Explore Your Opportunities!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

At Ferrum College, there are so many fabulous opportunities, such as studying abroad, E-Terms, different courses, internships, and so much more!  I am only a sophomore here at Ferrum and I already feel like I am so involved with the school.  From Greek life to clubs, I am forever busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love everything I do here at Ferrum and I know that at the end of the day, everything I do will be so rewarding for me.  A major benefit to doing so much is it looks so fantastic on your resume. It's one thing to say you graduated with a degree, but it's the little details that count. The opportunities you take make you unique and that's what employers look for. Ferrum College makes sure its students have access to great opportunities!

Since I am only a first-semester sophomore, I haven't had much opportunity to travel abroad and do internships yet. Even though I've always had the particular mindset that I would do an internship when I became an upperclassman, I took a risk and applied to the Disney College Program.  I found out about this program from one of Ferrum's campus-wide emails. I had little to no confidence that I would get in because I figured I was too young and inexperienced.  I was completely wrong because I got an interview the same day I applied, and a few weeks later, I got an acceptance email into the program!  I think that was one of the happiest days of my life because who doesn't want to intern at Disney?!

It was so easy to apply; it was like a regular college application.  When they review your application, they offer you an online interview, and if they're interested in you, they offer you a phone interview. Then after a few weeks, you will find out if you were accepted or not.  I do have a few experiences that I believe helped me get the internship.  The more you do, the better and more interesting you will be to potential employers. If you're interested in possibly interning for Disney, just visit www.disneycollegeprogram.com.

I am so excited for my internship!  From January to June next semester, I will be working in the restaurants and the outdoor carts, and there are so many benefits to this internship.  I will earn a small stipend for the internship which will pay for my housing, and I will earn credits toward my major at Ferrum for the classes I take at Disney. I know it will be a fantastic experience and will be such a great resume-builder.  It will give me good experience working outdoors and working with people from all over the country, which I know will help prepare me for a future career in outdoor events!

 

New Major, New Classes

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

After changing my major for about the fifth time and still not knowing what major is right for me, I realized that maybe taking a few different classes in a few different subjects would be the right thing to do.  This semester, I decided to take an economics class to get a feel for majoring in Business Administration.  I'm also taking a recreation leadership class to get a feel for majoring in Rec along with other classes I need to take in order to graduate.  I absolutely love both classes and seem to be doing quite well in them. 

My economics class is a bit of a struggle, but that's only because I've never taken a business-related class before. My teacher, Professor Basu, is fantastic and always brightens my day by making jokes in class. He always gives the class the best advice and compares a lot of his lessons to situations that relate to college students to make it easier.  Therefore, I've never ever had a bad time in his class, and I look forward to attending it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

My recreation class is my favorite. We learn all about the outdoors and how recreation and leisure are huge factors in our lives.  Last week, we learned how to build a fire in the "Ferrum Forest" and had s'mores afterwards!  It was such a great experience!

Taking these different classes has given me a good idea on what major is best for me!  No class you take is ever a waste of time because each class will teach you valuable lessons.

Things Change: It's Normal!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

Now we all know college is all about education and earning a degree, but we also know social life is a big part of surviving four years of college!  As a first semester freshman, the highlight of my week was watching Love Actually in my dorm room.  Yes, pathetic, right?  I had no social life.  I had friends, but I never really did anything except play Uno with my hall mates.  Every event that took place sounded "lame" and I just wanted the comfort of my bed and the taste of ramen noodles in my mouth.  That was my Friday night.  Yes, I did adventure out of my room sometimes, but nothing extraordinary ever occurred.  I didn't want to do anything and I'm not sure why.  I guess I missed home too much?  Maybe that seemed to be a valid excuse, but in reality, I was scared.  The innocence of my freshman mind couldn't bear the thought of growing up and becoming a responsible adult.

But then it hit me. It was time to grow up, it was time to do that pile of laundry sitting under my bed, and it was time to go to the cafe instead of eating ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It's not easy growing up, but at some point in life, we all have to "cut the umbilical cord" and become an independent person and take responsibility.  The future is going to be different than you imagine, and the friends we have now may no longer be our friends later.  The things we think we like now may turn out to be the things we begin to dislike later and you have to actually leave your dorm room to find who you really are.

My second semester was much better. I got a job, joined a sorority, became a student ambassador and a Panther Blogger, and I got so much more involved with Ferrum College that I felt more at home.  Being more involved with the college you attend makes everything so much easier.  I'm a different person than who I was when I first came to Ferrum. I'm more confident in myself and I put myself out there and became a part of the Ferrum community.  After all, it was the Ferrum community who brought me out of my shell and I couldn't be more thankful!  So remember, things change:  it's normal!

It's Okay to Be Confused: It's Normal!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

As an upcoming freshman, or even as a rising sophomore, junior or senior, things can get pretty stressful.  What classes will I take this semester?  Am I even pursuing the right major for me?  What do I even want to be when I'm older?  Is college even the right thing for me?  Everyone has asked themselves these questions before and many people change their minds numerous times until they are comfortable that they are making the right decision.

As a confused high school graduate, I knew that I was going to graduate from some big university with a business administration degree and a psychology minor, move to Florida, become a wedding planner, and then one day own my own company.  Now as a rising sophomore, I attend my second home, Ferrum College - a beautiful yet quaint and extremely small college with a population of just over 2,000.  I started as a Business major, switched to an Art major, but now I'm a Recreation Leadership major.  So, yes, I guess you could say I have changed my mind a few times and I can promise you it won't be my last time!

You see, times change.  You grow up believing you're going to be one thing then often turn out to be the complete opposite.  It's life and people change their minds even after college. The best advice I can give is do whatever makes you happy, unless it's illegal or morally wrong then I would recommend you think twice!  But if being an art major makes you happy, then do it even if you think you can't make a career out of it because I promise you, if you believe you can, then anything is possible.  If you want to be a star athlete, then go for it. Just remember to keep your GPA intact because after all, education is extremely important.  If being an actress/actor on Broadway is your ultimate dream, then become a theater major despite what anyone thinks.

At the end of the day, you're going to college for four years and if you're taking classes that you hate and pursuing a major that you know deep down inside isn't right for you, then what's the point?  And if you can't make up your mind, don't panic. It's okay to have doubts, and it's okay to change your mind. There are people to help.  Go to your adviser, your parents, your friends, your mentors, or even your pet goldfish named Fred and talk to them (even if your fish doesn't talk back).  Ferrum has a great support system if you get out to seek help!  I got a lot of help from my professors, peers, and especially from my adviser, Mrs. Smith.  There are people here to advise you down the right path, but just remember that at the end of the day, it's you who has to make your own decisions.  I know it seems like it'd be easier if someone made them for you, but unfortunately, that's not how life works.  It's okay to be confused - it's normal!

The Art Department at Ferrum

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

Working in the Art Department has been a pleasure.  I've only had one class in the art studio so far, but it has been a great experience.  The art studio is located in the bottom of the chapel.  There are numerous classrooms available in the studio that provide many materials in order to help students succeed in different art classes. 

This semester, I have worked in the main art classroom, which is mainly used for simple art.  I have done many art projects this semester; we've had a project due at least every two weeks and sometimes every week.  The first project we ever did was a graphing project. Two other students and I made a Nike sneaker out of string and pins on a larger scale. It's difficult to explain, but here is a picture of it.

The "Nike Shoe Scaling Project"

View of my Picasso project

We have studied so many artists, and we have attempted to create some of their work.  From Picasso to Andy Warhol, from using construction paper to pastels, working in the art department has been so exhilarating!  It has really opened up my eyes and has made me a better artist.  I have learned so many different ways of creating artwork and making my artwork significantly better thanks to the wonderful art instructors we have at Ferrum College.

This is one of my favorite pictures
because it shows how much time and
hard work is put into art.  This is only
HALF of the colored pencil shavings
left over from my Picasso project!

Crazy Weather at Ferrum!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

The weather here at Ferrum College is ridiculous, but it wouldn't be Ferrum without it!  One day, it could be 64 degrees, sunny, and people will be walking around in shorts and a t-shirt.  Then the next day, it's snowing, below freezing and everyone looks like they're wearing every piece of clothing item they own.  I promise I'm not exaggerating!  Just last week, we had an instance where it was snowing one day, and two days later, I walked outside and the sun was beaming down on me. 

My best advice is to just be prepared!  If you have any evening classes or want a hot pepperoni pizza late at night, just take a jacket because temperatures tend to drop tremendously when it hits around 8 p.m.  Also, if it does snow, don't be surprised if classes don't get canceled.  Sometimes your classes may be canceled if your professors live further away from campus and can't get to class, but the college rarely cancels classes.  We often just get a compressed schedule, which is awesome because not only do we get to sleep in, but classes are shorter too, which means more time for SNOWBALL FIGHTS! 

Just remember, if you live off campus and simply can't make it to class, just email your professors and they will be more than willing to work with you. Also, if you do have a car on campus and it's snowing, don't drive!  You've probably already been told a million times not to drive in the snow unless you have four-wheel drive, but a few of my friends got into small fender benders because they wanted to drive in the snow. I promise you, it's really not worth it. Long story short, snow is fun and comes with lots of exciting activities to do, but just please be safe and stay warm!

Ferrum College So Far

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

I have been at Ferrum College for almost four months now and I have loved every day of it. There is so much to do here!  From free movie night to bingo to themed dances in the Panther's Den, there is always something fun to do!  Even though it seems like Ferrum is in the middle of nowhere, I haven't been bored yet! 

There have been many big events on campus this year, such as the centennial homecoming weekend and the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival.  Both events were a huge success. We had a huge concert on homecoming weekend, which included the Tams, an electric violinist, and other local bands. We also had a country-style dinner that took place outside and we also had a huge parade!  The Folklife Festival was a huge hit - they had so many activities that everyone could get involved in. They had coon dog racing, honey making, country bands, mule jumping, a car show, and so much more!  This festival happens every year and thousands of people attend - it is open to all ages. 

Dressed up and ready for the Great Gatsby party

We also have many mini-activities happening on campus almost every day!  We have a flag football game every other day and even though I can't play sports, they are so much fun to watch!  Sometimes we have bingo nights, which is a lot of fun and we also win prizes.  Most Thursday evenings, we have themed dances in the Panther's Den, which are so much fun and I always have a blast!  This past Saturday, we had a Great Gatsby-themed party at our local Ferrum Bar and Grill, which was fantastic because my friends and I all dressed up and danced the night away!  A lot of people are curious as to what there is to do at Ferrum, but there is always something to do.  You just have to get involved!

Hello from New Panther Blogger Dannica!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger
 
Hello, everyone!

My name is Dannica, and I am currently a freshman here at Ferrum.  I was born in Huddersfield, England.  I have lived in Greensboro, North Carolina for almost ten years now, but I still have a strong British accent!  I have a small family of three and we call ourselves the three musketeers. I love them dearly and I love my family here at Ferrum too!

Huddersfield, England

Three Musketeers!

I chose Ferrum because the second I stepped foot on campus, I felt at home. I knew Ferrum College was the perfect place for me to attend right away. Ferrum sent me an information package through the mail, and after reading it, I instantly fell in love!  I came here with the intention of majoring in business, but I changed my mind only a few weeks before college started.  I'm now majoring in art and possibly minoring in psychology.  I plan on participating in the art club and possibly joining the dance team later on.  I may also join a sorority. I have many goals in life and one specific short-term goal is to graduate from Ferrum and to have an amazing time throughout my four years here. When I graduate, I plan on being an art therapist for children with disabilities.

One of my paintings

Ferrum has such a beautiful campus, and I've met some extremely friendly people who have made me feel so comfortable.  I've been here for a week now, and I have already met some lifelong friends.  I've already made so many unforgettable and amazing memories that I can't choose a favorite!  I've had so many great laughs with some of the most amazing people ever. I really do love it here and I am so happy I chose Ferrum!  I hope you guys have fun too!