Category Archives: On Campus

My Favorite Finals Tips as a Senior 

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Finals season has always felt strange to me as someone with an extremely busy schedule. All of a sudden you find yourself with so much empty time to be filled with studying (presumably). But sometimes for me, having this much time leads to procrastination or confusion on how to spend it. 

Here are the top things I’m implementing into my final finals season that I’ve learned during my time here. 

  1. Stick to your usual schedule

It might seem like a good idea to spend the extra time doing things you wouldn’t normally have time for during the semester, but deviating from your usual schedule can actually be super unhelpful. For example, staying up later or getting up earlier messes with your circadian rhythm. 

  1. Plan out your tasks 

I have a list of everything I need to do: assignments, projects, essays, etc. in order of due date and difficulty! This helps me plan out what I need to be doing and when so that I stay on top of my work. 

  1. Dedicate time for yourself

While studying for 12 hours each day might help you memorize more, it’s also equally as important to take breaks! Having time to indulge in hobbies, hang out with friends, and exercise can help reset from studying and regulate your mental health. 

  1. Get enough sleep, hydration, and fuel

Make sure you’re using some of those breaks to refuel yourself! Studying without energy won’t help you remember anything, so make sure to take care of yourself first!

  1. Have something to look forward to each day

I know that this tip has helped me time and time again. I love scheduling dinners with friends, getting a sweet treat after a long day of studying, doing something to get me into the holiday spirit, or honestly some retail therapy never hurts. Reward yourself for the hard work you’re putting in!

  1. Trust yourself when it comes to exam time

A common thread amongst W&M students is perfectionism, but it’s so important that you trust the work you’ve put in not only during finals, but the entire semester! You’ve done the work and now trust yourself to convey that when it comes to your final exam.

An Updated Audit of Williamsburg Cafes

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This was one of the first blog posts I’ve written, and since then there’s been so many new cafes opening up! Here’s a list of the majority of cafes and coffee shops in Williamsburg starting with the closest to campus!

Town Center Cold Pressed – an on-campus cafe located in Sadler serving anything from coffee to cake pops!

Column 15 – Located in Swem and serving up a fun drink of the week! There’s also a full service cafe a short drive from campus 

Starbucks – Possibly the busiest Starbucks in Virginia, right across from campus!

Culture Cafe – Across the road from Chick-Fil-A, Culture Cafe is a perfect place to study and get a pastry!

Bakeshop – Use your dining dollars for pastries, bagels, pizza, and drinks

Eleva – Right off Jamestown road right by Merchant Square, find a selection of drinks, pastries, and baklava!

Illy – Located across from Wren in Merchant Square, Illy is a perfect spot to study and grab coffee!

Aromas – Aromas is a staple of Williamsburg with so many options for both food and drink from 7am to 8pm!

Kiln Kingdom – Kiln Kingdom is super unique in that it’s a store and cafe in one! Grab a coffee while shopping for a new mosaic lamp!

Hohl Cafe – My personal fav! Hohl is located in a house and serves the most delicious food, pastries and drinks!

Secret Garden – A bit further into Colonial Williamsburg, Secret Garden has bubble tea, ice cream, and more!

Grit Coffee – Perfect for those living in Midtown! Also for seniors (mug deal!!) 

Whale Tea – Also within Midtown, Whale Tea sells boba tea and ramen! 

Anon. Cafe – Moving to New Town, Anon. Cafe is a new coffee shop with a variety of drinks!

Kung Fu Tea – If you couldn’t tell, I love boba tea, and Kung Fu Tea is the best out there!

Another Broken Egg Cafe – If you have the chance to venture down Richmond Road, check out Another Broken Egg Cafe for brunch and pancakes!

Tipsy Beans – Farther down Richmond Road is Tipsy Beans! They have the best brunch food and specialty coffees!

Carrot Tree Kitchens – On the other side of campus down Jamestown Road is Carrot Tree Kitchen, a perfect little bakery!

1607 Cafe – Right next to Carrot Tree Kitchens is 1607 Cafe Company! Stop by for a specialty coffee or breakfast sandwich. 

Into The (West) Woods: Exploring the Brand New Dorms!

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This past Friday I had the privilege to explore the brand new dorms with Danny for the first ever vlog x blog crossover! To say I was completely stunned by how gorgeous these new dorms are would be an understatement. Having started my W&M journey in the botetourt complex, It’s so strange to see how much that side of campus has changed! 

First up we have Oak. This hall is directly off of the sky bridge connecting West Woods to Sadler and right across from the dining hall opening soon! Oak features a grand hall fit for studying, people watching, or just hanging out. It also has two large conference type rooms on the main floor. Oak hall has 150 upperclassmen residents with a communal lounge, study room, and single-use hall bathrooms on each floor. All of the West Woods Halls are air conditioned, have laundry within the building, and are central to campus!

Next up is Pine! Pine is the largest hall in West Woods housing 500 freshman and upperclassmen residents. First-year students occupy the first two levels while upperclassmen occupy the third and fourth levels. Pine’s fourth floor is also home to the Global Village; a living-learning community for language houses! Like Oak, Pine also has lounges and study rooms on each floor. There are many special amenities to Pine including the two outdoor terraces and being directly connected to the brand new dining hall (opening soon)!

Next up we have both Poplar and Maple. Poplar houses 120 residents in both single and double rooms. Maple houses 150 residents and is home to the Lavender house; a special-interest, co-curricular, co-residential community for students who identify as LGBTQ+ or are allies of the community. Like all other West Woods halls, Poplar and Maple have study rooms and communal lounges on each floor!

Next we have Cedar Hall! Cedar completes the Jamestown Triangle along with Lemon and Hardy! It’s aesthetic is very similar to that of West Woods with communal lounges, study rooms, and the cutest little booths! There’s even skylights in the fourth floor lounge!

One thing that struck both of us is how much nature is implemented into the designs with tons of outdoor seating, forest-inspired coloring, and lots of natural light. Each hall has its own color, lining the halls and carpeting the study room floors. I cannot wait to see the transformation of campus with all of these new dorms and dining hall!

What’s in a W&M Student’s School Bag 

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I always love seeing what’s in my bag posts, so here’s my take on what actually ends up in a W&M student’s school bag! (based on mine and STEP’s followers’ bags!)

  • Laptop + charger: Obviously a laptop is a must in college, and mine comes with me everywhere! It’s always a good idea to bring a charger just in-case too.
  • Folder: I only use one folder to carry any handouts I get from class or assignments I’m turning in. Since I don’t get that many paper assignments I just use one folder for all of my classes. 
  • Legal pads: Ever since a legal pad was the only form of notebook I could find in Ireland, I’ve been hooked on using them to take notes in class. I have two: one for scratch and un-pretty notes and another for nice and clean one-pagers! Like the folder, I use one for all my classes and just label the bottom left corner to know which class the notes are from.  
  • Water Bottle: Hydration is key, especially when it’s over 80 degrees still in October! 
  • Hand Sanitizer: Virology has made me a bit of a germaphobe, so I carry hand sanitizer with me everywhere. 
  • Lipbalm: Really can’t go anywhere without lipbalm. 
  • Headphones: My airpods are also a necessity for listening to music between classes and noise cancelation while studying. 
  • Snack: Sometimes there’s just not enough time to go grab a formal meal, so I always have a snack or two in my bag! My favorites are honey roasted chickpeas or some sort of protein bar. 
  • Tissues: I always find my nose running after walking into a freezing ISC lecture hall coming from a humid exterior. 
  • Bandaid: Just one of those essentials that’s always useful to have on hand! 
  • Hairties / claw clip: When my hair starts to bother me or it gets a little warmer than expected outside, I have something to put it up! 
  • Lots & Lots of books: A clear marker of a typical W&M student!
  • Planner: W&M students are known to be organized, so having a planner is a must!

A Week in My Life at W&M

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College weeks can be unpredictable with one day feeling super motivated and productive with another day struggling to get everything done. Here’s a peek into what a real week looks for me through the balance and chaos of classes, work, and training for a half marathon.

  • Monday: School starts up again each Monday starting with virology and biostatistics classes. I’ll learn more about viral entry mechanisms and then do some reading and soak up the sun after class. I have a huge gap between my two classes on Monday, so I use the time to study, get some content done, and work. By this time, Biostat feels pretty late in the day, so I refuel with a strawberry acai lemonade from the ISC cafe. Monday is one of my favorite days for running because of the DoG Street Pub Running Club at 6pm! Given that I’ve finished all of my tasks for the day, I’ll wind down with some reading, crochet, or tv. 
  • Tuesday: Tuesday is my busiest day starting with a long run at 5am, but after 8 miles, I moved my long run to Saturday. I have two back to back classes: stress & immunity and spatial analysis & social justice, so I spend my first hours of the day in ISC. I’ll then get some work done in Swem while waiting for my lab meeting with my research advisor where we’ll discuss next steps on my project (now in the publication phase!). I usually stop at Everbowl for a snack after this long day and then head to the gym for strength training before grabbing dinner at Caf and watching Dancing With The Stars. 
  • Wednesday: Wednesday is pretty similar to Monday schedule-wise, but I have some more meetings and my biostatistics lab before class! Wednesday is also another running and strength day.  
  • Thursday: Thursday is a rest and social day. I usually will grab lunch or dinner with a friend and catch up on any work I need to complete. 
  • Friday: Friday is always fun. I like to clean on Fridays to prepare for the weekend. After my shakeout run, you’ll find me in bed early on Friday to prepare for Saturday!
  • Weekend: Saturday is my long run day ranging from 6-11miles in preparation for the Jamestown Half! I love getting Kung Fu Tea and then studying for a couple hours at Barnes & Nobles. I also like to use the weekend to plan and get ahead on next week’s tasks! 

Reflections on Becoming a Senior

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It’s so insanely hard to believe that I’m already a senior. It honestly feels like I just got here (andI kind of did!) I came in as a spring transfer, and 5 semesters later I’m a semester away fromgraduating early this December. In the quest to discover if I was doing everything right, I nowstand near the finish line of my undergraduate journey realizing college wasn’t just aboutclasses and credits. It’s been a place of growth, resilience, and discovery.

● Growth comes from saying yes (and sometimes no)

Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from opportunities I almost turned down.Whether I tried to tell myself I was too tired, too scared, or too busy, skipping these might’ve ledme down a drastically different path. For instance, I had the opportunity to dance each spring atBusch Gardens. With this being a full-time job requiring me to work 7-10 hours each night inrehearsals and show days, leaving right after class (or sometimes doing virtual lectures), I wasable to gain real work experience early on in my undergraduate career. I also had theopportunity to study abroad in Dublin for 3 months. Changing from what was familiar, spendingeach summer in Williamsburg, was daunting but too exciting to pass up. Ultimately, thatexperience will be one of my favorites from my entire time at William & Mary. However, theredoes come a point where too much is enough. At the same time, I learned that saying no can bejust as powerful when it protects your energy and priorities

  • Relationships matter more than you think
    One of the things I remember best about my tour of the campus as a prospective student was
    how much the people here were referenced as kind, studious, and friendly. I can most definitely
    say that this is true. My professors, peers, bosses, and friends have shaped my college
    experience just as much as any textbook or lecture. Investing in people, through study groups,
    office hours, or just plain old friendships, creates memories and support systems that last
    beyond graduation.
    ● It’s okay to not have it all figured out
    I’m sorry to say to freshman me that I still do not have a 30 step plan for the rest of my life.
    Senior me now understands how plans can shift and interests can change in such short periods
    of time, and that’s just a part of the journey.
    If I could go back and tell my freshman self one thing, it would be this: (ironically) don’t rush the
    journey. Although my academic path will conclude in only 6 semesters, College has been more
    than a checklist of classes and experiences. It’s been a journey of exploration and knowledge.
    Even in the most mundane days, I learned something from a lecture, myself, or even just a little
    fact about Williamsburg. As I look ahead to what comes next, I carry these lessons with me,
    grateful for how college has shaped not just my future, but the person I’ve become along the
    way

Designing Your Ideal College Routine

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The absolute best thing about college is the freedom to build your own schedule. Whether you
thrive on 8am classes or prefer to stroll down to ISC around 12, the beauty of college is that you
can design a routine that fits to you.


Some things to consider:
● When do you focus best? Do you have the energy and determination to wake up for
early classes? Or do you enjoy studying late at night and sleeping in?
● How much leeway do you have with your classes? Unfortunately sometimes there’s only
one section of a class so you won’t have the option to shift it, but try focusing on what
you can control within your schedule
● Balance matters!! College isn’t just being productive 24/7. Sometimes having time for
social connection, relaxation, and fun is just as valuable as studying another hour in
Swem
● Anchor points in your day. Try adding a few things to your schedule that are concrete
weekly/daily activities. For instance, meals, workouts, bedtimes

  • Keep in mind that you can always change it! If something in your schedule is just not
    working, you can change it! Also, what’s considered your “ideal routine” will most likely
    change semester by semester as you get a new set of classes and adapt around them

Building a Career Portfolio in College

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As I’m on the glimpse of graduation and entering the workforce full-time creeps up around the
corner, I’ve been thinking more and more about the professional and academic experiences I’ve
gained at William & Mary and how to compile it into a portfolio for my resume and future job
search. One thing I’ve realized is that even the little things and skills you collect throughout your
time in college can be used. Experiences, projects, new knowledge, and skills can become
important tools for applying to jobs, internships, or grad school.


Class Projects
Let’s take class projects for example. Maybe you did a group presentation, research paper, or
case study? You can save your best work for example in a creative portfolio or reflect on the
skills you developed. Use these experiences and consider how it demonstrates critical thinking,
problem solving, and communication skills.


Clubs and Organizations
Probably one of the more common things students think of when they hear “experience” for a
resume. Get involved in clubs and organizations for opportunities to plan events, gain
experience, and network! These experiences can highlight initiative, collaboration, and
creativity!

Jobs and Internships
Obviously gaining work experience is a plus for a resume and career portfolio. These can help
you develop transferable skills, even if your job is not exactly in your intended career! Gaining
experience in different industries can help you shift perspective and learn skills and knowledge
different from the ones you learn in the classroom.


Documenting
If this summer’s business program taught me anything, it’s to start compiling your experiences,
building your resumes, and connecting on LinkedIn as soon as possible. That way you don’t
have to scramble to remember all the wonderful things you’ve done!


Your college journey is more than just classes. It’s a collection of experiences that prove what
you can do. If you start treating your daily activities as portfolio pieces, you’ll graduate not just
with a degree, but with a professional story you’re ready to tell!

New housing on the way – introduction to the new dorms 

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With housing selection around the corner, the chaos and anticipation surrounding which hall to choose for the next academic year ensues. But this upcoming selection is bringing in more new options than ever for both incoming new students and returning undergraduates! Here is an overview of the 5 new residence halls opening this upcoming fall! 

Cedar Hall

Cedar Hall is part of the Jamestown Triangle with Hardy and Lemon Halls. This hall will be home to 270 new first-time-in-college residents, including Sharpe Community Scholars. It has singles, doubles, suites, and stand-alone arrangements along with learning commons, study rooms, and lounges over 4 floors. Cedar Hall is the perfect spot right in the middle of campus! Only a short walk to both new campus and old campus, and it’s right across from the Integrated Science Center. 

Maple Hall

Maple Hall is part of the brand new West Woods 1 neighborhood! Maple hall will be home to 150 returning undergraduate residents on four floors. This hall has both single and double rooms along with lounges and study rooms. Maple Hall will also be home to the new Lavender House, a special interest community for LGBTQ+ identifying students. A bridge will connect the West Woods to Sadler! 

Oak Hall

Oak Hall is part of the West Woods 1 neighborhood! It will be home to 150 returning undergraduate residents in both single and double rooms. This hall also includes centralized lounges, communal hall kitchens, and study rooms at the end of each wing. THe first floor of Oak Hall will include a great room for meetings. If you take a tour of in future years, you’ll be sure to see the model room within this hall too!

Pine Hall

Pine Hall is the largest of the West Woods 1 neighborhood. This hall houses 500 first year and returning undergraduate residents in both single and double rooms. The four floors of this hall include centralized lounges and kitchens, study rooms, and two outside terraces on the second floor. The fourth floor of Pine Hall will be home to the brand-new Global Village, a living-learning community for various languages! 

Poplar Hall

Poplar Hall is also part of the West Woods 1 neighborhood! This hall will be home to 120 first-year residents in both single and double rooms. This hall has centralized lounges, study rooms and will be connected to Sadler via the pedestrian bridge!

The Haunted History of W&M

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With a campus as old as William & Mary’s comes a long history of tragedy, famous phantoms, and haunted buildings. With lots of stories of paranormal encounters in academic buildings, unexplained lights in residence halls, and apparitions running through the Sunken Garden, legend has it that spirits from W&M past roam campus, especially when autumn leaves start to fall and shadows grow long at dusk. The Wren Building is the oldest college building in continuous use across the entire country! Originally used as the home for the entire college (and we think our campus is small now!), it was utilized as a hospital for wounded French soldiers during the Revolutionary War. During this time, soldiers were buried around Colonial Williamsburg including underneath the Governor’s Palace. Similarly, during the Civil War the Wren Building was converted into barracks and a hospital for Confederate soldiers, leaving many to die of illness and untreated wounds. Students have reported hearing unexplained footsteps in the Wren Building and even seeing apparitions of soldiers wandering through the halls! Did you know that there are tombs located underneath the Chapel? While they’ve been raided many times between 1729 and now, famous Virginians such as Lord Botetourt and Sir James Randolph were buried here. Another cemetery is located between Tucker and Blow Hall for former college presidents and students who’ve

Sources: 

http://flathatnews.com/2019/11/04/campus-ghost-stories-highlight-tragedies-prevalent-throughout-colleges-history/

https://www.wm.edu/style/old-haunts.php

https://magazine.wm.edu/online-exclusives/halloween-2019.php

https://thetab.com/us/williamandmary/2016/10/29/ghost-stories-william-mary-1012

https://flathatnews.com/2020/10/27/the-college-of-william-and-scary-exploring-williamsburgs-haunted-history-before-halloween/

https://williamsburgmemorialpark.com/our-history/

https://flathatnews.com/2007/03/23/reves-first-be-buried-college-cemetery-1894/