Ambassador in the Spotlight: Amanda

Finals Week; the words alone make some Adelphi students shutter.  A week full of exams, papers, late nights, tons of coffee (if you are like me) that closes out the end of every semester.  It is the final show, the last hurdle before freedom and while some cannot wait for it to be over, as I approach my final days before graduation I cannot help, but see finals week a little differently.  From the late night c-stores trips to the numerous pep talks I bestowed onto my friends to the necessary daily trips to Dunkin Donuts, finals week will always be some of my favorite memories.  

The key to finals week is to embrace it.  Finals stress is much easier to deal with, if you just accept it and then focus on working hard to doing your best.  At the end of the day, finals week is just one week of the semester and with the right tricks it goes by like a blink of an eye.

1. Ask For Help
• If you need help, get it.  The professors at Adelphi are one-of-a-kind.  Even if you have never visited their office hours before, do not be afraid to go to them and ask questions that will help you ace your exams!
2. Take Breaks
• Studying does not have to be a 24/7 job, even during finals week.  Too much of anything is never a good thing.  Make sure you find time each day to take a break and step away from the books.  It is important to recharge your brain, especially before a test, for maximum success.  A great way to do this is hanging out with friends, taking a nap or going to the Center for Recreation and Sports for a quick workout.

3. Find Support From Within Your Friends
• You know the saying “we are all in this together”, well it never rings more truth than it does during finals week.  Everyone has exams to study for and papers to write.  The best part about Adelphi is we care about one another and we are there to support one another.  In fact, some of my closest friendships at Adelphi were formed during finals week.
4. Find Your Study Spot
• Adelphi offers so many different places to study that you are bound to find your perfect location.  There is the Nexus Building, the Underground Cafe, the cliche Swirbul Library (shout out to Club Swirbz) and my favorite spot, the Waldo Quad.  Nothing beats studying outside in the fresh air and playing music while studying with friends!

5. Eat Well and Sleep Well
• Self care, even during finals week is so important!  Make sure you are getting a full night of sleep, especially before exams. Be sure to eat healthy as your brain is powered by the food you eat and it ensures that you use all your extra meals for the semester!
6. Switch Subjects
• If you take anything away from these tips, let it be this one.  The trick to surviving finals week is to put time into all of your classes.  Odds are you will have a day or two with two finals and you will need to figure out how to balance having different subjects.  The key to is to switch around.  It allows your brain to refresh and it allows you to stay ahead on your tests that are later in the week.
7. See You Laters: Are The Worst Part
• The one thing everyone fails to mention, is once finals are over, friends head back home and seniors graduate.  The end of the week is full of “see you laters” and because the friendships you make at Adelphi mean the world, they are without a doubt the worst part, until you make awesome summer meet up plans.

From laughing fits with new found friends to tearful goodbyes, finals week is more than just a week of exams and papers.  Before you know it, it will be your turn to graduate and I can guarantee you will not remember the stress from your tests, but the memories you have made at Adelphi that will last you a lifetime.

Ambassador in the Spotlight: Bridget

As I prepare to graduate in 8 days, I feel incredibly blessed to have spent the past four years at Adelphi. Through a combination of small, fascinating classes, caring professors, and amazing opportunities for personal and professional development, my growth as an individual astounds me. Before coming to Adelphi, I was a perfectionistic, shy student with a passion for science and teaching.  As a graduating senior, I can say that I have truly learned the importance of balance in order to lead a healthy, happy life.  At Adelphi, my love for science and education has grown, as have my abilities to help others and myself.

In my time at Adelphi, I have had the opportunity to participate in many activities that have contributed to my growth. I am graduating with a degree in physics with minors in adolescent education and math, but these programs do not begin to describe my involvement on campus.  During the first week of my freshman year, I joined the Newman Club, a Catholic club that became one of many sources of friendship and support. I was able to be myself and meet amazing people, participate in events both on and off campus, and develop leadership skills that led to my place on the executive board during my junior year.

I have also had the opportunity to work for two departments at Adelphi, the Admissions Office and the Learning and Writing Center.  In Admissions, I was able to help prospective students find a home at Adelphi by describing my experiences and love for the school.  I have answered phone calls, given tours, and worked with Admissions Counselors to complete office projects.  This involvement led to a position as a Senior Ambassador as well as a graduate assistantship for next year as I pursue my Master's in Adolescent Education.  At the Learning and Writing Center, I have acted as a peer tutor for physics and math courses and have taught recitations (essentially extra help problem-solving sessions) for introductory physics, through which I have developed skills to be used in my career as a teacher.

I have participated in classroom observations at a variety of local high schools which have allowed me to learn from excellent teachers and practice my own teaching techniques.  I am very excited to begin my student teaching next year!

Participating in these activities and jobs while pursuing my degree has been a challenge as well as a major learning experience for me.  There were many days that were difficult and I stumbled on a variety of occasions, but I never felt alone in my struggles. My friends and family have been a major source of support, as have my professors. Before beginning college, I was sad to leave the encouraging and caring teachers at my high school, as I believed that I would not find this in college.  This misconception was addressed right from my start at Adelphi, on my college tour, when I learned about the small classes that allowed professors to get to know their students.  The professors at Adelphi care about your growth and progress in addition to your success within the classroom and into the future, which has helped me to grow significantly.

Today marks the first day of my last finals week as an undergraduate student at Adelphi, a fact that I am not quite ready to accept, however, I feel prepared and ready to begin the next step in my life!

Ambassador in the Spotlight: Adam

What most first year students experience when choosing Adelphi, is the amazing Adelphi tour guide program. On the tour ,perspective students learn about campus life and what Adelphi means to the Ambassadors. On this tour, I first learned of an amazing event that the entire Adelphi Community Participates in; called Spring Concert. My tour guide, gave an excellent explanation of what Spring Concert means to its students. Since that day I knew about Spring Concert and that I wanted to attend Spring Concert. Through my involvement with the Students Activities Board (SAB), I was not only able to attend spring concert but I was able to work behind the scenes. 

With my involvement in SAB I have had the opportunity to attend more than half the events we bring on campus and to work with my fellow members, the chairs, and the e-board on our cotton candy and popcorn machines. I had the opportunity to work closely at one of our game nights and help run the event with our current Vice President of Programming and our Game Night Chair. I also had the privilege to attend this year’s National Association for Campus Activities Convention with SAB. As well as becoming the Student Government Association representative. These experiences has helped me to develop into a stronger leader. Through Spring Concert  I was able to coordinate certain processes that happen throughout the night of the concert. I have developed my leadership skills in being a member the year and a future member of the E-Board, which plans and books the artists during the year. I have grown in my ability to collaborate with others and bring people together as a community regardless of their differences. I have found comfort in coming together with my Adelphi family to work together and to build peer skills.

Those experiences has helped me to get a better experience at Adelphi. Through Spring Concert, I was able to understand where the motivation, dedication, and excitement the community has. Spring Concert enhanced my Adelphi Experience to the extent of which I was able to coordinate with SAB's chairs, Members and the E-board to bring a huge event and made everything work out perfectly. The organizations efforts put on an amazing concert. Through my dedication and commitment I was fortunate enough to meet our opening act of Tinashe and main artist DNCE. Communication, organization, leadership, and representation are the key components of what any e-board member should exemplify. All of which I have gain and enhanced in my experience  For the next academic year I will proudly be serving as the Vice President of Correspondence (or Secretary) for SAB.