Classroom Tips

The first day of classes can always be stressful! On a campus as big as Penn State’s, it can seem especially overwhelming with the vast amount of students walking around. Coming from an extremely small high school, this was definitely intimidating for me. From my experience through four semesters as a student at Penn State, I have highlighted some important tips that have helped me and will hopefully help make this transition slightly less significant for incoming students.

Find (and go to) your classroom buildings ahead of time!

I would first like to recommend looking up exactly where on campus the buildings of your classes are located and physically finding them prior to the first day. It is super helpful to know exactly where you are walking to during the day, as it can be super crowded (and if you have classes back to back you don’t have too much time to dawdle). Since WEPO ends on Friday and classes don’t start until Monday, you have all weekend to explore the campus (and your mentors would be more than happy to accompany you)! 

Get there early!
In terms of the actual first day of classes, try to get to your classes a few minutes ahead of time! Students usually try to get there early -- especially the first few classes --  as it can get really crowded and they want to ensure that they can easily find a seat (and oftentimes people save seats for friends!) With that being said, however, there is no need to get there too far in advance, as there is a 15 minute period between all classes. This means that the earliest you can get inside your classroom is 15 minutes prior to the starting time.

Sit close to the front!

When considering bigger classes, commonly referred to as lecture halls, it is most helpful sitting closer to the front. Yes, this means walking all the way down the steps, which you are later going to have to walk right back up. On the surface this seems way less appealing than just finding an empty seat in the back, but sitting in the front is very important for several reasons. First, it keeps you more engaged in the class. Second, the professor is more likely to remember your face (which is always a good thing -- remember, they are the ones who have the final say on your grade!) Third, it minimizes distractions. Sitting in the back allows you to be able to see every laptop screen watching netflix or browsing the internet in front of you which can be easily distracting. Sitting in the front -- rather towards the front -- eliminates all of the distractions of the people sitting behind you.

Make friends in your classes!

Walking into classes first semester freshman year, you are not expected to know anybody (and most everyone doesn’t). I would like to advise everyone to not be afraid to talk to a random person. Having a friend in the same class as you makes the class slightly more tolerable (someone to sit with, ask questions with, study with!) Hopefully, you will recognize a whole bunch of girls from WEPO in classes and you can try to sit/study together (I know I did!) 

Last and most importantly, GO TO CLASS! :)

Anne Vandervalk

Team i Mentor

Professor Relations

Hey guys! My name is Caitlyn Martin and I am a junior in Engineering Science, and a Team i Mentor! We all know how stressful it might feel to walk into your classes the first week of school- we’ve all been there! There are so many new people to meet, things to learn, and skills to use!  But one of the best ways to not only get ahead academically but also get comfortable with your classes early is to create relationships with your professors! At first they might seem intimidating, but all professors at Penn State want you to succeed in their class if you put in the effort. There is always a way; what’s the key? Finding that way.

 Instead of waiting for homework, quizzes, or exams to be graded to figure out if you are succeeding, start earlier by going to office hours and asking questions! Professors are skilled in determining if you truly understand the material, and in my experience, asking one question brought up ten other questions I wouldn’t have otherwise thought about. Talking out ideas and concepts with an expert is one of the best ways to grasp a clear understanding. Plus, certain professors might even give you a couple hints on future assignments! :-)

In addition, making good relationships with professors, especially in your relevant-to-major courses, opens doors to an abundance of new opportunities. Many of your instructors are involved with research, and interested students often find themselves with offers to work for them or someone related if they have demonstrated the right qualities in the classroom. Networking with professors in your department also opens up opportunities to receive letters of recommendation, which can be a crucial advantage as a freshman! This network is also available for use and growth throughout your entire college career, so starting early may help you tremendously in the long run!

Making relations with your first professors can cause a domino effect in creating endless opportunities. So, even if you might be a little nervous at first, go up to your professor before or after class and just start with an introduction! You won’t be the only one, and putting a face to a name will help your professor remember you in the future. Then, throughout the first week, try to get to their office hours. If some overlap with classes, you can always email them asking to set up an extra appointment. All of these steps will let them know you are eager and motivated to succeed, and will start you off well in your “weed-out” classes!


Caitlyn Martin
Team i Mentor

Creating a Good Study Schedule-

Your first few days on campus are going to be novel and fun, while you explore everything Penn State’s campus has to offer.  But after those first few days, you are going to need to sit down and create a livable schedule. While college offers so many amazing experiences, the reason we all come is to learn and earn a degree.  In order to get the most out of your college experience, you are going to need to do some planning and time management.  

This is harder than it seems. Finding the perfect balance of studying and life is a challenge.  That’s where your mentors can help! We are here to talk and offer advice whenever you need. 

The first step to success is to create a great schedule.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a planning book, google calendars or some other planning material you like.  I personally kept a written planner and used google calendars. I used my written planner to write homework assignments and daily tasks, and I use google calendars for my classes and time sensitive events.  I also always make sure to keep my notifications on, so I get pinged before each event.  

Second, figure out your class schedule and add that to your planner right away. This allows you to see how much time you have for other activities, like going to the gym, eating and studying.  I always like to plan the times I go to the gym and eat into my schedule because it keeps me accountable.  

Third, when planning your schedule, it can help to consider the number of credits each class is.  This is because the number of credits correlates with how much time should be spent on that class, outside of class.  For example, a 1 credit class is not going to need nearly as much time as a 4 credit class. Knowing this can help you plan study times for each class accordingly.  


Fourth, take a day each week to plan for the upcoming week.  I like to plan on Sunday’s as they are usually more relaxed, and I can grab a cup of tea and a snack while I plan.  This also gives me an overview of the week ahead. Planning the whole week can also bring to your attention big projects or events that may have slipped your mind.   I find it very helpful and calming to know my week before going to bed on Sunday night.  

Planning your study times is important.  Instead of squeezing in time for cramming, plan out in advance a study schedule.  It is helpful to set time aside to go to the library or a study space. I do not recommend studying in your room.  Your dorm is going to have a lot more distractions and it will be easier to stray away from studying. I know from experience- short study breaks that lead to two hour naps are NOT productive! However, the choice is yours, make sure you are comfortable and can grind out all the necessary work.  If you do not want to leave your dorm, there are study lounges in basically all the dorms too! 

I also like to plan what am going to accomplish each study time.  When I sit down in the library, I make a list of what I need to accomplish and then number each one based on priority.  This helps me make sure I am completing the most urgent and important things. If I do not get to things lower on my priority list in that specific study session, it will be okay. 

Finally, all this planning is great and writing down your plan is an awesome way to keep yourself accountable and productive.  However, be willing to adapt. Each week will bring different workloads, different test schedules and different extracurriculars.  Allowing yourself to change and adapt throughout the week will be important to your success. 

Megan Ostertag

Team i Envoy 

Gyms and Fitness Classes

There are 3 gyms that all students have FREE access to on campus! There is one gym near the East dorms - Intramural Building, another near the Pollock and South dorms - White Building and one near the West and North dorms - Rec Hall.  After living in west for my first two years, Rec Hall is my personal favorite! Each of the gyms have a wide range of equipment including weights, treadmills, and an ab workout station with mats. Equipment such as basketballs, volleyballs, and squash rackets is free to sign out and use at any gym as well. You almost never have to worry about if you will make it to the gym before it closes since they are open pretty much anytime you would want to go! For example, the Intramural Building is open until 12 am sometimes!  Pro tip: don't forget your student ID when heading to the gym - you will have to swipe it to get in!

The Intramural Building (or "I.M." as the locals say it) is where most of the intramural sports happen! (shocking I know - we are good at naming things)  In this building there is a regular gym with courts, the weight room that also has tons of treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes, squash and racquetball courts, and an indoor track that you can use all year around.  You can sign out equipment to use while you are there like basketballs or squash rackets for free. This is the newest of all the gyms and is definitely the fanciest and the biggest! You will almost never have to wait for a spot on equipment at I.M. Although it is far walk (unless you live in East Halls) you get TWO workouts - one while you are walking to the gym and the other while you are actually at the gym! Or you could take the bus over to make it to a workout class! Along with intramural sports this gym has a bouldering wall and a climbing wall that you can become certified on or just have some fun trying it out with your friends!

The next gym building is the White Building.  Inside this gym there is regular gym, weight room and a pool!  Along with the gym and pool, a bunch of fitness classes are held in this gym.  Also be sure to check out the INCREDIBLE gymnasts that practice in this building! I don't think I could ever flip like that! White Building is located in central campus so it can be a great place to grab a workout between classes!

Now, onto my favorite of all the gyms.  Honestly, I think it became my favorite gym because it was the closest to my dorm - lol!  In this gym the AMAZING Penn State Women's Volleyball team plays in the fall (you can get in for FREE).  Many gym courses are held here. Besides all the other amazing things you can do here there is a regular gym, weight room,  and an indoor track students are able to use year round!

Along with all the gyms located on campus each gym holds different exercise classes you can participate in!  These classes range from swimming, to yoga, to HIIT and cycling! A super popular class is Power Remix which is like Zumba but with current and popular songs! Going to PowerRemix is a great way to relax and have a big dance party with your friends. So there is something for everyone!!  A pro tip: when you want to go to a class search 'PSU gym classes' and register online beforehand to make sure you get a spot. This doesn't apply to all of the classes just the more popular ones, such as cycling. There is also a description of these classes online. The schedule changes each semester so make sure to check which ones fit in your schedule! You can also check how crowded each gym’s weight room is online to find the best time to go!  Don't worry about not knowing what the class is about because each one will teach you everything you need to know while you are there and you can make some great friends trying a new class together! And if you want to go with some friends, SWE (Society of Women Engineers) has a group that goes to some of the classes!!

Malaree Scott

Team H Mentor

Running Routes: A Great Way to Enjoy Campus

Sometimes school can be very stressful with studying and homework. A great way that I have found to relax is to go on runs outside! It is a great way to get outside and exercise, a 2 for 1 deal! 

State college has a beautiful campus, and what better way to explore it than running around it. One lap around campus is around 3.5 miles. Grab a friend to run with you to make exercising a little more fun. 

Running inside of campus is commonly done at Penn State. All the roads on campus have sidewalks so you can run safely. My only suggestion is to watch out when classes are changing, because it can get very crowded very fast. 

If you are like me, and do not like to see a lot of people while you run there are also trails to run on. There is a bike path located off West Park Avenue that leads through the golf course on west campus and onto a wooded walking trail. I have found this to be a great spot to enjoy nature and relax away from school.

It can be really special to check out Penn State in the early mornings when there is no other students around on campus. You can see the sunrise over happy valley out by the stadium or run through central campus and hear the morning Old Main bells. I find campus can be really peaceful before the crowds wake up. 

If you are looking for specific routes that have already been calculated by other people, feel free to check out the Penn State Club Cross Country team’s website for maps of specific paths to take.

https://sites.psu.edu/psuclubxc/run-routes/

HAPPY RUNNING!!!

Erin Anderson

Team H Envoy

What You Need to Know About Penn State Football

Arguably the best parts of the football day is the tailgating with friends and family!! It’s amazing to see the penn state alumni come back in support of the game!!

The #1 thing you want to know before your first PSU football is the chants!!

We Are Penn State Chant

WE ARE

Penn state

WE ARE

Penn state

WE ARE

Penn state

THANK YOU (Don’t forget the thank you!!)

You’re Welcome!

There are several unofficial anthems that echo through Beaver Stadium during games. The list includes Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" as well as "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond and "Shout" by The Isley Brothers. There's also a version of "Zombie Nation" by Kernkraft 400 which gets fans bouncing as they sing "We are Penn State."

Penn State Alma Mater: https://youtu.be/SLHEgDjLst0 

You better memorize this for our first game, or at least mouth along to the words on the screen!!!

Team Arrival on Blue Buses

Fans line Porter Road, south of Beaver Stadium, several hours before kickoff, to cheer on the arrival of the football team. The team arrives in blue buses and Coach Franklin sits in the first seat of the passenger side while the day's quarterback sits in the first seat on the driver's side.

Drum Major Flip

During the pre-game show it's tradition for the drum major of the Blue Band to do a flip. The tradition started in 1971 when drum major Jeff Robertson decided to replace the baton toss and surprise fans with a backflip. Through the years, drum majors adapted the flip to become a running front flip with a split and a salute. Some even believe the success of the flips determines if Penn State will be victorious. FUN FACT: The current drum major, Jack Frisbie, is a Mechanical Engineer

Nittany Lion Pushups

The Nittany Lion is the most recognized symbol at Penn State. And was recently inducted into the mascot hall of fame. During the games, the Lion is responsible for pumping up the crowds with crowd surfing and fun dancing. The best is his one-armed pushups for every point scored.

White Out

In 2014, PennLive recorded the sound level at a white out at 111 decibels, the equivalent of standing next to a power saw or being at a rock concert. The tradition started in 2004 at the Penn State vs. Purdue game. Each year, this is the most pack football game and the atmosphere is the most incredible.

S Zone

The Lion Ambassadors head the S-Zone section where students are given blue and white shirts to wear, creating an oversized blue "S" on a white background. The S-Zone is visible from every vantage point in the stadium. During homecoming, the colors change to Penn State's old colors, black and pink.

Blue band

The Blue Band is so good some people come just to watch their halftime show! You can also enjoy them throughout the game when they play Penn State tunes! FUN FACT: After the game, you can stick around and the Blue Band does a second playing of their halftime show out on the field for their fans.

Nittanyville

Students camp out in Nittanyville outside of Beaver Stadium, usually starting Thursday night. For the WHITE OUT game, some students camp out all week. Different sports teams put on events and games for the Nittanyville campers which can be super fun!

Why do some students set up camp the week leading up to the home games? It gives students the opportunity to be the first in line for student-section seats to stand front row, which are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

HAVE FUN, CHEER LOUD, and be PROUD YOU ARE A NITTANY LION!!

WE ARE

PENN STATE!!!!

Bridget Corso

Team H Mentor

Finding that perfect “school life balance”

Have you ever heard the joke that you have friends, family, good grades, and good health, but you can only choose 2?

College can be super overwhelming. As a freshman, I wanted to get involved in all of the clubs I was interested in, hang out with my friends all the time, excel in all of my classes, and keep up a healthy lifestyle all at the same time. Many will say you just have to find that perfect “school life balance”, but what does this balance look like?

Let’s challenge the idea of a “school life balance”

Can there be a balance between school and our life when school is a huge part of our lives? Isn’t that like saying you have to find a balance between eating breakfast and eating three meals a day? Or that you have to find a balance between hanging out with your sister and your family?

Going back to your dorm room to relax and eat popcorn with your friends is just as much a part of your life as the hours you spent at the library studying for physics earlier that day. Going to your THON Committee meeting every week is just as much a part of your life as your 8am CHEM class every Friday morning. 

Here are some tips to figure out how to have all 4 – friends, family, good grades, and good health – that have helped me during the first half of my Penn State experience as a woman in engineering. 

1. Watch this TED Talk. This TED Talk can help you think about stress in a more positive way. You will likely be stressed by your classes, your friends, your family, or about balancing all of these together. The message of this TED Talk has stuck with me and has helped me use stress to my advantage. 
2. Friends can help you. Studying with your friends can give you a great support system and allow you to have fun while getting your school grind on. Just make sure these friends value getting their work done as much as you do. Planning to work out with your friends provides a sense of commitment and makes going to the gym much more fun. 
3. Call your parents. Call them when you’re walking to class or when you’re eating lunch. It can be tough being away from home, even if you don’t feel homesick. Calling them reminds you of your support system at home and keeps them connected in your new life at Penn State. 
4. Going to the gym is not the only way to be healthy. Being intentional about what you put into your body is a great way to feel good about yourself. Try doing a short workout in between classes to get that adrenaline pumping. Or dedicate Friday nights to creamery ice cream if that encourages you to have healthier options Saturday-Thursday. Or take the stairs to your dorm room on the 9th floor instead of the elevator.
5. Sleep! Sometimes, you’ll feel like you have to choose between hanging out with your friends, studying for an exam, or getting sleep. Find out how much sleep you need to be your true, productive self (I need 8 hrs) and stick to that number as much as you can. Losing sleep can build up over time and sleep schedules are difficult to change. I like to give myself a cut-off time for studying. After 10pm, I don’t open my laptop. 
6. Question yourself. I challenge myself to do this once a week – ask yourself why you are doing the things you are. Why am I participating in this club? Why am I going to lunch in the HUB? Why am I studying with these people? Why am I struggling in this class? These questions help you to reflect on what you’re doing and help you make sure you are balancing friends, family, good grades, and good health. 

Finding that perfect school life balance is pretty much impossible when you live, eat, and breathe school. Thankfully for you, you’re going to Penn State, where people live, love, and bleed blue and white, where doing it all is celebrated and excelling in what you love to do is encouraged. Finding how to have all 4 – friends, family, good grades, and good health – will be a great challenge in your college career, but it will help you find your passions and be happy with your college experience.

Good luck and cherish these Penn State years! 

Kaitlyn Pigeon 

Team G Mentor

Creating, Designing, and Engineering Balance

“Balance is not something you find, but rather something you create” – Jana Kingsford

As future engineers we love to build, so why not build balance into our lives? Here are my simple tips to creating balance in your mind, body, and soul!

Mind

-Start and End the Day with 5 things you’re grateful for: This works wonders for me. Not only does it give me a reason to smile but makes me feel grounded. Many times, I surprised myself with how far past 5 my list would be. 

-Rest: No matter how tired my brain was at the end of the day; I would never fall asleep unless I was also physically tired. It also helped me fall asleep if I followed the same routine each night before bed. Sleep is a necessity, not an option. 

-ask for help: ask early. ask often. It’s not a sign of weakness. There are so many people in your life and on campus who would be more than happy to help you so reach out. 

-don’t be afraid to say no: I have the worst fear of missing out, but our time is limited at Penn State so we must be intentional with our actions. Never feel bad for sticking to your priorities. College is a place where you are investing time and effort in yourself so choose the ways in which you want to grow. 

-fake it till you make it: walk with confidence. Keep your head up. College is overwhelming for everyone at some point. Be the best you each day because the world could ask for nothing more. 

Body

-Make exercising a social event: Going to the gym with a friend, classes (PowerRemix, Cycling, Mind Meditation Yoga are HIGHLY recommended!!!), or an intramural team makes workouts fun! For me, it turned going to the gym from a chore to a time of the day I looked forward to. It also ensured that I actually made it to the gym. Lol! 

-Drink water: I ALWAYS had a refillable water bottle on me at all times. To spice up your water bottle, add some fun Penn State stickers! …and you will be so glad you had water when that sneak cough attack hits you in the middle of lecture!

-Plan ahead: I like to plan my breakfast the night before that way I know I’m starting my day with a meal to fuel me throughout the day! Based on my class schedule, I would also PACK SNACKS (peaches, apples, cereal bar, cereal, animal crackers, etc.) 

-Clean Hands: With so many kids on campus, this is a must. I wash my hands before eating and carry hand sanitizers in my backpack. I also used Lysol wipes to clean my dorm light switch, door handle, microwave buttons, and desk once a week. 

-Sunscreen: As crazy as I may sound with how cold it gets, this may be needed on some football Saturdays at the beginning of the season!

-Vary your meals: I found that varying dining halls allowed me not only a greater selection, but a more well-rounded diet. Some of my favorites include… 

East-Salads, Sunday Brunch

West-Cookies

South-Paninis, Bagels, Tacos

North-Pasta 

Pollock-Crepes, Fruit

Soul

-Step outside of your comfort zone: try new things. meet new people. Push yourself to grow. One goal I set out for myself freshman year was to always be the first to say hello (whether that be seeing a friend around campus or a stranger in class)

-be passionate: passion radiates so find your passion and use it to propel you. Things that I’m passionate about…

Global mindset

THON

Bringing others up alongside me

Simplifying life (and processes) 

Taking action

-the 16th second: the reward of some achievements gives us an adrenaline rush for 15 seconds, but time continues on, so find something that will bring you joy in the 16th second. Personally, I want to build relationships that will survive more than four years and far beyond the Happy Valley.

I truly wish you all the best during your time here at Penn State! Always here if you need anything☺

Gretchen Riggle

Team G Envoy

Building Confidence with Living on Your Own

Moving twelve hours away from my friends and family in Pennsylvania was hard, but I knew I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to co-op with Kimberly-Clark. At school, I knew my family was only a two and a half hour drive away. My mom is the type of mom who was 100% prepared to drive to Penn State when I was crying during first semester finals week because my coat zipper broke. With that being said, I wasn’t convinced I was totally prepared to live on my own for the first time. First of all, I was incredibly bad at being alone. If given the choice, I would nap in my friend’s dorm while she studied, just for the company. So, once again, I wasn’t completely convinced that I was able to move to a new state where I knew no one and would be living on my own. 

But sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith that you’ll figure out, hope you will succeed, and, ultimately, build confidence in yourself. 

Pictured: At the top of the Balanced Rock trail in Baraboo, WI

I was lucky I had a roommate in Wisconsin and several other friends through the Kimberly-Clark Co-op and Intern Network. However, they often went home on the weekends. It was hard to make friends in Wisconsin because we lived in various places, compared to moving to college where there were all kinds of potential-friends just across the hall. During my co-op, I did get to hang out and explore with fellow co-ops but there was also a lot of downtime where I just needed to enjoy life while being by myself. In order to learn how to enjoy life while being alone, I started doing yoga. I used yoga as a tool to manage my anxiety, listen to my thoughts while also clearing my mind. This was an hour where it was just me, my thoughts (or lack thereof), and peace. By attending yoga, I was able to then utilize these clear mindset tools to build confidence with being alone. For example, if I was getting anxious about being alone, I meditated and released these negative thoughts. 

During my co-op, I also joined a Jiu-Jitsu self-defense class! The first class was free so I thought, might as well check it out… and it was an awesome decision! I ended up sticking with it for the remainder of my co-op. It allowed me to meet more people and form a sense of community with a group. This self-defense class also made me feel more comfortable being alone, which can be scary sometimes. But once again, I felt confident in my ability to stand up for myself thanks to the tools I learned in the Women’s Empowered class. 

Pictured: With my Jiu-Jitsu Women’s Empowered Self-Defense belt

Another way I built confidence to be on my own was by pushing myself to do things out of my comfort zone. For example, I remember this one day in March where I was craving a really good burger, something far beyond my amateur cooking skills. Unfortunately, all of my friends were out of town that night. So, although uncomfortable at first, I went out to eat in a restaurant by myself… and my phone was almost dead, so I couldn’t even pretend to be on social media! It was just me, the menu, and a very kind waitress who had little conversations with me that helped me feel less alone. If you look closely enough, there are always people ready to have a chat if you’re comfortable talking with them. This step out of my comfort zone allowed me to overcome my fear of eating alone in a restaurant and build confidence in my ability to be by myself. I would do it all again for the sake of a good burger. 

Pictured: The burger that was worth me eating alone

In learning to live on your own, I am sure you will gain confidence. Consider learning new tools to cope with this situation and stepping out of your comfort zone! You will experience so much self-growth through living on your own and build confidence in yourself. 

Maiah Repovz ☺
Team G Mentor