My Fabulous Freshman Year- Find the Prize

As part of the blogging committee, I have been assigned to share my experiences as a freshman at Coe every week.  Today I sat thinking about what I should write about. I mean I could talk about tests, classes or orientation.  There have been so many amazing things that have happened in the month I have been at Coe that the list can go on and on, but I instantly thought of the event that has consumed my life for the past 24 hours, causing me to procrastinate on everything, and basically get nothing accomplished.  So I thought, what better way to make something useful out of all the time spent on this activity than by blogging about it?

For anyone that's on campus at Coe, you have probably heard about the Oohlala app, which basically connects you to everything that is happening on campus.  On Tuesday, a new aspect of the app was released, an event, or game rather, called Find the Prize.  The rules are simple, using your app you search around campus for the "prize",  and you tap a button to take it from another person's smartphone when you are within 100 feet of each other.  You can't leave campus or you drop the prize, and if you are lucky enough to hold it for the longest amount of time over the three-day period or have it on your phone Thursday at 5:00 pm, you win $200.  Not a bad deal for a free smartphone app. 

The problem is the game is addicting.  It's basically electronic capture the flag.  I initially laughed when I saw the poster advertising the game, with students chasing each other across a campus.  I mean why would people be running for some stupid game?  Well, I was one of those people running yesterday as my two writing center teammates and I chased down the prize for over three hours, including a late-night search which ended with us determining our sleep might be worth more than $200. 

We've spent time formulating well thought plans and trying develop the perfect strategy to win the prize money, and in the process have left only a small amount of time to get our homework done. We learned that the fence that goes around the football field is much larger than you might think, and that the Writing Center, although sometimes hidden from the public, is not hidden from people after the beloved prize.  We also learned never to underestimate the lengths people will go to to capture the prize back from you, people are obsessed with this game (us included).

Win or lose tomorrow, I will gladly say that Find the Prize has been one of my favorite campus events so far.  Were it not for my ever-growing mound of homework and my short-lived cell phone battery, my team and I would be out at all hours in search of that coveted prize.  I can't wait to have more fun on campus this year!

- Alexandria, Class of  '18

Homecoming, Friendship, and the Writing Center

Hello, everyone!

The academic year is rolling and the writing center is hopping with beginning-of-the-year conferences (and coffee, of course). Despite the mass amount of homework we all have, we make time for fun... because the WC and fun might actually be synonyms.

We especially made time for fun this weekend, since it was Coe's homecoming.

Homecoming is this fabulous time of the year when Coe students remember how awesome Coe is -- and how awesome it's always been. Lots of alumni come back to watch the famous football game, eat juicy burgers, and visit with old friends. There is also a dance where we all go get our groove on. You can feel the school spirit everywhere, and I for one spent the weekend feeling grateful that I made this college decision.

My college experience (and my homecoming experience) wouldn't be the same without my friends -- and I made my closest friends through the writing center. It's amazing to think back to two years ago (yep, two!) when we all met and practiced conferencing together. We were scared, little first-years, but we supported each other and have grown into thriving students: studying abroad, landing the best internships, and starting the process of writing our honors theses.

The writing center is really what gave my friends and I (all 70-something of us, but a few in particular) the chance to bond and develop these lasting friendships. The first time we really got to know each other was in San Diego at a conference for writing centers across the nation. We learned a lot of very helpful tips for more productive conferences, and we also got to explore San Diego together. As the old adage says, "Those who navigate the San Diego trolly system together become close friends." The WC also puts on plenty of social events for consultants through our special committee, Fun and Games. Last year, we went apple picking at an orchard and watched movies together on Friday nights. I know this year, Fun and Games is carefully planning how they will magically transform acquaintances and co-workers into best friends -- because it somehow happens every year.

A few of our lovely WC consultants getting ready for Homecoming 2014!

  I'm so thankful to have such a great place to work and to develop myself professionally, socially, and personally.

Happy first day of Autumn!

-Angela, class of '16