<p>Also, we don't require attendance at any CCS meetings either, but when we do meet, we usually have food, so... :)</p>
<p>haha, I'm sold! I'll definitely be joining your club! Thanks so much for your advice shellzie2006 and kevdude. Okay, so I have yet another question: I've heard about some dorms having "room picks"...could you please elaborate? I thought roomates were chosen randomly. I'm not that concerned with who I'm assigned to, I'm just curious. Also, how do people create lofts for their bed? If I'm lucky enough to get into a dorm that allows lofts, I personally would love to have one of these. </p>
<p>Question about classes: In which classes, if there are any, do the professors usually grade on a bell curve? Do you know if the professors themselves grade papers, tests, ect. or if TAs do?</p>
<p>Room picks are for sophomore year. Freshman year is random. </p>
<p>Unless you live in St. Ed's, Morrissey, or Sorin, you won't be building a loft until at least sophomore year.</p>
<p>If you are a girl, you will be allowed to loft freshman year if you live in Walsh or Breen-Phillips, and possibly a few of the other dorms (don't know which, you can always check their websites). Also, some dorms have modular furniture which allows you to stack your bed on top of your wardrobe and desk. People sell loft kits on campus during the first week or so which are easy to assemble. If you're feeling a bit more ambitious and you (or your mom/dad) are fairly handy, you can always go buy lumber for yourself and build a loft specifically for your room, but the loft kits should work for pretty much any room. </p>
<p>Grading really depends on the professor. Some will curve, some won't. Also, some profs will grade everything themselves and some will have their TAs do all the grading. Some will split it up. Your professors will tell you what to expect at the beginning of the semester.</p>
<p>okay, thanks! Quick question: My dad, mom, and I are all flying up, each of us bringing 2 suitcases. Now, my question is, is there a place I can store all of my suitcases? I know 6 suitcases will take up way too much room so I was wondering if there was a place I can just store them.</p>
<p>All the dorms have storage space, although... 6 suitcases? Really? You'll be able to store the suitcases, but I doubt you'll have enough room for 6 suitcases of clothes.</p>
<p>LOL. They're not all clothes, I can assure you. ^_^ Basically, I need to bring all of my school supplies, shoes (which takes a whole suitcase of its own), basic toiletries (which really doesn't take up any room at all), and linens and laundry baskets. I'm pretty sure though, that 4 suitcases will be enough. But just in case...Anyways, thanks for the reply!</p>
<p>Just to let you know, you're much better off buying that stuff in the area, especially the linens. Rental cars are relatively inexpensive, and you would really only need one for a couple of days.</p>
<p>Yeah, we thought about that, but ended up finding some really great deals on linens here (I think $7-$10?) and I don't think I'm going to need multiple pairs of linens. I believe we're flying into Chicago and then renting a car for driving to South Bend. I have one laundry basket that I recieved as a graduation gift and the second one I will be buying when I get up there (Mom's advice is to have two).</p>
<p>Another question: I've been getting some info on the Freshman Retreat and was wondering about it. Has anyone gone to this and if so, where do they take you and what did you think of it? I'm thinking about going to at least one but am a bit unsure of what exactly it is.</p>
<p>I'm actually impressed by your ability to fit everything into 4-6 suitcases. My freshman year, our SUV was PACKED with my stuff... Granted a lot of that space was taken up by a futon/TV/TV stand, but still. I have a friend who flies home every year and she has to store a ton of stuff in South Bend. You could always have your parents take home your extra suitcases. Some dorms do allow storage of suitcases, check with your rector when you find out your dorm info.</p>
<p>I went on the freshman retreat and I wouldn't say it was a life changing experience, but it was fun. I'd recommend going early in the year, since its a good way to make friends. They don't take you far, you walk around the lake to the retreat center. Its more social and less faith-based than some of the other retreats ND offers. I'd recommend it.</p>
<p>I actually have very good knowledge of the Freshman Retreat, having attended it Freshman year, led it sophomore year, and I currently am in the process of applying to be Junior Coordinator next year.</p>
<p>Freshman retreat is a LOT of fun. It gives you the opportunity to be goofy, meet new people, and basically get away from campus for the night (it's Friday afternoon, around three, until about 5 on Saturday. So you'll be back in your dorm for Saturday night festivities. They are never scheduled on home game weekends, and if the game is away, in the past, we've set up a game-watch during the retreat). The atmosphere is slightly different each time it's held - the first is very much a "let's meet people and be friends" (I actually had two people from my small group start dating afterwards. Go me), along with "Hey freshman retreat leaders how does X work because I'm an inexperienced freshman help me!" I've heard very positive reviews of that slot from people who are having a bit of trouble adjusting. The last retreat is usually made up of groups of 2 or 3 friends who were sitting around near the end of the semester and were like "oh crap we never did Freshman Retreat maybe we should." The nervousness is not as prevalent, as people are more confident being a Domer at that point, so it's definitely more of the "I'm overwhelmed and kind of want to get away" feeling. You still meet people, but the friendships you make will likely not be as lasting as (maybe) the people you would meet if you were to go the first session. However, I went on the last retreat of my freshman year, and I still love seeing people from it and saying hi, even if we aren't best friends. The two sessions in the middle tend to be a middle ground between the two.</p>
<p>Ok, I'm done with the really long, complicated explanation. In short - Freshman Retreat is a lot of fun, the people who lead it are very dedicated. You will have a good time, and it's an excellent opportunity to sort of get away and refocus, or do wacky stuff you wouldn't do otherwise, or both. Plus, it's only like 10 bucks, and it's only one night. And you can only do it when you're a freshman, so take advantage!</p>
<p>Thank You Shellzie2006!!! You know what it's like being a girl who needs absolutely everything! Okay, about the Freshman Retreat, it sounds like a great event so I will probably end up going. I was just a little concerned because I'm not Catholic, I'm Baptist, but it doesn't seem to matter so I will meet you there kevdude!</p>
<p>Well, I just recieved an email from FYS saying that some new seminars are available. I went to ndtoday.com to look at the teacher evaluations for these professors but there weren't many reviews at all. The new seminars they have available are:<br>
1) ENGL 13186 04<br>
What's "New" about the New Black Poetry? From The Black Arts Movement to
Cave Canem Taught by: Cornelius Eady
2) CLAS 13181 01
TEXTS AND TRANSFORMATIONS: THE TRADITIONS OF LITERARY
METAMORPHOSIS Taught by: W. Martin Bloomer
3) PLS 13186 01
Love and Friendship Taught by: Gretchen Reydams-Schils
What are your thoughts about these new seminars? Should I sign up for one or just stick with what I already sent in?
The Love and Friendship course seems like it could be an intense class. At first I was interested but there seems to be a lot required...</p>
<p>I was reading on PrincessND's thread about attending a time management seminar or class...do you know where I could find that? Is it just a one day sort of class or what? </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>I haven't heard of any of the professors so it really depends on what topics most interest you. None of them would interest me, but that's something you need to decide for yourself. </p>
<p>Also, I'm not sure about the time management class. I do know some lady came in to talk to us during contemporary topics about time management. I thought it was kind of pointless though. I'm pretty sure I had my laptop with me and was writing a paper... Of course, I had a similar workload at my high school, so that prepared me pretty well for college. You could check with FYS and see if the class is offered through them.</p>