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Spring Semester? Back to School Edition Spring 2016
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January 16, 2015
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Table of Contents What to do, what to do? 3 Kenzie Kesselring 4 1. Red Door Records 5 6 7 2. Grand Bay 8 Who will you be in 2016? Read about the alternative to a new year’s resolution and the letter to the freshmen.
Have you recently transferred to VSU or are thinking about transferring? Check out what your experience may be like and read the letter to the sophomores.
Junior year--almost done, but not quite! Read the letter to the juniors and catch up on the latest celeb news.
Is it your senior year? Read the letter to the seniors and discover what sports are happening in the spring. Meet the Spring 2016 Spectator staff editors!
Learn about an off-campus option! “Modern living on the cheap.”
OPINIONS EDITOR klkesselring@valdosta.edu
Five places around Valdosta to check out.
VSU students always say that there is nothing to do in quaint Valdosta. However, if you go beyond campus and beyond Baytree (at least for four out of five of the places) you will find more to Valdosta than meets the eye.
Calling all hipsters, or those of you hoping to embrace your musical side this semester: Red Door Records is the perfect place to find records that you can’t find anywhere else. Red Door Records, located in downtown Valdosta, is a great place to explore and expand your musical tastes as well as attend fun events that are like no other location in Valdosta. Find Red Door Records on Facebook for updates on events being held this semester and for Red Door’s hours of operation.
It can be hard to get some peace and quiet if you have roommates, but luckily the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area is a short drive from campus and the rest of Valdosta. This beautiful nature reserve has a walking trail and a tower you can climb to get a great view of the whole park. Grand Bay is a great place to take your dog on a walk on a sunny afternoon, or search for a plethora of animals native to South Georgia.
3. Ashley Street Station
Ashley Street Station located on Baytree Road is a great place if you’re looking to mix up your social scene this semester. Ashley Street Station has live music more than any of the bars in Remerton and has several pool tables to play on while you listen to music. Follow Ashley Street Station on Facebook for updates on which artists and bands will be playing there this semester.
4. “First Friday” in downtown Valdosta
Fridays in Valdosta get a lot more exciting on the first Friday of every month. “First Friday” held in downtown Valdosta is the perfect opportunity to check out all of the shops, restaurants, and art locations downtown Valdosta has to offer. As a student, it can be easy to forget about downtown Valdosta and all it has to offer, but on the first Friday of every month—instead of going to the same bar or watching Netflix—go and check out Valdosta’s beautiful and unique downtown.
5. Grassroots
If you’re looking for new places to get your caffeine fix this semester, check out Grassroots. Located on the square in downtown Valdosta, Grassroots has a fun laid-back interior that is perfect for casual get together with friends, or have a cheap, fun date. Visit grassrootscoffee.com to see their merchandise and to see Grassroots’ hours of operation.
Downtown Valdosta (top), Grassroots Coffee (left) and Red Door Records (right) are just a few of the hidden gems that Valdosta has to offer. When not in classes, step off campus and find what else Valdosta has to offer VSU students.
Photos taken by Kenzie Kesselring/THE SPECTATOR
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January 11, 2016
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Staff Resolutions
Dear freshmen, It is your second semester of college, and I’m sure you’re feeling a sigh of relief at this point. Having (hopefully) the swing of things, you may be thinking this college stuff will be a breeze. In this letter I caution you, do not lose your focus. The minute you start slacking off, everything will come crumbling down with it. If you didn’t have great grades last semester, strive this semester to do much better. If you did have good grades last semester, double that and match those grades this semester. Your freshman year is important because it is the foundation of what kind of
student you are. You get to see what bad habits you have and break them before the rest of your college career suffers. Take it from an upperclassman, you do not what to get D’s in your core curriculum. Those are not the classes to slack off in, because down the road there will be many other classes that you may struggle with. It’s your last semester of you freshman year so survive it and enjoy!
Sincerely, Tyra Mills Social Media Editor
Vision Boarding: A New Year’s resolution alternative Tatyana Phelps
MANAGING EDITOR tnphelps@valdosta.edu The start of a new year is the perfect time to make new plans and set new goals in your life. However, many people think that they have to live by the whole “new year, new me” thing, which is a bit played out. Besides, why fix something that isn’t broken? No one should ever be under the impression that there is something about him/her that needs to be fixed or changed. Just because a new year is beginning, no one should ever think that it means it’s time to be a new person. Normally, people make New Year’s resolutions that can be a bit drastic. When the New Year rolls around, people have the tendency to think that there’s something in their life that needs to be cut out or fixed. Some people may cut out alcohol or cigarettes, while others set a goal of how much weight they’ll lose for the year. However, if the goal isn’t accomplished,
some people are left feeling as if they have failed for the year because they didn’t accomplish what they set their mind to. A great alternative to a new year’s resolution is creating a vision board. A vision board is a poster that contains words, phrases or pictures of things that will help you accomplish your life goals. The great thing is that a vision board is for a life goal, not a goal for the year. Which means, you have several years, not just one, to get to where you want to be in life. As time progresses, a vision board allows you to take the time to work your way up to achieving your goals. Whether it takes someone three months or three years to reach a goal, it’s okay with a vision board. A vision board can be a great way to start off the year, and it actually makes for a pretty fun project as well.
Everyone has New Year’s Resolutions. A few members of the staff complied theirs together.
“I’d say to be both healthy and wealthy, for sure.” -Health Nut
“I NEED to read more and spend less time on the internet.” -Wannabe Bookworm
“My resloution would definetely be to drink more water.” -Ms. Waterfalls
“To learn to live without my cellphone glued to my hand.” -Web Nerd
1. First, decide what one of your ultimate goals in life is. Think of things that you think will help you achieve that goal, such as eating healthier, becoming more spiritually involved, or things of that nature. 2. Dig up some old magazines and cut out words, letter and pictures to glue or tape on a poster board that represent those things. It doesn’t hurt to have a separate vision board for each big goal that you have, either. 3. Put your vision board(s) in a place where it can always be seen and you can be constantly reminded of the things you can do to achieve what you want to in life. Good luck and happy vision boarding!
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January 11, 2016
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Dear Sophomores,
Congrats! You’ve made it through one of the toughest challenges in your life— freshman year. You’re no longer the new kid on the block; you have experience under your belt. You’ve survived your first year without your parents, without supervision and without authority. If you were anything like most freshman, you partied hard, didn’t go to class, or let your grades slip. That’s okay, it’s to be expected. This is the perfect time to start getting your grades and GPA back on track to make up for the lack of experience you had during your first year in college. It only takes a few mistakes to drop your GPA, but it takes what feels like an army to bring it back up again. So do what you can to stay on track and keep your GPA as high as you possibly
can. Your sophomore year is the best time to look into joining clubs and organizations. It might not seem like it now, but joining a club or organization can help you in the long run. Networking will be your best friend. The people you meet could possibly have a book you need for class or might know someone looking to hire talented students. You never know. This year is the perfect year to explore and to try to find yourself. Change your major if it’s not the right fit, go travel and try something new. You may be surprised at the things you will learn when you do. Take advantage of the free opportunities that VSU has to offer. The most important advice I have to offer is to ask for help. Don’t try to take the
world on alone. No one wants to be in school longer than they have to. It may hurt your pride to ask for help, but it’ll be worth it. If you see your grades slipping, ask a friend, ask a teacher, or go talk to the Student Success Center. There are so many resources to help students succeed, but you have to utilize them. Unfortunately, college goes by faster than people think, so enjoy your time at VSU while you have it. The key is to find the perfect balance between work and play, and you’ll be set with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Good luck and remember to make the most of your VSU experience! Sincerely, Mayah Cantave, College Life Editor
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The perils of being a college transfer student Zenobia Harris
COPY EDITOR znharris@valdosta.edu As hundreds of returning VSU students prepare to flood the campus this week, catch up with friends and some of their favorite teachers, a different type of student is preparing him/herself for a whole new world from where they first began. For transfer students, this semester doesn’t mean seeing familiar faces and places. This semester means starting over—finding new friends, places to hang out and things to do. And it is a task that is much easier said than done. Transferring can be very scary for many of the same reasons it can be exciting. You have to get to know your new campus. You have to learn where your classes are, where you can eat, etc. You have to find new people to hang out with and show you around. You also have to build a good rapport with the faculty and students in your major, because these will be the people who help you maneuver through your new classes. But while building a nice social circle may not be too difficult for
some, there are other aspects of starting over that can be both tiring and bothersome. Sometimes, certain class credits from your old university don’t transfer over to your new one. So starting over could mean having to push back your initial graduation date or taking more classes to graduate than you first anticipated. At times, you may have to work harder to prove yourself than other students. Unless you already know some students or faculty at your school, no one can really vouch for your skills or talents. In a place where different “roles” may already be established, transfer students really have to push through to develop a positive name for themselves inside and outside of the classroom. Starting from the bottom again isn’t always a horrible thing. Some students may even find that they achieve more the second time around than they did in the beginning. It can be a rough transition, but it is the student who will have to determine whether they want to make the new experience a memorable one or something that they’d love to forget.
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Dear Juniors, Back-to-School Special Even after finding fame, these five celebs still took it upon themselves to head back to school and get their college degrees:
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Michael Jordan During his junior year at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this basketball legend decided to enter into the 1984 NBA draft early, thus stalling his education in efforts to get a head start on his sports career. However, it was just two years later in ‘86 when Jordan decided to go back to school to finish up his degree in cultural geography. Emma Watson This “Harry Potter” wizardress had originally taken a break from school to film but she still proclaimed that she wanted to continue her studies. She would then enroll into Brown University in 2011 but her film career interfered and it took her a bit longer to complete her schooling. She spoke on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” about how she had to
take two full semesters off. It wasn’t until 2014 when the star would finally receive her degree in English literature. Miranda Cosgrove This 22 year-old starlet has been in the public eye since she first appeared in the 2005 indie film “School of Rock.” However, it wasn’t until Cosgrove got the starring role on what would become a Nickelodeon smash hit, “iCarly” that she got her big break. Immediately after wrapping up her stint on the show, she jetted off to the University of Southern California to major in film, where she still attends today. She continues to do film work as well.
You are almost at the finish line. After this semester, you will officially be VSU seniors! Finally, you’ll be looked at as a superior here. I bet you’re wondering, where did the time go? How did it all fly by so fast? Well, time flies by when you’re having fun! This year is pivotal because you don’t have many more chances to get your GPA together. You literally have one more year
until it’s all over, so don’t get lazy now! Keep pushing forward and remember what you came to college to do in the first place. Also, juniors, this would be the time to start planning what you would like to do after college. Don’t let time sneak up on you and you find yourself lost in the real world after graduation. Use this time to try out different internship opportunities and
allow yourself to see what it is you want to do with your career or brand. This is the time to do it. It is a new year; you have a whole new set of 365 days to go out and be ambitious and succeed! Remember, work hard now and play later. Keep pushing!
Sincerely, Tyra Mills, Social Media Editor
Natalie Portman This child star first made waves in her featured spot in “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” back in 1999. The actress would later go on to graduate from Harvard University with a degree in psychology. Steven Spielberg After being denied enrollment into USC three times, Spielburg got into California State University. However Spielberg would then soon drop out in 1968 in order to get a jump start on his career in film. It wasn’t until 34 years later when the then 56 year-old went back to school and finished with a bachelor’s degree in arts.
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January 11, 2015
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Dear Seniors,
Sociology Anthropology Geography / Geology History Philosophy Li Literature Political Science
The semester we’ve been waiting for since we began our journey at VSU is finally here. Although, if you’re anything like me, this semester will be a lot less light and carefree than expected. With job applications to be filled out, anxiety of the unknown to be dealt with, and multiple good byes to be said, this semester will be anything but care-free. However, this is also the perfect time to visit all of the unique Valdosta restaurants and
other locations you’ve been putting off for the last few years. Knowing your time left in Valdosta is short is the perfect excuse to head to downtown for a night instead of visiting Remerton like you have every other weekend for the last four (or more) years. Somewhere in between applying for jobs, and partying your way through your last few months of college, it is important not to let the inevitable senioritis that will come to you effect your chances of graduat-
ing. Whether you’re taking 18 hours or six hours, it can be easy to let class be the last item on your to-do list, but getting the most out of your last few classes at VSU is something you will thank yourself for later. So seniors, in between the bustle of worrying about your future and enjoying the freedom you have left, don’t forget to actually graduate. Good luck and have a great last semester, seniors!
Sincerely, Kenzie Kesselring, Opinions Editor
Different sports set to start blooming in spring semester Gabe Burns
SPORTS EDITOR gcburns@valdosta.edu Spring 2016 will offer a myriad of Blazers sports to follow. From softball to golf to spring football practices, the sports scene is never dull at VSU. VSU’s men and women basketball teams are entering their stretch runs as the new semester opens. The Blazers (9-4, 5-3) are currently tied for fourth in the Gulf South Conference and will look to finish strong over the next couple months. The Lady Blazers (6-7, 2-6) will continue conference play through February in anticipation of their own conference and regional tournaments. On Jan. 30, VSU softball makes its much anticipated return to the diamond. The powerhouse program is coming off a 48-9 season that included winning 30 of 35 home contests and a national runner-up finish. Aiming for its first national title since 2012, the team’s home opener will be on Feb. 2 against
Flagler. VSU baseball will make its season debut on Jan. 30 as well at North Georgia. The Blazers, after finishing 28-19 a season ago, have conference champion aspirations in 2016. VSU’s first home game will be Feb. 3 against Albany State. Golf starts back up in February and runs through April. Both men and women’s tennis will also be active throughout that same time frame. Being in South Georgia, even in the offseason, all eyes will be on football. Recruiting season and spring practices will provide an outlook of how the Blazers will fare next fall. Less than a week before the start of the semester, a bombshell was dropped on the VSU football program. Head coach David Dean, a two-time national champion and winningest head coach in school history, accepted a position on Tyson Summers’ staff at Georgia Southern. The hiring process has already begun as VSU starts researching and interviewing candidates for its head coach position. The Spectator will prepare fans for the future of Blazer football in running a profile on the new headman once he is announced.
Interested in writing or covering sports? The Spectator Sports section is always looking for new writers, photographers and anyone interested in covering sports. If interested, email Sports Editor Gabe Burns at gcburns@valdosta.edu.
January 11, 2016
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Name: Jordan Barela Position: Editor-in-Chief
Name: Tatyana Phelps Position: Managing Editor
Meet the Staff
Name: Gabe Burns Position: Sports Editor
Name: Kayla Stroud Position: Web Editor
Each semester brings about new editors on the editorial board. This semester brings a Spiderman junkie, a charismatic and hilarious tweeter and a talented saxophone player. Can you spot the three new editors? To read each editors’ full bio, head to vsuspectator.com!
Help Wanted Name: Kyle Da wson Position Photo E : ditor
Name: Mayah Cantave Position: or College Life Edit
Name: Tyra Mills Position: Social Media Editor
Name: Zenobia Harris Position: Copy Editor
The Spectator is looking for a new Multimedia Editor. If interested, email Editor-in-Chief Jordan Barela at jlbarela@valdosta.edu for more details.
Name: Kenzie Kesselring Position: Opinions Editor
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