Welcome back WEPO Alumni!

Hello WEPO-teers!

My name is Divya Mehta and I will be your Resource Innovations Lead during WEPO’13! Now some of you may be wondering... what is that? Well… it is exactly what it sounds like... I am your resource to innovation! In other words, I am here to connect you with some of the best and brightest Penn State Women Engineers you’ll meet. More than fifty Penn State alumni from all over the country are coming specially to meet YOU… and guess what... they WERE you at one point. They can’t wait to share their advice and experiences during the “Leaders of Tomorrow” dinner! Anyway, I figured I’d take the time to introduce you to at least a couple. Who knows… you may be lucky enough to have one of them at your table!

Name  Christina Webber

Major: Bioengineering

Class: 2012

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Lion S'mores

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Green Bowl

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why:  Girl Scout Saturdays!!!  I loved getting to connect with future engineers and inspire them while they inspired me :-)

Advice for incoming Class: Get involved!  Go out of your comfort zone a bit and try things on campus that you wouldn't "normally" do, you never know, you may end up finding a new passion!

Name: Kati Shea

Major: Mechanical Engineer

Class: 2013

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Mamma Mia’s

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why: The last WEP meeting I attended before graduation.  It was my favorite because it was the first time I introduced myself as a mechanical engineer.  The feeling that you get saying that you are an engineer makes everything worthwhile.

Advice for incoming Class: Stay true to yourself.  College is a time to really learn yourself and find out who you are.  Therefore, it is great to try something different and experience something new but in the end you have to make sure that you enjoy it and that you are happy.

Name: Nicole Sclafani

Major: Chem E

Class: 2006

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Pistachio

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Faccia Luna

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why: Spirit Night! We had the best song! 

Advice for incoming Class: Get involved in something! Penn State can be a little overwhelming at first, but if you find some way to make it your own, it's easier to adjust. 

Name: Julie Behr

Major: ME & BIOE

Class: 2013

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Cherry Cheesecake

Favorite Restaurant in State College: The Tavern ( / Chipotle, obviously)

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why:  Watching the 2011 Rover Skit as Lead Rover!  They set a precedent that was so much better than it had ever been before and I cried like a total weirdo because I was so incredibly proud.

Advice for incoming Class: Don't be afraid to try new things.  This is your time to explore and branch out, and it'll never be easier to do than at the very start of your college career.  If there's something you think you might be interested in participating in, go for it -- pretty much nothing is binding and you can always stop later on if you decide you've taken on too much, but you may regret it later on if you don't even try it out.  Also, never forget that this entire network of women is here for you, and is eager and enthusiastic to help you out in any way you may need it -- alumni included!  You are a Penn Stater now, and that's a badge of honor you should wear proudly, that ties you to a community that genuinely wants to see you succeed.  Congratulations and welcome!  We Are!

Name: Joanna Mayers

Major: Computer Science

Class: 2005

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: apple cobbler crunch

Favorite Restaurant in State College: The Diner for grilled stickies at midnight!

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why: I was a rover for WEPO 2002. That year we had an outdoor boxed picnic lunch but only had one trash can for 100 people to dispose of their trash. A fellow rover and I stayed behind to bag all of the trash that had been piled up around the can and spent the afternoon fighting off bees. it was a miracle when we finished with no bee stings after an hour in the bee swarm until all the trash was collected. A rover has no limit as to what they will do for their WEPOteers!

Advice for incoming Class: Every Penn State engineer knows how to work hard and keep their eye on the prize.  But don't forget to have fun, too! Plan relaxing things in your week to keep the stress down.

Name: Claire (Venturino) Lawson

Major: Industrial Engineering + Masters of Engineering Management

Class: 2007, 2013

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Peanut Butter Cup

Favorite Restaurant in State College: The Deli

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why:  2004 Rover Skit: WEP-Olympics!

Advice for incoming Class:  Get involved - especially with WEP!  Make the most of the resources available to you and join study groups.  Know that it's ok not to always have perfect grades.  And most importantly - don't forget to have some fun!! 

Name: Sarah Schopman

Major: Bioengineering

Class: 2013

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Waffle Shop

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why:  My first WEPO.   Because I met so many inspiring women, and my best friends!

Advice for incoming Class: Don't ever be afraid to try anything new, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way!  Don't say you're going to "save it for later", because later, something bigger and better will be there for you.

 

Name: Terri Creech

Major: Industrial Engineering

Class: 2012

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Monster Mash!

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Cozi Thai

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why: My favorite WEPO memory is being the Emcee for the Career Dinner at WEPO 2012. It was great to see all of the WEPOteers networking with each other and with corporate representatives. I really enjoyed facilitating a panel of exceptional WEP Alum as they answered questions from the audience. Every year this event is a great way to acclimate the fresh(wo)men and help them become more comfortable with the career side of college.

Advice for incoming Class: Take (calculated) risks. Some of the most beneficial things I did in college were when I went outside of my comfort zone. Throughout your time here, you'll be presented with more opportunities than you can take. Your mentors and friends will be able to help you sort through your choices and be confident with your decisions.

Name: Anne McAndrew

Major: Chemical Engineering

Class: 2012

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: WPSU Coffee Break

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Mario’s Italian Restaurant

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why:  Being a mentor for WEPO 2010, and then hosting one of WEPO mentees for summer 2013 as an intern for DuPont!  This really represented the importance of networking and forming relationships through WEPO, and also made me so proud to see one of my mentees shine so brightly!  (Also, seeing one of my co-mentor’s mentees rock this year as the Resource Innovations lead!)

Name: Kristina Fong

Major: Civil Engineering (focus on Structures)

Class: 2007

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Alumni Swirl

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Irving’s

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why: Broomball; As a WEPO participant, I never played broomball before and did not know what to expect.  I’m not a very sports oriented person but my competitive side did come out. It was a great way to meet other participants and future classmates and not to mention, have a LOT of fun. 

Advice for incoming Class: Get involved in a club that interests you.  It’s a great way to meet people and will give you leadership experience.

Name: Meghan Fisher

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Class: 2012

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Peanut Butter Swirl (are there other flavors??)

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Cozy Thai……nom nom nom

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why: Transforming The Sound of Music’s “Do, Re, Mi” into a glorious WEPO themed musical snack because it was such a beautifully harmonic rendition that everyone was rendered speechless with calm tears afterwards… or it was just fun, you can pick. #WEPO2011

Advice for incoming Class: Study hard and do well in your classes but remember that it’s not the moments spent studying that you will tell stories about. Spend the time to take risks and go on adventures as those are the moments you will truly remember.

Name:  Kasha Kultys

Major:   Mechanical Engineering

Class:  2011

Favorite Creamery Ice Cream: Chocolate

Favorite Restaurant in State College: Otto’s!

Favorite WEP(O) Memory/Event & Why: My last WEPO in 2010 as Lead Rover, seeing all the planning and preparation come together one last time and working right alongside the lifelong friends that I had made at my very first WEPO in 2006.

Advice for incoming Class: 

Keep the bigger picture in mind/keep your eyes on the goal (Graduation!) – one or two (or more) mistakes or failed tests won’t matter much in the long run and we’ve all been in your shoes!

Stay positive!

Be curious

Work hard, but enjoy your time and save time for yourself!

Divya Mehta is a senior in Industrial Engineering and the Resource Innovations Lead for WEPO'13!  To read more about Divya visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!divya-mehta/ccpb

Battling Homesickness

Home Sickness

Everyone adjusts to college differently, depending on your personality, the relationships you have at home, your proximity to home, and how you plan on staying in touch, the transition can flow effortlessly or be a bit more of a challenge.

From the moment you leave your driveway, you are going to be caught up in a whirlwind of excitement. Between unpacking and setting up your dorm, meeting your roommate, and then running off to the start of WEPO, you aren’t going to have time to wrap your head around the fact that this is the beginning of a whole new chapter for you. As you say your goodbyes there will be tears, my mom was crying, my sister was crying, and my Dad was trying to keep himself together muttering “all good things to come”. Throughout WEPO the excitement and activity levels will be running high, it will fill all of your waking hours, and leave you sleeping like a rock at night. At the end of the week you will have made new friends, mastered new skills, and have a great story to tell everyone back home.

How to Stay In Touch Back Home

With all of today’s technology, there are numerous ways to keep in contact with all of your loved ones back home

• Facebook/Twitter
• Skype
• Blogging
• Text messages
• Phone calls

For me I had a group text message that was constantly being updated by both my sister and my parents so we kept in touch if only briefly almost every day. I also had a group message for all of my girlfriends back home so we could stay in touch as well. I also started blogging so all of my aunts and uncles, and teachers could see their little girl all grown up *sniff*sniff*. The ball is always in your court if you want to reach out and talk to someone back home. In the beginning I would call home whenever something major happened, the first day of class, I joined a new club, or something really funny happened.  I blogged about my classes, and the friends that I had met, the events I did with my clubs, and the football games that I went too.

When it Strikes….

It might happen within the month, around fall break, at the end of the semester, or not until the spring; it might start out small or rush at you all at once, but eventually you might realize that you might be homesick. No it doesn’t mean you’re weak, or un-prepared, or not ready for college, it simply means that you have people that care about you, and you care about down the road/across the country/on another continent.

For most people visiting is always an option, busses run from State College every weekend with students headed home, you won’t be the first or the last one to buy a ticket. Parents are welcome on campus for more than just Parents’ Weekend, they can come visit for the day, or for a weekend. There are always things going on for them to do with you, and make sure you pick your favorite restaurant when they come. Football games are a great way to see friends and family from home. What better way to say hello, catch up, and have them bring you that pair of pants you can’t believe you left at home.

For those weekends they can’t come up for a visit, I will risk saying that your mom or dad, aunts or uncles, brother or sisters, even your dog, would love to hear your voice over the phone, or see your face over Skype.  It hit me as I was headed back to Penn State after Thanksgiving how much I missed my family. I started Skyping my parents every Sunday night, and make plans for my sisters to come up and spend the weekend with me.

Don’t let homesickness cripple you, stay busy, go out and join a club/sorority/THON org, make friends, everyone back home will want to hear what you’ve been up too, they want you to make the most of the time you have here. The best advice I can give you is not hold it in, make sure you have that friend nearby to talk to, a roommate, classmate, teammate, rover, mentor, pick up the phone and call home, buy a bus ticket, because that hour on the phone or weekend away can make your college experience that much more enjoyable. WE ARE…..PENN STATE, and everyone here wants you to enjoy being here.

Gina Valerio is a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering and a Rover for WEPO'13.  To read more about Gina visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!gina-valerio/c1zo2

Office Hours

Hey ladies!

I know with it being summer, the last thing you want to think about is class and studying. I have a really great tip as to how to get the most out of your classes and that way is attending OFFICE HOURS. When I first started my freshman year, I had never really heard of office hours and therefore never went.  My second semester freshman year, I was struggling through a math class and my professor encouraged me to meet him after class for his office hours. I figured why not, it couldn't hurt. So I went, and I got the one-on-one learning that I was needing for that class. Soon, I started noticing I was getting better grades and understanding more and more. Ever since then, I go to office hours like it's my job. I have learned so much more by attending office hours than I ever would by simply attending class.

Throughout the rest of my Penn State career, I have sworn by office hours.  Most of my professors see how much effort I put into their class by asking questions and just going over simple things in office hours, and as a result my grades have benefited. Even if I bombed a test (or two) my professors were willing to make sure I passed if I put the effort in and came in after to try and learn from my mistakes. If you put the effort into a class, most professors will double that effort to help you learn.

Office hours aren't for everyone, I know many people who don't think they benefit from going, but you will never know if they help if you don't go at least a few times. Even if it's to show them your homework before you hand it in to make sure you're understanding it correctly, just try it!

After reading this, I hope you all will take the time to try office hours. I can promise you that it will not hurt! The key word for all of this is EFFORT. If you put effort into a class and that effort shows through to your professor, you'll do just fine.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Rachel Phares

Rachel Phares is a senior in Computer Science and a Mentor for WEPO'13.  To read more about Rachel visit her WEPO Profile:  http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!rachel-phares/c1o2y

Getting Involved on Campus

“It’s fun to have fun, but you’ve got to know how” –The Cat in the Hat

So far in my college experience, the best thing I’ve done is get involved with clubs and organizations. While managing meetings and events for these clubs/orgs has been difficult, it’s something that has helped me make friends, gain better study habits, and stay in touch with the part of me that isn’t all about science and math. That’s why, even though managing multiple commitments isn’t easy, I’m not telling yo

u to not be involved; I’m telling you to put yourself out there and join clubs, but to do it in a smart way. 

Be able to say NO.

When you enter the involvement fair this semester, be prepared to be bombarded with groups telling you all about their clubs and why you should join. If you’re like me, you don’t like to disappoint people. The first and biggest mistake I made was telling every club that “maybe” I would join, and giving them my email. Before you write down your contact info, WAIT!! No matter how much those recruiters promise you they aren’t going to spam your email, they will. If you’re unsure of whether or not you want to be involved, write down a secondary email address to get some more information. If you definitely want to join, it’s best to give your PSU email address. That way you will always see important emails in a timely manner. Here’s the part I had a hard time with: if you DON’T want to join AT ALL… then don’t! Don’t give them your PSU or any email address if you don’t want to. It’s okay to not be interested in a club.

Choose wisely what leadership positions you want to take.

There is no bigger commitment than being the President of this club or the Secretary for that club. Coming out of high school, I couldn’t count on both hands how many leadership positions I had, but those obligations take on a whole new meaning in college. It’s not easy to attend a 2-day event when you have an Orgo exam the day after. Unfortunately, I’ve been there. Last year I was a THON dancer. It was undoubtedly the best experience I’ve ever had in my entire life! …but I’ll never forget all the times I had my physics book with me, so I could study for 10 minutes if I arrived at meetings early, or the times I simply couldn’t attend meetings because I had to study for a calc exam. It’s definitely possible to take on some big commitments like that, but if you find that you’re having difficulty managing two leadership positions, don’t take on a third.

Be involved in engineering/science clubs AND other clubs that you enjoy.

When it comes to being involved in engineering clubs, you’re already getting a great start! WEPO is just the beginning to a program that you can be involved in for the rest of your college career! It will build your confidence, provide you with great networking opportunities, help you make friends in your field, and teach you important lessons to boost your success during college and after. Many of these useful qualities are characteristic of other major-related clubs too, so it’s important to take advantage of those resources and build your network. It’s also important, however to let your other interests thrive. There are clubs and organizations for just about everything, so if your hobby is drinking tea, belly dancing, or flying planes, you can meet up with people who have that same hobby, and then drink tea, belly dance, or fly planes with them…seriously, those are actual clubs at Penn State!

While getting good grades is important, college is about learning, both inside the classroom and out. You’re going to learn what you like and what you don’t like. You’ll figure out what things help to ease the stress of classes, and you’ll learn how to fit those de-stressors into your schedule. Overall, in college, you’re going to learn who you are, so put yourself out there, join clubs, and make friends. It might be difficult, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be better at time management, you’ll have friends to study with and friends to belly dance with, and you’ll start to learn all of the things that I mentioned without even realizing you’re learning.

I really hope you join some great clubs/orgs this year (I suggest THON!) , and I can’t wait to meet you NEXT MONTH!!!  WEPO ’13 can’t come fast enough!!!

Danielle Roethlein is a junior in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering and a Mentor for WEPO'13.  To read more about Danielle visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!danielle-roethlein/c3b1

Getting Involved in Undergraduate Research

As an incoming freshman at WEPO, I remember being in awe of all of the upperclass(wo)men engineers. It seemed like every time a member of the leadership team stood up to introduce herself, she rattled off an infinitely long list of activities she was involved in and engineering experiences she had.  I remember thinking to myself that I’d never be able to do all of those things.  Low and behold, I am now entering my junior year as a mechanical engineer, and I’m proud to say that I have done a lot of those things, and you can too! 

I would like to take the time to tell you a little about one of the engineering experiences that I am involved with at Penn State: undergraduate research.   I currently work in the Engineering Design and Optimization Group Lab (EDOG for short) in the Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department.  The project I am working on involves the optimization of thermal ablation probe tips to be used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. 

          

When I came to Penn State, I had no intention of ever getting involved in research, but at the end of my freshman year an opportunity arose, and I jumped on it.  I figured it would be a great opportunity for me to gain a little insight into the wide world of research, even if it was something I wasn’t fully interested in.   Looking back, I am very happy that I made that decision and that I was given the opportunity to get involved.   As you begin your career as an engineering student, I’d like you to keep this in mind.  I think getting involved in research is something everyone should try, because it truly is a great learning experience!

 As a freshman, it is sometimes a little difficult (although not impossible!) to get an internship or co-op.  Research, however, is something that you can easily get involved with in order to quickly acquire some quality engineering experience which will look great on your resume.  As freshmen women, you will have the opportunity to apply to the WISER program (Women in Science and Engineering Research), which will allow you to get some research experience for an entire semester. 

There are also a handful of research fellowships you can apply for if you look hard enough.  For example, the MNE Department offers the Shuman Fellowship for Mechanical Engineering students and the Westinghouse-Toshiba fellowship for Nuclear Engineering students.  It is through this program that I applied and acquired my research position.

Finally, don’t be afraid to approach a professor and ask about the research that they do!  If you are interested in a project that they are working on, simply ask if they have room for an undergraduate research assistant in their lab! Most likely, the answer will be yes!

I highly recommend getting involved in undergraduate research because it is a great way to gain experience.  Not only that, but it allows you to explore your options as an engineer and get exposure to the many opportunities available to you.  I am so happy that I decided to become involved with research, and I honestly think you will be too!

Katie Ciccaglione is a junior in Biomedical Engineering and the Assistant Professional Development Lead for WEPO'13.  

Embrace Freshman Year

Let me just start off my blog by saying that I am extremely jealous of all of you. I wish I was in your shoes...picking out new bed spreads, creating my first semester schedule, and experiencing move-in day for the first time. Freshman year was the best year of my life. And even though I’m only going to be a sophomore, I am convinced it’s the best year of college simply because you have the freedom to explore. At first, this freedom can be quite overwhelming because high school makes many decisions for you. However, college takes that whole mentality and flips it upside down. Suddenly, you are on your own and you call all the shots. You can literally be whoever you want. This realization didn’t hit me until about the second week of classes, and then it came crashing down on me like a ton of bricks. Suddenly, I was asking questions such as: What in the world am I doing with my life? Why did I decide to be an engineer again? What do I want to spend my free-time doing? Who do I want my friends to be? Do I actually like lasagna or did I just eat it my whole life because my mom forced me to? The initial shock was followed by a few stress-induced tears, but I made a commitment to myself to embrace freshman year. I decided I didn’t need to know all the answers my second week of school, but I would take my freshman year to explore...explore Penn State and explore myself.

Last summer, as a high school graduate, I never could have predicted the outcome of my freshman year in college, but it was ten times better than I imagined. So here is my advice to you incoming freshman:

1. Don’t judge anything before you try it. I found that things I thought would be perfect for me ended up being duds and the things I was skeptical about ended up being some of the most memorable experiences of my life. This includes people as well. High school is full of stereotypes, but make it your goal in college to drop the stereotypes and be friends with all different types of people. Diversity is the spice of life!
2. Don’t get discouraged. Moving away from home is hard, meeting new people is hard, physics is HARD! But don’t give up :) Keep everything in perspective and remember your end goal. It is easy to throw in the towel when you’re studying into the late hours of the night for your Physics 211 final. If it was easy then everyone would do it. And why would you want to be like everyone else?
3. Stay healthy physically, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and socially. Basically, make sure you are a well-rounded individual. If you stay in the library for days on end without coming up for air, you won’t be happy. Similarly, if you spend all day sleeping and chilling in East Commons, you will fail out of Penn State (also an unhappy situation). Make sure you are staying active, sleeping, eating healthy, taking time to relax, and investing in relationships. In addition, don’t give up things that “make you you.” If church was a big part of your life at home, investigate the different student fellowship opportunities on-campus and in the state college area. If you live for Tuesday night Pretty Little Liar sessions like I do, make sure you take time out of your day for that.

Penn State is an amazing place, and I truly believe there is a niche here for everyone. Make the most of every opportunity presented to you and remember to your embrace freshman year. See you all in 3 weeks! Wooooo!

Kelly Gagnon is a sophomore in Industrial Engineering and a Rover for WEPO'13.  To read more about Kelly visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!kelly-gagnon/c1836

PACKING FOR THE BIG DAY

Hi EVERYONE!!  My name is Kenna Markel.  I am a 3rd year in Architectural Engineering and a mentor for Team E!  I am currently living in Reston, VA and spending my summer interning with DAVIS Construction!  I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Moon High School in 2011.  I am so excited for my third WEPO and to meet all of you! 

I know you all just recently found where you are living and whom you’re rooming with so let the countdown begin!  By the end of next month, you will be all moved into your dorms!  Just two years ago, I was moving my stuff into 518 Pennypacker Hall.  I remember swiping into my building the first time, taking the blue elevator up five floors, and cracking open the big wooden door.  This summer, I’m sure you have all been having fun buying new things for the fall!  I know there are packing lists all over the Internet, but I know there are a few things I’m really glad I brought… or forgot.  Either way, here’s a list of a few things I would bring up this fall:

1. Rain boots, umbrella, raincoat, and winter coat – in State College weather will change unexpectedly!  
2. Downey wrinkle release and a lint brush – have to look your best at the career fair
3. Storage bins
4. Stamps and Envelops – for all those thank you cards after the career fair!
5. Chip Clips
6. Headphones – most of you will remember this unlike my roommate and I
7. Anything navy and white – for PSU Football Games!
8. Closet stackers (organizers)
9. Clorox wipes, Febreze, and Windex – eventually you do need to clean your room
10. Plastic shower caddy – I don’t recommend a fabric one
11. Nail clippers, nail polish, and nail polish remover
12. Snack/Sandwich bags – useful when you pack to go home for break
13. Clip Lamp – definitely a must have for East Halls!
14. HDMI Cable (if you have a tv) – for movie nights!
15. Plastic hamper for laundry, dryer sheets – you don’t need coins only Lioncash!
16. Checkbook, ID (Passport or SS card) – are needed if you get a job on campus or if you get an apartment for your sophomore year
17. Mattress Pad
18. Rug and fan
19. Brita and water bottle
20. Surge protector – East only has 2 outlets per person
21. Printer and extra ink
22. Sleeping bag – for THON Canning Trips!

I’m sure you girls are all so prepared that you already have everything on this list!  I hope you all are getting excited for Penn State because you all have a great year awaiting you!  Most importantly don’t forget you can always ask your mentor or rover if you have any questions about what to pack.  For a full list of what to bring Erin Miller, this year’s overall Lead made a list last year (see link):

http://pennstatewepo.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-to-pack-for-college.html

Kenna Markel is a junior in Architectural Engineering and a Mentor for WEPO'13.  To read more about Kenna visit her WEPO Profile:  http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!kenna-markel/c23w0

Living with a Roommate You Don’t Get Along With

Senior year of high school, I attended the SWE Stayover, frantically trying to make a difficult choice between Penn State and Virginia Tech.  That decision didn’t come until much later, but at the SWE Stayover I did meet a girl who I instantly clicked with. We had so much in common and thought we would get along great.  We decided that if I came to Penn State that we would be roommates.  In the end, I picked Penn State (a decision I have never regretted) and we ended up being roommates. We tweeted and texted each other all summer, and even helped each other out with our problems at the beginning of the year.  Everything was going fantastic. In late October, she snapped. I’m not blaming it all on her because I don’t react very well to be screamed at. In the end we did end up yelling at each other very loudly around 2 am one night, over spilled water on her desk.  Needless to say, I didn’t sleep in my own dorm that night.  The entire first semester I would avoid her like the plague.  When we were both in the same room, we wouldn’t talk. It would be dead silence for as long as we were both together, which could be hours, only talking when it was absolutely necessary.  During that time, her annoying habits just seemed to annoy me even more. She skyped her friends from home for around 8 hours a day.  Literally 8 hours a day straight. She wouldn’t go to class, she would skype doing homework, and sometimes she wouldn’t put headphones in. During this time I would usually just do my homework in the library or hang out with my friends or at my boyfriend’s dorm. Whenever I would come home though, she would always be skyping. All the little things that she did like that started to get under my skin. I thought about switching my room for the second semester, but it was MY idea to live in west, not hers. SHE should have to move, not me! I missed the room transfer deadline, and hoped that the coming semester would be better than the one I was currently enduring. And you know what? It did get better, slowly but surely. I always had class in the mornings and she had class in the afternoons, but even so, we just started to get over our fight, no matter how long it took.  We realized it was stupid and it the past, and that we were mature adults.  After Christmas break, we were completely fine. We weren’t friends at all, but we were roommates. We had a silent, mutual agreement about how things worked in our dorm, and we never fought again.  Needless to say, we are not rooming together next year.  I’m just glad we worked everything out before it got even worse. What could I have done to make the situation better? I think I could’ve realized that it was a fight over some spilled water. It was late and we weren’t in the best mind set. I think I should’ve gotten over it sooner, so we could’ve been civilized roommates instead of hating each other for an entire semester.

Katie Farnum is a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering and a Rover for WEPO'13.  To read more about Katie visit her WEPO Profile: http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!katie-farnum/c20xo