When You Don’t Love It Right Away

I attended WEPO my freshman year in 2011, which now sounds like forever ago.  I, like all of you, was so excited to start college and attend Penn State in the fall.  I had my new bedding, room decorations, window fan, and rainboots!  I moved in that Wednesday before school started just like all of you, and found myself saying goodbye to my parents at the Atherton Hotel and hello to a room full of strangers.  Even still I was ready for a change, ready to start college.  I met so many new people and learned so new things in those three days at WEPO, and returned home to my dorm room exhausted and excited to catch up on some sleep!  When the dust settled after WEPO and the newness of syllabus week faded, I found myself suddenly not sure of my decision to come to Penn State.  I had friends and I was doing fine in my classes; I wasn’t homesick, I just wasn’t sure if Penn State was the right fit for me.  

Dare I say, I did not love Penn State right away?  For the majority of my first semester, I found myself battling the idea of switching schools.  I looked up other colleges and their application deadlines.  I called home crying several times debating whether or not I should stay at Penn State.  Then something crazy happened: after all that searching, worrying, and crying, I began loving Penn State.  I cannot pinpoint an exact time or event that changed my opinion, it just did.  I just needed time to get used to it.  College is a huge change and everyone struggles with something, whether it be homesickness, roommates, coursework, making friends, time management, or managing stress; just like everything else, your college experience won’t be “perfect.”  You are going to fumble and fail, but you are also going to succeed and grow so much in these next four, maybe five (like me) years.  

What I am saying is that it is okay to not love something right away.  I am in love with this school.  I have the very best friends and roommates.  I am receiving an incredible education in architectural engineering.  I am obsessed with my major and all things construction management.  I have had three amazing internships in Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, and San Francisco, CA.  I have traveled to Roatan, Honduras with my class to build a solar array during spring break.  I have been a part of five WEPOs.  I love everything about Penn State, and even after five years, I am not ready to leave it, but I did not love it at first.  So give Penn State a chance to grow on you.  If it is not love at first sight, give yourself a chance to get used to it.  

In my five years, I have learned a whole lot about myself.  Most importantly I have learned that I am good at making a change, but I am not so good at liking that change, at least not at first.  I like feeling like I have control of situations; I like knowing what I am doing, but when you make a change, everything is going to be different and new.  For example, I have hated the first week of every internship I have had, but I have learned over the years that it is not that I hate the internship, but that I hate feeling out of place.  Now I know that I need to give myself a chance to get used to change.  I probably will not like it right away because I never do, but in time, I will.  College is a big change, it took me three months to start feeling like I had a place at Penn State.  Give yourself time and don’t feel like you are the only one feeling that way.  You will find your place here at Penn State, and it will shape you into the incredible person you will become.  

“When we stood at childhood's gate. Shapeless in the hands of fate. Thou didst mold us, dear old State.” -- Penn State Alma Mater

Kenna Markel is a fifth year majoring in Architectural Engineering, and is the Lead Rover for WEPO’15!

Let’s Talk Mentors!!

Hi everyone!  My name is Kenna Markel.  I am going to be a fourth year in architectural engineering at Penn State this year!  I still can’t believe I’m going to be a senior – believe me you’ll be one before you know it!  I have been spending this summer living and working in San Francisco for a general contractor called DPR Construction.  I’m packing up to come home next weekend, and WEPO will be here before we know it!

So before I was in architectural engineering at Penn State, I was really struggling to figure out exactly what I wanted to study.  My freshman year I switched from civil engineering to biomedical to aerospace back to civil to biological then marketing and finally to architectural.  Now, I couldn’t be happier with my decision.  Working in the industry again this summer confirms that this is exactly what I should be doing, but I never could have done it without my mentors.  I say mentors because it isn’t just one person, but many – my own little personal team of mentors!  To be your best here at Penn State you’re going to need mentors as well.  People who will give you advice on scheduling, buying books, and career fairs; someone who will encourage you to take risks and set goals.  Fortunately, by making the decision to come to WEPO you all have a mentor who has been assigned to you along with an entire team of mentors ready to help!  This gives you a great head start! 

Mentoring relationships come in many forms.  They can be as formal as being assigned a mentor, but they don’t have to be.  I personally found some of my best mentors on my own.  I’ve found that generally people are always willing to give advice you just have to ask.  I’m saying because with WEPO coming up so soon, there are incredible women on this leadership team and they are great resources for all of you.  If you hear any of these women say something throughout WEPO that interests you, please REACH OUT TO THEM!  We all would love to talk to you about it!  Whether it’s at WEPO or after, send us an email, and we can set something up!

Most importantly though, use your mentors!  Freshman year is a huge step and a huge change!  Find someone who you can go to when you have questions or if you’re having a hard time!  We all want you to excel and have a great freshman year!

So a little bit about my mentors, as I mentioned I wouldn’t be an architectural engineer student without them.  Two WEPO women sat down with me at WEPO’12 just before my sophomore year, and wrote out a new schedule for me with all the required architectural engineering classes.  They handed me this new schedule and said, “take this and bring it to Prof. Moses Ling, and he’ll put you in.”  Despite the classes being full and it being the Monday of syllabus week, sure enough, Moses hooked me up!  I’ve been an AE ever since, but I never would have had the courage or ability to switch into these classes that year without these women!  This is just one example of many times my mentors have come to the rescue! 

We are all so excited to meet you all at WEPO next week!  I hope you’re all getting excited for your first year here at Penn State!  It’s going to be an amazing year!

Kenna Markel is a senior in Architectural Engineering, and she is a Mentor for WEPO '14! 

PACKING FOR THE BIG DAY

Hi EVERYONE!!  My name is Kenna Markel.  I am a 3rd year in Architectural Engineering and a mentor for Team E!  I am currently living in Reston, VA and spending my summer interning with DAVIS Construction!  I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Moon High School in 2011.  I am so excited for my third WEPO and to meet all of you! 

I know you all just recently found where you are living and whom you’re rooming with so let the countdown begin!  By the end of next month, you will be all moved into your dorms!  Just two years ago, I was moving my stuff into 518 Pennypacker Hall.  I remember swiping into my building the first time, taking the blue elevator up five floors, and cracking open the big wooden door.  This summer, I’m sure you have all been having fun buying new things for the fall!  I know there are packing lists all over the Internet, but I know there are a few things I’m really glad I brought… or forgot.  Either way, here’s a list of a few things I would bring up this fall:

1. Rain boots, umbrella, raincoat, and winter coat – in State College weather will change unexpectedly!  
2. Downey wrinkle release and a lint brush – have to look your best at the career fair
3. Storage bins
4. Stamps and Envelops – for all those thank you cards after the career fair!
5. Chip Clips
6. Headphones – most of you will remember this unlike my roommate and I
7. Anything navy and white – for PSU Football Games!
8. Closet stackers (organizers)
9. Clorox wipes, Febreze, and Windex – eventually you do need to clean your room
10. Plastic shower caddy – I don’t recommend a fabric one
11. Nail clippers, nail polish, and nail polish remover
12. Snack/Sandwich bags – useful when you pack to go home for break
13. Clip Lamp – definitely a must have for East Halls!
14. HDMI Cable (if you have a tv) – for movie nights!
15. Plastic hamper for laundry, dryer sheets – you don’t need coins only Lioncash!
16. Checkbook, ID (Passport or SS card) – are needed if you get a job on campus or if you get an apartment for your sophomore year
17. Mattress Pad
18. Rug and fan
19. Brita and water bottle
20. Surge protector – East only has 2 outlets per person
21. Printer and extra ink
22. Sleeping bag – for THON Canning Trips!

I’m sure you girls are all so prepared that you already have everything on this list!  I hope you all are getting excited for Penn State because you all have a great year awaiting you!  Most importantly don’t forget you can always ask your mentor or rover if you have any questions about what to pack.  For a full list of what to bring Erin Miller, this year’s overall Lead made a list last year (see link):

http://pennstatewepo.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-to-pack-for-college.html

Kenna Markel is a junior in Architectural Engineering and a Mentor for WEPO'13.  To read more about Kenna visit her WEPO Profile:  http://raindancer45.wix.com/ladyengineers#!kenna-markel/c23w0

Get Rid of First Day Jitters- Know Your Way Around Campus

Hey Girls!!  My name is Kenna Markel.  I am majoring in Architectural Engineering, and I’m a Rover for Team G!!

Penn State University Park, as many of you already know, is comprised of around 40,000 students.  Being a part of a big campus is one of the many things I love about Penn State, but coming here in the fall may seem intimidating- at least if was for me.   With such a large campus, I was worried about getting lost, being late to class, and feeling safe, but I, like all of your other mentors and rovers, survived my first year and so will you!  I found that there are three basics for getting around campus:  be confident, be CATA smart, and be safe.

Be Confident

One of the many advantages that WEPO gives you is the chance to move in early.  Not only do you avoid the rush, but it also gives you a few days before classes start to get used to campus.  Something that my roommate and I did during one of these days was to walk through our schedule.  Your first day of classes is all new: new students, new professors, new teaching styles, and new subjects so why not make the campus seem a little bit more familiar- make it one less “new” thing.  Not only will this make you feel more confident on your first day of classes, but it is also an easy way to bond with your roommate.  Also, do not be afraid to ask for help.  College is by no means like high school; people will help you around.  University Park is a huge campus, nobody, not even the seniors know where every building is. 

Be CATA Smart

If you have been keeping up with the WEPO blog, the CATA bus system is something that Megan gave great advice on so I’ll just talk about it briefly!  This past year like most freshman, I lived in East and yes, it is far from a lot of classes- so use the CATA buses!  I’m not over exaggerating when I say they can shorten your travel time by up to twenty minutes.  So yes, I would definitely recommend using them!  Two things that I would remember about the CATA buses are 1) only get on the front entrance (if you get on the back, the bus driver will see you and will make you get off- super embarrassing) 2) the buses don’t run all hours off the day, so don’t get stuck having to walk back alone at night (that’s obviously a safety issue, not to mention PSU gets really cold in the winter).  Like Megan said, I would advise getting the CATA bus app if you can! 

Be Safe

I want to begin this topic with saying- I have never once felt unsafe on campus, but without trying to sound too much like your parents, it’s true you can never be too cautious.  Be smart by just sticking to the basics that I’m sure we’ve all been told for years.  When coming home at night, stay on well lit, often used paths and try to avoid walking home alone.  One tip, that my roommate and I used when walking home alone was unavoidable, was we would give a time that we planned on being back in the room, and if we were not back by that time, we would check up on each other.  All of this I’m sure sounds so simple even monotonous, but that’s just it.  Taking these steps isn’t hard so for your own safety why not just take them.

Ultimately, I just want you girls to be excited not nervous to come to PSU because it’s the best place to be.  I loved my first summer back, but I miss being at school because it became my home.  Penn State really is a family, a family that you are already a part of.  So don’t be afraid.  Penn State will give you more that just internationally recognized education, but it will shape you with every experience you have there.  So that one day- a day that seems so far away- you will graduate into the world, and through your example, prove what makes Penn State so great.

Kenna Markel is a sophomore in Architectural Engineering. She is a rover for WEPO 2012.