Tag Archives: Maggie Malone

Midnight Rescue Team

Posted on by
2

By Maggie Malone

Recently, I joined up with an unofficial student group called “The Whatever” to impact the Baylor campus with a kindness challenge called #arkweek2015. It was a great chance to step out of my dorm, make some new friends, and shower my campus with love and kindness by completing different challenges.

One of the highlights of the week, though, was Thursday night, where a group of us banded together around midnight to encourage those studying in the library. We divided into two teams: Team Delivery, and Team Propaganda.

Team Delivery loaded up into cars and acquired dozens of fresh tortillas from Taco Cabana, meanwhile, Team Propaganda went ahead to the library to create encouraging notes that would be passed around with the tortillas.

After all the prep was complete, my little group of four disappeared into the crowded basement of the library, and handed out the warm snack and cute little notes. It was great to see the reactions of the exhausted students, some surprised, and then absolutely delighted, as a delicious tortilla and a note was placed into their hands.

The Midnight Rescue Team mission was a success, and it brought us closer together, as well as perked up some of our fellow students. Although I was exhausted by the end, my heart was happy and my spirit was overflowing with cheer.

blog post whatever

Going Abroad with Baylor

Posted on by
1

By Maggie Malone

Are you wanting to push your boundaries, discover new cultures, and maybe even land an internship? Check into the Center for International Education at Baylor! There you will find a treasure trove of opportunities to travel and study abroad.

When I first came to Baylor, I was determined to try one of these programs out. But where would I go? After exploring a bit online and visiting a study abroad fair in the fall, I settled on the Baylor in London FIE program, which includes both studying and an internship. After working hard on form after form, I am ecstatic to be leaving with a group from Baylor this fall!

abroad flag But my program isn’t the only option out there! Baylor boasts seven types of ways to go abroad!

  1. Exchange/Affiliate Programs With these programs, students travel on their own to affiliated universities around the world and study as a visiting or international student.
  2. Group Semester Programs Students travel with others from Baylor and study together. (Baylor in London FIE is one of these.)
  3. International Conference/Competitions These programs vary by academic department, however who knows what kind of opportunities you may find within your major!
  4. Mission Trips While these trips aren’t studying abroad per se, Baylor has a variety of mission trips locally and internationally that students have the opportunity of serving with.
  5. Faculty-Led Programs These programs vary by department as well, but, like many of the study abroad programs, you can get quite a bit of academic credit.
  6. International Internships Chances are, your major requires an internship. And even if it doesn’t, and internship is strongly advised. While you do the research yourself online, Baylor gives you the opportunity to head abroad yourself and chase your dream.
  7. International Research These trips are more for grad students, and are department based, but the chance to research in a different culture is an excellent way to gain knowledge and perspective about the world around you.  

baylor in paris

Honestly, I’m a little nervous about studying abroad in London. I’ve never been there before, and I have no idea what completing an internship in the UK is going to be like. But on the other hand, I’m excited. Who knows what kind of adventures I’m going to have abroad? What I do know is that I’ll have plenty of exciting stories to bring home with me.

Going abroad with Baylor is an exciting chance for you to explore a new locale, make some new friends, serve a mission, and pick up some academic credit along the way! Not only that, but you’ll get to have plenty of stories of your very own to share when you get back to the states.

Six Reasons Why You Should Join the Baylor Golden Wave Marching Band

Posted on by
Reply

By Maggie Malone

Just because you’re not a marcher doesn’t mean you should skip this article. On the contrary, the Golden Wave isn’t an uncommon sight to see on campus, this post will give you a piece of insight as to who we are. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised!

Ahhhh, spring. The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, and oh, what’s that? It’s audition season! That’s right ladies and gents! With that first footstep onto our campus, you’ve entered the home of one of the most tradition-steeped organizations on campus, the Golden Wave Marching Band! (Usually referred to as BUGWB, pronounced BUG-wuhb)

I came from a small, rural Missouri high school marching band, so making the leap to a large (to me, at least) collegiate Texas marching band was quite a jump for me. I had so much to adjust to when I arrived at pre-season week at the end of summer. In fact, I hadn’t even met anyone in my section because I sent in my color guard audition by video.

But joining BUGWB was one of the best decisions I have ever made here at Baylor. I’ve absolutely loved the experiences and all the fun I’ve had with this organization. Over the past couple of seasons, it’s become very near and dear to my heart.

Without further ado, here’s why you should join our 300+ member family:

1. Tradition

As I hinted above, BUGWB is pretty old. We’ve been around for over 100 years! But besides that, the band itself has its own traditions we pass down from class to class over the years. We’ve let some traditions go, as we moved from Floyd Casey Stadium, but at the beginning of a new era of marching in McLane Stadium, we’ve embraced some new traditions as well! And not all of these traditions are serious. In fact, some of them are downright crazy. For example, there’s Spirit Fridays, where we wear different costumes to practice, depending on the theme.

band 1

2. Free Stuff

I shouldn’t have to list anything else, because at the mention of “free food” you should all come running. I know that after a few hours of hard practice, we certainly do. On game days, we cater food from nearby restaurants, like Jason’s Deli or Chick-Fil-A. On bowl trips, we also eat at some pretty swanky places as well. But wait, there’s more! Not only do you get free food, you get some pretty cool gear! Because BUGWB is sponsored by Nike, you get a ton of Nike apparel. While you do have to pay a fee, everything you acquire over the marching season more than covers that.

band 3

3. Awesome Behind-the-Scenes Access

By this, I mean that, as part of the halftime entertainment, you get to experience things that no one else really gets to. You get to know about all the inner workings of things, and visit places that no one else sees. You get to be on the front lines of all the action. It’s exhausting, but pretty cool too.

 

band 4

4. Football Games

Speaking of exhausting, game day is one of the most bone-numbing days of the semester. But don’t let that scare you. Those were some of my favorite days. Hours and hours of practice, short nights, and lots of standing all fall away when we take the field to perform our pre-game and halftime shows. And afterwards, the crowd doesn’t just cheer. The sound that the thousands watching make is closer to a roar. It’s enough to cheer your heart and lift your spirits. The feeling is truly indescribable. Another thing. You don’t have to fight with the rest of the student body for tickets because there’s already a seat at the stadium with your name on it! And by name, I mean a sticker. Everyone loves stickers, right?

band 5

5. Bowl Trips

Now, even though Baylor lost both of the bowl games that I attended, I still had a blast. Bowl trips are even more tiring than regular game days, because we have to be there a few days before, but these trips are fantastic. Besides practicing, we always are given the opportunity to enjoy delicious meals and fun activities. When I went on the Fiesta Bowl trip, we got to eat at a restaurant that you entered via slide!

band 6

6. Shenanigans

Yes. These do happen. Many of my best college stories come from BUGWB. From buses breaking down on the side of the road, to nighttime hotel explorations, to twenty color guard members cramming under a blanket in the cold, BUGWB can often seem like one unplanned adventure after another. But that’s one of the reasons that makes it fun!

band shen

 

Now I would be lying if I said BUGWB was smooth sailing. But the memories you make and the people you meet become some of your favorite things at Baylor. It’s an absolutely thrilling experience, and I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to experience it. Sadly, I won’t be marching this fall, as I’m studying abroad, but next fall I’ll be back on the field. That’s the thing about BUGWB (and Baylor too, for that matter). You miss it when you’re away, or on the off-season, but when you return for another year, it feels like home.

band last

7 Traditions All Baylor Freshmen Should Know About

Posted on by
Reply

By Maggie Malone

With the recent announcing of awards for Baylor’s annual Sing participants, another great tradition has once again come to a close. In addition to Sing, there are so many great traditions to experience here.

Sing1. All University Sing Teams from Greek organizations compete in Broadway-style performances complete with their own themes, song choices, and costumes. Hours and hours of work are poured into each act. The one exception to mostly-Greek teams is called Sing Alliance, a group made up of any student who wants to participate in Sing. Tickets sell out fast so be sure you buy early!

Christmas2. Christmas on 5th Street Christmas at Baylor! This event happens right before finals week, and it is a good opportunity to chill with friends, sip some hot chocolate and enjoy the lights on campus. Also, there are talented choirs that perform, carriage rides, a live nativity, fantastic petting zoo and the annual tree lighting!

images-7

3. Baylor Line One of the major experiences of being a freshman at Baylor! While wearing your personalized gold jersey, you and the rest of the freshmen run through the stadium before every home football game and line up to welcome the Baylor Bears onto the field. And by this I mean that there is a mad dash of hundreds of freshmen pouring onto the field. Right afterwards, the Line is able to enjoy fantastic seats … right behind the visitors’ bench! Sadly, because I perform with the marching band, I have never gotten to experience this tradition. But how do you join this esteemed Line of glory? You attend …

images-64. Line Camp Yes, we have Line Camp! And while it’s not mandatory for freshmen to attend, I highly, highly recommend it. You get to learn not only about the Line, but also about the rich history of Baylor University. You get to make your first friends at Baylor while having tons of fun. Hint: They have an amazing slip and slide.

Dr.Pepper

5. Dr Pepper Hour Every Tuesday in Barfield Drawing Room, Baylor serves up some delicious Dr Pepper floats! These floats are a nice cold treat, especially in the summertime when it gets really hot outside. Besides it being a great meet-up for friends, sometimes there are tables lined up featuring activities, clubs, study abroad information, and more! Bonus, you may even spot our president, Judge Ken Starr, and our mascot, Bruiser!

 

Mass Meeting

6. Freshman Mass Meeting This late night tradition during homecoming week is an important part of the Baylor experience. Freshmen gather together to listen to the story of the Immortal 10, some of Baylor’s finest students. I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s a great one. Afterwards, freshmen then go to help prepare what will become one of the greatest bonfires you will ever see. 

Dia

7. Diadeloso Ah, spring. Season of new life, warmer weather (hopefully), and Diadeloso! Meaning “day of the bear” in Spanish, and affectionately called “Dia” by Baylor students, this day off from school is a great chance to take a break from life and just have fun. It’s a university-wide holiday, which gives students the chance to hang out, go on a day trip, or just have a good time on campus. Baylor usually brings in cool shows to entertain as well. Last year we had an exotic petting zoo, a talented magician, and, at the end of the day, NEEDTOBREATHE. Grab your Dia tank and get out into that sunshine!

Dia2

I’ve only listed seven, but, as Baylor is an old university, we have plenty more traditions old and new to enjoy!

Setback to Comeback

Posted on by
1

By Maggie Malone

It had to be a Monday, of course.

Last week, I arrived in my dorm after lunch to an email written in red. My eyes glossed over the words, heart pounding faster as I read. The room next to mine had bedbugs, the email said. Because of that, my roommate and I had to pack up everything outside of my closets and drawers, and evacuate for 24 hours, as our room was to be sprayed with heavy pesticides.

My residential director was waiting for me outside. After prepping me on room cleaning, my CL (that’s what we call RAs here) and I went to work. I had to skip a class and work to get everything done, and even worse, I had a test the next afternoon that I hadn’t even started studying for.

Luckily, there were no bedbugs in my room, but unluckily, the test scores weren’t that great. My roommate and I were camping out on the floor because of the chemical residue left by the pesticides. We were exhausted and frazzled. It was a rough week.

But you know what? So much good came out of it. After we cleaned, our room was more organized than it was before, our sheets and carpets were clean, and my desk was cleared from all the junk that previously resided on its surface.

The staff at Baylor was extremely nice and helpful. They supplied all the trash bags and gloves we needed, and made sure we were set for the night. The fact that they addressed the bedbug problem very quickly was also a blessing. As for the neighbors who had the bedbugs? Baylor washed all their clothes and put them up in a local hotel, with no extra cost for them.

Bedbugs are rather uncommon (so don’t worry about them, incoming freshmen!), and even when the chips were down, the awesome community at Baylor had my back, and I was able to overcome the worst week ever.

Our room after two hours of packing

Our room after two hours of packing.

A Morning at the Waco Farmers Market

Posted on by
Reply

By Maggie Malone

I am not a morning person. I could probably count good reasons for waking up early on one hand. The Waco Farmers Market, however, is most certainly one of the fingers on that hand.

A few of my friends from church and I piled into the car a couple Saturdays ago for my first trip to the Farmers Market. It was rather cold, so everyone was wrapped up in scarves and jackets. Yet everyone was cheerful as we chatted excitedly all the way downtown.

In the heart of Waco, under a small grove of trees, next to an old tower, sits the white tents of the Farmers Market. The cold didn’t stop too many of the locals as they gathered around the stalls with their children and dogs playing close by.

My eyes caught on a muffin stall, and my small group leader was kind enough to buy us some fresh baked mini muffins!

Emily, me, and our little treasure trove of muffins.

Emily, me, and our little treasure trove of muffins.

 

There was also purple cauliflower and delicious blueberry jam! Many lovely purple things. I also purchased, and devoured ravenously for the next few minutes, a strawberry and Nutella crepe. I hadn’t had a crepe in years, and luckily, the line for the famous crepe tent was short at the time.

Something a friend bought was a gourmet grilled sandwich called “The Boss,” with Gouda cheese, bacon, and basil on sourdough bread. She even let me try a bite! Unsurprisingly, it was absolutely wonderful. The sharp bite of the Gouda and the juicy follow up flavor of the bacon was perfection!

The sandwich isn't the only thing around here that's a boss!

The sandwich isn’t the only thing around here that’s a boss!

Besides all the food, it was nice to chat with friends and Wacoans alike, as everyone gathered under the trees and took a break from life. Sometimes it’s just nice to leave the Baylor bubble for a while and explore all the hidden gems that Waco has to offer.

farmers market 3

Interesting Introductions

Posted on by
Reply

By Maggie Malone

The break was a little short, but isn’t it always? It’s hard trying to get back into the daily routine of eat, study, sleep. However, the beginning of each new semester gives us a chance for a fresh start.

For my part, I’ll begin the year with a story:

At first, I didn’t think that I would get along with the professor for my philosophy class. He was outspoken and snarky, and my slightly sleep deprived brain couldn’t wrap my mind around anything he was trying to say. I began to dread waking up for his class.

However, this professor wasn’t the best with names. So this morning, he brought us all bright lime green cards with our names on them to decorate. He would read out the name on the card, then hand it to its intended recipient, attempting to memorize their faces in the process. When the professor got to my name, he gasped. “MAGGIE MALONE?!” he gasped, “I love your name! It sounds just like a character in a book!” (That was the first time in a while that I had heard a grown man squeal.) After cheerfully prancing to my seat in the back of the room and handing me my name card, he asked me where I was from. Turns out, we’re from the same state! My professor and I geeked out about the most random Missouri things for a few minutes before class started again. I think I’m going to like this class after all. Oh, and I need to thank my parents for giving me such a rad name.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Finals Week

Posted on by
Reply

By Maggie Malone

Pic 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finals week is almost upon us, ladies and gentlemen. You know what that means. College students around America are shrieking with horror and stampeding to the nearest Starbucks to overload their brains with caffeine.

But allow me to share a secret: There’s no need to panic as long as you’re prepared!

How do you prepare? Come along with me as I give you a rundown of some do’s and don’ts of the most dreaded week of the semester.

Do get a head start. Just because you’re going to be studying for your finals during finals week doesn’t mean you have to start studying for your finals during finals week. Start gathering what you need to study before the week begins so you’re all ready to go.

Pic 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t pull all nighters. Your brain isn’t going to want to function the next day if you wear it out. Make sure you get plenty of sleep. All that info you crammed into your brain the night before is more likely to stick if you get a little sleep.

Do make a daily schedule. I, for one, am the worst at this. However, you won’t be caught not knowing what to do at any period of time, which can minimize stress and distraction. Be sure to stick to this schedule and block in eating, sleeping and breaks. Don’t forget to set alarms if needed.

Pic 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t stay in one location the whole time. This one can be tricky, as students can find themselves competing with hundreds of their peers for prime spots around the library.  Sometimes the mind tends to wander if it’s been looking at the same four walls for 8 hours straight. If it’s warm enough, go outside! If not, duck into a lounge in of the many buildings around campus or even grab a friend and chill at Common Grounds, which is a short walk from campus.

Do take study breaks. Sometimes when my mind is focused on a task for far too long, it starts shorting out. I start forgetting all the notes I’ve worked so hard to look over. Make sure that info gets time to soak in your brain before you shove more stuff in. Use this time by taking a walk, hanging out with a friend or watching some Netflix (But not too much Netflix. OK. Just one more episode, I promise!). Sometimes Moody Library even brings in therapy dogs! Take the opportunity to go play with cute puppies!

Pic 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t give up! You’re probably going to need that therapy after this week, but now’s not the time to think about that. Stay strong, my friends. We’ll survive this week together, one day and one snack break at a time.

Optional Bonus Tip:  Dress for success! While it doesn’t matter what you wear the rest of the time, dress up for your actual test. It sounds crazy, but not only is the time you take cleaning up a good mental prep, but when you step into the room, you may feel a little more confident (and you’ll look it too!).

Pic 5

Outside Baylor: Exploring Downtown Waco

Posted on by
Reply

By Maggie Malone

With all its tradition, fellowship, athletics and activities, Baylor’s a pretty great place. But outside of the Baylor Bubble is the city of Waco, another beautiful place all by itself. Waco is sometimes forgotten by Baylor’s students. It’s small, and at first glance, there doesn’t seem to be too much to do. But Waco is a city of character, and it’s most certainly worth leaving campus to go explore.

One of my favorite parts of Waco is downtown. There’s just so much there! From the Dichotomy coffee shop to cozy restaurants to gorgeous architecture, there’s quite a bit to explore. Armed with our cameras, my friend Catrina and I did just that on a bright Saturday afternoon. It was absolutely glorious.

Pic 1

One of the tallest buildings for miles around.

 

Pic 2

This mural by Café Cappuccino downtown is not only a great photo spot, but it also gives you a compliment!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pic 3

The Waco Hippodrome is currently undergoing renovations, but it’s opening up very soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pic 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pic 5

 

 

 

 

But most of all, it’s great to get away from the usual surroundings and try something new. And what better place to start than where you live.

Five Fun Things to Do On Campus

Posted on by
1

By Maggie Malone

In all the craziness that comes along with Homecoming week (or any week around here really), it’s hard to find some time to kick back and just chill. And, believe it or not, there’s quite a few fun things to do around campus!

1. Taking silly pictures!

As an aspiring photographer, I often bring my nice camera with me, but a cell phone camera works nicely. Just grab a few of your crew and go exploring! There’s quite a few excellent photo spots here. Then, let the fun begin! Try out different poses and facial expressions! Extra points if you do it in costume.

2. The Guerrilla Troupe

When I watch this improv comedy group, I always laugh so hard that I start crying. They are absolutely hilarious. Plus, the entry fee is only $3, which is an excellent value. However, their shows are held at random times throughout the year, and they fill up fast. So, checking their Facebook page is a must, but it’s well worth it.

3. Game Room

Baylor’s not-so-secret game room is located in the basement of the Student Union Building (often referred to as the SUB) and has a ton of cool stuff like billiards, foosball and bowling.

4. The Pool

Found in the McLane Student Life Center (the SLC), it has everything from swimming lanes to a heated spa. It even has a water slide. Yes, you read right. I just said water slide. I haven’t had time to go check it out yet, but the fact that Baylor has its own water slide gives us at least 25 more cool points. If swimming isn’t your thing, the SLC is jam-packed with other sports facilities as well.

5. Common Grounds

This last one is technically off-campus, but this cozy coffee shop sits on the outskirts of campus, enticing students by the carload with its warm atmosphere and delicious coffees.