The Signal Urbanite | Vol. 1 No. 5

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SIGNAL

URBANITE VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 5

YOUR GUIDE TO GEORGIA STATE NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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IN THIS

SUMMER ISSUE 2018 VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 5

THE UNIVERSITY 06 08 09 10

Navigating Georgia State’s construction

How to stay safe in the city

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The best housing options in Atlanta

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Staying organized and well-maintained

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College isn’t hard, schedules are

Advice from recent graduates

How to stay politically involved on campus

Why and how you can study abroad

PANTHER LIVING 16 18 19 20

Entertainment on a budget A guide to city transportation Your six most likely freshman mishaps

How to handle a roommate PG places to take your siblings

Looking through the lens of the Rec Center

ATHLETICS 26 28 29

The athletes you need to know Balancing the life of a freshman athlete

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Sports for the rest of us Football season schedule

Georgia State’s important sports venues

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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SIGNAL LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Editor-in-Chief Daniel Varitek PRODUCTION Production Editor Devin Phillips DESIGN CONTRIBUTORS Amber Kirlew, Shanchez Johnson, Dao Nguyen

illustration CONTRIBUTOrs Demetri Burke, Erik Reid EDITORIAL News Editor William Solomons associate News Editor Natori Spence Arts & Living Editor Sydney Bloeme associate Arts & Living Editor Samuel Puckett Associate Opinions Editor James Fox Sports Editor Jerell Rushin EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Ashton Packer, Jade Abdul-

Malik, Ada Wood, Logan Clark, Jalen Jenkins, Autumn Boekeloo, Rachel Anderson, Sara Abdulla, Christian Crittenden, Blake Corrigan, Joshua Fife

PHOTOGRAPHY Photo Editor Vanessa Johnson Associate Photo Editors Julian Pineda, Unique Rodriguez

PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Azam Lalani, Chris Young DIGITAL Online associate Editor Angel Nelson M I S SI O N STAT EMEN T The Signal shall provide, in a fair and accurate manner, news of interest and significance to the Georgia State University community and serve as a forum for the expression of ideas of members of that community.

Furthermore, The Signal shall provide an opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment. The Signal shall also provide truthful and ethical advertising of interest to the Georgia State University community.

t h e s i g n a l i n format i on Suite 250, Student Center West P.O. Box 3968 • Atlanta, GA 30303 404-413-1620, 404-413-1622 (fax) georgiastatesignal.com

D i sc la i mer The first copy of The Signal Urbanite is free. Additional copies can be found in our office.

Dear Panther, You’re finally here! Congratulations, and welcome to the best university in Georgia. It’s been a long time coming, and I couldn’t be happier to see you. This may only be the first time we’ve met, but it’s the beginning of a two-four year (or more) experience that will — without a doubt — change your life.

I’m Daniel Varitek and I am the Editor-in-Chief of The Signal. The Signal is Georgia State’s independent student newspaper, and it plays an increasingly important role on our campus today. For 85 years, we have held student and faculty representatives accountable. For 85 years, we have reported on the rapid transformation of Georgia State. And for 85 years, we have served students just like you, tirelessly reporting on timely and relevant news.

Just a few years ago, I was in your shoes — optimistic but uncertain about my college experience. I didn’t know how to live with roommates.

I didn’t know where to shop or eat. I didn’t know how to find friends.

But one thing that I did know was that I wasn’t alone. There were thousands of other students coming into Georgia State, and they were probably feeling the same way.

We at The Signal understand, which is why we’ve made this for you.

In your hands lies The Urbanite, the de facto welcome guide to Georgia State, written by students for students. We’ve done it all: shopping on a budget, hacking our time management, joining clubs, keeping up with our sports teams and marking off that cliché college checklist.

As you dive into the rich experience of Atlanta and Georgia State life, use this as a resource whenever needed. During your experience, you may discover things that you believe need attention. Never hesitate to submit information to georgiastatesignal.com/tips — our eyes and ears are always open!

Good luck out there in the big city. You’re an urbanite now.

Daniel Varitek Editor-in-Chief

COVER PHOTO BY VANESSA JOHNSON 4

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@GSUSIGNAL

THE SIGNAL AT GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

THE UNIVERSITY NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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“What would you tell yourself as a freshman?”

The class of 2018 reflects on what they wish they knew four years ago

WRITTEN BY ASHTON PACKER

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s the class of 2018 makes way for a new generation of Georgia State Panthers, recent graduates have shared their thoughts on what they would tell themselves as freshmen.

Psychology graduate Corey Chapman encourages students to give new things a chance. “If given the opportunity, I would tell myself two words: ‘try it.’ If you see a new opportunity, ‘try it.’ If you have the chance to make new friends, ‘try it,’” Chapman said.

“Join a new club, get a different internship or join a psychology lab.

In any and every case, ‘try it’ and do so without the fear of failure, but in the joy of discovery for what could be.”

As new students, following Chapman’s advice may be easy, since Georgia State has over 500 registered organizations, including sororities, fraternities,volunteer clubs and religious groups.

“Adopt-a-grandparent,” Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Association of Women Law Students, Chinese Student Union and Outdoor Adventure Club are just a handful of the things that anyone on campus can try. Students inspired by Chapman’s advice are encouraged to look for something new, with the “joy of discovery.”

Jade Norman, a pre-med psychology graduate, says she hopes all new freshmen find what makes them happy. “As a freshman, I wish I would’ve trusted the process. My biggest regret, as I look back over these four years, is prioritizing tradition over joy,” Norman said.

After graduating high school, many students may find themselves inundated with unsolicited advice from family, teachers and friends. However, Norman says that finding a rewarding path is something that a student must do on their own.

“I came into freshman year as a pre-med biology major who hated biology since middle school. I did it because my advisor and other pre-med colleagues ‘told me to.’

I didn’t realize I could be almost any major as long as I took a set of pre-med classes. I changed to psychology during the summer of freshman year and never regretted it! I’ve excelled in this major and have held some significantly rewarding positions, and I still ended up taking some biology,” Norman said.

College is potentially one of the biggest opportunities for selfexploration. Some students realize that they are involved in a major that they have no interest in, simply for the sake of a potentially high salary in the future. Though a future without money is something few students want to think of, Georgia State provides countless opportunities for someone to find their place in the world. Minoring in a subject, joining a club or finding an internship are all possibilities for a student who wants to explore.

Briana Limage, a pre-med biology graduate, says students should be aware of opportunities outside of academics. “Join clubs early and take advantage of the community service hours. Talk to professors if

you need letters of recommendation. Look for internships. Network.

Know how to market and sell yourself,” Limage said.

Community service is a great boost to a student’s résumé. Most employers look for a student’s engagement within their communities.

Along with helping to improve a résumé, having enough service hours can lead to scholarships, awards and official recognition, including a letter from the President of the United States. Georgia State’s Office of Civic Engagement offers small scholarships to students who log their service hours.

Networking, recommendation letters and internships are necessary for most students, though not networking soon enough could be detrimental. Making connections early could help some students avoid a senior year scramble. Georgia State professors are a great resource for networking and recommendation letters. Students who have made connections with their professors may be able to ask for letters of recommendation for the future. When applying for internships and jobs, having letters on hand can help a student come across as more prepared and professional.

Pre-law political science graduate Tatiana Zapata encourages freshmen to think outside of their norm. “I think the most important thing I would have told myself is to get out of my comfort zone! I lived on campus, but I remember I would only go to class and go back to my dorm to sleep or watch TV, because I didn’t really have friends here so I never wanted to go to any events or club meetings by myself,” Zapata said.

“Once I started doing so, though (which wasn’t until sophomore year), I found friends that I now call my best friends and I received the experience that is so important now that I’m looking for jobs. I have made connections with mentors and others who still provide references for me, I became a true leader through the different organizations I was a part of and I became aware of my strengths and the weaknesses I still need to work on,” Zapata said.

As Netflix remains a potential distraction for many students, and not having joined a club will not keep anyone from earning a degree, Georgia State grads have said that the college experience is about more than just a degree. Zapata says that breaking her normal routine is what made her time at Georgia State great. After joining something new, many students could leave with new friends as well, resulting in life-changing benefits.

As a new generation of Panthers begin down their own paths, students before have left a university with limitless possibilities. As students of Georgia State, the university’s resources for opening doors of discovery are available to all. Many new grads have similar advice: “find what makes you happy.”

“If given the opportunity, I would tell myself two words: ‘try it.’”

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How to stay safe in the big city: Campus safety at Georgia State With Georgia State’s downtown campus in the heart of Atlanta, students and Georgia State police know how to stay safe.

WRITTEN BY JADE ABDUL-MALIK

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eorgia State has a unique downtown campus. With no gates or enclosures to contain the university, students and Atlanta dwellers alike have very few boundaries for where they can or cannot go. On a campus that’s embedded in the city, staying safe is an important topic for students to address.

HOW STUDENTS KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE

Diana Sulieman, Margaret Kuhn and Alexandria Higgs have found ways to keep themselves safe while on campus.

“I usually walk with my friend Anthony. I’ll have my headphones in, but most times I’m not listening to music,” Higgs said. “I listen to my surroundings, and I keep my head on swivel. However, I schedule my classes to be on [the Atlanta] campus.”

When Sulieman is headed to the law library or the Aderhold Learning Center, she stays on the main walkways around Woodruff Park rather than walking through the park.

“When I’ve had night classes in Aderhold, I’ll typically walk back with a group to the parking decks,” Sulieman said.

Kuhn said she doesn’t do much concerning preventative measures because she usually feels safe. When she’s on campus during the day, she’s often walking with a group of friends in well-populated areas.

“I have carried a pocket knife before, and if it is late and I’m alone, I will walk with my car keys in my hand in a way where they stick out between my fingers for self defense,” Kuhn said.

WHAT STUDENTS THINK OF GEORGIA STATE’S SAFETY MEASURES

Georgia State releases alerts for reported crimes that happen on or around campus. These reports are available to students through email, updates on the LiveSafe app and by phone.

Though Higgs said the alerts don’t pertain to her, she knows the benefit is there for students who live or visit the campus every day.

“It’s good to be in the know on what happens on campus,” Higgs said.

Sulieman says that the descriptions in the alerts are often vague, but the information provided is good to know.

“It’s just a heads up for general precaution, which I can appreciate,” 8

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ILLUSTRATION BY AMBER KIRLEW

Sulieman said.

Kuhn thinks the campus alert emails are imperative for the welfare of the students.

“They are helpful because it is something students should be informed of, both for immediate safety purposes and being well informed about the campus area and safety status,” Kuhn said.

For the most part, Sulieman, Higgs and Kuhn said they feel that Georgia State provides sufficient safety services to students. However, they said there could be improvements, such as during the later hours on campus and with some of the callboxes around campus.

“There are so many call boxes on campus that do not work. In M Deck specifically, there’s been a post on the boxes that don’t work for over four months. That’s a little ridiculous. [Georgia State] needs to be more diligent,” Sulieman said.

“I feel that there should be more patrolling around parking decks during the evening and nighttime,” Kuhn said.

NEW INITIATIVES

Georgia State’s Chief of Police Joseph Spillane has been making strides to improve Georgia State’s safety by rolling out plans later this year to increase visibility on campus.

“We’re trying to transition from being in patrol cars to being in golf carts, so we’ve ordered more golf carts for several of the [Georgia State] campuses. We’ve also just put six new motorcycles on the streets,” Spillane said. “We’re trying to get a little more proactive and interactive with students by being on motorcycles, bicycles, segways and on foot instead of in those police cars.”

The Georgia State University Police Department’s (GSUPD) manpower will also be increasing over the summer.

“We’re adding 11 police officers in the next year’s budget, so I’ll be starting to hire 11 additional officers in July.”

Since Georgia State’s downtown campus is embedded into the city of Atlanta, Spillane’s approach to certain safety issues are different than traditional universities’.

“Because we’re such a diverse campus and we’re porous, meaning we don’t have any gates or fences, we have to provide a lot more visibility and patrol.

Though areas beyond campus have violent crimes and GSUPD frequently reports petty thefts, Spillane and his team are on a mission to keep students safe in the city.

“My job is to keep those violent crimes from encroaching on this campus and that’s what we’re trying very hard to do,” Spillane said.

The price of living Despite convenience, housing proves costly both on and offcampus WRITTEN BY LOGAN CLARK

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s the fall 2018 semester approaches, one of the primary concerns for many students, especially incoming freshmen, is finding a place to live. Along with worrying over other financial burdens, like paying for course material and tuition, many students question the affordability of on-campus living in downtown Atlanta.

ON CAMPUS

For students seeking apartment-style living like Georgia State sociology junior Sophia Mackey, the University Commons, which houses approximately 2,000 residents, offers floor plans to accommodate a variety of preferences.

“Commons is definitely a great option for students because you get a kitchen, a living room and most importantly your own bedroom,” Mackey said. “For me, having my own bedroom is very important.”

Mackey lives in a four bedroom dorm with two bathrooms, which was rated at $4,558 per semester in a housing and meal rates report for the 2018-2019 school year, up $110 from the previous year.

Mackey said she owes funding for her housing to the aid from federal loans and grants.

“My housing is covered by the grants and loans that I have, like the Zell Miller and Pell grants, so I don’t have to pay close attention to costs,” Mackey said.

She cites safety and comfort as primary factors for on-campus living, as well as being in a community of fellow college students.

“I consider it safe because of the RAs,” Mackey said. “There’s a lot of security to get through in order to get inside. Along with knowing that you’re living with other college students, that’s really comforting.”

Georgia State women, gender and sexuality senior Alex Maxwell agrees with Mackey regarding Commons, citing Piedmont North as another convenient option for on-campus living.

“It was nice having the dining hall attached to Piedmont North,” Maxwell said. “I lived there my freshman year before

switching to Commons my sophomore year.”

Housing per semester at Piedmont North for the 2018-2019 school year ranges from $3,982 to $5,964, with the additional required meal plan fee of $1,934. Comparing that to exclusively freshmen housing, Patton Hall ranges from $4,890 to $5,714 per semester, and Piedmont Central from $4,759 to $5,858 per semester.

For her junior year, Maxwell made the switch from Commons to the University Lofts, placing her even closer to campus.

“A pro living there was its location,” Maxwell said. “I work oncampus, so it was really convenient having both school and work a five minute walk away. However, that can also be a con, because there’s not many grocery stores close by and there are a lot of students who either don’t have a car or don’t drive” Floor plans for the Lofts can rank among the priciest in on-campus housing offered at Georgia State, ranging from $3,088 to $6,038 per semester in the 2018-2019 school year.

OFF CAMPUS

For students looking for a little more freedom in their living situation, off-campus student housing, such 200 Edgewood, can offer flexibility and independence for Georgia State students looking to live close to campus.

“I originally lived in a two bedroom apartment, but due to complications with my assigned roommate, I moved to another two bedroom apartment that was only occupied by myself and lived there for a few months,” Georgia State film student Abby Sartain said.

“Finally, this past December I moved into a one bedroom apartment and have been staying there since.”

Regarding the 200 Edgewood staff, Sartain said they were “really helpful and accomodating” in helping her figure out her living situation. While her monthly rent has changed, in her current floor plan Sartain pays a rate of $1,300. structure than in the dorms. However, because I do live here by myself, it can feel more isolating. There’s not that same community “Living in 200 Edgewood by myself, I have more control over the space around me,” Sartain said.

“There’s more freedom and less that’s in the dorms.”

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ILLUSTRATION BY SHANCHEZE JOHNSON NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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Study Abroad: Getting an Education in a Globalized World Just go.

WRITTEN BY NATORI SPENCE

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n the 2015-2016 academic year, only 2.15 percent of college-enrolled students in Georgia studied abroad. During the same academic year at Georgia State, there were 72 programs offered and only 1,010 students went abroad out of 32,080 students enrolled.

Maritza Contreras is a junior at Georgia State participating in a six-week study abroad program in Granada, Spain in the summer of 2018.

“The program costs are discouraging, and if you don’t know the resources available to you, it seems like it’s unreachable,” she said. “I made the mistake of assuming I couldn’t afford it, but there are actually so many scholarships available to help manage the cost.”

Contreras’ program cost for Spain was tentatively set at $3,925, not including regular Georgia State tuition and fees and the cost of her airplane ticket.

“Having just transferred to Georgia State, searching for scholarships was difficult because they all required me to have institutional credit, and it’s my first semester here,” Contreras said. “I was not eligible for a lot of them, but there are a lot out there for students that have been with Georgia State for some time.”

Dr. Héctor Fernández L’Hoeste, a professor in the department of World Languages and Cultures at Georgia State and a study abroad program director for Spanish studies in Costa Rica, said his best advice for students is to keep on trying.

“There are multiple sources of funding.

Some through the university, some outside the school, but, in the end, if you keep on 10

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trying you will find support. In my 18 years as a study abroad director, I’ve seen many very humble students travel. First you have to believe in a dream and then, if you follow the rights steps (seeking funding in the appropriate locations), it begins to become true,” said L’Hoeste.

THE EXPERIENCE

Victoria Rodrigo, professor of Spanish applied linguistics at Georgia State and director of Spanish studies in Granada, Spain, said, “Besides personal growth, knowing about another culture and language thus makes students more competitive when looking for a job. This sort of experience abroad is a plus for everything, and it will most likely put students in a first-place position in a line of applicants.”

L’Hoeste also said that students develop their outlook on life when they study abroad.

“For language students, in terms of their skills, an improvement is usually evident.

For people more interested in culture, the usual result is a more comparative view of the world, with a critical outlook. More than anything, I would say that, upon return, everyone’s view of the U.S. has matured a bit. So, amazingly, I think it is mainly about how visiting and having contact with other cultures enriches our view of ourselves,” L’Hoeste said.

Kenya Harris, a senior at Georgia State, said her time in Costa Rica during her freshman year of college was something she will never forget.

“My experience was amazing, couldn’t have asked for anything better. Everyone was nice and generous towards us and my host family was the best,” Harris said.

Like Contreras, she found extra ways to pay for her program, which included making a GoFundMe page and asking her family members for donations.

“Going abroad would allow students to gain international experience, a different point of view, a broader mindset and firsthand answers to questions that they may have about another culture,” Harris said.

Studying abroad can give you memories you won’t forget and an experience that can shape you into the person you are really meant to be.

“Bottom line: it is possible. Plan ahead and start saving,” Rodrigo said.

STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED THROUGH GEORGIA STATE 1. IEF Scholarship 2. Coca-Cola Ambassador Scholarship 3.International Access Scholarship 4.Global Experience Scholarship 5.Goodale Family Scholarship 6. International Perspectives Scholarship 7.Kourtney Easterly Cosmopolitan Scholarships 8.First Generation Study Abroad Fellowship

Campus Construction Detours, detours, detours...

WRITTEN BY NATORI SPENCE

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018 will bring a lot of changes to Georgia State’s Atlanta campus.

Construction projects on and off campus this year are likely to alter the daily routines of the study body.

COURTLAND BRIDGE

Courtland Bridge is a major thoroughfare from Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to Gilmer Street that is engrained in the downtown campus. The $25 million Courtland Street Accelerated Bridge Construction Project will reconstruct the 110-year-old bridge.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Project Manager, Rick O’Hara, said, “Even though the new Courtland Street Bridge will be built in the same footprint of its predecessor, it will provide better services for its users.”

The new bridge will have one eight-foot sidewalk on the east side, allowing more room for the large number of pedestrians that use the bridge on a daily basis, three ten-foot vehicle travel lanes and one 12-foot lane that will allow passengers to safely get on and off of busses that stop at Georgia State.

Some other additions include brighter LED lighting that will enhance the safety of both motorists and pedestrians, decorative parapets, safety fencing and a more open and brighter environment under the bridge and new sidewalks under the bridge, making pedestrian travel easier.

“The safety of both pedestrians and motorists is a project priority – especially for the students, staff and faculty of [Georgia State] who

traverse the Courtland Street bridge daily,” said O’Hara.

There have been several safety measures put in place such as a midcrossing, pedestrian activated signal installed on Decatur Street just west of the Courtland Street Bridge to allow students to cross safely while the bridge is dismantled and reconstructed.

GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said, “Signed detours safely guide students through aesthetically pleasing, protected and well-lit pathways on Collins Street beneath the bridge near the [Georgia State Sports Arena] and from the Student Center towards Decatur Street.”

Two vehicular detour options have been posted on the GDOT website.

The Courtland Street bridge closed on the morning of Monday, May 7. The new bridge is projected to be opened to traffic and pedestrians in 180 days. Courtland Street and Collins Street are closed to traffic until October.

KELL HALL

The end of the 2018 spring semester marked the last time classes would be held in Kell Hall. The building is expected to be demolished this December and a new quad called “The Greenway” will be designed.

It will redesign the plaza area in front of Library North’s entrance.

Abdul Momen, the director of facilities maintenance and operations at Georgia State, said, “The detail design is not complete; however, student sitting or gathering amenities may be implemented to make the space useful for students.”

The first phase is to demolish Kell Hall and fix the utilities connecting it to the Arts and Humanities building and Langdale Hall. After that, the front of Library North and the outside of Langdale Hall will be remodeled and additions will be made to the Arts and Humanities building and Sparks Hall.

“The demolition design is almost complete and may be published soon.

It is targeted for coming winter months depending on the completion of a few ongoing construction projects to move departments from Kell Hall to the assigned spaces in other buildings,” Momen said.

When the design is complete, students can expect detailed information on how to navigate around the construction.

“There will be adequate information sharing similar as the methods used for the Courtland bridge project,” Momen said.

PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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Panthers and Politics: How to stay politically involved on campus A look into organizations that encourage political participation WRITTEN BY WILLIAM SOLOMONS

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eorgia State’s proximity to the Georgia State Capitol allows students a unique opportunity to take an active role in politics. To get your foot in the door, there are dozens of political groups that serve to fulfill this desire on campus. Three major ones are the Student Government Association, the Young Democrats and the College Republicans.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the university’s governmental body that represents the students directly.

It is comprised of a senate, judicial board and executive offices such as a president or executive vice president.

Sai Maddali, the 2018 communications director, said that SGA has worked with faculty members to achieve what students want.

“SGA is an organization of student leaders focused on serving students on campus.

SGA has impacted Georgia State by working with students and creating new bus routes, advocating to move a final if you have three on one day and getting graduation at Georgia State University’s own stadium,” Maddali said.

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He said that there were a few ways a student can get involved in SGA. “Every student at Georgia State University is already a member of [SGA]. To get more involved in SGA, students may apply for positions such as our freshman liaison roles on [the] Atlanta Campus or run for election as senator. Students can even be more involved by simply attending committee meetings and addressing concerns,” Maddali said.

Regular SGA Atlanta campus meetings take place on Thursdays at 7:30 throughout the year. The actual dates of these meetings are subject to change and the committee meetings have their own times that are planned towards the beginning of the academic year.

SGA is divided among the six campuses with a senate body representing each one.

Several times per year, all six senates convene in a university-wide meeting to discuss and vote on laws pertaining to the university as a whole.

YOUNG DEMOCRATS

The Young Democrats of Georgia State (YDGSU) is an organization that allows students to aid Democratic candidates in upcoming elections and engage with the community under the Democratic Party.

According to their Georgia State Panther Involvement Network webpage, they are “an on-campus political organization that works as a chapter within the organization Young Democrats of Georgia, which works under Young Democrats of America.”

Dr. Michael Evans is the faculty advisor for YDGSU. He said that the organization is actively involved in hosting events and conducting community outreach.

“They invite public officials and political candidates to campus for guest talks. They work for campaigns and engage in activities to promote voter turnout. They disseminate information about political issues, elections, voting, etc. They conduct events for debating and discussing issues. In fact, this spring the Young Democrats and Campus Republicans came together to co-host a debate between each other,” Evans said.

He also said that even though there are no scholarships associated with YDGSU, students still learn skills necessary to obtain careers and scholarships outside of the organization.

COLLEGE REPUBLICANS

The College Republicans of Georgia State is an organization that supports the Republican Party and works to elect Republicans to public office.

Kylie Harrod, the State Chairman of the Georgia Association of College Republicans and an active member in Georgia State’s chapter, said that the organization is responsible for spearheading collegiate activism in support of the GOP. “College Republicans serve as a grassroots arm of the Georgia Republican Party. We provide the main stream of volunteers for candidates, organizations and local parties around the state. On campus, we provide an outlet for like-minded students to network and connect,” Harrod said.

The College Republicans also work to inspire youth to get involved politically.

With election season approaching in November, she said the meetings mainly will consist of organizing campaign efforts, specifically for the gubernatorial race.

Harrod also said that members of the College Republicans have been able to succeed before and after graduating due to the connections that they make working with the organization.

According to Evans, there are numerous ways to get involved in politics through Georgia State separate from these three organizations, such as those that support more minor parties, including the Libertarian and Socialist parties.

PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA

DIY Activities to Stay Organized and WellMaintained Activities to keep you organized WRITTEN BY KEIRA DOUGET

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ollege can be an immensely stressful time. Figuring out what to study, which clubs you want to join, if and where you want to work and taking care of yourself can seem like a daunting task. It is important that during this time of life you take care of yourself in order to help grow the best version of yourself. When things get tough, try these simple DIY tasks to help yourself stay organized and well-maintained.

1. DESK ORGANIZERS You will need: Mason Jars, Paint, Old Storage Containers, Mod Podge To assemble: Take your mason jars or old containers and paint the inside of them. Once dry, add a coat of Mod Podge to secure the paint. Use these jars and containers to store your school supplies or organize your desk!

2. WALL PAPER DECALS You will need: wrapping paper, tape or command strips To assemble: Cut wrapping paper to size and shape of desired space. Use tape or command strips to hold wrapping paper in desired place.

3. FRAMED WIPE-OFF BOARD You will need: Picture frame, paper, command strips To assemble: Cut paper into shape of picture frame, place inside of frame. Reassemble picture frame and use command strips to hang. Write on picture frame glass.

4. COOKIE SHEET MAGNETIC BOARD You will need: Cookie Sheet, command strips, magnets To assemble: Take cookie sheet and apply command strips to back. Using command strips, place cookie sheet in desired place on wall. Add magnets and reminders!

5. STRING PICTURE HANGERS You will need: String, clothing hangers, pictures, tape To assemble: Use tape to hang up string, use clothing hangers to hang pictures from string.

6. OLD CEREAL BOX DIVIDERS You will need: old cereal boxes, container to hold boxes, wrapping paper To assemble: Use wrapping paper to cover old cereal boxes. Place boxes inside of container. Use as an organizational storage unit.

7. SELF-CARE PLAYLIST You will need: iPod, iPhone, or laptop – music application of choice To assemble: Use music application to compile a playlist of all of your favorite songs.

8. THE CALMING HONEY MASK You will need: 2 tablespoons of honey, cinnamon, fresh lemon wedge To assemble: Mix together and apply lightly to skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off with hot water and a hot wash cloth.

9. SELF CARE KIT You will need: headphones, pictures, lotion, positive reminders, a blanket, a water bottle, book To assemble: Put all contents into a box and use to your leisure.

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL ISSUE ON STANDS AUGUST 21!

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PHOTO BY VANESSA JOHNSON

STUDENT LIVING NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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Entertainment on a Budget The places, food and discounts that’ll make you a seasoned student WRITTEN BY JALEN JENKINS

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tlanta has a lot to offer at Georgia State. There are teams to root for, food to eat, events to go to, nature to enjoy and relaxing to do when the time is right. Some of these luxuries escape students because of the demands of school and work, and some are just a bit out of our price range. Georgia State has a hand on our shoulder, ready to lead us in the direction that we need to go while saving money on the way. Here are some examples of student-friendly discounts and tricks around campus.

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THE WONDERS OF BROAD STREET

Adjacent to Aderhold and the Rialto lies the food oasis known as Broad Street. For those tired of Chick-Fil-A and other fast food, try out Reuben’s, the locally owned deli that has something for everyone. They offer a student discount, as do most of the other restaurants on Broad Street.

Taqueria on Broad has some great tacos and the best bang-for-your-buck lunch special around. A bowl of chips and guacamole is under $5 and serves as great brain food before heading to class at Aderhold.

While there’s a bunch of local food on Broad Street, you can’t forget about that $5 footlong at Subway. At Subway, $5 can get you a sandwich, drink and a meal — and don’t forget about that student discount.

There’s also a fun and colorful new seating area that lunch can be enjoyed in. But for those sizzling hot days, there’s an underground seating area somewhere under Rosa’s Pizza. The pizza’s on us if you can find it.

GEORGIA STATE MOVIE THEATER – CINEFEST

For college students, a $13 movie ticket is an expense to avoid. That’s two or three meals if maneuvered correctly! Lucky for us, Georgia State has a solution for even the most casual movie goer.

Cinefest is Georgia State’s own movie theater. They get movies before they show up online and the best part is it’s free for students. Cinefest has snacks available and if a friend wants to tag along, they only have

to pay $5!

For the especially savvy, or for those who read this guide, the snack bar is also the cheapest option for a quick snack. Most of the snacks are one dollar, and everything, including the popcorn, is under $5 but be wary, it is cash only.

GEORGIA STATE LIBRARY MOVIE SECTION

Netflix account frozen? Gas tank empty?

Need some entertainment after studying hard but aren’t able to pay for it? Once again, Georgia State has what every student on a budget wants. The Georgia State library has rows and rows of movies to check out: new and old releases, classics and documentaries and TV show season sets for when a binge is coming on. All of this is free-of-charge for Georgia State students. Just watch out for those late return fees, because they can stack up quickly. Try something new, or try that movie that’s been sitting on the mustwatch list for years. College is all about new experiences.

The movie section is located in the back corner of the first floor of the library behind the blue booth seats.

GEORGIA STATE TICKET BOOTH If going to the movies ends up low on a student’s priority list, imagine the possibility of finding the time to go to an amusement park trip or a basketball game. It all seems so out of reach. Sometimes students have a hard time finding a reason or time to wind down a bit, but luckily, Georgia State has a discounted ticket booth! Located in Student

Center East, this little corner of campus has tickets with student-friendly discounts on them. These are not just regular tickets to the fair off the highway, either. These are tickets to things that you want to go to. ...and a few more! These are also great for gifts if you can’t go yourself.

You can get tickets to: Atlanta Hawks games Atlanta United games The Georgia Aquarium Movie tickets at Regal Six Flags (the yearly Six Flags night is only $15!)

White Water Disney Zoo Atlanta FIND YOUR OWN!

To find more discounts, be curious. Take different ways to class. Ask your friends about spots they have discovered and check them out. Enjoy the city that you’re studying in and have a goal to find something new each semester. Atlanta is always changing so make sure to keep up. behind the blue booth seats. “There will be adequate information sharing similar as the methods used for the Courtland bridge project,” Momen said.

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Walk, bike, run, oh my!

A guide to navigating around Atlanta for newbies to the city WRITTEN BY RACHEL ANDERSON

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tlanta is a huge city that Georgia State students are smack in the middle of. It can be rather overwhelming for those who are not accustomed to it, so here are some helpful tricks to navigating the city so that you can properly experience all that Atlanta has to offer.

DRIVING

Atlanta’s traffic is notorious, but there are ways to get around that 5 o’clock rush hour.

The traffic is because the city was designed so that three major interstates, I-75, I-85 and I-20, converge all in the same place. One piece of advice is to avoid the interstate altogether; taking alternate routes will almost guarantee minimized traffic.

When driving, there are several useful tips to know. Decatur Street, which runs through Georgia State’s campus, turns into DeKalb Avenue and connects downtown with Inman Park and Little Five Points.

Piedmont Avenue runs from South Downtown to Buckhead, with dozens of neighborhoods in-between. It’s pretty much a straight shot from Georgia State’s campus to Piedmont Park along this road.

These are just a

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couple of the shortcuts that can help avoid that infamous traffic when trying to get around the city.

One tip for parking: try to park in residential neighborhoods as often as possible. These normally don’t have meters to pay but may have restrictions on when and where to park, so be cautious, lest you get booted or towed.

MARTA

Taking the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Atlanta’s subway system, is another option.

The MARTA runs on four lines, with gold and red going north-south, while green and blue go east-west. The gold and red lines run from the Atlanta airport all the way to Sandy Springs and Doraville. The blue line runs east to Decatur, and the green line stops at Candler Park and Edgewood.

There are three MARTA stations within walking distance of Georgia State: Five Points, Peachtree Center and Georgia State.

The Georgia State station only runs the blue and green lines, and is located right next to the Petit Science Center on Piedmont Avenue.

The MARTA loses some of its appeal by how limited the stops are. The lines run in a strict T shape with little variance towards residential neighborhoods, making commuting from Downtown into the suburbs via MARTA difficult.

However, riders can still reach their neighborhoods through the MARTA bus system. It is much more widespread, catering to the suburbs in a cost-effective (only $2.50) way. Transfers from bus to rail are free.

Riding the MARTA is a great alternative to a potentially expensive Uber or Lyft, and it helps to reduce traffic in the city.

WALKING

Atlanta is not the most walkable city to get from one neighborhood to another.

However, there have been some efforts to improve that over the past few years.

The BeltLine, a former railroad track, has been converted into a biking and walking trail that connects several major neighborhoods. Along the BeltLine are green spaces, concrete walls covered with graffiti and many stores and restaurants. Ponce City Market is about a 45 minute walk from Georgia State.

Expansions of the BeltLine are underway, with more trails in other areas being developed. In the meantime, the Eastside Trail is complete and offers a beautiful way to get outside and explore the city.

STREETCAR

The Atlanta Streetcar opened in 2014 with intentions of becoming a more widespread provider of transportation through downtown.

Starting at Centennial Olympic Park and ending at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site, the 2.7 mile loop has 12 stops in-between, including Hurt Park, Woodruff Park and Sweet Auburn Market.

Tickets are one dollar to ride and are good for two hours after purchase. The Streetcar is a great, inexpensive way to get from one point in Downtown to another.

When MARTA acquires the Streetcar later this summer, it plans to expand it to accommodate more of Downtown and Midtown.

Keep these tips and tricks in mind when navigating the city and you can have a fun, headache-free experience. And as always, with any large city there is a bit of a danger factor so be sure to exercise caution at all times.

Seen it, Done it, Lived it: Freshman Year A guide to the likely mishaps of your freshman year WRITTEN BY SAMUEL PUCKETT

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o the new adult, there appear to be endless obstacles—social or financial, personal or academic—that conspire to make you feel drastically out of yor depth.

Yes, the freshman year will contain a variety of experiences, but listed below are experiences many freshmen come to share.

The items on the list aren’t mandatory, they aren’t all fun and it’ll be up to you to decide if they’re worth it.

CALLING YOUR MOM, CRYING Look, it happens. And it happens a lot more than many students will admit. Not only is it normal and healthy, your mom loves to hear from you!

A lot can change from high school to college, but parents are still a resource for emotional support. Whether your car got booted, your partner dumped you or you failed a test, don’t feel guilty to pick up the phone.

GOING TO A HOUSE SHOW

Littered around Atlanta are a few houses, with storied faces and large backyards, known to throw a good rager.

Know the right people and you will probably get an invite to some backyard barbecue or college concert. Please, please go to at least a healthy few of them. You never know what kind of people you’ll meet and you might just find your new favorite thing.

GETTING TOO INVOLVED

Evan Malbrough is a Georgia State junior

and the former President of the Young Democrats of Georgia State. He plays in the orchestra and has held several internships, all on top of being president. Being so involved, Malbrough said he had to decide what was important.

“Don’t do too much too fast,” Malbrough said. “Find a few things you love, and give them everything.”

BLACKING OUT

Blacking out is scary. Not when it happens, of course, but the following day. Waking up with no idea how you got home is jarring.

Finding out you did something you regret is worse.

Aaron White, PhD, senior scientific advisor to the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, published research which explains why a blackout seems to sneak up on some people.

A person can walk and talk with relative fluency and not be far from an awkward morning.

Try to avoid it, but if it happens, don’t stress. Find out if you threw up and who it was on and buy them a gift card. If you’re partying with decent people you trust when you’re sober, they’ll understand.

SEEKING COUNSELING

HOMESICK

CLASSES

PARTIES

DORMS STUDYING

Across from the Commons dorms lies an office that has saved more than one Signal staff member. The Counseling and Testing Center has a lot of options but limited availability. If you are curious, be vocal about your needs and they will do their best to match you with the best service.

For regular emotional maintenance, there are 15 free individual sessions a semester and unlimited group sessions. Group sessions might sound intimidating, but they often come to specially meet the needs of the most vulnerable students.

Despite the stigma, counseling isn’t just for people with severe personality disorders. It’s extremely recommended incoming freshmen try some out.

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT SQUAD

It seems daunting when everyone is going out without you, with friend groups you’re still struggling to make. Ironically, you are not alone. In Seventeen Magazine, students expressed their genuine concerns about finding their place in college.

Few students find their new crew right away. Sometimes, you never do. All of that is normal and okay.

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List of Recreation Center amenities Intramural sports: Boxing to basketball, cycling and rowing, the Rec has it all. Look on PIN for the full list to get involved!

Free fitness classes: At regular times every week, you can pump it up with a barbell or ride it out in cyclefit!

$

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIQUEZ

What does the Recreation Center mean to you?

The best experience in college, from a Rec Center employee WRITTEN BY SAMUEL PUCKETT

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ollege will give you a lot of growing up to do, but if you can find a family here, you will have all the help you need to thrive. Emerald Ferguson found that working at the Georgia State Recreation Center.

From our wonderful student fees, the Recreation Center provides the equipment, classes and personal training to challenge a 20

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variety of fitness levels. From beginners to seasoned athletes, each floor is a cornucopia of cardio, resistance training, weight lifting and more.

Last May, Ferguson was a graduating senior, lifeguard, lifeguard instructor and Recreation Center team-leader. In four years working at the Recreation Center, she had found a home away from home.

“It wasn’t just a job, we’re really like a family there,” she said. “They really care for their students.”

Beginning as a temp lifeguard, she picked up odd shifts at the pool until she had worked her way up to full time. By her junior year, she was already a lifeguard instructor and team-leader.

The Recreation Center managers attempt to be accomodating and split work shifts into three 3-hour blocks. This helps students manage the load a lot easier.

“Exam week is really stressful, so having those three hour shifts is really good,” she said.

Because of the supportive environment, much of the Aquatics Department staff seem to stick around. She said the department typically had lower turnover than others, for a variety of reasons. Lifeguards are often the most trained and qualified people in the building, and their rigorous vetting often leads to students staying longer than their peers elsewhere.

“We’re a pretty small staff, and a lot of people stay,” she said. “There’s a longevity there that allowed us to build our friendships.”

She might have picked the job for the healthy $9.50 an hour, but the longer she stayed, the more her coworkers became her closest friends.

Specialty fitness classes: At $20 a semester, you can choose from a variety of yoga, martial arts or dance classes. Get creative! Get active!

Plain old weights: Bottom floor, straight back from the stairs is all the benches, racks and barbells you could ever want.

The big guys in the expensive compression gear are just as afraid of you as you are of them.

The track: Wanting to get in some HIIT sprint work? Or just sick of the treadmill?

Either way, the indoor track overlooking the basketball court is one of the more scenic amenities at the Recreation Center.

“It was the core of my undergrad,” she said.

“It was more like a homebase than a job.”

From then on, she had a group she could turn to during the difficult times of her life.

It was when she spent her days studying and eating in the Recreation Center employee break room that she found her community.

“On those bad days, you could always go to your coworkers and decompress,” she said.

“When you needed it, they were there for you.”

Experience she gained at the Recreation Center has really changed the way she sees herself. Confidence and courage came to her through leadership experience and the constant interaction between her and the students, faculty and patrons that fill the Recreation Center.

“I had a lot of growing up to do,” she said.

“I did most of it there.”

ILLUSTRATION BY DEVIN PHILLIPS

College isn’t hard, but time management is The key to unlocking your best college experience WRITTEN BY SYDNEY BLOEME

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he Signal talked with several organizational extraordinaires to unlock the secrets of time management. Because you knew you had a quiz today, you just didn’t keep track of it.

FIRST STEP: TAKE INVENTORY

Ben Anthony, a Georgia State neuroscience major and the Alpha Tau Omega Scholarship Chair, said the first step in learning time management skills isn’t to go out, buy a planner and dive in, but instead to start being mindful of what your time looks like.

Anthony helps the students in the fraternity struggling with 2.5 GPAs to get their grades up and stay up. Often, he said, students complain about not having any time, yet they don’t actively keep an account of how they spend the time they have.

“I have them plan out their day. How much time do they spend watching TV, eating lunch, just to get them aware of their time in the day. You can spend three hours talking to friends,” Anthony said.

Anthony suggests taking a count of what the student’s normal day looks like. This could be looking at the time they spend on their normal activities whether it’s playing video games or going to the gym. Anthony suggests, for example, instead of three hours at the gym, they can spend two and use that last hour for a quick

homework session.

He suggests that if they are still struggling with their schedules, to look at and imitate the lifestyles of other motivated people in their life.

SORRY, I’M FULLY BOOKED FOR THE DAY. CAN I WRITE YOU IN FOR TOMORROW?

Chris Hein, an academic coach for First Year and Transition Programs from Georgia State’s Office of Student Success, says the most important tip he has to give transitioning students is to “have some system for writing things down and keeping track of things.”

“One thing we see a lot with students who came from high school straight to college is that they think, ‘I’m just going to remember everything in my head,’” Hein said.

“Because in high school, their teachers typically remind them on a daily basis of when assignments are due and when you should be studying for each exam but they come to college and that’s not the case.”

Hein said that a physical planner is a must, to not only track academic responsibilities but work and social events as well. For those of us that still struggle, Hein says there’s no excuse because “we all have a smartphone in our pockets.” Hein said students can use apps like the calendar on their phone, their student email and even the reminder app on their iPhone to keep track of things.

YOU’RE STUDYING WRONG

Anthony said the view students have of themselves can also affect how they study. He sees students “cramming because they are proud of themselves. Like they are the outlier of everyone else.”

Additionally, Anthony suggests breaking up the work into smaller pieces to work on in shorter periods of time.

“When they sit down, they [think they] have to know it by the time they stand up. It’s okay to become familiar with it so you can build on it later. Learning is a process”, Anthony said.

He also recommends saving diagrams and problems as your lock screen to become familiar with them The Office of Student Success hosts workshops every week. Keep a lookout for their next workshop calendar posted in August for the next fall semester.

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Georgia State dorms: PIEDMONT NORTH:

Traditional residence hall lifestyle

PATTON HALL: Suite-style accommodations featuring two resident rooms connected by a bathroom

PIEDMONT CENTRAL: The newest Georgia State dorms with multi-purpose rooms

UNIVERSITY COMMONS:

Dorms made for upper class students with finished kitchens and fully furnished rooms

UNIVERSITY LOFTS:

The perfect choice for several roommates with studio to four bedroom apartments

Living with a roommate: How to handle it What you need to know moving in with a roommate for the first time WRITTEN BY AUTUMN BOEKELOO

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re you ready to take the next step into adulthood without your parents watching your every move? If so, it might be time to look for a roommate.

It’s like living with an adult sibling, only your parent is an RA and your arguments don’t end in wrestling (hopefully). However, if you have never lived with someone before, you may be wondering how to make the most out of it. If you’re looking for the full college experience, rooming with someone is the way to go.

BUILD A TRUST-BASED RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR ROOMMATE

Creating a trustworthy relationship with your roommate up front will benefit you both tremendously. You will be living together for the next year—or longer—so learning to rely on each other now is critical for a healthy living experience. In case of an emergency evacuation, have a plan on who will take charge of what belongings.

SET EXPECTATIONS AND RULES

Since you are still in the beginning stages of living together, this is the best time to agree on a roommate contract. This will be a set of rules you both can refer back to and hold each other accountable to.

If you both get ready around the same time, compromise on a 30 to 45 minute bathroom plan. This way, no one is going to class with half-straightened hair and unbrushed teeth.

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ESTABLISH BARRIERS

An effortless way of defining a barrier is

creating an imaginary line down the middle of the room. Maybe your door is in the center of your wall with your beds on each side, and you and your roommate decide that will be the divider. You will thank yourself later when your dirty clothes aren’t mixed with your roommate’s.

TACKLE YOUR TASKS

Unfortunately, a dorm room does not come with a cleaning team. It is up to you and your roommate to decide who will complete what tasks in the room, whether it be daily, weekly or monthly. Hang up a to-do list on the back of your door and refer to it daily.

BE WARY OF YOUR ROOMMATE’S SCHEDULE

In college, making a schedule that works perfectly for you is a perk you didn’t have in high school. However, it’s uncommon for roommates to be on the same schedule.

Being respectful of your roommate’s schedule will only make your living situation better.

INTRODUCE YOUR FRIENDS TO YOUR ROOMMATE

The comforting truth about freshman year is that everyone is in the same boat. Searching for new friends can be intimidating. Luckily, you already have one friend going into school: your roommate.

You can introduce your friends to your roommate to create an even larger friend group. Don’t forget your hallmates either!

Invite each other to the game room in the recreation center to play pool, or binge watch “Friends” in front of the TV.

SPEAK UP

Be able to speak up when something is not okay. If you find yourself feeling a little suspicious about your roommate’s behavior, you may need to revisit what is allowed in the shared space.

For instance, if you catch your roommate sneaking people in, eating your food or never cleaning their side of the room, an intervention is essential. It might be a difficult conversation at the time, but in the long run, you are speaking up for what is best for both of you.

Always keep in mind that through the hardships and adventures you make together, the key to living with someone is compromise. Living with someone is what you make of it, so make your first roommate experience one you will happily reflect on for years to come.

PHOTO BY CHRIS YOUNG

PG places to take your siblings How to show your younger family members a good time without breaking the bank WRITTEN BY SARA ABDULLA

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here is no warm enthusiasm more genuine than that of your younger siblings’ when you send them aweinspiring photos of the midnight skyline, of the street art depicting Martin Luther King that litters Historic Atlanta and of the exotic dishes you pick up for lunch from Broad Street. They text and call you back with glee, barely concealed envy and plans to visit and sleep over in your cramped-but-cozy dorm.

Much to your appall, you realize that it’s

hardly appropriate to take your 13-yearold, bright-eyed sister to a house party that reeks of orange Smirnoff and strawberry rillos, despite the pleasant view of the city’s sparkling outline from the house’s balcony.

Then, you realize that a ticket to the Georgia Aquarium will leave you $29.95 plus tax after student discount poorer and that you simply don’t have that type of green to take your family on the tour they deserve.

To avoid damaging your reputation with your siblings by boring them in a bustling, growing city, it’s essential to learn where the fun, free and PG places in Atlanta are.

Fortunately, this feat is simple when living in Downtown, the center of all the excitement.

Just two miles north of the dorms is Piedmont Park, which is good for just about anything you’d like to do outdoors.

During the warm weather seasons, the park closes off a few times per month for public events, including Music Midtown, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and the Atlanta Jazz Festival. You can also pick up readymade vegan sushi from the Trader Joe’s up the street, grab a checkered blanket and a Frisbee and take them on an old-fashioned, Instagram-worthy picnic. You can also rent a bike or skates and dog-watch in the north side of the park. To get there, you can opt to take a long walk up Piedmont Avenue from campus, or take a short MARTA train ride!

Another pleasant outdoor activity is much newer than Piedmont Park: the BeltLine, intersecting North, South, East and West Atlanta, is two miles northeast of the dorms.

The BeltLine is full of public art, including murals and graffiti, to gather inspiration and wonderment. More than that, the BeltLine intersects the O4W skatepark, in case you have any budding Tony Hawks in the crew.

They also offer free workout classes, like yoga and boot camps, when the weather permits.

If nothing else, you can walk the trails or rent a bike to get some fresh air with sweet views in this sprawling green space for Atliens.

If your group is interested in the art scene, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center offers free admission and is open six days a week. Atlanta Contemporary features local artists and provides various enrichment programs for both children and adults, like Contemporary Kids and Contemporary Cocktails, respectively. Some of the rotating exhibitions have spotlighted pan-African style art, politicized art forms and romantic styles, among many others.

It may sometimes seem that in the city, you have to be wealthy or drunk to have fun.

But there are plenty of public and private spaces with arts, activities and sports that don’t involve booze or handing over a week’s paycheck. It’s merely a matter of discovering them.

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SU B SCRIB E T O

US

T H E SIG N A L A T G E O R G I A ST A T E U N I V E R SI TY 24

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ATHLETICS NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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D’MARCUS SIMONDS

HOMETOWN: GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA

PENNY HART

HOMETOWN: BUFORD, GEORGIA

2017-2018 ACCOLADES: ALL-SUN BELT (FIRST TEAM) RECEPTIONS: 74 YARDS: 1,121 TOUCHDOWNS: 8

PENNY HART

In 2015, wide receiver Penny Hart shredded secondaries on his way to the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year award and an all conference first team selection. He enters the 2018 season as the NCAA’s current leader in receiving yards (2,281) and receiving touchdowns (17).

At just 5’8 and 180 pounds, Hart’s road to becoming the country’s leading active receiver was self-made but had roadbumbs.

Hart entered his senior year of high school with no offers other than Georgia State. This chip remains on his shoulders, and will until he’s done playing the game— whenever that may be.

“This chip on my shoulder is bigger than any chip you can have on your shoulder. So I’m coming for you. That’s the type of attitude I take into [football] and I know what my limits are and I try to push them every single day that I work,” Hart said.

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2017-2018 ACCOLADES: SUN BELT PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS/G: 21.2 FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE: 46.1 ASSISTS/G: 4.4

Hart says remaining hungry and keeping tunnel vision on goals is a must-have mindset on and off the field. That mindset helped him have his best semester yet this past spring, where he earned three As. “You have to come in grinding. But if you come in and you’re all relaxed and ‘I can turn this in this time,’ it’s not going to work. You’re going to get way behind,” Hart said.

The year before, just two games into his 2016 season, Hart broke his foot, prematurely ending his season. It was the first time in Hart’s life he was seriously injured and it took away everything that he was used to doing.

His mentor, former Panther and current Washington Redskins wide receiver Robert Davis, helped him bounce back and taught him how to operate on and off the field. They consider each other brothers rather than friends.

“He’s the perfect role model for me. [I saw him] do things the right way and he taught me how to do that,” Hart said. “So right when I saw him doing it how it how he does it, I said ‘Alright I’m trying to be better than you,

so I gotta do what you’re doing and more.’”

In 2018, Hart wants to make the game slow down and become easier.

He has dreams of making the NFL, but he’s locked in on living the dream of being a college athlete and winning a conference championship.

D’MARCUS SIMONDS

Men’s basketball’s D’Marcus Simonds followed the same path Hart did to begin his Georgia State career— winning the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year award.

A year later in 2018, the guard was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.

A fiery competitor, Simonds embraces the emotions of the game, usually in style.

To begin the Panthers’ first round 2018 NCAA Tournament game against No. 2 seed Cincinnati, Simonds scored the Panthers’ first 16 points.

Simonds gives his teammates confidence that they’re never the underdogs. The entire roster understands that Simonds is their best

LOTTE MEYBERG

HOMETOWN: BUTTELBORN, GERMANY 2017-2018 ACCOLADES: ALL-SUN BELT SELECTION 1ST PLACE FINISHES: 2 BEST FINISH 17:59.1 TOP-HALF PERCENTAGE: 100 (6 RACES)

athletes to watch WRITTEN BY JERELL RUSHIN

player, but their chance to impact the game never disappears.

“We know he’s our guy, but he also knows that his teammates can help him out and we know that as well. Everybody does a good job of playing their roles,” guard Devin Mitchell said before the NCAA Tournament.

Simonds led the Panthers to their fourth NCAA Tournament birth in school history as a 20-year-old in 2018.

After contemplating entering the 2018 NBA Draft, the NCAA’s 23rd leading scorer in 2018 is returning for the 2018-2019 season. With presumably all four starters besides Simonds being seniors and more returning pieces coming off the bench, Simonds couldn’t resist.

“Although we made the NCAA Tournament, we also feel as though we have something left to prove. My teammates are more like my brothers and we want to take Georgia State further than it has ever been before and I want to be a part of that,” Simonds said.

He just completed the highest scoring

season in Georgia State history, but isn’t close to the best version of himself. Simonds is arguably the top athlete at Georgia State and puts on a show during basketball season.

LOTTE MEYBERG

As a freshman last year, Meyberg obliterated the competition on the cross country circuit.

She won first place in two of the six events she participated in. Surprisingly, last fall was the 20-year-old’s first time running cross country.

Meyberg found her niche in cross country and track and field late in her childhood at 14 as cross country in Germany is not a competitive sport, but merely an activity during track and field season.

“I did jumping, sprinting and at the beginning I wasn’t even good at longer distances because I had an iron deficiency,” Meyberg said. “Then we realized that and I started supplementing, and ever since I just loved distance.”

Her favorite activities outside of competition are walking the Atlanta BeltLine, going to shops along the BeltLine and visiting Ponce City Market. Teammates Nuria Ramirez and Angela

Alonso from Spain and international students usually accompany Meyberg. Living in America for the first time in their lives helps build a unique bond for them.

Meyberg came to the realization that accepting new experiences is key to a great freshman year, athlete or not. She says she grew early in college because she doesn’t try to control every situation and goes with the flow.

“Be more open when things go wrong or don’t go the way you want it to be because you can’t change it. You might as well accept it, learn from it or take the most from it,” Meyberg said.

Meyberg is currently spending time with her family in Germany in their new home inside a new city. She’ll also drive two hours to visit her friends and play sports for leisure to stay occupied. When the end of summer break approaches, cross country will be take priority again.

“I’ll probably train a little bit with the club that I will be joining. It’s always better to run in a group with other people. It gets boring when you always run alone,” Meyberg said.

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ILLUSTRATION BY AMBER KIRLEW

The Life of a Freshman Athlete Georgia State freshmen athletes discuss the challenges and perks of their unique college experience WRITTEN BY JOSHUA FIFE

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eing a freshman in college can be both difficult and rewarding. Firstyear students finally get their taste of freedom and independence, but it comes with an array of new challenges. From navigating a new campus, to preparing for your first round of college finals, freshman year is always full of new experiences.

The freshman load is exceptionally heavy for student-athletes. Playing for a college team is a huge commitment and it takes mental and physical toughness to be successful. Team meetings, training, practice and more are piled on top of the plates of these young men and women from day one. They start their 28

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days early and have very little down time.

Each has to balance rigorous training with a full class schedule.

TYPICAL DAY

Most mornings begin around 8 a.m. with an hour of workouts. Athletes arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for warming up. Studentathletes then head to the classrooms until strength and conditioning for another hour.

Then it’s a little time before practice for two more hours. After that, athletes might have to go to late classes or study hall hours. Then it’s rinse and repeat.

TRAINING

“College practices and games are played at a much faster speed. I thought I was pretty fast in high school, but when you get to college, everyone seems to play at that level. The plays and system we run in college are much more complex as well. The principles are the same, but after that, there is definitely a lot more to learn,” said Williams.

First-year athletes must adjust to tougher competition as well. Only the best players from high school make it, so the bar is set high from the beginning.

“It’s different because everyone is so good.

Everyone is just at that same level so it’s like ‘what can I do to get better,’” said McCall.

EXPECTATIONS

Each team varies in its expectations for the freshmen. Some athletes felt like more was expected of them while others felt that they weren’t expected to do much at all.

The latter describes Duarte.

“I definitely had lower expectations,” said Duarte. “The guys, I’ve talked to them about

it; they didn’t expect me to do anything pretty much.”

He began the season as a walk-on and initially wasn’t in the lineup at all. By the end of the year he had secured the No. 1 position in doubles, partnered with senior Sebastian Acuna. The duo finished the season with the best doubles record on the team at 9-5 (2-0 in Sun Belt Conference).

McCall and Hawkes felt that they were under more pressure as freshmen. “[The coaches] want us to learn this year and have all our mistakes out so it doesn’t happen in the future,” said Hawkes.

Williams, member of the Sun Belt champion men’s basketball team, certainly exceeded expectations this year. He led freshmen in points, steals, assists and rebounds last season.

“Coach Hunter and the staff push for everyone on the team to get better every day.

I think they held me to a pretty high standard as they believed I was up to the challenge and hopefully I did not disappoint them. Going into year two, I want to continue to get better,” said Williams.

ADVICE

“I would say to utilize all of the tools and individuals that are provided for you. Work on your time management from day one as that is one of the things that can make your life easier,” said Williams.

McCall and Hawkes stressed the importance of getting organized and being on time.

“Get a planner. Just be organized and write out your schedule so you don’t forget things,” said McCall. She went on to say that the experience was certainly worth it, and that being an athlete was “still the best thing ever.”

Georgia State sports and its venues Swing into the semester with these sports venues WRITTEN BY BLAKE CORRIGAN

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ongratulations and welcome to Georgia State! As an incoming freshman, many people are familiar with the campus and all it has to offer, but there are plenty of new faces who are setting foot on campus for the first time. Here is a list of the few places around campus that you will need to know.

GEORGIA STATE STADIUM

Georgia State Stadium is the newest addition to Panther athletics. The old Turner Field has been successfully converted into the home of Panther football. Before the stadium opened, the team was playing at the Georgia Dome, which is now demolished.

Panthers have their own stadium, a place they can call home. The players fell in love with the stadium when they first saw it. The stadium seats 25,000 people, and it has the potential to be a real home-field advantage for the Panthers. Last season was the best season in school history after the Panthers won seven games and the first bowl game in program history.

That in itself is a good enough reason to go to the stadium and visit the Panthers.

There is more to the stadium, as it can double as a concert venue.

Recently, the Foo Fighters hosted a concert and according to many involved, the event was a smashing success.

“We were extremely pleased with the way the Foo Fighters concert went. A lot of time and energy from our staff and the university went into allowing that to happen, but at the end, it paid off, “ said the Georgia State communications department.

Football season is right around the corner. The Panthers will kick off their season at Georgia State Stadium against Kennesaw State on August 31.

GSU SPORTS ARENA

The GSU Sports Arena is home to the best basketball team in the state of Georgia. Georgia State was the only team from the state to make the NCAA tournament last year, and they have won 110 games over the past five seasons. When the GSU Sports Arena is at capacity, it is a real home-court advantage for the Panthers.

Unfortunately, the GSU Sports Arena rarely sells out except for games against Georgia Southern. Coach Ron Hunter made several pleas for students to come out and show support for the team because of how loud the arena gets and how hard it is for the other team to play in there.

The GSU Sports Arena is also home to the volleyball team, which plays during the fall.

PANTHERSVILLE

Let’s take a quick detour. The next place you need to know is Panthersville; while it isn’t on campus, it’s important. The soccer, baseball and softball teams play here and are worth the trip to Decatur if you can make it.

The softball team has won 30 games this past season and this is the 12th straight year that they have done so. The baseball team has some good players, including young studs Hunter Gaddis and Ryan Glass. And the soccer team has played in three straight conference championship games.

Enjoy your first year at Georgia State, and be sure to visit these Panther venues.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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The sports for the rest of us From rugby to rock climbing, Georgia State’s club sports options WRITTEN BY BLAKE CORRIGAN

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et’s face it: not everyone can be an Ivie Drake or a D’Marcus Simonds. Most of us just don’t have that athletic ability.

The average student doesn’t hit walk-off home runs or take their team to the NCAA tournament. But for those of us who are looking for a more typical sports experience, Georgia State has it covered.

THE RUNDOWN

Georgia State offers over 20 different sports clubs that students can join. Students who participate in sports clubs may run into a startup or monthly fee which differs from club to club. Students can even create their own club through the Student Recreation Center if a sport that interests them is not currently being played.

These clubs range from traditional sports, such as soccer, all the way to more extreme sports, like the paintball club, and everything in between. Love the outdoors? Try the bass fishing club. Would you instead like to take on something a little more physical? Then there is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club for that.

Sports clubs also do a good job of being inclusive to everyone. Currently, there are five clubs exclusively for women and five solely for men. The remaining 14 are gender neutral, so there is a club for everyone.

They may sound just like intramural sports, but they are far from it. While intramural sports are an excellent way for students to stay active at school, they are more for fun. Sports clubs are about having fun as well, but there is a more significant emphasis on competition.

MEN’S RUGBY 30

THE SIGNAL URBANITE

Sam McCranie heads the men’s rugby club and says sports clubs are a great way to make friends on campus.

“At least once a week I catch up with people I used to play with, and I will always consider them lifelong friends,” said McCranie of the friends he has made in club rugby.

McCranie also said that playing club sports is a great way to make new friends at the beginning of the school year. Since the clubs begin at the same time as classes in August, there are many new friends to make.

Similar to how most of the sports clubs at Georgia State operate, there is no previous experience in the sport required to join.

This a “learn on the job” type of club where veteran members teach new ones. Some students even find they have a real knack for the game and go on to compete at a higher level.

“We have had players from this past year who have never played before be invited to join All-American teams as well as Olympic Development teams,” said McCranie.

CLIMBING HIGH

Quinn Rabinowitz is one of the leaders of a unique club at Georgia State: rock climbing. Rock climbing may seem daunting to some students, but Rabinowitz says you don’t even need prior experience to become a member.

The rock climbing club is also a fun way to defend against the “freshman 15” and stay active.

“It also gets freshmen out of their dorms so they have something to do. For me, joining rock climbing was really important because I had something to do rather than lie in my bed in my dorm all day,” said Rabinowitz.

One unique aspect of the rock climbing club is how social of a sport it is. Rabinowitz says everyone is always cheering for each other no matter who it is.

Even though the students are competing against students from other schools, making friends with climbers from opposing schools is not uncommon in this sport.

Competitors will frequently discuss technique and strategy among themselves which you don’t see often in

sports.

LETTING GO

Sports club can serve many purposes for Georgia State students, from staying in shape to meeting new friends. Georgia State sports clubs offer a unique space for students to forget academic life for a while, and do so while embracing their inner competitive spirit.

2017 -2018 GEORGIA STATE Football Season WHEN

WHO

WHERE

THURSDAY, AUG. 30

KENNESAW STATE

GEORGIA STATE STADIUM

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8

NC STATE

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14

MEMPHIS

SATURDAY, SEPT. 22

WESTERN MICHIGAN

MEMPHIS, TENNESEE GEORGIA STATE STADIUM

SATURDAY, SEPT. 29

ULM

GEORGIA STATE STADIUM

THURSDAY, OCT. 4

TROY

TROY, ALABAMA

THURSDAY, OCT. 18

ARKANSAS STATE

JONESBORO, ARKANSAS

SATURDAY, OCT. 27

COASTAL CAROLINA

GEORGIA STATE STADIUM

SATURDAY, NOV. 3

TEXAS STATE

GEORGIA STATE STADIUM

SATURDAY, NOV. 10

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE

LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

SATURDAY, NOV. 17

APPALACHIAN STATE

BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA

SATURDAY, NOV. 24

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

GEORGIA STATE STADIUM NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

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THE SIGNAL URBANITE