Monthly Archives: December 2023

A Letter From A Graduating Senior – Emma Winikow 

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Dear New Students, 

Welcome to the Tribe! I am so excited that you are coming to join our wonderful community here at William & Mary. It seems like just yesterday I received my acceptance letter, and now I am finishing up my studies. As a graduating senior, it is my due diligence to impart some wisdom onto you. The first thing that comes to mind is to acknowledge that school work is of the utmost importance, but never let it close you off. During my first few semesters, I found myself saying no to things because of my schoolwork. I was shutting myself off for the sake of my studies. You should not do that. Schoolwork will be done, you are so intelligent, I mean you got into William & Mary. Enjoy the little moments, stay up a tad too late and laugh with your friends. At the end of the day, all will be well. Suddenly you’ll blink and you’ll be a senior wishing you could go back and have more of those silly small moments that mean the world. The people here are so kind, so get to know them. Say hi to the person sitting next to you in class, they may become one of your best friends. It worked for me! I was in the hardest class I had taken thus far and it bonded me with my classmate who has now become a sister to me. Instead of that hard work causing me to be unsociable, it led me to someone I could not imagine spending my time here without. College will be hard, it will be an adjustment. But you are so strong and can do it. Pushing through is so worth it. There are so many joys that I have from my time here, and I cannot wait to see what wonderful things you will do and the amazing memories you will make. Roll Tribe!  

Love,  

Emma 

DIY self care kit for finals week 

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Finals officially begin next week! While studying takes up a majority of students’ time in these next two weeks, it’s important to remind ourselves to stay well during this time of stress. Having a toolbox of resources to assist with physical, emotional, and academic and wellness during finals can be helpful! Here are a few things, both material and conceptual, to add to your DIY self care kit for finals week! 

  1. Reusable water bottle – keeping a water bottle with you while studying helps maintain hydration which increases energy levels! 
  1. Journal – keeping a journal, notebook, or even a sticky note to write down anything that comes to mind helps minimize distractions and express your feelings 
  1. A good playlist – for study breaks or even studying itself! Something enjoyable like music can put you in a good mood for the day!
  1. Snacks – don’t forget to fuel for studying! Find some snacks from around campus that you can eat while studying!
  1. Comfortable clothes – being comfortable while studying will further minimize distractions 
  1. Blanket – If your room gets cold, try having a blanket on hand 
  1. Free campus events – keep an eye out for free campus events that can act as a fun study break! You might even be able to score some free food!
  1. Study timetable – knowing your schedule for the day/week will keep you on track by knowing what to do and when! 
  1. Essential oils – if you enjoy calming scents like lavender, try utilizing essential oils!
  1. Coffee and tea station – the coffee and tea stations in Caf and Swem are great for a quick and easy study beverage
  1. Set breaks – giving yourself time to do other things like hang out with friends, take a walk, sleep, read, etc. is one of the best ways to decompress 

Romanticizing studying and having a variety of resources you can use during finals helps minimize distractions which will keep you energized and focused! Best of luck everyone! 

Yule Log Celebration 

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One of William & Mary’s most beloved traditions is the Yule Log Celebration. The Yule Log Celebration is a long lived tradition for expressing gratitude for the past and present while also welcoming new beginnings going into the new year. It also stands as a way to bring the William & Mary community together to celebrate the joy of the season. 

Occurring annually around the end of the fall semester, this celebration in the Wren Courtyard spreads holiday cheer with students, staff, faculty, and alumni across the world. With festive music, singing, poems, and stories, the William & Mary community celebrates the end of a semester and reflects upon the themes of peace, joy, and gratitude. The Yule Log is carried through the crowd into the Wren Building to be lit for a fire. Students have the opportunity to toss sprigs of holly into the Great Hall fireplace for good luck as well as decorate the trees around the Wren Building with messages of gratitude on paper doves to share appreciation for the past and present. After, cider and cookies are shared among participants. 

Those unable to attend in person have the opportunity to attend the virtual celebration or an alumni gathering. Regional Yule Log Celebrations can be found here: https://wmalumni.com/events/regional-yulelog-celebrations/

Recipes from the celebration, a digital Great Hall fireplace, and Yule Log gifs are available as well. 

This year’s Yule Log Celebration will take place Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 5:30 p.m ET.

Learn more about it here! https://www.wm.edu/sites/yulelog/

The Ultimate College Bucket List for Your First Semester

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Welcome to the tribe spring transfers! As you begin your journey at William & Mary, consider adding these to your college bucket list. I’ve compiled a list of academic and social ideas to create the ultimate bucket list for your first semester! 

  1. Join a club or organization of something you’re interested in
  2. Explore all floors of Swem
  3. Attend a lecture or workshop outside of your major
  4. Pet a dog at the Williamsburg Farmers Market 
  5. Host a movie or game night to meet new people 
  6. Attend a formal dance or event
  7. Volunteer for a local charity or community event
  8. Start a study group with students in your class 
  9. Go kayaking on Lake Matoaka 
  10. Find your favorite pancake house 
  11. Attend an AMP Event 
  12. Write a letter to your future self to open on graduation day 
  13. Join an intramural or club sports team
  14. Attend a Career Center networking event 
  15. Participate in a research project 
  16. Take a class outside of your comfort zone 
  17. Have a picnic on the Sunken Garden 
  18. Try a fitness or wellness class 
  19. Create a photo diary of your first semester
  20. Connect with other transfer students!