It's amazing how fast time really does fly. But it's strange how long it takes to finally set in. Just last semester, on a surprisingly sunny day, I got off the shuttle when it arrived on campus and as I was walking to my class down at Crestview I looked down the hill at the pond and it hit me. I remembered the first time I peered down at the pond from atop the hill when I came for a tour of the campus when I was still a senior in high school --- FOUR YEARS AGO! I couldn't believe it, that I had called this place home for the last three and a half years, but that in another couple months or so, it would be my home no more and just another stop on the Fagella Express.
Ironically, four years ago when I was still a senior in high school I hadn't even thought twice about where I wanted to go to college, because I had my mind made up --- UConn or bust! My dad went to UConn, I loved their basketball team (and actually thought I had a chance to "walk-on" [non-recruit] to the team), and I'm originally from CT, so that was that --- I was going to return to my home state to continue my education.
Then I took a tour of the campus in Storrs, and it was a mega culture shock for me. The campus was a city in itself, and this country boy from southern Vermont felt really out of place. For example, I went to the same school (same building) from Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, where the high school only had 85 students, and my graduating class had 29 (actually considered a "big" class). So going from that to a school where lectures alone averaged somewhere in the hundreds for students, was not the type of change I was ready for (that, and I realized that the only people who make UConn's basketball team are either black guys or really, really tall white guys --- and I'm neither of those).
All the while when I had my "UConn blinders" on, I kept receiving brochures from this tiny school in New Hampshire called Franklin Pierce, and every time they would just end up in the recycling bin with the rest of the college and university brochures. While many of the others stopped sending, Frankie P. was persistent. So finally, when I realized that I didn't want to go to UConn any more, or any school that resembled it in size, I took a look at the brochure, and ironically enough I saw that they had what I was hoping to study --- Broadcast Journalism.
So I took a tour of the campus, fell in love with it because it definitely reminded me of home, and the rest as they say, is history. Four years later when I look back on that decision I could not be happier and I have no regrets. And the number one reason for that is because I was able to do something here at the campus TV station (FPC-TV 25) by my second week of college that many are lucky if they can do by their junior year at a bigger school --- host a show, or even be "on camera" period.
So I was thrown right into the mix as a freshman hosting sports shows and once I got a taste of TV, I was hooked. This in turn, helped me to make one of the toughest decisions of my life as a young adult. Because even though I wasn't going to UConn to play hoops I still had the dream to play college basketball.
I'm the most driven and persistent person I know, so when I have a dream I go for it with everything I have and then some. I had worked very hard the summer before college, running, lifting and shooting for hours on end. So when I arrived on campus in the fall I was confident about my chances of making the team and competing for some playing time as a "walk on." I went through all the preseason workouts and practice sessions with the team leading up to tryouts and then I received the news I didn't want to hear.
A couple days before tryouts were to begin, Coach called me in his office and told me the bad news. He said that I had worked my butt off and that's why he regrets to tell me, but I wasn't cleared to play by the NCAA, and therefore couldn't try out this year. I was dumbfounded, because I followed all the steps to apply as an athlete with the NCAA and this is how they repay me --- by taking my $40 application fee and telling me you can try out next year, it's just you don't qualify for this year.
Apparently, since I was an advanced student and took 9th grade math when I was still in 8th grade, they don't count that as a high school math credit and therefore I was one short. I was really upset now, because the NCAA requirements were the same as my high school's to graduate --- 4 credits of english and 3 credits of math. And yet, I graduated. I have my diploma to prove it!
This made me want it even more than I did before and to work even harder over the next year to get better, bigger and stronger. I kept this mindset for about a month or two and trained hard. But then one day at the gym I saw a couple of guys shooting around so I asked someone who they were and they said that they had just transferred in from Division I schools. They were both really good and judging by their height and body type, I could tell that they were both guards --- my position. This is where the doubts started coming in and the "college hoops blinders" started falling off.
I started realizing that the recruited players are the ones competing for playing time and that the walk-ons just basically work there tails off in practice for a jersey, and a spot on the bench as a cheerleader. So even if I made the team the next year, I'd have to work twice as hard as the recruited guys to get playing time. And as I became more and more involved with the TV station I realized that I didn't have that kind of time to begin with. It was becoming more and more apparent that I had to choose one or the other.
Once again, it took a while to finally set in, but then it hit me --- basketball isn't going to pay my bills after college, sports broadcasting is, and that's what I should focus on. I talked it over with my family and they agreed. So from that point forward I made my mind up that I was going to do devote all my time and energy to becoming the best sportscaster I can be. And once again, looking back I have no regrets and am very pleased with my decision. So watch out world because the next stop on the Fagella Express is a TV station near you!
Now that I've babbled on and on about the last four years of my life, I would like to take this final opportunity to say good-bye to those who have meant so much to me and had such an impact on my life over the past four years --- the best four years of my life!
To everyone at FPC-TV 25, The Exchange, The Depot, and the Fitzwater Center, it has been a pleasure working and learning each day with all of you. All of you are so talented, so motivated, and so inspiring that I am sure FPU and especially the Mass Comm program's reputation and growth is in very good hands for many years to come. You're all in my thoughts and prayers and I hope our paths can cross again some day out in the real world at a TV station.
To all of my professors over the years, especially the Mass Comm ones, thank you for doing your best in preparing me for a career in broadcast journalism. I feel confident about getting a job at a TV station out of college here . . . it's just a matter of where.
To my roommates over the years for putting up with me, I hope to see you out on the battlefields known as the "real world" and good luck with everything you do.
And last but certainly not least, to all the friends I met here over the years I will miss you all very much. And just because I'm not going to be living around here any more doesn't mean that our friendship has to end, as I will most definitely be in touch and will visit the ol' alma mater every chance that I get.
As I depart for the final time, I would like to leave the reader with some lyrics from one of my favorite songs --- Rascal Flatt's "My Wish" --- that sums up how I feel about the FPC (soon-to-be FPU) community:
I hope the days come easy
and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you
where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice
and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one
that means the most to you
And if one door opens
to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin'
'til you find the window
If it's cold outside,
show the world the warmth of your smile.
- Joe
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Staying Focused and Avoiding Senioritis
I'm sure most of you have all heard of the term "senioritis." It happens to us all at every level of education --- the end of the year comes, and you can see the finish line, and you just don't want to do any more work because you've already made up your mind that vacation begins NOW. I'm not gonna lie, I stopped taking notes in one of my classes about a month ago. Probably not the best thing to be doing considering the end of the semester here is always the busiest of times for college students, with papers and presentations all being due at the same time, not to mention final exams. It has become quite contagious at college campuses across the country, and until I snapped out of it a short time ago, I too found myself falling into the "vacay-starts-now" state of mind. In this blog today I hope to share some advice on how to stay focused down the stretch either at the end of the semester for some, but more importantly for graduating seniors like myself, to finish up college and receive that diploma.
With about two and a half weeks until I close the final chapter of my college career and receive that piece of paper that says I am finally "qualified to work," --- the same piece of paper that will cause me to be broke for much of my 20s and 30s due to paying back student loans --- it's so hard not to fall into the trap. Spring is finally here and that means everyone is outside, whether it be taking in some rays to get a head start on your summer tan, or playing the game that never gets old, no matter how old you actually are --- wiffleball. And then you can't forget about the ultimate spring/summer activity --- grilling! What sane person on God's green earth would rather be doing schoolwork inside when there's girls tanning in bikinis and guys playing wiffleball outside, all the while with the aroma of burgers and brats filling the air? Certainly not me.
However, there are some possible "common sense" solutions to this dilemma, but I'm going to warn you, they involve sacrifice and compromise. So if you don't like the meanings of either of those words I suggest somebody pinch you and wake you up from your "dream world" because life isn't easy.
First of all you can "play" during the day when the sun is shining, but that means play time ends when the sun goes down and then it's time to crack the books. So if you play during the day you can't play at night too --- it's one or the other.
Secondly, do your work outside. This way you can still work on your tan while getting your work done. And if you can complete the ultimate multi-tasking trick of getting your work done while playing wiffleball too, then by all means, do it (if you can, I envy you and want to know your secret).
So those are a couple of solutions for the "fair weather" dilemma. As for the staying focused part here are a couple suggestions.
Everyone is different so this one kind of depends on what type of person you are. Maybe some of you can relate to me in that I've always tried to follow the advice I received from my parents as a young boy --- to give 110% in everything that I do. Whether it be out on the athletic fields or sitting at my desk in the classroom, I've always strived for excellence in whatever it may be.
So whenever I need motivation for something I set a goal and then I come up with a reward for reaching the goal. For instance, when I was in high school and wanted to improve my free throw shooting I used to take at least 50 foul shots at the end of every practice once everyone else was done and leaving. No matter how thirsty I was, I wouldn't let myself drink a sip of water until I made at least 35 out of the 50 (70%) of the shots. Many nights I was there for a long time, but I kept thinking about how good that water was going to taste when I finally did it. And every time I did it the water tasted so much better each time, knowing what I had accomplished.
The same type of "goal-setting and reward" strategy can be applied to academics. Naturally, if you're a senior like myself, the reward is that diploma. But imagine how much more proud you can stand on that stage when you hear your name called and instead of them just saying, "Joseph Andrew Fagella," it could be, "Joseph Andrew Fagella, magna cum laude" (with high honors). Don't you want to leave a lasting impression on the place you called home for the last four years of your life? Well, for all intents and purposes graduation is your last chance, and it's a rather big stage to do it on too. So what are you waiting for?
Don't let the $120,000+ you and/or your parents spent on this place go down the drain by "just getting by." Have some respect for yourself and your parents and do that hefty investment some justice --- give it your all! Besides, you're establishing life-long habits now, and if you can't stay focused under pressure at a job out in the real world, they won't put up with it, they'll give you your walking papers. Is that what you want?
So set a goal here for yourself to get the most out of your educational experience during these last couple weeks. It could mean not going out on a Thursday night and instead writing a paper ahead of time so that it's not rushed and last minute and you actually have time to think everything out and pick the correct words and phrases --- basically just giving the assignment more time and undivided attention. Or it could mean starting to study now for an exam two weeks from today, so that you don't have to cram --- again, giving the assignment more time and undivided attention.
Even if your reward isn't getting to hear magna cum laude after your name at commencement, you should at least feel good about yourself because you didn't cheat anybody. Plus you pushed yourself to learn more and that's always a positive. Hard work builds character (and it also gives you hair on your chest according to my grandpa. . .hehe).
I will now leave you with one of my favorite quotes and it came from none other than the radio voice of the Red Sox and Professor of Sports Broadcasting here at Franklin Pierce, Joe Castiglione. He doesn't know where he heard it from, but I heard it from him, so I'm giving him the credit for it. . .because I can (hehe). Here goes: "Talent gets you to the top. Character keeps you there." So what are you waiting for? Get out there and build some character!
Peace out cub scouts,
Joe
With about two and a half weeks until I close the final chapter of my college career and receive that piece of paper that says I am finally "qualified to work," --- the same piece of paper that will cause me to be broke for much of my 20s and 30s due to paying back student loans --- it's so hard not to fall into the trap. Spring is finally here and that means everyone is outside, whether it be taking in some rays to get a head start on your summer tan, or playing the game that never gets old, no matter how old you actually are --- wiffleball. And then you can't forget about the ultimate spring/summer activity --- grilling! What sane person on God's green earth would rather be doing schoolwork inside when there's girls tanning in bikinis and guys playing wiffleball outside, all the while with the aroma of burgers and brats filling the air? Certainly not me.
However, there are some possible "common sense" solutions to this dilemma, but I'm going to warn you, they involve sacrifice and compromise. So if you don't like the meanings of either of those words I suggest somebody pinch you and wake you up from your "dream world" because life isn't easy.
First of all you can "play" during the day when the sun is shining, but that means play time ends when the sun goes down and then it's time to crack the books. So if you play during the day you can't play at night too --- it's one or the other.
Secondly, do your work outside. This way you can still work on your tan while getting your work done. And if you can complete the ultimate multi-tasking trick of getting your work done while playing wiffleball too, then by all means, do it (if you can, I envy you and want to know your secret).
So those are a couple of solutions for the "fair weather" dilemma. As for the staying focused part here are a couple suggestions.
Everyone is different so this one kind of depends on what type of person you are. Maybe some of you can relate to me in that I've always tried to follow the advice I received from my parents as a young boy --- to give 110% in everything that I do. Whether it be out on the athletic fields or sitting at my desk in the classroom, I've always strived for excellence in whatever it may be.
So whenever I need motivation for something I set a goal and then I come up with a reward for reaching the goal. For instance, when I was in high school and wanted to improve my free throw shooting I used to take at least 50 foul shots at the end of every practice once everyone else was done and leaving. No matter how thirsty I was, I wouldn't let myself drink a sip of water until I made at least 35 out of the 50 (70%) of the shots. Many nights I was there for a long time, but I kept thinking about how good that water was going to taste when I finally did it. And every time I did it the water tasted so much better each time, knowing what I had accomplished.
The same type of "goal-setting and reward" strategy can be applied to academics. Naturally, if you're a senior like myself, the reward is that diploma. But imagine how much more proud you can stand on that stage when you hear your name called and instead of them just saying, "Joseph Andrew Fagella," it could be, "Joseph Andrew Fagella, magna cum laude" (with high honors). Don't you want to leave a lasting impression on the place you called home for the last four years of your life? Well, for all intents and purposes graduation is your last chance, and it's a rather big stage to do it on too. So what are you waiting for?
Don't let the $120,000+ you and/or your parents spent on this place go down the drain by "just getting by." Have some respect for yourself and your parents and do that hefty investment some justice --- give it your all! Besides, you're establishing life-long habits now, and if you can't stay focused under pressure at a job out in the real world, they won't put up with it, they'll give you your walking papers. Is that what you want?
So set a goal here for yourself to get the most out of your educational experience during these last couple weeks. It could mean not going out on a Thursday night and instead writing a paper ahead of time so that it's not rushed and last minute and you actually have time to think everything out and pick the correct words and phrases --- basically just giving the assignment more time and undivided attention. Or it could mean starting to study now for an exam two weeks from today, so that you don't have to cram --- again, giving the assignment more time and undivided attention.
Even if your reward isn't getting to hear magna cum laude after your name at commencement, you should at least feel good about yourself because you didn't cheat anybody. Plus you pushed yourself to learn more and that's always a positive. Hard work builds character (and it also gives you hair on your chest according to my grandpa. . .hehe).
I will now leave you with one of my favorite quotes and it came from none other than the radio voice of the Red Sox and Professor of Sports Broadcasting here at Franklin Pierce, Joe Castiglione. He doesn't know where he heard it from, but I heard it from him, so I'm giving him the credit for it. . .because I can (hehe). Here goes: "Talent gets you to the top. Character keeps you there." So what are you waiting for? Get out there and build some character!
Peace out cub scouts,
Joe
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