Petrone's Final Video

NYC Singer

Petrone's Final Assessment

I can remember throughout my senior year, the stress that I felt. The overwhelming fear of “will I get into college?” And, here I am, a freshman at Southern Connecticut State University finishing up my first semester. Entering college, I was of course anxious. I thought would I be able to keep up with the workload, and be able to receive good grades in that respect. I feared would not only transitioning to a new environment, but a completely different state be hard? High school is a completely different from college. In college, you are on your own. You have responsibility unlike ever before. You are suddenly responsible for all your actions, whether it be academically, or personally. Everything is now on you, and up to you. Your grades reflect the amount of effort you put in, and what you’ll get out of the given course. Transitioning from high school to college not only enables one to prioritize and manage their time, but also requires one gain a new set of skills, and know-how. For myself personally, I gained varying college skills. One skill was simply doing the wash. Back at home I would dry, fold, and sometimes iron (if needed) all the clothes but, now I had to learn how to wash them and what to detergent(s) to use! Laundry was certainly not the most important skill I gained though. A vital skill I acquired was learning how to better manage my time in regards to my college work. Based upon my schedule, I could plan when to do what; for example, what time to study, do homework, or do something personal for myself. College also allows one to gain a new set of knowledge in the matter how of one thinks. In high school, teachers would ask you a question, and you’d simply answer back. But, in college, professors challenge you, and your mind. They ask for you to go outside your comfort zone, and think outside the box, a skill that can open your mind to many new ideas, insights, and perspectives.

The transition one experiences from high school into college affects each individual differently. It can change a person. I changed into someone who now is more mature, and organized; One who is able to take both sides of a story, and see both perspectives, analyze them, and formulate my own opinion.  I have changed into someone who use to prefer the simple things in life, to someone who not only prefers them, but values them a lot more. These simple little aspects of life can get lost when one enters into college. But, it is important to never lose sight of what you want for yourself, and who you want to be. I entered college wanting learn more about everything, like my major and my new community here at Southern Connecticut. I wanted to accomplish having a 3.5 or better, and have. I have learned and accomplished my goals. I would advise anyone who is transitioning from high school into college to write down their goals, like I did. Stay true to them, and try to never put them on the back burner. I would advise individuals to not be afraid to be themselves, to not be afraid to put themselves out there, and to always stay true to who they are. It is up to you to bring the success you do so seek.

2 Petrone Posts in 1

"Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them."

     As my first semester of college wraps up, I am extremely proud of myself. I can't help but feel like I worked to my full potential. My goal was to maintain a 3.5 or better, and I have. I have all A's in my classes, and one B. And, that's with counting in that I took a full schedule with the maximum amount of credits allowed. I wanted to not only make myself proud, but as well as my family, and I believe I have. I've been able to achieve what I set out to achieve for myself back from day 1. I feel as if I haven't let myself down at all. I've made friends with a variety of different people, and have truly put myself out there. I've learned much about time management, and know that I have used my time sufficiently and successfully. The only weakness I think I've faced was not sticking up for myself in particular situations. However, with each experience that I have encounter this semester, I've learned and have grown from. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. College is a growing experience, and I believe I've grown a great amount. My family has even told me that they see a huge difference in who I am. They say though I'm still the same person, something's different about me; a positive difference. I think they are just seeing a new more mature   me. I could not be more proud of myself. I'm so happy that I am doing so well in all my classes, and I've proven to myself that though I've taken on a full, heavy load, that I am able to endure and come out prevailing, and accomplishing all that it is I want. I can only hope, and believe in myself, that my next semester, and years to come in college will be just as successful and great as my first one has been.

Next semester: personally, socially, and academically. For next semester, I want academically achieve what I have much like this semester. I still want to maintain a GPA of 3.5 of better (this could also be related personally, too, as one of my goals.) I want to also academically be able to make myself and family proud of my grades. I personally want to maintain the happiness I so do have right now. I have never been more happy in my life. Every person in my life that I hold close to me have been so wonderful and supportive this semester, and I would like to have that same factor for next semester, and semesters to come. I also personally want to make sure I do not gain freshmen 15. Silly, I know, but I am so terrified of gaining the dreaded 15. I've actually lost weight as I've been here. I'm at my thinnest! My family jokes with me and says I'm the only in the family that went away to college, and came back thinner. I responded with a "try eating at Conn Hall." Enough said! Socially for next semester, I want to meet more people. I know that people come in and out of our lives for a reason, and I know there are still many, many more people I am to meet my freshmen year. I socially want to be involved in some sort of music ensemble. Even though I have to for my major, I want to regardless. I miss being able to sing in a choir, and would love to be able to join in on one of the university choirs. I miss performing, too. So I would love to be able to be in an ensemble again. I know that will be another thing to add to my already full schedule, and work load, but I know I'll be able to do it, much because I know how to manage my time. I believe I can personally, socially, and academically achieve all I want for next semester if I keep managing my time successfully as I am now. I can't believe I am finishing my first semester already! Time has flown by!

Lurning Groops

         For my inq, I was placed into learning groups, along with the rest of my class. I like everyone in my class, so I really didn't mind being assigned into groups with selected few. The first group I was put in I had really enjoyed, except for one huge detail; they were all commuter students. Because of this, it was very hard to meet up with each other. Also, our schedules differed greatly from one another, too. I eventually got to work with another group who all lived on campus, and actually lived in my dorm! Working them was great. Anytime one of us needed help with something, we all just had to take a quick down the hall or staircase. It was extremely convenient to be able to go to your group and ask their opinions or help with something. When I did my midterm project, I got show my learning group first and get their feedback first. This allowed for me to be able to get their view on my work and enabled me to see if I needed to edit anything. Sometimes having another set of eyes look at your own work allows for one to discover new things about their piece. Maybe a grammatical error, or a new insight. I had this happen with a post I wrote about love for my boyfriend. Unknowingly I wrote a lot of it from a musician's perspective. I didn't mean to, but being a musician, it came like second nature unbeknownst to me. I'll miss having that luxury of having a learning group to view my work first, but because we all lived in the same hall, maybe I'll be able to still go to them to get their feedback first, and get a fresh set of eyes.

Petrone: Past Present & Future

"I Know Where I've Been, And I Know Where I Want To Go"

What do you want ideally for yourself after college? Money, a job, your own place? Of course, everyone wants these things. I mean, when you're young, everyone wants to be rich, but ideally after college these are the real, true things that you desire. And, though I do want these things, they are not what I ideally want. So what do I want? I want the simple things; the things I know I can truly have, is what I want.  I want happiness among myself, family, and friends. I want the people that I hold close to me to be healthy, and safe. And, I still want to be surrounded by the people who I love, and that love me in return; my family, friends, and boyfriend. These are the people that I know will help my on my journey through college, and life. I never want to be without them, but I know that no matter where I go, and arrive at in life, I will carry their hearts. I carry their hearts in mine, and anywhere I go, they will go. This will bring me life's successes. It's knowing where I've been, and knowing where I want to go. Let the past be a reminder of what once was, the present be able to show you what is, and the future guide you to what will be. This is what I ideally want for myself after college. All the money, and sucesss in the world will never be able to buy or compare to the people that I have in my life, and in my heart. They are my past, present, and future.

Petrone Full!

"Life is uncertain.  Eat dessert first".  

-Ernestine Ulmer

So here I sit on a Saturday night, just got back from my boyfriends' house, and I am full to the brim. I don't think I have consumed this much food in months. Since I've gotten to school, my eating habits have changed drastically; I have become much more aware of what I put in my mouth (in fear of gaining freshmen 15) and have found that I eat a lot less. I believe this in turn has made me become fuller faster, and thus has led me to overstuffed. I feel like since Thanksgiving, I have just been nonstop eating...eating turkey and stuffing and Thanksgiving leftovers, along with goodbye dinners, and homemade breakfasts. How I'm going to miss all this food...but I know I will most definitely miss dessert. God how I love sweets! I adore pie and italian cookies fresh from the bakery, coupled with a nice cup of hot brewed coffee. Life doesn't get much better than that. I think that Thanksgiving and Christmas always produce the best desserts. Pies beyond pies beyond pies during Thanksgiving and thousands of cookies in every shape taste way and form during Christmas. I'm maxed-out on dessert. And, as if those aren't enough, my boyfriend and I thought it'd be a wonderful idea to get Coldstone ice cream, too, in between all these sweets. Most kids will arrive back at school with leftovers that are of the likes of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and what have you, but no me. Me, I'll be arriving back at school with dessert! I'll be having pies and cookies while the others munch on tryptophan. Even though I now eat a lot less than what  I once did prior to coming to school, I know that I'll have my desserts last me, because I'm not plowing it all into my mouth at once. I can't wait to come back home and have Christmas sweets, but for now my pies will do...."Let them eat cake!"

Petrone's Project part. duce

My Project Thus Far

This is only a rough draft, and I realize I have much, much more I still have to do. I am currently in the process of trying to get interviews with my music professors. I am also still working on recording, because my voice is not up to my own standards right now. I have the outline of my project all written and planned out, I mainly just need to assemble it all together. Leave comments of any ideas or thoughts. Thank you! Have a wonderful break!

Follow the Petrone

Two summers ago, I got accepted into a leadership program in New York City for theater arts. I got to spend almost a month in the city with people from all over the United States. It had turned out that most the people I got to meet at the leadership conference we're all not only out of state, but had never been to the city. If you've never been to the city, then you're in for the hustle & bustle, the crowded & loud, and the never seeming to stop for second scene. Being from originally Long Island and now Poughkeepsie, I've always had the connivence of traveling into the city whenever I wanted, so I was use to the New York City scene and chaos, however the girls who were in my group we're not use to it in the slightest. I got to demonstrate my leadership abilities with them while we traveled throughout the city; crossing the streets, haggling with street vendors, and where to eat and not eat. Any true New Yorker knows that you need to walk those streets not only with assertion, but with confidence. The girls that I was with were surprised how I well I took on the city, and affectionately named me Momma Bear. I always made sure that we we're never separated, and that we we're always safe. I've always been one to step up to the plate when needed, and have always been one to take care of others. Most people refer to me as Mom, because I'm always making sure everyone is pleased, happy, and of course above all safe. Towards the end of the leadership conference the girls that I had been with were very appreciative and thankful. I know I always want to be the person who is making sure all is well and everyone is well. I don't mind it at all, and I know that one day when I'm old I'll have someone taking care of me.

Petrone & The Roommate From Hell

Okay, so as many of you know, I hated one of my roommates. That was the most difficult situation I had to deal with this semester. Her blatant rudeness was repulsive and floored me. I still cannot grasp how someone can think it's alright to just take another's stuff without any hesitation or permission. She would take, more so steal, my possessions. She also had gone on to vandalize my personal belongings, and went out of her way to not only treat me with utter disrespect, but as well as my other roommate, and guests we had in the room (which was rare, because she never left the room itself.) But, by far, the most horrid thing she did was use my deodorant. Let's say it together now people, "EW!" Again, repulsive. When I discovered this, I was absolutely revolted and nauseate. I had had multiple meetings with not only my Community Coordinators (CCs or RAs), but as well as my Hall Director. All individuals did nothing to help me. Why? Because, they had developed a friendship with my roommate over the summer when she took classes, and therefore had loyalty to her, and did nothing whats so ever to aid me in my situation. It's safe to say they did not know how to separate their personal relationships from work, and their job. I finally had enough, and eventually got in contact with Angela Todaro, who for those of you who are not aware, is the Director of Residence Life. The day I talked her, she, too, was without question not only repelled, but disgusted, and wondered why I had not been helped yet with my situation. It was Ms. Todaro who got another roommate for me, and all together put my other roommate in an entirely different hall (which I believe was because of the relationships she had had with the CCs and Hall Director in my hall.) How did I handle the most difficult situation of my semester? Communication; if I never made an effort to talk with any of the people I did, I probably would still be stuck with a God awful roommate. 

F.Y.I. my old roommate's new roommates are having the exact same troubles as I was having. I do not understand how one person can get away with all this? There needs to be repercussions for this girl, and some serious punishment.

Petrone Stimluated

“One good thing about music, when it hits- you feel no pain” -Bob Marley

We all have at least one class that we enjoy, that we feel we perform our best in, and that we stimulated in. For me, this class is musicianship. Southern Connecticut describes musicianship as a course where one is "Training in the recognition, singing/playing, and notation of intervals, rhythms, melodic phrases, and triads. Aural recognition of diatonic chord progressions and melodies." I am able to do most of my singing in this class, and because my singing is like my second nature, the class comes very easy to me. However, in the class I am assigned certain melodies to sing. The melodies are made of variations of Solfege. For those who do not know what Solfege is, it is the pattern of Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do....Solfege! Each name (Do, Re, Mi, etc) represents a certain pitch/sound for a designated note in whatever established key. Musicianship stimulates me, because it requires me to actively engage myself in the music. Thus, leading me to sing new ranges, keys, and intervals that I either have not sung, or not sung easily. Musicianship also stimulates me, because singing is my passion; being able to go to a class where I am not only predominately singing, but receiving credit, too, is awesome. Imagine being able to go to a class where you are able to be doing something you love. Musicianship is my stimulate, it allows me to sing freely....to make music and forget everything, and not feel anything but the music itself.

Petrone & Her Piano

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." -Victor Hugo

Touch your fingertips to each key, hear the sound resonate, and sing...Sing always. Only with a piano can you have this experience. This is where I study. I take six classes here at Southern, half of which are all music classes. So when it comes time for me to study for quizzes, tests, or finals, I find myself with Baldwin. It's here where I study for my music, where my music and I become one, and all my worries and troubles are played away. Studying is looked upon as such a mundane boring task, but for me, with my piano, it's different. In Earl Hall, you can find soundproof practice rooms, you can find art of all types, and you can find me with my piano, playing, practicing, singing my life away. Doesn't seem like studying at all, but it is in fact what I am doing. My classes require me to be here, and I don't mind it in the slightest. How could one mind sitting at one of the world's most classic beautiful instruments? I admit, I can't play it well, but what I can't play, I make up for with song. I feel somewhat lucky that I get the privilege to study how I do, and go about studying with a piano. The best part this is that there are pianos secretly dispersed throughout campus. You just need to follow the piano's melody...

 This is where I study.

For Kaitlyn...

"Esse Quam Videri"

Petrone Gets Her Fitness On, And Says "Goodbye Stress"

"Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save." - Will Rogers, Autobiography, 1949

Got stress? Workout. It's that simple. Every time I'm feeling remotely stressed, I head straight for the gym. Something about working out just eases everything for me, and clears my mind. However much stress I'm usually experiencing factors into how long I workout, too. It helps keep your body healthy, while keeping your mind and spirit healthy as well. College is a time for stress, to say the least. So, head yourself on over to the gym. Go run, go and pump some iron, do whatever suits you, and I promise you that you'll feel much better when you're done. Maybe you'll feel a little sore, but that most the time means that you got a good workout in, so don't fret! Stress is extremely unhealthy for you, and one shouldn't endure it to levels where they are getting sick physically, and emotionally. Working out, I find not only relieves my stress, but also brings me back to down, and clams me. I find peace within myself. I also find that whatever I was once stressed about, seems to be insignificant. And, If I am stressed about a certain assignment, I find that after I'm done with my workout, my stress level goes down, and allows me to do whatever assigned better, and more sufficient. Workout, and say "Goodbye, stress!" Your mind, and body will thank you. Never "stress" the small stuff, Hakuna Matata!

Petrone's Effort....& Yours.

How come students who do not put an effort into their school work feel as if they deserve good grades? I don't understand that concept. I was always taught that the effort you put into something will reflect in your work, especially when it came to your (my) academics. School is very important to me, and so are my grades. I don't want, nor plan on disappointing myself, parents, and family with my grades, thus why I work so hard, and put in 100% effort. I've always found that the students who feel as if they deserve a better grades than the one(s) they are receiving, are the students who rely and depend on other people, for example, the students who are always asking for other peoples' work, help, and overall effort. It is their effort, not yours, that's why you're getting some good grades and some poor ones. The people who you rely on, are the people getting you the good grades in the first place. When you finally decide to maybe do your own work, you put in little effort, get a poor grade, and think & believe you deserve a better one because of previous good grades (good grades gotten from others for you.) If you couldn't tell, this subject really gets under my skin, because it truly does bother me, and it's mostly because I see and witness it on daily basis. I've subjected myself enough to those kinds of people, and I'm over it. Do your own work, get your own grades, because this girl puts in enough effort for herself. I don't mean to come off harsh, and this doesn't mean I won't help, I simply mean I am not going to do anyone else's work any longer. Students who get good grades, put in the effort. And for the students who do not, well, it will show in your grades, so don't be surprised.

Petrone's Performance (academically)

I believe in the power that if one writes down their goals, and views them each day, that they are to be achieved. Coming into college as the youngest in my family, I knew I had big shoes to fill. My brother graduated from SUNY Oneonta with honors, and got to speak on behalf of his graduating class, because of his achievements. My sister just recently graduated from Southern Connecticut and the highly competitive Nursing program here. Both my siblings knew what exactly they wanted for themselves, and accomplished the goals they set. I want to do the same, so in the beginning of the semester, right on my desk where I get ready every morning, I wrote on my white board that I wanted to maintain a G.P.A. of a 3.5 or better. Most every college kid is weary of the work load they'd be receiving, and is apprehensive about keeping up with it. I was/am one of those college kids, so I know that I not only want, but need to work my hardest. Midterms were this week, and I felt as if I studied my life away. But it paid off! I did well on all my midterms, and finally got to see how I'm currently doing. I am beyond happy to say my lowest grade is a B+, and that all the rest of my grades are A's. I feel that because I'm motivated to be successful in college, that I am achieving my own personal goals. However, I also feel that because I wrote down one of my main goals for college, that I am finding success. For the remainder of the semester, and college for this matter, I want to keep on maintaining a G.P.A. of a 3.5+, and keep up on my work load. I feel proud of myself, and highly recommend that everyone should write down their goals, because I believe that by doing so, you, too, will achieve whatever it is that you want!

Stick To Your Roots

"To thine own self be true."

So this weeks blog assignment was to do something out of your comfort zone and blog about it...I would say I'm a pretty spontaneous person, and am always up to doing and trying new things, thus I was somewhat lost as to figuring out what exactly to do. And, then out of no where it sort of just happened for me...I finally held my own ground. What I mean is that I was put in situation (again, unfortunately) where I felt that because I'm easy going, and kind hearted, that I was being taken advantage of. So, being out of my comfort zone for me, was holding my own ground and not being passive with a situation. I'm not one for drama, and truly cannot stand it, therefore I avoid it at all costs, and this can sometimes lead me to just except something that I necessarily don't approve of, and/or doesn't appease  me. I'm very non-confrontational, and at times this can conclude me to be too passive aggressive. However, I finally had enough this week. It came down to me feeling frustrated and upset....but mostly frustrated. I do not understand why people think it's okay to use others. I don't understand the concept of someone only befriending another so that if they need something, they can get it from them, and keep them stringing along in a friendship where the person is only useful to them when convenient. This bothers me more than you know, and I believe it is because I've been put in situations where I've felt exactly that. But, this week I had enough and made a vow to myself that I would not just settle, that I would not keep subjecting myself to people and situations where I'm not happy. I believe that if you, too, are enduring something along the lines of what I had, then you need to reevaluate yourself, and always stay true to who you are, because in the end, life is too short to be miserable and unhappy. It is only your own self that can make the right decisions for you, and a good portion of your own happiness stems from within yourself.



My brother and I always say to each other "stick to your roots."
I'm doing exactly that; I'm staying true to myself and happiness.

Narcissism.

"In order to love someone, you must first  be able to love yourself."

     Should one be characterized as narcissistic if they love them self? I believe this question is like a double edged sword; if one we're to say "Yes, I love myself," would another take that as the person being conceited? Or, if one we're to say "No, I don't," would that lead another to believe that that person has low self esteem? I was taught that one has to love them self in order to love another, but I was also taught to never be full of yourself. Nothing is uglier than one who believe the sunrises, and sets on them self. But, I ask you again, should one be characterized as narcissistic if they love them self? I don't believe that they should. If someone is genuinely kind-hearted, goes out of their way for other people, cares for others, and isn't selfish, then why shouldn't they love them self? A person who has a good character should be able to reflect upon them self with pride and love for who they are. However, that goes said to a certain degree. They shouldn't let that love inflate their ego. If one does not love them self, than they simply are not narcissistic? I think everyone should be able to reflect upon them self with love for who they are, because everyone is unique and special in their own ways. Therefore, I believe just because you love yourself, you should not be characterized as narcissistic.

Petrone's Project

Midterm Project

My midterm project....ahh thank god it's done! I enjoyed discovering what a variety of different people had to say for two of the same question. It's interesting to learn about different perspectives. I also enjoyed that our midterm wasn't a test, but this project. It's somewhat less stressful. However, technology and I don't mix well, so it took some learning on my behalf. I eventually figured out IMovie and found success. Thus, my video above. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to leave a comment or two on what you believe the most important aspect of college is, and how you'd define it.

Petrone says"hmm?"

   What to write, what to write? This weeks blog entries are free choice. I love free choice...except when I find myself not knowing what to write about. All week I have been pondering about what the subject of my blog should be. I've gotten a few sparks of inspiration here and there, but nothing I've felt worth writing about, because I've either A) written about it previously, or  B) wouldn't know how to elaborate on the subject fully. I've Googled searched subjects, and have come up empty handed. I've looked to Facebook for inspiration, but find that I am more so distracted than inspired. Usually music is my fallback subject to write about, but I think that if I keep writing about it, that everything will seem redundant. So here I am, at work, still  uninspired. Still at a lost of what to write about. Still utterly confused. Again, I really do enjoy free choice, but I feel that writer's block is having the best of me. I sit here and wonder if anyone else is having the same trouble that I am having, and what outlets of ideas they have turned to. Maybe eating will help get the juices a-flowin', but I highly doubt that, due to the fact that I'm Italian, and every Italian eats every hour  on the hour. What to write, what to write? If anyone has any ideas for me, please feel free to help. It’s greatly appreciated. And, if the idea is especially good, I’ll be sure to reward you in treats.

Petrone and a P.M.

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction."- John Crosby 

   Different ideas and thoughts float around when one enters college.  No one really can guess, nor expect, what their college experience will be like. Anxiety and worry can make its way to the surface, and the what is one to do? Hopefully, one should take the steps to confide in someone who is older and has experience in the realm of what they are enduring. Luckily, I was able to seek answers in my peer mentor, Kaitlyn. She is currently attending Southern Connecticut, and has sustained a successful freshman year. I find that she has been a great help to my INQ class. We've met with her before on a one-on-one level, and she has washed all my worries away. Kaitlyn has given advice to us when needed, and I find that because she is around our age, that it is easier to talk to her. One thing Kaitlyn recommends to myself, and class, is that we get involved here on campus. She is always keeping us updated with upcoming events and programs, and for this I am appreciative. Being a freshmen, life can get pretty crazy and stressful, however, being kept posted on these happenings, I find that I am managing my time so that I am an active student in the campus community. By Kaitlyn being apart of our INQ class, I find that she adds a more relatable aspect and quality to the class itself. She has taught me to always get involved, and no problem goes without a solution, and if we are weary, we could always go to her for help. A mentor is someone who possess attributes of knowledge, skill, and an overall good heart; they listen, and are there for one to confide in. Kaitlyn is all of this, and more.