Day two and TiReD!!!

           It's my second attempt at blogging. Yay!!! I missed yesterday because I had so much work laid out for me. I had to fix up a fitness and activity plan, exercise for my class, study for an 85 question exam over seven chapters, do a powerpoint, and finish a study guide. I am currently in the Foundations of Physical Fitness and Wellness course, and I love it. It was so intimidating at first, but it turned out for the waaaayyyy better. I highly recommend taking it with Professor Leslie Hanneken! She's amazing and her class is so energetic and fun. She hears you out and tells you straight up what goes and what blows. 

          I did community service yesterday with Frank Mengel in the theatre department. I helped clean up and patch up for "Beauty and the Beast," which is the play being performed right now in the Annie Hogan Byrd Theatre on the Tusculum campus. The performances left are: Thursday @ 7, Friday @7, Saturday @ 7, and Sunday @ 2. It is a magnificent show once again by the majestic Marilyn DuBrisk. :)

          Now I am sitting at my work study which is in Admissions under Becky Tankersley. She is a great boss; half the time it feels more like socially productive time than a "job." We laugh and talk and get to know one another while getting what needs to be done done. It's super fun and I get to do some really interesting stuff. I'm trying to build some connections. I'd say I'm doing pretty well for my Freshman year. :) I've learned a lot from Becky and the rest of the Admissions crew. They're all pretty great!!!
          Well, I have to continue on my class presentation powerpoint for tomorrow, so I'll blog ya'll later.
                                                                                                                                                L8er <3

Babystep Blogging...

          Hey! My name is Kayla Desiree Jones and this is my first time blogging for Tusculum College. Let me tell you a little bit about myself to start out. I am a freshman here at Tusculum College in Greeneville. I am an American; I was born in Anchorage, Alaska. Both of my parents served in the U.S. Airforce which makes me a full-fledged military brat. I have traveled the world with my mother Alisa, my father Terry, and my sister Breanna. I am 5'4" and average body build with dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile. LOL I love astrology!!! I am a 100% Scorpio :^) Anything and everything you read about the scorpio applies to me. My major in college is Psychology and my minor is Theater/Performing Arts. I am 18 years old, about to turn 19 here in two weeks. So ExCiTeD!!! I love horror movies. I went to see Saw VI (which are my favorite movies ever) and I loved it. My favorite actor in the whole wide world (ever since I was 13) is Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg. Look him up if you don't know him; I would do anything in the world for him! LOL I am currently in a relationship with a young man named Brandon Mitchell Roberts. We have been dating for coming up on 10 months next week. I love him dearly. :)
          Okay, now that we have established a personal foundation, let me tell you a  little bit about my experiences here at Tusculum. Tusculum College is the place to be! If you are somewhat jittery about college like I used to be, Tusculum will be good for you. I am fortunately close to home too which makes my experience all that much sweeter. I am far enough away to where I am establishing independence and freedom, yet I am only 15 minutes and a phonecall from my parents if I ever require their assistance. 
          I personally thrive off of Tusculum's "One class at a time" motto. I find myself more focused and less stressed about the little things. It is fairly easy to remember all of my assignments considering I only have one class. LOL I am more organized; say for example, in high school I used to slack on organization and thoroughness. My papers were crammed every which way and I had to search for which paper went with what class. Tusculum's courses last for a standard 18 days. That's only 3 1/2 weeks that you have to impress your professor and be organized. That's fantastic! Class is only 3 hours long and it is not difficult to stay focused. The professors are generally easy-going and understanding, but it is key to remember that this is still college and they do treat you with the respect and discipline of an adult. 
          The campus is fairly small and easy to navigate. If you lose your way, just follow the paths and read the signs standing in front of each building. If you passed fourth grade, you can pass Tusculum College navigation 101. ;)
          Well, I suppose that's enough for my first blog. I'm excited to entertain any readers and

can't wait to blog tomorrow. I'll talk more about my class that I'm actually in right now: Foundations of Physical Fitness and Wellness! Ugh. LOL 
                                                                                                 L83r

Homecoming this Saturday!!!!!

Hey guys, it's been a while! Not a whole lot has been going on except for homecoming this Saturday. It better be good considering it's Halloween night. I'm not going to the game so I'm gonna have to have friends who are going keep me up to score. I really wish I could go, but I already made plans with my family. So they triumph over homecoming game.

I can tell today is gonna be a pretty decent day. I didn't have class is Statistics today so I get to catch up on my work study hours. And then what I'm gonna do for the rest of the day is a total mystery. I think I might go see my boyfriend but not for sure. But I definitely need to get started on my homework for statistics. It's not hard, it's probability but for going over one chapter in not even three hours, it builds up and can become overwhelming. But it'll be alright as long as I don't let it build up and do it day by day like we're supposed to do. Well talk to ya guys soon.

~Kirstin :)

Fall Break!!!! and this block

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been on in a while. Fall break was awesome. I spent most of it here on campus but I made new friends and got lost driving around. We wound up lost in Rogersville. We had to stop and ask for directions at the Wal-Mart.

I had Computer as a Tool last block. It was a harder class then every made it out to be but I passed it with a B-. And this block, I have Elementary Statistics with Brewer. It's fairly easy. It's like a repeat of my high school math classes. So I'm pretty confident in passing this class with a breeze.

I'm also in the Hurley Society. This society is a group of twenty students thats supposed to have undecided majors. We all have four classes a year together and they give us the books for those four classes but we can also sign up for the books for our other classes. Like this block, I signed up for my stats book and they had one set aside for me. Saved me alot in book money. Well see you guys next time.

~Kirstin

TC.. let's go!

To be dedicated means to set apart for, or devote to, a special purpose....
I am a Tusculum Pioneer cheerleader. I love cheerleading and have been a cheerleader for most of my life. I've found that being part of a team takes a lot of devotion and willingness. It's not easy to be on a team full of girls. The stereotypical cheerleader is said to be snotty and prude. Well that isn't me at all! I'm never caught up  in drama. I'm pretty much a social butterfly. I'm friends with everyone :) I don't like to get involved in the personal lives of others and I also don't want anyone nosing around in mine. So I lay low and pretty much stay neutral. I always try to be nice to everyone. Regardless of who they are. It makes life so much easier than being hateful all the time. Cheerleading is supposed to be a sport and activity that helps form a friendship between squad members and the team. You have to put forth a strong effort in all aspects of cheerleading and any sport for that matter. Staying out of drama, leading by example, and cheering your team to a victory: that is what cheerleading is all about! And that's what i do best. I cheer.

Jessica Kagias

The Confessions of Script Writer

   As the week draws to a close I can't believe that I still have three days left of Script Writing class.  I feel like if I make it through this class I can do anything.  This class if killing me! I don't mean to be so dramatic but if you are an English major, don't do it. The teachers are okay, but some times the students you have to put up with are a challenge.
   I have to say other than my terrible class, fall here at Tusculum college isn't going bad at all. The leaves changing are my favorite part.  I sit in the Admissions office at work study and can't help but look out the window and watch the wind blow them across the grass.
   As you can tell I am trying to stay positive despite the fact that I have had drama  all Block and can't wait until fall break.  The one kicker is we have to come back and then I have to face World Literature.  Maybe all that will entail is analysis rather than my teacher thinking I am a great novelist.
I am just going to have to count to ten and then think of the leaves.

-Heather

Stress

Hey it's Hannah. I haven't posted a blog in a while. I've been so stressed out. I'm in English 110 and as of right now I have a six page paper due tomorrow. Fun right? No. It's on relationships. Yeah, it's an easy prompt, but I have a job, workstudy, and class, so it's easy for me to get distracted with other things. I have two pages done so far. The only good thing about tomorrow is I don't have class. I have a conference with my teacher at 2:40 for twenty minutes. Atleast I get to sleep in, right? Something will probably come up and I will have to get up at six just like every other morning. School is so stressful for me right now. Work is wanting me full time. I have workstudy that I'm slacking in. I just don't know what to do. English is killing me!
I'm still not used to my morning class yet. I have to wake up at six thirty everyday. My last block was an afternoon class and I took it for granted. Now I wish I have an afternoon class again. ): Oh well. I'll write some more next week!
(: Hannah

My Campus Tour

Hey guys, its Kirstin again. Aaron and I were sitting here talking about what sold me on coming here to Tusculum and then I got the bright idea to blog about it. When I came here for the tour, Aaron was my guide and he showed me everything there was to know about campus life. Well, while we were walking down towards the apartments, he spotted some cash lying in a parking space next to the COGs. Instead of taking it himself, he told me to grab it, and then gave it to me. It definitely helped me remember my tour here.

But we were sitting just now chatting and he remembered that that tour was with me. He couldn't believe that he let me have the money and now that he and I know one another better, he gives me a hard time about it. But he'll live with it. Just thought I would share that tidbit with you guys real quick.

~Kirstin :)

It has Been a While....

Hey guys, its Logan again. I know it has been a while since my last blog. I know that usually means that there is a lot to catch up on, if only this was true. My last two weeks have been spent deep in my Psychology book. I have either been reading and studying, or doing pages of research for a PowerPoint that I will turn into a paper in another week and a half. This doesn't sound like much fun, but we got to choose our topic; which I chose the childhood development of serial killers, so it has not been too bad. We had our first test in the class the other day, went into it expecting a horrible grade, but I came out with a "B".

On a more personal note, my slow pitch softball season has ended so I am stuck with nothing to do 'til the spring. But it is football season and Tennessee does look to be a decent team this year, just need to find a new quarterback. We also have our big cross town rivalry game this week, the annual East-West game. I'm hoping West can pull this one out. My Red Sox also made it to the playoffs despite playing as bad as you can at the end of the season. I just hope that they can turn it around, because no one wants to see the Yankees win again. That is all that is going on in my life as of now, I will try to not go as long between my post so you all can keep up with me from here on out.

- Logan

First off, I am a little mad. The first day of fall was last week, Tuesday, and today it feels like the middle of winter. Not only was it cold outside it was also cold in my computer as a tool class. But other than that my day has been pretty decent.

We have some pretty exciting events coming up. Our next football game is here at 7 against Lenoire-Rhyne on Saturday October 3. We lost our last one but hopefully we can come back and win this one so come out and help support the Pioneers. Not only that but there are little activities going on around campus. Like Fri, Sat, and Sun we have volleyball games going on between students at the volleyball courts in front of Katherine Hall. When a lot of people get involved those games are awesome. We also have Dodgeball signups on Thursday. And Friday is going to be my favorite day. Its National Denim Day Breast Cancer Support Day and all I wear are jeans. So help support us and wear those denims.

~Kirstin

The agony of defeat

With the sting of last night’s loss to Wingate still on my mind, it is a struggle to get up and get started this morning. Not only did the football game hurt my spirit, but I think it may have gotten me sick. When your throat hurts that’s never a good sign of anything!


As the weekend approaches I have yet to see anything exciting in the near future. I will spend my weekend writing a 15 page play.... the ironic thing is I have never even written a one page play, much less 15 pages. I know one day when I look back I’ll be glad I have the knowledge of script writing, but for right now I could do without it!

I will say, though, if I can get through this block I might just make it to Christmas without harming anyone. I have World Literature next and I am very excited, but anxious. I think I just have an all around rough schedule this year and I’m going to have to realize the facts.

There is a silver lining to this rough week, it stopped raining, if only for a couple of days. :)

~Heather

Block 2: Computer As A Tool

So far, block one went by decently fast and now we're into block 2. I have Computer as a Tool and it's not that exciting. We sit there and learn about a computer and its software. Like right now, we're learning all the shortcuts on Microsoft Office Word 2007 and honestly, it's not that hard to figure out without a professor telling you. I have the same software on my laptop and I breeze through finding things that others have no idea even existed and he just talks on and on about the most simplistic things and your mind can't help but to wander onto different subjects.But our professor is pretty cool. He's kinda young so it's really different listening to him than it is any other professor. But he knows how to connect to us so he doesn't completely lose our attention.

My experience here at Tusculum so far has been exciting. Having a bat and trying to catch it on the 2nd floor of Katherine Hall the first night staying on campus was extremely exciting, all the friends I have made, and all the upcoming events that I cannot wait to attend. Like tonight, there's a football game but I have to head home for tonight so I have to miss that and living in Katherine Hall makes finding a parking spot on such nights a major headache. You leave campus for not even 5 minutes and you come back to a full parking lot and no where else to park without running the risk of getting a ticket so you have no choice but to go do something else until the event clears up enough for you to find somewhere to park. It's pretty exciting living on campus.

~Kirstin~

just make the best of it!

College is what you make of it. I've only been here for going on 5 weeks, and I've made many new friends. If you're here and you haven't made friends yet it's your fault. You have to get out of your room and explore the campus. Being shy and anti-social is highly unnecessary. Coming to college is a way to get to know people of other ethnicities and different backgrounds. I make an effort to talk to everyone and you should too.

-Get out of your room every once in a while!
-Attend social activities held by student affairs!
-Socialize with the other students!
-Get involved with some kind of team!

If you see me out and about don't hesitate to throw your hand up and say hey :)

Jessica Kagias

Exactly!

Hey everyone! I'm Jessica Kagias :) I'm a freshman cheerleader and an education major. I've only been a college student for three weeks, but so far it's been the most intriguing three weeks of my life. I'm enjoying it and beginning to see that things aren't as scary as I had imagined. I was so nervous about making such a huge transition.
I had so many questions and hardly any time for answers.

Would I be able to pass my classes?
Would I make friends?
Can I afford it?
Will I fit in?
What if I get homesick?
Is Tusculum the right college for me?

I have a close relationship with my mommy. I tell her everything and she's my best friend. Knowing that she had once experienced college herself, I approached her with my questions and she gave me the best advice possible. "You'll never know until you try it."

Obviously I made it and I'm still going strong. I stay too busy to be homesick. I've made so many friends and met so many new people, and I now know.. that Tusculum was the right choice.

Time is speeding by...

As I wake up and wipe the sleep from my eyes, I look over and see my logo for design class looming over me. The third week of class has come and gone so quickly that it seems like a blur, and I find myself mixing up days. With the websites to design, articles to write and a blog to post, I feel like my afternoons are hectic and too short to pile everything in.


I am counting down the days until block break because this class is so hard. I keep telling myself I have X amount of days left and then I have a break. Thinking about the break is what gets me through sometimes. That’s one thing I can’t praise enough, the Block schedule.

Well, it’s about time I crawl out of the bed and get my day started, which will hopefully end in a good weekend. Just want to wish our Pioneers good luck tomorrow! GO PIONEERS!

~Heather

Dealing with the flu:(

Hey guys! My name is Lauren Morton. I am a freshman here at Tusculum College. I am from Elizabethton, Tennessee. Last week I was actually off campus and out of classes due to getting the flu :(. Yes, it was bad, but I am better now and getting back on track. The entire time I was away faculty and staff were calling once a day just to check in with me and see how I was feeling. Once I was back they were helpful to me in dropping my class (by this time I had missed too much to try to catch up) and they made the process quick and easy.
Life on campus is awesome. You have to be careful because you are given freedom, and you have to watch how you use that freedom. College isn't like you see on tv so much. Sure, the fun and good times all happen, but you also have to study.
I am a political science major, so it's important for me to be focused and keep my time managed well. Yes, the block scedule does help! It allows me to only focus on one class at a time, which in turn means less homework! YAY!
I talk to the people I graduated with who went to other schools who don't have the block schedule and they are swamped all the time with homework and barely have time for themselves, much less to experience college. I love the experience I am getting and I'm learning at the same time. I recommend this school to all seniors in high school! At least take the time and apply.. tour the campus.. meet with some of the students if you please.. it's an awesome place to be!

English ends Wednesday!!

This is the second week of class and I'm so stressed out. I have a five page paper due Friday and we just got the topic on Wednesday. I guess I'll have another late night on my schedule. Everone says you have to study two hours for every hour you are in class. I didn't believe them, and I was wrong. Of course. I haven't been to bed before eleven since the start of school. The good thing is our class is cancelled Monday and it ends Wednesday!! Of course we have a final exam and yet again I have to write another paper. This time the other English professors have to read it. I also work at Pal's in Greeneville. I work there on top of work study. My life is crazy right now. Especially with English. Reading a book and writing papers. It is required that we go to tutoring for three hours a week. I just sit in there and read. I don't feel like I need tutoring. Well, I probably could use it. I probably should start, huh?
Class ends Wednesday!!

Hannah :)

A day in the life....

I love all the people here on campus, especially the ones in the admission office. They're really helpful but they always give me a hard time. Today in work study they left me alone for the most part because I have a test in Psychology tomorrow and they want you to succeed.
I had a pretty decent day. I kept on dozing off in Psychology and my professor, Dr. Garris, kept laughing and poking fun at me. We reviewed chapter 10 of the textbook today, and it was about consciousness and sleep. When you sit there and listen to someone talk about going to sleep, you can't help starting to pass out, lol! Dr. Garris used me as his example for the chapter because I couldn't keep my head up. But I know he's just kidding. Bill Garris is awesome.

-Kirstin

A Little About Myself and the School

Hey guys. My name is Logan Callahan. I am a sophomore from Morristown, Tennessee. I am studying to be a high school history teacher, with a minor in Elementary Education. I chose Tusculum because of how close it was to my hometown, how small the campus size was, and how small class sizes were. I am a commuter student, which means I get to drive 35 minutes each day to come to class and I also get to spend a lot of money on coffee and energy drinks to make sure I stay awake on the road.
Many people ask why I choose to drive; it is because I am very close to my family; especially my two younger brothers. I work in Morristown; I also play on a competitive slow pitch softball team. People wonder if driving back and forth prevents me from living the "college life" and my answer is, no. Tusculum is a small enough campus where you get to know everyone, even when you don't live on campus. It's also a very active campus with people walking around outside. This is because of the great weather that East Tennessee has to offer.
Even knowing that I have to drive home everyday, I still participate in activities that happen on campus. Whether it’s an art and lecture event, an intramural sport, or a game of some sort. I also take part in the President's Society, which is an upperclassmen club that students are nominated into by staff and faculty. The President's Society does a lot with the admission office. We try to set an example and represent Tusculum to people who are interested in what Tusculum is all about. I also do my work study in the Admission Office. My work study job has provided a lot of opportunities such as, valuable work experience, getting recognized and having my face on a postcard. The best part is that the admission staff introduced me to a local restaurant called the Bean Barn; they have the best burgers in town, and is definitely a mandatory stop for anyone that is thinking of coming to Tusculum.

Thinking Outside the Block

Here at Tusculum we have something called The Block schedule. That means students go to class for three hours a day for eighteen days. ou're probably thinking, three hours a day? Does that mean I have to sit and listen to the teacher lecture the whole class period? Well, the answer to that question is no. You get a break every class, so it’s not just sitting doing work for three hours. The block schedule is a unique way of going to class, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Students here also have to attend the Arts and Lecture Series. The credits are designed to expose us to new ideas and cultures. You have to have attend four Series a year, sixteen for all four years at TC. The block and the Arts and Lecture Series are the main points in my freshman year that I am most looking forward to.

When you attend an Arts and Lecture series event, you get in for free with your student ID card. Just a sidenote: Make sure on Advanced Registration day you look good because they will take a picture of you and it will be on your ID card. Tuesday night Mark Rayburn was our Arts and Lecture event. He is called the World’s Funniest Guitar Virtuoso, and let me tell you he can play the guitar! He threw comedy into his act as well. I could tell he had experience playing guitar and talking in front of a huge number of people before. To me it was like he was also a motivational speaker. He told us that even if you don’t think you can do something just ask yourself, “what if I could?” or “what would it be like?” It made me think about the things I had put aside because I thought I couldn’t do it. Now I can ask myself "what if i can" and see where it leads me.

The block schedule is the reason I came to Tusculum, that, and it’s close to home. We’ve been in school for about two weeks now and I am very fond of the block. Right now I have class in the afternoon, 12:30 - 3:30. I'm taking English, and I have tons of papers to write! But that’s okay, because I have time to do the work.

Also, as a freshman you will have to take a class called Tusculum Experience, which gives you with information about the college. It sounds dull, but trust me, it helps! The block schedule gives you more free time to do what you want. Going to class for just three hours allows you more time to study and to do extracurricular activities.

~Hannah

First Impressions of Tusculum

Hey guys. My name is Kirstin Berzley. I am a freshman here at Tusculum college. Tusculum is an excellent college. All the faculty and students are friendly and welcoming. And the block schedule is excellent. Really what's better then going to one class for only three hours a day? Pretty cool. I came to Tusculum because I'm the kind of person that can only focus on one thing at a time and I really liked the block schedule. That and Brandon Connor. He wouldn't leave me alone about it until I finally applied. He's pretty cool. All he does is pick on students and if you have a name like mine, don't count on him to say it right.

The professors are really nice and if you need a little extra help in a class, they'll help you out as much as they can. They try their best to make sure you succeed here. And all the staff will do anything in their power to make sure you're comfortable here on campus. Anything you need, they'll do their best to get. And if you're needing a little extra help in a class, Tusculum has a tutoring center with some really cool tutors that will get you those extra brownie points in your class.