Inspiration

Hi everyone!

I am about to go take my last final exam, Survey of International Economics (2180). This is an Elliott School requirement that can be quite difficult for those whose minds are not economically prepared!! I know a ton of students in the class from my major, and one girl sent out an email to all of us last night in order to help us all buckle down and study:


Titled: "Inspiration"
Great moments are born from great opportunity.
That's what you have here today. That's what you've earned here today.
One exam.
If we took it ten times, we might fail it nine.
But not this exam. Not today.
Today, we ace this exam.
Today, we draw graphs and determine exchange rates because we can!
Today, we are the greatest economics students in the world.
You were born to be an economics student--every one of ya.
And you were meant to be here today.This is your time.
I'm sick and tired of hearin' about what a difficult exam it will be.This is your time!
NOW GO OUT THERE AND TAKE IT.


With that in mind, she is hilarious and motivational, and I'm back to studying :)
Marisa

Hi everyone!

Finals are here and almost in full swing. I am so ready to head home for a few weeks after finals and relax.. but I can't give up my energy yet because I need to push through the next week until next Saturday when I board a plane back to the west coast.

Some classes choose to have a take home final, which they give on the last day of class (April 26 was when I got my two take-home finals so I've had plenty of time to finish them already!). This has made my finals schedule way easier than normal, because instead of 5 exams to stress over, I'm down to 2 finals left to go!

My finals schedule:

Monday April 30
- In-class exam for Public Health (last of 3 exams)

Tuesday May 8
- English take home final due by 12:20 PM
- Development Politics final 12:40-2:40 PM

Thursday May 10
- International Economics final 10:20-12:20 PM
- Geography take home final due by 2:20 PM

Since I already finished my take home exams, I'm just focusing on Development Politics and International Economics. I am ready to head home very soon!! I'll update you on my summer plans once they're more solidified :)

- Marisa

Lesson #007: Finals success is only a Vern Express ride away.

Lesson #007: Finals success is only a Vern Express ride away.

The semester has ended. Summer is on its way. The only thing between you and that trip (or nap) you’ve been looking forward to is something known as “finals time.” As we all know, final exams always have and always will stand between students and absolute relief. “Finals time,” for many, means sleepless nights being replaced by study-filled days in the library and unabating stress. While most students crowd into Gelman Library, I would like to suggest an alternative: the beautiful Mount Vernon Campus.

If you need a place to focus and clear your head, the Mount Vernon Campus (commonly referred to as “The Vern”) is the place to do that. Its picturesque views stand in stark contrast to downtown D.C. and the comfort level is significantly higher than Gelman, from West Hall to Ames Hall and even Eckles Library. 

 

If you’re not “feeling” the indoors, don’t worry. Feel free to grab a spot on the balcony over the softball field, on the field itself, by the soccer field, at the tables in front of West Hall, by the fountain at the quad, or virtually anywhere within the 25-acre campus. On the other hand, rumor has it that Eckles gives free food to students during finals time (while hot chocolate and coffee are always available in the intimate student lounge if you bring your own cup!).

Just a few weeks ago, I began to truly embrace the Vern, where I’m actually writing this blog. The ride from Foggy Bottom to Mount Vernon, and vice versa, can be rather relaxing and, once you get here and get comfortable with your textbooks and study materials, you don’t ever feel like leaving.

While I haven’t lived here in my years at GW, I recognize that the entire Mount Vernon Campus, from pillar to post, is a one of a kind sanctuary. Sure, there are tennis courts, a pool, various exercise facilities, and up-to-date housing and classroom options, however, when you just want to take a break from all of the resources on both GW campuses, I believe that the Vern is the place to sit back and unwind.

Stay spirited,

Matt

mtscott@gwu.edu

A Perfect "Reading Day"

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to describe to you how great reading days are. After classes end, GW usually has one or two reading days that provide time for students to relax, recuperate, and get ready to attack our final exams. I had one exam in my last class this past Monday, and two take home exams, so I only have 2 in-class finals to go. While these exams will both be hard, this semester will be much more manageable in terms of finals solely because I have 3 out of the way!

But back to Reading Days... GW really pulls out the bells and whistles to make sure people are relaxed, well fed, and getting outside! Even though I had a study room reservation in the library from 12 PM to 6 PM yesterday (students can reserve library rooms together- each student can reserve a 2 hour block), I still managed to take advantage of great things going on around campus:

- The Love Is Louder Block party is a movement that was started to remind us that 1 in 4 people have a mental illness, and to remind them that they are not alone in struggling with disease. It was started by Brittany Snow and MTV after several students around the country committed suicide in September 2010. The Block Party had cupcakes, a place to throw paint at canvas, lots of booths to help students talk about these issues, and pizza.

- My economics professor hosted a large office hours session where he went over students' problems as a group. I benefited from this experience and went to listen to more review for our exam.

- The GW Gelman Library is being renovated starting this summer to have an amazing entryway and new study space. Cafe Gelman is hosted every month with free snacks for students, and they amped it up during our reading day yesterday to allow us to have some expresso drinks prepared by local baristas, great snacks like chips, bananas, and granola bars, as well as some free travel mugs that are really nice. I'm glad I stopped by!

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun/the heat.. I for one am not wanting it to get any more humid! Why did I decide to stay in DC this summer?! :)
- Marisa