As a working woman and December-grad about to don my cap and gown from Hope on May 5th, it's time to move on and leave the blogging to the current students.

Over the last three years I've talked to hundreds, maybe thousands, of you over the phone (through my other admissions job - calling!), emailed dozens of you, met you at visit days, met you over coffee, met you on Twitter. A few of you slept on the futon in my dorm room when you visited Hope! You've commented on blogs and retweeted Tweets. Thank you for all your interaction - it's been so much fun!

I think this is the picture I submitted with my first sample blog post to get this job (all decked out in orange, of course!). It's fitting to include it in my last post!

I took this job because Hope is special to me, but the decision to attend Hope was ridden with questions and doubts. Like you, I waffled. Like you, I laid awake at night envisioning myself at three different schools - which one was it to be? 

When I finally called Hope my home, I sensed a calling to journey alongside others who were battling the same kinds of questions and doubts. The decision to attend a college is no light decision, my dears. Like you, I felt pressure, and like you, I wanted to make the right choice. I understood the weightiness, the difficulty, of this choice. 

After I came to Hope, I saw that Hope wasn't perfect. No college is perfect. At the same time, I wholeheartedly believed it was worth my investment. I came to see Hope's uniqueness among college institutions. I increasingly understood the benefits of a Hope education - immersion in a passionate, intimate community, quality academics, spiritual searching and growing, dedicated professors and mentors, career shaping through incredible resources on and off-campus, caring friendships, and inspiring classmates. 

Attending Hope proved to be one of the greatest blessings of my life.

I believe God guides our every step, and I know He guided me to Hope. Over and over again, He affirmed my decision to attend Hope - through my friendships, classes, mentors, experiences that shaped my career direction, off-campus travel to Philly for a semester, spiritual awakening, and incredible opportunities both academic and extracurricular that made college a rich experience.

I believe if I had gone somewhere else, God (being God) would have blessed me just the same, but I know that He works all things together for good, and my years at Hope were filled with His goodness, His grace, and His constant working. 

If I were to list an exhaustive compilation of the ways Hope changed my life, I'd be writing a book (maybe I'll do that someday :-)) Let me share a couple:

Attending Hope taught me that the world is the Lord's, and he is actively redeeming it - we can enter into the resurrection life he makes possible with joy (the "wide open country of salvation" - oh, Trygve!).

Attending Hope opened my eyes to the need for true, honest community, that life cannot be lived alone, that life alone is miserable, and that a life lived alongside and for others is the only way to truly live.

Attending Hope, I discovered how to seek truth in academics, to give my best, to think critically and attempt answers and when in doubt, to always keep learning. I learned how to learn well.

Attending Hope gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of writing, the tools and practice to improve, and the mentors to encourage my forward motion. 

Attending Hope exposed me to over three thousand incredible people using their God-given talents for his glory in academics and extracurriculars; in short, it immersed me in the body of Christ, in all its imperfection and extravagance. This in itself is one of the best gifts a school could ever give.

Beautiful friends, so many of them, that I made during my Hope years. 

Thank you for reading my blog and sticking with me!

Wherever you go in life, whether life takes you (be it Hope or somewhere else), I pray that you have peace about your decisions and that you receive the kind of wise, helpful counsel I had during my high school years that propelled me towards Hope. I dearly hope you choose Hope. But ultimately, I hope you find a college where you can learn, and love, and be loved... because that's the mark of a truly great college.

*** This blog post is dedicated to Garrett Knoth, my Hope admissions counselor who helped me decide to call Hope my home. During my 2008 visit to Hope, Garrett welcomed me to campus with personal attention and authentic, sincere interest in my future. His honesty about Hope's strengths and weaknesses, and his complete willingness to delve into all of my questions, amazed my family and me. 

Even after I became a Hope student, Garrett stayed in touch. His passion for his job always inspired me. In December 2012, Garrett went to be with the Lord after battling cancer for years. I know Hope is thankful for the deep, abiding legacy he left and all the lives he touched.

Where do those precious people fall into your college search? Do your parents have the final word on where you go? Are they pressuring you to love their alma mater - or do they encourage you to blaze your own trail?  

Parents make the college search happen. Let's be honest. You're too busy as high schoolers to schedule the college visits - you've got to study for the ACT and AP exams, write lab reports, write papers, go on late-night Coldstone runs after the basketball game, sleep late on Saturdays, shop for a prom dress, hang out with your besties. 

So they chat with college counselors, stack your mail from all over the country, and talk to your friends' parents to keep tabs on where everyone's going. They form opinions and talk through your options with you. (Let's not forget that they often foot the bills, too… for college visits and the entirety of college, for many of us.)

As I look back at my Hope education from start to finish, I'm amazed at how much my parents guided me, supported me, and covered my every step of the journey with their prayers. I'm SO grateful for their influence. 

Looking back at the pre-Hope years, I'm impressed to observe the delicate, masterful balance my parents achieved between letting me take the reigns on much of my college search while lending me their wisdom (when asked for!). While I sweated and cried over the top colleges on my list as a high schooler (Wheaton, Hope, and St. Olaf), my parents ultimately left the decision up to me. But we had many discussions together, and they contributed valuable insights that were hugely helpful to me. 

My parents did more than help me choose Hope - they celebrated my entire experience at Hope! They dreamed with me about the future, affirmed my choice of a major I felt passionate about even though it didn't promise high-paying positions, supported my long-distance relationship, prayed for my daily life at Hope, and stuck with me for the whole ride. They traveled the long ten-hour care ride to Holland to visit or move me back to school several times a year. They sent cookies during stressful weeks. They called. They listened to my stories. They applauded my good grades. They advised my life decisions, my decision to spend a semester in Philly, and my decision to graduate early. 

So unselfish, so loving, and so - parental - of them.

I am so thankful for my mom and dad!

My family visited sophomore year to see me sing in Vespers, so I showed them the joy of spaghetti pie at 84 East!

This is a precious memory - my first time in Holland, and my mom came along! Instantly we both knew this was the school for me.

Mom helping me move into Gilmore

I remember this move-in day was particularly hot, but my parents were cheerful about it!

When I participated in Hope's Philadelphia Semester, my parents came for a weekend visit.

I thought it would be fun to sit down and "interview" my mom and dad (Debbie and Tracy) casually about that period of our lives four years ago, when they were helping me think through my future. My hope is that this "conversation" with my parents helps you and your parents as you go through similar experiences. 

Q: Hey Mom and Dad! Remember when we found Hope at that little college fair in Minneapolis? What were your first impressions of Hope College?

Mom: I thought, hmm, that seems like it could be a nice fit. It was outside of the box. I remember how nice Garrett Knoth (my admissions counselor) was. He made it seem like it would be so easy to visit, and that they would be so accommodating {at Hope}, and they were. I took you to Panera for lunch afterwards - and we got lost, do you remember that?! (Haha, yes, mom.) When we first visited Hope in the fall, I remember how gorgeous it was. And it fit your vision of ivy-covered walls and an academic-looking campus. 

Dad: I remember being concerned with Hope's theology... Dutch Reformed, we didn't know what that was! I wanted to go in the bookstore and see what the professors wrote. I remember looking online at the professors, trying to get some feel for that. I liked that you would be exposed to different theologies.

Mom: One of my first impressions was that Hope wouldn't shield you from the world in an unrealistic or unhealthy way. A lot of your friends were planning to attend schools that felt like Christian bubbles, with strict rules on chapel attendance and statements of faith that you had to sign. Hope claimed to be vibrantly Christian, but it didn't have the same rules as the other Christian schools. We probed everyone - what is the focus here? Is this really a Christian school? Garrett was instrumental in helping us understand Hope's uniquely Christian character, how it gave so much latitude for students to seek Christ on their own in a strong spiritual environment. 

Q: How much trust did you have in my 18-year-old ability to decide on the best institution to provide my collegiate education, and also on my judgment to find the best place for me to grow spiritually? 

Dad: We did trust your judgment, and I was relying a lot on seeing your reaction as you responded to each college. That's what I was doing: watching you react to the experience. The more we saw your reactions, the more we could tell if a school was right for you. 

Mom: We knew you could get a good college education anywhere you went, but you had to find a place that you enjoyed living...

Dad: …and that was fitting for you. I mean, just seeing the downtown and the unique nature of Hope. It was fitting for you - Holland is not a typical college town. It's got unique aspects - it's a vacation area, but it's very quaint. 

Mom: It had a personality, a sophisticated-academic personality within the setting of a welcoming, safe, and cute town. It's not like any place I've ever been.

Q: Growing up, we had a safe, supportive Christian home where you taught me a clear understanding of right and wrong. As parents, how did you feel about Hope's less conservative aspects, like its curfew and visiting hours? 

Mom: I realized that the faculty gave a lot of latitude and had a lot of trust for the students, basically, like, "This is what we expect of them, but they'll do what they're going to do..."

Dad: ...but I got the strong sense that [faculty and staff] would be a spine that would hold you together, not brainwash you.

Mom: They weren't going to control you with rules. They were going to respect your independence while letting you know what their expectations were. I remember being surprised by the 2 AM curfew, and that boys could be in girls' dorm rooms. But I had to realize, they're expecting you to be grown-up. This is college. 

Q: What was it like moving me into Hope?

Mom: The orientation staff moved you in! They just, "pshoom!" It was a cold day, too. 

Q: Now that I'm about to graduate from Hope, how do you think Hope has shaped my life in unique ways that another college couldn't?

Mom: It wasn't a bubble. You never wanted to be babied in college, and you weren't. You experienced strong Christian community, but you also got more of a representation of the real world. I think you can say you definitely experienced secularism, but you experienced the benefit of abundant Christian resources. 

Dad: And the pull was still there to ignore the Christian element if you wanted to. (I didn't want to, though!)

Mom: You also had an exquisite writing experience: professional, elite. You were exposed to professional writers and given a lot of direction and a lot of encouragement. And a New York Times-bestselling author on faculty. 

Dad: Even though you could have lived out your college story anywhere, it was the right setting for you, for your story of growth and adventure. 

Q: What advice would you give to parents of students who are college-searching with their kids and looking at Hope?

Mom: You have to go see it. You can't describe it; you just have to experience the unique setting. It's impressive how the town really embraces the college. The merchants on 8th Street really let the campus permeate downtown. 

Dad: And yet it's not just catered to college students - it still has its own ambiance.

Mom: You just have to visit! It's very Dutch - it's so cute!

Thank you Mom and Dad for reminiscing with me!  I love you guys and am grateful for your support of my decision to attend Hope.

Actually, there's just no spring, period - for anyone.

I mean, are you having spring? Have you smelled any daffodils lately? I can't remember the last time I saw a flower growing in the dirt. Man, it must have been - oh, hmm, last spring?

Yesterday was our first official day of spring in America. I'm sure it was spring somewhere - maybe Houston? Santa Fe? In Maple Grove, I scraped ice off my little Honda Civic and wore a down coat and BOOTS. Boots, people! Spring? Really?

It's Hope's spring break right now. I have friends who rented cabins in the Tennessee mountains. I have friends who went sunny places. I have friends who are working 50 hours a week at their tax internship. I have friends who are doing not much at all. 

I, as a graduate and adult, am working my usual 40 hours this week, and eating salads in mason jars for lunch (you should try it!) and drinking a lot of coffee and going to bed too late and taking walks on my ice-covered paths.

There's no spring break when you're a grown-up - and sometimes, there's just no spring. What are you going to do about it? 

One good response: count your blessings. I'm thankful...

• To be employed in a tough economy.
• To have a job I love and learn more at every single day, a job that keeps me busy and contributing in worthwhile ways.
• For my adorable fiancé (eeeek!!!!)
• For fresh coffee, and safety driving on slippery roads, and moms who make taco salad for dinner.
• I'm also thankful for thickly frosted cupcakes, like this one below that I ate at a Jewish bakery a week ago. The bakery was called Yum. I'm not kidding.

The cupcake on the left - mine. The cupcake on the right - my sister's. It had marshmallow filling. Oh, yes, it did. 

My sister posted a video of a slam poet this week on my Facebook wall. I love poetry, but I haven't heard much slam poetry. This guy's good - and his poem is all about shaking the dust. Getting out of the rut. Having hope when the hope is hard to be had.

He's kind of a little breath of spring. He even makes a reference to the winter that never seems to turn into spring - hey! Hey, that's me! Hey!

If you're having the spring break blues, no fear. Spring always comes.

Count your blessings (for real) and take a deep breath, and imagine daffodils.

My church hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive tonight. All week I looked forward to donating again - it's been a couple years, and I think it's so important (especially when the blood supply is low, like it is now). The last time I gave blood was at Hope during my sophomore year. The Red Cross comes to Hope's Maas Auditorium frequently and holds blood drives during the week. Students come in hoards to give blood. The room becomes a mini-hospital, and everybody's upbeat (pun totally intended) - blood pumping away!

At Hope's blood drive, I passed the little inspection with flying colors and gave my pint (or however much they take). But tonight, the nurse told me my hemoglobin was too low. She pricked BOTH my middle fingers - and sent me to the snack table in disgrace!

Needless to say, I felt bummed eating my Chips Ahoy with the other adults at the snack table who actually had the blood drained out of them and did their humanitarian duties. I hadn't done anything. I was pretty disappointed. Thankfully, I brought my mom with me, and she was able to give blood, so we didn't go for nothing.

Anyhow, all that blood got me to thinking about Easter. This is a time of year when blood should be on our minds - namely, Jesus's blood, symbolizing his life that he willingly gave up when the indignant Jews crucified him. We remember Jesus's dynamic, loving, incredible, miraculous life, and then the way he let the people mock him, crown him with thorns, and punish him for crimes he never even came close to committing. 

Mostly during the Lenten season, I eat candy eggs and paint my nails in bright colors wishing it was spring. This Lent especially, I've been furious that the snow won't melt, and ecstatic about being engaged, and incredulous that graduation is coming up in a few months, and tired, trying to keep up my energy during the 40-hour work weeks (now that I know I'm anemic, I guess that helps solve the mystery of why I'm so tired!). I have to admit, blood hasn't been on my mind much.

But tonight, I was literally surrounded by people lying on little beds, clenching red balls,  and letting their blood flow outwards for others - an echo of Jesus's sacrifice. Willingly, happily, even joyfully. Even though I couldn't give, I left feeling inspired by all the donors' courage and generosity - their love for the world.

This Sunday I'm leading worship at my church (yes, the church that hosted the blood drive!) and one of the songs we're doing is this one below by Hillsong. It poignantly reminds us of the incredible love Jesus showed by going to the cross for us. 

I think giving blood is the perfect Easter-time activity (to the Red Cross :-)). What's more Christ-like than literally pouring out your blood to save someone's life?

Your senior year of high school is definitely one of them. For me, life just kept getting better and stacking up wonderful things, beginning in the winter with college acceptance letters. Then came the scholarships. Then the senior celebrations - my class trip to Wisconsin Dells, and parties, and prom! The cherry on top = graduation parties with all my friends as warm weather hit. 

Do you guys agree? Are things pretty darn awesome right now? I really really hope so! I mean, graduating brings nostalgia, a little anxiety for the future, and a bittersweet mix of sadness leaving your high school groupies to meet new cool cats. BUT all the celebrations assuage the grief and keep life exciting!

Okay, so I'm totally having one of these "life can't get any better" seasons right now. First, there was my December graduation from Hope - early! Boo ya! Then I got a job a month after moving home - another victory! Life has been sweet: learning at work, living and loving with my family, friends, and boyfriend, and feeling so blessed by our faithful God.

Then, just to add another layer of incredible sweetness to my life, my boyfriend asked me to marry him!

That's right, folks. I am an engaged woman with a glittering diamond on my left ring finger, and I couldn't be happier - the ring is gorgoeus, but more importantly, my boyfriend-turned-fiancé is caring, hardworking, funny, a man of integrity who loves God and loves me. 

Okay, I'll try to hold the mush. But we are bouncing off the walls with crazy excitement at my house! Seriously, this week has been exhausting.

In case you're wondering, Alex took me out to dinner at Bucca di Beppo last Sunday evening (have you ever been there? It's a place with, shall I say, lots of Italian flavor - both in the food and the decor). We split pasta and tiramisu. All weekend Alex had had tons of homework (he's studying to be a mechanical engineer at the University of Minnesota), so I hadn't seen him much. A few hours of dining together and relaxing were just what we needed. 

After dinner we drove back to my house and went for a wintery walk through the woods to a lake near my house - a common activity for us. The night was cold and quiet. The snow was slippery and frozen. We stopped on the dock by the lake to admire the frozen water and the lavender sky. Then all of a sudden, Alex started monologuing about his love for me (I'm like, what's happening? Is he going to propose?) and out of his pocket he pulled a little box. Then he got down on on knee and asked me to marry him! 

Our families were waiting back at my house with snacks and champagne. Really, it was the perfect engagement - he caught me off guard when I hadn't even been suspecting a ring to emerge at that moment (and trust me, I've been suspicious for about a month now every time we went out!). It was natural, sweet, casual, and perfect - and so nice to celebrate with our families afterward.

A sidenote: you ask, "was it your goal to achieve the elusive ring by spring so commonly sought after by college girls their senior year of college?"

My answer: No way, dudes. I am not that kind of girl who needs a diamond to feel important. It felt right for me to get engaged when I did after I'd already settled into my job and graduated - I appreciated that Alex waited after I got accustomed to life after Hope.

But I don't want to criticize girls who get engaged during college (I guess I technically fall into that category). A lot of my friends are engaged or married, actually. Everybody's opinion on young marriage is different. Some people want to wait for relationships and love and all that - good for you. Other people are ready sooner. I think ring by spring as a "thing" is silly because it makes getting engaged sound trivial, or like a selfish ambition. But if you do happen to get engaged in the spring, I will not critique your intellect or ambition or say you went to college just to get married. No way, José - I say, good for you :-)

I hope you feel like life is super exciting - tell me about all the joys of senior year so far!

Ah - the weekend breakfast out with friends,

now that's college! 

Holland is a restaurant queen with a royal specialty in the breakfast market. Whether you grab a group of dorm mates for a Friday morning meal before class, or treat yourself after church on Sunday, here are 3 can't-miss breakfast places in Holland that I dub "royally good."

(P.S. All of these are close to campus, so good for a brisk walk or a quick drive. And none of them will break the bank unless, well, you're broke.)

Jot these down for the next time you're visiting campus or in town - and if you plan to attend Hope, promise me you'll hit them all up. 

Relish your most important meal of the day at these tasty Holland spots - all within walking distance from campus!

1. The Windmill - this is THE quintissential Holland diner: family-friendly and casual with good home-cooked food… all fairly inexpensive. (you can eat for under $5 if you want… but do leave a little tip, okay?) The locals rave about the Windmill, and Hope students quickly learn that it's worth the wait (weekends are crazy busy, but they are open early, so go on a weekday before class!). 

Where: Downtown Holland

Walking time from campus: 7 minutes

What to order: Get a cinnamon roll (they're huge). Or the french toast. Or the hashbrown-filled omelette… my mouth is watering already. 

Perfect occasions: Any day - when you're hungry, during finals week, before a test, on a snow day. Just go.

Some of my friends actually lived in an apartment on 8th Street above The Windmill - can you believe that? I'd be downstairs in my pajamas every morning!

2. The Good Earth Cafe makes homemade bagels that are to-die for. The Cup and Chaucer on campus sells them, actually. They make delicious muffins, too. 

Where: Downtown Holland

Walking time from campus: 7 minutes

What to order: Any breakfast sandwich on a Tomato Basil bagel, and a Chai latte. 

When to go: Saturday morning with your roommate for a little bonding time. Or go alone in the afternoon for a coffee and bagel break, and take a textbook or a notebook - the big booths are a great place to get some work done. 

3. The Biscuit serves breakfast and lunch in a charming, colorful little cafe atmosphere. It's super cute and super delicious. 

Where: Washington Square (south of campus)

Walking time from campus: 25 minutes (totally doable, don't get scared. But if you have a bike or a car, it'll help if you're short on time).

What to order: The peanut butter mousse waffle. 

When to go: When your parents visit for family weekend. They'll love it.

My Belgian waffle at The Biscuit. Totally delicious and mouthwatering. 

Runners up: (located in Holland... you need a car, but you should go!)

• Bob Evans - just yummy, sit down, fast, friendly. 
• Big Apple Bagel - breakfast sandwiches, a bajillion types of cream cheeses. 

Fun extra for you - check out my red velvet waffle I made last weekend, with cream cheese glaze… yes, it was pretty perfect.

Could I ever go on a diet? Um... nope. 

(Check out Hope Dining Service's website - it'll probably super impress your parents. The staff is committed to providing wonderful food for all students, and they are super accommodating about dietary restrictions). 

THREE TRUTHS ABOUT HOPE COLLEGE DINING:

1) Hope Dining makes delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide variety of options at every meal, including homestyle, healthy choices, vegetarian, vegan, etc. Hope also offers plenty of comfort food/dessert/go-crazy-you're-on-a-meal-plan options. 

2) The meal plan is overpriced in my opinion, but most schools charge too much for meal plans. Cooking your own food and buying your own groceries is always cheaper, but that's just not an option for underclassmen, and you're paying for convenience, too. Out of the options Hope offers, the 21-meal plan is the best value. And the new 7+ option is very popular for off-campus upperclassmen who have kitchens but want a few meals on-campus during the week.

2) The Hope College Dining staff are friendly, committed to student satisfaction, and consistently impress. They often made my day. 

How many colleges have a kitchen staff that does the Harlem Shake?

On their website Hope College Dining answers all your FAQ's, but let me give you the insider scoop.

First, Hope has two dining halls - Phelps and Cook. Phelps is for underclassmen, Cook is for upperclassmen. The myth is that Cook's food is better. Cook is a smaller dining hall with a more intimate atmosphere and a semi-corporate-cafeteria feel to it. Phelps feels very much like a college dining hall - which is fine by me (it's clean, roomy, and pleasant). 

Also, you are required to have a meal plan at Phelps as an underclassmen if you live in the dorms. But you can choose 10, 15, or 21 meals a week. (I did 21 as a freshman and sophomore). 

Now let me share why I love Hope Dining!

• The vegetarian station. I'm not a vegetarian, but let me tell you, this was a go-to station for me and many non-vegetarians. Gabe is the head cooking man of this station, and he makes amazing gnocchi, spaghetti squash, and those potato things - oh what are they called? - potato filling inside of pasta. You eat them with sour cream. Grr, what are they called?!
• The hispanic station. Always, you can get a burrito here - sometimes pork, but usually chicken or beef... or nachos... or tacos... some days its quesadillas... some days they make tostadas. ¡Muy excellente! 
• The salad bar. Hard-boiled eggs, garbanzo beans, ham, sunflower seeds. Mmm. If nothing looks good, make a salad. (Hint: you can ask for chicken from the hispanic station and put it on your salad!)
• The specialty sandwich/salad station. It's like having Panera in your cafeteria.
• The little extras: fruit floating in the water carafes, soy milk, homemade doughnuts, blue and orange popcorn on Pull Day (and licorice, to resemble the rope!). 
• Sunday Sundaes! Every Sunday night Hope rolls out the ice cream sundae bar, with all the toppings (hot fudge? yep. Sprinkles? Oh yeah). 
• Themed dinners! Thanksgiving dinner, fiestas, local food celebrations, Caribbean-themed, food from around the world. Sometimes they hire entertainment, bring in animals, etc. Fun stuff. 

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Ask away. I'm a girl who loves her food, and at Hope there were only a handful of times I was disappointed with my meals. Most of the time, I was very impressed.

Monday morning I stepped into my new office and plopped down into my very own spinny chair for the first full work day of my entire life. (And the first of many more working days, I'm sure - how crazy is that to think?)

I'm bedazzled by it all - me, Hope College English/creative writing major, employed as an Online Marketer at a web development and design company!

Yes, my company is called Happy Dog Web Productions - we're loyal, and we work like dogs! I rather like the branding. 

My week's been like this: rise at 6 AM (guys, this is real life!), drink coffee, read Bible, dress sharp. Commute with lots of creeping cars to office. Arrive at desk by 8 AM. Write informational articles and blog posts for clients, write press releases, edit websites, do search engine optimization (SEO), social media, learn about online marketing, learn about online engagement strategies, learn about SEO, etc. Eat my little packed lunch. Talk to my coworkers (there are only three! We are a small office). Drink tea. 

I must say that in my three days of work so far, I've already learned tons about online marketing. In college I did have a marketing internship and took a marketing class, but I already realize how this job - and the expertise of my coworkers - will expand my knowledge a ton. 

It's fun!

Now I need to speak directly to the potential English majors... 

Please know that people are going to "pooh-pooh" a literature or creative writing major. Don't, don't, don't listen to them. It is a LIE that you will be unemployable if you major in English!

Granted, if you ONLY major in English and don't have a life along with it, it'll be hard to get a job. I mean, you need extracurriculars and internships. But people in every major and field need the extras. Your major alone won't get you hired. 

(For example: I worked for Hope's newspaper, did this blogging gig, volunteered for the Visiting Writers Series, interned at a newspaper, interned at a museum, etc. in college.)

Lots of people can develop good writing skills - and you don't have to major in English, but it definitely gives you an edge. But communications, journalism, and business majors can develop great writing skills too. With strong writing skills, you can go into a million fields or careers:

advertising --- branding --- communications (internal, external, corporate, non-profit, etc.) --- copywriting --- journalism --- marketing --- publishing --- research - social media --- teaching 

In these positions you could be writing and creating:

• content for advertising: screenplays, commercials, ad copy, brand campaigns
• PR/marketing content: press releases, collateral, email campaigns
• Internet articles: blogs, book review, movie reviews, website pages
• content for print: books, magazine and newspaper articles, freelance content
• academic content: scholarly works, epics, tomes, encyclopedias.... 

In short, you can write basically anything your little heart desires if you know how to communicate messages, reach audiences, use proper grammar/syntax, and create compelling content.

And remember - a well-trained writer with a solid foundation can learn the rules of writing a new type or style much easier than someone who can barely spell or struggles to think of creative ways to phrase things!

So who enjoys writing? Are you thinking of majoring in English? Do you have a career path in mind, or interests you'd love to pursue?

But orientation ends, and the daily grind of school commences. Not to say the orientation atmosphere won't continue for a few months. And after orientation, you might have found your besties for life. You may be married to your roommate on Facebook. Or you may be wondering, "Where are all the people who are like me?" or "Have I really met all the cool people there are at school?"

The thing about orientation: you meet the extroverts, and the crazies, and the people you'll keep hanging out with, and people you'll never talk to again. You meet a ton of people. But you will not meet your whole 800-student-large class. There are more potential friends waiting to be uncovered, all the time!

My advice to you is to enter college with a mindset that you always keep meeting new people, trying new situations, and putting yourself out there. Every year. If you are introverted and cringing at this command, realize this comes from a sort of ex-introvert. Just accept it: college is going to by default make you more outgoing. (Now, I'm what we call an "ambivert" - yes that is a word, it's a little of both). It's a good thing. Relax. 

Now that you've scribbled down my advice on a sticky note for future reference, here are eight places you can continue to make friends at Hope College after the hoopla of orientation ends and the daily college grind begins. Trust me, the fun will continue... and these are only a handful of the many opportunities for socializing!

(And don't be deceived by my pictures. I did meet guys freshman year. I did attend activities in groups consisting of both genders. Pinky promise.)

1. Dorm events. The beach. Ice skating. Speed friending. Apple picking. Laser tag. Your RA's plan these regularly. They're a great way to meet girls and guys in your dorm, get off-campus, and enjoy socializing. And they're usually free/cheap/super fun.

2. Clubs, like Sailing Club. At the activities fair on the first weekend of school, you'll sign up for a thousand email lists. They'll all want you to join: knitting club, hip hop club, yoga club, running club, intramurals, yearbook.... so pick your favorites and GO TRY THEM OUT. You'll meet cool people who share your interests. 

3. Departmental events. For example, the Religion department goes to the Wheaton Theology Conference every April. I went as a freshman and a sophomore. We piled into a van and drove to Chicago for two days, listened to dozens of amazing sessions from great speakers, and slept in sleeping bags in Wheaton students' rooms. 

4. Classes, of course! I can't tell you how many good friends I made simply because we shared class together. The first: Anne (pictured right). We coincidentally had Health Dynamics together at 2 pm, followed by the Night Sky at 3 pm... what better to form a strong friendship than running and star gazing?

5. Dorm common areas like your cluster living room, or your lounge, or lobby. People will come - it's like bees to honey in these common areas. Start up conversation, bring your homework, share the brownies your mom sent you, voila. New friends. (OH, and there's always boys. Common areas are neutral territory from 10 AM-Midnight on the week nights, 2 AM on weekends.

6. Sporting events because the Dew Crew is a happening place! Granted, it's a little harder to have heart-to-hearts in the middle of a crazy, screaming crowd, but you can still make connections, meet people, meet your friends' friends, and be in the midst of a fun Hope activity!

7. Social Activities Committee events like the Homecoming Dance! I only went freshman year, but I enjoyed dancing with my roommates and cluster friends. Typically people go in groups they know, but social events like dances are always a good opportunity to meet people. 

8. Campus Ministries programs and events, like small groups, Men's and Women's Nights Out, Hope Way Waffle Houses, etc. These activities are almost always free (minus the men's/women's nights out, which are usually like $5 - but you get PIZZA or coffee or other great food, and prizes!) and excepting the cost of study materials for Bible study. It's wonderful for experiencing Christian fellowship and meeting like-minded people on campus. Hope does a great job of providing activities like these.

High school friends going to spring formal. I love them all, and after graduation, we went to schools from coast to coast! Today I'm blessed to STILL be friends with many of these wonderful people.

With Hope having over 3,200 kids and my class being about 800, I knew I would find girls (and guys) who I'd click with immediately. And I knew college bonded people close. I wanted the kinds of friends I would love forever.

I dreamed of finding my best friends and floating through college arm in arm with them. We would slide into booths at J.P.'s to crank out assignments together, and laugh over dinner in the cafeteria, and afterwards, make cookies together in the dorm kitchen, and stay up late talking about life.

Guess what? That totally happened.

Friend-finding, as I expected, commenced quickly and successfully. Freshmen are the friendliest kids ever. Hands-down. Everybody's raring to go and make friends.

A couple things about making friends in college:

The first few weeks of college, everybody's your friend.

The first few months of college, you stop talking to a lot of these people. It's okay.

The first semester of college, you develop close relationships with the people you actually like, who will be your lifelong college friends.

You will fight with these people.

But you'll be fascinated to learn about their lives, families, friends, fears, and dreams.

Friend-making isn't a conflict-free fairytale, but it's worth any struggles.

College experiences bond people close very quickly.

Friendship makes college A THOUSAND TIMES RICHER.

Each semester I made new friends depending on my classes and activities. When I started working at the newspaper, I made new friends. Religion classes, health dynamics, astronomy - each new class brought new people. Joining Bible studies. Studying off-campus. I roomed with new people each year, and realized how easy it was to click with people of all kinds. Friends introduced me to their friends. It's wonderful - you're constantly making connections as your interests grow, you declare your major and find an academic niche, and your passions develop. And all it takes are a coffee date or two - you talk in class - you hang out - you study - pretty soon, relationships are strong like super glue.

What was really special, though, was being close to a few girls all throughout college right from the start. I think everybody wants those kind of friends.

It all began in Dykstra 2-4. Check it out...

Haili, Erin, and I lived in Dykstra 2-4 our freshman year - and we've been friends ever since.

Rachel (top left) also lived in our cluster, and is one of my best friends. Here we are at Pull freshman year.

Sophomore year at a Hope v. Calvin game! We lived in different dorms but stayed friends. 

Junior year Haili went to Granada, Spain in the spring. Erin and I had to band together in her absence! Here we are with a cake we baked for Rachel's birthday :) (um, what is going on with my hair?)

Senior year Rachel and I worked as orientation leaders together, which was SO MUCH FUN considering we were freshman together and could talk about our shared experiences with the incoming students.

A bike ride to Holland State Park senior year - we all share a love for exercise. 

For Christmas, Santa brought me spiffy grown-up clothes for interviewing.

You have ideas about your future career. You're aware that soon you'll have to consider questions like, do you want to go to graduate school or medical school? What kind of career will you pursue, and how do your skills and talents fit a certain field?

I graduated from Hope and moved home to Minneapolis in December to pursue job opportunities in communications and marketing. Even though I finished school earlier than my peers, I felt ready and confident to jump right into the job search thanks to my semester living and working in Philadelphia, and also thanks to the help of the Hope Career Development Center. In a short month being out of school, I've already received two job offers - what a blessing! 

Let me assure you from my vantage point as a recent graduate in the "real world" that Hope College can help prepare you for whatever comes after college, whether it's grad school, med school, or your new career! And let me outline the steps of preparation I took to successfully prepare for the job search.

First I traveled off-campus to get work experience! Hope's Philadelphia Semester is a practical choice for an off-campus experience because the focus is on students' professional development (in addition to exploring another city and developing independence). The program's mission is to help students "discover your direction in life." If I hadn't gone to Philly, the job search would have been bewildering to me - but my four months there gave me a great foundation and confidence to find a job! 

While I lived in Philadelphia as a junior, I had to interview for internships, create resumes, cover letters, and a professional portfolio, develop a learning plan, and achieve a number of professional objectives I set for myself. I had five interviews for internships in publishing and journalism, and ended up working 32 hours a week at The Legal Intelligencer as an intern reporter. The experience opened my eyes to interacting in a professional environment and balancing work responsibilities well!

Back on Hope's campus as a senior, I began my job search during my final semester of school at Hope. I didn't intend to graduate and have a job lined up immediately, since I knew graduating early afforded me extra time to search ahead of the competition. My job search consisted mainly of deciding what kinds of job opportunities to focus on, beginning to network, gathering job search resources, and practicing my interviewing skills. The Career Development Office at Hope helped me with this process. I went in for three appointments - one early on to get an outline of how to go about the job search process, one to talk about networking and tap into Hope's alumni network, and one for a mock interview. 

When I arrived home post-graduation, I started to submit applications like crazy! I also emailed previous employers and mentors to let them know my job search was beginning - would they be references for me? I also printed business cards on PrintsMadeEasy.com and gave them out to everyone I knew, emailed out resumes, updated my website, and set up opportunities to network with professionals in my field. 

It was hard work, but it's paid off with the two marketing opportunities I've been offered. I haven't accepted yet, but soon - I'll keep you posted!

In the meantime, here are some of my favorite job search resources:

• The Daily Muse - savvy articles about all things professional and career, written for women, by women!
• Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com - easy to use job search engines where you can customize your search results and find specific jobs in certain fields. Recommended by Dale Austin at Hope's Career Development office.
• LinkedIn - I like to subscribe to news in professional fields of interest to me, and to join alumni networks and professional groups. Also, it's great for finding open positions that companies post!
• Hope's Career Development Center website - so many resources, including helpful handouts on everything from finding internships to prepping for interviews, AND access to "Optimal Resume" where you can get feedback on your resume and practice your interview skills with an interactive video feature!

On a day trip to D.C. during my semester in Philly, I got to see the memorial commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. This memorial was completed in August 2011 and dedicated in October just after I visited. The day I was there, the place was swarming with visitors! And it wasn't hard to see why - the stone monolith and a 450 feet-long inscription wall of quotes by Dr. King were a sight to inspire. 

It's an impressive monument inspired by Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. To get to Dr. King's figure, we walked through a symbolic "mountain of despair." Then on the other side we found him in the rock, arms crossed, looking determined. 

I love D.C. for the history and the monuments like this one. If you ever get a chance to see D.C. (and there is so much to see!), put Dr. King's monument on your list. It's across from the Jefferson memorial and not far from the Washington Monument and the World War II memorial. 

It made me want to read more about Dr. King. Any good books you would recommend on his life?

My FAVORITE Dr. King quote is below. Shivers. Amen!

I visited D.C. in high school, but this was my first trip there with only a friend as a traveling companion - no family! Jackie, one of my housemates in Philly and a fellow Hope student, traveled with me. We felt so independent.

Easy transportation via bus or regional rail to major cities makes seeing major cities easy when you're out east. Jackie and I rode about 90 minutes from Philly to D.C. via bus, and then we spent a whole day touring the city on a double-decker bus (a marvelous experience). We saw all the major monuments, the White House, Georgetown, Old Town, the National Cathedral, the Watergate complex, and so much more.

My advice to you is to TRAVEL during college. Wherever you go, GET OFF CAMPUS. Living in Philadelphia was one of my favorite parts of attending Hope. (Hope runs The Philadelphia Center and sends many students there to complete an internship, take classes, and live independently in the city). Traveling to D.C., Baltimore, and New York while I lived in Philly was AWESOME.

If you visit historical places, I'd recommend "hop on, hop off" bus tours as the way to do it. It's so great - you can spend as long as you like at each stop, and that way you see the whole city without the pain of driving, parking, or planning your itinerary!

Check out my earlier blog post on the D.C. trip from 2011, as well as a post about why you should study in Philly. 

Happy birthday to a man who fought for justice, loved peace, and diligently sought equality for all God's children.

Less freshmen have cars on campus because a. you're living on-campus in dorms, b. Hope provides lots of transportation for students including Meijer runs, busing to campus events, and rides anywhere you need to go, like internships, appointments, and field placements ($2 each way - see this link for more about that), and c. there's plenty to do in Holland within walking distance.

However, lots of upperclassmen find it's nice to have a car on campus because a car gives you independence and the freedom to get out of town. Also, many student teachers and nursing students like to have a car for getting to their field placement or clinical placement. Cars are convenient.

If you don't anticipate having a car, like, ever, during college, guess what: I didn't ever have a car and I survived! My trusty purple Schwinn got me everywhere I needed to go. No, I didn't bike to Grand Rapids or Chicago - but with a bike, and friends with cars, I made it just fine.

My friends and I biked all over Holland, including out to Holland State Park and the lovely Lake Michigan!

With a good bike lock and a trusty rust/corrosion spray for the chains on your bike (available at sporting goods stores), a bike is a great buddy for your time at Hope and will help you get you get most places you need to go. Campus Safety will register your bike so if it was ever stolen, they can recover it for you. Tons of Hope students have bikes, and there are bike racks all over campus. Lots of students glam up their bikes with baskets, bells, and colorful duct tape - I've seen all kinds of bikes on campus from darling vintage bikes to plain old mountain bikes, like mine. You get to class a lot faster on a bike! (good for mornings when you took an extra-long shower, or couldn't decide what to wear, or missed the alarm!)

If you don't have a car on campus, here's how you can get around successfully (and no, you don't have to stay home or miss out just because you don't have wheels!)

• Walk to classes, downtown, to church, and around Holland. Going out to dinner at 84 East with friends? It's a quick walk there. Meeting friends at the Herrick Library to study? No need to drive - sure, you have to plan a little more time into your day, but Holland is safe and very walking-friendly. We are a charming little city with lots of paths. Walk everywhere you can, especially in nice weather! Lots of churches are within walking distance of campus, as are restaurants, coffee shops, beauty parlors, etc.!
• Bike to places close-by. There are a surprising amount of places you can get on your bike. I biked to Meijer for small grocery trips (about a ten-minute ride from campus), everywhere downtown (you can walk downtown, too), and to friends houses off-campus. 
• Take advantage of transportation provided by local churches. On Sunday morning churches like Engedi and Calvary Reformed send transportation to campus for students - actually, Engedi sends a limousine! (no joke) They often advertise this on campus. If you have a church you like, and no transportation is advertised, give the church a call - they're likely to have an idea for you or someone who can come pick you up.
• Don't be shy of asking friends for rides. I found that friends were more than willing to take me to run errands or to appointments, especially in the rain or to places that were too far to walk. Sometimes friends even let me take their cars for an afternoon. Just remember to give 'em a few dollars for gas, or offer to top off their tank. As long as you reimburse somehow, there's no reason they should be upset with you - hey, there's simply not room on campus for everyone to have a car, and it's silly for everyone to have one! Friends often took me to the airport, too, to fly home for breaks. 
• The bus system in Holland can get you places. I never used Holland public transportation, but the Macatawa Area Express would be good to take advantage of - and affordable.
• Utilize campus safety for rides whenever friends aren't available. You have to pay a small fee, but they'll take you wherever you need to go. 
• You can take buses to Chicago! I did this a few times - check out my blog post about visiting my sister at North Park University. Other Hope bloggers have gone to Chicago multiple times, like Danielle who went with her family over a spring break weekend.

Looking back on my three-and-a-half year long-distance relationship which has recently morphed into a normal dating relationship (Alex currently lives five minutes away from my house in Maple Grove, MN, thank God), I am reflecting on our journey with amazement that we did it, and I hope to give you some insight on the whole issue. 

Because I want to help you out. Because you're in high school, and you're either in love or about to be in love. And college looms in the distance. What do you do? Cast off the high school sweetheart for bigger and better things, or stick to it? Should you go to the same college just so you never have to say goodbye ever again to your significant other? Can you survive a long-distance relationship? 

Meet eighteen-year-old Brooke and Alex, Minnesota residents, classmates at private Christian school, prom dates, and boyfriend and girlfriend who have to deal with these silly, annoying questions because they are going to different colleges. 

2009: long distance lovebirds. Oh my goodness, we look young. 

We went to prom (well, we called it "formal" at Christian school) spring of senior year together. It was our first date - we'd been classmates since sixth grade, and had just began to talk and joke around in calculus and physics classes senior year. We had so much fun at formal that Alex asked me to a Twins game.... then we went out for Chipotle... then to a movie... etc etc. Pretty soon it was June and we'd decided to date. Never mind the fact that 1) Neither of us planned to drive away for college "in a relationship," and 2) I was planning to attend Hope, and Alex was going to North Dakota State University - a grand distance of 14 hours apart. 

I don't remember exactly why we considered it "worth it" to date long distance, but little did we know what turbulent waters (literally) lay ahead. The night before I left for college, Alex and I sat on my back porch and BAWLED our eyes out. Yes, embarrassing, but true (I was SUPER excited for college, but you guys, it's heartbreaking to leave someone you love... you know this.) We repeated this salty, somewhat melodramatic pattern every single time one of us went back to school after a break. 

Principle number one of long distance dating: There will be tears. Lots of them. 

I saw Alex every few months when I was home on break. In between, we employed every single long-distance tactic in the book in order to stay in touch and try to "be in a relationship" despite not being in the same geographic location. Over the course of our seven semesters apart, we did all these things:

• Phone calls and Skype dates, both scheduled and impromptu. 
• A bajillion text messages. These ranged the spectrum of emotions and subjects. Sometimes we fought over text message (I don't recommend this.)
• We tried watching "The Office" at the same time over Skype, but usually somebody started it too soon so we laughed at different moments because someone's show was ahead or behind - which wasn't very fun. 
• Care packages, letters, roses, and cards. 
• Bible or book studies together, over Skype or the phone. 
• Sending notes of encouragement or Bible verses. Praying together. 
• Emails, Facebook, Twitter, telepathy, you name it. 

Principle number two of long distance dating: The communication methods grow old and annoying, and you will misinterpret your frustration with your situation as being frustration at your boyfriend/girlfriend. You will probably break up once or twice, or every other week. 

We made it a whole year and a half, including the summer after freshman year, and then we broke up fall of sophomore year. A lot of factors contributed to our break-up, but mostly the difficulty of long-distance and a lack of maturity on our parts necessitated a break. It was easy to idealize each other from afar, and then when we were together, to have forgotten we were imperfect people who got on each other's nerves from time to time. We also had trouble balancing our communication while staying "in the moment" at our separate schools. This is one of the hardest things about long-distance dating: managing to pour time into a relationship that is completely virtual. It's hard to justify investing in your relationship when your real, live friends at school are physically present, and they don't necessarily understand that you need to call your boyfriend, like, now. 

Anyhow, we committed every mistake there is. Spending too much time on the phone one week. Spending too little time on the phone the next. We got mad at each other for being "too busy," or for not having time to talk when one of us called. We got mad at each other for not making the other person feel loved or important. We got real rude and told each other, I don't have time for you! I love college, and you're trying to take over my life! You're clingy! I need space! Blah blah blah. 

Principle number three of long distance dating: Don't be fooled - your relationship won't survive if you don't put a similar amount of time and effort into it as your real live relationships with other people in your life. 

We were both adjusting to college and trying to live fully in the present while also maintaining our relationship. This was hard, probably mostly because we didn't realize how much time relationships require even when you're far apart. It's a tricky balance - trying to talk enough to stay connected and involved in each other's lives, but not talking so much that you miss out on the present. You have to be growing, or you're just barely surviving. And when you don't try, you fail.

Anyhow, you guessed it, we got back together the following summer. Ta da. We committed to a new chapter. As a junior in college, I went to Philadelphia for a semester. Alex transferred to the University of Minnesota. We were both working, busy, loving life, and talking less than we had in the last two years. Long distance was just as hard as ever - but more because we missed each other than we were resentful at each other - we understood each other's crazy schedules and just tried to hang on. We knew the drill. We were a little wiser and understood just a tad bit better how to have a healthy long distance relationship. 

Principle number four of long distance dating: It makes college confusing. You want it to go by fast so you can get home and see your boyfriend/girlfriend, but then you realize college is short anyways and you only get to do it once. This is one of those qualities of life you just have to get used to. 

Alex visited me twice while I was in Philly - which was so fun, and important, and we were lucky he could. 

Fast forward (this is getting way too long, I'm sorry). Through misunderstandings and neglect, through fights and tears, we also had a lot of laughter and growth. The benefit of our situation was that we each pursued college exactly how we wanted to. We got involved with the things that mattered to us. As we grew as people, we did a lot of processing and talking about that growth over the phone together. I know long distance made us better communicators and better problem solvers. When we had an issue, we talked about it - because that's all we could do, talk! We couldn't go for a walk together in silence, or go out for ice cream. All we had were our words. Alex and I got to know each other really well when we dated long distance because, well, that's all we could do - talk about ourselves, and ask each other questions, and discuss our lives.

I think that's one of the best parts about long distance dating.

The other good thing is that you never take that person for granted. I've been home for good for almost a month. I still feel incredibly lucky every time Alex and I go out for dinner or hang out for an evening, because we've spent so much time apart.

How do you know if long distance is right for you?

If you are even considering it, it means you have somebody special that's probably worth giving it a shot. There's no guarantee that "going it alone" or showing up single to college is going to make you the belle of the ball, or the man on campus. You may have tons of dating opportunities, and tons of single people surrounding you - and you may not. Don't decide based on whoever might be out there. Decide on who's right in front of you. Is he worth it to you?

And also consider that it will be hard, and there's a bit of sacrifice involved. But that's any relationship - you have to prioritize it if it means anything to you. So really, the principles here have to do with every important relationship in your life, and definitely with dating ones.

Long winded enough, eh? As always, give me your feedback, and let me know what you think! Is this something you're trying to figure out? Know you're not alone, that many people have survived long-distance dating, and that it can be a blessing in disguise if you choose to grow through the struggles and expect them rather than being surprised that they occur at all.

Principle number five of long distance dating: If you find somebody who loves you even through the craziness of dating long distance, and still wants to be with you - well, that's pretty special. 

It's true, prospective students, this lucky girl completed her Hope College education right before Christmas. I am now officially a Hope alum. Wow. 

Hope held a classy luncheon honoring December grads during finals week. 

Why graduate early? (you may ask)

There are many reasons to graduate early including saving money on that extra semester you don't need, taking advantage of a less crowded and competitive winter job market, and getting out in the professional world sooner. It depends on what you personally want. But here's a couple benefits to early graduation:

• Time during the holiday season to job hunt. People may say, "December is a terrible time to be job-hunting because nobody's in the office and you won't get any responses to your applications!" While it's true that many professionals take much of December off because of the holidays, so recruiters can delay to respond to your emails for a few weeks, you can use this to your advantage. Other job hunters will get lazy during the holiday season for this very reason - so apply away! And once people are back in the office come the new year, your application will be one of the first they see. 
• New job postings. The fiscal year coincides with the calendar year for many companies, which means they're budgeting for the new year as December wraps up... and writing new job descriptions as they plan the budget. I've already found that a lot of companies were posting new jobs throughout December, and with January came another whole flux of them. 
• Networking opportunities. We see tons of family and friends during the holiday season, and usually they're in a good mood because of the holidays. This is a good opportunity to tell people your plans, ask them to be on the lookout for jobs for you, and do some a little light networking! 

Of course, there are cons to weigh with the pros. Some people don't feel ready to be done with college a semester before their peers. It can be scary to hit the job search before everyone else! Most of my friends stayed through spring semester to finish, so I was one of maybe a dozen I knew personally who finished up early. (Overall at Hope I want to say there were 40-50 December grads, but that's a rough estimate). 

A lot of students aren't ready for the decision of "what to do next?" Grad school? Hit the job market? Take a year off? Backpack around Europe? A lot of students just need those few months to discern their direction for the future. 

Also, probably the biggest reason many college students don't graduate early (even if you can, which surprisingly a lot of students are in a position to if you plan for it) is that they don't want to miss out on the excitement of graduating together in the spring. Friends celebrate together and participate in "lasts," so it can be sad to know you won't be around (if you live out of state like me, in Minnesota). But if you plan to return for graduation (which I am planning on), you don't have to miss out on everything! Also, if you live nearby your school, you can still participate in celebrations. 

Why did YOU graduate early, Brooke?

When I realized I could be done early, it made a lot of sense for me to graduate rather than take an extra semester. With a degree in English and no desire to teach, I really needed hands-on job experience in the working world. While I loved every minute of my Hope education (and would love to have spent a "fun" semester taking extra classes in communications, English, and maybe business), I decided it would be more valuable to me to commit full time to the career search, especially since I didn't need to take any more classes to graduate. Hope is pricey, and I think finishing a semester early is doable for a lot of people - and I definitely didn't feel "rushed" or "hurried" because I planned ahead and told my friends my decision way beforehand. I realize everybody's situation is different, though!

Does Hope offer a December graduation ceremony?

No, but December graduates can return in May and walk - and Hope does host a lovely December luncheon for graduates and their families. I attended this during finals week, and we had a delicious lunch and listened to the President, Provost, and a Hope alum speak. It was a really nice way to celebrate finishing my degree.

I'm always impressed with Hope catering - they know how to make events special!

My friend Alex and I both finished early. Alex is also an English major, pursuing opportunities in publishing. 

If you're still in high school, you don't need to formulate your four-year college plan just yet - but it's good to be aware that depending on your major requirements, if you plan to take summer classes or May terms, if you enter college with credit, and if you study off-campus or not, you could graduate early. All these factors help tremendously. I even realized I could have finished in three years flat with a little more planning (but I'm perfectly fine with finishing when I did). 

Questions? Comment or send me an email at brooke.mcdonald@hope.edu!

Money, money, money: what's on every family's mind who is about to send a child to college.

Every family's financial situation is different, so I can't tell you "A Hope education is worth whatever financial struggle and strife it will cause you!" I realize this simply isn't true for many families. HOWEVER, I do believe if there is even a glimmer of Hope working out for you somehow financially, it can be worth some sacrifice. Hope strives to make their education affordable for everyone. There are many ways to lighten the financial burden for families and students:

• Work-study and non-work study opportunities on Hope's campus, listed conveniently for students on our JobStop network. My friends have worked in various academic departments as secretaries, stocked science labs, researched with professors, checked student I.D. cards at the Dow (workout facility), tutored, cleaned as custodians, served food in Phelps or at the Kletz, and more!
• Working in the Holland area (I know people who worked at Biggby Coffee, served at restaurants on 8th Street, babysat, nannied, etc. during college)
• Scholarships for art, creative writing, dance and theater by applying for Hope's "Distinguished Artist Award"
• Living off-campus as an upperclassman (once you've earned 75 credits in the spring semester before the semester you want to move off-campus. I did this as a junior, which was great - off-campus rent is much cheaper than dorm living, and you don't have to be on a meal plan). 

I'll be upfront with you: my parents are paying for my tuition, so my only responsibility through college has been books and living expenses. I've been able to afford this through school year jobs with Hope's music department, admissions office, and newspaper, as well as waitressing every summer back home in Minnesota. Also, I'm a National Merit Scholar, and Hope's tuition was very affordable for my family. Still, though, as a high school junior and senior, I did seek out as many scholarship opportunities as I could, because every bit saved is wonderful! Here are some worth considering:

• Corporation scholarships like Toyota and Fortune 500 companies
• Best Buy scholarships - the application period just began!
• Fastweb.com - you never know, you just might win it!
• Your local Lion's Club or community organizations
• Local grocery store (I looked at Cub Foods)

Scholarship America is another great resource with advice on getting scholarships, college application tips, and open scholarships. 

In my own college search, I had two schools I loved, and my parents ended up crunching the numbers and telling me I could choose without regard to finances. I was blessed because Hope offered me a large merit scholarship, and my other top choice offered me very little - but I could choose whichever school fit me better. I know not every student has this opportunity - but consider how much scholarships and work opportunities could minimize finances as the top factor. You should be able to pick a school you love and not just the cheapest one. That's what's so great about the myriad of scholarships out there! 

All that to say, I love Hope, and I hope everyone who loves it and considers it a place you could learn and grow substantially can consider the resources out there.

Comment with questions, and good luck to you!

Easy answer: you come to Hope, of course. 

When I call all you prospective students on the phone on weeknights, interrupting your dinner and your AP Biology study and your television shows, you tell me (if you're willing to let me interrupt your life and blab about Hope to you) that you want good academics. You want solid, intellectual, thought-provoking chemistry, political science, sociology, gender studies, philosophy, and business management classes. You are ready to earn that degree and put on the big kid pants.

If you're interested in Hope, you're probably also interested in smaller liberal arts colleges where professors take personal interest in you, and you don't have to wear a name tag to class.

Dorm room conditions, the proximity of a Target or Wal-Mart, the "cuteness" factor and the "friendliness" factor, "the atmosphere," study abroad options, med school acceptance percentages, undergraduate research opportunities, tuition costs, all these factor in, too. 

So obviously you slash schools with shoddy academics. And then you slash the schools lacking all these fairly generally good qualities, listed above, from THE LIST...  and what are we left with? 

A twelve-way tie between twelve seemingly similar excellent liberal arts schools.

So what do you do? You road trip, of course. Mom and Dad drive you to all twelve schools on a long weekend. You spend the night twelve times with crazy college students who make you stay up until 3 and feed you doughnuts and introduce you to a bajillion smiling friends and play hide-and-go-seek in the science center and pull a prank on the next door neighbors. 

(Or maybe you just eat dinner at Phelps, and go to a volleyball game, and play cards with some nice girls down the hall, and ask a lot of questions, and go to bed on a comfy dorm futon couch feeling pretty cool, like during my stellar overnight at Hope.)

Now what? Most students say they just get a feeling about where they're supposed to be. And most often I find this feeling, mysterious as it is, tends to come from the community. The things you don't know until you enter campus and spend a little time and start to feel at home. 

How is community created at college? Many ways: dorms and their social events, sports teams, classes, and campus events. And very importantly, EXTRACURRICULARS!!!!! Clubs, fellowship groups, intramurals, Bible studies, service opportunites, you name it. The special little extras! What's going on when classes end? 

And that's the jist of it. What are you doing when classes end, and what kind of community are you doing it with?

Here are some questions to consider if you just can't narrow down THE LIST and you can't stand the idea of your mother choosing a school for you because you're indecisive:

My third women's small group at Hope. Campus Ministries is a solid resource for getting people together who value faith and want to grow. 

1. Does the school offer community-building through small groups, clubs, fellowship groups, etc. with people of like interests?

My dorm community of Dykstra freshman year helped me get to know Tess... and from there, our friendship blossomed. Today we are still great friends and get together frequently to eat at each other's houses, snag a treat or coffee downtown.

2. Does the location of the school allow you to get off campus  and develop friendships with people independently, as well as on-campus? Are you close enough to find fun stuff "to do" other than what's provided on campus for entertainment and fun?

3. What are you passionate about, and what kinds of activities and opportunities does the school offer that you can get involved with? THAT'S where you're going to click with people. THAT'S where the magic of college will start to take place. THAT'S where community develops!

The Anchor has been a place where I've developed a community with people who love communication, quality storytelling, writing, and knowing what's up. 

Speaking of passions, one of my passions is the piano. At Hope I've been SO HAPPY to continue playing and being involved in the music department through taking classes and lessons and accompanying.

Above you can listen to a run-through of a piece by Debussy for ensemble class. This is during my ensemble piano lesson, which i'm currently taking for zero credit. I loved playing with Katie this semester and continuing to work at the piano! (note: this wasn't our best run-through, but it's all right... it's what I got on camera :-))

Are you currently struggling to cross schools off of THE LIST? What's at the top of your priority list?

I suggest considering community and extracurriculars very carefully. You'll spend most of your time NOT in class in college. Choose a place where you love the people and the community created by extracurriculars!

Questions? Comments? Comment away!

It's a sense of PANIC. It has no place being here! But let me explain where it originates...

1. Instead of researching indigenous Latin American rebellions over Thanksgiving weekend, you made orange marshmallow jello, nibbled appetizers with your boyfriend's family, did yoga with your mom, and bought cheap DVDs at Wal-Mart on Black Friday. You thought this was a wise choice at the time. You justified it as recharging. You now call it stupidity. Nevertheless, this is life, and now you're panicking because the thesis is due Friday and you are trying to remember, what does indigenous mean?

or...

2. Over Thanksgiving weekend you finished your paper on indigenous Latin American rebellions - yay you! Gold star! Except now you have a literature paper theorizing about Willa Cather's work due in two weeks (15 PAGES) and 37 pages of fiction and a website to create and assorted finals and other assignments. And all you want to do is pat yourself on the back for the Spanish paper and SLEEP. So you panic.

or maybe...

3. During your brief Thanksgiving weekend, you, overachiever you, finished everything due by the end of the semester. BUT you did not research big girl jobs, or update your resume, or connect with that person in marketing from back home. So what do you do? Panic. Panic panic panic!

Get the idea? Here's the thing. In three and a half years of undergraduate education, this is what I've learned:

Prospective students, don't fool yourself: college will be a challenge at times. But I've learned that in life, you grow to meet the challenges head on. As challenges arise, you develop the skills and tools to be victorious over them - and use what you've learned in the past! 

And Hope is totally supportive in stressful moments of the semester like finals. The professors are here to help. Tutors are at the ready. Friends are all in the same boat. It seems to me like much of our panic is self-generated, so that we end up giving ourselves ulcers when we forget we live in the midst of a community where we're all in this together.

In the spirit of my sermon today, because I'm in an anti-panic mode and would rather not blog about my rather gigantic to-do list for the next 2.5 weeks of school (no notes of panic here. no notes of panic!) let me quickly share the highlights of my week with you. Because I'm pretty sure the way we kill the panicky spirit is by recounting our blessings. What holiday did we just celebrate, people?

On Monday my fiction professor unfortunately couldn't make it to class because half of her family was suffering from the stomach flu, so she taught on Skype. This had never happened in my life, and it was so funny to be taught from a ... picture on a laptop. I was amazed my prof didn't just cancel class, which was totally justified. She felt like we had so much to cover, however, that skipping a day of class would hurt us. Does this speak dedication or what? Thanks, Prof C, for the quirky class session via Skype! You did great!

HOLIDAY MOCHAS at JP's and homework with Haili and Erin was a great end to my Monday. We sat in the window seat and gazed out at the Christmas lights along 8th Street!

Coffee at Lemonjello's with my older, wiser friend Anne? One of the best ways to spend a morning! This was definitely a highlight of my Wednesday. Three more highlights were SUCCESSFULLY delivering a fiction presentation, relaxing watching some Gilmore Girls, and later, getting a phone call from a dear friend from Minnesota in the evening. 

I am grateful for each of the little joy-bringers to my week. We conquer the panic one small offering of thanksgiving at a time, knowing we have the power of the Holy Spirit at our side, knowing that the bits and pieces of our daily lives are part of a larger picture, and that our good God is sovereign over every tiny moment. With that, I'm on a mission to vanquish End of Semester Freaking Out once and for all. Who's with me?

My mom and sister decorating Harry, our beloved fake fir who does not smell like Christmas but nevertheless makes the house feel festive. 

A 56-minute flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Chicago-Midway, one half full cup of Fresca, and a chintzy package of pretzels later, my sister and I ate pizza in the baggage claim until the last minute when we had to part ways. Then, a housemate (native to Chicago's suburbs) swung by to pick me up, and after a dark three-hour jaunt north to Holland, we arrived back at campus to begin our trek towards the end of the school year. 

My two worlds: Minneapolis, and Holland. Traveling home to Maple Grove this past weekend was a blessing, as I had not been home since August 20th when we packed up the car to drop my sister and I off at college.

Maple Grove definitely feels like another world after living in Holland, which has the charming feel of a touristy, college town, which I navigate on my bicycle, which has trains coasting through constantly, and in which the residents are happy, enjoy life, and take their time. Maple Grove - suburban, fast-paced, commercialized, lakes, familiar, busy, comfortable - is where I have grown up and is quite different to return to, although both places hold special parts of my heart. 

For Thanksgiving I was lucky to skip my only Wednesday class (the other two were cancelled) and leave campus Tuesday night, dropped off in Chicago by a friend, who left me at my sister's North Park dorm for a quick visit, consisting of a sleepover, brunch at a Swedish restaurant, and a lovely "L" ride to the airport together, during which we bubbled with excitement to get home. 

Below, check out some pictures from our time in Chicago together:

Wednesday evening we arrived home to Christmas lights in the front yard and baked spaghetti in the oven. Hallelujah! Let me tell you - once you go to college, there is nothing more beautiful than a clean house, a home-cooked meal, and two grinning parents who swallow you in bear hugs when you walk in the door. Nothing better, except maybe the sight of your own bed. 

Some Hope students don't fly home for Thanksgiving because Christmas is only three weeks away. It's not uncommon to stay on campus, although the students who stay are invariably invited home with a roommate or friend. I've not stayed for Thanksgiving, but I've been invited home for Easter weekend and Halloween weekend. It's lovely to be adopted when you live out of state. 

Anyhow, while it's completely possible to not fly home for every break (and the dining halls still have select hours, and you can survive, and you won't be the only one here), it's also common to travel home.

Reasons why the four-day trip home in the middle of a chaotic semester was worth it:

1. My dad turned 50 on Thanksgiving, so I was able to celebrate with him over the weekend, including eating cake, bestowing presents, raspberry truffle ice cream, and a comedy show at which a big group of his friends showed up. So fun.
2. Delicious dinner with family and friends (my high school piano teacher hosted Thanksgiving this year, as my family is far from relatives in MN so we get together with Stella the piano teacher and her family every year. It's a joy!). Namely, the garlic mashed potatoes, Russian potato salad Stella made, meringue cake, sweet potatoes, and graaaaavy. 
3. Seeing my boyfriend after 13 weeks. A blog post is forthcoming about long-distance dating. Wait for it. Also, we went to a University of Minnesota football game in 19 degree weather and froze our toes off, but it was worth it for the memories. 
4. Decorating the tree as a family. With all the memories we relived putting up the tree, I just had that many more reasons to be thankful.
5. I now feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the next few weeks hold. And I know what they hold. I have a list. I'm ready to kill the list!

Here's some Thanksgiving pictures for you to enjoy: