Establishing a Relationship with Your Professor

One of the most important lessons that I learned during my first year at Penn State was the importance of establishing a relationship with my professors. Adjusting to a new class, a teachers' style of teaching, and the rigor of the course can be extremely difficult if you don't put yourself in the best position to succeed.

My first day of Calc class, first semester was stressful. My professor threw so much information at us on the first day that it became overwhelming and difficult to take on all of that information all at once. The class became so intimidating that I never spoke in class, never asked a question, or asked for help. When it was time to study for the first exam, I prepared like I did any other exam in high school. I did practice problems, did all of the practice exams that were available to us, and reviewed all of my notes. The results from that first exam was a wake up call! I had not preformed as well as I had hoped.

After this exam I had realized that I needed to make a change in the way that I had gone about learning this course. I had realized that during class, the professor won't come to you if you need help, like teachers did in high school, you need to go to them! From this, I immediately emailed my professor to talk about what went wrong on my exam and made multiple appointments with her in order to master the concepts that I had difficulty with.

After becoming a regular in my professors office hours (3 times a week) asking at least one question each session, I had noticed that she began to pay attention more to me in class. She would often look towards my direction and interact with me more. She also began looking after me more when we were doing example problems on our own. She would walk around the classroom and then stop at my desk and ask me how I felt about this lesson and if I had any questions. When it came time to prepare for the next exam, I felt more confident than ever! I still studied the same way, but over the past few weeks I had been preparing for this exam with my professor, working through many problems and asking hundreds of questions!

The results from this exam were great! I had made a huge change in my position in this class, and the relationship I had with my professor. From this experience I had learned that professors won't take a personal interest in your success in their class unless you show them that you are dedicated, hardworking, and care about what you're learning. I had also learned that taking advantage of your resources, such as frequently going to your professor's office hours, study groups (especially the groups that WEPO offers), as well as participating and actually speaking in class, will make your experience in that class so much better!

When the semester ended, my professor took me aside after the last class and told me that she would be available to help me in the future with things like a recommendation, tutoring, and advice in general! She was so appreciative of the work and dedication that I put into learning that she did in fact write me a letter of recommendation! But, the best part is, I have gained a new source of support that I did not expect to have in the first place!

So here is a summary of the helpful tips to consider when starting a new class at Penn State:

1) Frequently go to your professors office hours

2) Participate during class

3) Take advantage of resources (study groups, practice exams, OFFICE HOURS)

4) Ask questions!

Olivia Tilles is a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering and is an Envoy for WEPO'16!

You are Your Best Advocate

Starting college comes with a ton of independence. You’re not going home from school to your house every day where there was most likely a home cooked meal for dinner. You will no longer have your parents asking you “How was school?” to which you responded “It was fine” every single day because nothing really ever changed. You learn to rely on and trust yourself to make decisions you think are best for you. That being said, freshman year can be very overwhelming; it was for me and a number of other students. It is very easy to lose your voice when you’re just trying to make sure you wake up for that 8am, four hour long, chemistry lab or attempting to remember to eat three times a day. You have to remember that you are your best and only advocate. No one will stand up for you better than you. Do not let “friends” take advantage of your homework answers and do not make promises you can’t keep. Do not be afraid to question a grading procedure or challenge notes you think are wrong. You deserve to be treated fairly and to be given the same opportunities as every other student.  Remember, the only person who can truly set you up for success is yourself. 

Stephanie Prohaska is a senior majoring in Industrial Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

Tools in Your Toolbox

The first tool you will always have is your network of friends and class time. During class it is extremely important that you ask questions when you don’t understand something. Many times students become afraid to ask questions, and you’ll see it often especially in classes like physics or math. The professors are there to help you and they want you to learn, so don’t be afraid to ask about

things that don’t make sense or seem unclear! Another HUGE tool is office hours. Office hours are your number one resource not only because you can get one on one time with your professor, but also because it is great networking time. The more often you go, the more your professor will recognize your effort. The professor will be more likely to help you out on little exam boosts or even becoming a reference. Professors are people too, and you’ll find some of them love to chat about things other than class. Plus they could even be doing research that you might be interested in!

One of the many benefits of doing WEPO is that you will have a network of friends before your classes even begin. You will more than likely have a couple classes with the friends you already made, which makes it easy to work on homework and study in groups. Studying and working on your own first is important, but if you get stuck or if you just want to test out what you know working in a group is the way to go. Another tool that will be mentioned during WEPO are the on campus tutors. On the second floor of Boucke are the Penn State Learning tutors, who can help with classes like math and English. Just look up Penn State Learning in Google to find drop in times for the class you are interested and get the help you need! Another similar tool are the engineering specific tutors in Sackett called the Academic Excellence Center. They can help with the more challenging classes like physics and even engineering mechanics or compsci. These tutors work later in the afternoon and evening, in case you can’t drop by Boucke during the day.

           

            The last and final tool that I want you to remember that you have is your confidence. Engineering is not an easy major, but I think you already knew that. Sometimes it will be hard to remember that you can do this, but what I want you to know is that you 100% can do engineering. We have all been through the tough times before and if you are ever struggling, reach out. Reach out to your friends, your rover, and your mentor. We will always be here to help you. I hope you found this post to be helpful, good luck with your first year at Penn State!

WE ARE!!!

Margo Blake is a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a mentor for WEPO'16!

Branching Out!

Being in a new place with over 40,000 new people can be scary and over whelming. I know when I went to school, I was absolutely terrified. I was so comfortable in my environment at home and wasn’t sure if I was ready to branch out. I wanted to meet new people and try new things but I wasn’t exactly sure how.

One of the easiest ways to start branching out is to open your door that first week at school! People will stop by and say hi and you can do the same with other people who have their doors open. My best friends are girls I met that first week of school on my floor. And even if you don’t meet the best of friends on your floor, it is nice to know all of them since you will be seeing a lot of them!

My next piece of advice about branching out is to not be scared to talk to the random boy or girl that you are sitting next to on your first day of classes! Most likely they don’t know anyone either and could use a smiling face to help calm their nerves as well. Meeting people in your classes is very beneficial for when you have questions about the class or just want someone to work with.

PSU has so many clubs and organizations. Anything you can think of there is most likely a club for it. Get involved in the things you love and are passionate it about! You will be amazed how easy it is to develop friendships with the people who love and believe in the same things you do! But don’t be afraid to try something completely new and out of your comfort zone! You may end up loving it and meeting great people through it! Go to the involvement fair and see what sounds fun or interesting and go to a meeting! You can always drop out if you don’t like it, but if you never try you will never know! Since I went to school I’ve tried to be a lot more adventurous, I love trying new things and I never used to before. PSU is full of so many opportunities to learn about something new and develop new and exciting passions so don’t be afraid to branch out to something you would never have considered before.

There are so many free school sponsored events from concerts to celebrations to movie showings, take advantage of them! It is an amazing way to get out of your room forget about your school work for a little, meet new people, and maybe even get some free food! And who doesn’t love free things!

Whatever you do, just do not be afraid to branch out! It is so important to try to remember that many people are in the same shoes as you. Sometimes it is difficult to find where you truly belong in college and that is okay! Trying new things helps you experiment with that and truly find what you are looking for at the best four years of your life!

Jessica Buchanan is a sophomore majoring in Industrial Engineering and is an Envoy for WEPO'16!

Dropping A Class

As you go through your day, you might find yourself in that one class that is really challenging for you. This makes the class something that you dread going to or a class that you have doubts in taking. Although everyone may not face this problem, I did my first semester. For me, the class that made me want to decrease my credit load was English 015. I know you may be thinking, English? That is the class you were worried about and not some super technical class? The answer is yes.

            

I had nothing against the class, as I enjoyed the discussions that I would have with my peers. The assignments and essays, on the other hand, were detailed and required a lot of time to complete. To the best of my ability, I completed my first essay and anxiously awaited my grade. When I received it, I was devastated; never before had I received a C- on an English paper. Immediately, I went to my instructor to seek advice for the following paper. Following that, I went to her office hours to get clarity on the next assignment. To my dismay, I was still left with a less than satisfying grade on my second and third papers. It was at this time that the late drop deadline was approaching. What was I to do?

            

With thoughts of dropping the class, I went to my instructor and she told me the grades I would need to get to pass the class and left the decision to me. I knew that if I stayed in this class, there was no way that I would be able to achieve the grade that I wanted. Seeking out more advice, I went to my counselor who advised me to devise a pro/con list of dropping the class. As I made my list, I realized that the best decision for me was to drop the class.

            

I was nervous because my peers all around me were doing great in their English 015 classes and did not have the need to drop that class or any other class. I did not want them to think that I had given up or taken the easy way out by dropping a class. Despite these thoughts, I knew that doing this was good for me, no matter what my peers had to say. I knew that I was not making a hasty decision since I talked to my instructor and advisor. I proceeded to drop my class, and there was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I was proud of myself for doing what was best for me.

            

Even though dropping my class was the best decision for me, it will certainly not be the best decision for others. Therefore, here are three steps you should take before you drop a class.

1)      Ask yourself why this class is hard. Are you trying your best? Are you completing the homework? Are you spending enough time studying for quizzes/exams? What is making you have doubts about the class?

·         If you find yourself noticing that simply changing the way you study or do homework will help you, then keep trying your hardest and continue with the class!

2)      GO TO OFFICE HOURS! Talk to the instructor. Find out if there are any tutoring services that can help you.

·         I cannot stress this one enough. Your instructor wants the best for you, so please go to office hours and ask questions and voice any doubts you are having in the class. You may find that you and your instructor can come up with a plan to help you achieve your goals for the class.

3)      Meet with an advisor.

·         Talking to your advisor will really help you figure out what dropping the class means for you. You can see how it will impact you academically. You can also see what it means for your schedule, will you be behind on your classes? Or will you still be on track?

After much thought, you may decide that the class is something that you can push through and do well, or that dropping the class would be best for you. No matter what you decide to do, you will benefit from taking these three steps and you will feel comfortable knowing that you evaluated all your options before making a decision.

I hope that this helps you see that dropping a class is not the end of the world. Just put thought in your decision and do what is best for you!

Suchitha Nama is a sophomore majoring in Aerospace Engineering and is an Envoy for WEPO'16!

Using Your Resources

During my first semester, I thought I was doing great. I took notes before class, did all my homework on time, and studied before each exam. Even though I thought I was doing everything I could to prepare for exams, my grades did not reflect it. I thought it was just because I was in my first semester, and I just needed some time to get used to the exams here at Penn State. However, this was not the case. My testing grades did not get better, and I was frustrated with my performance. I didn’t know what else to do.

My friends suggested that I go to the teacher’s office hours as well as the Learning Assistant (LA) office hours. They also suggested going to The Penn State Learning Center. I took everyone’s advice, and went to all three options. I began to see an improvement in my grades, and I became less stressed.

At first I didn’t want to get help, in fact I refused. I thought I could take care of everything on my own. But, I realized after I started going to the tutoring sessions, I was doing it on my own. I prepared questions for the LA’s and the teacher so I could get a better understanding of the material. I also explained topics to the best of my knowledge, and they corrected misunderstandings I had.

My second semester, I went to office hours right away. I realized how much they helped me in my first semester, and I didn’t want to waste any time. I encourage all of my friends who are struggling with classes to go to The Penn State Learning Center for any class. The LA office hours are great because they are run by students who have taken the class, and they know which sections of the class are tougher than others. I think it is easier to talk to the LA’s because they are students, and they understand what you’re going through. Don’t be afraid to go, I promise it will help reduce stress and improve grades!

Samantha Myers is a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering and is an Envoy for WEPO ‘16!

How to Stay Calm and Organized During Finals

I’m sure you’ve already experienced finals in High School, and for the most part finals in college are not too different. The main difference is there are a lot of them and the material is harder. However, when the semester is nearing a close and your professor still has not finished teaching all the material, it can be hard to not stress out. But I’m here to share my knowledge about how to stay calm and be prepared. These are 10 tips and tricks that I discovered during my first year at Penn State that helped me get through finals:

1.      As soon as you find out when your finals are, mark them on a calendar. Include the time and location as soon as you find those out. This will prevent confusion, as you get closer to the exam.

2.      Make study guides for every exam during the semester even if you think you don’t need it then. They will help when finals come and you can’t remember that one thing on that first exam you took in September.

3.      Highlighters are your best friends. Color code everything: it helps. By color coding or highlighting certain things, your brain remembers them more. Just the act of switching pens wakes your brain up and you’ll remember ten times the information.

4.      Use binder clips to keep all of your study guides and practice exams together. This way if you decide to go study in the library last minute because your roommate is distracting you, you don’t have to worry about leaving any important papers behind.

5.      Take advantage of study groups either through WEP or ones you create within your class or friend group. Studying with other people allows you to see how much you really know. Explaining a topic to someone else is the best way to reaffirm that you actually understand the topic.

6.      Don’t start studying two days before the exam; don’t even wait until the week before. You’re probably going to have at least 3 exams to study for at the same time. It is hard to balance studying for all three in one week. It’s a lot of material. Start gathering information and making study guides for all of your classes at least 2 weeks before finals. This way you are more organized and already prepared when finals week starts.

7.      Plan out your week hour by hour if you have to. First put in your classes and food breaks. Then plan exactly what you want to study at what time. Blocking out your time will keep you motivated and more on schedule.

8.      Start studying for your last exam first. By the time you get around to studying for that exam you are going to be less motivated. So by starting with it, you are already prepared.

9.      Remember to take breaks and exercise even if that means doing a quick lap around your dorm. Exercising will keep your energy levels up and can give you that much needed break.

10.  SLEEP! Sleep is so important during finals week. Pulling all-nighters does more harm than good. Sleeping allows the brain to really soak in the information you studied that day. If you go into a final having gotten no sleep the night before, you are 100% going to do worse than if you had gone to bed early.

Emily Rapp is a sophomore studying Chemical Engineering and is an Envoy for WEPO'16!

Avoiding Your AHHH Moment

Welcome to college!  Now that you are here, we need you to do A, B, C, D……… and you should be involved in this, that and every other thing…….  Holy crap! Entering college can be overwhelming!  Regardless of how much we warn you and tell you to brace yourself I can guarantee you that you will have a moment where you feel completely overwhelmed.  It may come in the first day, the first week, the first month or closer to the end of the first semester, but there will be a time when it seems like there is just too to handle.  In that moment I want you to pause, take a second to breathe and remember a few things:

IT IS OKAY TO BE FREAKING OUT!!! Everyone has those moments, its college it’s supposed to be a bit scary.  You are doing something completely new and that can be frightening for anyone.  Again, take a deep breath and assess the situation.  Sometimes our emotions just get the better of us, but typically there are one or two things at the root of our panic so try and figure out what those are and you will better understand how to combat your AAAAAHHHHHHHHH moment.

IT IS GOOD TO ASK FOR HELP!!! Talk to your friends, your roommate, your professor, whoever you feel comfortable talking too.  Try talking to your WEPO mentor or Rover; that is what we are here for.  WEP does not end after three days, we are a network of support and a community willing to help!  Ask questions, ask for advice, or just talk with us.  Sometimes the best reassurance is talking to someone who has gone through the same things.  With that in mind…

CALL YOUR MOM, DAD, SISTER, BROTHER, GRANDMA OR SOME OTHER PERSON FROM HOME!!!  Sometimes you just need someone who knows you to tell you that it will be alright.  You have people who care for you, and although they may be a bit further than before, they are still reachable.

Now, here are a few things to help prevent or diminish that freak out moment:

ALMOST NOTHING IS MANDATORY!!!  While some things are highly recommended, you are entering a period of your life when you get to choose.  Should you attend class, yes (you really really should), but ultimately the choice is up to you.  Should you come to your RA’s meetings, again yes, but if you miss once or twice they will not kill you.  If you need to miss something, it will not be the end of the world.  Do try though to understand that some opportunities come along less often than others.

PUT SCHOOL FIRST!!!  Clubs, involvement, research, jobs; there will be other things in your life besides school, and sometimes they can be very important.  Just remember what you are paying thousands of dollars for…

YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY!!!  You will receive countless emails daily asking for your attention.  Club meetings, career events and opportunities, research, jobs and so much more.  Just remember, pay attention to the ones which are a bit rarer so make sure you balance your needs and wants.  You may be able to put something off for a semester or a year so once again, breathe.

IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD!!!  One bad test, one missed class, one skipped event, one jerk of a person; none of these things will kill you or even hurt your chances of success.  While it is important to try and make smart choices, you are capable of recovering from anything if you are willing to fight through.

I hope I am not being too dramatic, I just want you to understand that we have all stood where you now stand and you are not alone.  Remember, pause, take a deep breath and try and relax, it will turn out okay in the end.

Jackie Trautman is a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering and is a Rover for WEPO’16!

All About Food

So you’ve just arrived on campus and you realize you’re hungry. Where are you going to eat? Well, I’m happy to say there are a ton of options for any occasion that you can explore throughout your time at Penn State.

First off, there’s the dining halls. As incoming first year students, you are required to live on campus and purchase a meal plan. You’ll find that there are six levels of dining dollars with varying costs. This meal plan level can be changed anytime until the last few weeks of the semester to adjust for too many or too few dining dollars left in your account. Then, at the end of the fall semester, whatever dining dollars that are left in your account will carry over into your meal plan for the spring semester. Be careful, though, because your remaining dining dollars at the end of the spring semester do not carry over into the fall semester. So, remember to manage your spending and adjust your meal plan at the end of each semester to save as much money as possible! That said, you can save money by spending your meal points at any of the five dining commons on campus (North, East, West, South, and - because they ran out of directions - Pollock commons). All the food offered at these locations are discounted 65% off the menu price.

Your meal plans can also be used at other locations on campus such as the HUB dining and Au Bon Pain cafes. However, you don’t get dining dollar discounts at any locations besides the dining commons. So, be careful and watch your spending because the HUB dining and cafes on campus can drain your dining dollars fast. You can also use your meal points to buy items at the mini markets throughout campus, such as Louie’s in South Halls, and the Berkey Creamery. Besides food on campus, there’s some great places downtown for casual lunch and dinners between or after classes.

There are chain restaurants like Chipotle, Panera, Pita Pit, Jersey Mike’s, and - for all of you from Pittsburgh - Primanti Brothers. Some other restaurants in the area include Fiddlehead, Big Bowl, Rotelli’s, and Irving’s. And don’t forget the sandwich shop in the back of Maclanahan’s. But what about for special occasions like showing off your new school to your parents when they come visit? I have some personal favorites in the area. My all-time favorite is The Tavern (hint: awesome food with unlimited sides - try the seafood lasagna). Then there’s The Waffle Shop. I will warn you, though, if you want to eat at The Waffle Shop on a football weekend or pretty much any weekend, you need to get there very early because a line will form as the alumni come back to visit campus. Another great place is The Greek a little off campus with extremely delicious Greek food.

All in all, there are a ton of ways to stop your stomach from growling at Penn State. Whether it’s at the dining commons or downtown, you’ll always find a place with some delicious food. So have fun

exploring all the places to eat during your years in Happy Valley!

Melissa Shallcross is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!

How to Get Along With Your Roommate

One of the more nerve-wracking things about starting college can be sharing a room with someone. Whether you’re living with a friend or someone you’ve never met, here are some tips to help ensure that your relationship with your roommate goes as smoothly as possible!

Get to know each other!

This tip is especially helpful for those who are "going random" with their roommate. When you first meet, smile and be friendly! At the start of the year, make a plan to get dinner or go to an event on campus together. Ask questions about their interests and hobbies, and share some of yours. Getting to know your roommate personally can help start off your relationship on a friendly note, and it can even lead to a great friendship.

You don't have to be best friends.

A lot of people come into college with the idea that their roommate will become their best friend. While this does happen, it is not always the case. You and your roommate may spend a lot of time together at the start of the year, but this may die down after awhile. Don't worry if you and your roommate don't click; you'll be meeting so many new people in class, clubs, and in your dorm, and somewhere along the way, you'll make some incredible friends.

Establish ground rules.

There are some more serious topics that come with living with another person, such as cleanliness, having friends/boyfriends over, and sleeping habits. While it may seem awkward to have this conversation, setting up some expectations can save both you and your roommate a lot of trouble in the long run. If you're unsure of how to approach these topics, your RA is a great resource to reach out to.

Communication is key!

If something is bothering you about your living situation, the best thing to do is talk to your roommate about it. Try to bring up the issue early on, and try to be as non-defensive and non-judgmental as possible. Your roommate likely doesn't realize that they are bothering you, so sometimes a short conversation is all you need.

Be willing to compromise.

If an issue arises with your roommate, try your best to be flexible when coming up with a solution. Instead of playing the blame game, try and discuss what each of you could change in order to better the situation. Your RA can also help in these situations by mediating any discussions and/or offering solutions.

Try to get in touch before school!

If possible, try to talk to your roommate before starting classes.  You can discuss anything from what you're looking forward to about school, what you each want to bring with you to campus, or even how to decorate your room! Even by having a short conversation, you'll feel more at ease about living with a stranger, and you'll have a friendly face to greet you when you get to campus!

Apoorva Annamraju is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a Rover for WEPO '16!

Making Friends

One of the many transitions that you will face when going to college is leaving all of your high school friends and having to make new friends. While that can seem very overwhelming, making friends isn't as hard as it seems! A great part of being a freshman is that everyone is in the same boat as you - they all want to make friends too. Here are some great places to find friendships that will last you throughout your years in Happy Valley:

Your dorm floor

Making friends with the people living on your floor is one of the best things you can do freshman year! Not only is it convenient to have neighbors to borrow things from when you’re desperate (clothes, curling iron, laundry detergent… you name it!) but it's also nice to come back from a long day of classes to a floor full of friendly faces. Another great perk is always having volunteers to go get food with you! One of my favorite things about my freshman year was my floor. We still all keep in touch and are planning a reunion next semester! So, in order to start off the year right, leave your door open the first few days so that people can pop in and say hi. And don’t feel weird knocking on people's doors to introduce yourself… remember, you're all in the same boat! They want to meet you too.

Your classes

While you may not meet your closest friends in your classes, it's definitely a good idea to make some connections and exchange some phone numbers. It really comes in handy when it's late on a Sunday night and you still can't get that one math problem on your homework due tomorrow, or when you can't remember which day your English proposal is due! You also may find that you have more in common them than you thought - I met a girl in my math class last semester and we found out that we also had 2 other classes together! We started sitting together in those classes and it made boring lectures much more bearable.

Clubs and activities

Penn State has so many clubs and student organizations to offer. My best advice to you is go to the involvement fair! The involvement fair this year is Monday, August 22nd from 11:00am to 4:00pm outside on the HUB lawn. Last year at the involvement fair I found Volé, a dance organization, and I absolutely love it. I've made a lot of friends with girls who have something in common with me - a love for dance! There are also club and IM sports, THON committees and organizations, and a variety of awesome clubs. Don't be afraid to try something new and get involved!

WEPO or WEP Wednesdays

What better place to make friends than at a gathering of women who are also Penn State engineering majors?! WEP is truly a wonderful program and it has encouraged, reassured, and supported me throughout my freshman year. I have also made some pretty amazing friends! It’s nice to have a group of girls who are going through the same tough classes and exams that you are. You are each other’s cheerleaders!

As you make new friends and find your place here at Penn State, don’t forget that you always have your high school friends. Facetime them, text them, Snapchat them… just keep in touch! They miss you just as much as you miss them.

Sarah Geckle is a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Engineering and is a Rover for WEPO'16!

College Study Skills!

As you may or may not have realized yet, college is a lot different from high school.  It’s tons of fun and is probably going to be some of the most incredible years of your lives.  This being said, it is also very difficult, especially being an engineering student.  I have complied a list of my top five study tips and habits to help you get a jump start on killing your freshman year! 

1.       Find a Good Study Space

·         It’s important to find a place where you feel comfortable and focused.  If you find a spot you particularly like, there’s a good chance you’ll be spending lots of time there, so make sure there aren’t many distractions.  A couple of suggestions are the library (main and specialized), Hammond (the engineering building), an empty classroom, the HUB, and endless other possibilities. 

2.      Turn Off and Put Away Unnecessary Electronics

·         We all know how distracting our phones and other electronics can be.  Turning them off and putting them away can be very useful to ward off the temptation to scroll through Insta or Snapchat.  Getting an A on your first chemistry exam is way more rewarding than wasting 20 minutes seeing what all your friends are posting on their Facebooks.  So turn phones off and forget about them while in the study zone.  There will be plenty of time to catch up on social media after you ace your exams. 

3.      Give Yourself Breaks

·         We all know how exhausting it can be to slave over our books for hours.  Although making sure you put in the time to really study, it’s important to take regular breaks.  Limit it to a 10 or 15 minute stretch or dance break, then get right back to it.  It’ll keep your blood flowing and break up the time.

4.      Study With a Productive Partner

·         Having a study group can be super helpful on those long nights before finals.  Although studying with others can be beneficial to all involved, it’s important to pick the right group of people.  It’s good to team up with friends who can all contribute to the group.  Secret plus, your WEPO friends can be an instant study group for those first exams! 

5.      Start Studying Early

·         Make a schedule of all of your upcoming exams (professors usually let you know the first week of class).  This way you can plan early and make sure you give yourself enough time to study.  Everyone ifs different, but I like to start studying about a week before an exam.  This way I give myself enough time to work out any issues or difficulties with the material.  By starting early, you also give yourself the opportunity to speak with professors, TA’s, or other students if you encounter road blocks. 

College will be a challenging but invigorating experience!  If you develop great study habits from the start, you will make your life much easier in the following years!  Good luck ladies, you can do it!!!!! 

Katie Fritz is a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a mentor for WEPO'16!

What I Learned from Transitioning to College

            Not everyone is great at managing changes in their lives; some people, like myself, struggle to transition into new environments.  College was a huge change!  Challenging and bewildering all at the same time, I thought I was ready and would conquer college like a boss, but I realized very fast that college was completely different from my expectations.  I will admit that it took me the entire first semester to really get a handle on college life and academics.  There are multiple things, that if given the opportunity, I would have gone back and done differently.

The First Day

            I started off day one at college a nervous wreck, very unsure, and very overwhelmed, luckily I can now look back on that day and laugh at how silly I was acting.  There were so many things I wish I would not have worried about such as: switching classes all on the first day, getting my text books that very first day, thinking I needed to do all the homework instantly, and stressing out about bad professors.  I will attest to anyone that you do not need to go into day one thinking that everything needs to be accomplished in the here and now, this is not high school.  Most professors may give out work that’s due by the end of the week, but it is very common that they will accept it past the ‘due’ date.  This is because people are switching out of classes all the way into the following week.  With that said you should not worry about switching into different classes late into the first week; it is no big deal just introduce yourself to the professor and tell them your circumstances.  Another word of advice, take what people say about a professor with a grain of salt because what might not work for someone may work for yourself. Go into that first day with confidence and if you find you are overwhelmed, take it easy that night and do something that makes you happy and relaxed, like Netflix or going for a run.

 The First Month

            That first month is when you start learning the ropes on your own.  Your family is not in your day to day life, and you find yourself becoming your sole responsibility.  You become responsible for a variety of different things, for me it was simply living on my own and adjusting to college academics. I was able to handle taking care of myself, I would workout often, eat healthy, do my laundry.  I found out that the best way to make friends was to never force it but let the unexpected happen.  It was different being away from my family but day by day I learned that I could handle myself away from home.  What ended up being the hardest transition that first month was the academic side of college, which I thought would have been my strong suit.  To put it simply college academics is completely different from high school.  I did not keep a schedule of what I accomplished every day, therefore I did not know how many hours I was really putting into my classes.  I learned after my first exam how important it was for an engineering student to keep a daily schedule of what they are going to do.  I printed out my schedule from elion (lionpath) and filled it out every Sunday with upcoming meetings, homework, exams, workouts, and meal times.  By sticking to this schedule every week I was able to handle my classes and my social life with so much less anxiety.  It is prudent that you start good habits from the beginning to ensure you do not dig yourself into a hole that will hurt you academically.

The First Semester

            Before I knew it my first semester was over!  All the anxiety about my grades, handling finals, surviving my first semester were completely gone.  I had such a sense of accomplishment and pride.  I survived my first semester without dropping any classes, with new friends at my side, and a little more knowledge about college life.  Transitioning into something new can be really hard at first but you have to let time play out so you are able to adjust to your new environment.  As one of my favorite quotes go, ‘You are not truly living until you live outside your comfort zone’.  So let college be a metaphor to the transition in your life and in so doing you will find that you can truly live outside your comfort zone and still succeed.

Sarah Maslakowski is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a Rover for WEPO'16!

The Ultimate Penn State Packing List

Packing for college can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to expect! Check out this link to find out what basic amenities are included in your dorm and this link to learn more about your residence area.

By no means will you need every single item on this list. This list is meant to give you ideas and help you figure out what you want and need. Talk to your roommate(s) about sharing certain items (like the TV), and be mindful of how much room you’ll have to transport all of your belongings.

If you do forget something, don’t panic! Downtown you’ll find two small grocery stores called McLanahan’s, as well as the Student Book Store and Target (opening this fall). The University Bookstore is located in the HUB, and Walmart is just a short bus ride away. If you need anything shipped from home, it’s easy to pick it up at your dorm’s commons desk.

Also make sure to sign up for Amazon Prime Student! It’s free for 6 months, and you get free two-day shipping! Use this link to sign up and earn $10 immediately!

Bed

·         Comforter, duvet, or quilt

·         2 sets of sheets (twin XL) and extra pillowcases

·         Pillows

·         Extra blankets

·         Bed risers

·         Mattress topper

·         Mattress protector (to protect against allergens, bacteria, and bed bugs)

·         Sleep mask

Bathroom & Toiletries

·         Bathrobe

·         Shower flip flops

·         2 or 3 sets of towels, wash cloths, and hand towels

·         Shower caddy

·         Shampoo and conditioner

·         Soap, body wash, and face wash

·         Razors and shaving cream

·         Toothbrush and toothpaste

·         Mouthwash

·         Dental floss

·         Retainer and case

·         Q-tips and cotton balls

·         Deodorant

·         Lotion

·         Chapstick

·         Contacts and contact solution

·         Glasses and case

·         Hairbrush and comb

·         Feminine hygiene products

·         Medications

Beauty

·         Makeup and brushes

·         Makeup remover

·         Hair products (dry shampoo, heat protectant, hair spray, mousse, gel)

·         Hair styling tools (hair dryer, straightener, curling iron/wand)

·         Hair accessories (headbands, bobby pins, clips, hair ties)

·         Nail clippers

·         Nail polish and nail polish remover

·         Tweezers

·         Makeup mirror

·         Full length mirror

Closet

·         Clothes (don’t forget your professional outfit for WEPO!)

·         Shoes

·         Accessories and jewelry

·         Hangers

·         Organizers

Technology

·         Laptop and charger

·         Cell phone and charger

·         Tablet and charger

·         Camera and charger

·         Ethernet cable

·         Flash drive

·         External hard drive (for backing up your files)

·         External disc drive

·         USB mouse

Desk

·         Lamp and light bulb

·         Catch-all bowl

·         Hand sanitizer

·         Tissue box

·         Bookends

·         Drawer organizers

·         Combination lock (for locking drawer)

·         Chair cushion

School Supplies

·         Textbooks

·         Binders and folders

·         Notebooks and loose-leaf paper

·         Agenda or planner

·         Pencils, pens, markers, and highlighters

·         Crayons and colored pencils

·         Erasers

·         Notecards

·         Sticky notes

·         Paper clips and binder clips

·         Rubber bands

·         Thumb tacks

·         Page protectors

·         Scissors

·         3-hole punch

·         Stapler and staples

·         Tape (Scotch and packing)

·         Stamps and envelopes

·         Calculator

Out & About

·         Keychain (for your dorm key)

·         ID holder (for your PSU ID)

·         Wallet or wristlet

·         Purse

·         Backpack

Entertainment

·         TV and DVD player

·         Video game console and games

·         Movies

·         Books

·         Netflix subscription

Food

·         Snacks

·         Ziploc bags

·         Water bottle

·         Brita pitcher and filters

·         1 or 2 coffee mugs

·         Microwave-safe bowl

·         3 sets of utensils

·         Plastic utensils

·         Paper plates

·         Plastic bowls and cups

·         Ice cube tray

·         Chip clips

·         Dishpan (for dirty dishes)

Decor

·         Pictures

·         Calendar

·         String lights

·         Posters

·         Art

·         Fridge magnets

·         Dry erase board or chalkboard

·         Holiday decorations

·         Command hooks and strips

·         Sticky tack or mounting putty

Around the Room

·         Clock

·         Rug

·         Floor lamp and light bulbs

·         Fan (box or oscillating)

·         Storage bins

·         1 or 2 power strips

·         1 or 2 extension cords

·         Extra wastebasket

·         Doorstop

·         Storage ottoman

·         Extra chair (beanbag, gaming chair, pillow armchair)

Laundry

·         1 or 2 pop-up hampers

·         Laundry basket

·         Laundry detergent (HE liquid or pods)

·         Stain remover

·         Dryer sheets

·         Mesh laundry bags (for delicates)

·         Foldable drying rack

Cleaning

·         Small vacuum

·         Paper towels

·         Clorox wipes

·         Cleaning cloths

·         Glass cleaner

·         Disinfectant spray

·         Small dish soap

·         Sponge

·         Dish towel

·         Febreze

First Aid & Medicine

·         Bandaids

·         Neosporin

·         Acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen

·         Thermometer

·         Ice pack and/or hot pack

·         Cough drops

·         Cold medicine

·         Allergy medicine

·         Aloe

Weather

·         Sunglasses

·         Sunscreen

·         Umbrella

·         Rain boots

·         Rain jacket

·         Winter coat

·         Gloves, scarf, and hat

·         Winter boots

Important Information

·         Social security number

·         Driver’s license, state ID, or passport

·         Health insurance info

·         Medical prescriptions

·         Banking info

·         Car insurance info

Once you unpack everything, flatten your cardboard boxes and store them under your bed. You’ll need them when you move out in the spring.

I recommend swapping some of your clothes and shoes out at Thanksgiving. Take home your warm weather apparel when you go home for break, and then bring your winter gear back to college. Consider doing the same thing at Spring Break.

Although the dorms are generally a safe place to live, theft can sometimes be an issue. Make sure you and your roommate(s) are mindful of locking the door when you leave. If you have any jewelry, cash, medications, or personal information (like your social security number), store them away in the locking drawer of your desk.

Kahley McBeth is a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and is a Rover for WEPO’16!