Fun Stress & Trying Something New

It is important to find relaxing activities to enjoy while caught up in the stressful school environment!  I have always enjoyed sports and other activities and that did not change in college. At Penn State, there are hundreds of clubs that you are bound to find a club that works for you as an outlet that isn’t school. Finding the perfect club or organization can be a challenge. However don’t worry, Penn State has the fall involvement fair for you to learn about and sign up for any club you want! This year it will be online so you don’t have to worry about not having enough time to go around to every table in hub lawn.  This allows you to gander and really choose which club or clubs you think you will enjoy the most. If you were involved in sports in high school there are countless club, intramural and rev sports to choose.  I personally have loved playing pick up soccer in the IM building. There are sports for all levels and interests! Also if sports aren’t for you, there are so many art clubs and even niche interest clubs like Coffee Club. Whatever your interest, there is a way to pursue it. 

While looking at all these clubs can be exciting it can also be overwhelming. Do not feel pressured to join tons of clubs, it’s okay to pick a select few. Many people recommend 2 to 3 clubs or organizations to be heavily involved in. Otherwise you may be too busy and not be able to commit fully. You also want to be able to enjoy the clubs and use them as an outlet for stress.  Finding a group of people you relate to and enjoy hanging out with is key. It is important to still have fun, make friends all over campus, not just within engineering, and relax. Clubs and organizations at Penn State are meant to enhance your experience within the community. 

Make sure to make the best choice for you and have fun! College is a time to grow and develop your interests and you learn and grow as an individual!

I know it sounds cliche but during your time at Penn State try something new!! There are so many clubs and organizations that are offered to Penn State students and I would recommend joining one that involves something you have never done before. My sophomore year I joined the Penn State snowboarding club with a few of my friends and I have never gone snowboarding or skiing before. Many clubs accept people of all sorts of experience and skill levels, so I decided to learn how to snowboard. Club snowboard offers a good amount of trips throughout the year. Myself and some friends decided to go on the Quebec, Canada trip to make it a really fun and unique experience. Going on the trip, at first I was nervous because I still was new to snowboarding but it was a great decision. My friends and I took a few lessons while there and got to explore Quebec with a bunch of other Penn Staters. Sure I definitely fell a lot and ended up with a few bruises by the end of the week, but this trip was one of my favorite experiences I’ve had, plus there were some awesome photo ops (see below).

Many clubs offer trips and activities for you to get to know new people and make some amazing friends. Go explore something that you maybe had thought of doing or something you never thought you would do. Now is the time to try new things and broaden your experiences. Also one of the best things about many of these clubs is that they are as big of a commitment as you want them to be, so you will get out exactly what you put into it. If you decide something isn’t for you, there are a ton of other things you can try out and join. Make the most of your four or five years at Penn State by getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new - you will not regret it, I know I don’t!

Megan Ostertag            Rachael Owens

Team M Mentor             Team M Mentor

Getting Involved with THON

One of the most anticipated events of the year at Penn State is the 46-hour dance marathon we all love: THON! As you may know, THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and it is focused on raising money for families that are battling with childhood cancer. Being a Penn Stater means a lot of things, and one of those is participating in this wonderful event.

The most awesome thing about THON is that it is so easy to get involved, and there are endless ways in which you can help. Whether it is going to a food fundraiser or a simple school event, you can give back without even noticing it. You can participate in special orgs, greek life, clubs, and even through the THON organizing team itself. I was completely astounded by how much student involvement there is for this event, and I am here today to tell you all about my experience!

When I first arrived at Penn State, I had heard about THON but I wasn’t sure what it was exactly. I just knew that everyone loved it and encouraged me to get involved in it. One day, at a WEP Wednesday, Cheryl informed us of the THON committee application, and I immediately applied. I had no idea what I was getting myself into or how it even worked, but I knew in my gut I had to do it. I learned more about the process as it went by, and it is actually simpler than you may think! As a first-year student, you can get involved in a THON Committee. There are eleven committees that you can apply for: Communications, Donor and Alumni Relations, Dancer Relations, Entertainment, Finance, Hospitality, Merchandise, Operations, Public Relations, Rules and Regulations, and Special Events. Click here to learn more about what each committee does.

Since at first I had no idea what I was doing, I read brief descriptions of the committees and decided I wanted to apply for Merchandise. I am naturally a creative and artistic person, so I envisioned myself with bringing that asset of mine onto the committee. However, I was also open to anything they accepted me to––I was happy to learn and help with anything! The next step of the application process is an interview. Once you have submitted your application, a leader will send you an email to set up a time with you and get to know you better. Using the professional development skills I have learned through WEP, I prepared myself and went to my interview. It was something very casual but professional at the same time, and at that point I was already loving it.

When they finally announced the committees, it turned out I was placed in the Rules and Regulations committee. Even though I didn’t get into Merchandise, I was still so excited to be involved in it! Once you are placed in a main committee, you are then sorted out into smaller sub-committees. This is where the real fun begins. You meet with this team once a week to learn more about THON, the families, what you will be doing during THON weekend, and most importantly, you have a lot of fun! The people in your sub-committee will truly be some of the best people you will meet at Penn State. How incredible is that? Aside from helping run Penn State’s most philanthropic events, you are also making a lot of new friends and having a once-in-a-lifetime experience! 

As THON got closer, I learned about other ways in which you can get involved. If you don’t want to make the commitment of being in a committee but still would like to participate in THON, you can join an org! There are more than 400 student organizations at Penn State that are all geared towards fundraising for THON. Some orgs even nominate certain representatives to dance in the marathon! Here is a list of the many organizations that you can participate in at THON. The Society of Women Engineers has a THON organization and I highly recommend you to be a part of it! If you can’t find something that interests you, or you are simply passionate about something that isn’t on the list, you also have the opportunity to start your own org! It is a big challenge to take on, but there are endless resources at Penn State that will help you do so. There are infinite ways you can get involved in THON, so click here to learn more!

I have said it enough, but I will say it again: get involved in THON! It is such an amazing experience and it is something you will never regret. Every time I remember myself at the Bryce Jordan Center during THON weekend, simply taking in the excitement and love around me, my eyes fill with tears. The feeling is so rewarding, and it is definitely something every Penn Stater should experience! 

Arantza Ruiz

Team M Envoy

Major Specific Clubs

One of the best things about Penn State is all of the options that you have. This is true for almost everything on the campus. This is especially true for extra curricular activities. There are so many different options it can be a bit overwhelming. That is why I wanted to take it slow and talk to you about major specific clubs.

I consider myself so very lucky to be in the college of engineering here at Penn State. The resources that we have at our disposal are unmatched. Whether it be the study groups with WEP or the Build Nights at the Learning factory. There is so much the college has to offer. One of my greatest helps during my first semester at Penn State was getting involved in these offerings. One of the best offerings would be the major specific clubs. 

In my first semester I was an active member of the association of women in computing. Through this club I was able to strengthen connections with other women in my major as well as meet upperclassmen who were willing and eager to help. It is reassuring to meet someone who was recently in your shoes (college freshman) and now is graduating with a great career in their field. If they can do it so can you! 

There are also way more clubs than just AWC. There is more broad engineering in general specific clubs. The best example of this is the Society of Women Engineers. This organization is for all women in an engineering major. Through this club, there are many different networking, outreach, service and social events as well as a THON organization. This club allows you to meet other women like you! The best thing about these clubs is all of the women in them are going through the same things. It is easy to find people to study with in these organizations. Many of the faces may be familiar from your classes as well.  There are opportunities to be part of more outreach and recruiting. This can be found in the form of Engineering Ambassadors. During my second semester I was lucky enough to be selected to be an Engineering Ambassador. In this position, I am seen as one of the leaders in the college of engineering. We focus on doing outreach and on giving tours for prospective students. Outreach can be done in many different ways; whether it be done in person or via zoom. 

I feel so lucky to be a student at Penn State just because of all of the opportunities that it has given me. One of the most important of which was becoming involved with major specific clubs on campus. I hope to see some of you ladies at meetings later this year!!!

Julia Jablonski
Team M Envoy

What Should I Do on the Weekend: HUB Late Night Edition

One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is attend the HUB Late Night festivities. Each week, Thursday through Saturday, the Student Programming Association puts on events and activities in the HUB. All these events are what I consider to be “fake free.” You don’t pay anything for it when you show up because your student fees have already paid for all these activities, so you should definitely take advantage of these opportunities since you’ve already paid for them! Here are some of the activities that you can find in the HUB on any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night.

Movies!

My favorite part of HUB Late Night is definitely the movies. They play recently released movies, and sometimes I’ve seen movies that are so new, they’re still in theatres! My friends and I have gone to see movies including Frozen 2, Knives Out, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Won’t You Be My Neighbor (I cried through this entire documentary) and On the Basis of Sex- to just name a few! The movies play every Thursday at 10 pm, Friday at 7 pm, 9:30 pm and midnight, and Saturday at 7 pm, 9:30 and midnight. Make sure you bring your student ID with you since they check at the door of the auditorium! On several occasions, my friends and I have considered going to pay to see a new movie, but then we remember that the HUB late night will probably play it in a few weeks for free. It’s definitely a fun way to spend your weekend and watch a great film.

Crafts!

HUB Late Nights also has fun crafts to do! The craft changes each week, but regardless of what it is, I’ve found it’s always a great way to get your creative side out and destress after a long week. My friends and I like to watch an earlier movie and then do the craft after while we’re analyzing the movie! Freshman year, I painted a pet “rock” owl in Penn State blue and white colors. It sat on my desk all of freshman year and it brightened my spirits during all of my late night study sessions.

Food!

Sadly, the food isn’t free, but they still have great deals on the weekends at some of the food options in the HUB. On Friday nights, Sbarro has a special where you can get a piece of cheese or pepperoni pizza for $1.50. I could consume pizza for every single meal, but if pizza isn’t your jam, they also have a $2.99 pasta special on Friday nights. On Saturday night, Burger King has the specials instead of Sbarro. Some of the specials include $0.69 hamburgers, $0.79 cheeseburgers, $1.99 for 10 chicken nuggies, or $1.29 for a small fry. 

Whether you’re looking for a great film, a fun craft, or awesome discounts on your favorite fast food, the HUB Late Night activities are the perfect place to spend your weekend. I hope to see you there!

Kara Miller

Team L Mentor

What Should I Do on the Weekend: PSU Theater Edition

If you’re anything like me, you were a huge musical and band geek in highschool (and proud of it too). However, once I started Penn State it was clear that my heavy schedule would no longer allow me to be able to handle regular band or theater rehearsals that I loved. Because of this, I sought to find ways to support and explore Penn State’s music programs.

Penn State is a school with many specialties- some more well known than others. As an entering engineer, I was familiar with Penn State’s great stem programs, and I had even heard about their renowned school of business. However, I was surprised to learn that our school also has an amazing music and theater program. As a former band and theater geek in high school, I was delighted to hear about all the opportunities to support fellow classmates in the fine arts. 

I’ll admit I was unaware of how amazing our theater program was until I enrolled in a theater study abroad course. This course was during the maymester of my freshman year and required me to attend a few school productions during the spring semester. Some shows included the musical ‘Hands on a Hardbody’ and the play ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. Throughout these shows I was amazed by the production design, the costumes, and the talent I saw before me- all at a really affordable price for students! 

The course I took had a wide variety of students- from stem majors, to finance majors, to education and theater majors- all with an underlying interest in the performing arts. As I got to know my classmates better, I learned that a few of them were involved in theater programs outside of the college as well, such as the thespian society. 

After this course and my new knowledge of all the theater programs both on and off campus, I’ve gone out of my way to attend more of these amazing and affordable shows while I’m on campus. Since performances usually line up towards the end of the semester, I’ve found that these musicals provide the perfect study break and night out with friends. This past year, I was delighted to attend Penn State’s performance of A Little Night Music in the winter, and enjoyed watching several of my former classmates perform. I was also set to support my friend in her leading role as Sophie in the Thespian’s production of Mamma Mia this spring, however with the early spring move out I was unable to. Once things at state college begin to return to normal, I highly recommend looking into these organizations’ performances and planning an exciting night out!

Danielle Klunk

Team L Mentor

What Should I Do on the Weekend: Sports Edition

Penn State is famous for a lot of things, its academic programs, its ice cream, THON, but it is especially well known for its athletic programs. There's a reason why Penn State athletics are so well known, it's because not only does Penn State excel in playing sports but it also excels in cheering on said sports teams! (That's right, Penn State quite literally has an award winning student section (1)). PSU didn't earn this award without reason, ALL Penn State sporting events are jam packed with passion and excitement. Cheering on Penn State is one of the best ways to spend your weekend!  

How COVID is affecting sports

BIG 10 has officially postponed fall sports but fret not there is still a lot to look forward to in terms of sports throughout the upcoming school year. 

While Penn State may not be holding collegiate level sports, that doesn’t mean you can’t watch other sports! Penn State offers students FREE access to cable television through XFINITY On Campus (2). This means that you can watch any scheduled sporting event (and any other TV show you would like to watch) on your laptop from the comfort of your dorm!

While we are waiting for Penn State sporting events to return, now would be a good time to learn the Penn State Alma Mater (3)! (At the end of every sporting event, the entire student section will link arms and sing the PSU Alma Mater).

What's so great about Penn State Athletics?

You may be wondering ’what's all the hype about?’, to answer that simply, Penn State sports are so amazing to attend because of the student section. I knew absolutely nothing about hockey last year (like actually nothing at all) but I went to one hockey game and got addicted to PSU Hockey games. The reason really had nothing to do with the sport of hockey itself but instead the atmosphere that the PSU hockey student section brought to games. Every game was full of energy, comradery, and smiles. Even if Penn State lost the game, I would come out of Pegula (4) with my cheeks hurting from smiling so much. If you plan on attending any PSU sporting event, get ready to participate in a lot of chants (the chants are my favorite part), the wave, and surprisingly a lot of dancing (my second favorite part). No matter the sport, the arena or the outcome of the game, the Penn State student section makes every sporting event ridiculously fun. 

What can I look forward to in the Spring?

Below is a list of sporting events for winter and spring season:

Winter

Men's and Women's Fencing (free), Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field (free), Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving (free), Men's Volleyball (free), Men and Womens Basketball, Men and Womens Hockey, Wrestling

Spring

Men's and Women's Golf (free), Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field (free), Men's and Women's Tennis (free), Men and Womens Gymnastics, Softball, Baseball, Men and Womens Lacrosse

Hannah Hogan

Team L Envoy

1. https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-football/article238346898.html

2. https://xfinityoncampus.com

3.                  Penn State Alma Mater