Mohit Kochar '13

Preview Day

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:39:00 PST

My roommate and I both worked preview day this weekend and we just could not stop talking about how vividly we remember attending ours, two years ago. Hard to believe all this time has passed by and that in only seven more weeks we will reach our half way point in our college careers. Felt like yesterday I was choosing between schools.

I say this directly for the class of 2015 because I really hope that you are all enjoying the most out of this exciting time in your lives. I had a great time speaking to some of you, prospective and committed, while tabling for SCU EMS over the weekend. Most of your parents acted as mine when visiting colleges by asking a plethora of questions related to drinking and the party scene…I did my best to assure them that we Santa Clara students know how to party safe and that if anything goes wrong, we’re always there to help!

Things are starting to finally pick up this week--- midterms starting Wednesday, EMT squad elections for next years’ leadership Thursday through next week, and my first half-marathon race in Marin County this Saturday. Can’t wait! Training has been a challenge for the race but running around SC makes it really enjoyable. Campus loop, which stretches 1.76 miles one time around, has become part of my daily run. Love it because I get to see all the activity going on around campus every part of the way. Sometimes I change it up (especially if I run at night) and go around the dirt path on Bellomy field (14 laps = 6 miles), which usually has soccer games, lacrosse/rugby practice going on in the middle, large grass area. And if I want really to get away from campus I’ll head down Park Avenue to the Rose Gardens, a beautiful park perfect for a quick stop and stretch. Only four more days to go till the starting gun …wish me luck!

Now before I end this I just want to say, Class of ’15, I’m excited for you guys. Choosing Santa Clara is one of the best decisions you can make. I really hope you all make the best choice that’s right for you. Feel free to contact me through email or Facebook if you need any guidance/questions answered and I’d be more than happy to help a future Bronco out!

mkochar@scu.edu

Hello Sunshine!

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:21:00 PST

Hello sunshine! I am now one week into spring quarter of my second year at Santa Clara and man oh man does it feel great. Everyday for the past week I have ditched my usual hang out, the library, and instead take up on the grass of Campisi quad/ our pool after class to enjoy the beauty of Cali sunshine and the pleasure of studying outside. As of now I am lounging under the wooden canopy in front of Kenna Hall across from the Benson center. This popular spot allows for the perfect amount of sunlight, shade, and silence that all together makes an ideal reading and blog-post writing environment. Plus, it’s right outside my first class of the day.

My schedule this quarter is probably the best I’ve had yet--- four classes, one lab, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. No class on Tuesdays. When I told my mother about this she thought I was playing hooky. However, in college, having the freedom to select your class times is a beautiful thing, which most students take advantage of however they choose. A friend of mine has set up her schedule so that she doesn’t have class on Fridays giving her a three-day weekend every single weekend. But this also means being in two-hour class sections every Tuesday and Thursday. Since it’s spring and the weather is amazing I learned from last year that it’s important to minimize your time indoors during the nicest hours of the day. Hence, morning classes and a long two and a half hour break during lunch. My next class, which is in 20 minutes so I’ll have to hurry up finishing this, is Calculus. Right afterwards is my Spanish class in the Leavey school of business (a very high-tech room for a language class). Then the last class of the day from 4:15-6:00 is my Introduction to the Arts of Asia. Now this one I’m really excited for because it’s my first “Art” class I’m taking here at Santa Clara and also because it’s focused on the arts of India, China, and Japan. I happen to be traveling to India this summer so I figured studying a bit of the rich art history of my homeland would be fun and interesting.

Now there’s just a taste of what spring here is looking like so far. More to come next post, but for now it is time for some math!

Finals Schedule

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:39:00 PST

Finals week is creeping up which means time to get your stuff together. Deactivate those Facebooks if you must (I gave the password to my roommate), stock up on some healthy late night snacks, rest, exercise, and buckle down. Unfortunately, the quarter system doesn’t have a “dead week” or reading period like most schools do that are on the semester system. Because of this our week before finals week is just like any other another week usually spent working on final projects, papers, etc. It’s a fun time though being in the library because literally most of your friends are here trudging away too. So since I’ve been meaning to put together a study schedule for the next two weeks I decided I’ll just write it here and share it with you all. This way if I fail to follow any of it I’ll feel even more embarrassed since those of you who read this (the 2+ people) would know.

Write blog post
Practice Spanish Oral Presentation
Organic Chemistry Lab Notebook
Organic Chemistry Practice Problems
Evolutionary Biology & Ecology Seminar Write Up
Biology Assignment
Calculus Practice Problems
10 K Training (I’m running in a marathon in Marin at the end of April with my EMT squad. We’re raising money to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society)
Sleep on time!
Don’t drink too much coffee!
Don’t even think about going out…wait until Friday ;)

Ok guys, there it is. Do-able right? I think so. Now hopefully you can get an idea of the workload here. Also, got to study for the final exams on top of it all, but I have a secret formula, which I like to call the best study playlist ever. I’m going to share it with you all. Be warned, though: you might actually start enjoying what you’re studying while listening to this. Enjoy & wish me luck!

http://8tracks.com/nutrius/study-relaxing-music

SCU EMS In Action

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:37:00 PST

A few weeks ago I was involved in a pretty major incident here on campus. After the Santa Clara men’s basketball game against Gonzaga (a few posts down) a student had collapsed outside the Leavey Center. I just had happened to leave the game early before the rush and that is when I saw by slight glance Santa Clara University campus safety officers tending to someone. Although I wasn’t on EMT duty at the time, nor did I see anyone collapse in front of me, I decided to check out the situation where the student was. Our on campus EMTs (SCU EMS) were dispatched already, but I figured I’d stick around and see if I could do anything to help out in the mean time. As I assessed the student I determined CPR was necessary, which I then began to perform with a campus safety officer on scene. We did this together until SCU EMS and SCFD arrived and eventually transported the student to a medical facility. Luckily, the student is alive and healthy today.

Now I didn’t want to write about this earlier because of patient confidentiality while the student was still in the hospital, but it’s something I thought I’d share eventually if all went well. For myself, never thinking I’d be in a situation like that until maybe after med school or at least in my twenties, went through a trauma of my own. Immediately after, I thought I messed up in someway, which could have prevented the person from living. I consistently criticized myself for not doing some things better. But in the end, looking back it was a matter of thinking on one’s feet and trusting that all the training we’ve all gone through would naturally guide us through even the most serious situations. Though a lot of credit was given to me for what I did I cannot tell the story without mentioning the people who deserve an equal, if not more amount of credit. Another fellow EMT who was off duty saw me as I was performing CPR and stayed around to assist the on-duty EMTs. Without them being there I probably wouldn’t have been able to handle the situation on my own. For our squad and the school as a whole the event was a tremendous wake-up call that calls like these do come around once in a while and that we must always must be mentally prepared for them. I’m so glad to say we proved that we are prepared for something like this given our favorable outcome. To top it all off, last week Father Michael Engh, President of the University, gave his State of the University Address in which all six of us involved were acknowledged. The recognition, for not only the six of us, but the other thirty EMTs whom are on call every night of the school year as well as our amazing medical director behind our program, made it a tremendous honor and proud moment for myself to be part of such an extraordinary organization and family here at Santa Clara called SCU EMS.

Santa Clara to Berkeley and Back

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:44:00 PST

This weekend was one for the memory books. One of my best friends and I went up to UC Berkeley to visit one of our other best friends from high school. It had been a year since I last visited him so I finally was able to meet all his new friends and apartment mates. If you haven’t visited either Cal or Santa Clara, you must know they are completely different schools. When my buddy from Berkeley came to visit a few weekends ago he was amazed by how good our dining hall food is and how close everything and everyone was to each other (in that order). When we went out in Santa Clara we didn’t have to walk multiple blocks to a party since every house we went to were all on the same two streets. UC Berkeley is about six times larger in number of undergrads compared to Santa Clara and is in the middle of a college town where you have hundreds of restaurants, shops, bars, and residential housing spread out around the actual campus. The place is constantly in motion and a fun atmosphere for college students. Coming back to Santa Clara on Sunday made me realize, though how peaceful our campus is in comparison. I could actually hear the leaves rustle. I absolutely love Berkeley and the fact that my friend or I could easily see each other almost any weekend with just a train ride away.

Week six is currently in progress and that means second round of midterms, next quarter class registration, and the looming pressure to figure out living arrangements for next year. I’ve actually applied to become a Community Facilitator (Residential Advisor) in the dorm I am currently living in (Campisi) so in a few weeks I should know about that! For classes, I don’t’ register until end of this month but I’m pretty set on taking most of the same classes just the next level up. Weather here is supposed to be in the 70’s this week so that means studying outside instead of that air-conditioned place called the library!

The Win

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:42:00 PST

Last Thursday, January 20^th 2011, history was made at Santa Clara. After being unsuccessful for an entire decade our men’s basketball team finally defeated their rival, Gonzaga 85-71. And to have almost missed witnessing in person that last three-pointer by Kevin Foster! I was unfortunately ill most of last week and decided it would be best to just watch the game from my dorm room (hardest thing since my entire hall was at the game). But as the score crept up with a one-point difference almost the entire last quarter, I just HAD to see it end alongside my fellow bronco’s whether a win or a loss. So I grabbed my ticket when the clock had six minutes remaining and ran as fast as I could to Leavey. When I stepped outside of my dorm I could hear the band playing and the moment I walked into the game I felt as if I had walked into game seven of the NBA finals. Never have I ever been in a place where I’ve felt that kind of adrenaline rush. The very moment the buzzer went off a red avalanche came down from the stands and took over the court. I think “epic” would be the best word to describe that night. And how to Santa Clara students celebrate such a victory? Burning couches. Yes, five to be exact. I think we’ve started a new tradition and hopefully more to come! Go Broncos!!

Bronco Week

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:01:00 PST

As of right now, I am evidently experiencing symptoms of post-weekend depression. Being on EMT duty and not receiving any calls yet has allowed me to take a history of myself from the past three days and piece together a self-diagnosis, being “you had too much fun this weekend and should therefore study hard this week, rest and recover”.

This week just happens to be Bronco Week with the Gonzoga basketball game on Thursday. Some of the festivities going on to pump everyone up include (just to name a few): a scavenger hunt, door decoration contest, the big game, and dormal formal put on by my very own resident learning community, Communitas. I’ll be able to attend most of the events, however will have to miss out on the formal because I’m too cool for ties. Or maybe just cause I’m on duty again that night. So LOTS of activities going around campus this week--- will for sure write more soon!

First Week Back

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:25:00 PST

Hello & happy new year! I know I said I would check in during break at one point, but I was just off having too much fun. It isn’t very often when you have all of your high school friends back from college during the same few weeks. Also, I was able to go up to Tahoe for a few days with my family and three others to get a taste of some fresh pow pow (so good I will probably go back in a few weeks).

So today was the first day of classes and I absolutely dread to announce that I have an 8am this quarter. My professor told us that it wasn’t only the best math class ever, but simply the best. class. ever. We’ll see about that as I struggle to wake up around the eighth week or so. Apart from getting up five hours earlier today than when I did during break, I’m so glad to be back on campus.

Currently I’m on EMT duty, which means that at any given moment I could be dispatched to a medical emergency and would have to abandon writing this post. (We actually got paged after I had typed the exclamation point in the first sentence). I’ve realized, though that I need to start being more productive with homework when on duty. Earlier, for example I would be in the middle of a math problem and pause to think a call would be coming in (in my head: “just wait for it.....wait for it……..K back to #12).

Being on SCU EMS has been one of the best parts of my experience at Santa Clara so far. I made a lot of great friends through the five-month training class I was in last year and even more within our thirty-five-member squad. Though I’m not allowed to discuss or write about any of the cool and exciting calls we may have due to patient confidentiality, I’ll try my best to write about the program as often as I can. But for now, back to work!

It's Snowing Notecards!

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:40:00 PST

You know it’s finals week when you’ve seen the sun rise three days in a row, when three cups of coffee are completely useless, 200 flash cards go like that and you don’t have time to update your blog. But actually, “finals week” for me was really only half a week (a blessing and a curse) with four tests and a paper back-to-back Monday through Wednesday. I have some friends who had Bio and Ochem right after another yesterday and it made me look like I was on vacation already. And even though my sleeping pattern is as if I’m in the Indian subcontinent time zone, I’m happy to report my finals went well for the most part.

But enough about school because I am officially on WINTER BREAK. And that means home, Christmas and New Years, hanging out with high school friends and family, the snow, and not studying, and not studying, and uh, not studying…can’t wait--- time to start packing. I’ll be sure to check in sometime over the next three weeks. Until then, happy holidays all!

What Are You Doing This Weekend? I Mean, Next Year?

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:27:00 PST

Not too long ago I had my registration appointment for winter quarter classes. Can’t say I’m completely satisfied by the way it went, but I guess I’ll just have to deal. Thankfully, there is an amazing application called CourseAvail that allows you to track the activity of specific classes that are currently closed, but could however open up later on as students usually drop. Only thing is that this application is on Facebook, which, unfortunately, doesn’t quite help my productivity levels as I’m simply sitting at the computer clicking “refresh” over and over again. BUT I NEED SPANISH 2! Just gotta cross my fingers and hope that it’ll all work out in the end - it usually does.

On top of this whole course choosing frenzy is the talk of next years living situations. This is what makes being a second year so much stressful than say, a first year. We’re constantly planning, planning, planning (long-term). Some of my friends are planning their study abroad trips already, some thinking of getting a house together, an apartment, a cat for their apartment, whatever - all while I’m just thinking about what I’m doing tomorrow. Guess I need to start thinking a lot more ahead, now don’t I? Like today for example, I received an email about a medical school application seminar and it made me have this unusual awakening, thinking, “Oh, yeah… that thing”. Though I don’t need to start worrying about that just yet, the mcat is only around the corner. But for now and probably until finals are over, I’m all about the short-term, yo.

To do:

Write blog post (check)
Study for Chem Quiz
Work on Bio presentation
Get Haircut
Go to watch Harry Potter movie premier
Dress up for HP movie premier (obviously)
Pack for home

What a Week (and Soon to be Weekend!)

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:32:00 PST

As I was studying for my midterms in the library the past few days, Halloween celebrations had already begun in Santa Clara. From my experience last year, I can proudly say that we do this holiday justice. The only thing I’ve been slacking to do is come up with a costume idea since my mind has been mostly occupied with six weeks of material for three different classes. I found it pretty sad that my YouTube suggested videos are basically all relating to photosynthesis or cellular respiration. Yeah, it was a long week and I’m glad that it is finally over.

SCU EMS has started tabling for donations for purchasing new led emergency lights on our carts that will provide a faster response time to calls due to our current lights not providing the same sense of urgency to bystanders. (We really appreciate any financial support! Contact me if you’re interested in making a check out to us).

Let’s see, what else is new? Oh, I got a coffee maker because my parents think all my meal points go to coffee, which turns out is actually true. Unfortunately, I don’t have any mugs so I need to go mug shopping soon as well as socks shopping because mine are disappearing. Tomorrow I’m going to the Second Harvest Food Bank bright and early with my hall mates to help sort cans for the upcoming holiday season which I’m looking forward to. But right about now, it’s Friday and I’m at the paper needing to get some work done so I can have a social life again. I hate to have to repeat, but if I can’t think of anything I may just have to be Simba again just fourteen years later…Halloween 2010 starts now. Review of the festivities in the next post- have a safe one everybody!

Hi, Hey, Hello!

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 09:16:00 PST

I'm back and it feels so good. To blogging that is, given school has been in session for four weeks already. But it's been great so far-- mid-October and I'm studying for my midterms outside (makes me somewhat glad in a way I didn't go east for college). Thankfully, I'm done as of today with my first round of exams to finally unwind, but not for too long. So in the mean time I'm packing up my bag, a textbook, and of course, to-be laundered clothes for the night to spend with my family in San Jose. I've needed a break from the bustle on campus and hopefully home will fulfill just that.

The past couple of weeks have been slightly hectic than usual, as all first weeks of school can be- new classes, professors, classmates, floor mates, and activities. SCU EMS is kicking off at a great start and so is working for the school paper, The Santa Clara. Can't say I've had the amount of leisure time I would like, but I'm definitely enjoying all the work I'm doing with some really fun and intelligent people. Speaking of fun, LMFAO was here on our welcome weekend along with The Cataracts & Dev- probably one of the craziest concerts I've ever been too. I may be being biased because I got an autograph from Dev (a longtime crush). I'll probably post up a picture or two on my next post if I can find one.

I really like all my courses so far this quarter. Only four weeks in and I'm already considering adding Sociology as a minor. It's probably my most interesting class at the moment, which I think credits a lot to my highly enthusiastic professor, Dr. Anke Schulz. Nothing more laid-back and at the same time engaging than a class two days a week at three forty in the afternoon being taught on the lawn outside of O'Connor Hall discussing topics about Marx's Conflict Theory, racism, gender & sexuality, all just to name a few. Spanish 1 has probably stuck with me more in half a quarter than all three years that I took it in high school. And here's a shocker- Organic Chemistry hasn't been as much of a nightmare as people make it out to be (for all those pre-meds). But then again, I can only hope this love lasts...

A lot of things have changed over the summer around here. Did I mention the dining hall has been completely redone? Yeah, basically took me until last week to realize where some of the utensils were being ?stashed?. No more having to eat a sandwich for three meals a day.

Now I don't want to give everything away all at once so more about what's new/up in my next post. Thanks for reading & I'm really looking forward to share the rest of this year with you all.

Mohit

May Bay Bay

mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:29:00 PST

Oh Hey there! I know. I know… I’ve been slacking tremendously to update you all on the fabulous life of Mohit Kochar. I’m going to use the studying excuse even though I really shouldn’t. (I’m getting paid for doing this…woops) But really, papers and midterms have made life hectic these past few weeks so I figured I’d wait to post something other than- “I want summer.” Because that’s not fair, right? I think we all want that right now.
So it’s Friday evening and I’m proctoring a law class called Federal Income Tax write an essay for three hours. Pretty much the best job ever. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys getting paid for being on Facebook and doing the occasional photo booth vanity session during the second hour. I am however going out tonight…don’t think this is all I do on a Friday night--sometimes chemistry homework is on my list. I’m attending a “social gathering” with my EMT class to celebrate graduating from training yesterday. It will be the safest “social gathering” on campus I’ll tell you. I’m not an official certified EMT just yet though… the next step is passing the national EMT registry test in order to get my license in Santa Clara County---license to kill that is (Thank you. Thank you. Thank you). Tomorrow I’ll be heading up to the city for the San Francisco Giants game with my cousins and will be spending the night to make it to my first ever Bay to Breakers at 7am. For those of you who don’t know what that is I highly urge you look it up- especially if you’re coming to Santa Clara next year. To sum it up-- it’s an annual run (about 7.5 miles) that has been a tradition for 99 years in San Francisco…in recent years it has become more of a Halloween during the day sort of event with music, debauchery, and wild costumes. Yes, I will definitely take pictures (no nudity, I promise) and upload them on my next post.
Just got some exciting news in my email- I will be living in Campisi Hall again next year. So for those of you upcoming freshman…be sure to holla if you get assigned to live in the best residence on campus!
It’s 8:53 right now and soon I’ll have to tell these third year law students that they have “five minutes remaining”. I’m going to leave you with a hilarious anecdote though about what happened to me last time I proctored a test: A girl’s pencil broke and she asked me if she can have a new one. Hilarious, right? No but check this- before she asked me she preceded it by addressing me as “Professor”. LOL much? I can’t begin to tell you how hard I was laughing inside. This obviously was happening as I pushed up my glasses and zipped my jacket over my v-neck sweater…now I know: stick with the contacts.

What Is Up Beautiful Class of 2014!!

MKochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:31:00 PST

How I would love to be back with you guys ready to embark upon the summer before college. I’m jealous. Summer ’09 was by far the greatest time of my life before now of course (the four best years really begins a summer early). I hope you all enjoy it to the fullest. So much has happened in the past year yet I vividly remember the stress and pressure you all are going through (I don’t think I’ll ever forget it). Having “college” as the only discussion at the dinner table, separating with your boyfriend and girlfriend after years, spending more time researching schools and programs than sleeping. Yep, went through it all so I feel ya.

I had a great time talking to some of you this past weekend and your parents! The weather did not do justice in representing Santa Clara’s ideal spring quarter beauty however I hope you were able to enjoy preview day regardless. A lot of you already have committed to coming here next year and that is awesome- Congrats! But a lot of you are still deciding…so I’m not going to sound like a brochure or an admissions officer giving you a redundant spiel about Santa Clara but simply want to be straight with you. Let me first say, for those of you checking out the blogs for the first time I would definitely recommend going back a few posts to get an idea of all the things we’ve written about our first two and a half quarters.

When I was in your shoes a year ago there was one thing I could simply not put on my pro/con list and that was my gut feeling or intuition. With all the options on my plate I was able to knock out a lot of schools out based on my biggest priority- attending a small institution. I knew I wanted a place where I can develop close relationships with my professors and classmates without feeling the isolation in a 600 student in lecture. I wanted a place to call my home away from home where I knew I would be happy and thrive as a student and individual. Santa Clara was it for me. Now is here for you? Maybe. You have all the facts in front of you, you’ve hopefully visited the campus once, and also have read or heard about what it’s like to be a Bronco. All that’s really left now is your gut feeling. So let me ask you: Do you see yourself wearing a Santa Clara t-shirt throwing around a Frisbee on Kennedy lawn? Kicking it by the pool with friends after class? Spontaneously hopping on the caltrain for dinner in SF? Reading roman literature under a palm tree? Or writing a ten-page paper on the Harrington library terrace?

I’ll let you decide. At this point, I hope you’re feeling more excited than stressed now that you’re coming close to you adding a college network to your Facebook accounts…and I hope that for most of you it’ll be Santa Clara ’14!!!

PS- A few of you have contacted me directly through email or fb since I’ve been writing here. I try my best to get back to you as soon as possible so any of you, don’t hesitate to shoot me some q’s/concerns. (be sure to utilize all the resources you can get!)- mkochar@scu.edu

No Rest for the Weary

blogSCU@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:18:00 PST

In about nine hours the bell of freedom will ring. Currently I am sitting in the Saint Claire’s Room (my favorite place to study) in University Library during finals week. There’s just something about this room that makes me want keep studying. Here I have written some of my best papers, studied for majority of my midterms, and met some pretty damn ambitious girls (take my word for it- the best chicks are in the library not parties). As I look around me there are the regulars with their books stacked high, two cups of coffee (one empty, one for sipping), head phones in ears while typing or reading away. Even with about twenty-four people (yes I counted) in this room you can hear a pin drop. I have my last final tomorrow for my Hero’s and Heroism course. It’s one of those classes where you just need to know a thousand definitions…I’ve probably gone through a few hundred index cards this quarter. I’m happy to say my previous finals went well. I’m truly going to miss my Chem 12 professor (Dr. Steve Fedder) who makes rate laws sound like a piece of cake. My spring quarter is the second parts of my writing and classics courses along with Chem 13 and psychology 2. Definitely not going to be an easy sailing quarter compared to this one. My study time will most likely double, but on the upside at least I will get to enjoy writing papers/ reading in beautiful weather. Whoooo I’m getting excited all ready. Alright back to studying then it’s all spring break/ birthday time baby!

Itzy Bitzy Spider

MKochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:49:00 PST

Long time no talk! (I would say it’s a two-way street but I guess that doesn’t really apply in this relationship of ours). Midterms got the worst of me these past few weeks but they’re finally over so I write in cheerful regards. What’s not so cheerful is this bipolar weather making my every walk to class quite the experience. I really should stop using the people’s attire walking outside my dorm window every morning as my “what to wear/ weather report of the day”. THAT SUN IS DECIEVING. Take my advice being a March born: never EVER plan a birthday pool party during this month because you are only gambling with odds not in your favor. (Ages twelve and fourteen = Epic fail). Despite the occasional flash downpour, things have going pretty well- about two weeks ago was parents weekend so got to show the rents around my home away from home, I’m a lot more relaxed now that registration for next quarter is over, and was able to volunteer some time tutoring at a nativity middle school in downtown today. Going down to LA this weekend for a family wedding and also having a reunion with close high school friends in Irvine. Absolutely cannot wait. However, I’ll be slugging my 1200 page Emergency Care textbook on the way down there to study for my midterm on my return back to school. That, I can wait on.

K. I was going to end this post saying how excited I was to soak in some sunny so-cal but weather channel is predicting a monsoon wedding. Well, at least there won’t be a drought in Cali this year…

Mohizzle

Gotta Love That Acetaminophen

Mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:21:00 PST

So I was pretty much borderline delusional recently. Funny story- I entered four incorrect pin numbers today at the ATM before letting the two girls behind me go ahead while I stepped aside to do permutations in my head. I’m recovering from a three-day illness. Will write in points (forgive the lack of elaborateness):

1. No midterms this week- THANK YOU GOD.
2. Learned how to insert nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal tubes for airways in EMT class yesterday- yeah, sticking tubes in people is something I find really exciting.
3. Still figuring out my three-day weekend plans- to do something with the rents OR to visit my best friend in Berkeley…that is the question.
4. Acted like a good liberal today by ordering the Bronco Roll instead of my sushi Wednesday usual the Lion King- 10 points for Mohit. But, I think I’m going to remain right-winged on my sushi Wednesdays.
5. Made an account on 8tracks (a legal online mix website)- in two days I have favorited on my account mixes for “the reluctant studyer”, “songs that make you feel happy”, “yoga chill”, “really corny things that make me miss you”, and “music that makes you feel important”. (My taste in music is becoming more hipster by the day)
6. My good friend from high school spent the night before going back to college in so-cal yesterday. Couldn’t have visited on a more perfect day for half off wings Tuesday’s at Smoke Eaters! It was the perfect spot to catch up and pig out on some spicy wings.
7. Really hoping to fully recover asap to get back on track with eating solid food, working out, and sleeping on a normal schedule.
8. Oh, and I’m pretty much obsessed with It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia now. I’ve always watched episodes randomly and found them hilarious so then I was just like might as well start from the beginning, right?! Too funny. And also Community is some pretty laugh-out-loud stuff.
9. That’s the best part about being sick…watching shows and listening to lots of music. Wow, I really need to get off my mac.
10. Just so I can have 10 points.

I found this funny: “You have a cough? Go home tonight; eat a whole box of Ex-Lax- tomorrow you’ll be afraid to cough” ~ Pearl Williams

Thanks Pearly,
Mohit

Turning A New Leaf

Mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:24:00 PST

So to pick up where I last left off- I did in fact move last Tuesday to a new dorm, a new learning community, and a new home called Campisi Hall. I’ve been living here for three days now and absolutely loving it. I couldn’t be happier to finally be able to experience the quintessential college experience of having a roommate. Yeah I know, some say it’s a novelty that wears off but I really want to see for myself. I’m living with a sophomore who seems to be one of the most down to earth guy’s I’ve met here. I think we’re going to get along just great. The only downside about moving in the middle of the year is that I see so many new people around who I don’t know. I’m optimistic though that over time I will eventually feel more part of this new place. What’s ideal is that I am just within a stone’s throw from the gym and library but classes are a bit more of a trek than before. Once I get settled in completely, I’ll be sure to post up some pics of my new crib!

Another exciting thing to follow up on- I was one out of twenty-five to get accepted into the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training program which I had applied for in December. I started my first week of classes last week on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings from 6-9. Today (Saturday), I spent seven hours in a class getting certified for CPR. Absolutely cannot wait to be able to perform it on a real person instead of a dummy (of course not that I wish upon anyone needing it ;)). The course is structured for five months (twice a week + one Saturday a month = 120 hours). We have four really experienced and fun instructors from the fire department who are all trained paramedics as well. In one week we have covered all of the legality that goes along with being an EMT, anatomy, and vital signs. Our textbook is 1200 pages long, full of emergency care information that we must all learn in five months. So far, it’s been a great way to meet a lot of other people who are driven to go to med school and who share similar interests with things like Grey’s, ER, and House haha. Once I complete the course and pass the national EMS exam, I’ll be a certified EMT in California which will open up a lot of doors for working in ambulance companies, emergency departments, etc. over the summer. Also after completion, there is an interview process to go through in order to join the Santa Clara University EMS squad.

On top of EMS, school has been really busy this past week with two midterms. Next week should be just as fun with chem on Friday. A friend and I have also started going every week to work with kids suffering from autism. We found this program, best buddies, through the volunteering club at school (SCAPP) in which they provide us a car whenever we wish to go. We found it to be a nice break from campus and a good cause to volunteer our time.

This quarter has been a whole different experience for me, in an entirely new dorm, doing a whole bunch of new things. College is really starting to pick up and take over my life. It’s pretty fantastic.

Best,
Mohit

Back On The Grind

Mkochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:04:00 PST

Hello all! I apologize for being missing in action from the blog all this time. I happened to be traveling the most of my winter break so it was tough to find time to sit down and write. In fact, it was hard enough for me to just find Internet in Mexico for that matter. But I’m here now! So a little update on what I’ve been up to: I went on a cruise to Acapulco, Ixtapa, Zihuantanejo, and Manzanillo over the holidays. Had an amazing time. Beaches were pristine, food was delicious, and the company was very entertaining. Let me tell you, Christmas in Mexico is absolutely gorgeous. In Mexican culture they celebrate for the entire month before the actual Christmas day translating to: lots of tequila and nonstop partying. Then again, it’s Mexico so when is it not that way? On Christmas day a bunch of us kids went snorkeling for the first time in Ixtapa- an amazing experience it was. Then there was the eight days on the cruise ship of a whole lot of eating, elaxing, swimming, eating, put-put, eating, and clubbing. But now the fun trip is over :[ and it’s back to reality…

I’m currently sitting in my dorm room with a desk covered with syllabuses. I just counted how many books I need for one of my Cultures and Ideas classes on Hero’s and Heroism. Guess how many? WRONG. ELEVEN! As in 10+1! Very overwhelming, but that’s college for you. Thankfully, amazon’s got my back to save me some funds. It’s now Wednesday night so I have attended all my classes at least once. A little run down:

Calculus (Math 12)- Again, taking it at 8am like last quarter. Not my favorite subject to learn that early in the morning to be honest but this will be my last math class EVER! (I mean there is statistics in the future but that’s not really math right?) Feels great to say that…hopefully these next ten weeks won’t be too daunting. Integrals ftw!

Chemistry (Chem 12)- Very lucky to have a great professor- Dr. Steve Fedder. Does a lot of his lecturing through worksheets, cutting down the amount of writing for notes by a lot. Class consists of two midterms and a final. No homework and no quizzes.

Cultures and Ideas- The one with the ridiculous amount of books. Teacher is very engaging and makes learning about Greek and Roman literature fun through a way of jokes and modern day examples. (Today she talked about sex hehe)
Psychology (Psych I)- Taking this two hour course on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Unfortunately, the professor who was suppose to teach the class, Dr. McCormick, is taking the quarter off for health reasons. He’s suppose to be a great professor so I was kind of bummed out. The replacement professor however seems to know what she’s talking about so I’m still very much looking forward to this class. It isn’t until later in the day at 1:45 so sleeping in is always a wonderful option.

The only thing class I haven’t attended yet is my lab that isn’t until Friday. It’s with the same lab instructor I had previously who is a lovely French woman, so should be as fun as last quarter.
Feels great to be back. Remember how I’m in a single double? Yeah, housing kind of wants me to consolidate. So still in the process of figuring it out- I might actually be moving to a nicer resident hall. I’ll be sure to update as things start to pick up. For now, it’s enjoying this slow paced week while it lasts and catching up with everyone!

Happy Winter Quarter!!

Mohit

Friday Night Baby!

MKochar@scu.edu (Mohit Kochar) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:17:00 PST

So I’ve decided to share with you all the crazy wild plans I have on this Friday night here at Santa Clara. Are you ready?

You sure?

Well I don’t know…I mean it might be too much for you to handle.

Okay fine you asked for it…

STUDYING.

Bam! Didn’t see that coming did you now? I know I’m such a trickster.

Overall it has been a good, light week in terms of workload but my first final is in exactly 74 hours so it’s time to buckle down. This weekend shall be absolute purgatory, but who says studying can’t be fun, right? I like to think it can be.

Chem all day…math all night…let’s get it crackin’ (books)…I’m in the library!

Gotta boogie,

Mohit