Future @ OU

OU is a place where you can do pretty much anything. Narrowing that down for me is pretty tough. I am still not sure of what I want to do with my life. I am still undecided at this point. I would like to do stuff involving computers, as I understand them very well and I can fix any computer problem my family and friends have. It is a great feeling to know you have really helped someone with a problem. Also, I love history and I love to read books. But being a history major probably would not be a good path for me. I would probably end up teaching somewhere. While I enjoy younger kids, I don't think I could do it every day... It is something I wouldn't be fully invested in. But I know I will find what I want here at OU. It will just take some time.

Attitude

Attitude is probably one of the most essential things for a leader to have. Everyone follows the person who has a can do attitude and knows that they will accomplish what they need to do. Without someone like that, groups tend to get overwhelmed and can often fall apart. A leader knows when to give an encouraging speech or to change up positions in the group. One very close friend of mine has influenced me quite a bit by displaying this attitude. His ability to never get overwhelmed shows me that I can do much more to not only take control of myself, but to take control of the group and lead them to success. Attitude is definitely a leaders most important asset. No one will follow the whiny leader who complains about how hard everything is and always talks about how they won't finish. Instead people gather around the person who has a plan and equips everyone else with the tools needed to complete their project. This is what a true leader's attitude is like.

Letter From OU

Hey guys! OU is pretty awesome! I just though I would give you all some advice to help you get ready for college! First of all, make sure you take your ACT/SAT! That is essential before you apply to college. Second, make sure you apply for plenty of scholarships. They are extremely essential to help you pay for college. Make sure you know where you want to go to college, or at least have an idea. You need to apply by January of your senior year to make sure you have enough time to hear back from all of your choices. Also, go online and complete the FAFSA starting January 1st of your senior year. You never know how much money you could get from the government! Start taking tours as well. You have two college days, make sure you use them. Going to campus for the first time in your life on the day of college enrollment is not a good idea. Once you complete all of these crazy steps, you just have to wait to hear if you got in! After that is another crazy amount of papers to fill out and online forms to do as well. But start early and you will do just fine. College takes a lot of preparing with dorms as well, so start making a list of things you might need, once you find out how prepared your dorm is. Happy College hunting!

Bystander Behavior

I have been a bystander to many things. People would ridicule others, and I would just stand there and let them, even if it was about a friend, simply because I didn't want to bring attention to myself. I wish I had been brave enough to defend people in that circumstance. People don't like to put themselves out in the open for others, unless it is a really close friend, and even then they might not step up. Other times its because they don't want to be against everyone else and possibly lose friends over it. But if they were true friends it would not be a problem. They would understand and get over it. Being a bystander is something everyone deals with at some point. The only difference is whether or not they will step up and stop being a bystander and be actively involved.

Priorities

My priorities before I came to OU were simply, to get good grades and get into college. I had plenty of time to do so, and as long as I actually set aside time to get work done it was done quickly and efficiently. I had a 3.7 GPA in high school, so I consider myself to be somewhat successful in that regard. My priorities now are pretty much the same. I must get a good GPA so I can attain more money in scholarships and start to work on my degree in Management Information Systems. My priorities are the same, but also changing. I am involved in BYX as a pledge, so one of my new priorities is to become a member and just grow closer to God in one of the most spiritually trying times of my life. Included in the pledge-ship for BYX I have 5 hours a week of mandatory study hall, which can be daunting considering how many events college entails. I also have to balance my free time playing video games with time I should be studying or even sleeping. All in all things are pretty similar on paper, but in reality I have to be much more active in order to keep my priorities and goals for this year.

Influences

My greatest influences in my life are easily my parents. They are not perfect, but they gave me the moral code I live by. They taught me right from wrong and I am grateful for everything they have done for me. Without them I would be a completely different person. My other biggest influences are the close friends I have had through the years. Especially in the last year, my friends have not only helped me grow as a leader, but helped me grow in my faith. I am so much closer to God than I have ever been in my life and it is such an amazing feeling. My experiences as a leader have made me realize how small I really am but how big of an impact I can have on people. I was awarded for outstanding leadership in my marching band last year, an award only given out once a year. It was only my first year as a leader. Since then I have grown even more, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. My influences have been pretty much the same since graduation, although I am not as close to high school friends as I once was, though I am sure I can find new friends to fill that void.

All About Me

My name is Blake and I am a freshman at OU. I am a pledge in BYX, and my major is Management Information Systems. I am from Broken Arrow, OK, and during high school I was heavily involved with my school's marching band. We are the seven time defending state champions, and my sophomore year in high school we won nationals! I like to play video games (a lot) and I usually spend all of my money on my girlfriend (a senior at Broken Arrow), as well as new technology stuff, like my computer and such. I am rooming with my best friend from high school in the Sooner Housing Center, and I love living there very very much! The food rocks and it's quiet here. I really need to do more on campus so if you ever want to hang out just ask me! Well I guess this is all for now! :)