More senior advice

Ben Heisler of Glencoe, Ill., is the sports director at WIUX, hosts “The Big Show” on Sunday nights at 10, and was the director of broadcast and media relations for the Fayetteville, N.C., SwampDogs of the Coastal Plain league this summer. Heisler has interned as a TV production assistant for WGN’s Chicago Cubs broadcasts and covered Cubs and Chicago White Sox games for ESPN1000 WMVP in 2008.

What’s new and fresh? Students are now going to football games. That’s beautiful. The school has extended the tailgating area, but by ending it prior to kickoff, now an opportunity is right there. Now, fans are starting to understand that Indiana football can be legitimate. That’s a fresh thought.

Fresh eats in town: Cafe Django. It’s got really good food; a real chill environment. I went there on the first date with my girlfriend, and then we went back to celebrate our six-month anniversary, too ... Really good service ... It’s Asian Fusion, and you have got to try the Pad Thai (chicken, stir-fried noodles, eggs, bean sprouts, and red chili peppers). It’s a chill, relaxed place.

Fresh experience in Bloomington: The Funny Bone Comedy Club (at the intersection of Fourth and Walnut streets). They bring in some legit people. I’ve been there three times in the last year and always see great comedians (he has seen Nikki Glazer, Amy Schumer, and Doug Benson). Plus, the people who work there are very passionate about what they do. It’s a change of pace and you really enjoy yourself.

How do you stay fresh in college? You can’t be overwhelmed by everything you do. You’re in college for a reason. You can’t get caught up with everything you’re doing. Enjoy it, but remember to stay focused. It’s the people that do too much of one thing that get burnt out. If you spend 100 percent on studying or 100 percent on going out and getting hammered, you get burnt out. If you enjoy the things you do, but realize why you are doing it, you’ll be fine. Use this time as a springboard for what you want to do later on.


Becca Murrow, of Wheaton, Ill., is the president of the Retail Studies Organization, and was the director of the 2008 RSO Fashion Show.

Fresh spot to visit on campus: I love the patio outside of Starbucks at the Indiana Memorial Union. You get to enjoy being outside: It’s at the center of campus and it’s easy to get to between classes.

Fresh restaurant in Bloomington: Laughing Planet, right next to Cactus Flower on Kirkwood Avenue. It’s organic, they have great burritos, and awesome food all around ... There is a lot of cycling memorabilia and a huge outdoor deck overlooking Kirkwood Avenue and Grant Street.

Fresh activity in Indiana: Go up to Indianapolis to shop. Circle Center Mall is right downtown and has some great restaurants – P.F. Chang’s, Cheesecake Factory. It’s your typical mall with everything – Nordstrom, H&M – all the stores that you can’t find in Bloomington.

Fresh idea for students unfamiliar with Bloomington: Walking around downtown and checking out all the little restaurants and all the little stores that you never knew were there. Even more popular places like Scottie’s and Gracie, Scholars Inn and Scholar’s Bakehouse. B Boutique and Inseam Denim Supply and both trendy boutique-type places.

How do you stay fresh through college? It’s all about doing something different every weekend; going different places, hanging out with different people – different from the people you live with, the people from freshman year, the people from “back home.” Breaking the routine and doing things you normally don’t do.