Apr
21
As the spring semester winds down, most of us are overwhelmingly aware that summer break is right around the corner. A quick bout of tests and finals will lead to three months of pure bliss, void of painfully early morning schedules or late nights studying. Summer is a time that I feel everyone can unanimously agree, is a time to relax and experience life a little more slowly. Everyone works hard during the school year and a little break never hurt anyone. Right?
That being said, its important to realize that even though we’re not in the academic mindset during the summer, we have an obligation to ourselves, to maintain a certain level of productivity in our lives. Using Netflix as a metaphor for a disciplined summer schedule, sitting down and watching a couple of episodes is a great way to relax and unwind, but it’s important not to let your couch become a black hole that sucks you into binge watching entire seasons at a time.
If you think about it, we have these four years in college to prepare ourselves for our grand debut in the real world. That reality might not seem so apparent as a freshman in college, but it is an important truth to realize. Becoming stagnant during the summer is not an effective way to promote the work ethic or life skills that will be vital to success in the near future. Every opportunity to better one’s self should be seized, and there’s no better way to do that than by taking summer classes.
I know it seems contradictory to put those two words next to each other, but at this pivotal time in our life, getting a head of the curve is a no brainer. Sure, taking classes during the most enjoyable break of the year might seem like a drag, but in retrospect, spending a couple hours a day on a class isn’t too tough, especially when your whole day is wide open. The University of Oklahoma offers a wide variety of summer courses, for students to take both online and on the Norman campus. In addition, there are classes that span different lengths of the summer months, in order to accommodate those with other summer plans. With this wide scope of flexibility, OU makes it easy for students to take advantage of what it has to offer.
As with all classes, the summer courses offered at OU is as challenging as they would be during the semester, but students have the advantage of a much easier and smaller workload given that they do not have a full schedule on their hands. Whether it be general education courses or that organic chemistry class that seemed a little intimidating to take during the busy semester, summer classes always leave you with a sense of satisfaction at the end of the summer when you realize that you’re that much closer to your goals. Having taken summer classes before, I can personally say that they are one of the best ways to get a solid grip on your academic life in college. Sacrificing a small chunk of your day during the summer is definitely worth it when you’re able to enjoy a comfortable schedule during the school year and is why I will always recommend taking summer courses.
Adam Siddique
Tulsa, OK
Biology Junior
Apr
7
One of the best things about the OU experience is getting to attend our premier orientation camp, Camp Crimson. This provides incoming freshmen with a sneak peek of The University of Oklahoma’s traditions while at the same time letting students get a preview of the “Sooner Family.” Camp Crimson is offered in five sessions during the summer, and each session offers the same amount of memories and fun. The experience as a camper is obviously very special, but it is even more memorable to go through camp as a Small Group Leader.
Being a Small Group Leader means that you are in charge of a group of freshman students and get to introduce them to campus through traditions and chants that the majority of campus is familiar with. The best part of being an SGL is seeing the students come out of their shells and get excited to be on campus in the fall. I served as a Small Group Leader this past summer and it was one of my favorite experiences as an OU student. This summer I will be returning as a Small Group Leader and I could not be more excited to lead another group of freshmen through the traditions and customs here at OU.
One of the greatest things about Camp Crimson is the atmosphere. Everyone there is so excited about OU, even the current students. When you leave camp, you’re filled with a sense of pride and joy to get the following semester started and reconnect with all the camp friends!
If you haven’t signed up for Camp Crimson yet, it’s not too late! Sign up here and maybe I’ll see you this summer: ou.edu/campcrimson
Tyler Block
Junior Human Relations
Shawnee, OK
Apr
2
I am nearly two years into my OU experience, but it feels like just yesterday I was attending Camp Crimson and finalizing my schedule. Just thinking about that gives me chills. Like most students, I have come a long way. Entering college, I was always the kid who thought high school was boring. I must say, I had terrific teachers and faculty, but I just felt so contained. At the collegiate level, and especially at OU, I really found my niche. After bouncing around a few different majors, I stumbled upon the College of International Studies.
While CIS is growing, it is still a lesser-known college at OU. However, with brand new facilities and a broad range of faculty knowledge and expertise, it is becoming an enticing program. There are many different options to explore within the College of International Studies, but the one that stood out to me most was International Area Studies, which is now one of my majors and a primary reason why I enjoy the university. IAS encompasses a variety of fields of study all in one. Although my area of focus has been the Middle East, IAS provides the opportunity to study political relations, language, and culture all around the world, from Brazil to Sub-Saharan Africa to China. In addition, during the next few years IAS expects to add more world-class professors and faculty as they carry out their commitment to advancing our university’s diverse and enriching environment.
One main draw to the IAS major is the vast list of study abroad options. While I have not traveled yet, I plan to attend a summer session in Istanbul, Turkey. However, many of my peers have been to Arezzo, Barcelona, and other places full of cultural appeal.
Foreign language is another essential aspect to the college. While it is known that many languages are available for fields of study, what is not widely known is that the Modern Language Department and the International Area Studies Department have been working together to develop opportunities for students to learn Arabic and its different dialects, Persian (or Farsi), and other Middle Eastern-based languages. Since the Middle East is such a prominent area in global politics, it is exciting to see OU making strides where other universities have not.
The University of Oklahoma has always strived to keep improving. Already nationally renowned, the College of International Studies is a direct representative of the OU experience. Everyone who is involved in the college is very proud of the achievements thus far, but it won’t stop there. While always thinking of the student experience first, I have the utmost confidence in our faculty, and I am thrilled to say that because of the College of International Studies I have especially enjoyed my OU experience. I can only guess what the future will bring!
Jess VanLandingham
Sophomore
International Area Studies and Political Science
Tulsa, OK
Apr
2
April has finally arrived, and I have fewer than 40 days left in Italy…what?! I swear, I feel like it’s January and I’m packing my bags for four months abroad. I’m blessed beyond belief with how this semester has gone. So far, I have been to Venice, Padua, Nice, Marseille, Barcelona, Monaco, Florence, Rome, Pisa, Athens, Santorini, and now I’m on a train to London for the weekend! I’m amazed at how everything has worked out with my time abroad, and can’t wait to see what this last full month will hold for me.
Knowing that my time in Arezzo is dwindling down quickly, I am consciously taking moments to reflect on my time here. Have I grown in ways that I wanted to? What lessons can I take back home to Norman with me? I am still blown away that I took the leap of faith to come abroad because there were numerous obstacles in my path. Not many people have the opportunity to leave for a semester, so I will always be grateful for this time away. Throughout this entire journey, the one thing I have learned is my resilience towards anything that comes my way. The power of having dreams and goals is nothing if we don’t strive for them. Our dreams are important to us, and we must always do what we can to make them a reality.
Life in Italy has been full of great opportunities for me, but there have also been some downfalls. I am incredible tough on myself, and always strive to meet perfection. Whether that is with school, planning my travels, or anything else having to do with life abroad. Learning how to be flexible has been my own personal obstacle to overcome but I am a better person because of it. When people mention that you’ll learn a lot about yourself when you are abroad, they are definitely not kidding! I feel as if I’ve only scratched the surface of all the many more lessons to come.
If you, or anyone you know, ever has doubts about studying abroad……GO. Even if you think that it will be an impossible feat, or you don’t think that you have the courage to do so….STILL GO. The mentors and adults in my life always tell me that their number one regret is not studying abroad when they had the opportunity to do so. Who can say (with a straight face) that they regret spending their time abroad?! ABSOLUTELY NO ONE. There are definitely aspects I would have done differently, but this experience is something I would never want to change. Plus all of the traveling and amazing food I have gotten to eat doesn’t hurt nearly as bad. There are people around you who can be a wealth of knowledge, and can lend some support. And if you are reading this, I too, can also help in any way that I can!
Sigh, now it’s off to a few more adventures before I cross the finish line (a.k.a coming back to Oklahoma). I promise I won’t post TOO many pictures, so that no one gets overly jealous.
Ciao bella!
Blessing Ikpa
The University of Oklahoma ‘16
Criminology & Human Relations
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