Category Archives: Current Students

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/

Surviving Finals Week

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Happy Thanksgiving break William & Mary! As we approach the end of the semester, finals week is closer than ever. Now is the time to begin preparations to set yourself up for success. Here are a few tips to acing your final exams!

  1. Start Early 

Don’t leave your studying for the night before. Avoid procrastination and cramming by beginning your preparations early! 

  1. Create a schedule 

Making a schedule for what needs to be completed as well as what to study each day can help you keep track of your studying while avoiding burnout! 

  1. Prioritize Tasks

Try to identify the most important tasks and subjects to study based on due dates and your final exam schedule. Also focus on the areas where you need the most improvement or what holds the most weight on your exam.

  1. Take Breaks

Don’t forget to take breaks every once in a while to maintain productivity. Taking breaks gives your brain time to absorb your studying and also decreases burnout when studying for long periods of time. 

  1. Maintain wellness and take care of yourself 

Utilize campus resources like wellness center classes and make sure you’re taking care of your physical and mental health. Drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, practice mindfulness, and exercise daily to maintain a healthy mindset. 

  1. Ask for help

Exams can be academically and mentally stressful! There’s no shame in asking for help whether it be for academic or wellness purposes. 

Best of luck on finals! 

A Wintery Williamsburg Playlist 

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As the temperature gets cooler, leaves start to fall, and Williamsburg transitions into a wintery wonderland, it becomes the perfect time to take a walk listening to a cozy winter playlist. In this post you’ll find a playlist curated by STEP blog writers that captures the holiday feels of Williamsburg for your next winter stroll around campus and Colonial Williamsburg!

  1. Evergreen – Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners 
  2. Holocene – Bon Iver
  3. Heartbeats – José González
  4. Need 2 – Pinegrove
  5. Northern Wind – City and Colour
  6. Savior Complex – Phoebe Bridgers
  7. The Stable Song – Gregory Alan Isakov
  8. Sweater Weather – The Neighborhood 
  9. Winter – Joshua Radin
  10. Sparks  – Coldplay 
  11. Shotgun Down The Avenue – Shawn Colvin
  12. A Light Change – Grouper 
  13. Constellations  – Duster
  14. Simulation Swarm – Big Thief 
  15. Reflecting Light – Sam Phillips 
  16. From the Dining Table – Harry Styles 
  17. Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
  18. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable – The Smiths 
  19. Didn’t Want to Have to Do It – Cass Elliot
  20. Trouble – Coldplay
  21. Where Do I Go – Lizzy McAlpine 
  22. Moon Song – Phoebe Bridgers
  23. Into Dust – Mazzy Star
  24. The Gold – Manchester Orchestra, Phoebe Bridgers 
  25. Moonlight on the River  – Mac DeMarco
  26. London’s Song  – Matt Hartke 
  27. Swollen – Fransisco Martin 
  28. Dark Red – Steve Lacy 
  29. Problems – Pinegrove  

Here’s the link to the spotify playlist! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2OWjXRtWDHCJ3hj6m80Q1x?si=20287dc13a7b4bc0

There is Always Time to Close the Textbook – Emma Dunlop

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I think I’m speaking for everyone when I say that the week before Thanksgiving is one the hardest of the entire semester. The air is getting colder, the sun is setting sooner, and final exams begin peeking their heads around the corner. The final trek to break can feel endless, as most students try to cram in exam prep, essays, and final assignments.

But is this week of stress worth the almost-week-long break? For many students, Thanksgiving break translates to Thanksgiving “break from my dorm.” It’s common for students to use their time at home to continue studying for final exams and beginning their final projects. However, there is always time to close the textbook, and what better time than Thanksgiving break? Here are some ways to shake off those academic burdens during your time off.

1. Plan out your study schedule for the weeks following the break.

For me, I start to de-stress once I have a plan. If I know how I’m going to accomplish my end-of-semester goals, I’m more comfortable taking time for myself and fueling my body. And, it helps reassure me that I have enough time to get everything done!

2. Make a study playlist in preparation for finals season.

Music is a great way to spice up your studying. With a peppy playlist in hand, the motivation to study after the break is sure to pick up. Say goodbye to study dread during break!

3. Engage in some activities that take your mind off of your classes.

Wind down with a spa day, eat out with some friends, or start crafting for the holiday season. These are great ways to take your mind off school, while still fueling it for the weeks ahead.

It can be hard to completely step back from academics during such a busy time in the semester, but preparation and planning are on your side. Use these tools to ease your mind and make memories during your days away from due dates.

Emma Dunlop is a sophomore intending to major in Marketing here at William & Mary. A transfer student herself, Emma spent her first semester of college in London and arrived on campus in the Spring of 2023. In addition to starting as a STEP blog guest writer this semester, Emma is also a member of the William & Mary Accidentals, the Student Environmental Action Coalition, and Women in Business. She is so excited to get writing!

 A Reflection On Being A Sophomore 

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This semester has gone so fast, and being close to halfway through my sophomore year makes me appreciate the past year while also being overwhelmed by the impending future. To think that in under 6 months the class of 2026 will have completed half of college is inconceivable. Being a spring transfer student, last spring was my first semester here, so I still feel relatively new to William & Mary. This semester I’ve prioritized new experiences and opportunities by taking advantage of the plentiful resources William & Mary has to offer. I’ve had the opportunity to explore my interests while also stepping out of my comfort zone through joining clubs, a research lab, and new jobs. 

I sometimes compare myself to where I was a year ago, but with a year of new experiences, opportunities, jobs, and classes it’s important to recognize the growth and development in my interests and career readiness. Consciously pursuing things that will make me step out of my comfort zone has helped me discover the joy in first experiences. 

This semester I’ve had the privilege of joining a research lab group which has not only helped me expand my knowledge of animal behavior and biological conservation, but also the importance of networking and professional development. Our most recent lab meeting focused around a discussion of grad school. From hearing the stories of grad students, I found this discussion to have sparked curiosity and questioning of my own future. It also sparked the question, What does it mean to be a sophomore? Not exactly a new student, but close enough to be considering life beyond graduation. Questions of grad school, gap years, and future careers. How to prepare for life beyond graduation while balancing all realms of being a current college student. In my eyes, being a sophomore is recognizing that now is the time to not just think about the future, but to set yourself up for future success. 

My best advice for sophomores from being one myself is to make the most out of your time here at William & Mary. Continue pursuing the things you enjoy while also stepping out of your comfort zone to consider new perspectives. Now is the time to try something new, explore your interests, make connections, and learn more about yourself, others, and the world around you.

First Generation Celebration Week 

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First Generation Celebration Week is coming up! Students identifying as FGLI (first generation and limited income) have the opportunity to participate in a mentorship program, attend a graduate school application Q&A, and receive free swag this week! Here’s a rundown of the events happening during First Gen Celebration Week:

FGLI Mentorship Program Kick Off Luncheon 

November 6

12pm 

Sadler Center, Tidewater AB

First Gen Day Celebration 

November 8 

Sadler Terrace 

Free cookies and swag 

FGLI Graduate School Application Q&A Panel

November 8

7:15 – 8:15 pm

Boswell 342

Learn more here: https://events.wm.edu/event/view/wm/354969

Course Registration 

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Course registration for the Spring 2024 semester is right around the corner! Starting November 10th, returning students will have a designated day and time to pick their courses for next semester. This process can be stressful, but there are many things you can do ahead of time that will make you more prepared. Here are three tips to a successful and stress-free registration!

  1. Know what classes you’re going for

This one is a given, but have your list of classes you want to take. Make sure to check your major requirements as well as the general college requirements. 

  1. Have backups in case your classes are full

Since a lot of classes at W&M are smaller, around 30 students, the possibility of a class becoming full is a potential obstacle. Having backups of classes that would fit with your schedule and maybe satisfy the same requirements as your preferred classes can be a good thing to have on hand. 

  1. Copy the CRNs to a document

The easiest and fastest way to add classes during registration is through the CRNs. CRNs or Course Registration Numbers, can be found on the open course list or Banner’s course list next to the class number and name. Adding all of your CRNs to a document allows for easy copy and pasting to batch register for all of your classes at one time. 

Good luck! 

Learn more about course registration here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/studentsandalumni/registration/whentoregister/spring/

Tips For Balancing Work And Academic Life 

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From someone who currently works two jobs while also a full time student, there are times where it can be overwhelming to balance everything all at once. Here are a few things that I do to keep myself from burning out that might be helpful to those with similar schedules. 

Planning 

  • Each Sunday I like to look over my week to be aware of important events, tasks, and anything else that needs to be done. This way I have an overview of what my week will look like and an awareness of some tasks that I need to complete by the end of the week. 

Prioritization 

  • Recognizing what needs to get done each day and the ranking of importance of each task is extremely helpful for staying on track with limited time 
  • I developed a Need, Want, Can system to rank the importance of completing each task on a given day
  • For example, if my chem homework is tomorrow, I would categorize that as a need task for that day
  • If I have an essay due two weeks I could work on it if I finish all of my need tasks for the day, therefore it would be categorized as a Can task

Time management 

  • I like to insert blocks into my schedule that are dedicated to a specific task or topic. For example, if I have a lot of schoolwork to do, I’ll block 2 hours into parts of my day to complete as many tasks as possible. This can be helpful to ensure you’re making time for everything that needs to be done. 
  • Also, being aware of how long certain tasks take can be helpful for considering time blocking and prioritization of tasks 

Dedicate time for yourself away from work

  • One of the most important aspects of balancing both work and academics is dedicating time for yourself. It can be easy to get wrapped up in all the things that need to be done, but it’s crucial to set boundaries for your physical and mental health

Next Week’s Events Roundup 

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Family Weekend 

October 27-29 

Explore special programs and events for W&M families!

The Great Williamsburg Adventure Race

October 28, 10:00am – 12:30pm

Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre 

Teams of either 2 or 4 race around Williamsburg to solve codes and complete tasks and challenges.  

Study Abroad Fair

October 28, 11am – 12pm

Unity Hall

Explore the semester, summer, and winter study abroad opportunities and learn more about scholarships and financial aid for studying abroad. 

FGLI Family Fuelup

October 28, 12:30pm – 2:30pm

Campus Living Center Patio

Stop by for a beverage and a baked good to learn more about upcoming activities and resources. 

Costuming Club Halloween Costume Contest & Karaoke 

October 28, 7pm – 9pm 

Sadler Center Lodge 1 

Participate in a costume contest with the opportunity to win a monetary prize!

University Ring Ceremony 

October 29, 1:00pm – 2:30pm 

Wren Courtyard 

Celebrate academic achievement during family weekend at the University Ring Ceremony and reception.

Pumpkins for Patients 

October 29, 2pm – 4pm 

Sorority Court

Enjoy a live band, fall treats, and pumpkins to support St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

Flu Shot Clinic

October 30, 11am – 4pm 

Wellness Center Studio B

Last chance to get your flu shot on campus!

Pumpkin Painting on Sadler Terrace with Auxiliary Services 

October 31, 11am – 1pm 

Sadler Terrace

Paint pumpkins and enter yours into a contest for a chance to win W&M swag

geoLab Information Session

November 1, 7pm – 8pm

ISC

Interested in national security, data science, and GIS? Learn about the opportunities in the geoLab! 

Crash Course: Explore Your Career Options

November 2, 12:00pm – 12:30pm 

Cohen Career Center Presentation Room

Learn how to use resources pertaining to career exploration and research 

Diversity and Inclusion Lunch and Learn 

November 2, 12:00pm – 1:30pm 

Sadler Center 

Explore themes of personal identity through an art making exercise led by Art Therapist Sarah Balascio 

W&M Lingo

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Here at William and Mary we often use acronyms to describe things around campus. Here is a list of possible lingo you might encounter and what they actually mean:

Bot – Botetourt Complex 

Botetourt is one of W&M’s freshman residence hall complexes. 

Caf – Refers to Commons dining hall 

Commons dining hall is the dining hall closest to most freshman residence halls. 

CLC – Campus Living Center

The CLC is home to Residence Life and STEP

CSD – Center for Student Diversity 

Located inside the Sadler Center, the Center for Student Diversity 

CW – Colonial Williamsburg 

William & Mary is located on the outskirts of Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum!

GGV – Green and Gold Village 

One of W&M’s freshman residence complexes 

ISC – Integrated Science Center 

Where the sciences of W&M are located! Right now ISC 4 is under construction! 

LDOC – Last day of classes

Last day of classes of the semester! 

OTOD – One Tribe One Day

Day for the W&M community to gather and support the people, places, and programs at the university. 

STEP – Office of Student Transition Engagement Programs 

Provides services, outreach, and support to students throughout their experience at W&M!

SA – Student Assembly 

Student government organization and student union

SAS – Student Accessibility Services 

Offers accessibility accommodations upon request

TWAMP – Typical William and Mary Student 

A term used to describe students at William & Mary!