Introductory Post

The Quartet

The Quartet is an exploration of academic topics that are relevant to the everyday college student. We will focus on the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. In addition, you may receive a sprinkling of various other tidbits that our authors wish to share--there’s no guarantee that we will stay exactly on topic. But, we can guarantee refreshing points of views free from excessive formal headache.

Our Authors:

Welcome to the Jacob Day experience! As a quarter-piece of this group of bloggers I will give a brief insight into the man whose writings will, at times astound, shock, educate and even maybe inspire! As of August 31st 2010, I am a first-year student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I dabble strongly in the sciences but so far I am undecided as to a major; yet I do know I want to pursue a career in forensics. I originate from Ashe County, North Carolina, where I developed a deep love for the mountains. From my mother I grew a fondness for the macabre and from my father I obtained an almost overwhelming drive to make people smile through my somewhat left-of-center sense of humor. I keep my views open and I am more than willing to hear others opinions, as well as change my own if I am so inclined. When faced with the ever-fleeting prospect of free time, I enjoy board games (I will dominate any opponent in Monopoly), reading, doing crossword puzzles, and spending as much time as possible with the friends and family that have stood by me through my life. I also find music to be amazing; to me it is a kind of therapy that can soothe when little else can, which is why I am so passionate about playing bass guitar. In this blog I intend to post on many topics which I find relevant to the collegiate person. I am not here to talk over anyone’s head or babble about things that most people would honestly care less about. If any of my writings make you feel intrigued, I will feel that I have accomplished what I set out to.




My name is Charlotte Steddum, and I am from Raleigh, North Carolina. I am a sophomore, psychology major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, playing the viola, psychoanalyzing people, speaking French, and blogging. I have dual citizenship with the U.S. and the U.K. I hope to one day earn my PhD in some specialized field of Psychology.





I’m Elspeth Chapman, but I go by Elfie (and yes, I’ve read Wicked, but I was Elfie years before Elphaba was!). I’m a sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill, and a transfer student from New York University. I don’t really have a hometown (I’ve lived in four different states within the last year), but I went to high school in Hammond, NY, a rural town that’s pretty much in Canada. I’ve changed my major a few times, but have finally settled on “Peace, War, and Defense Studies” with a minor in Russian--I’m hoping to take over the world, or at least work in foreign affairs. In my free time, I can usually be found doodling on my notes from class, obsessively practicing Russian cursive, baking cookies, and falling asleep while trying to read/watch TV/clean/do homework/etc. Despite what our blog name may suggest, I don’t play an instrument and have failed in every attempt to do so. I’ve tried violin, clarinet, and recorder. Then I gave up. But, I can play “Mary Had A Little Lamb” on the piano, and I’m kind of proud of that.


My name is Matt Lancaster and I’m kind of a big deal... people know me. I am from Hendersonville, North Carolina, just outside of Asheville. I am currently a student at the greatest university on Earth--or at least in North Carolina--UNC Chapel Hill. I am either going to be a biology or chemistry major, either way on the pre-med track. My dream lifestyle would be as doctor in Sorrento, Italy because of my fascination with the culture. Along with being on the pre-med track, I am a political science minor. I complement these interests with my love of comedy; thus, my love for Scrubs (medical comedy) and the Today Show and Colbert Report (faux news). Outside of academia and all, I like to play soccer, basketball, and tennis. But here at Chapel Hill I decided to forgo these sports in pursuit of a greater passion of mine, Ultimate Frisbee. I am also a certified soccer and basketball referee and an ardent San Diego Chargers fan. So, yeah, a lot of my free time is sports involved. And along with our blog’s guarantee of a refreshing point of view, I can also personally guarantee a 100% chance of sky in today’s forecast.