Posts Tagged ‘undergrad experience’

Older Entries
Newer Entries

Oh yeah, I’m here for academics.

Megan Monday, November 7th, 2011

SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN

invading the freshmen dance parties,

being weird with my roommates,

being consumed in how great Alpha is,

dressing up for living area events,

going out to dinner with incredible people,

and welcoming freshmen like a bunch of crazy people…

I have realized the truth of the matter. (Dun Dun Dunnnn) I’m here for school.

Sure, all the money your parents will be shelling out is not purely for academics, but a good chunk of it is. (Who knew a piece of paper at the end of 4 years could be so expensive!) As much as I feel it is more beneficial spending a night pouring into the lives of people and being behind in class the next day, at the same time I have had far too many lessons from God in how blessed I am to be educated here to push aside homework. (AKA: Teaching English in Tanzania this past summer and hearing student after student profess their career aspirations to me, it was 99.9% of the time one of three things: either a doctor, a pilot [so they can travel and see America], or a teacher. The options and opportunities are endless here but in other places it is not so much so.)

On another note, reality hit me when I checked where I am academically and realized that I only have a mere 40 units left until I can graduate. That translates to approximately 13 units a semester (my current load is 17 units) to graduate in the Spring of 2013… aka a YEAR early. So the question is, do I skip junior year or lack a senior year? Crazy right.

This reality check resulted in me seeking out internship opportunities and long story short, God TOTALLY provided and I am now a Set Design and Styling Intern as a beautiful store called Ruche. (Check it out all you girls that love vintage/girly/bohemian, anthropology/urban outfitters-esq clothes).

At least that took a load off my shoulders in regards to stressing about getting out there and being involved in “real world” design.

So all you high schoolers out there: GET PUMPED for how fun college WILL be but realize the real reasons you are here before it gets too late to raise that gpa and find those internships.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Undergraduate Experience | 2 Comments »

The Purpose of Alpha

Megan Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

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.

My alpha group freshmen year was one of the first solid groups of people I got to know at APU. And my relationship with my alpha leader continues even into this school year. She is one of the greatest blessings of APU thus far and has poured into my life more then I ever expected. I know out of the list of the people I can go to if I ever need anything, she is at the top.

Some of my Alphies during our "Paint War"

Once my Alpha Group ended I sought out following in my wonderful alpha leaders footsteps and becoming an alpha leader myself. As luck would have it, I got the position and have had the privilege to get to know 7 wonderful freshmen and help them through their transition to APU.

City Links with part of my Alpha group!

Also, once you begin your role as an alpha leader you get put in an “alpha coordinator” (AC) group with a bunch of other alpha leaders and a former alpha leader (a junior).

The 2011-2012 Alpha Leaders!

My AC group consists of 4 of the most entertaining, genuine guys at APU (for real) and 8 incredible women of God. I don’t think I could have ever forseen how much these relationships would alter my view of so many things. I don’t think I could have ever forseen how being a leader would draw me nearer to God and help me discover even more so who I am in Christ.

My AC Group during Bridges (part of Alpha Training)

The purpose of an Alpha Group is not to torture you into being in an awkward group of freshmen that are forced to be together many times during a three month span. It is intended to build this wonderful community at APU and give you people that you can connect with and “do life” beside. The worst thing that could happen at college is to come in knowing no one and weeks later still feel like you don’t know anyone. With Alpha that is marked as impossible.

Also, I feel that with being an alpha leader it makes it impossible to not be madly in love with the school I ended up at. I not only get to meet with my wonderful “alphies” every week but I get to meet with my AC group once a week and build those great relationships.

Actually, “great” isn’t even a proper word to describe the relationships I have built in my AC group. It is more then a group, it is a family. Within the first 3 days of getting to know each other once we came back to school for Alpha Leader training, we were inseparable. It can best be described as Heaven sent, because I feel as if God was the only one that could have picked such a perfectly knit group of 13 people. 13 people with a heart for freshmen, APU, people in general, and GOD. 13 people that love loving and encouraging people. 13 people with the greatest senses of humor and 13 people that manage to have the best time together possible. The 2 hour meetings once a week are not enough time spent with these amazing people.

My AC Girls. SO much love.

The purpose of being an alpha leader is not only to grow as a person and as a leader, but to realize what it looks like to pour into people without ceasing and to have others pour into you. The purpose of being an alpha leader is all about the RELATIONSHIPS. The relationships I have built during the 2 months I have known the other alpha leaders in my AC group are just as strong, if not stronger, then some of the 8+ year relationships I have back home. There is something about the vulnerability, growth, love, and encouragement that grows on in an AC group that builds a relationship so much faster then they are ordinarily built.

AC Retreat in Big Bear

I could go on for ages about how much being an alpha leader and being in an alpha group upon entry at APU has changed things in my life, but you wouldn’t understand until you have experienced it first hand.

I encourage you prospective students, while deciding on a school to attend to discover programs and ways to get involved with the community at the school you are looking into. At so many schools you are just another face in the crowd. Here, you aren’t.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Undergraduate Experience | Comments Off

A Necessary Blog Post.

Megan Monday, October 3rd, 2011

If you want to get technical, my run as an APU blogger ‘ended’ over four(ish) months ago when our summer break began. However, after the life changing eight weeks I spent this summer in Tanzania I felt that this post was entirely necessary after talking so much about this trip in my previous blogs.

I don’t really know where to begin, that seems to always be the toughest part about talking about a trip that had as big of an impact as this one had on me. I traveled to Tanzania (South-Eastern Africa) and spent two months there with a team put together by both the Office of World Missions and more importantly, God. (He hand picked this team perfectly, might I add.)

Three of my favorite beautiful girls of Nkungi.

We spent about 5 weeks in Nkungi village where we did work assigned by the village leaders, taught at both a primary and secondary school, installed water filters, distributed food packets, built blocks for a teachers home at one of the primary schools, and loved like crazy on the beautiful kids that we spent endless time with.

The new playground we build in Singida Town, the primary (elementary) school kids were so excited. It was the first of its kind.

Then we spent about 2 weeks in Singida Town where we worked at a childrens community center where food was distributed to the children that couldn’t afford it (in exchange for them being educated). We had the blessing of constructing a playground which was unheard of there and also repainted and fixing up the entire building. The other 1 week of the trip was spent in travel time and debriefing on a safari.

Babuu. One of the amazing things we got to witness on this trip was his hatred and aggression toward us in the beginning, that in time turned to love and admiration.

I think that the most present things that God taught me during that time was that (1) fears are petty when compared to life lessons that can be learned. We think our fears are justified, until God uses those fears to bring himself glory. (2) Statistics on poverty, lack of clean water, hiv/aids, prostitution, and disease are REAL, not only are their faces behind them but there are stories and names behind them. (3) Love and grace speak infinitely louder than words. Just because you can’t speak fluently in a language doesn’t mean your impact is less valid. (4) Stepping out of your comfort zone is always worth it. (5) The Holy Spirit is as as REAL and ALIVE as God and Jesus are, pray for the Holy Spirit to work through you because He most definitely desires to and WILL. (6) We cannot be strong and we cannot spread God’s perfect love without the power of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Seek it.

All of our friends that we grew to be SO close with in Nkungi village. Blessed beyond words to know these people and call them my Nkungi family.

Basically, the point of this post is not to boast about what I was blessed enough to do this summer but rather to encourage you and to point the glory to God and let you know that He has great things in store for you! A year ago I would have never imagined that going into APU God would call me to this mission trip and this mission trip would lead to so many convictions and blessings. Trust God and trust that His plan is infinitely greater then your own. Allow your life to look differently then you thought it would.

Also, while I know that world mission trips are obviously not in God’s calling for everyone, I DO encourage you to seek out Focus International mission trips at APU and see if God is calling you to one. We are all called to be missionaries, some in their hometowns, some in Azusa, some in other states, and some globally. Seek out where God has called you as a missionary.

My amazing sisters and brothers in Christ that I got blessed to spend 2 months serving alongside.

A side note: If you are a new freshmen at APU, WELCOME. I cannot explain my excitement to see so many new faces around campus and to finally have campus filled after 3 weeks of Alpha Leader Training! I encourage you to seek out ministry opportunities at APU and pour yourself into others. One of the greatest things about APU is being handed so many options to serve others and glorify Jesus Christ.

And if you are reading this blog as a prospective student, I encourage you to do the same, except where you are at. Google away and search opportunities to serve and love on others. Trust me when I say that it is worth every second. Bringing glory to God, and purpose and joy to yourself.

God bless you all.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in APU Community, Undergraduate Experience | Comments Off

Some Last Thoughts

Megan Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

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.

Alpha Group 35!

My Alpha Group I met shortly after moving in and I had absolutely no idea what an alpha group even was. Come to find out, APU definitely prides itself on the whole Alpha experience, with a very good reason to. In the beginning, being with a group of 8 strangers was awkward (predictably), but by the end of Alpha I found myself wishing it would never end. Now I am going to be an Alpha Leader myself next year and could not be any more excited about it! It is one of the many ways that they help you transition easily to college life and meet new people you might not ordinarily meet.

Such a fun All-Access weekend!

Being an ambassador this year was the first commitment I made when I arrived at APU. It gave me the opportunity to host prospective students multiple times per year and be a part of All-Access weekends. It was such a blessing being able to see people fall in love with APU as I have. I cannot explain how many smiles and laughs I had during those weekends.

Young Life leaders!

Being a part of Young Life first semester was an experience I will never forget. I made priceless friendships and was able to serve God in the most amazing way. It was a new opportunity for me to put myself out there and love on high schoolers that were open to the Gospel.

Then, as God led me to no longer be a part of Young Life He led me toward being a part of the Office of World Mission’s Focus International mission teams. I found out at the beginning of second semester I would be going to Tanzania. I cannot explain how much God has been real to me through being able to be a part of this mission team. It has been without a doubt, one of the biggest blessings of being here at APU and I haven’t even left for the trip yet (it is in three weeks, crazy!). I never in a million years thought I would ever be going to Africa, it was never in my plan. But I realized that almost everything I have been changed by at APU was not originally in my plan. God’s plan is so much greater.

My hall in Trinity, Fourth South has been a huge part of my experience at APU as well. I have made so many life-long friends and I have learned so much by being able to live on my own and be a part of such a great community.

Spontaneous trip to The Hat with 4th South girls!

Last, but definitely not least, the courses that I have taken at APU so far have honestly changed my perspective on education altogether. I have had professors that changed my life because they changed my perspective on things in ways I never knew possible. Also, being a graphic design major, I am finally able to take design and art classes and it has been so much fun! I cannot explain how great it feels to finally be able to be educated in what I love. Also, words cannot do justice for how great of a blessing it is being educated by Christian professors. Each class (yes, even p.e., math, english, etc.) works faith and Christianity into its curriculum, which is amazing.

I think that everyone that knows me would know how much I would attest to APU being the greatest decision I have ever made. This year has been a crazy whirlwind of a year, but I have grown so much as a person and as a follower of Christ that I wouldn’t change it for the world.

If I were to give advice to incoming students at APU it would be to put yourself out there and do things that you never planned on doing. Enjoy living in the dorm while it lasts, because if you make the most of that experience, it will be one of the best experiences of your life. Don’t stress out, be excited for this year to come. And whatever you do, during the school year even though school can be stressful and overwhelming don’t let it get you to the point where you stop enjoying being here. Going to college is not forced, it is a privilege. Be excited, because a year from now, your life will be so different! The way that the community works here, and the way that God is present here, is enough to change your life alone.

Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU to all my readers for taking the time to keep updated on my experience here at APU! I appreciate it more then you’ll ever know!! If you have any questions feel free to comment and I would love to answer you! God bless.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Undergraduate Experience | 2 Comments »

one. more. month.

Megan Monday, April 11th, 2011

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.

It is insane to think of how originally APU was not on my rater of colleges at all. I had a whole different plan, but this was God’s plan for me. And it is infinitely better then any other place I could have ended up. This is my home now, these people are like family. This community is like family. For some people, picking a college is all about the city your in, or the look of the campus, or how great their food is, or even how good the school name will look on your resume. While I would fare to say that there are so many schools that rank better at those things then APU, I would also fare to say that in terms of community and the people, APU ranks number one. I could never imagine myself anywhere else, surrounded by any other group of individuals.

Besides school ending next month, I have a little over one more month until I leave for my mission trip to Tanzania. It is surreal at this point. The way that God has opened doors for this trip, prepared me and equipped me personally for this trip, and bonded my team is just so amazing. It has been a true testimony to how God will get you somewhere if He really wants you there. God really wants me there. If I ended up at any other place, I would not be going on this mission trip in a month. And that in itself is just a weird thought. This mission trip IS where I am supposed to be, and APU got me here. I haven’t even been on the trip yet and I already cannot imagine my life without it.

One more month until I move out of the dorms. Oh boy, that’s going to be a sad day. I will miss spontaneous trips to ‘The Hat’ or ‘Donut Man’ or ‘In-N-Out.’ I will miss beach days with my hall and waking up at 3AM to pillow fights outside and girls screaming in the hall (I know, weird thing to miss right?). I will miss Monday night cramming into a room and watching The Bachelor. I will miss constantly having my door open and never being able to get homework done because people walk in every 2 seconds. I will miss moving my mattress into other rooms and having sleepovers. I will miss spontaneous dance parties and movie nights. I will miss getting ready for GYRAD and walking into the bathroom every morning to see the whole bathroom filled with girls getting ready. I will miss spending hours on end in the study room during finals, but never having a dull moment because there are 10 other girls studying in there too. I will miss never having to be alone, unless I choose to be. I will miss sitting out on Trinity Lawn doing homework on a beautiful sunny day. I will miss every single thing about living in the dorms, it was hands-down one of the greatest parts of my freshmen year. Some of the girls on my hall will be my friends for eternity (seriously).

But there are so many things to look forward to:

  • I am going to be an ALPHA LEADER next year, which I could not be any more excited about. I am so blessed to be able to pour into the lives of incoming freshmen. I can only hope that I influence the lives of my “alphies” as my alpha leader influenced my own.
  • Next year I will be living in an apartment with two of the girls on my hall. They are some of the most caring, encouraging, and fun girls I have ever met. I can’t wait.
  • My schedule of classes for next semester…. THREE art classes. So stoked.
  • Spring Semester I am planning on studying abroad (either South Africa, England, Italy, or London!)
  • Much far into the future… my Junior year… I am going to pursue being an R.A. for the freshmen in the dorms.

If you are going to be a freshmen at APU next year I have one piece of advice for you… GET EXCITED. Your life will be changed and will look nothing like what it does right now (in a good way). You will grow, learn, experience things you never imagined you would, and make friendships that will last a lifetime. Looking back, I enjoyed high school, but college is a new level of enjoyment.

If you are not going to be a freshmen at APU next year, GET EXCITED ANYWAYS. Be in prayer about where God is leading you, be pursuing Him, and rejoice in all that you do have right now.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Undergraduate Experience | Comments Off

The Freshmen Experience

Mallory Monday, April 4th, 2011

WOW. Is it alright if I start off by just saying that?

I cannot believe that it is already APRIL and I have spent SEVEN months here.

(Before I get started, I just wanted to apologize that I have not been keeping up with my blogs. College is crazy and finding the time to create them was a task within itself. So here is a MEGA blog of my most memorable experiences!)

Decades

1. Spirit Nights! One of my favorite nights was “Decade Night.” Many of these nights also come with performances by the dorms or dances that everyone can come to! It is a great way to take a break from the studies andDSCN3523 have some fun!

2. THE HOOTENNANNY! This event kicked off the year! The only request was to wear plaid and have a good time with all your new friends! There were jump houses, a swing set, racing bathtubs, cotton candy, snow cones and so much more!

Yacht Club 23. Yacht Club: This Black & White party is hosted in the UYacht Clubniversity Park around the pool. It’s a classy semi-formal event where students gather to enjoy music, food and each others’ company. The best part about the Yacht Club for me is getting to dress up! Everyone loves dress up!

4. Sport Events! APU has the most amazing sport teams out there! From football to basketball to tennis, there is nBiola Gameever a dull moment! There is nothing better than cheering for the winning touch down or buzzer beater shot during the games! Face paint and a black out shirt is all that is needed to rally up some spirit!

5. The Hike! One of the MUST DO evCrossents at APU is the “hike to the A.” Once at the top of the mountain, it’s only a few more feet and you get to see a spectacular site! At the top there is a beautiful cross and the most gorgeous view of the city. I went with my roommates at night and we got to excape the chaos of the city and sit in peace with each other and most importantly, with God.

6. The Location!  There is never a dull moment here because it onDisneylandly takes a couple minutes to find something to do! Azusa is perfectly placed besides the moutains and about a half hour outside of Los Angeles and the coast. My roommate and I Gleewent to Los Angeles one weekend and saw Matthew Morrison,  aka Will Schuester, from Glee for a concert! When the sun is out, like it always is, students find their way to the beach to relax! Hollywood and Disneyland are also just “down the street!”

7. Hall Events! Living in the dorms is what every teenager looks forward to going into college. Dorm life is GYRADwhere frienships are made and developed. So many events go on in the dorms and each hall is differnt. For my hall we had “Tea Time” where we would get together, drink tea and reflect on what God is doing in our lives. Some other popular events are GYRAD (Get You Roommate A Date) and BroomBall!

There will  be moments in your life that you pray will go by quickly, but this is definitely not one of those moments. Time is flying by faster than anyone ever told me it would. It seems like yesterday that I was walking across the stage to get my Diploma and now I’m finding myself packing up my bags for the second year of my college experience. No one is going to tell you that this is easy and let me assure you that it is not! But you have to remember one thing: God is working in your life everyday. Whether you recognize it or not, He is always with you. Through thick and thin, He should always be your focus in life.

Azusa Pacific was strengthened my faith in the Lord more than I ever imagined going into college. This college and this experienced is something that I would never trade. I am forever thankful for everything that is happening in my life here :)

Much blessings,

Mallory

Tags: , ,
Posted in Undergraduate Experience | Comments Off

Older Entries
Newer Entries