Today is my LAST official day of class as a UNL student and it's quite the bittersweet accomplishment.
#4 and #3 define what I was proud to call myself these last four years: a Husker Student-Athlete.
4. My Classes
The reason you come to college is to get a degree, correct? Forever a teacher's pet/nerd (whichever you prefer to call me), I can still honestly say that I LOVE school. 99% of the time, I enjoy going to class and learning new ideas that force me to expand my thought process and challenge existing ideas. One of my goals in life is to never stop learning, and perhaps that's why I've chosen a career that will force me to keep testing, learning, practicing and teaching new ideas. Which shouldn't be too hard because you learn something new everyday, correct?!
Upon completion of my NUTR 455 final next Wednesday, I will graduate May 5th with a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science with a GPA close to 4.0, but not quite (don't get me started...) On my right shoulder on top of my sexy black graduation gown will also be a fashionable (?) red and white tassel stating I graduated with Honors, thanks to 8 semesters of a little extra work, two seminars, and FINALLY completing and handing in this bad boy...
I loved my major and the classes I took were challenging and bothersome at times, but can honestly say I learned something in each one that I can apply to life. I learned how to cook, what effects all types of food have on the body, the names and functions of every single muscle, bone, and tissue, and what happens during every phase of exercise. As a woman, former college athlete, and now a runner and (hopefully) a future wife and mother, I can apply this knowledge daily, and hope to continue learning and teaching others as the years go by. The University also provided great learning environments for us to work in everyday. Tech savvy lecture halls, real life cadavers for Anatomy labs, all the chemicals you could want/need (for the right reasons...) in Chemistry, and all the Exercise/Health equipment you need for VO2 and Performance testing.
"Proud Dog"
PLEASE tell me someone has seen this
walking down the hallway in Henzlik.
Gets me every time...
Learning is great, but there were a lot of other things that helped my class experience at UNL be as great as it was. I made a lot of good friends through this major. It was fun to see their smiling faces everyday, sit next to each other, talk about what happened this weekend, and try to hide our giggles when we were supposed to be paying attention. We all had our share of goofy professors with strange sayings and fashion styles, and survived those TAs that we couldn't quite understand. However, all of them were willing to meet us students halfway if we just simply asked for help.
Perhaps a hidden secret to my success is at lot of my friends and I were frequent users of "crack" to stay awake in class, or Crystal Light packets that you can put in your water bottle. (Underclassmen, I'd strongly suggest investing in some...) It will keep you alert and focused any time of day!
Random class shenanigans also provided a lot of laughs, such as girls with silly putty, karaoke for extra credit points, and Mortarboard/Innocence Society initiations. Who says that going to class can't be a good time??
Upon completion of my NUTR 455 final next Wednesday, I will graduate May 5th with a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science with a GPA close to 4.0, but not quite (don't get me started...) On my right shoulder on top of my sexy black graduation gown will also be a fashionable (?) red and white tassel stating I graduated with Honors, thanks to 8 semesters of a little extra work, two seminars, and FINALLY completing and handing in this bad boy...
I loved my major and the classes I took were challenging and bothersome at times, but can honestly say I learned something in each one that I can apply to life. I learned how to cook, what effects all types of food have on the body, the names and functions of every single muscle, bone, and tissue, and what happens during every phase of exercise. As a woman, former college athlete, and now a runner and (hopefully) a future wife and mother, I can apply this knowledge daily, and hope to continue learning and teaching others as the years go by. The University also provided great learning environments for us to work in everyday. Tech savvy lecture halls, real life cadavers for Anatomy labs, all the chemicals you could want/need (for the right reasons...) in Chemistry, and all the Exercise/Health equipment you need for VO2 and Performance testing.
PLEASE tell me someone has seen this
walking down the hallway in Henzlik.
Gets me every time...
Learning is great, but there were a lot of other things that helped my class experience at UNL be as great as it was. I made a lot of good friends through this major. It was fun to see their smiling faces everyday, sit next to each other, talk about what happened this weekend, and try to hide our giggles when we were supposed to be paying attention. We all had our share of goofy professors with strange sayings and fashion styles, and survived those TAs that we couldn't quite understand. However, all of them were willing to meet us students halfway if we just simply asked for help.
Perhaps a hidden secret to my success is at lot of my friends and I were frequent users of "crack" to stay awake in class, or Crystal Light packets that you can put in your water bottle. (Underclassmen, I'd strongly suggest investing in some...) It will keep you alert and focused any time of day!
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| Why didn't I think of that?! |
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| You laugh...until they come into YOUR class |
3. Nebraska Volleyball
From the day I took my visit to UNL in the Spring of 2006, I knew it was the place for me both academically and athletically. I was lucky to have an amazing overall experience as an athlete, even though it certainly had its rough spots. I dreamed of playing for this program ever since I was a little girl, and for it to become a reality is simply mind-blowing and I wonder how I got so lucky...
Now that my career is over and I'm "retired" at 22, I can look back with pride in hindsight of my career. Sure, the stat sheet or record books probably won't ever remember me, but that wasn't God's plan. From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew my role was going to be running Scout Team. However, it certainly wasn't an easy pill to swallow at times, especially the older I got and less I saw the court. When frustrated, I was always reminded by my coaches, mentors, parents, and other team members to keep working hard and doing what is right, because it's going to pay off someday. As my confidence in myself and faith in the Lord plan took solid hold, I made a choice to give 100% in every single thing I do to make this team better. This included every sprint, every lift, every rep, every ball shagged, and every cheer from the sidelines. This mentality still defines how I still try to live my life today. Like my good friend Johnny Wooden always said..."If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when will you have time to do it over?"
I quickly took on the role of "servant leader", and tried my hardest to be the best teammate I could and lead by my work ethic example. Coaches and former players always reminded us that it's not about the end result, but about the journey. Some of the best times I will EVER have in my life were involved being apart of this program.
Traveling to Hawaii and China, early morning workouts, going crazy during camp season, constantly traveling in a group of 20, and just hanging out in the locker room. My teammates and I will have memories that will last forever, including inside jokes, life changing moments, and incredible experiences that not too many college kids get the privilege of having.
Although the end of the season didn't end like we wanted, it is so fun to look back on all that this team had went through and conquered. Brooke, Willy, and I shared an awesome Senior Night and farewell to the Coliseum thanks to the best fans in the nation. I will miss playing in front of that crowd every night and hearing the familiar roar to Steve Johnson's announcements and game commentary. If you haven't even been to a Nebraska Volleyball game, put in on your bucket list. NOW. Something special happens each year with that program and it's an amazing thing to have been apart of. I will NEVER forget my experiences, memories, or the people that came with them.
I will forever be proud to call myself a Husker.
The life of a Student-Athlete was not always glorious, but in the end it was FAR worth it. I'm so thankful for the opportunities that I've had, and now can't even imagine a different college lifestyle.
Tomorrow is the last day of the week and the final parts of the countdown so hang in there everyone...the end is near! Have a good one :)
To be continued...
From the day I took my visit to UNL in the Spring of 2006, I knew it was the place for me both academically and athletically. I was lucky to have an amazing overall experience as an athlete, even though it certainly had its rough spots. I dreamed of playing for this program ever since I was a little girl, and for it to become a reality is simply mind-blowing and I wonder how I got so lucky...
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| Oh boy. Freshmen... |
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| Now THAT'S a B1 effort. |
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| We are in HAWAIIIIII |
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| Great Wallin' |
My Senior year, I recieved one of the biggest honors by getting voted Co-Captain along beside Willy by my teammates. I'd only played in four matches in three years up to that point, so it really meant a lot that they trusted me enough to be one of their leaders! 2011 proved to be a magical season for a special group that had each other's backs and was full of trust and love. This strong bond was especially proven mid-season, when we were faced with some adversity that could have tore us apart, but instead did the opposite. The weekend of Michigan/Michigan St. was one that I will NEVER forget. Not because it was my first start, or that we went 2-0 against two solid teams and kept our Big 10 dreams alive. It's because of all the LOVE I felt going into that weekend by the other athletes, students, the University, and people all around the state. It's incredible how much people do really care about each other, and how a few encouraging words can go a long way. However, the most amount of love came right around me on that 30 x 30 court, as 14 other girls had my back and made sure we got the job done. Together. The Lord provided my final and most important string of support that weekend, and my trust in Him was tested to the max as my teammates and I took the floor those Friday and Saturday nights in November.
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| This picture says it all. |
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| Who says setters can't block?!? |
I will forever be proud to call myself a Husker.
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| Senior Families |
Tomorrow is the last day of the week and the final parts of the countdown so hang in there everyone...the end is near! Have a good one :)
To be continued...
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