I know I’ve posted about this before, but I’ve got to say I love the Police Beat in the Daily Universe (available online at nn.byu.edu). It reminds me a lot of my old town’s newspaper, where we’d often have a hilarious mix of serious crimes and petty incidents. Highlights of this week’s Police Beat include:

• There is a disturbing amount of thefts at a place that is called “The Lord’s University.” 12 reported this week. That’s ridiculous, and I think that anybody who has committed any of these should go and see their bishop.
• “A faculty member claimed someone entered his office in the Snell building and took football tickets from his desk. The police checked the seats during the game but there was nobody with his tickets.” Hmmm, does it sound to anybody else like this faculty member… lost their tickets?
• Evidently, someone cemented 14 ceramic animals to the rocks by the water feature by the bell tower. I would have loved to have seen this!
• My hall totally made the Police Beat! Our RA’s window was smashed, and we don’t know who. We suspect the Ninja.
• Quite possibly one of the oddest stories to be in the Police Beat recently is this: “A father was trying to play Cupid between a Bookstore employee and his son. He tried to pressure her to go out with him but she told him that she didn’t want anything to do with her son.” What a wackjob.

Stay tuned next week, at the same Criminal Channel, same Criminal Place! BYU Police Beat!

Okay all, I took one for the team last night. I went tunnel singing. Yes yes, I can hear you mumbling the word “zoobie” from here, across the vast expanse of the internet. But hey, what would I feel like if I had never even tried it?

In general, it was a good experience. The basic process is you meet underneath the tunnel by the Marriott Center at 10 PM, and someone somehow declares themselves the leader of the group. The songs start out fast-paced, and then become gradually slower and more reverent as the night goes on. In the middle, they have everyone sit, and the to-be missionaries announce their call, followed by and energetic “Called to Serve.” Everyone then sings the EFY Medley, and more songs until the night is ended with “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

Singing hymns? Great! I love it! Singing with a big group? Awesome, sounds quite good too. Having large groups circle, hold hands, and sway during the EFY Medley as if they were back in the midst of it… not so cool. Standing next to a senior male cheerleader and his girlfriend, who are both way too excited to be there… even less cool.

So the conclusion is that the experience in general is pretty good, although there are some odd spots. If you all still think you are at EFY when you are at BYU, it’s time to move on. Singing hymns together is great, but I’m guessing it’s kind of a one-time thing. And senior male cheerleaders are not invited.

This is what happens on holidays in the dorm rooms when everybody gets a “good idea!” We duct-taped our Elder’s Quorum 1^st Counselor to the wall, and he hung there. Just about the sweetest thing ever! Better pictures to come when I get my film developed.

More pictures are including, click “More”
(more…)

It may prove to be a foolish move, but I added Honors 292R to my schedule, a class which requires you to attend the weekly Honors Seminars. At the Honors presentation on the first day of NSO, they mentioned the seminars, and said that if you plan on going to them, you might as well sign up for the class and get the credit. To me, it sounds like it wouldn’t be a homework-type class, perhaps attendance based.

If it turns out to be a homework intense class at all, I will drop it, because it’s only 1 credit. I stand at 15 now with 7 classes, though two of them are “seminar” classes with many people, so I think those will not turn out to be a heavy load.

Of course, I’m just a freshman and could be wrong, but that’s why we can drop classes, right?

For the first semester ever, I am going to start classes with the exact schedule that I want - every class I was looking for during the perfect times to fit my schedule.

But as I said, this was my first semester where this was the case so I wanted to write in to reassure all of you who are stressed about the new semester and not having the classes that you think you need.
So here is my list of tips for getting the classes that you need for Fall Semester 2005.

1. Check AIM as much as possible. Once classes start people are going to be adding and dropping and changing their schedule around like crazy. If you are patient you will be able to add the class eventually.
2. Start going to the desired classes beginning the first day of class. Pretend like you already have the dream schedule. If it is a smaller class the persistence will impress the professor. My Mom told me about a class that she desperately needed during college and the professor absolutely refused to sign her in. She kept going and sitting in the front row, taking notes furiously, asking questions, and he finally gave in and signed her up.
3. Show up to classes that you want at least 10 minutes early and be the FIRST person to go up to the professor and ask them to sign an add/drop card.
4. I have even gone so far as to sign up for another section that didn’t work out so well and making an announcement during that first day of class asking anyone if they would like to switch sections with me. It has actually worked.
5. Next semester be smart. If you know any upperclassmen, get them to reserve the most important classes for you if they have room on their schedule to do so (because registration opens up for people depending on credit hours accomplished). I found a graduate student in my one of my classes first semester Freshman year and she let me in on a little secret. Graduate students are allowed to sign up for an UNLIMITED number of credits and they are some of the first people who get the opportunity to sign up for new classes. If you can find one who would be willing to do so, you could have them reserve your dream schedule for you. Then you just need to get on the phone with them, or meet up with them at side by side computers and have them drop the classes one by one, as you slowly add them to your schedule.

Viola! You have everything you want!

Ciao,
Jenna

Guess what? Volleyball players are tall! Very tall! And they give you free magnets and tickets to games if you show up to their breakfast! That’s where NSO started today, by the Smith Field House for doughnuts and orange juice, which wasn’t exactly filling, but enough to hold us over till lunch.

After our short breakfast, we went inside for a devotional, which talked about the great privilege it is to be a student at BYU (it truly is!) and how we need to “raise our anticipations to meet their [parents and staff] expectations.” Hard seats, but a good devotional.

We then had a mini-lesson given on the topic of “Habits of the Mind,” the first college “class” where I actually took notes! Go me! But then again, almost everyone did as well. Points covered in the lesson included how coming to this University can help build your character, through teaching you integrity, service opportunities, a work ethic, time management, self-discipline, etc. One quote presented that struck me was this quote, from the Aims of a BYU Education:

Since a decreasing fraction of the Church membership can be admitted to study at BYU, it is ever more important that those who are admitted use their talents to build the kingdom of God on the earth.

That idea certainly put a new spin on the reason I am receiving an education at BYU. Also, the thought that a dirt poor family somewhere in South America, simply by paying their tithing, has allowed me to come to University basically free, is an incredibly humbling thought. Don’t take anything for granted, and always remember President Hinckley’s first B: Be Grateful!

Lunch was provided (yes! more free food!) and we ate as an NSO group out on the grass in front of the Wilk. Being new BYU students, we felt the obligation to have deep, intellectual discussions concerning such globally important topics as time travel, who in the group was actually an alien, and what kind of car Bill Gates drives. ‘Twas a grand time! A math professor also stopped by and ate with us, and provided several points on the math department at BYU (hint: go to your professors (1) during their office hours (2) with specific questions.).

For several hours, all students were also able to go and listen to presentations given by their particular major’s department. I myself, looking at Graphic Design and in the Communications Fresh Acad group, went with some of my buds like Maria and Nicole to the Fine Arts presentation, which was great! They had faculty and students present different topics, with great little helps that I could relate to, such as the notion that just because you aren’t the best at something, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pursue it. Following the general college presentation, we split into smaller groups for different areas (viz. Visual Arts, Communications, Theater, etc.) for more specific instruction. How did it go? Well….

I am now seriously seriously reconsidering my previous considerations of becoming a Graphic Design major. Why? Because the Visual Arts presentation was such an amazing downer, unimpressive, and discouraging in general, that I don’t know if that’s where I want to be for four years! Basically, the gist of the presentation was that IF you get accepted, which only 25% do, then consider yourself a lottery winner, work work work, reapply to be in a BFA, hope your stars and planets are all cosmically aligned, get in, and then finally be able to take the classes that you really want to. Didn’t make it past either of the two portfolio reviews? Sorry, you don’t get to expand your horizons by taking any of our classes, you aren’t good enough for them!

Now I know that the Visual Arts department staff truly aren’t evil, and actually do want students to succeed. However, almost all of the staff came off with a rather elitist attitude, seemed a bit unorganized (didn’t know which classes were being offered this fall), and not incredibly supportive. I might be reviewing my options in Communications a little more seriously in the next couple of the days. One of the good things that did come out of the presentation, was that missionaries are now allowed to apply for the portfolio review, be accepted, and then defer for their mission - something that was not possible before. Hooray, I might have a chance!

Since this is incredibly long-winded, I’m going to summarize the rest of the evening. I made myself a killer dinner, consisting of chicken noodle soup, Milanos, and a banana! It was awesome, totally hit the spot! Tons of people (including myself) went and saw “The Color of Paradise,” an Iranian film about a young handicap boy and his life. Not only did it fulfill an Honors program Great Works List requirement, but it was also interesting! I probably missed 90% of the symbolism and meaning, but it was still entertaining and thought-provoking.

The culminating event of the evening (and NSO) was the “Friday Night Extravanganza.” Goodness, sounds incredible! If that’s the word you’d like to pick… In short, it was a meet-as-many-people-as-fast-as-you-can-in-a-team-building-environment type event. Fun, but unfortunately I remember about 3 people’s names, so a little odd. But it was a fine activity in general.

Tomorrow? Yes, it’s a…

NSO Saturday Night Finale Dance!!!

Rise and shine, it’s registration time! New Student Orientation, or NSO, began today, on a quest to familiarize all of us nubile freshman with the grandeure of BYU. The event is about three days long, with various events and meetings throughout the day. (See the attached schedule)

The first stop is to check-in, and my recommendation to all future Freshman Academy students: get there early! The line to check-in for Fresh Acad students was only about half a mile long when I showed up there at 8:15, but luckily it did move quickly. Next came a great assembly about BYU, it’s history and goals (in movie form) along with a speech by BYUSA President Adam Larson, and BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson. Finally, the marching band and cheerleaders came in and entertained us for a few songs. In general, the assembly was great, I highly recommend it!

We then split into our individual groups, and met each other as best we could. I met Paige, whom I know from Y Weekend (I’ve seen a bunch of those guys around!) as well as the other four guys in our group, plus a bunch of girls. More names to come as I remember them. Our group leaders took us on a rather helpful tour of the campus, and then we were done!

I had to get a new ID card, even though I received my first one back at Y Weekend, because in the year since, I definitely lost it! I was also able to purchase most of my books at the Bookstore today as well, and it only came out to $86.10. I still have two more books to purchase, “Constructing a Life Philosophy” by Williams (for English 200) and my Mass Communications textbook, which has not yet arrived. Still, I don’t believe I’ll be spending anywhere close to the $300 to $450 that my engineering-bound roommates have spent!

In the afternoon, I went to a meeting regarding the Honors Program (great, I think I’ll be committing), a meeting for Scholarship recipients (not so great, wouldn’t recommend), and the Honors Program Banquet (highly recommended, free food!). In summary, go to the Honors stuff, read the scholarship packet when you get it and skip the meeting.

During the banquet, all attendees were also able to cross off their very first Great Works List event - a jazz concert. Absolutely incredible! Four men, some BYU graduates, entertained and taught us about jazz, talking about great artists and diatonic progressions. It was a great event!

(BTW, it’s really late by now so my grammar and diction is probably falling apart)

The finale of the evening was a production about the Honor Code, presented by the Student Honor Association. It was a multimedia, theatrical event that was surprisingly entertaining! I realized tonight that I love BYU because of the entertwining of the Gospel and Education, represented very well by the Honor Code. Okay I’m entirely exhausted, I’ve got to go. More tomorrow!