Featured, I'm a Bison, On The Hill

Ten Questions For Reflection

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The time spent between freshman and senior year is a period of great growth. You enter college as one person, and leave as another entirely. Your thoughts change and different paths evolve. College years are among the best years in our lives. In honor of these thoughts, a freshman and a senior have been interviewed and asked the same questions. Some are serious, some are fun. Read on to see how they compare!

The questions answered below are from Chelsea Rafferty, class of 2014. Chelsea is a double major in English and Secondary Education and currently student teaching. Chelsea is an asset to Nichols College and inspires many with her hard work, determination, sense of humor, and friendship.

1. Describe yourself in 5 words: Outgoing, Loud, Clumsy, Nerdy, Basketball junkie.

2. What was your final decision in choosing Nichols for your college career?

I decided to come to Nichols for quite a few reasons. The first, and most important on my list, is the distance from home. I am only an hour drive away so I can travel back there when need be. Second, I was recruited to play on the Women’s Basketball team. I was excited for an opportunity to play at the collegiate level. The third reason was the size of the school and the student-teacher ratio. I attended a very small Catholic high school and loved a small classroom setting with close interactions with my teachers. I was very successful in that environment and knew I wanted that at the college I would attend.

3. What do you hope to get from a Nichols education?

I hope to have an advantage over other graduates in my field in terms of experience in the classroom and networking.

4.  Tell me the funniest thing that has happened to you so far on campus:

During my sophomore year while I was on duty on the senior One Night Social, a female senior and a close friend flashed me as she was approaching her residence hall. She had absolutely no idea anyone was around and was so embarrassed. It was one of the funnier things I have seen while on duty.

5. Who is your favorite professor and why?

There are so many amazing professors here but I would have to say that Professor Michael Lajoie is by far my favorite. This is my first semester not taking one of his classes since my first semester freshmen year and this deeply saddens me. He is a mentor to all students, whether they are an English major or not, and he genuinely cares about each student’s educational, emotional, physical, and mental well being. He challenges each students thinking and prompts them to truly relate classroom material to the real world. He focuses on the important aspects of education rather than the nit picky, unimportant parts such as the number of paragraphs in one’s paper. He focuses on quality and substance rather than quantity. He is the epitome of an amazing teacher and I hope I am half the teacher he is someday. He has helped me and my peers overcome our personal struggles and he is the most compassionate individual I have ever met in my life. I can never thank him enough for what he has done to help me grow as an English major, future educator, and as a well-rounded individual.

6. What advice would you give your former freshman self?

Don’t go home so often. It may be tempting to go home every weekend because this change is very overwhelming, but the weekends of your freshmen year are the most important when it comes to meeting fellow classmates. Try to be strong and stay a few weekends in a row. Go out with your roommates, teammates, and neighbors. Get to know everyone.

7. Finish this sentence. When I grow up, I am going to be…

A college English Professor.

8. Favorite book, favorite food, favorite song, and favorite type of writing utensil:

To Kill A Mockingbird; Jimmy’s Buffalo Chicken Calzone; Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men; BIC Black Ballpoint Pen.

9. If I could change one thing about Lombard Dining Hall, it would be…

A larger gluten free section. It certainly has expanded significantly since I was a freshman but being a person with Celiac disease, it certainly can improve even more.

10. Favorite quote:

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” –To Kill a Mockingbird

 

The next set of questions have been answered by Jessica Frank, a new student to Nichols College. Jessica has entered Nichols College this fall. Her inquisitive and friendly disposition is sure to lead her down a path to success. She is an International Business major, class of 2017.

1. Describe yourself in 5 words: Happy, friendly, outgoing, loud, and smiley.

2. What was your final decision in choosing Nichols for your college career?

The cost of tuition over other equally competitive schools of the same caliber with the same success rates.

3. What do you hope to get from a Nichols education?

Hopefully a job in the field of my major, international business, and a clearer path to a happy and successful life.

4. Tell me the funniest thing that has happened to you so far on campus.

I wore flip flops on a rainy day because my sister told me it was supposed to be 80 degrees and sunny. I ended up walking up the hill from the Athletic Center all the way to Fels barefoot with my shoes in my hand.

5. Who is your favorite professor and why?

My favorite professor would be a tossup between Dr. Halprin and Dr. J. Deys. They are both English teachers and I love English but they teach different subjects for my class so I’m not sure. Halprin is kooky and funny and spacey while Deys is more cool and down to earth. They’re both awesome.

6. What advice would you give your future senior self?

I would tell my senior self that I should be proud to be graduating from college and that just because school is over doesn’t mean the hard stuff has past. I’d definitely tell myself not to sell out on my goals no matter how farfetched and outlandish they may be.

7. Finish this sentence. When I grow up, I am going to be…

When I grow up I am going to be an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher in South Korea.

8. Favorite book, favorite food, favorite song, and favorite type of writing utensil:

[sic] The Princess Bride; Thai spicy stir fry; Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight (at the moment anyways); Fine tipped colorful pens.

9. If I could change one thing about Lombard Dining Hall, it would be…

I would love to see more culture in the dining hall. Indian food, Chinese food, Thai food, Korean food, and others would be a welcomed mix up. Sushi would make my day.

10. Favorite quote:

“There are three kinds of people in life; The kind that make things happen, the kind that watch things happen, and the kind who ask what happened.” — Mary Kay Ash

 

 

 

Featured, On The Hill

Bison Shuttle is UP and RUNNING!

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The Bison Shuttle is ready to board! Check below for dates and times, and make the most of it — this is just one more great service that Nichols has to offer. Please be aware that trips are based on student sign-ups, so do not hesitate to sign-up for the trip(s) you wish to attend. For more information on the Bison Shuttle, contact Beth Gionfriddo from Student Involvement. She can be reached by e-mail: Elizabeth.Gionfriddo@nichols.edu or by phone: 508-213-2113.

Saturday, November 9th – (10:00am-3:00pm) – Wrentham
Wednesday, November 13th – (6:00pm-8:00pm) – Wal Mart (Oxford)
Saturday, November 23rd – (10:00am-6:00pm) – Boston (Faneuil Hall area drop off & pick up)
Tuesday, November 26th – Train Station (Worcester)
Sunday, December 1st– Train Station (Worcester)
Wednesday, December 4th – (6:00pm-8:00pm) – Wal Mart (Oxford)
Saturday, December 7th – (5:00pm-9:00pm) – Blackstone Shops

Featured, On The Hill, success

PDS on Alumni Relations Panel

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On Thursday September 26th at 1:30 pm, four Nichols College Alumni gathered in Davis Hall to share their life-after-Nichols experiences with current Nichols students. Students poured into rooms 205 and 207 once the doors opened. A quick scan of the crowd showed very few open seats and eager students with notebooks and pens poised to learn. A required event for seniors taking their PDS classes this fall, the alumni panel proved very beneficial to those in attendance.

Ryan Gervais is a Nichols grad from 2008 and 2010 with an MBA. Megan Sherman graduated in 2010, as did Danielle Flavin. Kevin Richardson is the most recent graduate of Nichols College, from 2012. All four students have found success in the business world and attribute that success to Nichols College. Kevin Richardson was quick to point out that the teamwork skills learned while in school helped him immensely in his field.  The other three panelists agreed, adding that Nichols prepares you for the real world.

Danielle Flavin brought laughter and successfully formed a connection to the crowd when mentioning how much she hated the PDS (Professional Development Seminar) classes while at Nichols but pointed out that the portfolio she produces at interviews is incomparable against other candidates. Ryan Gervais mentioned the importance of learning the interview skills created in PDS – skills certain to come in handy upon graduation – Danielle does approximately 25 interviews each week and regaled the crowd with the do’s and don’ts of interviewing.

With a team of twenty working underneath her, Megan Sherman gave key advice on having a positive attitude in the workplace and owning up to it when you falter. Also touting the merits of PDS classes and the resume building learned at Nichols, Megan gave the audience horror stories of resumes she sees that brought plenty of laughs among students.

Kevin Richardson was also quick to jump on the PDS-praise train, adding in that Nichols preps students realistically for the job market, and gives them the skills they need to succeed beyond the interview. Kevin stressed the need for those just starting in their careers to broaden their horizons, be flexible, and stay professional. Above all, Richardson notes – market yourself.

As the program came to a close, director of Alumni Relations Bri Callahan asked each of the alumni, “Why do you stay in touch with Nichols?” The responses were typical. To come back and see all the changes, to continue to network, to stay in touch with old friends, and to stay involved. Perhaps the most interesting of answers came from Megan, who complimented Nichols on the resources used to set the path for student success, and then stated, “I owe so much success to Nichols, which is the main reason I give back [sic] to the college.” That answer rang true. An understanding settled over most of the students in the audience at that moment, and that one answer is sure to have convinced at least one student that it’s no small bones to be a Nichols Alumni.

Perhaps the true mark of a Nichols student is the politeness in which the alumni were received. Students sat with rapt attention, taking notes and genuinely listening to the advice of their peers. One can only wish the man constantly rustling around, digging in his bag, and shuffling papers took note. As this reporter remained impressed with the attentiveness of the crowd, that one distraction stood out like a sore thumb.

Produced by the Bison for the Nichols College Community