Tag Archives: Torie Abbott

SING is in the Air

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By: Torie Abbott

With the beginning of the spring semester upon us, various groups and organizationSING!s all around campus have begun to prepare for one of the greatest Baylor traditions: All-University Sing. When parents and newcomers see the show for the first time they are blown away by the acts put on by Baylor students.

So much time, money, and preparation go into creating the event. Chess games, zoos, tourists, monsters and gamblers are just a few of the themes that have been performed in Sings-gone-by. One of the unique and most anticipated elements of Sing for those participating is that each group keeps their Sing act a secret. Costumes, song choice and chorography are not revealed to the student body until the first night of Sing, Club Night where all students involved in Sing come out to watch the other acts.

SING!TriDeltAs a student who has participated in the program, the feeling of walking onto a packed Waco Hall stage in full make-up and costume with a group of your peers is truly incredible. To all of the 2015 Sing participants: good luck! I cannot wait to see the acts and hard work pay off. All-University Sing premieres on February 22. Students may purchase tickets with a student ID beginning January 22 and general public tickets go on sale online on January 23. I will be there…will you?

Merry [Early] Christmas!

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By Torie Abbott

Christmas comes early for Baylor students! On Thursday, December 4th, Baylor students, faculty and their families, along with the community of Waco, will celebrate a long-standing university tradition: Christmas on 5th Street. This is one of my favorite traditions. Baylor’s 5th Street is turned into a Winter Wonderland, with Christmas lights and red and green (and gold) galore.

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Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. With finals approaching, it can be difficult to be full of Christmas spirit. Christmas on 5th Street allows for students to relax before the studying takes over. It also gives students a chance to celebrate the holiday at school and embrace the Christmas spirit.

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Another unique aspect of Christmas on 5th is that it is also geared toward families. From petting zoos to hot chocolate, camels to a Christmas tree lighting, photo booths to sleigh rides, Baylor families, along with families from all around Waco, are able to come to campus and enjoy the Christmas festivities.

This year, there will be a concert along with the regularly scheduled activities. Tickets are now available for purchase at the Baylor ticket office.

You do not want to miss out on Christmas on 5th!

Hang In There. It’s Almost Thanksgiving!

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By Torie Abbott

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It is a wonderful time of year at Baylor Nation! With the conclusion of Homecoming festivities, the red cup Peppermint Mocha relaunch at Starbucks and daylight savings time this past Sunday, November is in full swing and winter is just around the corner. The semester is half way over, and most students are looking toward end of the semester projects and finals.

Pic 2One of the most time honored Baylor traditions is the All University Thanksgiving Dinner. Located in the Burleson Quad, this on-campus dinner is put on by the Junior Class Officers. This year, the dinner falls on the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving, from 5-7 p.m. The entire Thanksgiving meal, turkey and all, is free of charge for students with the swipe of a Student ID.

I have loved this Baylor tradition since my freshman year! Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for food and family. For college students, however, this holiday occurs away from the friends they have made while at school. The dinner gives students the ability to have a Thanksgiving meal with the friends they have grown to love so much while away from home. It is just one of the ways that Baylor University makes its students feel so at home.

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Why I’m Happy We’re 6-1

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By Torie Abbott

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For Baylor University, football has become a huge deal. With one of the hottest new stadiums in NCAA history, along with a killer team with uniforms to match, Baylor Football is looking better than ever. There is tailgating and sailgating. The campus of Baylor is thriving with support for Bryce, Shock and the rest of the Bears.

With the opening of McLane Stadium, the Bears have been unstoppable. The turn around the Baylor Bears have made in the last few seasons is nothing short of impressive, and some would argue, unbelievable. With a 6-0 record, the Bears traveled to West Virginia where they were handed a heartbreaking loss.

Why am I happy about this? Do not get me wrong, I was just as upset as the next person about the loss. But to think that Baylor fans are upset about one loss when only a few seasons ago, a 6-1 record was unthinkable.

In a couple of years, Art Briles and his team have given Baylor a new stadium, a Heisman trophy and a conference championship. That is something very special. How many other teams in college football can say that?

Regardless of the team final record, something special is going on at Baylor University. Morale is high, and expectations even higher. For Baylor students, we support our team. “Baylor we are, and Baylor we will always be.” And as always, it is a sweet, sweet time to be a Baylor Bear. Sic ‘Em!

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Sic ‘Em Coffee Shops!

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By Torie Abbott

Baylor students, just like college students everywhere, love caffeine more than just about anything. Lucky for us, Waco has produced a significant number of top-notch coffee shops in recent years, making sure to keep Baylor students awake…and caffeinated.

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Dichotomy – Dichotomy is the new kid on the block. It is hip, it is trendy and it is downtown. Of all the coffee shops in town, it definitely has a posh feel to it. It is a great place to go if you want to get off campus. The coffee is impeccable as well as the treats that they keep.

Common Grounds – it is a Baylor classic! My college career would not be the same without Common Grounds; the thought of it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. From the Grade-A concerts and the eclectic feel of the furniture in the backyard, to the trip during Line Camp and its prime location in relation to Collins, Common Grounds has become ingrained in Baylor student life. Also, get the Cowboy Coffee…you won’t regret it.

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Starbucks – times two! You know you are on a college campus when one Starbucks just isn’t enough. This school year, Baylor added a seconds Starbucks to campus. The original one lives in Moody Library, and the new additional Starbucks is in the BSB or Baylor Sciences Building. So, whether your Pre-Med classes have you locked up in the BSB or you are studying for finals in the library, a Starbucks Venti iced coffee is not far away.

As you can see, coffee runs in the veins of a lot of students. And luckily for you, if you are one of those students, you have an endless supply of your caffeine beverage of choice!

Just When You Were Getting Homesick…

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By Torie Abbott

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It is Family Weekend at Baylor University! This 54-year-old tradition invites the families of students to campus for a weekend of fun, reconnection and Baylor spirit. It gives students the chance to see their families after being away at school for a month while also letting parents see what their student’s life is like as a Baylor Bear.

Historically, this tradition has been titled Parents’ Weekend. A few years ago, however, it was changed to Family Weekend to ensure that siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. felt included on this special weekend. Some of the weekend’s activities include a breakfast event that allows parents to personally meet their student’s professors and After Dark, a university-wide talent show. Traditionally, the weekend would conclude with a football game before the family left to return home.

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However, there were some changes to the weekend this year. For the first time, there was not a football game for Family Weekend. Honestly, I think this is a good thing. Instead of parents scrambling for tickets to the new stadium, they got to focus on the other campus activities and on spending quality time with their student.

Overall, Family Weekend is a wonderful campus event. With or without football, Baylor is a great place when it’s filled with families. Luckily for students, it always comes at a great time in the semester.

Three Things High School Doesn’t Tell You About College

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By Torie Abbott

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1. Nobody Makes You Attend Class

Unlike high school, students do not have to report absences or present some sort of excuse. Also, the university will not call your parents if you miss a couple classes. Some classes do have stricter attendance policies than others; I had one class that had attendance built into the course’s grading scale. Each specific college at Baylor has its own specific attendance policy, but most of them require that you attend 75 percent of all class sessions. Now, that does not mean that you should skip class or miss the maximum number allotted. You will be told 100 times, and I promise it is true, that there is no substitution for attending class. Even though the temptation may be there, being present and taking your own notes is the best thing you can do to learn and assure yourself that you have all the material. Many instructors also reward those who have a good attendance record at the end of the semester. With Baylor’s new grading system, good attendance could be the difference between an A and an A-. So, there is a definite bonus for those who dedicate themselves to making it to that Monday morning 8 a.m. every day of the semester.

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2. Meal Plans are Actually Pretty Great

When I was a freshman, I remember having an intense love/hate relationship with the dining halls. In high school, eating in the cafeteria was the worst. Off-campus was the way to go. Unless your high school, like mine, did not allow students to leave campus for lunch. In that case, you were stuck bringing your own lunch or eating the dreaded cafeteria food. Let me assure you of one thing, the dining halls blow cafeteria food out of the water. Honestly, though we like to complain, most of the food is pretty great. I guarantee you that it is better than most things you will make on your own. It may seem expensive, but since you can pay for the whole semester up front through your semester bill, it is super worth it. And trust me, as an upperclassman, you will miss the convenience of having a dining hall downstairs.

3. You are Going to Struggle…

…And that is OK! There will be times you are homesick. There will be times you feel alone. There will be times you are overwhelmed with class. I do not tell you all this to discourage you or make you scared. I tell you this to assure you that it happens, and more importantly, it is worth it. There were a couple times my freshman year that I missed my family and the simplicity of high school, but college is great. And student life at Baylor University is truly special. It might seem cliché, but there is a place for everyone in the Baylor Family. Go to Late Night (a super cool resource for freshman to go to and see all the clubs, organizations and employment opportunities at Baylor) on the first Friday of classes and see all that Baylor has to offer. You might just find your place at this great university!

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A Junior Already?

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By Torie Abbott

We’ve all heard it before…the graduating senior reminiscing about how quickly college has gone by and the importance of enjoying it all. I definitely remember listening to these people, and as a freshman I remember thinking, “No way. Four years is such a long time!”

Earlier this week, however, as I was preparing for finals and all of the studying that will come with it, I came to a stunning realization…in less than two week, I will be halfway done with college.

How can I already be a junior? As a freshman, everything seemed so far away and everyone seemed so old. But now, I am registering for LSAT prep classes and looking at law schools. I now realize how close I am to being done.

College is not easy. It can be very challenging at times. It can be frustrating. There are moments when you are entirely overwhelmed and times that you are very homesick.

But then, you also have some of the best times of your life. You meet some amazing people, make best friends and go to fun events, all while getting an education. I am saddened to know I am halfway done, and I am left thinking, “Where has the time gone?”

That is what happens though. Each of us moves onto things after college; that is why it is so very important to embrace every moment, have a lot of fun and study as hard as possible. Because two years from now, when my time here is done, those are the things I am going to remember most of all.

 

 

Tri Deltas Take Dallas

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By Torie Abbott

This past Saturday, the Baylor Tri Delts went to Dallas for a Take-a-Date! First and foremost, a Take-a-Date is when a group plans a date function outside of the Baylor Bubble. The event usually takes all day or at least most of the evening (depending on the event).

For this event, we left Waco around 5 p.m. and headed north on I-35. For me, the bus ride was one of the best parts. It was fun to be able to hang out and talk to my date before the actual date event began. Then, on the ride back, my bus watched Frozen…needless to say, we all had a great time!

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We were all super excited and starving when we finally made it to Dallas. For dinner, we all went to Gilley’s, which is a Western saloon-style restaurant that also has a dance floor! We had SUCH a great meal and took tons of pictures, of course! Then, the dancing began and soon enough two-steppin’ took over.

The part of the Take-a-Date that was far different than anything we had done before was the armadillo racing! There were three live armadillos with their keepers at the event that we were allowed to race…well, those who had the nerve to were allowed to race! I was not one of those people.

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There was food to be eaten, dancing to be done, armadillos to be raced and fun to be had! Before we knew it, the wonderful night was over. I can honestly say, however, that it was one of the coolest night I have had with my Baylor friends and can’t wait to go back!

Getting Around Baylor’s Campus

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By Torie Abbott

As a freshman, I was quite concerned about whether or not I needed a car, bicycle or moped when coming to Baylor. In high school, I had a designated spot for my car, and once I went into the school, I did not come out until the end of the day. What I have come to find out, however, is that transportation is merely a personal preference.

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Living on campus is a huge convenience since you are close to all of your classes, the residence halls, the Student Life Center (SLC) and the dining halls. I walked everywhere my freshman year. Many people, however, often bike to class. If that sounds like something you want to do, I recommend getting a bike lock and registering your bike with Baylor to insure it. It is free and protects your bike!

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Another big question I struggled with was whether or not to purchase a parking permit. If you intend on bringing a car, then it is a must. Living off-campus, I have a parking permit for driving to class and such. It’s especially helpful when it’s raining outside or when I need to be somewhere quickly after class. Though a parking permit can be avoided, it is worth the money if you have a car.

Another form of transportation for Baylor students is the Baylor buses. For those students that do not have cars, the bus is a great option! There are bus stops located all around campus, and the buses are always on schedule.

No matter if you are riding on a bike or bus, driving a car or walking, Baylor is easy to navigate! It might take a week or two to get the hang of things, but in no time, you will be a champ of transportation!