This week is Homecoming Week at UWO according to my Westernizer (that’s our student agenda).

I can’t believe that I have been here for just over 3 weeks- it’s sounds cliche, but Brescia, and Western really feel like “home”.

It’s not just that I have life chats with our floor’s cleaning lady, or the receptionist at the desk has stopped IDing me as I come into residence after 7pm, or that I know that the vegetable samosas and waffle bar are possibly the best things the Castle Cafe offers; but it’s a feeling I get when I walk around campus.

It doesn’t feel as big or as foreign to me anymore, I actually know where I’m going (most of the time).

I remember listening to presentations from both Western and Brescia’s liasons at my high school this time last year. One of the comments they made was the friendly campus atmosphere. I thought at the time that this was some recruiting ploy, it wasn’t until today that I experienced the compassion of another student.

Before my first ever chemistry lab today, I was working in the Taylor Library on my prelab exercise. I had no idea what I was doing or what calculations should be performed and needless to say, I was on the verge of a mini meltdown (thank you stoichiometry). At this point, a student from another table got up and asked me if I had my first lab today. She told me not to worry and offered me assistance with the prelab exercises. I never got her name because as quickly as she had helped me, she wished me good luck on my lab and seemingly vanished from the library before I could even say anything. So, to the girl that helped me with my chemistry today, THANK YOU!

It’s this kindness and compassion for a very lost chemistry student that makes me proud to be a Western (and Brescia!) student. Now that UWO feels like home, I am really excited to participate in Homecoming. I can’t wait for the football game this weekend and the chance to wear my purple and white! Go Mustangs!

Now only if the prospect of my readings was this exciting…

-Christine xo

I can definitely relate to Christine when she says that the work has started! There have been a lot of fun things going on throughout the last few weeks and now the work is really setting in. It is true that we have to remember that we are here to go to school! This week I had readings to do and started to think about assignments that I have to complete. I am enjoying my classes so the readings aren’t too much of a hardship! I just need to make sure that I really understand everything that I am reading because I know that it will come up on an exam eventually.

Thinking about exams, they really are approaching quickly. I have my first test in about two weeks. It doesn’t really feel like we have learned too much yet, so hopefully that means I will do well :)

So to Christine (and to many other new students!) I can honestly say that the hard work will pay off! When you start to get your marks back you will be glad that you did all of the readings and worked hard on assignments. Because in the end, that’s why we are all here!

That being said, I am off to finish some final readings for this week and print slides so I will be ready for class tomorrow.

Good luck with all of those readings and assignments everyone!

-Alysha

So I know I haven’t posted for a little while. And I know that you have all been waiting for an update (this is for you Mom and Dad).

The truth is that I have been busy this past week. Busy with what? With classes!

With all the excitement of move-in day and O-week, it’s almost like I temporarily forgot why I came to Brescia in the first place- to learn!

This past week, I have started the learning process once again. The classes are bigger than what I’m used too, the teachers are now professors. I have to buy my textbooks and come to class prepared with all of my assigned reading done. It’s a big change from the “rhythm” of high school education to say the least!

So far, I love all of my classes, even though they are a lot of work! For every hour of class, it is recommended that you do 3 hours of work, and I have over 20 hours of class= much more work than I’m used too!

But I can’t complain too much, my days begin at 11:30am! So here’s to my fellow students who get up for 8:30am classes, I’ve been there, done that and have now moved on…to do some major reading for tomorrow’s classes!

Ah, the joys of school!

-Christine xo

I can’t believe O-week is over and I have started my life, according to my parents, as “an actual university student”.

The past week has been a whirlwind of meeting new people, walking around campus, learning cheers and attending awesome events with our sophs, upper year student volunteers who guide us frosh around during O-week.

For $75 dollars, our frosh kit included a bunch of free stuff like whiteboards, t-shirts and lanyards….and tie-dying, Opening Ceremonies, dances, a performance by a hypnotist, speakers like “Sex with Sue Johansson”, lots of BBQs, Carnival night, Lazerquest, Closing Ceremonies and of course, the Down with Webster Concert!

The best thing about being a “Brescia babe” during O-week is that not only do we get to attend all the events on main campus, but we also had a full schedule of events at Brescia as well!

There is no way to put O-week into words, so instead, here are a couple pictures of the Brescia frosh at events around campus.

Brescia Frosh on the way to Opening Ceremonies!

On the road to main campus via the Huron/Brescia tunnel!

Crafting away!

Think PINK!

Looking back, O-week was such a fun amazing week, I can’t believe I’m heading into my second week of classes! Back to reality…

-Christine xo

On Wednesday I attended the “Living Leadership” Strategic Plan Launch along with many other students, faculty, and staff at Brescia. After a BBQ lunch, a presentation was made where the 5-year Strategic Plan was presented and explained. Short video and sound clips were included in the presentation which kept the presentation interesting and allowed for a variety of students, staff, and faculty to share their thoughts about Brescia.

Cait Bionda, BUCSC President, presented a section of the Plan and then announced that she had a special presentation to make. Cait invited all of the students to the front of the auditorium and announced that the BUCSC would be giving a gift of $40 000 towards the new residence building.

A “giant cheque” had been printed which was presented to Dr. Hanycz, Brescia’s Principal, and Suzanne McDonald-Aziz, the Executive Director of the Foundation. I was holding the cheque (along with a few other council members) and we had some pictures taken. I can’t say I’ve ever held a giant cheque before!

I think this gift will benefit many Brescia students in the future and will help to reach the goals of “Living Leadership”.

At the end of the presentation everyone was given a flower pot, a postcard summarizing the plan, and a piece of cake. You know it is a special event when there is cake and a gift at the end! It was a very nice presentation and I’m glad that I was able to be a part of it!

-Alysha