Remember the video I made where I asked a bunch of current students to tell me and well, all of you, why they decided to come to Skidmore? Well its about time I posted a new one. Sorry for the wait. I meant to have this up by…..well, lets just say two days ago but the point is, its up now for your viewing pleasure.
Please do watch, share, and enjoy !
httpv://youtu.be/luw6eSTFvBo
And for more, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ALTAatSKIDMORE
A year ago from today I arrived at JFK airport. I was groggy, exhausted, and dressed much too lightly; flip flops, tights, and a Skidmore sweater did not suffice for the winter cold. I was extremely tanned, somewhat sun burned, and feeling fresh. I was in utter disbelief of the previous 5 months. I could not stop smiling as I thought back to priceless memories and waited for my friend to pick me up from the airport.
“Time sure does fly” “I hope we all forever stay in touch” “That was the best decision of my life” “I bet I’ll miss everything so much it’ll hurt” “When will I go back?”
These were all things that went through my mind.
A year ago from today I arrived at JFK airport, I had just flown in from a week long vacation in Fiji of which prior to that I was studying abroad in Australia. My time abroad felt like a dream, it was so surreal. I fell in love with the friends, the place, the everything. I wanted nothing more than for every moment abroad to last forever. The days counting down till I had to return pained me in every way but never so much that it blinded me from the great times I had in the present. For the first time ever I felt the feeling of wanting to be in two places at once; I loved and missed Skidmore and my skiddies, but I really did not want to leave my abroad experience. Even now, I still think about it and it has been over a year. I still love discussing my time and looking back at pictures. I still contact the friends I made there and laugh about the good times we had. Its all something I will never forget and hold dear to me for forever.
I thank Skidmore for giving me the gift of my abroad experience. I promise I am not the only person on this campus who feels this away. Many students study abroad, and many have the time of their life. I remember a friend once said “If it were not for Skidmore, I would not have even imagined going abroad”. Sixty- five percent of Skidmore students study abroad. It really is something the school encourages and takes pride in. Many students who never thought of going abroad , do because it is pretty much apart of the Skidmore experience. Students begin talking about it as early as their second semester freshman year. I myself, never imagined going abroad (did I mention going to Aus was the first time I ever flew?). It really was something I never thought of. It was definitely being a SkidStudent that influenced my decision to study abroad.
http://firsttime-amontilla.blogspot.com/
ThanksGiving in Australia
Fiji mud bath
1 year reunion in NH
Cool huh? Well Skidmore has it’s very own banging on stuff that “once was loved then was garbage and now is an instrument” group, PULSE. It’s pretty cool. No, its really cool. Watching their shows are just so much fun; it’s just about impossible to stay still. You have to do that like “uh this is a great beat” head bob thing or burst out into dance. Many of the students are already musicians and are in band/s but others have never touched an instrument in their life and just enjoy making a crap ton of noise, I can sympathize with that. Funny story, I actually tried out for Pulse as an eety weety lil’ freshman during the period of my life when I wanted to join just about everything I could fit into my schedule. But, yea, I auditioned and didn’t make it. Sad, I know, now I know what those American Idol contestants feel like (“wait, whahh? whatya mean I’m not good enough?! My mom told me I have the voice of an angel”). I learned later that the executive board committee then pretty much recruited anyone who auditioned that wasn’t afraid to kind of just get in there and play (during one of the audition stages we got in a circle and people were expected to get in the middle and pick an object to play). Like I said I was an eety weety lil’ freshman so I never “just got in there”. I was too shy 
womp womp. But no worries because now I am not longer a shy froshy I am a bold senior ! and about the need to fulfill my obsession with banging on things and making noise, I just decided to bang on my dorm furniture and drive my roommate nuts. No, just kidding….maybe.
Check out Pulse performing below.
Skidomedy teamed up with Pulse for a pre performance skit.
httpv://youtu.be/MJC77xSwp5U
httpv://youtu.be/sXlDaHGQLzI
Thank you! I’m not sure if I will transition smoothly from the city that never sleeps to a smaller town with less commotion. I always find a place to go on a leisure day; like the movies, bowling, ice skating, ect. Do you think activities like these are as easy to find up in Saratoga? Or maybe in Skidmore itself; do you find students to be pretty occupied between work clubs and outside activities?
I promise you there is so much to do. I know this is a big concern for many students who are coming from densely populated areas. There is heaps and heaps to do at Skidmroe- something every night. Evidence to this is that we have never been described as a suit case campus meaning none of our students go away for the weekend because Skidmore does not give you a reason too. Saratoga has heaps going on as well. Especially during the summer so everyone should stay for at least one summer. I think the difference between here and the city is that in the city it feels as if everything is just there, it comes to you, and you are familiar with it. Whereas here, it is helpful to be on top of everything. Read posters, check out websites, step out of your comfort zone and do not hesitate to meet new people from all walks of life. Another thing is that I feel like many NYC students expect all fun to involve dance parties. You will especially have a fantastic time if you step out of that mentality and realize a good time can be more than dancing and also include watching a show, listening to a lecture, participating in a particular club, watching a band play, etc.
And when I say be on top of things I do not mean that events are hard to find I am just saying the information is out there, pretty in your face, so it helps to keep an open eye.
And do not get me wrong about parties, those do exist here as well.
My friends, including professors, have helped me maintain my sanity. A nice chat or a some chill time in helps to do this. When things get a little out of control, and it has this semester, I will let a professor know and they are often very understanding.
Things are also a bit different for me now that I am a senior because I know what to expect and I am much better at managing my time and understand what are the best study habits for me. If I ever did need any additional help I do understand and know that the right resources such as, Student Academic Services, are available to me.
Yes. Students do have the option of staying on campus for breaks. If it is a break during the academic year, you need to let ResLife know you are planning to stay. There are “vacation dorms” of which are filled with students staying for the break. Students who live in houses during the break can just stay in their house.
For summer break, students who would like to stay on campus have to be taking classes, interning, or working on campus. That, staying for a summer, is an absolute must do.
Fantastic ! Congratulations to your brother !
Okay first things first. Your brother needs at least a Skidmore sweater, mug, or snuggie. Yea, the Skid shop sells snuggies. So a certificate to the Skidmore Shop is a must.
http://bookstore.skidmore.edu/home.aspx
So many students go to Uncommon Grounds because it is a fantastic place to do homework. Bagels, coffee, and wifi. What else could you possibly need on a weekend afternoon? Nothing !
http://www.uncommongrounds.com/
Plum Dandy. Frozen Yogurt deliciousness. I really do not have to say much more.
http://www.plumdandyyogurt.com/
I really enjoy finding cool sweaters, accessories, and such in consignment shops. There is a really good one in town. Its called Eighty Twenty Boutique; the owner is really sweet and is actually lending clothes to the Fashion Show I am directing.
http://www.eightytwentyboutique.com/
I am guessing your brother likes food. I mean who doesn’t?! A really fun, easy, chill place to eat with great burgers and a fun theme is Circus Cafe.
http://circuscafe.com/
You can not go wrong in this town.
This is a great question and I thank you for asking. You are correct, there are many and many things I love but if I had to complain about something it would be that I can’t have another 4 years here. No but seriously; one thing I guess I would change is a small detail about dormitories. I really enjoyed living in the dorms. It was great living so close to so many people. It would be nice if more upper class men lived in dorms. All students are allowed to live in the dorms all four years if they would like, housing is guaranteed. But with the town houses we have on campus all students are eager to move into those that I feel even students who would like to stay in the dorms are almost pressure to move into a house because it is the “thing” to do.
That’s about it and maybe I was serious about the not getting four additional years thing 
So tonight is the last official weekend of the semester and there is just so much going on. I mean this is not atypical for a weekend at Skidmore. But this weekend in particular, it seems as if all clubs on campus scheduled events. Its insane !! So much so much. What am I, a student who wants to go to everything, to do ?!
Featuring tonight on the Skidmore College campus:
The girls and boys basketball games.
The acapella groups, Dynamics and Bandersnatchers are performing.
Pulse, “the group of found objects percussion groups that bang on stuff” are performing their last show of the semester.
The DJ club hosted third first event on campus, a block party.
I promise to post pictures soon enough.
This week is the last of the semester. Let’s take a second to let that marinate. (PAUSE) THE LAST WEEK OF THE FIRST SEMESTER OF MY LAST YEAR. Just imagine me saying that last sentence with a surprised OMG look on my face. I can’t believe it. Anyway, instead of getting super emotional about that and the thought of having finals (“Oh hello lack of sleep, its been a while. I haven’t seen you since last semester’s finals”) I’ll discuss something on the lighter side of moods, Junior Ring Weekend. I am absolutely aware that I am a bit late on giving Jr Ring some blogitty attention but who cares, a good time is worth telling no matter how late.
Last Thursday kicked off Junior Ring Weekend, organized by the Junior Class Council. JRW is one of Skidmore’s traditions. Its always scheduled for the Fall semester right before finals. I think JRW is great; planned fun during such a stressful time.
The schedule for Junior Ring Weekend was:
Thursday Dec 1st :
Tree Lighting Ceremony – 6PM on Case Green. Everyone gathered outside on the green to watch the climactic moment when the switch is turned and the holiday tree is lit. Hot cocoa and apple cider donuts were in the palms of cold and finals stressed students as they listened to the sounds of Skidmore’s a- capella groups.
Friday Dec 2nd:
Mr. Skidmore: The Search for the Modern Mr. Gatsby – 8PM at the Spa. I have actually never attended a Mr. Skidmore event but I heard its heaps of fun. I was hoping to attend this year but I am babysitting for a Skidprofessor and then a Skidcoach. Sad times; not the kids, just the missing Mr. Skidmore part. Apparently its now a tradition after the student government association decided to create an all male friendly event years ago. So I guess you could say Mr. Skidmore is Skidmore’s Mr. America pageant.
Saturday 3rd:
Flag Football – 10AM at Wachenheim Field. I so wanted to join in on this one. But I had to attend the synagogue in town and then lead fashion show practice. I passed by the soccer field, spotted a few seconds of what looked like some really intense flag foot ball games. A tiny feeling of jealousy creeped up my back, well not actually, but you know what I mean. I really enjoy being active especially when it involves me showing off how not “girly” I am.
Silly housemates.
More fancy fancy
Such a handsome photo.
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