College Bucket list: Don't procrastinate!

In high school you were probably told not to procrastinate.  You most likely did it anyways, but somehow it always ended up working out fine in the end.  In college things are not really that different: the same advice still applies.  Let me clarify that the difference with my blog is that I am not talking about school work (even though that is the whole reason you are here…).  I am talking about your college bucket list.  Four years may seem like forever, but I am sure every upperclassman would agree with me that these years fly by much faster than we want them to.

A typical Penn State bucket list includes climbing Mount Nittany, getting a picture with the Lion Shrine, etc.  Why am I telling you not to procrastinate if these things seem so simple?  Because every person’s bucket list is unique and has other items that might require more than 20 minutes of planning:

Studying abroad.  Two words:  DO IT.  I was able to take a class in France at the beginning of the summer, and I even got to travel around London for a few days before.  I was only in Europe for about three weeks, and it definitely was not enough time.  Studying abroad is life changing and one of my greatest college experiences, so if you have had a dream of going anywhere in the world start looking into it!  A lot of planning goes into studying abroad, especially if you are going for a whole semester.  I recommend talking to an advisor and the study abroad office about where you want to go and the best time to do it.  You might even be able to incorporate a language minor!  Penn State not only has partnerships with dozens of other countries and their schools, but you can also find ways for credits from schools outside that list to transfer.  With the endless location choices and opportunities for student aid, there is no reason you can’t check this one off your bucket list.

That thing you always wanted to try.  So you have always wanted to try sailing but the closest body of water was 4 hours away? Penn State has it.  You have been just dying to find others who appreciate pizza as much as you do? There is a club for that too.  Penn State has 945 recognized clubs at University Park alone, ranging from sports to Greek life to student government; you name it (http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/studentorgs/orgdirectory/). Literally the amounts of activities you can become involved in are endless. From the random clubs to the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, THON (thon.org), the opportunities to be involved in what you love are endless. Read some of the blogs earlier this month for even more details on Penn State's awesome clubs.

Internships, co-ops, research…oh my!  You will hear PLENTY about these things at WEPO, but I am mentioning them now so you can start putting them on your bucket list.  Have you always wanted to try working for the government? Itching to do research in the medical field, or go out to California to work with companies like Johnson&Johnson?  Then go for it!  Look into opportunities in the fields you might be interested in and find out as much as you can about working there—classes you might need, government clearance (which can take months…), and other things that may surprise you.

When I say do not procrastinate, I am not trying to scare you into having your entire college career planned out by the time you get here.  By no means do I even have this year completely planned… What I am saying is to think about what you want to accomplish these next four years.  On this “college bucket list” things will get deleted and added along the way; that is inevitable.  But if you put some time into it, you can graduate having done everything you have ever wanted: a semester in Australia, two internships, a minor and double major, captain of your sports team, or even better—all of the above.

Sarah Krishner is a Junior in BioEngineering. This summer Sarah travelled abroad to France. Sarah is a mentor for WEPO '12

The ULTIMATE Roommate Guide

One of the biggest, and most valuable, life lessons that I have had to learn in college is how to get along with a roommate. I was absolutely terrified to be a college freshman and, more than that, to be a college freshman in a tiny dormitory. And it didn’t matter that I would be living with my best friend. Living with the one person whose friendship I valued the most did not feel like a safety net. For one thing, I had never shared a room with anyone. I had never had to live in such close proximity to another human being for more than, at most, a week at a time. And that was summer camp. At some point in June I started getting sweaty nervous palms every time I thought about sharing a dorm. Sweaty palms are weird, uncomfortable, and slightly inconvenient. I was panicked, fearful that Grace would grow to despise the way I tap my pencil and that I would soon abhor the way she chewed. Dramatic? Definitely. Silly? Probably. But it didn’t change the reality, which is that I was abnormally anxious about sharing a 12’ by 15’ room, instead of a cul-de-sac, with my best friend.

            I have had a roommate for the past three years and am also currently bunking (literally) with my sister in Washington DC. Between all four experiences, I have come out knowing a lot more about myself and about boundaries. My first roommate was my best friend. My second roommate was a random roommate from Denmark (who I ended up being very close with). My third was my other best friend. I’ve seen and done it all. I’d like to add that I’ve maintained (and begun) friendships with all of them. It does not mean that it was not without a lot of continual hard work.

The important thing, in what I consider my informed opinion, is to set boundaries early and to STICK TO THEM.  In addition, it’s really important to work on effective communication. Freaking out is not a good way to handle any situation (unless you’re about to meet (insert celebrity name here), and even then I don’t recommend it). I’d like to present you with my list for roommate success:

1.)    Boundary Setting- You and your roommate-to-be (whether it’s your best friend or a complete stranger) are both coming in with expectations. It’s important for each of you to make those expectations clear to the other person. Where there are disparities, it’s important to compromise.  Examples of expectations include:

a.       How late lights will be kept on

                                                                          i.      You and your roommate may have varying workloads, and you might also keep different hours. I have a desk lamp that I use when my roommate goes to sleep, so we can turn off the overhead lights. My roommates have always done the same.

b.      The volume of any imminent audio (YouTUBE videos, music, skyping, etc.)

                                                                          i.      Skype is a gray area that tends to require compromising. My old roommate Katharine talked to her family in Denmark via Skype. Denmark is 6 hours ahead of us, so sometimes when I was doing homework in the afternoon she would be skyping her family. Most of the time I would just put my headphones in, but if I had a really important assignment she would take her laptop down to the commons area. Concurrently, if something big was going on (her grandmother was very sick), I had lots of places I could take my work (example: the library). A lot of people won’t know to do that unless you ASK them, so it’s important that you both talk to each other. If something isn’t okay with you, speak up!

c.       Who can sleep over

                                                                          i.      Boyfriends: Both of my best friends had boyfriends that went to other schools, so when they came to visit they were in our room for the whole weekend. It wasn’t so bad for me, because I knew all parties present. I also didn’t feel very weird sleeping in my bed while the two of them slept in hers. It isn’t okay with everyone, though, so you need to examine how you feel about it.

But we had lots of rules. The rules are the things that mattered to us, and kept everyone from feeling uncomfortable or slighted.  It might be different for you, and you have to talk that over with your roommate!

                                                                        ii.      Friends: I sometimes used to crash at a friend’s dorm, and I’ve had friends crash at mine. We were all friends, and it was always on weekend nights. Bottom line, you need to be careful about both having friends crash at your dorm and crashing at friend’s dorms. Like it or not, your presence might be an inconvenience for someone else and your friends presence might pose an inconvenience to your roommate. Even if it is okay with your friend’s roommate, or with your roommate, both you and your guest need to make an effort to be respectful.

                                                                      iii.      People neither of you know: As a general rule, I don’t let friends of friends sleep over my dormitory. They can go back to my friend’s dorm if they need somewhere to sleep. Their sleeping quarters are not my responsibility and unless I’ve met them on a prior occasion, I’m definitely not cool with it. It might be different for you or for your roommate. As always- talk about it!

d.      Borrowing things:

                                                                          i.      I don’t like it when people borrow my things without asking. I’m usually more than happy to loan out my belongings when asked but sometimes, depending on the object(s), I’m not. It is definitely a manners thing, and not everyone feels the need to exercise this particular courtesy. If it matters to you then you need to communicate it and you also need to stick to your own rules. If you require your roommate to ask before borrowing your things, you need to ask them if you can borrow theirs. By asking, you set the tone for your room and encourage your roommate to extend the same politeness.

1.)    Texting someone to ask if you can borrow something, and taking it before getting a response, does not count. Unless your roommate expressly gives you permission to use something, you don’t have their permission.

2.)    Just because they said you could borrow it once does not mean they are okay with you borrowing it again. Continue to ask unless they tell you that you don’t have to ask anymore.

e.       Cleanliness-

                                                                          i.      My most recent roommate, my sister, is sometimes a mess. I’m cool with it, as long as it stays on her side of things. This, again, has to be talked about. Do you have cleaning days? Who vacuums? How often does old food stay in the room? Who takes out the trash? Etc.

2.)    Sticking to the boundaries

a.       Most Resident Assistants (all of them are supposed to, at least) will have you fill out a roommate agreement at the start of the semester. It covers a lot of the things I’ve mentioned above (and probably more, I can’t entirely remember).

                                                                          i.      It has to be signed by both of you

                                                                        ii.      TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. It seems silly when you first meet one another, and it’s also sort of awkward, but it’s important. Your RA will refer to this in the event that a conflict arises that the two of you feel you cannot work out.

                                                                      iii.      If you both don’t feel that a certain subject is addressed or addressed to a desired extent, write an addendum and give that to your RA along with the agreement. It is one hundred percent acceptable to include terms not covered in the provided roommate agreement, and clarity is always a good thing.

3.)    What to do if you disagree

a.       Discuss the issue calmly and rationally

                                                                          i.      Try to avoid accusatory language: “You did..”, “You didn’t..” It only makes people defensive. Try to stick to “I” words: “I dislike when…”, “I am bothered by..”

                                                                        ii.      Try to make concessions. Your roommate isn’t perfect, and neither are you. They may bug the heck out of you, but remember that you might do things that really bug them too. Be firm in your convictions, but be nice too. Compromise is a beautiful thing. You have to live with this person, and you want to avoid making it unbearable.

                                                                      iii.      Take breaks: If you can’t work something out right away, take a breather. Re-group and re-think. Is there a side to their argument that you aren’t seeing? Nothing comes out right when you’re really upset, and it’s never a bad thing to take time to think about where the discussion has gone thus far and what direction it needs to go in

                                                                      iv.      If you can’t work it out? Go together to see your RA. That’s what they are there for!

Some other important things to remember:

1.)    You do not have to be best friends with your roommate

2.)    Even if you do end up best friends with your roommate, try to also make other friends as well. It’s important to have an outlet other than your roommate, and important to have separate interests. Spending 100% of your time together can get dicey!

3.)    Your roommate might not be an engineer. IT ISN’T A BAD THING. None of my roommates have ever been engineers. In chronological order they have been: a biology major, an international student studying English, and an education major. It can be frustrating at times- they will probably have a lot more free time than you do- but try and remember that every major has its hardships. On the positive side, your roommate’s major can serve to broaden your world outlook. Think of your roommate’s major as an avenue by which you can meet an entire major full of new people with different interests and backgrounds!

4.)    Every conflict has a resolution if you’re willing to find it.

5.)    If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your roommate about something, talk to your RA.

6.)    If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your RA about something, talk to your WEP mentor/rover/lead. There is an answer to every question and no question is stupid or small! Sometimes it helps to talk it out, and that is what both your RA and your mentor are there for! Not to mention, they may be able to shed some light on the subject simply because of their own experiences!

7.)    My list is just an example of some of the issues that could arise. There are other issues you might have, and don’t be surprised if they pop up!

I definitely did not realize I had this much to say about roommates, but I suppose that three years of sharing a room gives you a lot to say on the subject! I hope that this is helpful!

            I can’t wait to meet all of you! August and WEP could not come soon enough! If you have questions, or want someone to talk to, I think I can speak for all of the mentors, rovers, and leads when I say that we are always available to girls in need!

            Until August!

            -Liz

Liz Krauss is a Senior in Architectural Engineering. This summer Liz is working in Washington D.C. She is a mentor for WEPO '12.

Say YES to the Major

Hi!
I'm Kylie Sheplock Sheplock. This will be my 5th WEPO!!! However, it still seems like yesterday that I walked into the Atherton Hotel doors for the first time. I also remember being covered in sweat from moving into my dorm room (not very attractive!).Then I remember walking over to group C, where I soon found out that we were all hopeful Civil Engineers. At that moment, being 18 years old, I thought I was going to be a Civil engineer because I thought I had to know right at that moment.


Well I am here today to tell you that you don’t need to know what you want to do the moment you walk into college. It is perfectly fine to select a discipline that interests you, but don’t stop there!! Talk to your mentors: find out what they do, where they worked, and what they like about their majors. In addition, I would recommend taking advantage of the major nights offered throughout the fall semester. Each engineering major holds an information session about the program. Often, current students in that major are their to share experiences and answer questions. Furthermore, every major has an adviser that is well qualified to answer questions and give advice. 


Another thing that I learned is: It is 100% ok to change your major within engineering. There are many students that change within their first 2 years of engineering classes, including myself. After talking to many students, advisors and researching I finally said “Yes” to the major. The major that I chose was biological engineering and I have loved it every minute since I had said yes! I had a Co-op with Kellogg last year, which insured me I was doing what I love! This summer I am working for Campbell Soup.


I would have missed out on finding my true passion if I did not explore everything else out there! So go out and try on all the engineering disciplines before you say “Yes” to the major.

Kylie Sheplock is a fifth year in Biological Engineering. This summer Kylie is working in NC for Campbell's Soup. Kylie serves at the Lead Rover for WEPO 2012.

The Weird, the Wacky, and the Wondrous

Hi everyone!

As the summer is getting started for most of you just graduating, I’m sure you are getting asked about Penn State at every graduation party.  With this being said, I hope to give you some of Penn State’s best kept weird, wacky and wondrous secrets!

The Weird:

Humans vs. Zombies

If you see a random marshmallow or rolled-up sock on the ground, it’s not a result of a ‘Project X’ type party; it’s from the Penn State Urban Gaming Club, Humans vs. Zombies!  This is the most epic nerf gun, marshmallow and rolled-up sock wielding, campus-wide war!  The game consists of players who are humans and players who are zombies that takes place all day and night ALL over campus.  Whether you’ve been caught in the cross fire or participate, it is definitely one of Penn State’s best kept secrets. 

Saxophone and Valentine Serenades

Penn State promotes an environment of creative entertainment!  There are many students on campus that have extraordinary musical ability and like to show it off by serenading (or stalking) people walking around campus and downtown like the Saxophone Man during finals week in 2011.  You can see him in action in the youtube clip below (and even get a nice tour of the campus)! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd9LOA4plk

Valentine’s day is a time to show your significant other how much you really care about them.  And what better way can you show them than by embarrassing them in front of hundreds of their classmates with a singing valentine during class?!  The week of valentine’s day is always a treat when you have class in forum as you can be sure to hear one of the singing groups singing to a loved one like in the youtube clip below during class!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vc-qdUwCAw

The Wacky:

The Willard Preacher

If you happen to have class in Willard Building next semester, you are in for a big surprise.  You can be sure that Gary Catell, also known as the Willard Preacher, will be at the Willard entrance, rain or shine, giving a sermon to any students who will listen.  You will find that you should not try and challenge his views as you will only get frustrated and be late for class!  However, you have to applaud him for his dedication.

The Gorilla Man

If you find yourself feeling down on a Thursday, you can be sure to find yourself smiling after the Gorilla Man wishes you a Happy Thursday on his bike followed by his gang of skateboarders, bicyclists and unicyclists.  The Gorilla Man is simply a guy in a gorilla suit who is usually accompanied by a guy in a banana suit.  The combination of positivity and fun makes for a ‘Happy Thursday’ and definitely one of Penn State’s best kept wacky secrets!

The Wondrous  (besides THON of course!)

There are two specific words that come to mind when I think of the secret wonderful things at Penn State...

FREE STUFF (even at WEPO)!

FREE T-SHIRTS!!  If you participate in anything at Penn State you will almost be guaranteed to get a free t-shirt!  This includes going to volley ball games, gymnastic meets, paternoville, community service days and so many more. 

FREE HUB EVENTS!!  The HUB has even more free and exciting activities going on.  There is late night (crafting, music, games), movies, comedians, hypnotists, bands like FUN, and salsa dancing!  You can usually find out what’s going on in the HUB in the Daily Collegian or Stall Stories which can be found in the stalls in the dorm bathrooms (another one of Penn State’s best kept media outlets)!

FREE SHOWS!! If you enjoy going to the theater then you will love the No Refund Theater Productions in 111 Forum.  They do sketch comedies like Phroth Phest, dramas including ‘Rope’ and tragedies like Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  The term No Refund comes from the fact that their shows are FREE and are produced entirely on donations!

One other best kept wondrous secret about Penn State are the people you meet.  The ‘staters’ you meet in your 4 (or 5) years at school are some of the best friends you will ever make and whom you will have long lasting friendships with.

Hopefully you have learned some new interesting topics to talk about when people ask you about Penn State this summer and are getting excited about starting a new chapter in your life!  Hope to see you at WEPO!!

WEPO have spirit yes we do! WEPO have spirit how bout you?

Hi everyone, my name is Jill and I am the Spirit Lead for WEPO this year!  As Spirit Lead I am in charge of everything fun.  Just kidding, everything at WEPO is fun!  But I am in charge of spirit night which is a great opportunity to just let loose, have fun and meet girls that aren’t in your group.  The first rule of spirit night is that you don’t talk about spirit night, so I won’t be telling you any details, you will just have to wait and see!  However, I will give you a hint about the theme: it is based on a popular tv show where people compete in challenges to outlast each other.

Broomball fun during WEPO '11

I am also in charge of broomball, which is one of my favorite WEPO activities!  It is kind of like ice hockey but without the skates.  For this activity you will want to wear jeans because if you are uncoordinated or just really intense like I am, you will be falling a lot.  Other pants will work too, but jeans tend to be the least absorbent and the best protection for your legs.  Also, this will be in the ice rink and it will be chilly, so bring a sweatshirt or a long sleeve shirt.

Spirit is also something that Penn State as a whole is definitely not lacking.  Students have enthusiasm and pride for all things Penn State, and there is no greater feeling than your first Penn State football game in the student section.  I will admit, I am no die hard football fan and I had the misfortune of forgetting to buy season tickets as a freshman, but I went to the first game with my friends and was in awe.  To see the sheer number of students, alumni and fans cheering for Penn State made me feel such a strong sense of belonging to the Penn State family.  You will experience this in so many ways your first year at Penn State.  From football to Homecoming to THON, it never ceases to amaze me the amount of spirit and pride Penn Staters have and what a positive effect it has on everyone.  We really do live in a Happy Valley!

So get excited for all of the fun WEPO spirit events and remember WE ARE...PENN STATE!

Jill Holloway is a senior in Civil Engineering. This summer she is working for Chevron in Houston, TX. Jill is the Overall Spirit Lead for WEPO 2012.

Staying Healthy at State

Hey girls!

My name is Maria Poluch and I am a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering. I can honestly saying that deciding to attend Penn State was one of the best decisions of my life and CONGRATS to you girls for getting in and choosing blue and white!! 

During my first year, I made staying healthy one of my top priorities. As a freshmen, you have so much going on in your life, from figuring out where your classes are to making friends to adjusting to collegiate life style. It can be overwhelming in the beginning, but things start to slow down as the semester goes on. It is important to not forget to keep yourself healthy through your whole journey. Here are a couple ideas I have on how to stay healthy:

1. Join the gym. A gym membership at Penn State lets you use all the workout facilities available. There are four gyms located in various locations around the UP campus. The two most used are Rec Hall and the White building. Rec Hall is located on West campus. It is the biggest and offers the most equipment. It contains an indoor track, basketball, and volleyball courts. The White gym is located near the HUB and is complete with an indoor pool and basketball courts. I think the best thing about the White gym is the fitness classes. The classes are awesome! They have Zumba, calorie killer (an aerobics based class), full body workout, washboard abs, and more. It’s really fun to get a bunch of friends an go to the classes together. For more information on gyms go here:http://www.athletics.psu.edu/psustrength/index_rec.asp
2. Join a club or IM sports team. Penn State is huge and so has a team for almost any sport you can think of. IM (intramural) teams are open to anyone and are less of a time commitment. I played IM flag football last year with the THON organization I was in and it was so much fun! It was a great time to meet more people and get exercise at the same time. For more information about IM sports go here: http://www.athletics.psu.edu/recsports/index.html. Club sports require try-outs and they usually take place during the first or second week of school. If you’re interested in joining a club sport, check out the website and contact the person in charge early on so that you don’t miss try-outs. Here’s the club sports website: http://www.athletics.psu.edu/recreation/clubs.asp. I have a couple friends who were on club teams and they all had a blast so consider this if you really love a certain sport. 
3. Run or bike around campus. Penn State’s campus is gorgeous, so take advantage of it!  There are tons of trails on and around campus that are great to run or bike. I would definitely recommend running or walking on campus in the beginning of the semester to get a feel for where your classes are located in relation to other buildings. Although it can feel big at first, the campus starts to shrink as you feel more comfortable and more familiar with the place.
4. Figure out where the health center is located. I know this one sounds a little obvious, but so many freshmen have no idea where the health center is on campus. With everyone living close together, it is easy for diseases to spread in college. Sinus infections and colds are common. I personally had never gotten a sinus infection before I went to school and then had two last year. The health center can diagnose you and give you antibiotics, so don’t be afraid to use their services. Also, there a a free advice nurse that you can call anytime for any reason.

Those are just a few things to think about so you can fully enjoy freshmen year! During WEPO, you will have a session about stress management and more. That information will really help you out too. I hope you’re all having a great summer! I can’t wait to meet you at WEPO!! Get excited for State!!

For the glory,

Maria 






Maria Poluch is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering. Maria is a rover for WEPO 2012.

Summer Adventures in China

            Almost immediately after finishing my last final and saying a teary eyed goodbye to my freshman dorm, I started organizing my things for a month long trip to… China! “The Cultural Impact on Engineering in China”  (ENGR 197A) is an engineering course led by a Penn State professor which grants 30 engineering students the opportunity to explore China: both the magnificent structures and landmarks, and the incredible culture. I can’t even put in words how phenomenal this program was. I learned so much about so many things. I learned some Mandarin, examined feats of Chinese engineering, acquired insight into the Chinese customs and traditions, and met some inspiring industry professionals, such as the CEO of Ford in China. Just one year ago I was in the same terrifyingly exciting position many of you are in today: mourning the loss of my former life as a high school senior, but so curious to see where the future brought me. Penn State was the best decision I’ve ever made. The proof is in the endless resources and opportunities offered by PSU such as this engineering class abroad. 

           

            I’m still reeling from my Asian adventure but I’m also excited about my research in an environmental engineering lab at Villanova University. I just started this week, but for the rest of the summer I’ll be working with a graduate student conducting experiments related to the development of novel electrochemical and catalytic technologies to help facilitate water reuse and reduce fossil fuel usage.

            While all of this sounds a little intimidating and overwhelming I want to use myself as an example to show you girls anything is possible at Penn State. If you want to do something, whether it is travelling, working in the lab for a particular professor, or even joining a new sport or club, as long as you are proactive and work hard, you can do it all. Penn State is an incredible place with so many cool opportunities and ways to get involved, but they aren’t going to seek you out, you have to reach out and take them.

            I can’t wait to meet you in the fall and share my beloved Penn State with you all!

Jamie Sweeney is a sophomore in Industrial Engineering. This summer Jamie is traveling to China and doing research at Villanova University. She is a rover for WEPO 2012. 

Clubs, Clubs, and More Clubs

According to the Office of Student Activities, there are 945 student organizations at Penn State. That is quite a lot. Having that many options can feel overwhelming.  However, if you work on your time management skills and create a balanced schedule, you can find time to participate in all of the clubs that are important to you.  With this many choices, no matter what you are interested in, you will be able to find an organization that you enjoy.  Plus you can always start a new club!  Here are a few tips I learned when trying to find activities that are a good fit for me.

• Go to the involvement fair.  The involvement fair takes place the first few days of classes in the Hub.  The different clubs at Penn State set up a booth, so you can talk to people in the organization and sign up to be on the email list serve.  This is a good way to get involved in clubs, even if you do not know anyone else doing them.  Don’t be afraid to walk up and start asking questions about the organization.  I joined one of my favorite organizations by signing up at the involvement fair. 
•  Look into an engineering club.  Personally, I really love engineering, and I like to volunteer at engineering related events and work on projects outside of class.  Therefore, I joined Engineers Without Borders and some other engineering clubs, such as the Steel Bridge Team and the American Society of Civil Engineers, which are through my major.  I highly recommend continuing to stay involved in WEP, and I also really enjoy being a part of SWE (Society of Women Engineers).  There are many opportunities available through SWE, such as intramural sports, career events, homecoming, thon, and much more.  Overall, there are many engineering clubs, so you have to decide what club fits you specifically, but I recommend continuing with the clubs for women in engineering and looking into engineering organizations in your major.
• Do something you love.  Whether that is playing a sport, practicing an instrument, joining a religious organization, or running for student government, I believe it is very important to have time to relax and do something you enjoy in order to get through some of the stressful weeks.  Most of the clubs are listed online, so you can start checking them out and getting excited to try something new.  (For a complete listing see http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/studentorgs/orgdirectory/)

Even though you might be worried to go to a meeting by yourself or walk over to a booth for a club you know nothing about, you could make friends through that organization that you keep for the rest of your life.  I believe joining an organization is one of the best ways to make friends.  There are so many different opportunities at Penn State, so definitely take advantage of them while you can.  You started that processes by signing up for WEPO, so keep it going once the semester starts! 

Jenn Kearney is a sophomore in civil engineering. This summer she has a structural engineering internship with Carney Engineering Group. She is a rover for WEPO 2012.

Making New Friends in College

Hi everyone!  Welcome to Penn State!

Before starting college, I was not expecting to make a lot of new friends because I am from State College and most of my high school attends Penn State.  However, I was wrong about this and WEPO was the first place I made new friends.  Some of the women you will meet at WEPO will be in your classes for the next four (or five) years.  Even if they are not in your major, a lot of the classes engineering students take for the first two years are same, such as math, chemistry, and physics.  Being able to sit with people you know on the first day of class is nice.

However, if you do not know anyone else in your classes, it is not a problem.  A lot of people won’t know anyone either – they are in the same boat you are.  I know it might sound intimidating, but talk to the people around you in class.  

Besides WEPO and class, your dorm is also a place to make new friends whether it is your roommate or other people on your floor or in your building.  After WEPO, you will have an orientation with your RA and the other people on your floor.  I know my freshman year, my floor went to dinner for a couple of nights in the beginning so we could all get to each other.  In addition, throughout the year, your RA will have floor events that you can attend if you want.

Lastly, become involved.  Penn State has so many different opportunities to get involved.  Here is the link to the organizations at Penn State - http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/studentorgs/orgdirectory/.  If there is something you are interested in, there is probably already a club for it.  There are several engineering clubs that you will learn about at WEPO and in the beginning of the school year.  The link also lists the sororities and the intramural and club sports if you are interested in either of those.

I hope all of you enjoy WEPO and I look forward to meeting you.

Devon Curley is a fifth year in Chemical Engineering. She is a mentor for WEPO 2012. This summer Devon is completing her third internship with Kimberly Clark.

The Pennypacker (FISE) Experience

Hi girls! My name is Ellen Fagan. I’m an Industrial Engineering major and I’ll be a sophomore in the fall. Last year, I lived in Pennypacker Hall, and I’m honestly so sad that I can’t live there again. (Though, I’ll be in an apartment with four of my floormates from Pennypacker, so I’ll live.) 

Ellen (second from left) with Pennypacker floormates.

At first, I was skeptical about living in Pennypacker, the Special Living Option (SLO) called the Freshmen in Science and Engineering Building (FISE). I thought that I was going to be living with lots of nerds, that they were going to be locked up in their rooms studying all the time, and that I wasn’t going to have anything in common with them.  I couldn’t have been more wrong. 

For the first week or two, my roommate and I kept the door propped open all the time.  Many girls from the floor would come in and talk to us; it was a really great way to meet everyone.  In fact, I met my best friend by leaving the door open.  She came to the door, introduced herself, and told me I “said her name wrong.”  We’ve been friends ever since.

During the first few weeks when everything was still so new, everyone made it a point to eat dinner with girls from the floor.  We asked what classes everyone was taking, and we were all pleasantly surprised that we all had classes together.  In fact, I only had three classes last year that none of my floormates were taking, and two of those were Spanish classes.  It was great to be able to walk with my new friends to class, and it was also super helpful that they were right next-door if I needed help with homework.  

Blue & White Carnival with Pennypacker floormates.

Those awkward first few dinners and random questions about classes eventually transformed into going to club meetings together, going to Power Remix (it’s a fitness class - try it!), watching our favorite shows, and just hanging out.  My floormates became some of my best friends in the world.  We did everything together, and we managed to make everything fun, even marathon study sessions for finals.  I'm going to miss living on the same floor as all of my favorite people at Penn State, but I'm so thankful to the housing staff who put us together. :)

Wherever you live next year, smile and introduce yourself! Everyone is new and trying to make friends, just like you.  Remember to be open to new people and new experiences; that’s what college is about.  I’m so excited for you all to come to Penn State - you're going to love it.  Can’t wait to see you at WEPO! 

Ellen Fagan is a sophomore in Industrial Engineering. Ellen is a rover for WEPO '12.