Penn State Football 101

Buying Tickets:

Hopefully you were all able to successfully get season football tickets for your freshman year! If not, don’t worry, it can be nearly impossible. Tickets sold out in five minutes when I was purchasing them for my freshman year. If you didn’t get tickets this year, you can always buy single game tickets off of the student ticket exchange. One of my friends was able to get a ticket for every game using this site. When the season starts, tickets will become available on this website: https://teamexchange.ticketmaster.com/html/eventlist.htmI?l=EN&team=psustud

What to Bring:

Security at Beaver Stadium doesn’t like you to bring bags into the game unless you need them for a medical reason. With that being said, the only two items that you really need are your student ID and cellphone. The best way to carry your things is in either your pants pocket or one of those phone cases that also functions as a wallet or has a sleeve to place a few cards. If the weather looks threatening when you begin your walk to Beaver Stadium, grab a small plastic Ziploc bag and a rain jacket to protect you and your phone from getting wet. State College weather can be very unpredictable, but football games are still an amazing experience rain or shine!

Tailgating:

Tailgating around Beaver Stadium is the pinnacle of pre-game activities! I guarantee you will meet friends during the first couple of weeks (and at WEPO!) who will have tailgating connections. I recommend that you take advantage of the free food and drinks so that you don’t have to use your meal points to purchase food in the stadium. Make sure you are familiar with Corn Hole and Kan Jam as they are extremely popular!

At the Game:

Try to contain your excitement when you first walk in because this is the second largest stadium in the United States.You will be surrounded by thousands of passionate fans and it will be a LOUD environment.  Also, you will quickly catch on to the traditions of the “best student section in the country” ~ Kirk Herbstreit.  Not only will you master the craft of walking (a lot) while at Penn State, but you will learn how to stand for a long time at the games.

After the Game:

Once you are finished swaying with your buds, and singing the Alma Mater, it is sadly time to leave.  Oftentimes, tailgates will start back up after the game, so you can go back to grab your last bit of free food before heading back to your dorm for a hot shower and a long nap.

WARNING: Don’t plan on accomplishing homework on football Saturdays!

Emily Strohm is a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

15 Must-Have Apps for Every Penn Stater

When I first decided to come to Penn State, I know the first thing I did was go to the app store.  I wanted to find every college and Penn State themed app I could find so I would be prepared for my first day.  Of course, some of the apps I found are now collecting dust on my home screen.  Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most helpful apps I own (all free of course) in order to create the “15 Must-Have Apps for Every Penn Stater”. 

PENN STATE:

MyState (iPhone only)

If you can’t find your first class or just want to know where a nearby restaurant is, MyState has you covered.  It is extremely helpful for finding just about anything both on and off campus.  MyState will be a lifesaver when looking for your classroom buildings your first week!

Dining@PSU

Large campus = endless dining opportunities.  Dining@PSU makes it easy to see what’s on the menu at each of our four different dining commons.  You can even set it to notify you when your favorite meal is being served on campus.  It’s always a good day when I see Buffalo Chicken Pizza pop up on my phone. 

myStop

Because we have such a large campus, Penn State has a bus system (CATA bus) that can take you to various locations around campus.  The myStop app contains a map of the different bus routes and where each bus is currently located.  This is extremely helpful if you’re running late to that far-away class.  (Hint: The free buses are the Blue and White Loops)

myLinks at State

LionPath, Angel, Webmail.  Penn State has a numerous amount of important websites.  myLinks conveniently gathers them all onto one app.  This app was actually created by a current PSU computer science student!  

Penn State Sports Gameday Live

If you’re a die-hard PSU sports fan, this app makes your fanatics a little easier to manage.  It has everything you’ll need to know about Penn State athletics.  Game times, scores, rosters, and much more!  

SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION:

The Homework App (iPhone only)

The HW app is the best way to keep track of your homework assignments and exam dates.  It is color coordinated for each subject, can be set to remind you of important due dates, and is extremely user-friendly.  This is by far my most used app during the school year.

Pocket Points

Pocket Points is a great way to keep you off your phone during classes.  If you open the app, it will detect if you are in a classroom and begin giving you “points” as soon as you lock your phone.  The longer you’re locked; the more points you earn.  The points can be exchanged for various discounts at local stores and restaurants. 

GroupMe

GroupMe is a necessity for every Penn Stater.  It is a group messaging app widely used across campus.  It is the easiest way to work on group projects or organize club meetings without your phone constantly buzzing.

Office Lens

Office Lens is great for online homework submissions.  You simply take a picture of your written homework and the app will clean up the picture by cropping and enhancing it.  The picture can then be instantly converted into a PDF, the file type most professors will ask for. 

Evernote

Evernote is one of the best notetaking apps on the market.  It makes it extremely simple to bring an iPad, for example, to class and free yourself of a notebook.  This also makes it super easy to access your notes on any of your devices.

Miscellaneous

Mint

As college will be the first time most of you are living on your own, Mint will be a very beneficial tool.  It helps you to manage your money and budget your spending.  With Mint, you’ll be able to enjoy dining out without worrying about affordability! 

Venmo

Venmo is the easiest way to split costs or pay back your friends at school.  It connects to your bank account so you can easily deposit into other accounts.  Whether you’re sharing an Uber ride or forgot to bring your wallet to dinner, Venmo makes the process of paying your friends back much simpler.

AccuWeather

The weather in Happy Valley can be extremely unpredictable.  I have personally been caught in the rain without an umbrella one too many times.  Therefore, I would strongly recommend a reliable weather app.  Any in-depth weather app will do, but AccuWeather is a great choice, especially since it’s headquartered in State College!

Timely (Android only)

Timely is an app for the heavy sleepers worried about sleeping through their early morning classes.  My roommate swears by this app.  It gradually wakes you up by first softly playing an alarm before the time you want to be awake.  Little by little it gets louder so as to progressively wake you up on time.

MyFitnessPal

The freshman 15 is a real and dangerous threat.  MyFitnessPal helps you to track your food intake to keep yourself healthy and focused!  You can enter your meals and exercise to manage your calories and stay on a fit track. Fitness is extremely important to a strong mind, and can be easily overlooked if you’re not careful. 

These apps have really helped me throughout my time at Penn State so far.  I hope they help you as much as they did for me and aid in making your transition here a little easier.  Now start downloading!

Mary Hicks is a junior majoring in Computer Science and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

Living Local & Commuting Your Freshman Year

“I’m local” or, “I’m a townie” are phrases that you will probably hear at some point as a college student at Penn State. You will also hear phrases that will astonish you; you will meet students from all over the world as Penn State takes pride in its diversity.  I am relating to you my experiences of living within a 30-minute radius from University Park and what I have learned from them.

Hidden Gems of State College

One of the most important things I have learned about living in a small town by Penn State is to take pride in being local!  It delighted me to teach others about the area.  If you are from State College, let your friends in on hidden secrets about the town they otherwise might not know about.  For example, on Tuesdays and Fridays, local farmers hold a Farmers Market in downtown State College. There is an animal shelter off campus called Paws for animal lovers to volunteer at near our Nittany Mall. Students can get discounted rates skiing and snowboarding at Tussey Mountain during the winter, and most importantly, State College features two delicious home-owned restaurants called Champs and Otto’s, only a short drive down North Atherton!

Connecting as a Commuter

I commuted my Freshman year at Penn State.  I went to a commuter’s orientation tour of campus. It was interesting to meet fellow commuting students from neighboring towns that were familiar to me.  I am in touch with some of those students today.  Once you become oriented to campus, use your friends who live on campus to your advantage!  Staying in the dorms can be a fun experience for you and your friend.    I stayed in my friend’s dorm in East to schedule classes at midnight.  Invite your friends to your home too.  They will appreciate a delicious home cooked meal, and it will mean a lot to them to spend a day or two off campus.

Dorm Living and Campus Involvement

As a commuter, I was just as involved as my fellow peers.  I participated in numerous clubs and went on trips with those clubs.  I chose to live in the dorms my Sophomore year because I wanted the dorm experience.  The fortunate thing about commuting your Freshman year is you don’t ever have to live in the dorms if you don’t want to, but if you do still decide you want to, you most certainly can!

I found that by being a commuter I got to know the ins and outs of the Penn State campus better than most students.  I learned about and took advantage of all of Penn State’s amazing resources.  I found the best study spots and made friends all across the campus, all while being about to live at home with my family!  If you have any questions about my experience, feel free to contact me!

Taylor Guelich is a junior majoring in Architectural Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

Tips and Tricks on Staying Organized in College

College and high school are polar opposites of one another. You most likely just left a world that

contained a structured 8 hr. school day with extra-curricular activities right after school. You had

the occasional night game for your sports team or a play on a Friday night, but it wasn’t a

schedule you really struggled to keep track of. In college, class times range from the dreaded

8ams to the long 4 hr. chemistry lab that prevents you from getting back to your dorm before

10pm. There are Thon meetings that run until 1am, exams scheduled during dinner-time, and

homework that is due on a Saturday night. Staying on top of your school work and social life can

be tricky, but with some practice and a few tips and tricks, you will be a master at the college

lifestyle in no time!

Use some sort of calendar

○ Whether it is a physical agenda, a huge calendar you can hang on your wall, or

even the calendar on your phone, find a place to record all of your school work

due dates, exams, meetings, football games, etc. Don’t just go off of what you

think you can remember, because trust me, you WILL forget something.

○ I personally use a physical agenda that has a monthly view and a weekly view. I

remember things much better when I write them down. However, I know plenty of

others who use Google Calendar and have it synched into their phones (There

are so many benefits to this option, but since I do not really use it, I’m not too

helpful).

The class syllabus

○ I would say this is one of the most beneficial things you can do to stay on top of

school work. A syllabus is a list of every school item that will be due for that

specific class. It will also contain the time, dates, and locations of exams and

office hours. For every class, print out the syllabus on the first day. Some

professors may give it to you. Proceed to write on your hand dandy calendar

every single item that will be due for that class. Homework, essays, quizzes,

EXAMS….write it all down. KEEP THE SYLLABUS.

Lists

○ Lists can also be very helpful to keep track of your meetings/school work on a

weekly basis. In the beginning of the week, make a bunch of different lists

regarding school work, meetings, hanging with friends etc. As you accomplish

each item, cross it off. It is very satisfying in the end.

Color coding

○ Color coding makes organizing fun. Color code your classes and use only certain

notebooks, pens, pencils, etc. for that class. It is quite helpful when you have so

much going on. It is also quite pretty to look at.


Morgan Flynn is a junior majoring in Architectural Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

10 Things to Not Do During Freshman Year

1. Get overwhelmed by the size of the campus

Yes, Penn State is an exceptionally large campus. Yes, you may (or may not) get lost sometimes.  However, I can guarantee that by your second semester, getting around campus will be the easiest part of your day.

2. Freak out over Chem 110

There is a chance that you have already heard the horror stories of Chem 110. This is where you may learn the age-old lesson, “C’s get degrees.” Scary, right? Honestly, don’t get too worried.  This is ONE class.  Chem 110 is just a speed bump. You have to roll right over it, and then continue on and the road will be smooth. True story: my roommate dropped out of engineering because she didn’t like Chem 110. DO NOT DO THAT. You will be fine.

3. Be afraid to knock on floormates’ doors

You might feel weird and annoying or whatever, but the only way to get to know people on your floor is to talk to them! You may not end up being best friends, or you might end up getting an apartment with them sophomore year (which is specifically what happened to me). After you’re all moved in, pictures hung and bed made, take a stroll down the hall and see who else is moved in. This way, they’ll already know your name before your RA forces you to play a name game in the hallway.

4. Not have a fun fact ready to go at all times

I SWEAR. You will play approximately 525,600 ice breaker games in your first year at Penn State. A lot of these games will start with, “say your name, and a fun fact about yourself!” Think hard. Have you met anyone famous?  Have you traveled anywhere cool? If so, remember that. It will be insanely handy.

5. Wear your convocation shirt in public

Yes, it is a nice shirt. And props to Penn State for giving us them. However, don’t wear it in public. That is all.

6. Spend all of your meal points at Au Bon Pain

ABP is a lovely establishment and incredibly convenient after enduring a lecture in Forum. However, meal points don’t always last forever, and ABP is a good place to throw them away. Food in the commons is way, way, way cheaper, and also not that bad. As for coffee recommendations, I personally have a huge love for Dunkin (I may or may not know some of the workers by name), and they do take LionCash.

7. Study at the desk in your dorm

The desk in your dorm is good every once in awhile, yes. However, try something new! There are so many other places to study, and a change of scenery is always pleasant. My personal favorites include the fifth floor of Paterno library, anywhere in the Business Building, the lobby of Osmond, and Dunkin Donuts (I’m telling you, I’m obsessed).

8. Forget to call your parents

They miss you! I am very guilty of forgetting to call freshmen year, so I had to step my game up sophomore year. Get into the habit of calling on the walk to your first class or on the walk home. It will make your parents very happy.

9. Go home on the weekends

For real, just stay. Things can get tough during your first year, but the majority of your favorite freshmen memories will be made during the weekend! Even if you are not a partier, if you stay at school you have the chance to find a friend to watch Netflix endlessly with, and isn’t that all anyone really needs? You will see your family and your high school friends over the break, but *alert: this is cheesey* freshmen year is the time to meet new people and make lasting friendships.

10. Sign up for a million clubs

Coffee Club, Netflix Club, Cheese Club, Knitting Club, Penn State literally has 1,107 clubs. Contrary to popular belief, joining every club does not guarantee you the World’s Greatest College Experience. I know everyone is shouting “GET INVOLVED!!!!!!” excitedly at you, but don’t take it too seriously. It is very important to get involved, but take it easy. Think about what you want to dedicate yourself to, and do it. It’s better to be committed to a small amount of clubs than halfway attending meetings for 15 clubs.

Becky Stem is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

How to Tackle the First Day at Penn State

First days can be nerve wracking, especially when it’s a completely new place and completely new experience, so here are some tips to make it easier:

1.      Penn State is huge, so getting lost happens sometimes.

a.       A good app that can help you figure out where each building is located is Campus Maps. It’s free and can give you the map to multiple campuses in the US, as well as each building on campus listed alphabetically by name.

b.      If you don’t have a class right before where you’re headed, leave some extra time to get where you need to go, just in case it takes longer than you expect or you get lost along the way.

c.       If you do have a class directly after your last one, when you have free time try to walk through your schedule so you have a general idea of where to go when.

2.      If you’re running late or just can’t find a class and ten minutes have passed, should I still go?

a.       Yes! The first day is usually when professors give out syllabi and how they expect the class to run. You can see if you like the professor and the course outline, and if you don’t, it lets you know you should switch to a different section of the class. This way, you can pick the best professor for you with a course load that suits you best.

3.       Textbooks and notebooks—should I bring them to class on day one?

a.       Bring a notebook, but wait to go to the class before you get textbooks. Some professors like to start on the material right away, so you want to be prepared to take notes if they do. They’ll also let you know whether or not you’ll need the textbook, so you can save a trip and money from the bookstores if you end up not needing them. If you do need textbooks, the Student Bookstore downtown is cheaper than the on-campus one in the HUB, so check there first before going to the HUB. If you don’t need the CD/DVD/extra item packaged with your textbook, get a rental/check Amazon and compare pricing.

4.      I absolutely need coffee in the morning or I will die—what should I do?!

a.       DON’T: Go to the Starbucks in the HUB if you’re trying to get to class in a rush. The line is almost always endless. If you’re dead set on Starbucks, the one on the second floor of the Penn State Bookstore usually has a shorter line.

b.      DO: Check out your dining hall! Most of them have early morning hours if you want to grab a sandwich with that coffee, or a separate mini-store that sells coffee and tea.

If you need any other tips, we’re here to help! Good luck and have a great year!

Gabrielle Briones is a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a mentor for WEPO'16!

Finding Your Perfect Study Spot

As you all know, studying is a huge part of being in college. Sometimes it is hard to study effectively though. Finding a place where you can efficiently study is incredibly important. If you’re anything like me, you like a quiet spot with few distractions. Other students may thrive in a busier area. So in order to determine what works best for you early on here are a few tips!

You probably have a general idea of the atmosphere you study best in but if not you can surely test out a spot to decide whether or not it works for you. I started my freshman year believing I could study in my room but quickly found out I would do anything but school work while I was there, so feel free to switch it up and figure out where your favorite is!

Quiet Studiers

Some sections of the library, such as the Pattee stacks or the outer edge of each floor of the Paterno library, would be a better choice for you. If you are not easily distracted, studying in you room may also be the peaceful place you desire. Avoid the HUB if you plan to get anything done!

• Library spaces mentioned above
• Dorm study areas
• Empty classrooms
• Life Science Bridge

Background Noise

Places such as the “Harry Potter Room” in the Pattee Library (through the revolving door and up the pretty stairs) have a lot of seating but also offer a decently quiet background. Other options include the open areas on each floor of the Paterno Library. Kunkle Lounge, located between the Sackett and Hammond buildings would also suffice as a spot to hit the books for people who like the quiet but not the silence.

• Library spaces mentioned above
• Hammond Library (located at the end of the Hammond Building)
• Davey Library (located on the second floor of the davey Building)
• Au Bon Pain (either in the Katz Building or the Zoller Gallery)

Hustle and Bustle

If you work best in areas with a lot of movement and noise, the HUB could be your perfect spot! Some commons also have tables and nice chairs where you can study with a decent amount of chatter around you. Several buildings have cafes and seating areas that would also offer a busy environment.

• IST Bridge Au Bon Pain Cafe
• Anywhere in the HUB
• Seating area of first floor Kern Building
• Commons (Redifer Commons has a lot of tables and open area)

Studying for Finals

As you can imagine, it’s difficult to find a decent place to study during finals week. One way to guarantee yourself a satisfactory spot is to, unfortunately, get an early start. My friends and I will leave around 7:00am to find an adequate place -which is usually an empty classroom- and stay there all day. Once you leave a your study nook, another student will quickly swoop in and take it, therefore most people don’t leave after they find a seat. Getting there early can ensure that you acquire the study space you need!

Maddy Bungard is a junior majoring in Civil Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

Reducing Anxiety & Stress in College

I’m not going to lie to you. College is stressful. That probably won’t come as a huge surprise to you (but if it is, sorry to be the bearer of bad news!). In my experience, a lot of life can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. But that doesn’t mean college (or other parts of life) are bad, just because of the stress and anxiety they cause! In all honesty, college is one of the more stressful phases of my life I’ve experienced (so far), but it has also been one of the best phases of my life!

Everything comes down to this: managing your stress and anxiety! Follow some of these tips and hopefully you won’t feel like this photo!

      Figure out your triggers. Make a list of things that cause stress or anxiety for you. Common ones are roommate issues, exams and grades, college loans, money, friend drama, boyfriends/significant others, homesickness, etc. Now figure out what aspects of these triggers that you can actually control!

      For anything out of your control, try your best to let it go. If you can’t control it, there is nothing you can do about it. Worrying about it will only make you feel worse!

      If you can control it, write down a list of things you can do to reduce the problem that actually causes the stress or anxiety. Then act on that list! Hang it up by your desk or mirror or somewhere you can see it often so you don’t forget about it.

      Make sure you are taking care of your body. This means eating enough, getting enough sleep, keeping up with personal hygiene, etc. Remember: for a typical person, you need to eat about 2,000 calories a day, sleep about 7-8 hours a night, and get about 30 minutes of physical activity per day.

      EXERCISE! It is hard to make yourself go to the gym sometimes, but exercise—whether it be walking, running, sports, pilates, yoga, or something else—releases chemicals in your body called endorphins that MAKE YOU FEEL HAPPY! So exercise = more happiness and less stress and anxiety.

      Get outside and see nature! Sunlight is proven to make you feel better. If you have access to them, pet an animal like a dog or cat! This also releases endorphins. If you don’t have a pet of your own that you can pet or cuddle, try asking your friends or even going to an animal shelter.

      Keep busy. Make sure you are keeping yourself occupied and not just sitting around in your room, moping about your stress.

      Talk to someone you trust about your stress and anxiety. This can be a parent, other family member, roommate, friend, teacher, etc. In the same vein, talk to a therapist if you feel like you cannot manage your stress or anxiety on your own. Penn State offers counseling and psychological services to students. There is NO SHAME in seeing a therapist/counselor/psychiatrist. Their job is to help you, and it is definitely worth it to look into.

      Remember to take a deep breath, and try to relax. You can get through this.

      Volunteer. Helping out in your community can really help you to gain perspective on what actually matters in life.

Good luck managing your stress and anxiety! While it may all seem overwhelming at times, stress and anxiety is not the boss of your life. YOU ARE. And you have the power to reduce and remove stress and anxiety from your life. You got this!

Emma Clement is a junior majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

Getting Involved

As I am sure many of you were, I was extremely involved in my high school.  From bands to clubs and honor societies, it seemed like I was in everything.  I wanted to keep up my diverse involvement in college and this was one of the reasons I chose to attend PSU!  There are over a thousand clubs and organizations to keep you involved.  With so many choices, you don’t have to stick to your old favorites.  There are always new clubs/activities to try.  Here are a few you may find interesting!

TPEG (Theme Park Engineering Group)- This club meets about every week and hosts behind the scenes tours and trips to sites from NYC to Hershey Park.  They invite industry professionals to skype into their meetings and they even partner with the Forensics Club to set up the annual PSU Haunted House.  http://www.psuthemeparkengineering.com/

3-D Printing Club- If you’re interested in learning how to 3-D print, this club is for you!  Located on the third floor of Hammond, the club owns dozens of printers and are often available to help with personal and class projects.  Additionally, PSU installed approximately 30 MakerBots in the library’s Maker Commons.  Students can submit files online to be printed and picked up at the Patee desk.  https://sites.psu.edu/3dprintingclub/   http://makercommons.psu.edu/ 

Band/Orchestra/Chorus- No matter your skill level, there is an ensemble for you at Penn State!  Auditions are required for some (but not all), of the 6 choirs, 9 bands and 3 orchestras. Check them out here: http://www.music.psu.edu/ensembles  Most classes count for GA requirements and those that do not can be easily petitioned as such.  (Ask an advisor for more information).  

Engineering House (E House)- Although this is not a club, it can be treated as such! Special Living Options, like E House, accept “associate members” during the year and many are offered housing in subsequent years.  Activities in E House range from guest speakers to movie nights.  This coming year, we are also planning a winter formal and speaker sessions from industry.  For more information on this engineering live in community, please see: http://www.engr.psu.edu/e-house/home.aspx

IM/Club Sports- With 20+ IM sports and 77 recognized Club sports, you can always find something to keep you active.  IM’s are typically less competitive and rarely hold practices. Clubs vary in their competitive nature.  From Quidditch to Basketball, Clubs offer them all!  http://sites.psu.edu/clubsports/  http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/campusrec/imsports/

Concrete Canoe- My roommate absolutely loved this club! Concrete Canoe is affiliated with ASCE and builds a canoe out of concrete over the year and travels to race.  Meetings are typically on Friday nights off campus and carpools are arranged.  The competition was at Drexel last year and Penn State got second place!   http://www.pennstateasce.com/concrete-canoe.html

The Daily Collegian- Started in 1904, The Collegian is Penn State’s oldest independent student-ran newspaper.  Whether you’re interested in journalism or photography, the paper offers it all.  http://www.collegian.psu.edu/ 

Yoga- This is a wonderful stress reliever during the week! All three gyms offered classes last semester but check the website for an updated schedule! (Club Yoga is available as well!)  http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/campusrec/groupx/

Religious- Along with several off campus churches, Penn State’s Pasquerilla Center offers services and student ministry opportunities in many faiths.  A meditation group, called the Dharma Lions, meets regularly there as well.  http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/spiritual/

Just a note: Don’t feel pressured to join every club or go to every meeting! (You won’t have time).  Try a few during the first few weeks and decide from there.  If you end up to busy or bored at the end of a semester, you can always try something new.

Emily Peters is a sophomore majoring in Aerospace Engineering and is a Rover for WEPO'16!