Fun Activities for the New Semester

Imagine you've just come back to campus after winter break.  You are just starting your new classes and seeing your friends again after a few weeks away.  To help you get back in the swing of things, Fordham hosts a number of events that help returning students get ready for their new semester.

For students looking to become more involved with on-campus clubs or groups, there is a spring club fair that takes place during the first week of the new semester.  Various student groups gather in the McGinley Center, inviting other students to see what interests them and to join related clubs.  Additionally during the first few weeks, there are a number of auditions taking place for upcoming on-campus theatrical productions.

We weren't lucky enough to win Fordham blankets or a $200 Best Buy gift card this time,
but there's always next time!

If you're simply looking to spend a little time relaxing or unwinding during the beginning of the new semester, there are plenty of activities for that too!  From bingo to Cinevents movie showings (this week is Big Hero 6),  students can always find a way to enjoy their free time on campus.

Even though it's only the beginning of the semester, there's no shortage of ways to get involved or enjoy Fordham!

Back With a Bang: How Fordham Starts Off the New Semester Right

The first week of Spring Semester classes is officially over here at Fordham, and I’m so glad to be back in New York City with my friends and classmates. Beginning a new semester can be stressful at times, and at first I felt nervous about taking my Spring Semester courses at the Gabelli School of Business. However, as soon as I got to campus, I felt a lot better about beginning my new classes because of all of the fun, stress relieving activities that Fordham offered this past week.

Just as students jump back into their classes at the start of a new semester, they also have the opportunity to jump back into fun activities going on at the university. Starting during the very first week of this semester, students had the opportunity to attend promo dinners for fundraisers, club fairs, and Bingo! My personal favorite activity this week was the O’Hare Residence Hall Winter Carnival. Resident Assistants and Directors in O’Hare Hall organized a fun night of winter festivities, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, and even an ice skating rink! My friends and I had a great time at this event, and it was a fantastic way to welcome everyone back to Fordham.

The ice skating rink was right on the Rose Hill Campus for O'Hare's Winter Carnival! 

Here at Fordham, there is always something interesting going on. Even at the start of the new semester, Fordham Rams know how to hit the ground running and come back with a bang! Coming back to campus to start a new semester really feels like coming home for me. Every semester, I realize more and more that there truly is no place like Fordham. I am so happy to be back on campus again, and I am really looking forward to Spring Semester’s future Fordham activities!

My roommate and I strapped on some skates and hit the ice after we went to the gym! 

Happy Halloween!

It’s that time of year again when campus looks exceptionally beautiful due to the fall foliage.  When the leaves change, it’s a signal that Halloween is near.  Campus Activities Board helps students celebrate this holiday with Halloweek, where they host festive events the week leading up to Halloween.  

Keating Hall on a crisp fall morning

One of my favorite events is the annual pumpkin patch, where CAB distributes free pumpkins to students.  This past weekend, my roommates and I carved one of the pumpkins we picked up.  And when I say “we,” I mean that I did all of the carving, but my roommates did help scoop out the seeds, which we roasted and had as a late night snack.

I decided to carve my favorite Disney character, Stitch.  After 3 hours of work I think he turned out well!

The final project 

Posters advertising all the fun activities for Halloweek

Another Halloweek event that I attended was Bingo on Sunday night.  Whenever CAB hosts Bingo, it is a big deal.  Fordham sweatshirts and blankets are highly coveted by students, and the grand prizes are quite impressive; past grand prizes have included iPads and digital cameras.  This year, I won for the first time, and I was actually one of the grand prize winners!  My prize fit the theme of Halloweek because I won four tickets to Blood Manor, a popular haunted house in the city.  CAB was even thoughtful enough to include MetroCards for the trip.  I am looking forward to treating my friends to a thrilling night! 

Other events around campus this week include showings of the 80s classic Ghostbusters, a spooky open mic night at Rodrigue's, the student run coffee house on campus, and a raffle for free tickets to see Wicked on Broadway.  

Fordham students love getting into the spirit of Halloween, and you will find many of them dressed up in costume tonight in celebration, sharing ghost stories and scary legends.  If you’re curious about just how spooky Fordham is alleged to be, check out this link to our library’s page on the topic.