Senior Year, and Life Beyond the Gates!

Although I can hardly believe it, I just started my senior year at Mercyhurst University! It seems like only yesterday my grandparents were driving me through the gates of Mercyhurst, and here I am four years later pondering life beyond those very same gates. While I am excited for all of the fun events that senior year holds, it is especially smart to be thinking towards the future. While I have decided that continuing on to graduate school is the path that I would like to take, there are an array of options that students may decide to embark on after their four years of undergraduate education.

 Some of my peers will jump right into the "real world" which may be a little overwhelming to imagine, but you earned a degree and technically are ready to now start a career with that degree. Mercyhurst University has wonderful job counseling and job search opportunities for students to access both before and during their senior year through our Career Development Center. This service will step by step aid students in resume writing, interviewing and even job searches. The staff of the Career Development Center are well trained and very happy to sit down with students and help them with their future plans and ambitions.

Another option that may be a good idea for some students would be to take a year or two off to participate in some type of volunteering opportunity. While this is an option that definitely takes a determined and selfless individual, it is a very great way to boost a resume and give someone direction if they are just not sure where they want to go in life. There are numerous organizations that any interested student should look into. Mercyhurst University students have participated in: Mercy Volunteer Corps, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps. All of these volunteer organizations would be a great stepping stone for people to experience right out of college. Just make sure you read all of the information, and make sure that giving-up your time to help others is something else you are really passionate about.

Whatever path you are planning to take after your four years at Mercyhurst University remember these key words of advice: "Enjoy your time at Mercyhurst, because it will fly by in the blink of an eye, but keep an ever watchful eye on the future, because it will arrive just as quickly!"

That's all for now and remember,
Carpe Diem Everyday!
~Jeremy

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 

Mercyhurst....UNIVERSITY!

Mercyhurst University!

We have some very very exciting news buzzing around the Hurst! Today is the day that the institution previously known as Mercyhurst College has transformed and grown into the brand new Mercyhurst University. The big announcement was made Mercyhurst President Dr. Thomas Gamble in a special press conference this afternoon. Immediately after the announcement was made, students, faculty, and administration alike irrupted into cheering. This change is a big step for Mercyhurst, and shows how as a small institution we are ready to make advancements in the global academic arena. We are forever a laker of Mercyhurst, but now we are a Laker of Mercyhurst University. I am proud to go to Mercyhurst University, and cannot wait to see what changes occur in the future! Carpe Diem for the past, the present and the future!

Ambassador's Chrisgiving

Sarah B, Me, and Aldyn S. at Chrisgiving!

So today was the annual Ambassador's Chrisgiving, which is a holiday party that the Ambassador club has after Thanksgiving and before Christmas to get everyone into the holiday spirit. Every year, the theme of the party is "ugly sweater". It is really fun to see everyone dressed in their best ugly Christmas attire! Last year I really didn't do anything special, I just had a really (I mean so ugly) ugly sweater. This year, I wanted to do something a little more festive! So of course because I am a college student, I waited until the day before the party to put an outfit together...which may have actually worked out in my favor! Rhona and I went to the local Salvation Army to find some great outfits, and give back to others. While at "SalVo" I found the PERFECT sweater. In addition to the sweater I collected other wonderful pieces of Christmas cheer to make my "Mercy-Elf" costume even better!

Me, Rhona B. and Lindsay C. sporting our holiday outfits

The final product was an elf hat, an oversized sweater with tinsel and bells, and my TOMS shoes which I sewed bells on to make the perfect elf shoes! Although I was super excited to show off my Christmas cheer, the feeling quickly subsided when I walked across Mercyhurst campus "jingling all the way"! At the actual party, it was nice to socialize with the other Ambassadors, see everyone's outfits, and meet the new Ambassador pledges. After everyone feasted on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and desserts, it was time for the voting of the "ugliest outfits". I honestly did not think my ensemble was "in the running towards becoming Mercyhurst Ambassador's next ugly Christmas outfit", so I was not really bothered in paying attention to the whole voting. Much to my surprise, the social committee voted myself, and Nathan K. as the ugly outfit winners. In addition, Paige B. and Adam F. were winners for their combined outfit of "grandma got run-over by a reindeer"! All in all, it was a very great night and I loved hanging out with all the Mercyhurst Ambassadors. I'm going to have to start planning my costume for next year...what will it be....?

Me, Nathan K., Adam F. and Paige B. the winners of the "ugly outfits"!

Carpe Diem, no matter what!
~Jeremy