The Azusa Pacific Blog » Freshman

Almost a JUNIOR… already?

Megan — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:57:52 +0000

I can’t believe that finals are in a few weeks and then this school year is officially over. My first two years of college have FLOWN by. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in my room during senior year of high school wishing I was just at APU already. And I can honestly say that this school, the academics, the things I am involved in, and most of all, the people have never let me down. To come to APU will go down in my life as one of the most important and one of the best decisions I have ever made.

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Note to Self

Megan — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:29:05 +0000

I could reiterate this fact a million times, as much as I have said it plenty before, the statement stands true that I could not imagine myself anywhere else besides right where I am. As we are nearing the end (sort of) of the Fall semester I am still astonished at how fast this past year and 3 months has FLOWN by. I feel like it was just yesterday I was stepping into a university (and a whole ‘nother world it seemed) of things that were so new to me. I thought lately about what I would tell myself 15 months ago as I was nearing move in day at APU, if I knew what I know now.

An Overwhelming Blessing

Mallory — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:02:31 +0000

Hey everyone! This is my first blog post of this school year and it’s about time if I do say so myself!

Well I’m not a freshman anymore! (Not that there is anything wrong with being one..) It’s just that reflecting on “last year” (or 5 months ago), it was about time to be called a Sophomore! :)

Looking back at my Freshman experience, I am amazed. My last blog post included some of the events that we did throughout the year! To be honest, I do not know how I did it all! Freshman year is just like the one in high school, yet you are 5 years older and 5 years more experienced! You come trying to figure out where you best fit, trying to gain every single person as your best friend, and of course trying to find that “man” so you could get a ring by spring! Oh and of course, trying to balance that all with academics! But somehow I did it all… Except the ring! Still trying to work on that.. :P Looking back even know, I realized a lot of things I took for grantide. If I could give you advice, I would definitely recommend this. Engage in your classes. Make your fifty five minute to an hour and a half classes worth something to you. The pain of waking up for a 7:15AM or 8:05AM class will only last the semester.. but there could be worse! I engaged in some yet I regret not in others. So please take this advice to heart! Be eager to go to each and every one of your classes! Want to learn! Your brain is a powerful tool, utilize it!

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The Purpose of Alpha

Megan — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:10:24 +0000

Before I came into APU I remember reading on an APU blog about a girls experience meeting her alpha group. I had no idea what she was talking about and disregarded it completely. Ha. It is funny how the one thing I didn’t pay attention to at APU turned out to be the most influential.

Freshmen Year Alpha Group during Paint Wars

Rewind back 13 months, I came into APU knowing next to no one. The first night of college I got placed in a group of freshmen with one “alpha leader.” Looking back, I had no clue how this program would change my life completely. Most universities offer a program that helps you transition, typically though it lasts a mere weekend or the first week of school. Ours lasts three months to however long you want. This program alone tells a great deal about APU’s desire to form community (remember that word, you’ll hear it at a lot at APU) and build meaningful, genuine relationships.

Ministry Madness!

Karen Rouggly — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:36:40 +0000

Hello! I am so excited to be a part of the Azusa Pacific family as a blogger this year! I graduated from APU with a degree in Theatre Arts and Communication studies in 2005. Since then, I’ve completed a Masters Degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and spent the past three years working as a full-time missionary for an organization based in South Africa. This summer, I was hired as the Program Coordinator in the Office of Ministry and Service and it’s been a blast being back! It definitely feels like coming home!

Part of my job involves mobilizing our students through social media – and mobilizing I hope to do. Throughout the year, I’ll be posting different things about the MAS office and the ministries we work with, as well as the different perspectives of our students in the office.

Some Last Thoughts

Megan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:21:17 +0000

Next weeks marks finals week, and the last week of my freshmen year of college. The days keep going by faster and as much as I am excited for what next year and my entire future will look like, I find myself wishing time would somehow go by slower.

So here marks my freshmen year in a nutshell:

So excited to be moving into my new home!

Move-In day almost felt like it was straight out of a Hilary Duff movie (and I love Hilary Duff movies). Absolute madness, but one of the best days of my life. My stuff was moved in in no time and meeting my roommate was priceless.

one. more. month.

Megan — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:38:27 +0000

One more month of my freshmen year. The last time I will ever be a freshmen… in my life. Crazy. This year has seriously flown by faster then I ever thought it would. I feel like I just got here, move-in day seems like it was just yesterday. By far, it has been the best year of my life. I have met people that I can’t imagine living life without. I have met people that have inspired me, encouraged me, and shown me what it means to pursue Christ with all of your being. There are people that I can never repay for the way that they have poured into my life. I have grown as a person, and even more so I have grown in my relationship with God. The way I have experienced God while being here is extraordinary.

APU Dictionary

Megan — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:58:18 +0000

Alpha: A group you will be placed in the day you move in that includes a sophomore (sometimes a junior) alpha leader and about 8-12 other freshmen. You will all be in the same beginnings class (its a 350 person class that usually just has people speak about current issues) and you will meet one other time during the week to get to know each other and have fun. Its a great way to meet people and as awkward as it may feel as first everyone really does end up loving the program.

Biola: ……..

Communiversity: Community + Diversity, a program that plans events and makes the school fun (simply said).

A Birthday and A Roadtrip

Megan — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:38:38 +0000

Last month, a couple friends and I decided that a road trip was much needed with all the craziness of school. So often we are so busy with homework and all the activities at school that we don’t get to actually GET AWAY much. We took a free day and drove about three hours to Salvation Mountain, a beautiful man-made mountain of art created by a guy that’s crazy about Jesus and Jesus’ love. I have to say, it blew my mind, and as an artist myself it was a huge inspiration of how our faith and our art can go hand in hand. All of my friends that went absolutely loved it as well. Pictures don’t do it justice, but all you prospective students- when you get a chance to attend APU it is a must see work of art that can end up being an amazing road trip with friends. It’s pretty liberating just being able to jump into your car with four friends and drive off for a day’s adventure.

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A Very Big Adventure!

Renna Nightingale — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:24:24 +0000

South Africa. The land of brokenness, the land of miracles. The land of natural beauty beyond compare, the land with the people who are hurting. The land where time slows down, the land where “love your neighbor” reigns. The land where God’s voice becomes louder than a whisper.

As the locals say, “This is Africa.”

This is where I currently am! I am blessed to be the only freshman among a team of 55 students studying abroad in South Africa. Even though I am a freshman, I have been completely welcomed into the group, as is often the way with Azusa Pacific University community.