What I'm Reading Spring Semester 2015

Welcome to the semi-annual school book list extravaganza! Okay, so it's not that exciting. But I'm proud to say that this semester I have the extremely reasonable number of 11 books for the next three and a half months. MUCH better than 31. It helps that I only have three courses this semester (I'm trying to make my blog like a fourth class, but so far I'm rather failing at that...) and that only one is an English class.

Liberal arts for the win my friend.

So, let's get started:

New Testament

This was a last-minute addition to my class schedule after Modern Latin American almost put me to sleep...on the first day. Having made the mistake of staying in a class I hated last semester, I escaped immediately. Sadly, I couldn't pick up another history class, but I'll make up for it next year.

BUT ANYWAY. New Testament books:

• New Oxford Annotated Bible: NRSV. Because it wouldn't be a Christianity class without it.
• Parallel Gospels: A Synopsis of Early Christian Writing, by Zeba Crook. So how similar are the gospels after all?
• A Brief Introduction to the New Testament, by Bart D. Ehrman. Just your classic 100-level textbook.

Gender Across Cultures

I return to the anthropology world to learn about gender, one of my favorite subjects (if you get the chance, PLEASE take a women's studies class. It's such an important learning experience). Since this class discusses all types of gender, I look forward to learning more about societal influences on people's everyday lives.

• Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective, by Caroline B. Brettel and Carolyn F. Sargent. Just the one textbook...what is this department??

Playwriting

I branch out of my writing comfort-zone into playwriting, where apparently acting is required. I'm nervous, but I think it will be good for me to put myself out there and do more public speaking. Since this is an English class, the book list is more extensive than the others:

• The Clean House & Other Plays, by Sarah Ruhl. I read this for a class two years ago (I'm SO OLD) and really enjoyed it. I'm sure I'll enjoy it again!
• Topdog/Underdog, by Suzan-Lori Parks. Apparently it's quite a big deal--lots of people in the class have read it before.
• 4000 Miles, by Amy Herzog. But I would walk 4000 miles, and I would walk 4000 more...
• Water by the Spoonful, by Quiara Alegria Hudes. A play that introduces the Internet to the real world. Say no more--I'm intrigued.
• An Almost Holy Picture, by Heather McDonald. One-man show with lots to say.
• The Pillowman, by Martin McDonagh. Judging from the back of the book, this does not include a pillow fight.
• Take Ten II: More Ten-Minute Plays, edited by Eric Lane and Nina Shengold. To inspire me to write my future ten-minute play.

I think all the plays sound interesting; I don't know much about them yet but since Topdog/Underdog comes recommended, I think I'll put it at the top of my list. Which book sounds the most exciting to you?

---

Below the Line:

• Recruitment starts today. You know what that means...sleepless nights and lots of food. And that's just for the sorority women.
• Since this week has been so Greek focused, it's hard to believe I'm back in the school groove. I have to admit, I miss my internship. I loved the work I was doing, plus coming home and not having to worry about anything was a good life!

Best Studying Tips | The SECOND Day of Blogmas!

On the second day of Blogmas, Leeann's blog gave to me: the best study tips... As I've struggled through studying and paper writing, I've hoped and prayed for some solution to my agony and dismay. "Please," I say to anyone who passes by, "tell me how to stop this!" My friends and fellow students pat me on the back then go into their finals sob stories of two finals in one day and a project with a group that won't meet.

I needed a hero, and it came in the form of this article from my dearest mom. It lists "scientifically proven" methods to success during study week, and while it had quite a few suggestions I already knew it also gave me the proof that I was making the right decisions (I've never had an all-nighter and I plan to keep that streak; this article told me why that's a good thing).

But it got me thinking, what else is out there that can help all of us suffering under the biggest tests of the semester? So here is my list of the best finals studying tips I found across the Internet:

• Scientifically, The Best Ways To Prepare For Final Exams by the SUNY blog (this is what my mom sent me!)
• My Favorite Study Method by Cardigans and Chai
• A Love Letter for the College Students by More Love Letters (for the 11:00 p.m. freak out when your spirits need a boost)
• 22 Science-Backed Study Tips by Greatist
• Tips on Studying for Finals by University of Pittsburg Bradford

What are your top studying tips?

On the second day of Blogmas, Leeann's blog gave to me:

the best study tips and 10 Christmas songs to sing!

---

Below the Line:

• One test down, one test and two papers to go
• #2days

Favorite Christmas Songs | The FIRST Day of Blogmas!

On the first day of Blogmas, Leeann's blog gave to me: 10 Christmas songs to sing! Hello everyone, and welcome to Blogmas Day One! While I'm stressed and freaked out to the max right now, trying to get all my work done for the two papers/two tests I've got going on in the next three days, I'm also super excited to spend the next 12 days with you getting ready for Christmas. Something to enjoy while write 24-pages over the next 24-hours... :)

But since it is finals season, I'm listening to quite a lot of Christmas music. It's what keeps me sane during winter finals. Knowing that the "Christmas spirit" is still around keeps me motivated. So for this first Blogmas post, I'm going to share with you my top ten Christmas songs for studying:

10: We Three Kings, Aly & AJ Ah, the favorite duo of my past. I love We Three Kings, and these sisters do an amazing job with it.

9: Silver Bells, Bing Crosby & Ella Fitzgerald Nothing like some Bing Crosby. I love all of his songs, but Silver Bells makes me think of 1940s Christmases.

8: 12 Days of Christmas, Straight No Chaser This is just a fun song I like to listen to after a particularly long study session.

7: The Christmas Song, Nat King Cole A classic. All the feels.

6: O Holy Night, Nat King Cole Yes yes, another Nat King Cole because he's the king. And because this version of another favorite Christmas carol is simply beautiful.

5: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Andy Williams Another king of Christmas music, Andy Williams's version of this song is just perky enough to make that Environmental Crisis paper seem worth it...

4: The Nutcracker Symphony I choose the Nutcracker when I need to do some serious thinking but need some background noise. It's just soft enough to be in the holiday spirit while letting me do my work.

3: It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas, Michael Buble Ah, Michael Buble. The 21st century version of Bing Crosby. How I love his voice; this song is so soothing, so one of my top picks when I'm at my stress peak.

2: Christmas Time is Here, Vince Guaraldi Trio Because it's from one of my favorite childhood Christmas shows, it gets me pumped to go home at the end of a long line of finals.

And my all-time favorite song...

1: Suite from the Polar Express It's hard to convey how much this song (and movie and book) means to me in one line, so just trust me when I say this song is so full of meaning to me that I pull it out frequently during finals.

There are some favorite Christmas songs missing, such as Carol of the Bells and O Come All Ye Faithful; but those aren't really songs I listen to while studying. I need tunes that will perk my spirits or get me in the mood to finish my work and go home!

What are your favorite Christmas songs?

---

Below the Line:

• As soon as I publish this post, I'm jumping straight into studying for my U.S. Women's History test. After tomorrow morning, I can kiss that class goodbye!
• Still haven't finished buying all my Christmas presents yet... I really like to find people something they're going to love, so it's difficult to spend that much time looking while writing a paper at the same time.
• 3 days! 3 days and finals will be over.

5 College Posts You Need to Read

If you're anything like me, you're in the midst of crazy college stress and are wondering how the heck you got into this mess. (Or maybe that's just me :)). Today I wanted to share with you a few posts I've found on the World Wide Web about surviving the four years that is college:

• 5 Things I Wish I Knew: Planning Ahead in College- Some really great tips that apply even if you're already in college.
• Anything at My College Advice- I've mentioned her before, but Katie has posts on about every question or topic you would ever want to know more about.
• How to Plan for a Busy Week {college students}- a great post for when you have those super crazy weeks. For those of you who have crazy weeks every week, stay tuned to next year. Hopefully I will have figured that out myself by then!
• You know, I have some pretty great posts too... ;)
• A Love Letter to College Freshmen- This was posted right at the beginning of my freshman year of college, when I was scared, stressed, and desperately homesick. My mom emailed it to me and I liked it so much I taped it up on my wall that year. If you read any of these, it should be this one. If you want to see more of these types of letters, check out More Love Letters' Dear College campaign.

What are your favorite college posts?

---

Below the Line:

• Better late than never, right?
• History presentation: accomplished
• I went home this weekend for my dad's homemade beef stew and some family time. It was great to get away from DePauw for a little bit and hang out with my family. Plus, I happened to make it to our neighborhood farmer's market. That means tamale time!