Category Archives: Krystal Bush

Relieve Stress (in College) Now!

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By: Krystal Bush

Twenty two days. Just 22 days in and I already feel as if my world is about to explode. Twenty two days ago, junior year started and with work, and classes and a second job and homework and organizational meetings and LBC events and *breathes*…well, the list goes on, I’m stressed. And just like many other college students, the pressures of maintaining a healthy life, encompassing a balance between academia, social/ extracurricular activities, employment and physical health, are starting to get to me. But I’ve found a few quick and easy ways to relieve stress (and save time).

  1. Plan ahead — Whether you choose to write daily tasks lists, pick Tuesday’s outfit on Monday night or schedule each week’s events on Sunday evenings, knowing what you need to accomplish allows you the ability to schedule time to do it and alleviates stress.
  1. Wake up earlier — I know it sounds crazy because you’re trying to maximize the 4 hours of sleep you get each night, but waking up earlier is extremely beneficial. It provides time for breakfast which makes it easier to be more alert in the first classes of the day (and cereal eaters are happier than people who do not eat cereal).
  1. Dance —When I find that I have spent so much time studying that I am no longer comprehending the material, I take a break. I turn on my favorite song and dance ridiculously in the mirror, or in my roommates’ faces.
  1. Watch what you eat — Or just add a small bag of sunflower seeds to your daily snack list. Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, which help to enhance mood.
  1. Chill — Every moment in college does not have to (and should not) be spent attempting to hold that spot on the Dean’s List or get a promotion at work. It’s okay to kick up your feet and do nothing once in a while. As long as it doesn’t become a habit…

GOOD LUCK!

Once Upon A Time, There Was An NSOA

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By: Krystal Bush

August 29, 2012 started a very special journey for me here at Eastern Michigan University.

After spring interviews and summer BBQs, NSOA training had finally begun. To be an NSOA, or New Student Orientation Assistant, at EMU is a very exciting experience. Three long days of training followed by four days of helping to transition thousands of new students into a new environment may sound overwhelming to more than just a few people. But, I learned a few things in those seven days that will probably last a lifetime … and crossed another thing off my EMU Bucket List.

Lesson #1: No matter how many times you sing the EMU Fight Song, if someone starts it … you will sing again.

Lesson #2: Officer Dorsey keeps it real.

Safety and self-defense are issues that all college campuses deal with. Our safety and self-defense lecture orchestrated by Officer Dorsey is one of the most informative and entertaining that I have ever seen. She also teaches a self-defense course.

Lesson #3: We feel good!

NSOA’s are most people’s introduction to the campus, so their disposition can have a huge effect on the incoming students. It’s important to stay positive and to help motivate your peers if ever you feel they aren’t feeling too enthusiastic.

Lesson #4: Awkward meetings make for the best stories.

The NSOAs bond in just three days and make sure that the First Four bonding goes well. Needless to say, lots of awkward moments occur. It happens to everyone, but there’s no reason to sweat them.

Lesson #5: Love don’t cost a thing!

NSOAs are actually student volunteers. They are not paid student workers, but many students return because the experience is so rewarding. While there will be a lot of employment opportunities available on campus year-round, this week of volunteering is definitely better than what money can buy. I LOVED IT!

My EMU Bucket List

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By: Krystal Bush

Recently, it hit me that I will really be starting my junior year of college this upcoming fall. If by some crazy miracle I graduate on time, this means that I am halfway done with my undergraduate career … and it feels like it has just begun!

I’ve done a lot of cool things on and around campus these past two years. There are a lot of things that I want to do before I leave in two years:

  1. Have a picnic lunch date in University Park
  2. See the Automatic Retrieval Catalog in Halle Library
  3. Attend a homecoming football game… for the entire game
  4. Write a piece for the Eastern Echo
  5. Paint the kiosk
  6. Participate in Relay for Life
  7. Participate in TCOD (The Color of Drums) with other members of Poetry Society
  8. Be an NSOA (New Student Orientation Assistant) and beast my way through First Four
  9. Start a photography organization on campus
  10. Study Abroad! A trip to Spain, France or Italy would be a nice way to end any college career

So what’s on your EMU bucket list?

Thanks Andre!

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By: Krystal Bush

When I was younger, I aspired to be a lot of different things when I grew up: An interior designer, a basketball coach, a teacher, a bird and Oprah just to name a few.

As time went by, and becoming Oprah seemed more distant than I could personally appreciate, my goals began to become a bit more realistic. My love for fashion and a bit of outside pressure pushed me in the direction of becoming a fashion designer, or stylist.

So, throughout middle school, I took all the Life Skills and Home Ec-type courses available. And when high school rolled around, I enrolled in “Fashion and Fabrics I.” I could not wait to become the next Coco Lee Wang (a brilliant mix of Coco Chanel, Kimora Lee Simmons and Vera Wang). Then IADT, International Academy of Design and Technology, came to visit us … and killed all my dreams. After that visit, I was totally deterred from my fashion dreams.

And then I met Andre.

Andre told me to take a chance and just take ATM 118: An introductory sewing course in the Apparel Textile Merchandising Program. While this has been one of the hardest, most stressful, nerve-wrecking and irritating courses I have ever taken, the things that I learned will stay with me forever.

Whoever even knew that there were 7 different feet to use on one machine? But I digress.

This class has brought me back to my love of fashion and pushed me just a bit closer to accomplishing my goal of being a fashion show designer/stylist. And for that I say, Thanks Andre!

Fun & Romantic Affordable Dates at EMU

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By: Krystal Bush

Ever wanted to take a cute girl out on a date and realized that your wallet was interfering?

After much deliberation, you discover that the only thing stopping you from taking out the lady you like is the fact that monetarily, it just can’t happen. Well, I’ve got some good news. Around campus, there are a few good spots to go for cheap (FREE!) dates.
1. Friday Night Movies: Every Friday night during the fall & winter semesters, Campus Life hosts free movies in the Student Center Auditorium. There’s no need to buy a ticket! Just show up and enjoy.
2. Sherzer Observatory: Got a thing for stars? The observatory located on top of Sherzer Hall is perfect for stargazing with a special someone.
3. Peninsular Paper Company: At first glance, it just looks like an old, abandoned building. At second glance, it still looks like an old, abandoned building. But, sitting outside the old paper factory by the water, listening to it flow over the rocks … doesn’t it just sound romantic?

 

Help Your Resume Stick Out

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By: Krystal Bush

In a sea of applications that are on your future employer’s desk, how will you stand out? What experience do you hope to gain in college in order to assure that your resume doesn’t look like all the others? How do you plan to elevate yourself from the crowd? Have no clue? Well, I’ve got a solution for you.

APPLY TO EMU’S HONOR’S COLLEGE!

As a member of the Honor’s College, there are many opportunities to take advantage of:

1) Smaller class sizes: Honors courses offer smaller class sizes which means more faculty student interaction. Afraid to speak up in a lecture hall of 200? Try a classroom of about 20.

2) Scholarships: As a member of the Honors College, scholarships, fellowships and grants open up for you. McNair Scholar, anyone?

3) Undergraduate Research: Ever wanted to know how mitosis affects the reproductive system of the hagfish? Well, neither have I. But any question you have in your field of study can be explored and researched … by you!

4) Faculty/Student relationships: Students work closely with faculty members to conduct research and complete honors projects, forming lasting relationships that will benefit both the student and faculty members.

5) It. Looks. GOOD!: Not only does graduating with honors look great on your resume, the golden tassel that will adorn your cap looks pretty nice too.

APPLY TO EMU’S HONOR’S COLLEGE!

It Never Gets Any Easier…

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By: Krystal Bush

At 11:21 a.m. on April 26, I completed my sophomore year at Eastern. The feeling of complete relief was followed by my own sadness, surprisingly. I will miss this school so much (even the academic parts).

You would think I would be used to this feeling since this is the second year I’ve had to leave EMU behind, but no. At the end of freshman year, I packed my gear and hightailed out of Sellers without looking back. There was no standing in front of the FYC reminiscing with my roommates and no need to fight back tears as the car was being loaded. But this year was different.

This year, I feel like I’ve finally made EMU my home. Instead of spending all of my time in my books or in my bed, I got out. I experienced new things on campus, like sitting on the bridge in University Park, playing pool in the Rec, and actually enjoying lunch in the Student Center.

I also started working with some amazing people in AVP and America Reads. Then, I escaped from campus to see bits and pieces of Ypsilanti, like The Rocket on Michigan Ave and the abandoned paper factory by Penn Place.

All of these thoughts and more flooded my brain when I walked out of the Science Complex for the last time…in a while. But the memories I’ve made are amazing and I can’t wait to make more. Until next time Eastern, I’ll bid you adieu.