You've Gotta Start Somewhere

Whether you are a new student or a returning student, the first day of school reserves a special kind of anticipation.  It finds students in various states of readiness and demands that they start out on a several month journey into unknown territory.  Some are excited, some over-confident, some sweating with anxiety, and others are completely nonchalant about the whole thing.  As a Student Ambassador, I have the special privilege of witnessing new students in these various states of readiness at New Student Orientation and at the Info Desk during the first week of classes.  I enjoy helping them navigate the ins and outs of Mat-Su College and find their 'school-legs'.  But even with all my experience as a seasoned student and employee of my own educational institution, I can be caught unprepared by the first day of school.

Beneath the semi-professional attire, I'm still a student.

My start this year has been fraught with longing for more time, better health, less responsibility, and a rested mind...in short, a much-needed vacation!  I need a beach chair, on a hot beach, with a cold drink (preferably with a tiny umbrella), and nothing more to think about than what tropical delicacy to eat for lunch.  But such is not my reality.  School has started and I find myself lacking the usual enthusiasm.  It could be that my plan to graduate in May with a long-sought-after Bachelor's degree has given me a serious case of 'senioritis.'  Or it could be that the horrid cold I acquired during the first week of classes has drained my stamina.  Whatever the case, I am not starting this year with a bang.  It's rather more of a whining, "Do I have to?"  And my resolved answer to myself is, "Yes, you do."

What is keeping me going this week...

You might think that I would be better at preparing for school, given that I have been doing it for so very long.  But the truth is that each year, each semester, is different.  The first day of school finds every individual in a unique place, like playing pieces on a game board.  We may face obstacles in our path, or be very far from our goal, but we all have to start from where we are if we want to get anywhere.  And that's what I'm telling myself now.  I'm taking stock of how far I've come, what resources I have at my disposal, and what it means to me to finish what I've started.

Talis Colberg, Harlan Harmon, and Grace Valley.

For one thing, I'm grateful for my position as a Student Ambassador, because it puts me in contact with the very people who can encourage and enrich my educational goals.  I am joined by four fabulous new Student Ambassadors this year whom are each starting school from their own unique positions, and with whom I can share experiences and support.  And just the other day I had the privilege of working at the Mat-Su College booth at the State Fair, getting better acquainted with the college Director, Talis Colberg, the Student Services Director, Sandy Gravley, and the Administrative Services Director, Harlan Harmon.  Each wonderfully encouraging and interesting people who make me excited to be a part of this school.

And all of this has come into my life because I first decided to start the journey of a college student.  I started as a non-traditional student, returning to college as a wife and mother, seeking to finish a Bachelor's degree I started in my teens.  I have faced obstacles.  I have felt endlessly far from my goals.  I have questioned my direction, my strategies, and have persevered.  And yet, with each new start of a school year I face the same challenges.  I know every student does.  We all start from where we are and must work hard to get where we are going.  For all those students starting college for the first time this year, I commend you.  For those returning students, I offer you my sincere encouragement to stick with it.  Identify your resources and take advantage of them to keep you going.  And when necessary, rest and have some fun.  There are exceptional experiences awaiting each of you on your educational journey, but only for those who first decide to start.

Finals Week

We're almost there!  Don't give up, I know you can finish this semester strong...

I don't know about you, but this has been a tough year for me.  I've been attending school at Mat-Su and UAA for 3 years now - fall, spring AND summer.  Plus, I have been homeschooling my ten-year-old son, and doing my best at being a Student Ambassador for Mat-Su College.  So, I empathize if you're feeling at the end of your rope the week before finals (especially with lovely Spring weather outside).  At this point in the semester my enthusiasm certainly begins to wane.  Actually, it started to slip a few weeks ago, but now is when I feel the pressure.  Finals are coming and I have some catching up to do, as I'm sure many of you do as well.  I'm here to say..."you can do it!"

My April calendar...or, my brain on paper.

 My calendar (which you can see in the picture above) is a crazy mess!  That piece of paper is like an external hard drive for my brain.  If I don't write something down, it gets lost in the abyss of information that is constantly flowing through my head.  If someone asks me, "What are you doing on Thursday?"  I'd say, "I don't know, I have to look at my calendar."  I know that might sound a bit pretentious at first, but it has been a sanity-saver.  In a way, it's a visual picture of my life...and clearly it's pretty hectic.  But, it's a happy hectic.  I'll even let you in on my neurotic little secret...it's color-coded.  I write work and school hours in blue, things pertaining to outdoor education in green, important appointments in red (sometimes circled for emphasis), and miscellaneous items in black.  When it gets real cluttered, I start using highlighters for things I really need to remember, like birthday's and deadlines.  Maybe you'll find my chicken scratch amusing, or maybe you'll find it helpful.  If either applies, I feel I've done my part to ease a bit of tension as this semester draws to a close.

So, even if I had an inkling to just stop going to class, I couldn't bring myself to throw away all the hard work I've done thus far (and all the tuition I've paid).  This week is the last push to get papers done, study for the final exams, and maybe do some extra credit if I've been slacking.  Just the other day I was up until 2a.m. putting the final touches on a multi-media presentation for a Public Science Writing course (click the link to see the end result).  I see a similar scenario playing out sometime this week as I finish (and start) a literature review for Marine Biology.  I know I'm not alone in this.  Many a fellow student will also be burning the midnight oil, if you aren't doing so already.  Well, I say, whatever it takes.  Get 'er done!  Finish what you start.  Follow through.  End with a bang!  Take your pick of sayings, but somehow find the strength and mental fortitude to end the year feeling good about your accomplishments.  Look to other students for study groups and stress-relievers.  Seek tutors or help from faculty.  However you're doing it, I commend you all for working hard to better yourselves through education.  Best wishes on your final tests.  And enjoy your summer!  I'll be spending mine in Principles of Ecology class...it's on next month's calendar.

Spring Carnival Shenanigans

We (the Student Ambassadors) had a great time at the Spring Carnival with y'all.  Enjoy some of these snapshots of yourselves, fellow students, and staff having a good time and showing off your skills!  Let us know if you'd like another event like this.  We have plenty of snow cone syrup left!

Student Ambassador, Bradley Lucas, was the master of the snow cone machine.

Happy customers.

Congratulations to all those who mastered their Minute-to-Win-It skills.  And a special pat on the back to those who managed to get on the winner board, whether you stayed on it or not.  You all were awesome!

Ambassador Britney was the first to succeed at "Flip Cup".

Amy struggled at "Flip Cup", but she ruled at the dice game

The first contestant on the game, "A bit dicey."

whoopsy-daisy

One of the top speed stackers.

The speediest stacker.

How do the fingers help?

Daughter of advisor, Mike Swanson, set a balancing record.

The Back Flip game attracted only the most determined and dexterous players.  Our first contestant was so amazing that he set a record of 13 pencils and remained undefeated all day.  Congratulations Mark!  Unfortunately, I never got a picture of him in action, but I did get shots of some other contenders.

It's all about technique...right?

That's the way to do it!  Good job, Connie.

 "Speed Eraser" was one of those games that took a certain finesse.  But once you got on a roll...look out.  Our top winner managed to get every pencil we had into the cups in under a minute.  That's 38 pencils!  See his picture below.

This guy also got one pencil in each cup in just 6 seconds!

Who says professors aren't fun?

Canyon gives a winner's pose.

Thank you everybody who made the Spring Carnival such a fun event!  Have a terrific Spring Break and we'll see you in the halls in about a week.

Don Young visits Mat-Su College

Alaska State Representative, Don Young.

I'll say it right up front.  I have never voted for Don Young.  That being said, I'm glad I had the opportunity to see him during his recent visit to Mat-Su College.  Several students, faculty, and staff got to shake hands with the Alaska Representative on Tuesday in the Atrium.  He was recently elected to his 20th term representing the people of Alaska, and is still going strong!

I did my homework before the congressman arrived.  I learned that he was born in Northern California and graduated from the state university in Chico.  In the 1960's, he arrived in Fort Yukon, Alaska, working as a trapper, gold miner, and a boat operator.  He was soon elected mayor of Fort Yukon, and then Senator for one term, before becoming a representative.  Although his political views don't align with my own, and his knack for saying tactless things is legendary, I was touched by his obviously loving long-time marriage to his late wife, Lu.  He mentioned her several times as he answered questions from students at Mat-Su, attributing much of his success and happiness to her.

I was also pleased to find some points that I could agree on with the congressman:  people need to watch less TV and need to get busy producing all-American goods.  I'll avoid getting into any sticky political views here and just say that I was happy to find some common ground with my state representative.  And hopefully, he can find common ground with other Alaskans like me, maybe even some environmentalists, and we can work together toward a healthy future for Alaska.  Oops, that may have been a little bit political.

Anyway, it was a rare opportunity and I hope student's took advantage of it.  Mat-Su College is, after all, heavily supported by the State of Alaska as part of the University of Alaska system.  Most college student's are old enough to vote, and you ought to!  Who do you think is going to run the country when people like Don Young finally retire?  Maybe it'll be you.

Meet your Student Ambassadors...

Did you know that Mat-Su College has Student Ambassadors?

It does!  There are four Student Ambassadors this year and in case you haven't met any of them yet, or were unaware (as I was) that they even existed, I am now going to introduce them to you.

Bradley Lucas

The first is our only previously-experienced Student Ambassador, and the best-dressed of the bunch, Bradley Lucas.  He is currently in the Associate of Arts degree program at Mat-Su but will soon be at UAA pursuing a double major in accounting and finance.  Bradley was born in Eugene, Oregon, but grew up in Alaska.  He is a connoisseur of everything French and even spent two weeks in France last year. If you ask him about it he'll probably start speaking in French.  Bradley also plays the piano and loves to read, especially science fiction.

Melissa Barkley

The next Ambassador is Melissa Barkley, who said I could write whatever I wanted about her.  I promise to stick to the facts.  Melissa is currently a Freshman at Mat-Su College seeking an Associate of Arts degree with hopes of eventually majoring in Psychology.  She has an older brother and two small dogs who keep her entertained.  Her long-time passion was cheerleading, but Melissa hung up her pom-poms after high school and is enjoying her retirement from sports.  While at work, Melissa keeps her co-workers amused with her quotable one-liners and fun-loving personality.

Britney Jenkin

Britney Jenkin is a Sophomore Ambassador who will soon receive her Associate of Arts degree from Mat-Su College.  She graduated Salutatorian from Wasilla Lake Christian School and says she loves to play sports, especially soccer and volleyball.  She has one older sister, two younger brothers, and a silky terrier named Simon.  Britney is a history buff and an avid traveler, recently taking a trip to Belize.  She has a great sense of humor and can usually tell you anything you want to know about the latest movies in theaters, especially if they're animated.

Lindsey Shelley

Your fourth Student Ambassador is myself, Lindsey Shelley.  I'm what wikipedia calls a "super-senior", a student who takes more than four years to graduate, sometimes a lot more!  I recently returned to college after ten years spent raising my son.  I am working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environment and Society from UAA and am loving my science classes.  I crave traveling and adventure, especially in warm places where I can go snorkeling.  In the winter, I keep myself busy playing women's soccer, hanging out with my family, reading, cooking, and traveling.  I did my Freshman year of college right here at Mat-Su College back in 1996 and I really appreciate how much it has evolved since then.

Mike Swanson

Lastly, I want to introduce the man in charge of the Student Ambassadors at Mat-Su College: Mike Swanson.  You may have already met Mike if you've sought advising in Student Services this year.  He came to the Valley after spending four years at the UAF Bristol Bay Campus in Dillingham.  He is happily married to a lovely lady he met in Dillingham and has three children at home.  Mike never ceases to amaze (or amuse) with his interesting stories, famous quotes, and memorized song lyrics.  He says he's "thankful to have a team of motivated, enthusiastic Student Ambassadors who are kind enough to overlook his organizational shortcomings to provide relief and assistance" to the Student Services department.


I think I can speak for all the Student Ambassadors when I say that we are thankful for our jobs and the opportunity to work at a great place like Mat-Su College where students, staff, and faculty can truly get to know each other.