When I first arrived here at the University I was already bored, or “hungry”, for something to do, or “eat”.   I realized I didn’t have mom around to complain to and she wasn’t here to tell me what to do.  So, I began to search around the University, or “dig around in the fridge”, myself to find the activities that satisfied my taste.  It didn’t take much time for me to find my “lunchable”.  In fact, it seems like I found so many things I could and wanted to do that it was like finding a whole case of “lunchables” behind the “jar of pickles”.

I am a christian and it was important to me to get involved in local christian groups.  So, within my first week here I found an awesome college group through High Point Church, held at Crichton College.  From there I got involved in: College Fusion, a community group, The Loop, etc (I love my personal chauffeurs and Mrs. Diane rocks!).  Also, I am involved with Campus Crusaders.  They have cookouts, on campus bible studies, and other fun get-togethers with area colleges.  In fact, this weekend I am attending a Campus Crusader Fall Retreat at Camp Linden hosting colleges across Tennessee, which I will write about next week (Tabitha, April, and Andrea are awesome!).  Last, but not least I have found the Baptist Student Center right on campus.  It’s a place where I hang between classes, where they offer bible studies, they have international food nights and dinner theater, and much more.  Also, I will be attending another retreat, featuring Chris Rice in Nashville, the first weekend of October with them (God bless you Terry and Brian for helping me out this week.).  All of these groups provided fun environments to get to know other area college students.  Not only was I looking for religious organizations, but also other campus organizations where I could be an active participant in my college career.

Living on campus, I found RHA (Resident Hall Association) as a place to voice my concerns as a dorm resident.  I attended one of my first meetings and realized there is so much I can do as a resident, and that I don’t have to just be painfully silent.  Also, there are so many activities through the Freshmen First program.  They offer everything from in dorm tutoring to fun stuff like Romeo’s Raid and Juliet’s Response (fun stuff).  Then, there is the Peer Mentoring program that gives scholarship students a better look at college, through upperclassmen and faculty mentors.  Actually, I went to the first Peer Mentoring event, a western themed dinner with the president (check out my pictures).  It was cool and they drew names for tickets to the Lion King at the Orpheum.   I can’t even begin to touch on all the various activities and groups the University has to offer, but these were just a few I have tried out.

Well, now I know that there never has to be another boring weekend.  Hey, I have got my next three planned out.  There is always something to do here.  You just have to look behind “the pickles”.