January 2015 Newsletter

Volume 006 Issue 004 January 2015

Adult, Commuter & Military Volume 06 Issue 001 September 2014

Student Connection How To Have a Successful Semester

We know starting the semester from a long break filled with no homework, traveling, and plenty of rest can be difficult. So here are a few tips to start the semester off right!

Talk to your professor! If you don’t understand the class material, take advantage of your professor’s office hours. They are there to help you.

Come visit us in UC 243 in the Involvement Zone or call our office 901-678-2644 acss@memphis.edu

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are tools and resources at the University to help you succeed. If you are having academic issues, contact the Educational Support Program. If you are stressed, need a job, or have personal problem issues contact Counseling or Career Services.

Time management. Keep up with regular assignments and get started on major projects so you don’t have assignments piling up towards the end of the semester. Don’t Procrastinate!

Be SMART! Develop Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals.

Be PROACTIVE. Plan ahead, get a schedule planner. Know your deadlines and degree requirements. Ask your professor what he/ she expects to get a good grade.

Make your health a priority. Although it’s expensive and sometimes difficult to eat healthy, consuming the right nutrients and exercising at least 3 times a week will help you stay focused this semester. Go to the REC. It’s FREE! Courtesy of , http://www.huffingtonpost.com/college success-tips.com, and http:// www.cscc.edu/9-tips-to-start-semester-right.shtml.

This is a year of HOPE, PROMISE, & VICTORY!!!

A new year’s resolution is always one’s way of promising to do something that was not accomplished the year before, i.e. lose weight, get an internship opportunity, buy a new car, go back to school, improve your grade point average or to do better than last year. Well, now is the time to do it!

We hope that you do what you want to do as long as it improves your quality of life.

As you prepare to make changes in your life during 2015, make plans to include services that are free and available to you at the University. Plan to visit the ACSS office more often, attend some of our ACSS training seminars or a special event on campus, and get involved in a student organization. This will aid you in developing a much greater appreciation for your college experience. Many of your college experiences are helpful in making a connection with other students outside of the classroom. We have highlighted some activities and events that you might consider attending upon starting a new year that holds a bright future.

Adult and Commuter Student Services and the Veterans Resource Center wants you to know that we HOPE you will have a successful semester! We PROMISE to provide you with the tools to help you reach your 2015 goals, and remember, the VICTORY is yours, all you have to do is claim it!

Joy R. Stout, Director Adult and Commuter Student Services Office: 901-678-2644 jstout@memphis.edu

Happy New Year!

ADULT AND COMMUTER STUDENT SERVICES MISSION

The mission of the Adult & Commuter Student Services office is to provide a supportive environment for non-traditional and commuter students that promotes intellectual, social and academic growth development through services and programs that foster lifelong learning.

East Carolina

Memphis

Wednesday January 28th

FedEx Forum | 8 p.m.

GO TIGERS GO!

ACSS: What role do you play for veterans and the Veterans Resource Center?

I am the President of the Student Veterans Organization, (SVO), and I am also a student worker for the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). Basically what I do is, I try to be the face of the student veterans population and anything that I can do to hold the U of M to a standard and to get a better experience for student veterans here, I try to make that happen.

ACSS: When and why did you come back to school?

Before I enlisted in the Army I took a couple of classes at Southwest TN Community College. And while I was enlisted, I took a couple of online classes. I always wanted to go to the University of Memphis and I’ve always been a big Memphis fan. I grew up here and I was getting a little older and I figured it was time to get started and make this “school thing” happen. So, here I am.

ACSS: What’s happening with veterans at the University? What are the plans?

There’s a lot happening here. Within the past year we have increased membership of the SVO from 15 to almost 150. We started a Military Appreciation Football Game with the help of the VRC Coordinator, Chris Honeycutt, who is a big asset to Veterans here. We also coordinated a Veterans Day Celebration and a September 11th ceremony. With us doing these events, people are learning who we are and recognizing the SVO.

ACSS: What is SVO? What is the purpose of the organization?

The purpose is to keep the student veteran population better connected through networking and social opportunities, because veterans are very different when they separate from active duty and go into the classroom. It’s good to realize the differences in veterans and adjust to them by keeping them connected and providing them with the resources they need to have a better college experience.

ACSS: As SVO president what have you accomplished?

Since I’ve been president we have increased our membership, we’ve worked with our VRC coordinator who has played a major role in increasing the veteran student population, and we have planned more events and programs. Also, our organization is a chapter of Student Veterans of America and we were selected as National Chapter of the month in December 2014.

ACSS: What are your plans and goals?

Well, after attending the National Conference in San Antonio, Texas last weekend where our Vice President, Joe Biden and the director of the Veterans Administration were in attendance, it made me think of hosting a regional conference here. I would like to invite the SVO leaders from campuses in the mid-south area where we can network with each other and talk to each other about things that work and don’t work, and also invite companies in the area who are interested in hiring Veterans.

ACSS: How do you think your leadership has affected the VRC and SVO? I would like to think being optimistic and positive about school and being involved with school has influenced other veterans, and that people see the things I’m trying to do and want to be a part of it.

ACSS: What advice can you give other veterans?

If you are a student veteran and you haven't visited the VRC or expressed interest in joining the SVO, please come see us. There are a lot of networking opportunities and resources here that can only benefit you.

Chris Fears President of the Student Veterans Organization TN Army National Guard

What’s Happening On Campus?

Student Veterans Organization

Mass Meeting Friday|February 6th|1p.m.

VRC|PanHellenic Bldg|Rm.110 If you are a veteran of the armed forces or a military dependent and have not yet visited the Veterans Resource Center or inquiring about joining the Student Veterans Organization (SVO), please feel free to join us. Garibaldi’s Pizza will be provided.

CONTACT AND GENERAL INFORMATION The Adult and Commuter Student Services office is located on The University of Memphis campus in the University Center RM 243. Our regular hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. If you need after hours help, please call us to make arrangements. We welcome comments, questions, or suggestions. We can be reached by phone at 901-678-2644 during our regular business hours or after hours leave us a message on voice mail. You may also reach us through e-mail at acss@memphis.edu.