FIT for First Year!

 The beginning of college is a very busy time and sometimes your health slips to the “backburner”, when it should always be a top priority. Amongst getting acclimated to campus, making friends, and starting classes, you also need to be sure to check in with your physical and mental health. While it can sometimes be overwhelming, there are a lot of opportunities to exercise, eat well, and mentally decompress to ensure you are feeling your best!

Mental Health:

Mental health is the cornerstone to your overall health and success for your first year at Penn State. Being away from home for the first time and having a new normal is challenging. We personally struggled a lot the first semester of college and these are some of the tools we acquired for the second semester onward. 

• Impromptu calls with friends and family: All three of us were used to seeing friends and family everyday at school or at home. None of us knew anyone on our first day (other than WEPO friends) and we tried planning calls, however, these kept being rescheduled due to our opposite schedules. Calling while walking to class or taking a quick study break has worked the best. This way we didn’t feel as bad about missing calls and could talk to them more often even if it was for a short period of time. 

• Schedule breaks: Signing up for clubs, campus rec classes (more to come below) or making plans to grab dinner with friends are a great way to get out of your desk. We felt these activities were more productive than the breaks from your computer, on your phone. Team F Envoy, Lucy Traub, and her WEPO friends and joined a curling club to meet once a week and have fun trying a new activity. She finds when someone else is also counting on me to take a break, she’s less likely to not do it. Mostly taking breaks away from electronics and socializing helped her make friends outside of the academic world and feel more comfortable at Penn State. Mentor Katie Maloney suggests putting these breaks in your calendar like you would a class or assignment–it gives you something to look forward to when planning your week and also forces you to take time for yourself!! 

Team F Envoy, Lucy Traub, bottom right, alongside her WEPO friends at the curling club.

• These can be every day or once a week depending on the activity and your schedule. For instance, Team F Mentor Jodi Patterson sets aside time for a run with the Club Cross Country Team every day while only attending other events/breaks intermittently. You can always play around with this and see what works best for you and what is most important to you!

Team F Mentor Jodi Patterson, far right, running alongside her Club XC teammates at the Nittany Lion Invitational.

• Being on top of your schedule/making lists: College is very different from your high school schedule because it is not the same hours every day nor the same assignments. All three of us were very overwhelmed looking at all the work we had to do, but it was more manageable when writing everything down in one place. Lucy said that when she had her schedule written out and timed out assignments, she no longer was missing assignments and doing them stressed the night before. 

• This can be done using anything from Google Calendar to a physical planner, which is Jodi’s go-to! She loves crossing things off, and often sets reminders for the following day on her phone.

• Remember to laugh at life and enjoy your own company sometimes. Your friends are amazing and a great source to vent to and destress with, but enjoying time with yourself is also important! Katie found the independence in her first semester was liberating, but at times also riddled with loneliness and anxiety because it meant spending time alone. If she was eating by myself, or walking to class alone, or working out solo she felt like everyone would think she was friendless and weird. The saying “everyone is thinking about themselves way more than they are paying attention to you” is cliche, but it is so accurate. After we stop thinking about everyone else’s perception, we were able to enjoy these moments and use them as a time to collect our thoughts. Using this time to take charge of independence and get to know yourself is incredibly beneficial to your mental health and overall happiness!

Exercise:

While it is different for everyone, exercising at PSU was a great way to make friends and a fun way to take your mind off classes. There are plenty of ways to stay active on campus- so here are some of our favorites!

• Free campus rec group classes: You can download the campus rec app and see when and where group classes are being held. Katie’s favorites are cardio kickboxing, power remix (dance workout!) and cycling, but they also offer HIIT, zumba, and many more! These classes are a super welcoming environment and Katie had a BLAST letting loose, not caring what she looked like (see the photo below haha), dancing or kickboxing and forgetting all of her worries of the day!

Team F Mentor Katie Maloney FEELING the music at a power remix dance workout class. This picture was in an onward state article but we promise you there will not be photographers at all of the classes!

• Walk around campus: While it might be tempting to take the bus to forum or doordash dinner, walking is a great way to stay active. It will wake you up in the morning before class and it's calming to listen to music or call friends. Taking walks around campus recreationally is also a great way to learn where everything is and explore campus with your new friends!

• Club or IM sports: For high schoolers who are used to after school sports everyday, it is weird to completely stop that form of exercise or do it alone. Almost every sport you can think of has a club or IM team. 

• Club sports offer all the same benefits as Division I sports but on a smaller scale and open to individual participation. Club sports allow Penn Staters to go to games, meets, and tournaments much like typical sports teams while even having the opportunity to travel out of state. Most teams allow you to participate as much or as little as you would like and are open to people of all abilities. For instance, on the Club Cross Country Team, we have people who have never run before joining as well as people who chose not to run in Division I because of hard majors. Most people are between the two extremes. Another interesting advantage is that most club sports do not have a coach, so practices are student-run (in our case literally) and non-mandatory.

• Intramural sports, on the other hand, allow students to compete against other Penn State students and/or clubs or organizations. This can be especially fun when you get your friends to sign up either together or against one another. The other cool thing about intramural sports is that they’re totally free and occur on campus which makes them easily accessible to all students. There’s even lots of unique teams and games to compete in, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, start your own league. Penn State is generally very open to new ideas! For instance, Jodi had never played badminton in her life but she joined the IM league and had a lot of fun! She also joined pickleball and got so into it she slid to get a ball and tore her pants! 

• PSU fitness centers: the IM building is closest to East dorms, Hepper is closest to west, and the white building is the central campus. The gyms are open very early to very late and can accommodate virtually any schedule. This is a great option if you have specific personal goals or you have a certain routine you enjoy. Katie recently got more into weight lifting and she loves going to Hepper before her classes! She liked going before class because it was a productive kickstart to the day and couldn’t make excuses like “I have too much homework” or “I don't have time before my club meeting” because it was already out of the way! Another “trick” she used her first year was ALWAYS wearing athletic clothes to class (I mean I would have done this anyways haha) because then she could go to the gym in between classes or directly after her last class. She knew if she went back to her dorm and sat down she would never get the motivation to go to the gym, so always giving herself the option to go by being “gym ready” was helpful.

• Outdoor activities: Some other advantages of living in Happy Valley, PA are being surrounded by so many gorgeous mountains and farms. For fellow runners, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts, this is a dream come true. Hiking is a great way to exercise, and there are so many places to explore from Mt. Nittany to Rothrock, the world is your oyster! The only downside is that many of these locations are not easily accessible without a car, so plan out your hikes in advance. You can also join clubs such as Penn State Outing Club (for hikes), caving club, skiing club, or others to coordinate rides with upperclassmen. 

• One other cool State College exclusive exercise is Tussey Mountain. For skiers and ultra-marathoners alike, Tussey is one of the best places to visit. There’s lots of great ski and snowboard slopes throughout the area, and it is home to Tussey Teasers which are local (VERY hard) mountain races from 5Ks to 50 milers! 

All in all, Penn State is a great place to exercise whether you’re trying something new or continuing with a tried and true favorite! There’s truly something for everyone!

Food:

• Go to Restaurants: Roots, Panera (multiple locations on campus), Irvings, Chipotle, Soup&Garden (in the hub)

• Pack snacks: We find when we are in between classes and have to grab a snack quickly in the hub, we will choose a less healthy option than if we already packed a granola bar (can find these in the markets!).

• Eating at the dining halls: There are lots of options but it is just as easy to eat unhealthy at the dining hall as it is to eat healthy- so as with everything it is all about balance! You can look up the menu each week and plan if you like the food each day. It was nice to go into the dining hall with a game plan for each meal and not have to make on the fly decisions. This works 80% of the time (for Katie) and it's important to still be flexible when you will unexpectedly grab food with friends or when the West cookies look too good to pass up! 

• Buying snacks off campus: Our go to is always the Target downtown (only two blocks away from some of the engineering buildings!) because it was only a quick walk/ bus ride away. It's nice to have a small amount of fresh fruit and easy snacks like popcorn and pretzels in your dorm. 

• Be aware of how what you are eating makes you feel! This definitely doesn’t happen to everyone, but first semester Katie started getting horrible stomach aches and cramps and bloating and just overall was not feeling great. She called the doctor and they asked her to keep a log of what she was eating and how that made her feel. She had never had any issues with dairy or gluten in her life but, as the doctor explained, being in a new environment can change how your body reacts to different things, and she developed slight intolerances to them. She still enjoys her fair share of cheese and pasta, but now she is more conscious of what she is eating and how she feels- it's important to be intune and listen to your body!

Link to Campus Rec Website: 

https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/campusrec

How to get Involved on Campus

Clubs/Orgs on Campus - How you can get involved

By: Team E

As a first year, the involvement fair can look extremely overwhelming, but I promise you it is something you won’t want to miss. The involvement fair is super cool because it is probably an atmosphere you won’t really see at most schools. In the fall semester, all of the clubs line up on the hub lawn and have information and sometimes even free goodies to hand out. It is organized by category of the club so it makes it a little easier to navigate. They also have a sign at the top telling you which clubs are there that day. Some days will have different clubs there. My best advice for the involvement fair is to grab a friend and go check it out! You definitely will not regret it. 

While looking at all of these clubs may feel overwhelming, I recommend that you pick 2 - 3 clubs or organizations to be a part of your first year. (I have friends that were not as involved their first year and they say now that they wish they would have at least been a part of one club). It is important to still have fun, make friends around campus, and relax. A big thing I heard once about clubs is to pick one related to engineering, one related to something you enjoy, and maybe even something you have never tried before. For me, I chose to participate in three core things. I was a member of SWE, played IM basketball, and was a part of a church based community. These three core options really helped me to navigate my time my first year and helped me to find people with similar interests to me.

Finally, the involvement fair is not the only way to get involved, so do not be upset if you can’t make it. If you can’t make it to the involvement fair, Penn State has a website where you can look at all of the different clubs and orgs they have to offer (https://orgcentral.psu.edu/). Do not be afraid to ask around to find out what types of clubs people are in! If you know someone that is in a club you are interested in joining, that person can most likely add you to that club’s GroupMe to get you started on being involved. 

Fall 2022 Involvement Fair

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

11:00am - 4:00pm

HUB Lawn

One of the best ways to get to know other engineering students is to join engineering specific clubs! Penn State offers many different types of clubs that are specific to just engineers. There are professional engineering organizations for each major such as ASME, ACHE, ASCE, etc. These clubs are a great way to network with other students and alumni since they have frequent meetings with sponsors. 

Another type of engineering clubs at Penn State are the design teams. These clubs are a great way to meet other engineering students while working on real world engineering problems. There are design teams who build rockets, cars, planes, concrete canoes, and many other very cool things! One of the most exciting parts of being a member of a design team is that you have the opportunity to compete in design challenges and win prizes.

Lastly, two of the most helpful clubs I have been involved in as a female in engineering are Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Women Engineering Program (WEP). These clubs have allowed me to make lifelong friends and develop a support system to help me through the challenges I’ve faced in my academic career thus far. SWE has a variety of different events weekly focused on different categories such as outreach & inclusion, social, professional development, and service. There are also many leadership opportunities available within the club, even for first year students! WEP has WEP Wednesdays where you can receive advice from upper level students and tips for professional development. Visit: Penn State Engineering: Student Organizations (psu.edu) to learn about more of the engineering specific clubs on campus.

Penn State also offers many chances to participate and volunteer for THON. THON is an annual 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon that is put on each February to culminate the yearlong effort students make towards helping the children and families impacted by childhood cancer. It is truly one of the best events that I have ever seen. Sometimes as a student, you aren’t able to see how much of an impact you can make on someone’s life, but this is the place that does just that. During THON weekend, you are with thousands of students, staff, and families who all share the same goal. I can’t tell you enough how amazing it is to see so many students wanting to work for the same goal year after year. Just this past year, for THON’s 50th anniversary, we raised the largest total yet (*drumroll*), $13,756,374.50!!! I bet this all sounds super amazing and you want to know how to get involved. Well, here’s how:

So there are many types of ways to get involved in THON. The first is through a THON organization. THON organizations are specifically intended to fundraise for THON. Each organization is paired with at least one family that they support throughout the year in addition to raising money for THON’s grand total. There are lots of orgs to choose from (over 400 to be exact!), each a part of 1 of 3 org categories: Special Interest, General, and Greek. 

Special Interest Orgs have the sole mission of raising money for THON. They are specifically set for THON and to raise money. They take in all students of any major and any year. These range from large groups with hundreds of students to smaller groups with tens of students. This is a good starting place for an introduction to THON. You are still able to meet lots of people, apply for leadership positions, and of course be there FTK (for the kids)! If you are interested in a larger THON special interest org, some of the top and most known orgs are Atlas, Eclipse, FOTO, and Ohana.

General Orgs are those of which come from within another club. For example SWE (Society of Women Engineers) has a THON branch in which they support their families as well as raise money for the grand total. Many clubs have this additional THON branch which you can also join as it will be a common place for you to meet people with the same interests as you outside of THON. General orgs can be found as a part of professional societies, club sports, and mostly any other club that is interested in participating in THON.

Greek orgs are similar to general orgs but instead of coming from a club, they are a branch of fraternities and sororities. If you decide to join a Greek organization, you have the ability to also participate in their THON org. This follows the same type of organization as that of the other THON orgs where you would still be supporting a child and their family while also raising money for THON. One specific sorority geared towards women in engineering is Phi Sigma Rho and they have a THON branch that you are welcome to participate in once you have joined the sorority. Many of our leadership members are involved in Greek Life and would be happy to answer any questions about it, so feel free to reach out. 

Another way of getting involved in THON is through a committee. THON committees are part of a year-long effort to spread THON’s mission as well as help out during THON Weekend. There are lots of different types of committees if you are interested in being more involved throughout THON weekend, from helping the dancers on the floor, to merchandise, to technology, to rules and regulations. Whatever you are interested in helping with THON weekend, there is a place for you! Committee applications will come out around the beginning of September and close shortly after, so be on the lookout if you are interested in applying!

Lastly, another way to be a part of THON is to be a dancer. These are the people standing for 46 hours during THON weekend. You are able to be a dancer through your THON org or by dancing independently by lottery. Make sure to check out your THON org’s application or the THON website (https://thon.org/students/) for more information about being a dancer or getting more involved within THON.

Most of our leadership team has been a part of a THON org, THON committee, or have even danced, and we would all be happy to answer any questions you have about joining, applying, or dancing!

You may be wondering what club meetings are like at Penn State. And the answer is that it depends on the club. Typically clubs meet at least an hour per week, but it is a good idea to ask about the time commitment expected of members when you are thinking about joining. Most clubs will reserve classrooms on campus for their meetings, however, they will usually have a zoom option available as well. One other topic worth noting is that some clubs may have dues at the beginning of the semester. This money is used to pay for supplies, food at meetings, or anything else the specific club may need throughout the academic year. 

Finally, Team E wants to leave you with some DOs and DON’Ts for club joining and club involvement.

DO

• JOIN A CLUB. Join at least one club. This will help you to meet new people that share similar interests as you. Penn State is a big place, so joining a club will hopefully help you find your group of friends that help make it not feel so big.

• Go to the Involvement Fair. Even if you don’t want to join a club right away, just check it out so you can look at your options and maybe even talk to some of the clubs to get more information about that specific club.

• Join clubs you are passionate or are interested in. Nobody likes to do things that they don’t want to do, and that goes for clubs too. Find something you are passionate about and want to be a part of. Penn State has literally a club for anything, so there’s lots of choices!

• Start with joining one major-related club and one fun club. Starting out in your first year, you don’t want to overwhelm yourself so start out with two clubs, see how you can better manage your time and then if you are able and want to join more you can.

• Try new things. Penn State offers so many clubs that it may feel overwhelming, but you never know what you might like, so it is always best to try something new.

• Attend club meetings. Although they may not be mandatory, you only get out what you put in. Even if you feel like you have too much to do or don’t have time, clubs are an excellent break time to get your mind off of school and have some fun.

• Apply for leadership positions. All clubs offer leadership positions, including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Social Media. Larger clubs may even have more positions and/or chair positions. These not only look great on a resume, but can be really rewarding to help make a difference within the club. 

DON’T

• Join too many clubs right away. You have 4 years at this amazing school, don’t put all your eggs into one basket. Take your time figuring out your schedule and how you manage your time. Clubs are an excellent break from school, but you should make sure you are not spreading yourself too thin and take the time to do everything with your best effort rather than a lot of things with minimal effort.

• Feel obligated to join clubs. Although they show that you have diverse interests and do things outside of school, everyone’s path is different. Your friend may want you to try out a club with them, but make sure to do things that you are interested in too. Clubs aren’t for everyone, but you won’t know if it’s for you unless you try it, so make sure to at least try it. There are lots of other options besides joining a club, so if you find out it’s not your thing, that is totally fine. It’s your college path, so make it yours!

• Join a club just for name recognition. Employers who view your resume will want to know about your involvement outside of school, so you should be able to talk about different projects you worked on or clubs you are involved in. If you want to be involved in a club, be an active member so you are able to share your experiences and not just have the club’s name on your resume and be unfamiliar with the work and purpose of the club.

Check out: Organizations - Penn State University Park (psu.edu) for a list of all of the clubs offered at University Park. If you can’t find a club for something you’re passionate about, you can always start one!

Although there are lots of clubs and things to think about, you have to remember that you have four years to figure it all out. It may not seem like a lot of time, but focus on things that make you happy and are interesting to you. Many members on the leadership team have lots of experience joining clubs, being in a leadership position, and working on time management, so be sure to reach out to any of us and we would be happy to answer your questions, get you more information, or help point you in the right direction. We are here as a resource for each and every one of you and we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish!

 - Team E

Ava, Claira, and Maddie

It's OK to not be OK

 By Team D

            When I first came to Penn State I had an idea of what campus was and should be. This became not only a goal but the only thing I thought about. Get the best grades, make lots of friends, and have fun! But it wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine. I struggled to make friends and I’m still not confident I’m done looking. I skipped a lot of classes just because I couldn’t bring myself to go, even though I tried. I failed one class and was too stubborn to drop it. My roommate and I hated each other. She stayed up all night and I went to bed early (doomed from night one). But I’m not trying to scare you away; rather, I want to remind you it is 100% OK to not be ok.

In my fall semester I set such a high standard for myself, and when I didn't meet those standards I was devastated. I realized failing is a part of learning and really one of the most important parts of learning. It is ok if you miss your family and friends at home. It is also ok if you realize you need to take less credits or maybe switch your major. It is also ok if you need to seek professional help, but know your mentors and envoys are always one message away. There is so much more to Penn State than the highlights you will see online. Below are some of Team D’s favorite ways to destress and center ourselves on campus, but these are certainly not the only ways! It is crucial that you make time for yourself and enjoy every simple moment. 

   ~ Kennedy, Team D Envoy

One way you can work on de-stressing at school is blocking out time in your schedule to relax and hang out with friends. I find that by setting aside planned relaxation time, I feel less guilty for taking time to relax when I have scheduled work times. Personally, I try to make it a rule for myself to not do any homework on Friday nights, so I can relax from the week. Plus, I know that I have lots of time Saturday and Sunday to prepare for the upcoming week. In addition, don’t be afraid to lean on your friends! Even “doing work” with friends in your classes will feel less stressful and will do wonders for your mental health. Always know that you are not alone in your classes and any academic struggles! 

~ Melina, Mech E, Team D Mentor

I think changing up your work space can be a great way to get out of a funk/feel better and more productive. For me, I had a hard time getting work done in my dorm, so going to the hub with friends and sitting by the big windows or on the terrace turned out to be a productive space. Also, the tables at the corner of the Millennium Science Complex are a great space to do work outside in the shade. These tables also offer beautiful and calming scenery with the gardens and birds there! Don’t forget to also use these spaces as a reset, I found especially getting a group of friends to all go to the hub created a productive but relaxed space where we all did some work, while also taking the time to hang out and talk/eat together. 

~ Hanna, Aero E, Team D Mentor

Hub Terrace, located on the second floor of the Hub!

          Hanna with the whiteboard find on campus, studying for calc 3!

I am still trying to figure out my “best ways to destress” because I tend to be easily overwhelmed, but as weird as it may sound my best technique is to just give in, have a good cry and lay in bed and be sad. Take a weird cold shower to depressing music. It is ok if you feel a little stupid or dramatic. The reason we cry when we are sad is to release the sad chemicals from our brains and make room for oxytocin. I also found that playing youtube music and watching videos on my computer passed time and helped me move on from issues that were not as big of a deal as I thought. 

~ Kennedy, Team D Envoy

The hardest part about transitioning to college life for me was being able to separate my school and social lives, living in such a small place makes it easy for the two to intertwine. I had to figure out how to say no to plans when I had work to do and how to find the time to enjoy time with friends. I have always been very motivated by grades, so it was hard for me to step away from the books. However, I eventually found a balance and found spaces where I could go to destress with friends without having to think about school. The most common and easiest place I did this with friends was the dining hall. We would eat dinner together a lot in the dining halls all around campus. The dining hall allowed us to meet with each other at the end of our days and talk about everything: school work, our families, gossip on our dorm floor, and more. These dinners helped me form close relationships and also come closer to the very important school and life balance. Although we did eventually get sick of the dining hall food, we continued to eat dinner together in the HUB, or the Starbucks library, or a restaurant downtown and each one helped me feel better by the end of a stressful day.

~ Ellie, Team D Envoy

In conclusion, what you do isn’t as important as finding what works best for you. Mental health is a journey and moving out to school is a journey too, don't do them both alone. Find your place on campus and make it your own!

Preparing for Game Day!

 

Preparing for Game Day!

By: Team C

Possibly the most important aspect guaranteeing a day to be fun and exciting. Whether you realize it now or not, there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration before heading out the door to Beaver Stadium.

1.     Understand that you will have NO cellphone service in Beaver Stadium.

Due to the crowds of people flooding into the stadium, it gets hard to communicate via text, snapchat, or other means of contact. Let your family and friends know this before you leave so nobody is left in the dark

1.     Download your tickets from Ticketmaster onto your phone’s wallet BEFORE leaving.

THIS IS CRITICAL! Penn State switched to all digital tickets a few years ago and it has been convenient but also another thing to remember. I recommend doing this days in advance or as soon as you can because, once again, service is extremely slow. You don’t want to be pacing back and forth in front of the gates stressing about your tickets at.

1.     Check the weather (and dress accordingly!)

Pennsylvania weather is a strange thing. One minute it's sunny, the next it's pouring rain (or maybe even snowing). The weather app will become your best friend. I even recommend downloading The Weather Channel to keep an eye on the radar. Rain jackets, ponchos, gloves, hats, and more layers become very handy. Also, if it is going to be bright and sunny, sunscreen is your best friend! You will burn faster than you realize, trust me, I have experience.

1.     Bring only the necessities (bring a clear bag if necessary).

Beaver Stadium had strict rules when it comes to what and how much you can bring inside. No water bottles, no bookbags, no purses, and more. You are allowed to bring a clear bag if you find that you cannot hold everything you want. Some of the things I bring on game day include my phone, wallet, PSU id, and last year, my dorm key. That’s all I needed but bring what is necessary for you (minimal is always better).

1.     The earlier you arrive, the better chance you will get good seats.

This may be obvious, but on big game days, the student section fills up fast! Gates open roughly 3 hours before the game is scheduled to start. If you want to be up close to the field, go as early as you can, get some food, and enjoy the environment! If you don’t mind sitting in the back, feel free to wait until an hour before so you can still catch the pre-game events!

 

I have to say this as well: the first game will be stressful at first, but this is only because its new! Once you get into Beaver Stadium, you’ll see why it is one of the best environments in college football, and you’ll forget all about the worries you had before.

Tailgating 101

So, if you are anything like me, you may have never been to a college football game or a pre-sporting tailgate event before coming to Penn State. Regardless of your experience, PSU culture is extremely unique and I will let you know everything you will need to be ready to rock your first PSU football game tailgate!

Firstly, tailgating is HUGE at Penn State, wayyy bigger than I was expecting. I mean tailgate spots span miles…literally! So, if you are invited to one or a few, get the exact location (lot number, etc.) and look at a map to confirm because it is a lot bigger than one may expect. You also get no service around the stadium so calling your friends asking to describe their location and/or using google maps is a no go. Ask for distinctive qualities about their tailgate to help navigate (are they by a tree? What color is their tent? Do they have a flag up?)

 

How do you get invited to tailgates? As a first-year, I understand that it may be hard to get connections for people that tailgate but ask around! Your friends, friends of friends, and a lot of orgs/clubs/Greek life host tailgates and love new friendly faces! Something I have learned is alumni and parents LIVE for tailgates and are more than excited to be able to host you. After all, that is the whole point of the tailgate experience! To eat food, hangout, and enjoy the Penn State community, there is absolutely NOTHING quite like it. Also, I understand that it can feel uncomfortable and that you are “intruding” on someone’s tailgate, but in my experience, everyone loves people stopping by and enjoying themselves. Understand that this is why people host them! You ARE a part of their family, the Penn State family.

 

Lastly, this may be the most important advice I have! Navigation on game day can be very difficult, especially without cell service. So, the people you tailgate with/walk to the game with will more than likely be the people you sit with at the game. Bouncing between tailgates and trying to meet up with friends is very very hard to do so I would suggest staying together if you really want to enter the stadium together. In my personal experience, I planned to meet up with friends that were at different tailgates and needless to say, after many failed texts and calls we were unable to meet up. My rule of thumb: the people I tailgate/walk to the game with are the people I am sitting with!

 

You are ready for your first PSU tailgate as a student! Enjoy it! It is genuinely my favorite part of being a Penn Stater, everyone is so welcoming:)

 

 

Getting Into the Stadium

The gates open 3 hours before the game starts. If you want to be in the front few rows you need to be there at that time. The student section entrance is at gate A. Once the gate opens you will get in one many lines. Have your ticket pulled up on your phone, you’ll also need your student ID. You’ll scan your virtual ticket and be given a physical one with your seat section. You will quickly go through security (make sure to only have see through bags and no liquids). After that you’ll be in the stadium. Overhead there will be signs directing you to your section. Find your section and there will be workers checking your tickets. Once you get past them you are free to claim your seat. (Warning, always have people guarding your section or you will lose it). In the stadium there are food and drink options that you can buy with lion cash or card.

Now you're ready for Penn State Football!

What puts the “Happy” in Happy Valley?

So now that you've finally reached your spot in the student section, it's time to relax, have some fun, and enjoy the atmosphere of gameday! Make sure you take a minute to look around at the thousands of fans, listen to the pregame music, and smell the sweet scent of chicken baskets in the air. Penn State football is truly an amazing experience, and you want to make sure you soak in all that serotonin. I'll cover a few important topics in this section so that you are a gameday pro before you even step foot into Beaver Stadium!

 

A big part of what makes Penn State the best atmosphere in college football is the Chants! Throughout the game you'll most likely hear Sweet Caroline, Livin’ on a prayer, and many other classics to sing along with, but my favorite game day tradition is the Alma Mater. It may be tempting to run out of the stadium and celebrate after a Penn State win, but don’t forget to stick around to stand arm in arm with fellow students and sing Penn State’s Alma Mater. Don't panic if you don’t know the lyrics, they will be flashing on the big screen. Trust me, by the end of the season you'll know this song like the back of your hand!

 

In order for you to have the best experience possible, there are some things you should do to prepare for the craziness of the student section. You may want to wear boots or flats to the game, but I highly recommend you wear the most comfortable shoes possible. My go-to is a pair of running sneakers with a lot of support. When I say that you will be standing the entire game…. I mean the ENTIRE game, and those bleachers are not so forgiving on your feet. If you're lucky you'll get to rest your feet for a bit during halftime, but as soon as the Nittany Lion makes an appearance, you'll be right back on your feet.

 

Another important aspect of the Gameday environment are the themes! As you probably know, Penn State is famous for our theme games such as the White Out, Blue and White, and the Stripe Out. Each one is pretty self-explanatory on what to wear, especially if you are in the student section. The student section almost always wears white, and if you are unsure about a theme don’t be afraid to ask around! It's always better to ask than to show up in the wrong color!

 

The last thing I love about Penn State football is the Nittany Lion, our very own celebrity! The lion will be all over the stadium doing dances, cheers and sometimes games with the students. He LOVES to watch the cheerleaders dance, and if you yell loud enough sometimes, he'll come over and give you a high five or even take a picture. I know it could be intimidating at first, but don't be afraid to walk up to the lion and ask for a selfie or a fist bump. I promise you he is the best and makes my day just about every time I see him. You might see him starting the wave (which can get pretty big) or doing his famous “noise” hand gesture. It’s no question that the Nittany Lion brings something very special to Beaver Stadium.

 

Whether it's a day or night game, you can expect that the energy will be high, and the football will be unmatched. These are the best moments as a Penn State student, and you deserve to enjoy every bit. As STEM majors it is so easy to get wrapped up in classes and homework, but for these couple of hours you get to put aside your worries and become part of the best atmosphere in college football!