Here goes the last blog of the year! Next week starts finals week. I have covered a lot of finals week preparation in past blogs. From tutoring services, library hours, and study break ideas there is plenty of things to help you make it through finals week.
Summer is almost here! The weather is still a little iffy but you can tell the warm weather is right around the corner. This summer is going to be filled with golfing and softball up until I take my trip to Japan! I just received my placement for the trip and I will be living in Tokyo from June 28th to August 12th. Before Japan I will living here in River Falls, working at Spring Valley Golf Course, playing softball in leagues around the metro and just hanging out with my UWRF friends. I am excited for this summer and next semester as well. I am coming into my last 2 semesters of classes here at UWRF. I am excited to be in the upper level teacher education classes which I find very interesting.
I will be back next year giving tours so please come by and take a visit!!
Monday April 23rd, 2012
2 weeks left! Only two weeks of classes left and then comes the dreaded finals weeks. Finals start at 7:45 in the morning and go every two hours throughout the day depending on when your class is during the week. Some classes have actual final tests, where other classes have student's present final projects or final papers. The library is open for an extra few hours at night. Also in the library our lovely librarians provide coffee and hot chocolate for students to have while studying. The tutoring service center offers a lot of good finals week study prep classes to help you organize your time and get into good study habits.
Finals week also means finals fest. This year's finals fest main performer is "Cloud Cult." This year the concert is FREE and will be held at our outdoor amphitheater next to the Kinni River. Last year Jason Derulo was the main performance and the concert was held out at the Knowles Center. The concert is next Friday may 4th and starts at 6pm.
Monday April 16th, 2012
This week started out with some flurries, which is a shocking way to start the morning after wearing shorts and a t-shirt yesterday. The week outlook looks to be better with temperatures back up into the 50s and some rain. If the weather permits, this week should continue my intramural softball team's dominance over the Monday and Wednesday men's league.
Spring football practice continued this weekend and is going well. Last week the NCAA supported "Division 3 Week" across the country. The NCAA is recognizing and celebrating the division 3 athletic schools across the country. Here at UWRF, we celebrated by holding a tailgate party out at Ramer Field while our Falcon track meet was going on. We had yard games and had refreshments for those attending the track meet.
This week is a busy one for me. I have A LOT of lesson plans to write and have a couple more work shifts to cover. Summer plans are my main motivation this week and I hope it gets me through this week!
Monday March 9th, 2012
The construction has started! The renovation of Cascade St. started last week and will continue through the summer. Cascade St. is being rebuilt in front of the university to make traffic flow easier and to fix up the road. When finished, the renovation should make campus look even better!
The home stretch is here and students are racing to get all their projects, observation hours and papers done! The university center offers some nice study break activities for students to take advantage of. There are 2 big screen TVs hooked up to a Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 that students can rent controls for and play. Downstairs, there are pool and ping pong tables as well as arcade games that students can also use to kill some time between class or just take a break at. Campus also offers outdoor basketball and volleyball courts for students to use now that the weather is nicer. All of these games and activities are FREE!!
These next couple weeks can be become very stressful. The best way to get through it is to take breaks and enjoy the activities that UWRF has to offer!
-BJ
Wednesday March 4th, 2012
So it begins again! Spring football practice started last Sunday. I will be coaching this year, which is a big change up from playing but it is still nice to be involved in the program. Spring football also means baseball season is starting! For those Twins fans out there, the university center usually offers a free bus ride over to Target Field to watch a game before the school year is out. The University Center also offered tickets and rides to a Minnesota Wild hockey game this. Also today (4/4) the Falcon Softball team starts their home schedule out at the Knowles Center. The softball team made a great run last year, winning the conference and making it to the regional tournament.
The end of the semester is coming fast as it always does and the tutoring service is here to help. They offer tutors for all subjects and all majors. The writing center and math help center and especially useful for students who need help in those subjects. I personally have used the writing center for a lot of the papers I have written here at UWRF and have received a lot of useful tips and improved my writing skills.
I Hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter!
-BJ
Monday March 19th, 2012
And we're back! Spring Break was last week, which was a nice break from classes and the heckticness (just made up a word) of school. A couple friends and I actually got to travel down to South Padre Island, Texas last week and enjoy the beach and hot weather. We did see that temperatures were not much different here which was an easy transition. The 24 hour drive was brutal but was definitely worth it for all the good times and memories we made down there.
This week things start back up with classes and events on campus. Tomorrow the Dance Theatre Group starts their Dance Theatre Production. The show runs from Tuesday through Saturday. The group is full of students involved with our dance education minor as well as any student interested in dance. Also this week our wellness challenge 2012 continues with yoga and tai chi classes in the university center.
Last week I got word that I was accepted to the Guy Healy Japan study abroad trip this semester. I think I have talked about it before but, I will be going to an area in Japan for 6 weeks this summer and working as a camp counselor for an English speaking camp. The program is open for any students but I know it looks great as an education student to say I have been in a teaching position in another country.
I am ready to get things going for the home stretch of this semester and get ready for summer!
-BJ
Monday March 5th, 2012
We are coming into the last week before spring break so mid-terms will be flowing all week. The tutoring service office should be busy this week. Tutoring service offers free tutors for students in all majors, subjects, or classes. These tutors are from all different majors, subjects, or classes. These tutors are from all different majors, lots come from the teacher education program so they are training to become teachers. Students are encouraged to use the service and it is shown that students who do use the service are getting better grades.
Spring break also brings spring break trips! Our Global Connections office is our study abroad office on campus. They offer trips over a semester, summer, January Term, or during spring break. The big spring break trip this semester is in Belize. Students are gone for 10 days and the program meets the requirements for sociology 359. Students get to canoe, hike, scuba dive, and experience the culture of Belize. Our Falcon Program's office offers service trips over spring break as well. This years trips go to Arizona, Alabama, Chicago, as well as international trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. On these trips students will work at different sites helping refugees, English as second language students, cleaning up wilderness trails, and many other service related activities.
This week the weather is supposed to be beautiful. It really gets me excited for the spring and all the outdoor activities this area offers. I am excited to start playing golf at one of the golf courses in the area. I work at Spring Valley Golf Course in Spring Valley, WI which is 15 miles east of River Falls. I found this job on our Hire a Falcon Program online. Hire a Falcon is an online resource for on and off campus jobs. So, I am ready for another spring/summer of golfing in the St. Croix Valley area!
-BJ
Monday February 27th, 2012
I know I talk about sports all the time but this week was another great one for the Falcons! Our women's hockey team swept Eau Claire is the first round of the NCHA playoffs and will host, once again, the O'Brien Cup next weekend. Hunt Arena will host 4 games this weekend featuring UW-River Falls, UW-Superior, Lake Forest, and Adrian College. The winner of this tournament will go on to the NCAA Frozen 4. If UW-River Falls wins, we will most likely host the opening round game at Hunt Arena for the second year in a row.
The men's basketball team also had a great weekend of conference tournament play. Yesterday they avenged their previous week loss to UW-Whitewater at Whitewater and won the WIAC conference tournament. The win gives UW-River Falls they're second ever bid to the NCAA tournament (also 2nd straight bid). UW-River Falls will host their opening roudn game against Edgewood College (Madison, WI).
Besides the NCAA sports side there is a lot of other great activities going on here at UW-River Falls this week. The intramulra basketball playoffs have started! This week and next week teams in the men, women, and Coed Leagues battled for the prized intramural champion shirts. I have a chance at winning my first ever intramural shirt tonight at Hunt Arena for the men's recreation broomball championship! I'm super excited and hope we can pull off the win.
Also this week, the wellness challenge continues as the Health Services office is offering yoga and kickboxing classes in the university center for students and faculty to participate in. The classes are all free for students and are continuing throughout the school year. In addition to yoga and kickboxing, health services offers introductory classes in tai chi, zumba (a really fun, high aerobic dance class), meditation, and cardio dance. This week the theater production of "Alost Maine" continues in its second week. Students can buy tickets at a discounted price. I have been to many of the UW-River Falls theater productions and have enjoyed them all.
-BJ
Monday February 20th, 2012
We had another exciting weekend at UWRF on campus and in athletics. Our men's and women's basketball teams played UW-Whitewater for the conference championships. Both teams came up short, the men lost on a last second jump shot. Karges Center was packed for both games as students were excited to cheer on the Falcons. Our men's team also came up short this weekend in the first round of their conference tournament at hunt Arena against UW-Eau Claire.
The Kinni Outdoor Adventures (KOA) office held a trip to Afton Alps last Tuesday for Valentine's Day. The trip offered a ride to Afton, discounted lift tickets, and discounted equipment rental. the KOA office offers many different opportunities for camping trips, ski and snowboard trips, hold tournaments, and any other recreational trips and activities.
Hunt Arena and Knowles Center held part of the Wisconsin United Residence Hall Association (WURHA) annual conference. This brought together resident assistants from all over the state of Wisconsin for activities and workshops. Hunt Arena and Knowles Center opened up their facilities for use of the skating rink, indoor track, and other recreational activities. Knowles center is open to all students on campus for open recreation Monday through Friday nights from 7-9 pm. Here students can play basketball, run around the track, reserve tennis or volleyball courts, or use the cardio equipment. Hunt Arena holds open skating on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday nights for students, faculty, and the community. Skating is free for students with their ID card, and skate rental is available for $1.50. These facilities also hold our intramural sports like broomball, basketball, and volleyball to name a few.
The veterans Club on campus is raising money to help build a house here in River Falls for a Veteran. This is just one of 150+ clubs or organizations on campus that works with the River Falls community to help those in need.
Monday February 13th, 2012
After all that talk about how nice the weather is, this weekend was a little bit of a shock. Even with the cold weather River Falls was still active with all kinds of activities. This weekend athletics ruled the Knowles Center, Hunt Arena, and Karges Center. The Knowles center held the Brooks Invitational Indoor Track and Field meet while the men's hockey team played games on Friday and Saturday nights splitting on the weekend 1-1. Our men's and women's basketball teams both played Oshkosh at Karges Center, both winning. I got to go to the men's basketball game and had a great time in the student section.
This weekend the Black Student Union and Falcon Programs also put on an African Culture night in the University center. The event featured authentic African Cuisine as well as dancing and traditional African music. On Saturday the Pay it Forward Committee held a One-for-One craft fair in the University center. There were craft stations set up that students could make items that would go to the River Falls community through programs like Turning Point, Kinnic Long term Care, and Lutheran Home Residence. All these programs are free for students and help promote culture and help out many different charities in River Falls, and all across the world.
This week the horticulture society is selling flowers for that special someone in the university center. All the flowers were grown in our own greenhouse here on campus and are very affordable for students. Also this week the dance team is hosting the second annual "Dancing with the Stars" show. Dance team members are paired with professors and athletes and they each come up with a routine. I am in the show for the second year and will be dancing to the "Footloose" theme song. I am very excited because last year was very fun and the dance team raised money to help team go to their national tournament in Florida.
I would also like to congratulate the falcon women's hockey team on winning their 4th consecutive NCHA conference championship this weekend and good luck in the playoffs!
-BJ
Monday February 6th, 2012
What another great day in River Falls. This winter has been one of the calmest ones I can remember. Here in River Falls the weather has allowed students to take advantage of all the outdoor activities we have. There are great walking trails, athletic fields, and recreational activities students can utilize on campus and in the community.
River Falls offers many great walking trails that all residents have access too. Walking down by the Kinnickinnic river or up in the bluffs of River Falls is a great way to spend an afternoon. With all of the nice weather we have been having, I have even seen students renting out roller blades from the outdoor recreation office and roller blading through campus. The Kinni Outdoor Adventure office offers lots of equipment for students to rent at a low cost. From tents to snow shoes and golf clubs to lawn games, Kinni Outdoor Adventure has something for everyone.
This week looks to be another exciting one on campus. The on campus job fair is going on right now in the University Center. UWRF offers many opportunities for on campus jobs. I have worked out the Knowles Center and Hunt Arena all for years I have been on campus. At these buildings I have been in charge of building maintenance and game management for falcon hockey games, track meets, and any other events held at the building. There are many other jobs available for students such as our technology services, housing, campus dining and many other jobs on campus.
I am excited for another week of great weather and classes!
-BJ
Tuesday January 31st, 2012
The first week of classes are done and everyone has somewhat settled into their schedules. Freeze Fest was last week as well and offered many different activities and performances for students to attend. All of our winter sports teams were also in action, and continued they outstanding performance in the WIAC (Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). Intramurals also began basketball leagues and continued the ever popular broom-ball leagues.
Freeze Fest started on Tuesday with a Dodge ball tournament put on by our campus recreation department. Activities continued throughout the week including "Open Mic Night," "Midnight Mayhem," and comedian Tig Notaro in the University Center. Students enjoyed the ability to hang out with friends at these events and ease into the new semester with fun opportunities for all students.
Our winter sports teams continued their excellence this week as well as participating in conference and nonconference contests. Our women's hockey team swept Marian College Friday and Saturday at Hunt Arena, improving to 15-3-1 on the year. Men's hockey split their series at St. Norbert College Friday and Saturday. The men's and women's basketball teams both took down the Platteville this Saturday at Karges Center and the Track and Field teams had their second meet of the year at St. Olaf. All athletic events are free for students with their ID cards and offer a great opportunity to see one of the best division 3 athletic conferences in the nation.
Intramural basketball started up on Sunday and teams were ready to get another exciting year started. Intramurals are a great way to get together with friends and participate in your favorite sport or try something new. Campus recreation offers recreation and competitive leagues for all skill levels and abilities. Winning one of the prized Intramural championship t-shirts is high on the list of achievements for any UWRF students.
This week sporting events and intramurals will continue and students are always encouraged to take a minute out of their busy school schedules and have some fun watching or participating. Everyone is ready for another fun and exciting semester!
-BJ
Hometown: Falcon Heights, MN
Major: Health and Human Performance Option 1
Minor: Adapted Physical Education
Year: Senior