One more to go! I had Genetics today, Microbiology yesterday and a paper for English this past Monday. This coming Monday however, I have the big one… oh yes, you guessed it… Orgo! This has been quite a semester and I can’t believe my Junior year is “finally” coming to a close. With MCATs still to go, it hardly feels finished but after I move out of Keller, the building I’ve been living in for the last year and a half I will definitely start seeing the change… I almost can’t believe that when I return for the Fall semester it will be my last Fall semester… I will be a senior… and I’ll be in WEST! My future suitemates and I were destressing about finals today by making lots of plans for how we’re going to decorate our living room next year, the mats for the bathroom, and how awesome its going to be when we cook together! … of course… we don’t necessarily know how but sharing the learning experience is going to be half the fun. Lately I have been congregating in the library with all my fellow studyers but today I think I might slip outside for “midnight scream”. In the dorms, you can hear it loud and clear: Every night during finals when the clock strikes 12 AM everyone SCREAMS. Normally we have 24 hour quiet hours b/c everyone is studying but for those few minutes everyone screams their hearts out about how much they hate “insert subject here” and of course telling each other to shut up and proclaiming their love for some random person… my personal favorite: MILK WAS A BAD CHOICE. But I just happen to love Will Ferrell.

Monday night as I was walking toward the library and in the midst of the academic mall at 12, I could hear the screams all the way from the dorms and I thought to myself, I love this school. It reminded me that no matter how hard finals are… we are all in this together. Everyone has to do it, its part of college, and in the end it will be so rewarding. I can’t wait for the summer but at the same time, I don’t want this year to end. I don’t want my Senior friends to graduate!!! I keep telling them to stay, not to leave me… before I know it, I’ll have underclassmen saying the same to me. I hate that we have to grow up and leave Stony Brook… but its a part of life… we can’t all be Van Wilder and stay on for seven years. I just try to remind myself of my sisters’ friends who graduated from here so many years ago and all still keep in touch. The friends you make at Stony Brook are friends for life.

I am currently sitting in the library–in my favorite room: Central Reading Room.

Normally Central is open until 2 AM but during Finals it is open until 4. The Commuter lounge however is always open 24 hours and there is the lobby of the library filled with tables and benches that is always available 24 hours throughout the semester. Some people really get their studying done in here, like me for example but others… well… apparently its the best place to sleep.

If I don’t see at least two people napping in here a day I just have to turn around and I’ll find one.

Of course… while taking those pictures I decided to have a little fun with my Macbook:

Here follows Central in Comic Book Form:

On a side note: I was recently elected Executive Vice President of the Undergraduate Student Government. I’m excited for next year. There is so much I want to accomplish on this campus and I really look forward to working with the new Senators and Executive Council… but most importantly… I CAN’T WAIT TO USE THE GAVEL!

Our last Senate meeting was a little sad… I briefly stole the gavel at the end and held it with Gollum like fervor, (”Myy preeciousss”)… but really… it has been a great semester and with each passing day I realize more and more how little time I have left here. I wish I could stay in college forever… but we all have to grow up sometime. I envy each and every one of you… senioritis, hanging out with your friends, just getting your licenses (if you haven’t already), all pumped and ready to—> be freshman… all over again ::points and laughs:: But honestly–what I would give to be a Freshman again. You are going to have the time of your life. Apparently Senior year is just as great, maybe even better, but I’ll have to let you know after I find out first hand.

I hope you all have an amazing summer!!!!!!!!

Adieu!

Signing Off With a Mac-Made Warhol:

A few weeks ago I visited Stony Brook Southampton on official USG business. I must say, ’tis very cool out there. I sat in on a Southampton Board of Finance meeting. Some members of the USG E-board have been working with them to set up their local student government. Right now they’ve got about 130 students, a few clubs, events; They’re growing. On a side note–USG Elections for next year are currently on the ballot–I am running for Executive Vice President =) and have joined a party/coalition, named SUCESS… YaY! Vote for us! Of course you guys can’t vote yet but perhaps in the fall elections if we have people running… the guy in my party who’s running for president, Leonard Wright–is the current USG Treasurer. He worked with Southampton to set up their Online Budget Process… some crazy stuff that I won’t get in to–but its cool! Anyway–my friend Jon, the current Executive VP of USG snapped some pictures for me since my camera is non existent as of late. Enjoy!

You may recognize this from the Stony Brook Southampton brochure.

You can see the Dorms in the distance.

All in all it was a beautiful campus and it was nice to see one of the other Stony Brook’s. In addition to main campus and Southampton, we also have Stony Brook Manhattan, located on 23rd Street between Lexington and Park Avenues. I have taken many classes there over the years during the Summer and Winter sessions and every time I do, it reminds me how much I love the fact that Stony Brook has given me both types of college experiences, that of the city and main campus and as a resident and commuter. While taking class at the Manhattan campus I used to take the subway from Brooklyn/home.

Moving on–if you are a Junior or have any younger siblings or friends who will be Juniors and Seniors next year–look out for me! Last Wednesday I participated in a photo shoot for a the next set of Stony Brook “Viewbooks” or brochures that will be coming to your doors soon! In two weeks they’ll be giving me a copy of some of the pictures and I’ll be sure to share my favorites. Fellow blogger Brady was part of my session as well as some other active students on campus.

By now you should have all decided where to go and I hope you have made the decision that is best for you. If you chose Stony Brook, I look forward to seeing you here in the fall!

Later,

Geeta

Spring break was pretty good. Although it was somewhat uneventful, I used it to my advantage to study for the Organic Chemistry exam I had upon resuming the semester. I also relaxed and spent time with my family.

In a previous post I talked about the USG Constitutional amendments. Unfortunately the revision failed to win the vote of our student body.
The front-runner of the anti-constitution campaign was the Vice President of Clubs and Organizations who began the campaign incidentally after the establishment of an Investigatory Committee for the purpose of researching his actions during his post this past 07-08 year. The USG Executive Board receives hourly pay furnished by the Student Activity Fee, part of every students tuition. As a Senator, it is my personal responsibility to act as a liaison and ensure that the students money is being put to good use. The VP, unfortunately, has not been acting in the favor of the students; having failed to comply with stipulations of USG law in accordance with his position. I am proud to be part of a governing body where even student politicians cannot be allowed to corrupt the student government; not as long as its senators are willing to take action.

Having previously opposed the amendments, I personally saw my opinions and concerns taken into account and incorporated into the new document when I was just another student and not involved in USG. The constitutional amendments contained a lot of important legislation for the future of the Commuter students in regard to equal representation in addition to setting up the student government of Stony Brook Southampton. Simply put, its much bigger than you can imagine and as future students of Stony Brook, I hope that when the revision goes up on the ballot in the fall—you will all vote yes in order to start off your four years with the best your Student Government can offer.

Finally—taking a note from fellow blogger Tony, I will be doing a podcast! If any of you have specific questions you would like answered, please send them to me and I will do my best to answer them in the podcast.

Till then!
Geeta

WATCH OUT FOR: Tuesday, April 8th Chat 7-10pm

Many of the students on campus heard about a little controversy that started last fall. The Undergraduate Student Government proposed some constitutional amendments that were worded in a seemingly ambiguous way. These statements would directly affect how the clubs on campus would be established, run and receive funding. As a concerned club member, more importantly, an executive member and a student of Stony Brook who pays the activity fee that is used to fund the clubs on campus, I saw a need to act out. I started a facebook group and began campaigning against the new constitution. The group grew to nearly 500 students and the constitution was historically voted down at 800 to 300 votes. Never before has an election been given so much attention nor have that many students taken part. It really goes to show that one person can make a difference.

Protesting the constitution gave me the opportunity to get in touch with executive members including the President and Vice Presidents of USG. I was given the opportunity to help revise the constitution that will be on the ballot again this coming week. As a direct result of my involvement in the process, I was offered the position of Senator in the event that some members had resigned. To be quite frank… Senate is really cool. After my first meeting I was blown away. Everything was so professional–we were discussing some of the amendments made to the constitution and were debating the use of language… we were talking about words! The English major in me was in heaven. I have to say, the Pre-Law people at Stony Brook should get involved in USG if they aren’t already, there is such great exposure that it even made me consider the switch!

Since becoming a Senator I have joined the Budget Committee. I will be conducting hearings along with other senators to go over different clubs applications for money for next year. Its a rigorous and demanding process since everyone wants so much money but we need to fairly allocate based on a club to club basis. Getting involved with the student government at Stony Brook has shown me that Democracy does exist as long as you continue to fight for it.

This week the new Constitutional proposal will be on the ballot and after personally seeing how one person can make a difference and all the benefits for clubs and organizations, I am voting Yes!

Later!
Geeta

Midterms at Stony Brook vary from class to class. Some people have then all in the same week–but I have one per week and finally after this Thursday, the first round is over. In addition to the usual midterms and MCATs, this week I was concerned with the ever important process of Room Selection!

Next year I am going to be a Senior. I have lived in a single for the last three semesters and while I love having my own room, I do miss having other people around. Juniors and Seniors with at least a 2.5 GPA are eligible to move to the West Apartments. Otherwise known as “West”. There are two phases of the West Apartments. West I consists of two double rooms, two single rooms, a living room, kitchen and two tub-style showers. West II consists of six single rooms, a living room, kitchen, an two shower style bathrooms. I have moved around a bit while at Stony Brook so I was not sure where I would go for my Senior year but I knew I wanted to move to West! I can’t wait to have a kitchen and to have suite mates again. I won’t be living with the same group from before, but one awesome thing about being a WISE girl is the opportunity to make some great and trustworthy friends. In the fall I’ll be moving in with some fellow WISE girls in West II where we’ll each have a single.

I’m really excited and I can’t wait to move in!

Well until then,

Geeta

Thanks to global warming, its not often that we get enough snow for a day off–but last Thursday night saw a whole different side of the sky and Stony Brook. As I sat with some friends in the West Apartments I watched as the flurries began to trickle down from the sky and before I knew it, the ground was covered in snow and the wind seemed to be filled with white. I was sure it would all be cleared by morning but to my surprise the snow had not stopped and when I woke up for class I learned that everything was canceled! The campus looked beautiful blanketed by inches of snow, I was only sorry that it was too cold for a snow fight.

The view of building A in West I covered in snow.

The future location of two new towers in Roosevelt Quad, Stimson is on the right.

Cardozo in Roth Quad.

Entering the rotary in between the South entrance to West Campus. In the distance you can see Stony Brook University Hospital.

This week however, it began to warm up, so naturally the rain has come to wash all the snow away. I’ll be sad to see it go but March quickly approaching, the weather in Stony Brook will be forced to respond to seasonal change.

On Monday I had an exam in BIO 315: Microbiology. While it is a large course, I find it interesting and the test was extremely fair. Professor Schmidt is so enthusiastic that the lectures are great in person and online. Instead of a textbook, each student purchases an online subscription to lecture videos identical to those we have in class, notes, interactive questions, animations, pictures/diagrams, and old exams. I find the format extremely successful. The company that compiles this “Edu-pack” is Rothman Media, of the same Todd Rothman whose Organic Chemistry reviews I attended during Finals and who I have a picture of a few entries ago. Todd, originally from Canarsie, Brooklyn, was a student at Stony Brook in 1994 and tutors us in material he learned from the very same professors. Last Spring I took BIO 358: The Biology of Being Human, a course which followed the same format and not only was it a fun and interesting class, the format was great at helping me do well in the course.

My next exam is Genetics on Thursday and I have spent most of this week studying for that as well as catching up with MCAT class. I am glad to say that while my Junior year has proved to be a lot of work, I still manage to make time for friends and relax at least once a week. In Stony Brook that day is typically Thursday nights, as many people go home on Fridays. Whether you like to go out or stay in, there is a lot to do on a Thursday night, even in the snow, since most students are tired from the week and in the mood to chill or horse around. I have spent my last few Thursdays hanging out with different groups of friends that I don’t often see since our majors have diverged. One of the best things about Stony Brook is that you can be a part of many different groups and have a mosaic of friends as opposed to smaller schools with a student body that lacks diversity.

The diversity in Stony Brook is versatile; It is amongst geography, economy, educational interest, and race. Many people see college as the place to broaden your horizons and Stony Brook is certainly a vehicle to do so.

I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend the chat this past Wednesday. I have MCAT class from 7-10 pm on Wednesday nights but I heard it was a great success! I still keep regular AIM sessions so don’t hesitate to IM me whenever I’m on.

Be in touch soon!

Geeta

Last Wednesday was my 21st birthday! Yay! However, last night, the 18th, I had an Organic Chemistry exam so that meant I wouldn’t be going home and that I needed to celebrate my birthday with the fam beforehand. We went to a restaurant in the city to celebrate and I got all my gifts. Everyone wanted to do something big since I have reached one of those milestones but I like things small when I have a lot going on i.e. school. Dinner was great but dessert was even better.

I also got birthday cake annnnd flowers.

As much as I would love to be home for my birthday–being on campus allows you to learn about real friendship. At midnight, on the eve of my birthday, I was being flooded with phone calls when I heard a knock on my room door. When I opened it up, six of my closest friends were standing in the hallway holding cakes with the number 21 candles lit, singing “Happy Birthday”. Only living on campus can allow you to have such a great experience. The next day my neighbor wished me Happy Birthday as she had heard the song while watching tv in her room. That night we had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory over by the mall. The food was so good and sooo wasss the cheeeeseeecaaakkeee!

After my birthday and Valentines day, which I spent with the same friends–I spent the whole weekend studying Orgo. The test was hard, but what test isn’t and it will only be the first of many this semester. I also have Kaplan for the MCATS on Wednesdays and Saturdays and I need to get working on that. Tonight I will be resigning from my position as Hall Council President as I am now a senator in the Undergraduate Student Government. With Senate meetings, office hours and other commitments, I won’t have enough time to devote to my school work and so its time for my other Executive Board members to ascend to their duty and take over Hall Council.

I’ll still be taking part in events within my building but in addition to all the other things I have to do, I also started volunteering in Stony Brook University Hospital and so my schedule has begun to shift. Stony Brook or not–being a pre-med requires a lot of commitments but it will all be worth it in the end.

I have begun keeping daily IM sessions. The official schedule should be posted but generally I sign on every night so put me on your buddylists and IM me whenever you want!

Later,

Geeta

Well, it hasn’t been long since the semester started but already midterms are on my mind. My first exam is Orgo on the 18th. Unfortunately my birthday is the 13th so I came home this weekend and celebrated with my family. I intend on studying vigorously the next couple of days in order to allow my self a few hours of celebration on Wednesday. Afterward it’ll be time to hit the books again. Organic chemistry is a challenging subject but the professors are excellent and certainly approachable. Tomorrow I plan on going to my professor’s office hours to ask him some questions about the exam. At Stony Brook professors want to see the students involved and office hours is the best time to show that you care.

As usual, my classes this semester are challenging with Orgo and Genetics being the most difficult, then Microbiology and English. The trend I’ve noticed in these classes is the enthusiasm of the professors. The more advanced the course the better the professors and with all 300-level classes, I have the pleasure of learning from some great people over the next few months. Well I’ll let you know how my birthday and exam goes!

Till then,

Geeta

Annnnnd we’re back! Spring 2008 is in full swing. I began the week with buying books, being intimidated but excited about classes, seeing my friends–checking out the mall ( I love the local mall!) and most importantly, Kaplan for the MCATs. I will be taking them this June. Review courses are expensive but thanks to WISE, I was eligible for a 20% discount (nearly $400!) which made the course well worth the money.

I’m psyched about being back. Break was awesome. Stony Brook is one of the few schools that has a full five week vacation. Many of my friends had between 2-4 weeks, but thanks to SB I was able to have a nice long break. The fam and I went to India for the first time in six and a half years. In addition to visiting family and friends, we got to see a lot of cool places, eat the best tasting food ever, shop until we collapsed and had an overall fantastic time.

A snapshot of a tea plantation in Munnar, Kerala.

Me eating coconut jelly on the side of the road! Yum!

Hangin’ out with Sankarankutty in Thekkady, Kerala.

One of the resorts we stayed in called Cherai Beach in Vypin, Kerala.

On the way back to New York, after leaving India, we stopped in Dubai–one of the United Arab Emirates. There I continued my pursuit of wild animals.

Camel in the desert. I was sad that he was all saddled up.

Part of the desert safari. Driving on the sand dunes is like the roller coasters at Great Adventure!

Part of the Dubai skyline.

Now that I’m back, readjusting to this time zone has been difficult but with campus alive and kicking it’ll be impossible to let the jetlag bring me down. This semester will be a busy time for all of the bloggers. There will be a multitude of chats and now that I have a new computer, I’ll be available for instant messaging much more. Gotta love iChat. Feel free to put my screen name on your buddy list and IM me whenever I sign on. I hope the application process went well! Good luck with your interviews! I’ll try to keep you all updated as the semester progresses.

Till then…

Geeta

Finally… its over. It has been a tough week–attending Orgo review five hours a day and studying all night for my other classes…but finals have finally ended. I’ve gotten through 6 finals and a paper and I’m all done. This Tuesday I had Animal Development and English and Wednesday I had Organic Chem. Tomorrow I have to hand in my internship log.

Sana and I at Orgo Review:

and Todd… the Orgo Review MASTER!

All photos courtesy of my NEW MACBOOK! yay! At $100 cheaper thanks to my Stony Brook Apple Education discount! wooohooo

I’m psyched for break! I can’t wait to see all my friends that are coming home from college and spend time with my family. Five whole weeks–gotta love it! I wish you all lots of luck finishing your applications!!! Don’t procrastinate!!! January 1st is sooner than you think!!

Then on to your senioritis!

Adieu for now =)

PS. A little something for you Pre-meds to practice…