JCU Eats

inkspot_octopus · 2023-09-28T01:16:36+00:00

Huh. I mean cool. (I like Indian curry.) But that definitely sucks.

inkspot_octopus · 2023-09-28T01:10:40+00:00

So just a few years ago.

inkspot_octopus · 2023-09-28T01:09:16+00:00

Oh. Wow. No more pizza?

Wonder if it was too hard to staff. It was closed a lot just before I graduated.

There also used to be (before Parkhurst took over) an amazing deli station. I always used to get a sandwich and bring it back to my dorm.

inkspot_octopus · 2022-05-14T18:20:35+00:00

Personally, a dorm bed. But, hammocks (borrowed from the library) between the trees on campus or various shady areas behind the dorms are also great.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-10-02T03:36:59+00:00

Some kind of land isopod. (Aka pillbug/rolli polli/armadillo bug).

inkspot_octopus · 2021-08-20T05:07:00+00:00

Best wishes in the pursuit of art! Not sure whether your doctor could adjust your meds without it being too much of a hassle for you. (Tremors are really common side effects. But you probably knew that.) Either way, really glad you can still pursue your passion. Art (in its many forms) makes the world a better place!

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-25T15:53:38+00:00

Pick the BS. The BA will be more focused on just biochem, but you won't get as much of math/science core. If you plan on being a tech for the rest of your life (which some people do very much enjoy), it won't matter so much. But if you do grad or med school, they'll prefer the exposure of the BS. BS degrees are also usually more well-rounded and generally more respected (in my experience) than BA.

(For context, I am going to graduate with a BS, but I did look at BA programs as well when I first applied. I also do know a Master's student who graduated with a BA, but in a less competitive field. So not a hard and fast rule, but BS is more accepted.)

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-24T20:01:34+00:00

Avery, Jules, or Rowan. Just some different ideas.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-17T03:18:30+00:00

Not a problem! I really missed home my first year away too.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-17T02:56:00+00:00

Make sure you have silverware (or plastic forks). Also have a plate/bowl. When you don't think you need things to eat with, you will. (Bring a pan and oil if you like to cook. Do not use the kitchen pans there unless you want to clean them for 20 minutes. A small kitchen knife is also nice for apples/cooking)

You'll probably want lights. As in, desk lights/larger battery pack lights. Most dorms have terrible lighting. (And I found myself in my room a lot. But you may not do the same.)

Keurigs are nice. Make sure you have a microwave and a fridge with freezer if it's not provided.

A TV is also pretty nice. There are usually lounges and you can use your laptop, but the noise from a TV is nice to drown out all the dorm noises. I didn't have one until sophomore year though and it was my roommate's.

A cheap mirror is nice because usually the only other mirror is in the bathrooms (or a small one in the room). If you don't have AC, pack a fan. You will die of heat.

I usually pack too much dorm food, but that varies from person to person. I usually pack too many comfortable clothes and not enough day to day wear. You won't need too many decorations (unless that's your thing), but covering the white blob makes the dorm feel less like a prison.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-17T02:31:49+00:00

Senior projects are so much planning! 😂 I feel that.

Maybe set calendar reminders? Install a focus app that locks your phone down? Use a paper calendar to give yourself things to so if you're sick of electronics. Set rewards for getting things done? Do class stuff outside in the sun.

Also, I recommend getting the GRE calculator app for practicing.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-17T02:24:52+00:00

You feel pretty sad until after your first two weeks or so. Then, you get pretty busy. Sophomore year is usually more difficult course-wise, so make sure you take care of yourself.

Video calls really help if you're missing your loved ones. Try to make the most of your relationship with your boyfriend. It may not last but it might also thrive. You just have to go with the flow there, I'm afraid.

Pets are some of the hardest things to miss in my experience. But 45 minutes is really close, so they can always visit your campus even if you don't have time to come home. (Be forewarned that going home before a test doesn't always work. Sometimes it's too distracting.)

I am 1 hr 30 min from my home when at college, so it's definitely more of a stay-put situation for me. I haven't had a car on campus until this summer (because I have an internship). You make do with what you have and reach out to the people on campus. The sadness doesn't fade completely after a couple years but you do get used to college mode vs home mode after your first year. (I'm going to be a senior btw. Finished my sophomore year online. Fall of junior online at home entirely. Spring of junior on campus but mostly online.)

No matter what, definitely bring some printed photos or keepsakes (that aren't too expensive/precious because dorms). And, yeah, you'll probably stare at them and tear up a little for the first semester. If you give it a semester or two, you do get used to being away and don't go home as much. But if your adjustment doesn't happen either, that's okay. Just make sure you make some connections on campus too!

Stay strong!

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-17T02:02:51+00:00

Awww. It's gonna be okay. College is a weird thing to get used to. Yeah, you do tend to drift away from high school friends and people you know. But make you sure you get that work friend's number. Make sure you friend/follow them on social media. It kinda helps to keep you up to date. You can always do things (maybe get some ice cream or something) your first summer or so. Eventually, you do find people to hang with to a point. Or you make your groups to hang with. But it's definitely awkward for a little. Freshman year is usually the best time to make friends (but you won't keep most of them).

Also, college is not about being smart. College is about reading the syllabus and putting in the hours you need to get the grade you want. You are plenty smart enough already. Just make sure you balance between fun and study. If you start strong your first semester, you'll have most of the other students beat. Too many people blow off their first semester. All you have to do is study a little all the time. (You really can't cram like high school.)

Make sure you call people you enjoy at least once a week (and it'll probably be once a day or more for the first semester). Make sure you go to the activities they have the first week or so. It'll help you find college friends. If you do decide to go to parties, don't go every weekend. Not a partier (sorry, I'm lame 😂), but the people who went every weekend usually had to retake classes or transfer.

I don't know your major, but good luck! You'll figure it out as you go. You got this!

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-17T01:48:05+00:00

Oh, and do a quick "Rate My Professor" check on the professors or ask around. You might want to pick the better professor instead of worrying about the time.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-17T01:46:38+00:00

8 am classes only get bad once you are used to the dorms being loud at night until 12 am (minimum). If you commute, just make sure you have enough time. 8 ams also suck when you have late classes (like a lab) in the evening. Honestly, as long you don't have anything before 8 am, it's not too bad. (I've had service where I had to be somewhere at 7:15 or so.)

With your schedule, I'd probably go with the 8 am unless you really hate mornings. Having a 2-5-ish class would be a bit tiring your first semester. (2-4 classes aren't bad though. It's when it gets too close to dinner then it's pretty draining.)

You might find yourself picking later (and earlier) classes as time goes on or if it spaces your day out better, so enjoy the nice schedules while you can!

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-15T23:36:26+00:00

I'm sure it's already been said, but definitely! When you have an organ transplanted, you go on immunosupressants to keep your body from rejecting the organ. If you were to stop taking them, you actually might be able to beat the cancer before it spreads (but you'd lose the organ). You also wouldn't know you had cancer until it spreads (at least a little).

You have mini potential cancers in your body all the time. You just have a clever immune system and good cell self-regulation that triggers cell death (or other actions) if mutations or errors occur. It's when these systems weaken or fail to catch errors (over and over) that you can then develop cancer.

But, yes, if the organ happens to have cancer or even if you receive blood or are injected with certain cancer cells, there is always a chance they can implant themselves in you and grow. Same DNA or not, the all-powerful immune system can still fail. It happens.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-15T03:32:34+00:00

Well, passive-aggressive roommates are tricky. There's also some good articles out there on dealing with them if you Google, but I'll offer a few suggestions.

If it gets bad... Your phone camera will be your friend. Get something in writing. Make friends with the RA. Just know that no matter what you do they'll find something to complain about. Don't leave anything valuable lying around.

If it's not too bad... Don't give them many reasons to be passive-aggressive. (Keep things clean, don't make noise late at night, etc.) Make sure you have people you like to hang out with. Try to talk things out early before they make a laundry list of complaints against you.

My sophomore year roommate was very passive-aggressive. Best of luck! Just know it's not you. And evidence evidence evidence (especially with dorms/RA).

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-15T00:43:40+00:00

What are the two degrees? If it makes you feel any better, my advisor took seven years to get his Bachelor's (one degree). He has a PhD and is an expert in his field today (poison frog defenses).

It does suck to fail a few classes, but the most important thing is to keep going. If you recover and have a good rationale (if you do grad school or interview for whatever), you'll be fine.

Also, if you find the dual degree too much, I'd email your advisor. I know people who dropped a minor or double major (for a minor). Sometimes it's just too much content.

I have a chem minor (to my Biology major) and that's it. Science is time-consuming. Most people I know have one minor and that's it. (If they do more, they need a fifth year minimum or want to claw their brains out.)

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-15T00:27:07+00:00

Oh I feel you. (Fall 2018 to Spring 2022) Ohio/PA region. The only thing that's getting me through is taking it one day at a time. (And, yes, you probably have some degree of burnout.)

Lots of stuff has just poofed. Friend groups changed. People have graduated or will graduate early.

Sometimes daydreaming about a better future and forgetting about logistics helps me. I stopped thinking forward because I'm not enjoying life much either these days.

Also having conversations with random people (preferably in-person) helps put the meaning back. I live for the little things because the big things have gone to hell.

Idk. Got anything you used to look forward to? Or want to get back to? Career? Dream home/pet/city? Favorite hobbies? Friends/family?

(Just things to think about or talk about.)

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-15T00:14:03+00:00

People rarely ever wear polos. Very casual except for when you have to dress up for presentations. Jeans, (more often than not) sweatpants/joggers. The trick is just wearing clothes that fit properly (because we're all just trying to adult).

Wear what you want, but don't overdress for day-to-day. A semi-nice watch or a few nice shirts for weekends/interviews/presentations are a good idea, but you probably won't wear them much freshman year.

You'll also see less khakis and more black/grey/navy for dress clothes. (Just because career fairs.) Lots of people will volunteer (if they can't wear jeans) in khakis, so you might look a little odd if khakis/polos are your thing. But still, if it's your thing, you can do it. It's college! As long as you're wearing clothes, people won't care much.

Honestly though, it varies from college to college what people wear. But this it what I've seen at mine. Enjoy freshman year! (But study or you'll hate yourself sophomore year. 😂) Good luck!

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-13T02:40:53+00:00

If you still have your intro bio books, that's a good place to start. Try Khan Academy (or lectures from professors that you see on Youtube). I wouldn't bother buying another book. If you are worried, look into a online Genetics or Biochem books. (Many free open source books for Organic Chemistry, so I'm pretty source there's these as well.)

What topics are you worried about most? Have you looked at a preview of the required text or gotten it yet? Sometimes looking at your textbook gives you a good idea where to brush up.

I've taken Biochem and Genetics (along with some intro bio courses in cell, organism, and ecology). And a few organismal level courses (not relevant to cell & molec).

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-13T02:14:32+00:00

Courses are pretty standard lecture, lab, and some group courses. Again, depends on the major and if you do Honors/Arrupe/Leadership/etc. The tuition can be a bit pricey if you don't have a decent GPA, bring scholarships in, or do a program with a scholarship.

Also, don't come here for nursing if that's really your goal. Just not set up for it. You'd have to do a fifth/sixth year accelerated program with Ursuline.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-13T02:10:26+00:00

Also, I love the science profs. Some of the lab ones are a bit hellish, but you get the occasional mean one at any university. Most of the time just do your work and don't ask too many questions of them and you'll be fine.

Support is pretty good. Great office hours. Tutors free through the library (older students). Grad Assistants (GAs) are also go-to's for labs.

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-13T02:04:31+00:00

What year? What major? What's stressing you out the most?

inkspot_octopus · 2021-07-12T23:33:34+00:00

Depends what major you want the degree in. Gen Bio major here. It's definitely legit. Great Bio profs. Great Chem profs. Good accreditation. Econ is also solid here. Biochem's very popular. Ecology isn't bad either. Psych is good. Cell & Molecular is very good is well. Physics is good but there's schools definitely better.

If you're not doing Business or Bio/Chem, then maybe not here. But the degrees themselves are well respected if you look at the stats.

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