“We keep moving fo rward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
- Walt Disney
Hello ScOpers! Welcome to year 3 of Scope Magazine! I am so excited for all there is to come this time around.
You all have survived midterms… here’s to the rest of your fabulous semester and years to come!
We present you all with our very FIRST issue of the year but with a twist…
This Special Edition, entitled Scope’s Declassified Illinois State Survival Guide, includes valuable information from our staff on how to survive, and keep striving through, this thing called “college”. Subjects such as study techniques, time m anagement, academics, finances, networking and social life will be addressed in the following pages for your benefit.
Shaunda Brooks
Looking back on my college career, I wish I had someone who showed me the way and gave me the 411 on everything there is to know. Thus, this issue came about to provide those resources for those who need it. We are all in this together and we will leave NO ONE astray.
Happy Reading!
Founder/ Editor-‐in-‐Chief Scope Magazine Shaunda.scope@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter @ScopeMag_ISU Like us on Facebook.com/getthescope Follow us on Instagram @theScope_ISU
Organization Tips By Tyriana Jones
Can’t seem to find that paper you just got handed back? Are flash drives, I.D.s and other important materials suddenly disappearing? This could be a sign of bad organizational skills and believe me; I have experienced all of these things. It can be difficult for a college student on the go to find the time to organize their busy lives, but it Is needed in order to stay on the right path. Students can organize themselves in different ways outside of school, but what if you don’t know how to organize for school?
the ng it daily, is one of ki ec ch g/ in us d an ving a planner, ork assigndown, from ho mew 1. Get a planner. Ha ng hi yt er ev g in rit at writing ay organize d. W et. I have fo un d th rg fo no do u simplest ways to st yo at ing th times, w ill ensure lps an d can even br he so al ne do t ge ments to meeting they also use a calecking them off as to o small, yo u can is r ne things down an d ch an pl ur yo If e next task. r co de them. so me relief, until th r due date an d colo ei th on ts en nm sig as en dar to write down
2. Write out your schedule . This tip may be for the it helps. Over the sum mer extreme organizers but I learne d a way to organ ize your entire day into 30 increments. Simply create -minute a chart an d label fro m the time you awake to the tim think you’ll fall asleep an e you d write/type out what you do every 30 minutes. Simply ing down an d seeing what writyou have to do for the da y can help you figure out down time you have an d wh how much at to do with it.
to invest in er I decide d st e i an d m se is h ut my syllab r(s). T o e d d e in nt b ri a p I in a glance classes nt class. 3. Organize l each tab w ith a differe ions. Having each class at g I an d labe ate d sect ck anythin their design s me to che so me dividers d to in in m m re e d th n a each class ing n d put otebo oks for k of everyth sche dules a n c not a r o tr p rs e e e k ld r to example, do rs, fo e e r si d a Fo in e b r. it e l a s th u e e k id g ma div materials to rtain class. In ep all class e k u o nee d for a ce y s a nes. to o, as long ur Spanish o o y h it w s works well nt e logy assignm mix yo ur bio
4. Get a flash drive , an d use it. Having an org anize d flash drive can sav tro uble of searching for ass e the ignments. For instance, on my flash drive I have var folders an d one of them is iou s de dicate d to ISU. Inside tha t folder are other folders each semester I was enrolle for d an d inside those are fol ders for my classes. Finall those class folders are my y, inside assignments. I also have oth er folders for things like arship essays an d extracur scholricular activities. You can org anize your computer the way an d it makes fin ding same assignments so much easie r.
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Jobs More than 6,000 Illinois State students work on-campus jobs, earning more than $16 million every year. Students can earn enough money to cover personal expenses, buy books, or contribute toward their tuition. To work on campus or to not work on campus is a rather tough decision to make for some students. However, either option comes with its pros and cons…
On-Campus Jobs
There are also pros to working on campus. First and foremost, it is much easier to travel to work. If you live in the residence halls, you are able to get to work in places such as the dining center with ease. Also, the work schedules don’t conflict with
your school schedules. In fact, when you apply to some jobs on campus, they ask that you upload your class schedule so that your class work and job won’t interfere with one another. You also can get some great references and networks when working for University faculty and staff. The only con about working on campus is that, unlike some off-campus jobs, you only get paid every two weeks so waiting for that pay day can be a pain! Great jobs to apply to on campus are: Campus Dining, Night Operations (also known as Night-Ops), Office of Admissions, Dean of Students, front desk jobs at the resi-
http://t4america.org/
By: Shaquan Leverston, CAEC Business Manager
By: Kia Hill, Staff Reporter
dence halls and Milner library (only with federal work study), the Student Fitness Center, Barnes & Noble, and even CVS and The Alamo II near campus.
Off-Campus Jobs
The pros to some off-campus jobs are that you can receive discounts for your purchases versus working at Subway in the residence halls and not get anything. Off-campus workplaces are more versatile and, depending upon the store you work at, you can possibly get paid weekly (University jobs pay bi-monthly).
The cons are that you may have to stay in town over break and work instead of going home. Their schedules don’t revolve around your school schedule like on-campus jobs does. If you don’t have your own car, then traveling back and forth to work on the bus may be more inconvenient than you think. For example, if you have to be at work at 4 and you get out of class at 3, you would have to worry about trying to make it to the bus on time and hoping that it isn’t late, because sometimes they do run off schedule!
http://flexspan.blogspot.com/
Classroom Etiquette By: Shaquan Leverston, CAEC Business Manager Many times when we as young men and women enter a new situation, like going to college, we tend to get caught up in all of the hype that comes along with the new experience. College is where we meet a lot new people and get involved with a lot of extra-curricular activities, as we should. Although we are making all of these new memories, we must remember that we came to college with the goal to succeed in school and to graduate with a degree. Ensuring your success in school starts off with success in the classroom, the very place where what we decide to do everyday determines our potential future. Proper classroom etiquette ensures a positive semester. Always make sure to ask questions. Most of the time other classmates are able to benefit from
your confusion as well. Whether you have a small classroom of 20 students or a big lecture of three hundred, always make sure you feel as if you have control of the course. In big lectures, make sure you sit by people that can help you. Don’t talk the entire time in class merely because it is big. Sit in the front of the class if you have to pay attention. Some professors base exams and assignments on content covered in class. Actually attending classes is ultimately going to give you the best opportunity to succeed in school, period. Of course life is going to get in the way sometimes and you may not be able to attend every single class, but going to class when you can is the best way to stay on track when life does happen. After all‌ you paid for this!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ illinois_state/sets/
Do ‘s and Don’ts in the Dorms By: Jasia Young, Staff Reporter
https://www.flickr.com/ photos/illinois_state/ sets/
https://www.flickr.com/ photos/illinois_state/ sets/
College residence halls? A small gateway to freedom. You may have to share a room but you can enter and exit as you please, have company at any time, and you can even decorate it the way you’d like... well, to a certain extent. But you are still under University Housing Services so there are some rules and restrictions to your new found freedom. DON’T: -Drink alcohol or bring it in the building (Don’t risk a ticket or write-up; do it elsewhere. If you are caught, the RA will confiscate it and make you empty it down the sink.) -Smoke anything… including e-cigarettes and hookah pens (ALL of it is prohibited, just don’t do it!) -Sell drugs (Don’t even think about it.) -Be loud during quiet hours (Certain hours of the day are respected as Quiet Hours. No loud music, TV, people, etc. during these times. When you don’t follow quiet hours, you will get a noise complaint and the RA on-call will report to your room and take further action.) -Disrespect your floor mates (Be nice, treat everyone the same, and don’t judge.) -Bring in pets (It has to be an approved comfort pet by Housing in order to be allowed. Ex: Watch dog) -Bring in microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, special lights, etc. (These are
fire hazards according to Housing. If it is seen or found during a check out then it will be confiscated by the Residence Hall Coordinator until you take it back home.) -Leave your door unlocked (It prevents theft and unwanted guests.) DO: -Get Involved (Floor President, Area Government/Diversity Coalition for your building) -Hang out with your floor mates (Be social, the time will fly and you’ll regret it. Build those bonds now!) -Attend floor programs (Another way to socialize with your floor and RA. You can also learn new things.) -Clean up after yourself in the bathroom (Pick up hair, flush the toilet, dispose tampons properly, etc.) -Respect your roommate(s) and their wishes (Be open-minded, follow simple etiquette, bring conflicts to your RA’s attention, etc.) -Check in your guests (Guests from another residence hall or outside of ISU have to be checked in at the front desk, especially if they’re staying overnight.
How to Stay FIT on Campus
By Danielle Alexander, Staff Reporter We all know how easy it is to walk directly past the gym, yet you can’t seem to walk past the snack aisle in a store. As a college student, academics and our social life seem to take over every ounce of your time and drain you. We easily forget that we have to stop and take care of ourselves. Part of surviving college is fighting off the “freshman 15” that we all hear about beforehand. Now believe me, I know getting up to go workout sounds like the hardest task at times. “Where do I go?” “How do I workout?” Luckily for you, Illinois State has everything you need in order to stay fit. For those that have a hard time motivating themselves to work out, you can take a Kinesiology and Recreation (KNR) class for credit hours. There are a variety you can take such as basketball, aerobics and personal fitness. If workout classes aren’t your thing, there is always the student recreation center. The rec is located across from McCormick Hall on campus. It offers three floors of fitness equipment that is guaranteed to motivate anyone to get in shape. Aside from the fitness equipment, the rec also has a swimming pool, full track, basketball court and indoor soccer. Other facilities that can be used to exercise in are the Horton Field House, located across the street from Tri-‐Towers, as well as the Gregory Street Field. You can also take many classes offered for free such as Zumba, Insanity, Yoga and many more.
While exercising is a main factor in staying fit, you also have to manage a healthy diet. Giving up candy for a carrot doesn’t sound appealing to most, trust me I know. The students of ISU are fortunate enough to have places on campus where they cannot only eat healthy, but it is appealing to the taste buds at an affordable price. For those that have a meal plan, Linkins Dining Hall and Watterson Dining Commons have a daily menu full of nutritional foods that you can enjoy. From fruit, to a full salad bar, if you can name, it they have it. Outside of the dining halls, there are Subway restaurants located in Hewett and Manchester, Watterson, as well as Wilkins Hall. If those options aren’t enough, then you can find Einstein Bagels and McAlister’s in the Bone Student Center with many healthy choices as well. Staying fit in college isn’t the easiest task but Illinois State strives at making it simple and enjoyable for everyone. Being fit on campus is all about choosing the best method for you. Rather it be taking a KNR class, going to work out in the rec or simply grabbing a salad from McAllister’s, just be sure to stay fit and take care of your body. Being healthy is the best choice! For more information on the Student Fitness Center and its services, visit campusrecreation.illinoisstate.edu/.
By Destini King, Staff Reporter Saving your flex. To save flex dollars the best thing to do is only spend your flex when it is necessary. Some people like to eat out every day and go to different places such as McAllister’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc. If you know you have enough meals that will last you through the week, something that will help you save your flex is to only use it maybe once or twice on the weekends and try to use at least one meal a day (unless you have unlimited). That way, you have your meal for the day and you have enough flex on the weekends to go eat out with your friends. Shopping. When you are in college usually you want all the latest fashions, best shoes, best dresses, nice hair. But, let’s say your parents only send you $50.00 a month. Saving your personal money can be very hard. A great technique that will help you save your money is budgeting.
Visit the first floor of Hovey Hall for questions about Financial Aid
There are plenty jobs on campus that will work with your schedule and once you start getting a pay check the first thing you should do is start budgeting. Some people think shopping online is cheaper and it is the best thing for you but you have to be very careful when it comes to shopping online. Some stores may not always give you what you have requested and other times you may be spending more money if you are paying for things like shipping. So yes, having the newest pair of Jordan’s or having a new dress for every party would be nice but if you don’t have the money to pay for them, spend that money on something more important like toiletries or stuff for your room. Financial Aid/ Scholarships. If you are struggling financially, there are many different options you have to help you pay for your tuition. First try to see if there are any scholarships that fit your GPA and major by going to http://scholarshipfinder.illinoisstate.edu/. Something else you can do is take out loans. The top ten loans for college students are the following: • • • • • • • • •
Sofi Citizens Bank Wells Fargo Discover Student Loans iHelp SunTrust Sallie Mae PNC cuStudentLoans
(from http://student-‐loansreview.toptenreviews.com/)
But before you go into finding loans, especially from outside, private sources make sure you read the facts, know the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized and check those interest rates. You don’t want to graduate owing back a heap load of cash.
Picture this: you’re out at a party with your friends around midnight, then it dawns on you that you had a homework assignment due at 11:55pm. This is a typical scenario that at least 1 out of 5 college students have experienced. For most of us, balancing academics and a social life in high school was a breeze. College is a whole other ball game! We tend to find ourselves struggling to balance between fundamentals and fun. This article has everything you need to know about passing a class without passing on the fun. First, establish and prioritize. Set your mind on knowing that while school and meeting new people is fun and sometimes necessary, that’s not your main focus on why you are here. Don’t let your fear of missing out on the “turn up” hinder your grades and prolong your degree. I’ve found that creating a schedule helps maintain a manageable balance between what I want to do and what I have to do. For majority of us we know about our assignments at least a week in advance and we have notice of our exams during syllabus week. This means that you’re already one up on everything before you even start them. You have the exact date for everything you need to work on. To avoid putting yourself in a bind, get your work done early. If your assignment is due on Sunday night, do not wait until Sunday morning to get started. Get a planner and write down all of your assignments. If you plan on going out that weekend get your work done during the week. As a student it is your job to keep yourself on track. You have to be content with the fact that sometimes you may have to miss out on “the turn up” in order to work towards your future goals. Do not fall victim into the cliché of “you only live once”. Set goals, follow them and most importantly, prioritize. Remember, it’s not always about what you want to do, sometimes it’s about what you have to do.
We Like To PARTY: Balancing
Social and
Academic Life
on Campus
By Danielle Alexander Staff Reporter
ISU’s Notable Faculty & Staff
By Sharvelle Bullock, Public Relations Chair Illinois State University is full of resources intended to help students financially, academically and socially. There are very qualified individuals who are always willing to help the students such as these k ey players:
Angela Davenport is the Multicultural Programming Coordinator for Diversity Advocacy, a unit of the Dean of Students office. She works very closely with the Diversity Advocacy Organizations (DAOs) such as: ALAS (Association for Latin American Students), APAC (Asian Pacific American Coalition), BSU (Black Student Union), Pride and the Black and Latino Male Movement. She helps plan events and programs and can be a great resource for students looking for a mentor or other services offered within the Dean of Students office. Ms. Davenport can be reached via email at asdaven@IllinoisState.edu. You can also stop by the Diversity Advocacy Office in the Student Services Building, room 387 and say hello!
Dr. Nicholas Hartlep is the Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations and proudly serves as Scope’s advisor. Dr. Hartlep has written several books and academic journals on a variety of topics, all involving social issues such as racism, minorities and stereotyping. He has been a guest speaker for a plethora of Diversity Advocacy events and is a great person to talk to. He can easily be reached via email at ndhartl@IllinoisState.edu.
Jana Albrecht is the Director of the Financial Aid Department. She assists students in getting more information about loans and scholarships, offers advice about getting out of debt, and tells students about employment opportunities. She is a great resource if you need help planning your monthly budget or if you are trying to find a way to get more financial aid. Even when she seems extremely busy, she can turn you to people who will be able to assist you. You can find Ms. Albrecht in the new Financial Aid office, located on the first floor of Hovey Hall and can reach her via email at jlalbre2@illinoisstate.edu. Despite these three amazing people, ISU is full of faculty and staff members who treat you as an individual instead of a just number at such a large university. We can’t forget people like Associate Dean John Davenport, Assistant Director of Residential Life Hurdylyn Woods, Associate Director of the Career Center Pam Cooper, Client Relations Rep for Financial Aid Liz Larson, Vice President Dr. Brent Paterson and his wife, former Dean of Students Dr. Jan Paterson and even our University President Dr. Larry Dietz. Get to know these people, for they are here to help you succeed and want to see you cross that stage.
Notable Faculty Spotlight: Associate Dean Rick Lewis
By Jarick White, Staff Reporter Illinois State University is full of well-known and influential staff members. One of the most prominent staff members on our campus is the inspirational, Rick Lewis.
With his paintings, he tells the stories of relevant images of African-American men in society. His artwork is a visual representation of his passion and the challenges of young black men on college campuses.
Lewis serves as the Associate Dean of Students here at ISU. He has been a prominent staff member at ISU for 28 years, 10 of those years as the Associate Dean of Students. As Associate Dean, Rick contributes most of his time to assisting and helping students with any problems they may be experiencing.
“You look at collecting guys from across campus who come from diverse backgrounds, or urban environments that are at risk. Some may have come from single parent homes or students whose parents haven’t been to college. These are guys who have hopes and dreams and aspirations in being successful. They’re going to graduate and overcome those stereotypical cycles.”
“I’ve committed myself to helping students because someone helped me when I was coming through school, and I’m obligated to assist other students in being successful, because someone did that for me,” he said. His passion for education and the advancement of his students is obvious from the work he does on a daily basis. “Best advice I give students is reflect back on what you came here for. Most students say they come here to get a degree but end up doing nothing to help them get their degree. If it’s not going to help you achieve your goal, then you need to rethink what you’re doing.” Rick uses the bonds he makes with certain students on the campus as inspiration for his amazing artwork. The artwork consists of several African-American male students that Rick sees potential in.
Rick Lewis is one administrator that every student should know. He is a great mentor, advisor, and genuine friend to many students. To set up an appointment with Mr. Lewis, email him at ralewis@illinoisstate.edu or visit the Dean of Students office for more information on their services on the first floor of the Bone Student Center (across from Einsteins).
Getting Involved! Finding The Right RSO By Maya Glover So you’ve made it to campus and you want to get involved, but where do you start? How do you find what RSOs (Registered Student Organizations) are available and more importantly, how do you find the right one for you?
A great place to start would be attending Festival ISU on the quad. It’s an event where most, if not all, RSOs have a table where you learn about their organization, meet the members, and sign up for more information (not to mention get free stuff!). If you happen to miss Festival ISU, you can always stop by the Student Involvement Center, located in the Bone Student Center and visit RedbirdLink (illinoisstate. collegiatelink.net) to learn about the different RSOs and find ways to get involved. So now that you know what your options are, how do you choose the right one? Every RSO will have an informational for people to meet the members more personally and get a more in-depth understanding of the reason behind the RSO. They will also explain the types of events they throw, what their impact on campus is and other important information that can help you in deciding if you want to join. It’s great to take advantage of these informational sessions so you can start matching up your goals and interests with what the RSOs are presenting to you. Before joining any RSO, you should attend some of their events and get to know the members so you can get a real feel of if the RSO is right for you. To keep from being overwhelmed and overworked, you should join no more than two to three RSOs at once. A good rule of thumb is to have one RSO relate to your major, one for networking purposes, and one just for fun. Now that you’ve got some tools to get you started, get out there, explore the campus and find your niche! There are many advantages to getting involved so start early and build a foundation for the rest of your college career.
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