Ashley Robin's blog

Pumpkins. Hay bails. Ghosts. Candy. Costumes. These words describe everything about campus this past week. There was a noticeable air of excitement throughout the student body as everybody worked busily through classes in the anticipation of Halloween weekend! The week started on Monday, when I went to go see the film contest show in the Student Center. Students were given 24 hours to create a film, edit it, and submit it. The next day, the six groups that made films were able to present them to the student body. They were amazing!

Everybody thinks something different when it comes to fall- changing leaves, crisp weather, wool sweaters, or a hot cup of cider. Here at SLU, all of those things are FALL. But it's certainly not limited to just that. Mid- semester break falls right at the most wonderful time in fall- right before if gets really cold but late enough that every color leaf is still perched on their limbs, waiting for the perfect moment to fall. Students get four glorious days to go and do whatever they choose- head back home, stay on campus, or- if you choose- go on an adventure!

The past two weeks have been amazing!! It's truly become evident that school is definitely IN SESSION. Everywhere I look, I see people encapsulated in their everyday routine. Mondays, I know that I'll be putting in my lunch order with the same two lacrosse players that I pass every week in the Pub. Tuesdays and Thursdays, I work out with the same handful of athletes in the gym and see the same crew of climbers working on problems at the climbing wall. There's always a silent- yet noticeable- acknowledgement between two parties that see each other on a regular basis.

What a great two weeks that have just flown by! I have now been at school for a month and it continues to amaze me how seamlessly the transition from summer to school is. And what's not to be excited about? I live in a wonderful house- the Outing Club- filled with individuals who are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Luckily, the fall weather provides the perfect playground for us Outing Clubbers to get outside and lead trips.

Ahh, a new year has begun and with it comes the slight sensation of foreboding. With the last year of college comes an odd mix of emotions- fear, excitement, confusion. What will I be doing after graduation? Grad school? Exploration? Senior year is, in essence, the last opportunity to configure a plan for the rest of your life while still being comfortably protected by both school and family. So, I have taken it upon myself to live this year to the fullest. Adventuring to places and experiencing things that I would never have considered in the past.

Last weekend, everyone on campus had four days to leave campus and do whatever they wanted. Every fall, we have a Mid-Semester Break that lasts from Thursday to Sunday. Some people choose to go home or to stay on campus but I would like to talk about some of the other possibilities that any student here can, and should, take advantage of. As you might know, St. Lawrence lies just on the fringe of the Adirondack state park and just a short 1.5-2 hour drive away lies the Adirondack Mountains.

This past week absolutely flew by and somehow it is already October 3rd!! Campus was filled with parents this weekend as students talked with their moms and dads during parent's weekend. My parents were awesome enough to make the 7.5 hour trek up to the North Country to visit. We walked around campus, went out to eat in Potsdam, and spent Saturday exploring Lake Placid. It was a great opportunity to show my parents just exactly what I do on campus and where I live.

It's crazy to believe that two weeks have gone by since I left for my geology trip to Cincinatti but I suppose it is just another reflection of the speed at which this school year is going. Campus has been bustling with activity and this past week almost everyone had their first exam of the fall semester. Campus, too, is a depiction of time passing quickly. The leaves on the trees are changing to gorgeous colors of reds, oranges, and yellows and the crisp fall weather is starting to make its way to the North Country.

For a second, sit back and imagine four days of nothing but staring at rocks...sound fun? Maybe not for you, but that is exactly what I did this past week. And it was awesome! Monday through Wednesday was the same old same old here on campus. The work load has begun to increase and everyone is scrambling around to classes and attending club meetings and running to practices. On Thursday morning, I left with the rest of my Sedimentology class, for Cincinnati, Ohio- home of sedimentary rocks and fossils! It took us about 13 hours to finally get down there but we made it.

Hey Everybody! The school year has started up again and what an awesome start it has been to what I hope will be another great year. I began my junior year by guiding a pre-trip for the freshman doing intermediate canoeing on Lowes Lake. We saw beavers, egrets, and bald eagles and had sunny days everyday. Upon our return to campus, the new freshman took their first steps towards the beginning of their St. Lawrence adventure and I recalled being in their shoes just two years ago. Two years down and two years to go and I still love being at this school more than ever.