LMU Students

Challenges of Living in Community at LMU

I have been blessed and privileged to have spent the past four years living on campus at LMU. While the convenience factor is huge, there are many other worthwhile attributes: the people you have as neighbors, the scenic and panaoramic views, the Resident Advisor programs, sleeping as long as possible before getting up for class, the list is endless. But with this beauty comes the beast. Living in community isn't easy. It is downright challenging. Living on campus can be a dream come true or the nightmare in which you never wake up from. 

There are so many factors to take into consideration when living with others. Realize that you live in a communal space, sharing it with 1-3 other people. It isn't just yours and all yours, it is shared. Challenges to take into consideraiton include personality differences, cleaning habits, having guests over, sharing space, having your girlfriend or boyfriend over, eating of someone else's food, sleeping schedules, sharing the bathroom when you all need to get ready for class, what's yours to share and not to share are just a few of the many examples. 

But before you dive into those questions and even challenges, they can be mitigated or even avoided if you reflect on the following questions before choosing who you will live with for the next schoolyear. Living on campus is a huge investment of your time and money, and the people you live with more likely than not will influence your college experience. So it is important to know yourself. You cannot expect certain standards of others when you have not figured out your own. What do you value? What are your expectations? Do you know when you can come to a compromise and be flexible, and when you just won't budge and will have to stand firm?

Living in community is such an important aspect in the development of a person. It will easily reveal what you value, and who and what you respect. You are often presented with circumstances where you need to find solutions to events that you may be in total control of or events where you have absolutely no control. It is in these reactions to the situations that display your maturity and problem solving skills. Living in community allows you to grow in your communication, time-management, consideration of others, spiritual, and communal skills. I have realized that living in community is part of the Jesuit motto and latin phrase, Cura Personalis, which is the idea of caring for the entire person. It is the individualized attention to the needs of your roommates and neighbors, the respect for his or her unique background and circumstance, and an appreciation their particular gifts and insights. Having a beautiful synergy between those you live with will be evidence of such an ideal.

-JRA '12

 

“If Not You Then Who?”

Coming to a Jesuit University, doing service is not required but most are eager to jump in a help those in need or just live in solidarity with others by having an open mind and a kind heart.

 

Upon coming to Loyola Marymount, one of the first clubs I joined was Christian Life Community, CLC. As the weeks progressed, I stepped up and was soon honored as Co-Service Chair of CLC. Taking on this responsibility meant to plan with a committee all the service that CLC would be involved in here on and off campus. One great trip we do each week is go to Marycrest.

 

Marycrest is an elderly home for women. We as students go to mingle with the ladies by playing games and talking with them. Giving a person the time of day can go a long way. One thing that touched me the most was how I could talk to a woman for about an hour and then as I leave she tells me that she is proud of me. Something so simple and especially from a stranger was so touching because honestly she did not know me besides where I go to school and that I am a business major. As I reflect with meditations and examines, I realize that it is deeper than just the surface. Now that I am older, people can see me for who I really am with a single conversation. It is not judgment but acceptance. The people that care to hear me talk whether it is in CLC, in my dorm, or even on an LMU tour care to hear me for who I am, a man with and for others.

 

As I branch out, I discover more service sites in which I can have diversity and one that I cherished this past week was going to Verbum Dei High School in Watts, CA. I traveled with a Service Group called “Magis” meaning to do more to this high school to help tutor some kids on a Saturday morning. To my surprise, this was a Jesuit High School. I felt at home again because I too come from a Jesuit High School. So I sat down with a student by the name of Niggi and we got to work on Ethics and Decisions of St. Ignatius. I found this subject very intriguing and learned so much from this young man. As we all sat there as a group of 20 guys, we talked about school, sports and girls. Some of the students told us that they wanted a better education and that they were going to work hard and be great student-athletes. They said that they see the older kids fail and get kicked off sports teams and they want to change that for the generations to come. We kept talking and one of the students said that he had hoped of attending Loyola Marymount one day and maybe being a lawyer to make the big bucks. Then I asked him what are you going to do with the money and what he said shocked me. Even though these students were 3 years younger than me, they had hopes of helping their families by buying their moms houses, giving money back to their school and helping the community out.

 

This was great and all it took was waking up early on a Saturday morning to help some kids study for class. Serving the community around us is a real eye opener. We really do not understand what a great impact we make on some people. All it takes is one spark and then a chain of service or hope can change the world for the better. A great Quote we adapted in CLC this week was “If Not You, Then Who?” This is true to the heart when I say step up and it will change you for the better, be called to serve. 

 

- Bryan

Feeling Sick...

Hello Everyone,

It's that time again...seems like flu and cold is in the air. I started to feel sick on Wednesday, my throat was feeling a little scratchy. Friday was worse because I couldn't hear too well. It was so bad that I couldn't hear my students' responses when I was standing right next to them. I didn't even hear the recess bell ring! It was very frustrating to avoid shouting while trying to teach my lessons on fractions and  Rosa Parks. 

After being in college for 5 years, I have learned to listen to my body and take care of myself. This weekend I am taking it easy and geting plenty of sleep. College students get so caught up, trying to complete all our assignments and extracurricular activities. We have to remember that we are living organisms and need to nurture and nourish ourselves in a timely manner, before we burn out.

As an LMU student, I know how hard it is to say no to adding more items to your to-do list. We are so quick to add on to our activities and commitment but forget to add some time for ourselves as part of our daily schedule. We need to set aside time to relax our bodies and our minds!

My advice is to take your daily vitamins (at the first signs of a flu/cold take Emergen-c) and always get rest!!!!!!!!!! 

 

Stay healthy this semester!

 

-Adrienne 

 

 

 

Second Semester

Hey all,

Second semester is off to a great start! I am super busy, but all my classes are absolutely great and I am really enjoying them! There is a lot more going on this semester for freshman. For example, sorority and fraternity recruitment is going on right now. I am not participating in it, but a lot of my friends have been going through rush and they’ve been having a blast. I am interested in joining a service organization on campus and their recruitment period is about to start. Service Orgs are groups of students on campus that place their main focus on service to others. I am not sure this is something I will end up participating in, but I am going to the information meeting this evening. I’ll let you know how it goes!

I have recently gotten involved with a group on campus called the Del Rey Players. This is a student run theater group. I am currently working as assistant stage manager for the upcoming show. They are a really awesome group in that you don’t need to have any prior theater experience to participate. If you are willing to learn, they are willing to teach. So far the experience has been great and I hope to work on more shows with them in the future.

I think I’m going to have a hard time finding balance this semester. There are so many awesome things that have opened up for freshman to get involved with. I want to do it all! But unfortunately that isn’t possible. I’ll keep you posted!

-Meredith

 

Student Teaching

Hello Everyone!

We are now about to start the 3rd week of Spring semester. This semester has been unique because I am not running around campus going from class to class and balancing 18 units. I have been in the classroom observing and testing the waters of teaching. I was very lucky to be placed in a great school and with a wonderful master teacher! I am learning every second and my master teacher is constantly giving me tips and resources for when I will be teaching. We are very fortunate at LMU because LMU takes that time to place you at a school and with a master teacher that you will actually get a wonderful experience from. 

I am also very excited and happy to announce that I was accepted into Teach for America for 2012!! I am super excited to be getting my Masters at LMU in School Administration and be teaching!! I will be teaching elementary Bilingual Spanish. Soon I will be interviewing with TFA contracted schools and will find out where exactly I will be placed. I will keep you all posted on that. 

I hope everyone else's semester is going great! I'm keeping it short tonight because I need to rest my brain for tomorrow, because I will start teaching math!! I hope I can teach my 2nd graders how to properly measure things in inches....wish me luck!!

 -Adrienne

The Last First Week

Monday initiated my last first week of Spring semester here at LMU as an undergrad. Undoubtedly my fellow seniors have also come to this realization. And how are we reacting? Some are excited that we are one step closer to graduation while others are nervous because they do not have an idea of what they are doing afterwards come may 5th. 

It is an exciting feeling to begin my last semester. Although I am still carrying a normal workload (5 classes, 1 lab, and 1 senior project) I will now have more of what I like to call "flexi-time" this semester. This includes anything from lunchdates, to enjoying the full length of convo, exploring more of Los Angeles, being able to do more service. I am a Lion and I am part of the class of 2012! 

- JRA

And were back...

School is back in session and I can already tell it is going to be a crazy semester. The break went by way too fast. I still can't believe how fast time goes. Every year goes by faster and faster. I'm sure this semester will be no exception. I'm really looking forward to this semester. Last semester was all about change and transition for me. I was a new transfer student, didn't know many people and was really nervous if I was going to like LMU or not. I decided to rush a Fraternity (Sigma Chi), got a job on campus and met a lot of people. I can now say that transferring was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The people here at LMU are what make this such a great campus. For all you new transfers, put yourself out there. Make an effort to get involved and I’m sure you will love this school as much as I do. Good luck to everyone this semester.

-Skylar

Coming Home

Hey All!

I hope everyone had a fantastic winter break! I know I did! I’m headed back to LMU in just two days and I cannot wait! I have really missed being on campus and all of my new friends. I have a feeling second semester will be awesome! Being home has been really nice though. This was the first time I’ve been home all semester because I stayed on campus for Thanksgiving break. One of the first things I noticed was that my bed felt like it was practically sitting on the floor since my bed at LMU is almost as tall as me! That took some getting used too! Luckily the weather here has also been warmer than it usually is this time of year. We’ve only had a handful of days in the 20’s. I was hoping for some snow, but that didn’t happen. No white Christmas here. Bummer. I have had a blast with my family and friends, but I am definitely ready to get back to LMU. I know second semester will be a bit more challenging due to the classes I am taking, but I know I will be sad to go come May. I’ll post again soon to let you know how the start to the new semester went! Take care!

-Meredith

The Final Finish

Some students have begun taking their end of the semester exams while the majority will begin formal examinations next Monday. I started Wednesday evening which will thankfully reduce the intensity of next week just a tad. Let me describe to you what I have seen and heard the past few days. Two days ago I entered the William H. Hannon Library around 9:00pm and did not leave until 2:00am. While it may be shocking to a few, the reality is that I am not alone. There are even others who dedicate more time than that as evidence of the many people still diligently working when I left the library that morning. I also have friends who have stayed up until 4:00am to 5:30am the past week preparing for final projects and papers before final exams next week. It's a harsh reality. Sure you can say to us that we should have done it sooner or if we were more organized, prepared, blah blah blah, we would not need to stay in for so long for so late. I would counter that by saying I have other classes that also need attention and extra curicular events all trying to cram in the last bits of knowledge, homework, papers, presentations, and events. It's a hectic time, yes, but will be well worth effort after I am able to drive down the 5 freeway to my hometown of San Diego to celebrate a wonderful time, Christmas. But until then, I need to dive more in to my books and less into my blogs!

Genuinely,

JRA '12

End of the Semester Chaos

As we near the end of the semester, chaos has seemed to break out here on campus. With only a week left before finals, were all rushing to finish papers and projects. On top of all this, we had a crazy windstorm last night that made the power go out on campus. I was working in the library when this happened. Luckily I was saving my project on my USB drive as I went along. Other students weren't so lucky. I find it kind of funny because the library has warnings on all their computers to save your work to external hard drives and USB devices periodically. I'm sure students learned their lesson.

Finals week is about a week away. I'm looking forward to being finished with this semester, although I can't believe it is almost over. All students have been registering for next semester these past few weeks, so this has also added to the Chaos. I'm sure this moment is bittersweet for the seniors out there. This is their last semester here at LMU. In preparation for your finals make sure you get some sleep and study. Good luck to everyone!

Skylar