I am UIC | UIC student blogs

Hello UIC! My name is Amruta Bhatt and I am a sophomore studying neuroscience/pre-medicine. While I love to be involved on campus and succeed academically, I also enjoy spending my time volunteering and getting to interact with new people every day! Additionally, as cheesy as it sounds, I want to be an inspiration not only for myself but also for those around me. I have an amazing older sister who is currently in medical school and I truly don’t know where I would be without her. I have followed her footsteps, but I hope to create my own path someday. I want to become a doctor because I am motivated by my experiences and interactions with others that who shaped my life, which has in turn helped me choose the medical field as my aspired path.

Hope the semester is running smoothly! I know I’ve had my fair share of busy and balance! I wanted to take the time to talk about an organization that many of you may be interested in joining! An organization I am currently vice president of, Unite for Sight (UFS), works to improve eye health and eradicate preventable blindness. Our UIC chapter mainly focuses on fundraising and raising awareness towards this cause. Every month, we work towards a fundraising goal. For the month of February, we held a few bake sales.

Diana Yin, our new UFS president, has been doing an outstanding job of meeting our monthly fundraising goals. We are so close to meeting our February fundraising goal — we are halfway there! Our last fundraising event for the month of February will be from 8 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesday in Burnham Hall. Be sure to stop by and ask what we’re all about! Oh, and feel free to donate to an amazing cause and enjoy some yummy treats as well! :-)

If interested in joining Unite for Sight, please feel free to email Diana Yin at diana.yin101@gmail.com!

I’ve finally picked out my date for the MCAT. I knew everyone was telling me to hurry up and pick it, “Otherwise, you’ll have to go to Indiana!!!” But for a few months now my mentality was, “If I’m not ready, then I shouldn’t take it…” I was scared that if I picked a date and wasn’t ready for it, then it’d be a waste of money to cancel.

But then I thought about how my attitude towards MCAT studying was currently, and even though I have been keeping up with the readings and attending classes with Kaplan, I was behind in a few assignments and had my focus more towards my UIC classes (especially since I had two exams last week!). Well, that’s all gotta change. After finally taking a full-length test, I was amazed that I went up 7 points higher than my diagnostic score. Can you believe that? It’s only been one month with Kaplan! Seeing such big improvement really made me happy and I’m a lot more motivated and confident now than ever!

Here is the new priority list (not that I had written one out before which I should have):

1. MCAT studying
2. Other studying (includes biochemistry, homeostasis and genetics)
3. Research (qPCR qPCR qPCR!!!)
4. Health Activism Committee (we’re going to Clemente High School right before spring break and hopefully in April too!)
5. Getting my medical school application together! (:

So, I hope all of you have your own priority list. I might have to make a poster out of mine (not that I have time though…so maybe I’ll just write it down on a post-it note repeatedly all over my walls…). I’ve decided to get rid of my Facebook app on my phone, my Twitter app too…and all of my game apps. I threw in all of my educational apps on my home screen so I can quickly use them. No more socializing via phone or computer! I need to pour all of my energy and heart into studying for this test. It’s a hermit/recluse time for the next few months!

I wish anyone who is taking a standardized test this year the best of luck! WE CAN DO THIS!!! :D

Hey y’all!

This week I am going to do a little promotion for the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). As vice president of the organization, I am also the chair of the communications & recruitment committee.

USG currently has about 20 open positions and is seeking undergraduate students who are dedicated to improving student life, have the desire to be a student advocate and learn about university and governmental issues, and who have potential to become a great leader for the school.

For those not familiar with the organization, USG is the official student voice representing the undergraduate student body. USG serves as the connection between the student body and university administration.

Weekly USG membership time requirements include: attend three office hours; partake in an hour-long committee meeting; and attend the Thursday general meeting from 5 to 7 p.m.

To apply, visit http://www.uic-usg.org/about-usg/documents/ and open “Membership Application 2013.” Fill out the application and send to usgcrc@gmail.com. Or, come to our office in Student Center East, Suite 397 (student office area, above the Wellness Center), on from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday to pick up a paper application and meet current members of USG. You will also receive a free ROCKSTAR Energy Drink!

All applications are due by March 1, 2013. Select applicants will be interviewed during the week of March 4. All applicants will be notified of USG’s decision by March 12. Those invited to become members will be sworn in at the March 14 USG general assembly meeting at 5 p.m. Membership is valid until May 2014.

For more information on the committees you can work on, time commitments and other information, please visit www.uic-usg.org or email usgcrc@gmail.com.

Hope to see some of my readers joining USG!

I’m sure just about everyone has heard how great the Hawks are doing this season.  As of Friday, their record was 10-0-3. But for those of you who don’t know, that means they have won 10 games, lost 0 (in regulation), and 3 losses in overtime, in OT or a shootout (which they still get a point for).  However, that is not what determines their standings.  The points they have scored are what determines their placing.  They are first place in the league because they have 23 points scored. The second place team has 19 points.  We’re looking good!!!

I was looking through my phone at old pictures of Hawks games with my cousin and I found this image she sent me:

                                                    It’s funny because it’s true.

I have not been to a game yet this year because most of the games they have played were away.  And let’s be honest, I lack time and money….two things I probably need to make it happen.  I should start a “Blackhawks tickets for Lauren” Fund.  If I were you, I would give to me. It’s for a good cause! I think I have become more nostalgic when I was looking through some my old Blackhawks ticket stubs (yes, I keep them).  Memories!!!

So, what makes this year different than the last? Well, almost every single player has brought something extra this year. Kane showed up sober.  Toews is pretty much doing what he always does.  Crawford and Emery are on fire!! Bickell has been more physical and scored a couple of goals.  Hjalmarsson has been all right on defense.  He switched sides and it seems to be working.  Seabrook…he’s been OK, ya know…except for that whole shooting the puck in our own goal thing.  Sharp, he isn’t doing as well as he did last year.  He has definitely struggled with making goals.  Let’s hope he can turn that around.  It’s still early.  Saad, Shaw and Frolik have been pretty good. Hossa is back from that awful concussion he suffered last year.  The only thing I don’t understand is why he has not participated in a shootout yet.  I heard that maybe he is opting out himself.  I’m not sure if that’s true, though. Nothing much going on with Stalberg.  He has a bad habit of skating so fast toward the goal, that he can’t follow through because he loses control.  So, there are a lot of things at play here.  We just hope, as fans, they can keep this going.  I know they can!

The weather in Chicago never ceases to amaze me. What looked like snow was really rain in disguise! I don’t understand the weather, although I probably should. Not sure if other people feel this way (to those whom it applies), but every time the weather changes, my allergies go NUTS. I am stuffy and sniffling and can’t sleep. I haven’t gotten much sleep the past two weeks because I’ve been staying up studying for the MCAT, going into the research lab very early in the morning and working on HAC (I can’t wait to go to Clemente High School in March and April!).

I have two exams on Valentine’s Day, one in biochemistry and one in homeostasis. I’m not too thrilled, especially since I haven’t studied the material very in-depth or had time to catch up with the reading. There are so many demands every day! :(

But nevertheless, the lack of sleep and crummy allergies/bad skin will hopefully just be a minor bump in the road for my success this semester. I know that I will have to work even harder in the next coming months, but with every assignment or thing to do, I know that the end goal will be worth it! So, for those of you who are not “feeling” the good prospects for the semester, don’t fret! We can all do this and indeed, hard work will pay off.

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day! This past Sunday was Chinese New Year for those who were not aware. It’s the year of the snake! :D Any snakes out there? Born in 1989 perhaps? Wishing everyone the best.

Howdy!

As we approach our fifth week of the semester, I’m feeling pretty confident about a lot of different things. Change isn’t hard, but it’s certainly manageable.

For one, I’ve decided not to run for vice president of the Undergraduate Student Government again. After two terms, I’ve had a great time as vice president and have been able to accomplish a lot. As elections approach, I decided to run for an assembly member position instead.

I decided not to run for a couple of reasons. The biggest reason is that next academic year I will be a senior. During my last year at UIC, I want to be able to dive myself more fully into my internships. If all goes as planned, I will be only taking 12 credits for both semesters next year. This will allow me to be able to balance out school work and internship time. I will not be leaving USG because I have worked so hard the past three years to help strengthen this important organization on campus. With that said, my second reason for not running is because I want to help train the next vice president to be as effective, if not better, than I was during my time. I trust that the next vice president will be great. As we find out the official candidates next week, I will gladly endorse one that I am confident in. Next year, I hope to be a committee chair in USG and still provide help to the future leaders of the organization.

On a personal level, I have learned how to focus better during homework time! Like most students, I tend to procrastinate before doing papers and other assignments. However, after some research and a trip to The Vitamin Shoppe, I found Focus Formula! Simply put, it’s a multivitamin that has ingredients to help you focus and have a better memory. This past week, I have been taking two at dinner and am able to fully indulge myself into homework after. The results have been amazing. Not only am I getting my homework done faster, but I’m also going ahead on assignments as well! I promise this is not some silly advertisement. I’m loving the product so much that I want to share it with all of you!

Change is certainly good.

-Mike

Valentine’s Day is here.  Some people believe it’s just a “Hallmark” holiday.  Well, maybe.  But I can’t help but feel the love in the air throughout the month of February.  I am very lucky to have a wonderful guy in my life and I am excited to be spending our third Valentine’s Day together.  One year, we made dinner at home.  Another year, we went to a Bulls game.  This year, we are going to a restaurant called Devon Seafood. I am BEYOND excited!!

But some people hate Valentine’s Day.  Why? Well, I guess there shouldn’t have to be a day to REMIND you to celebrate the love with your significant other.  You should celebrate it every day. I know, cheesy.  But it’s true.  I know how life can be crazy making it easy to forget.  And it’s super important to tell the people in your life how much they mean to you, right?  Significant others, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, cousins…whoever!  If you’re not one for emotions, use this day to say “I love you.”  And if you’re single, there is always a reason to celebrate.  One of my most memorable V-Days was when I went out with all of my girlfriends and we went dancing. It was so much fun!

When I was doing some brainstorming about this blog post, I realized that I really don’t know the history behind the holiday.  I know that it has Catholic ties, but really…who is St. Valentine?

According to what I have read, the facts about who St. Valentine was, is still to this day, a bit murky.  There were a few saints recognized as Valentine.  One story is that during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in third century Rome, he outlawed marriage because he believed that single men made better soldiers.  Supposedly, Valentine continued to perform marriages in secret because he believed it was unjust to outlaw marriage but unfortunately it was revealed and he was put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine was imprisoned and fell in love with the jailor’s daughter, sending her the first Valentine and concluding it with “From your Valentine.”  http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

Need ideas of what to do for your valentine?  Whether you are attached or single, there is no reason not to celebrate the people you love in your life.

1) Check out Groupon.  I love Groupon and they have a special Valentine’s Day page.  There is something for everyone!

http://www.groupon.com/valentines-day

2) GUYS….flowers and chocolate…nuff said.

3) GIRLS…guys like to be pampered, too. 

4) If you do plan on going out to dinner with your man or woman, a cool aspect that restaurants have to offer for Valentine’s Day is a special menu.  But make sure you take a look at the menu first, their Valentine’s menus are usually much smaller and make your reservation early!!

                                            HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYONE!!!

We are not even halfway into the semester and I am already overwhelmed!  Who knew my last semester of grad school would be so busy?  Currently my weekly assignments look as follows:

GWS 485 – Gender and politics.  Each week we have to read a book and write a three-page summary on each book due the day before class.

GWS 502 – Feminist Knowledge Production.  Each week we are assigned readings and required to write an annotated bibliography, which comes out to about three or four pages.

CLJ 500 – Law and Society.  Each week we are required to write a two- to three-page summary on each article assigned.  We are usually assigned four to five articles each week.

So lets do the math: I write and print about 15 pages each week in assignments alone!! The poor trees!

On top of all of these school requirements, I am also looking for employment.  I am currently attempting to apply for about 15 to 20 jobs each month.  This give me time to draft a cover letter each day of the week. Not to mention many of the jobs I am applying for require letters of recommendation from former supervisors or professors!!

I literally have no time!  I’m pretty sure my boyfriend is tired of us utilizing our time together analyzing the works of Foucault, Durkheim and Plato.  He is sweet for helping me, but I am pretty sure he just wants to watch “The Walking Dead!”

In order to cope with the demands of the semester, I utilize a huge color-coordinated calendar.  I list each class’s assignments, any due dates for jobs I’m applying for, as well as work-related due dates and events.

The only good thing about having all these assignments is that in the process I have become a stronger writer.  I know how to analyze theoretical works easier.  I feel like I am finally the graduate student I want to be (too bad it’ll ends in a few months!!).

Next week, I hope to catch up with school and take advantage of things going on in the city! Granted the weather makes up its mind about which season it wants to be in!

So…how do you stay organized?!?