Most students get up in the morning, go to class, and then chill for the rest of the day. While at times I do have such a luxury, others-not so much. I’ve dedicated hours upon hours of my  time to the Mustang Activities and Programming organization which, don’t get me wrong, I love every minute of it.
      I spend a good majority of my time sending emails to companies or volunteers, checking up on certain departments to make sure they are doing their jobs, and actually programming the event itself. This can take a lot out of a person, so the best way to stay on top of it is to dedicate your time wisely. Plan your academics and your events on the calendar so nothing can ever conflict with one another. Never be embarrassed to ask for help when it seems like you have the world on your shoulders. Lastly, make sure you are confident with what you have accomplished. If you plan right and do what is required in a timely manner, all that’s left is to have confidence in oneself.
​       These tools not only directly help your time as a programmer but also as a college student. Time is a precious resource, and if you aren’t careful others or life will spend it for you. With all that aside, pick up that planner, write it down, and get it done!
​
Your friendly neighborhood Programmer,
Luc

With the season of love upon us, I thought this would be a perfect time to reflect on my love of MAP. When I say MAP, I am not just referring to the club but also the people who make it what it is. Each person holds a special place in my heart for individual reasons. When I came to Stevenson, I worried about fitting in and making friends. Through MAP I was able to transition more easily and find my way, thus making friends in the process. As I began to find my way, I also found a purpose on campus. This organization has been very beneficial to me throughout my journey at Stevenson. It helped me to discover what I liked doing, and allowed me to meet people who I am more than happy to call friends. This is why I love MAP and all that it entails! Being a part of the MAP family was one of the best decisions I’ve made at Stevenson thus far!!
With all that being said, I will end with a poem that expresses the love I have for all my friends both new and old:

New Friends and Old Friends
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test-
Time and change—are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair may gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
…
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
Joseph Parry

Keyara Blackmon
MAP Program Director 

     Have you ever wondered how MAP is able to pull off the events we do? Well part of it is budgeting for each event, no matter the size of that event. Budgeting is not only important for MAP, but it is essential for everyday life as well.
    At the beginning of each year I create a spreadsheet with how much I spend and make during the year. This helps me to identify where I can cut my spending at the end of each year. Sometimes you cannot always cut your spending because surprises happen. For example, you may need to buy a new car if your old car breaks down. In that case I would subtract this expense at the end of the year since I know I will not have this expense the following year (at least I shouldn’t). Then with the new car accounted for, I have a rough idea of what I should expect to spend next year.
   Another tip is not to worry too much where you were this time last year. You will have different expenses each year at different times of the year. However, I am not saying that you should totally ignore it. If it’s a minor difference, you are fine, but if you are off by a lot of money, then you should pay more attention to what you are spending.
   As mentioned before, I create a spreadsheet at the beginning of each year. The spreadsheet does not have to be very fancy or complicated. The spreadsheet I make for my personal finances is simple. I have a column for the amount spent, the date, and a short description. In addition, I have a column designated for the money I made during the year that follows the same set up. The last column calculates the profit for the year. Here is an example below: 

Dedicated. Enthusiastic. Helpful. These are just three words that come to my head when I think about MAP’s wonderful Mappies.
                I had some time to think about this as I walked back to my dorm after another successful event Saturday night. I kept wondering to myself, how could we have pulled this off without our Mappies? And the answer is- we couldn’t. Such large scale events, like Roller Rave, would be impossible without the help from our members. It all goes back to those three words that I think of when I think of Mappies.
                Dedicated. The Mappies never cease to amaze me when it comes down to the amount of members that volunteer for events. I cannot remember an event where we did not have enough Mappies to help out. They give up their free time (even weekends) to help out this organization and this school. They do it willingly and without any compensation but free t-shirts, food, and love.
                Enthusiastic. When Mappies come to an event to volunteer, they always have big smiles on their faces. They are excited, energized, and ready for the event that is about to take place. When students come through, they are positive and act with professionalism. Even when I know they must be tired (because I certainly am) they are still smiling.
                Helpful. With all of our Mappies assisting, a big task seems so much smaller. They are willing to do any job they are given. When they see that someone needs help, they are there in a flash. They exhibit great teamwork and sometimes they help with last-minute problem solving.
                For all of these reasons, Mappies are the best. We tell them all the time how amazing they are, but it just does not feel like enough when you think about it. So as always, we appreciate all of the dedicated, enthusiastic, and helpful work our Mappies do for MAP! 

Taylor Rigsby
Vice President of Membership