible amount of causes.
A few great organizations to get involved with are the Union Programming Board, Campus Activities Council, or the Housing Center Student Association. These organizations work year round to put on programs and extracurricular activities for student such as the annual Foam Party, Awkward Ball, and Creativity Festival. In addition to these, there are countless other student organizations to get involved with such as the Interfraternity Council and Multicultural Greek Council! You just have to keep an eye out for flyers, or look down at the south oval for chalking for events to kick start your journey! No matter what you choose to get involved in, you are sure to find your niche here at the University of Oklahoma.
Your legacy awaits you,
BOOMER SOONER
David Lam
Tulsa, OK
Letters
Class of 2015
Nov
19
Honestly, I’m so excited to get to talk to you! It’s still unbelievable for me to accept the fact that I’m a freshman in college. Time flies, huh? Can you believe that you are sitting here reading this blog and mentally preparing yourself for college life? It seems like just yesterday that we were sporting jelly shoes and obsessing over The Backstreet Boys (or was that just me?)
Ok, so maybe you’ve been ready college for a long time. Maybe you’re sick of the high school scene. Or, maybe you are apprehensive about what’s to come. Wherever you are on the spectrum, I think it’s so important to realize that the change that’s about to come is good and extremely exciting. Up until now, you’ve had no greater opportunity to grow emotionally, intellectually and socially. On that note, I want to share the best advice that I was given many, many times by tons of different people before coming to OU: seize your freshman year and your time at OU! Take charge of it. Take every opportunity you’re given and run with it!
Nov
16
Thinking about getting involved but you don’t know where, how about the Union Programming Board? The Union Programming Board (UPB for short) is one of the biggest organizations on campus. UPB is THE premier organization that puts on some of campus’ biggest events like the Zombie 5K, Foam Party, and one of my favorite parts of UPB, Concert Series.
UPB is a unique organization because there are no applications, just simply show up to a meeting and learn about how you can volunteer and get involved. You have the choice to do as much as you want or as little (but come on, you should do ALL THE EVENTS). UPB’s motto is “Always Something” which is very true. They literally have events every day. Just today, they were giving away free coke floats in the Union (did I mention it was FO’ FREE?). If you have an idea, UPB gives you the resources to make it happen. Foam Party, one of UPB’s biggest events was just born out a simple idea by a student and now is an annual event that over 1000 people went to this year!
When I was a freshman, UPB Concert Series was program that I was very heavily involved in. We brought in big name artists like Breath Electric, Shiny Toy Guns, and Hellogoodbye! Volunteering with UPB Concert Series was always such a fun and rewarding experience and one plus was that we always got to meet with the band afterwards!
So if you are an incoming freshman and are thinking about getting involved, why not give UPB a try? Be part of one of the most flexible and coolest organizations on campus! With the Union Programming Board, there is Always Something
Bunty Patel
Wilburton, OK
Energy Management/Finance
Class of 2015
Nov
13
As a freshman, everything here at OU is still very new to me. Despite the fact that it’s already November (time is flying…), it is rather odd to call Norman, Oklahoma home. Being from Edmond, I am a mere 40 minutes from my family and home, so you would think this adjustment is nearly nonexistent. But coming from an honest freshman, that is not the case.
Coming to college, you are filled with the adrenaline of new experiences arising and new memories waiting. Most people move in with few tears and little heartache, simply excited to be at college (with emphasis on the word college). As weeks pass, however, you realize that OU is not just your school, it is your home. At first, this was hard for me to comprehend. My home, I thought, is one full of family, comfort, and home-cooked meals. These past few months, however, OU has redefined “home” in ways that serve to constantly remind me that the University welcomes me in every way.
The first thing that I noticed about OU is that I am not surrounded by staff and students, but rather by family. I know this sounds extremely cheesy, but it is the absolute truth. From move-in day until now, I am greeted by encouraging faces each and every day. Whether it’s my RA (Resident Advisor) checking up on me, my professor making jokes during office hours, or one of my friends shooting me a “good luck on your test” text, I am reminded every day of how positive the atmosphere is here. It’s impossible to feel alone when there is someone around every corner ready to make your college experience the best it can be.
Nov
8
One of my most memorable experiences here at OU would have to be the leadership retreat for all fraternity and sorority councils last winter. National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), Panhellenic Association (PAN) and Interfraternity Council (IFC) were all able to have their training at the same time and it was so great because we were able to really get to know each other and learn about other councils and organizations.
The best part was the day that we played U-ZOO with K.P. — better known as Kristen Partridge. It was the first time I’d played that game and the most fun I’ve had learning about my leadership style. It was about 50 students from all of the greek councils in the room with the advisors and we were all given a form to fill out. We had to fill out each row and rate qualities that described us the most and the least. After that we added up the columns to see what number we got and all of the numbers from each column had to equal 100. The column with the highest number was our leadership style. KP picked members from each group to represent the Lion, Porpoise, Koala and Eagle leadership styles. She gave them the task to create an event and plan it from start to finish. While they were outside planning the event she was telling us exactly what each one would do because of their leadership style, due to their characteristics. When I say it was dead on, it was exactly what she stated! It was so hard not to burst out laughing! Most of us did and couldn’t contain ourselves! It was just a lot of fun being able to be in a room of such great leaders with different strengths and that game and that moment is something I will never forget! To this day when it comes to icebreakers I use U-ZOO and it works every time!
Jamaine Turner
Tulsa, OK
May 2013
Human Relations, Minor Women’s & Gender Studies
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