50 Item Challenge

Bedroom with lots of clutter!

Closet with too many clothes!

So after living at Mercyhurst for three years now, it occurred  to me that I have acquired a lot (and I mean a TON) of stuff! While having more "stuff" always makes us feel better, sometimes having too much stuff begins to weigh us down. Some of you may have heard of the "100 Items Challenge", well I've decided to do a college version of it with the "50 Item Challenge".

I challenged myself with finding 50 items that I could give away to people that would make better use of them. Starting out on this journey, I assumed it would be easy to come-up with 50 items that I no longer needed...but after a while I quickly learned the truth. The first place I looked at for my items was my closet. We all have too many clothes, and there are people out there who could make way better use of those clothes. After finding seven or eight clothing items I no longer needed I made my way to my bedroom, which is so cluttered. Before I knew it I was finding unneeded items left and right! My pile quickly grew bigger and bigger, until I reached 38 items. This was the point at which I became stuck...I knew there had to be more to give away. Slowly but surely I managed to complete my challenge of finding 50 items to give away. It was difficult, but very worth it! Below you will find a picture of what I'm giving away, along with a list of some of the items!

Here are my items.

I managed to find things to give away like:

-Clothes

-Shoes

-Bags

-Books

-Stuffed Animals

-Coats

-Water Bottle

-2 Backpacks

-And Much More

So after doing this mini challenge, I challenge you to do the same. Are there 50 items laying around your house or dorm room that you no longer need? Are there items that someone else would make much better use of? Then why not let someone else have the items that you've been able to enjoy for a while. Not only will you be doing yourself a favor by de-stressing and de-cluttering your life, but you will be allowing others to have the things that you no longer need. I'd love to do this at least once a year, paying it forward never hurts.

Carpe Diem everyday, and help others while you do it!

~Jeremy 

It's the weekend, what to do?

So it's the weekend, and the weather is in that in-between stage where it's not really nice enough to do anything outside, but it's not too cold either. Much like any hard-working and busy college students, my friends and I love to spend the weekends having fun, but sometimes trying to think of things to do is not that easy.

I've spent the majority of the morning brainstorming different things to do in Erie, Pa., and I will list them below with a brief description, just incase you may be wondering about the happenings that you may participate in on the weekends.

The first thing that really comes to mind is the Erie Zoo. The Zoo itself is about 2 miles or so from campus. If you are feeling adventurous and there is nice weather, you can walk to the zoo. If you would rather not walk, you may take a bus or taxi. The bus is free, and admission to the zoo is pretty reasonable for college students. On Sundays, after 3:00 p.m., the zoo is open for free admission which is perfect for any student wanting to save a little money! Feel free to check-out the zoo's website here: The Erie Zoo.

If going to the zoo isn't something you're interested in, you can go to Presque Isle. Presque Isle is a nice place to visit on a sunny and warm day! It is about a 20 minute drive from campus (so no walking, unless you are adventurous). The bus can get you pretty close, but does not actually go the whole way to the Isle. This area is the equivalent to the beach, and the closes thing Erie has to one. At Presque Isle, you can have a cook-out, swim, play volleyball or even participate in many of the activities the park directors have. My friends and I make a point to visit Presque Isle at least a couple times a year, when the weather is nice. Also, if you go to Presque Isle, make sure you stay until sunset (on beach 6). This spot has the world's second best sunset and is seriously one of the best sunsets that I have ever seen! Here you can find all the information on the park: Presque Isle State Park

The last thing that is really fun to do, is just to explore Erie, itself. The town is historic and fun. There are tons of restaurants, theaters and shops that can really fill-up a weekend quite quickly! My group of friends is known by my family as the "restaurant club," because we have probably eaten at 90 percent of the restaurants in Erie. It's always nice trying new or ethnic food. Most of the restaurants are reasonable for college students, and as long as you're not eating out everyday, then you won't have to worry too much about the "freshman fifteen"! Erie is really a lovely city and there is always something happening downtown, near Perry Square. Like I said before, there are tiny shops, coffee shops and museums to keep you busy. Here is the website to find out all about Erie: Erie, PA

I hope that I have given you a taste of what types of activities you can do on weekends while at Mercyhurst University. The best piece of advice that I can give any student, is to just explore the city a little. Go-out with your group of friends and see just what there is to do. You will spend four years in Erie, so you might as well get used to its offerings as quickly as possible!

That's all for now, Carpe Diem everyday!

~Jeremy

Here we go...5 weeks

I Dream of Summer!

Well, we are currently half way through our Spring Term here at good ol' Mercyhurst, and I am hitting the mid-term blues. It doesn't often happen, because I am always (and I mean AlWAYS) busy at school, but I am starting to get a little nostalgic for summer. I have yet to finalize summer plans, which is somewhat bothersome to say the least. As of now I will either be staying here in Erie and working for the Admissions Department at Mercyhurst, or working at my dream internship at Vault Communications (I choose THIS ONE). Either way, I know I am prepared to have a fantastic summer and really cannot wait for sunshine and warmth, which is sometimes rare in Erie!

Living on campus during the summer is really a wonderful experience and I would encourage anyone who is interested, to live here at least one summer while at Mercyhurst. Last summer I worked at the University and had a great time. Not only was I able to make money, but I was also able to practice living on my own...which sadly I will actually have to do one day (bummer)!

Vault Communications Logo

While I would like to be around MercyWorld this summer, I ultimately would love to work for Vault Communications! I interviewed with the company in January and am anxiously awaiting the results of the entire interview process. I am sure that a number of individuals applied for the position, so I really hope I was able to stand-out to the interviewers. The company is based in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area and working here would be an experience that would last a life time! Because I added Strategic Communications as a minor late in my education I am scrambling to get an internship within this field to boost my experience in this job place. I will report back as to whether or not I got the job, sense I know you all will be anxiously awaiting to hear!

I've taken the Easter break to think seriously about what I want to do in my future, and I have come to the conclusion that graduate school is a must! I know I know...you're probably thinking after just completing 4 years of undergraduate studies, who in their right mind would want to go to grad school?! Well I do. And when I look back at my time at Mercyhurst there is one thing I regret not doing...and this may sound surprising because I have been blessed with so many opportunities. I have yet to actually study abroad. Yes, I've been able to travel abroad through school functions and sponsored trips, but after growing quickly attached to Mercyhurst, actually studying abroad hasn't happened for me. This being said, I have been thinking since I want to go to graduate school, and have yet to study abroad....can you guess it? That's right! I want to get my masters degree abroad!

I have looked at several universities and read different things about the programs that they offer, but one school definitely stands out. Newcastle University, in Newcastle, England, seems to be a perfect fit for me! The school is about 3 hours north of London in a port-city (much like Erie). The school even reminds me of a grown-up version of Mercyhurst. While I am just starting out in the application process I am very excited in the next chapter of my life, wherever I will be. Of course I will keep everyone updated on the happenings as they come. (Below is a video all about the town of Newcastle)

Until then make sure you Carpe Diem everyday!
~Jeremy