2013 Orientation Guide

The Houstonian Student Newspaper

Orientation Guide Fall 2013

Kassidy Turnpaugh, Stephen Green | The Houstonian

DORM SURVIVAL Walkthrough GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts&Entertainment Editor College! Are you excited? You should be. You’re about to embark on what will be an amazing journey, but for most of you, part of the college experience includes living in the dorm. That means roommates, dorm meetings, resident advisors (RAs) and bad parking.

However, as a former resident and RA, below are some insider tips on how to survive dorm life at SHSU. If you aren’t prepared for college life (which no one is) you’re in for an exciting and probably trashy first year.

1) Bring earphones. Living in the dorm, you’ll often hear loud music, people arguing with their significant other, loud music and on occasion, some sexual noises, (Yes, people have sex. Get used to it.) which could be a huge distraction when you have to sleep or study for that test you forgot about.

Late at night when you’re asleep or about to be, it may sound like a sumo wrestling team is having vigorous practice in the room above you. It’s just restless, Red Bull-driven teens who have nothing better to do than move furniture or practice the two-step at 3 a.m. Having earphones and some loud music at your disposal will save you from that awkward moment when you see the person the next day and suddenly recall what personal issues they have with their boyfriend or what weird sounds they make during climax.

2) Know your RA. As a former RA, it made it a lot easier when residents took time to get to know me. It will come in handy when you have a problem and need help or advice. RAs will cooperate with you if you do the

Kassidy Turnpaugh | The Houstonian

same for them. It’s especially nice when you’ve been studying for finals week and haven’t cleaned

in three weeks and suddenly a random dorm check appears.

They’re probably willing to let slip

the fact you have pizza molding on the ceiling if you know them.

Also, know what is going to piss

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are students just like you. They have class, homework, tests and are responsible for 35 or more people. If you know they don’t like loud noise, don’t do it. If you have a trivial problem you can handle on your own (really think about this one) then don’t bother them with it if it’s not that serious. Getting along with your RA will make your dorm experience much more comfortable for you.

3) Bigger is not always better. To most of you who have toured Sam Houston Village or Lone Star Hall or Raven Village, they all seem like great spaces to live, mainly for the appeal of your private bedroom space. But, from what I’ve learned, bigger is not always better. For example you may have a private bedroom in SHV, but you also run the risk of not having windows which can be depressing. The building was constructed in a way that makes it more annoying to live in. The openness of the building amplifies almost any noise you hear, which is extremely frustrating when you’re trying to sleep or study.

Also, while independence may be what you want, you don’t want to be alone in your dorm with no friends. Living in a small house or suite allows you to make friends more easily than in a large dorm.

Consider these things when making your choices about where you want to live. Although, living with

a roommate that doesn’t even own deodorant can…stink.

4) Have a separate bin for your food. If you’re a freshman, you’ll be on a meal plan, BUT what about those all-important late night snacks?! Odds are they won’t offer your Oreos dipped in peanut butter or pickles with hot Cheetos in the dining hall. In a suite style room with open space, sharing can become a problem and if you’re like me, you’ll want to protect your food. Designate a cabinet, bin or spot in your room for your food and let your roommate know. This will solve not only your hunger pangs, but also keep out other unwanted hands on your food especially those annoying crickets that can creep in some buildings.

5) The roommate conflict.

Unless you and your roommate are holy saints, you’re going to have a conflict at one time or another. As a former RA, many of the problems I had to deal with between roommates stemmed from a serious lack of communication somewhere down the line. Either one person didn’t know they were going to have company over, or that they like to stay up late, blah blah blah, complain, complain. If you take the time to get to know your roommate and learn their quirks, 75 percent of conflicts can be avoided. Part of coming to college is learning to adapt to new people, so if you encounter someone or something you never have

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Contact Stephen Green at sgreen@houstonianonline.com or Molly Waddell at mwaddell@houstonianonline.com before, learn how to deal with it in a mature way. Always try to handle things before they become serious problems. It makes college life SO much easier if you and your roommate understand each other.

6) Wear flip flops or slippers! One thing I hate about dorm life is seeing everyone walk around barefoot like they’re at home. For starters, it’s not your house, and secondly, it’s just unsanitary. Some of the buildings are old and others have hundreds of people walking around every day. Having that pair of slippers will keep your feet safe from whatever substances may end up on the floor. The same goes for the shower. With multiple people using them every day, it gets dirty quickly. *cough cough* staph infection *cough cough* On top of cleaning it regularly, those shower shoes will come in handy if your roommate is one of those who walks barefoot around campus.

7) Bring an eye mask. If you are a morning vampire, meaning you hate the bright light, then this one is important. Just like with the earphones, you’ll often see things you don’t want to or be bothered by the bright light from

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your roommate walking in late at night. Having your eye mask will help you sleep more comfortably in a place that can sometimes be unpredictable.

8) READ. About 90 percent of issues I had with residents in the dorm stemmed from students being super illiterate. You’re in college now, part of being a responsible adult is reading the literature that stain the walls and floors of the building. So, when an RA posts something on their door or your door, take the time to read it. You don’t want to be the person who gets fined $50 for not signing a piece of paper or reading a flier about a mandatory meeting.

Trust me, no college student has money to just give away. Reading will make your life SO much easier and save you tons of money.

9) Be an adult. College is not just about learning for your future career but also how to become a functioning adult while living on your own. Part of that is taking responsibility and knowing life skills like laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning after yourself. No one wants to walk into your room and see your nasty trash everywhere and that crusty

sock dangling from the dusty window. If you’re not ready for that or are too lazy, then stay where you are. Take some time to ask your parents about these things before you come to college or else you’ll be completely lost when they’re not here to do it for you.

10) Expect the unexpected.

If there is one thing I’ve learned about living in a dorm is to always be prepared for anything. I have seen so many college students come to SHSU with the expectation that it’s some fairytale world where everyone is well-mannered and where bad things don’t happen. HA! From the fire alarm going off while you’re in the shower to watching someone puke over (or fall off) the balcony, anything can happen. The thing is not to freak out over these things, but to learn how to deal with them as part of the college experience.

Good or bad, everything here is a learning experience that can help you.

Don’t freak out. It’s a lot to handle but your dorm life will be much more enjoyable and easier to deal with if you plan in advance.

Get ready. In a few months, it all becomes a reality.

SHSU senior to work at prestigious trauma center

Destination Graduation:

SOPHIE NELSON Senior Reporter The sirens’ wailing is accompanied by the moans of accident victims. Blue uniforms blur past the waiting area with bloody stretchers in between them.

Doctors and nurses descend upon the bleeding and broken bodies like angels from the sky.

For most people, a visit to the emergency room is one of the most dreaded experiences a person can go through. For Lauren Lindemann, the ER will be a more welcoming place than it would for most, a place where she will spend her days helping patients as a registered nurse.

Lindemann will be graduating from Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in May with a BS in nursing, and has already secured a job at the Parkland Hospital in Dallas, home to the nation’s second best trauma units.

Out of thousands of applicants, Lindemann was one of the few chosen for the job, and was the only SHSU newly graduated nurse to be offered a position at Parkland.

“I feel really honored that out of thousands of people, I was chosen,” Lindemann said. “. . . And I think I’m ready. I think I have the strong foundation and the skill sets to do what the job requires. It’s not going to be easy by any means, but it will be a life changing experience, [which is] something I’m excited for.”

Lauren will start her new job in July, and will spend three months working and learning alongside experienced nurses in the Parkland ER as a nurse resident.

“By the time I start, I will have passed boards and will be an RN,” Lindemann said.

“One week I’ll have class and I’ll go to lecture where

they’ll teach me the ins and outs of every aspect of the emergency department.

Then the next week I’ll do clinical hours, which means I’ll be working as a nurse, but will have an experienced nurse working with me as I take care of patients. At the end of the three months, I will join the hospital personnel as a Staff RN.” To get the job at Parkland, Lindemann had to go through an extensive interview involving multiple tests for knowledge of nursing practices and interviews.

Though it was a difficult process, Lindemann said she felt prepared for each aspect because of her education at SHSU. “The nursing program [at SHSU] has set us up for success, the ultimate goal for not just students, but for the program,” Lindemann said. “They gave me the foundation I needed for professional nursing, and in my opinion, it is a strong foundation.”

Lindemann said one part of the program she really appreciated was the efforts made by professors to not only get her ready for the working world in the skills aspect, but also for helping her get ready for interviews.

“As far as the job aspect, we were required to submit resumes and cover letters for critiquing in one of our classes,” Lindemann said. “It helped us learn how to get our foot in the door for the professional aspect of nursing. We even were critiqued on mock interviews and the way we dressed for the interview.

Honestly, Sam has been a godsend, and I wouldn’t have known what to do without all of the resources that Sam offered me.”

Lindemann also said that one of the critical things that helped her attain the position at Parkland is her nursing professors,

from which she learned everything.

“Dr. Mary Anne Vincent is the reason I wanted to do ER nursing,” Lindemann said. “She would never let me give up either when things got tough in the program.

[Dr.] Kelly Zinn has been a godsend as well. She wears many hats, whether it be professor, counselor, minister, or therapist, she’s there through everything.

And to keep us sane through everything and let us know it’s going to be okay is Professor [Shirley] Wallace.

She has been a huge rock in this program, not only for me, but for my classmates as well.”

Lindemann’s professors felt equally strong about Lindemann and were confident that a bright future lay ahead of her.

“The biggest thing about Lauren is that she has really matured in the year I have known her,” Zinn said.

“She has really grown, and has been able to move past her challenges, indicating that she has developed the skills needed in her future leadership role.”

Vincent also felt that Lindemann was fully prepared for her future in the ER. Lindemann said that she was most excited about getting to care for people.

“My favorite aspect of nursing is getting to impact other people’s lives,” Lindemann said. “Whether they need you on the best days of their lives, or on the worst days of their lives, it’s your job to make them feel better.”

She said nurses are visible heroes of medicine.

“Whether they’re hurt, or sick, or whatever, they’re looking for you to fix the problem,” Lindemann said. “Nurses are the face of healthcare, which has a huge impact on the lives of everyday people. I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Off the (text)books The best unofficial resources for finding deals on required items

CHRISTIAN VAZQUEZ Staff Reporter Textbooks huh? I got ya covered.

Want to know where to get textbooks without looking like a total tool and save money as well?

Well you’re taking the first step by reading this.

Here is the rundown on where to go and where not to go. Start taking notes, because this is going to stick with you for the next four years. Or seven…if you’re Van Wilder or something…

1) Don’t ever go to the campus bookstore unless it is your absolute last resort.

I stress this big time because this is the number one reason why I see so many students on campus complaining about being broke.

Most students say, “Ugh, the books are so expensive here! I have like no money now! This sucks!”

To which I say, “That’s because you don’t know where to look, genius.”

There are plenty of alternatives before you go to the Barnes & Noble campus bookstore. If they’re charging $3.50 for a small (and I mean small) bag of Chex Mix, do you really think they’re going to give you a good deal for textbooks? They will empty your bank account so fast that you’ll be rationing your own Ramen supply to a quarter brick per day.

Sure going to the campus bookstore is easy, but is the convenience really worth it when you could buy or rent elsewhere for a fraction of the cost? Oh crap did I say buy in that last sentence?

Derp. That brings me to my next

point…

2) Don’t buy textbooks.

RENT THEM! Trust me. This is what you want to do every semester. Don’t be fooled into thinking about buying and then selling books for a profit later on because you won’t be getting a profit. Even if you try to sell them the week before finals (best time to do it), you won’t get much.

I don’t know about you, but that chump change won’t pay the bills, let alone add up to a case of beer. Renting is better because it’s significantly cheaper and you won’t have to deal with the textbook anymore once you’re done with it!

For example, I rented a book from Chegg.com in the Spring semester for only $13! Buying it would’ve cost $97.

Think about the money I just saved right there. Think about the money you could be saving.

I’d rather have more of it to spend on other dumb things than a book that I won’t really care for, let alone use.

Don’t you hate it when you buy a book, only to discover during the semester that you never really needed it? If you don’t know the feeling yet, don’t worry you will.

But if you think that feeling is bad, wait until you get screwed over by the best con-artists in the world: broke college students. Which brings me to number…

3) Be wary of crappy deals from crappy people.

Yeah, this isn’t a huge problem to look out for, but it’s something to take note of. The bottom line is this: You’re in college. Everyone is poor. Throw a $20 bill out in the Mall, and I guarantee you

Kassidy Turnpaugh | The Houstonian

students will fight tooth and nail for it.

With that said, scammers are out there waiting to screw you over with a crappy textbook that is either outdated, in bad condition or worse yet, doesn’t exist.

You think you’re smart? There are students who are smarter and know how to scheme their way into your pockets. Be wary of shady Craigslist “deals” (Craigslist should already raise some red flags), or some folks who have the balls to confront you with a proposal.

All I’m saying is this: if they couldn’t get that book sold at any other store for even a few bucks that should tell you something about the book they already have.

You really think it’s worth their asking price? Just be cautious.

I’ve seen it happen to others.

Makes you wanna go Wayne Brady on a mofo. It ain’t pretty.

4) Don’t be afraid to look into other legitimate stores for textbooks…if the price is right.

Someone once told me if you stay stale, you stay behind.

That applies to what we’re talking about here. Don’t be lame. Branch out to different legitimate places for textbooks.

You’ll never know there’s a good deal lying around unless you try.

Check out the Bearkat Bookstores all around Huntsville. Look into Chegg.com for some decent rentals. Take an occasional gander at Amazon.com when they have specials going on. They can be expensive sometimes, but every now and then you’ll find a good gem.

Just look out for Amazon’s derpy shipping issues. A friend of mine got screwed over once by not getting the book she needed until the end of the semester. Anyway, it’ll definitely take some time and effort on your part, but I promise you that the benefits are worth it in the long run.

5) Digital textbooks are okay…sometimes.

Some people like them, some don’t. Personally, I think they’re not half bad if you can find the right price. The convenience factor is what you’re really paying for in this case. And for the most part, it’s pretty freakin’ sweet. The only annoying downside is that usually the user interfaces aren’t exactly user friendly.

I have yet to see a digital textbook with a smooth and streamlined interface, especially

for touch based controls on tablets and smartphones. But hey, searching for the content you want right off that bat and getting it in seconds is pretty awesome.

That alone makes me like digital textbooks as an alternative source, occasionally.

6) Campus specific bundles are dumb…and stupid…and… uh…ugh I just hate them.

These are the worst. These are so stupid that I don’t even… just…we’re not even gonna talk about this one. You should know better. If you have to get this, just grit your teeth and take it. There’s nothing you can do about it.

7) The following list contains the best places to get your books. They are the real deal and are listed in no particular order, so figure out what works best for you.

Or if you’re a real cheap ass, do all of these!

Chegg.com They plant a tree for every book you rent/buy. Yay, you’re not a jerk anymore.

Addall.com Think Metacritic, but way more legit and actually saves you money.

Abebooks.com Awesome discounts if you have to buy.

Bearkat Bookstores around Huntsville Good places to go, but you better hurry and get the ones you need early before everyone else gets them. They run out of stock quick.

Well, I think that should cover all of your bases. You have no excuses for running out of money now, unless you spent it all on condoms that you will never use.

Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Letter from the Editor-in-Chief:

As the Editor-in-Chief of the Houstonian independent student newspaper at SHSU, I eagerly welcome all of you to speak with me further about either how we do what we do, or about working for our publication.

December marks the 100th publication year for this newspaper with many editors including Dan Rather (1951-1953).

We are a twice-weekly publication with a circulation of 2,000, which was

The Houstonian was named in the top 100 list of college newspapers for journalism students in the nation by JournalismDegree.org. We’re also members of ACP and TIPA. Be a part of our ever growing staff!

recently ranked in the Top 100 Exemplary Student Newspapers in the nation.

You could be a part of this wonderful family we call a newsroom. We use industry standard equipment and employ methods that are not just about the printed word. www.HoustonianOnline. com, our website, uses videos, photos, podcasts and multimedia projects to enhance what you see in the printed newspaper.

Everyone: we want to hear what you have to say!

Throughout the year email us your opinions or letters to the viewpoints editor, Misti Jones, at mjones@ houstonianonline.com.

We are always looking for writers, photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and students generally interested in journalism from sports, entertainment, politics, education, crime, and much more!

Not only do we work, we also have fun in a creative, student-driven atmosphere.

Together, our award-winning staff generates stories, pictures and media that go

out to all students, faculty and staff at SHSU such as our special issues covering the Southland Conference Football Championship and complete coverage of the 2012 Presidential Election.

In addition, each year we compete at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Convention, where you have the chance to be recognized for your work among the best college newspapers in the state. Our university media recently took home the coveted Director’s Choice Award at this year’s convention, beating other top colleges such as Texas State University and the University of North Texas.

Your work at the Houstonian would give you more material for your portfolio or demo reel and help you get that job right out of college! Come be a part of our award-winning publication and begin building your experience!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to bringing you the news as we’ve done for 100 years.

Editorial Staff Robin Johnson Faculty Adviser

936-294-1499

Stephen Green

Molly Waddell

News Editor mwaddell@houstonianonline.com

Cody Lewis

Editor-in-Chief

Sports Editor clewis@houstonianonline.com

sgreen@houstonianonline.com

Matt Frazier

936-294-1505

George Mattingly

A&E Editor gmattingly@houstonianonline.com

Misti Jones

Viewpoints Editor

Online News Developer mfrazier@houstonianonline.com

Ashley Baker

Online News Director abaker@houstonianonline.com

Connor Hyde

Sports Reporter chyde@houstonianonline.com

Follow us today! @TheHoustonian

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Articles and views by Houstonian staff members in this paper are their own and not the opinion of the entire staff.

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Production Manager & Graphic Designer

Staff Reporters Morgan Mears Christian Vazquez Carian Parker Richard McKinney Colin Harris Ryan Bowers Kassidy Turnpaugh Hannah Zedaker

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Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Best of Huntsville 2013 Our readers have spoken and voted for their favorite food, places, shops & services

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Whataburger

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Starbucks

112 11th Street

2008 Avenue J

Chicken Fried Steak

Tex-Mex

McKenzie’s BBQ & Burgers 1548 11th Street; Suite 101

Happy Hour Food Potato Shack 2220 Avenue I

French Fries Five Guys

255 Interstate 45 S; Suite F

SHSU Rec Center

SHSU Rec Center

Huntsville State Park

Chad’s Auto Repair

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Place to People Watch

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Humphrey’s

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Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Confessions of a toilet paper ninja ASHLEY BAKER Online News Director One thing you’ll learn quickly in college is that you’re going to be poor. I don’t mean like “Oh, look at me I shop at thrift stores poor,” I mean like the majority of college students live at “hey, Ramen is on sale!” poor.

Now don’t panic, college students have been living like this for centuries (not really, but you get the picture), and we all turn out to be successful functioning members of society (for the most part). And living the college lifestyle really isn’t a bad thing!

When rent is $400 a month if you’re lucky, and you realize that people are paying close to $1,000 for the same size space it really makes you appreciate being poor! But living this college kid lifestyle means that you have to be resourceful and depend on yourself.

Say you run out of toilet paper and you don’t get paid at your minimum wage job until next week. You only have enough money to buy the textbook you need for class and some food for the week, you did the calculations and realized that you’ll have no money left over to buy toilet paper. So what are you going to do?

Ask your parents for money?

Not after they just bailed you out of rent. That gets old really fast. Also you have to realize that you’re an adult now, and if you keep running back to your parents every time something goes wrong you’re never going to become

independent.

So now you’re thinking that maybe you should borrow some from a friend? They’re usually broke too.

You’re left with just the world around you. That world has plenty of cheap and sometimes free opportunities.

Every building on campus stocks its bathrooms with toilet paper, and while it’s true that these rolls of toilet paper are not “free” per se, it’s also true that we pay a ridiculous amount of student fees to attend this university.

When you’re a poor college kid who pays thousands of dollars in fees that you have no idea what they’re for you start to justify things like cashing in some of your “fee money” to get some much needed toilet paper. I’m not talking about becoming a toilet paper hoarder or anything, but I think in dire situations becoming a toilet paper bandit when you’re strapped for cash is perfectly acceptable. Just don’t get used to it. There’s a difference between use and recurring theft.

Another way to pinch pennies is to bring your own lunch, or eat at school. I don’t mean eat at the overpriced establishments on campus, but either your own lunch or a free one on campus.

The Baptist Student Ministries gives out a free lunch on Wednesdays. In addition, there are always lunches, breakfasts and sometimes dinners for free that are in all those emails you’ll get from the university. Later on you’ll understand why, but you need to check those emails because there are always offers.

During football season: tailgating. The ultimate source of free things and food. Fraternities and alumni groups frequent these events and are more than happy to give away (usually) what they have.

Going to sporting events can net you free t-shirts, coasters, balls, food, drink, coupons, and deals on rent from certain apartment complexes.

Speaking of coupons, make sure you take advantage of those booklets that they peddle at the beginning of the year. You may already have one by the time you read this. It’s pumped full of deals that you’ll actually use. Maybe you’ll be the next star of Extreme Couponing.

In the newspapers around campus there are inserts with saving opportunities. If you live in student housing (dorm or apartment complex) companies love to put coupons in the mail.

From the pool of paper on the floor, you’ll notice no one cares.

Take them! No, you may not need 400 coupons for BOGO pizza from Domino’s, but a few extra coupons on groceries are helpful in saving money during those times when you are pinching pennies.

How about clothing? After a while, high school clothing just doesn’t fit, and you really shouldn’t be wearing that senior t-shirt that came on senior highlight night. Get free SHSU t-shirts. They always give free t-shirts away.

Follow SHSU President Dana Gibson on Twitter and Facebook because she always posts the

times for the giveaways that she personally hands out. These can include t-shirts, keychains, cup holders, and other SHSU laden items. Then go decked out to a free football game in your best Bearkat garb.

College students can’t stand boredom, but there are many cheap performances from the theatre, dance and music departments throughout the year.

It’s also a good way to get extra credit in some classes.

If you didn’t get enough to eat at Old Main or at Pawprint, make sure you’ll have something to eat later. Save your cups from the fast food joints because you can get refills ‘til the cup falls apart. Also, grab one of those potatoes from Old Main they use as decoration.

The workers usually don’t care if you only take one. After all they could go bad later on. Don’t underestimate the importance of fresh produce.

Joining an organization can also help save money becuase you simply aren’t paying for things on funded trips. Certain groups, especially competitive ones, travel all the time, and usually the school funds the trip. If you’ve eaten nothing but rice smothered in barbecue sauce and saltines for a week, a hot meal with friends sounds like Shangri La. Sometimes if you have a job on campus (like working for the Houstonian) your co-workers will

Stephen Green | The Houstonian

bring cookies, cupcakes, soup, stew, weird lasagna, and other food just because they felt like it.

Eat’em up!

At finals week, aka pinching pennies time, you’re inevitably going to be required to buy blue books, scantrons (both the tall ones and the stupid small ones that don’t even count). Don’t go out and buy them unless you’ve left them under your stinky clothes at your place.

Instead, there are groups that give these out on a regular basis.

Apartment complexes will give these out for free as well.

Be sure to check out social media for groups and your apartment complex because they often have giveaways for actual things you’ll use or want such as TVs, iProducts, gift cards, free rent, etc.

Odds are you won’t ever be down to actual pennies, but saving using tips like the ones above never hurts. You’ll graduate one day and will probably have student loans to pay back, saving while in college is good practice for what you’ll have to do when you escape the terrible and forgiving bubble that surrounds us during our time here.

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50 things to do before you graduate Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

Undergraduate Research Opportunities What is undergraduate research?

Research is simply asking a question and finding an answer. It gives you the opportunity to apply everything you’ve learned in the classroom to a real-life, hands-on experience. It will also give you the opportunity to work closely with a researcher and make contributions to a field of study.

Why should I do undergrad research?

Gain real-world experience— very important to your future employers. l Build your resume for your future—the workplace, graduate school, or professional school. l Work closely with a faculty researcher so that you learn about your career options and get recommendations. l Find real answers to real questions of which you are passionate. l Improve skills and abilities for future success, such as communication, problem-solving, selfconfidence, and working in groups.

Top Myths about Research! l Research internships are only for juniors and seniors. NO! You can do some research internships as long as you’re an undergraduate student, although some do require you be a junior or senior. l You have to have your own great idea in order to do research. NO! Most students actually work on a research question developed by faculty members.

Your great ideas don’t have to change the world as long as you’re interested in them. l Research means writing lots of papers. NO! It is a hands-on experience How Do YOU Get Started? l

Visit www.shsu.edu/~rgs_www/ UndergraduateResearchOpportunities.html and explore the research opportunitites available in the United States and abroad.

l

Determine which opprotunities you’re interested in pursuing.

l Determine the stipends and costs, and the deadlines for those submitting applications by going to the specific research opportunities websites.

For more information http://www.shsu.edu/~rgs_www/

Brittany Winner, from Kingsville, is not only a “winner” in name, but also in deed as the recipient of the 2012 Society of Toxicology Pfizer Undergraduate Student Travel Award for her research as an undergrad student while attending SHSU.

1. Get your picture with the massive statue of Gen. Sam Houston.

2. Grab a Red Rocket at Humphrey’s.

3. Go look at Black Jesus in the Sam Houston Gravesite.

4. Drive down Demon Road at night...if you dare.

5. Climb up to Sugar Skull Sweets for a cupcake.

6. Eat at the Farmhouse Cafe for their homestyle food or dessert.

7. Take a walk around the duck pond...or run if you see the geese.

8. Find and take a picture of the golden squirrel on campus. He’s real.

9. Hang out at a TKE party.

10. Make fun of girls at Shenanigans who think they know how to dress.

11. Buy some drinks at the Jolly Fox on quarter night.

(Drink responsibly.)

12. Sit on the deck at Stardust.

13. Go to a theatre or dance performance at least once.

14. Nap on the green couch in the LSC. It’s not weird, we promise.

15. Go to class hungover (but only once, after that it’s just trashy).

16. Skip class...every once-in-a-while.

17. Join a club or organization. I hear the newspaper is pretty cool.

18. Take a four-hour nap.

19. Sit on Old Main Hill with a blanket.

20. Visit Cloud 9.

21. Visit antique shops in Huntsville.

22. Smoke a hookah at Gundy’s.

23. Eat at City Hall Cafe, even though it’s in the middle of BFE. 24. Tailgate at a football game. (Or a volleyball game, that’s creative.)

25. Find the glory hole (but don’t use it).

26. Drink at Avenue L coffee.

27. Get in a heated argument with Brother Jed. Worth it.

28. Rock out at Sammypalooza.

29. Lay flowers at Tripod’s grave.

30. Watch a three-game baseball series at Don Sanders Stadium.

31. Then go to the baseball field after dark.

32. Sit on top of the parking garage at sunrise.

33. Give a bad professor a horrendous, life-shattering evaluation. They deserve it.

34. Go to a theatre party.

35. Have at least one gay friend. (Or a friend from a different culture than your own. Diversify your portfolio!)

36. Play never have I ever at the point of delirium with your friends. (Drunk or not.)

37. Eat a Sammy Dog. You’ll probably regret it later.

38. Get your dang picture with Sammy.

39. Camp at the state park.

40. Show your school pride at sporting events, especially Battle of the Piney Woods.

41. Punch an SFA student...mentally.

42. Volunteer at the Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter.

43. March to Sam Houston’s Grave on March 3.

44. Check out the archives on the top floor of the library.

45. Push someone into the fountain, preferably someone you know. Or not.

46. Argue with a professor. And win.

47. Contest a parking ticket...because, yes, you will get one.

48. Participate in Bearkat All-Paws-In. 49. Pull an all-nighter, but don’t make it a habit for your own sanity.

50. Have a dorm party without getting caught.

Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Evolution of

Kassidy

Turnpau gh | The H

oustonia n

(de)

First Day of School and freshman CONNOR HYDE Sports Reporter College is a jungle.

An ecosystem we as animals inherently follow the rules of evolution and devolution.

Professors, colleagues, and friends will classify you as a leader, a follower, or a runt and to stifle

12th Day of School

their judgments, fool them with your dress.

For both men and women the change is distinct: from the embellished freshman in their first month of college, to the UGaliscious-spank, or basketball shorts-tank top strutting in fifteen minutes late to class. As with survival of the fittest in the animal kingdom, students who

Midterms

can survive each semester will leave the classroom bow-tie and all; because bow-ties are cool.

The first weeks of fall and spring semesters students emerge from their homes with new trappings to attract attention. With the coming of winter we see the young freshmen bundle proudly in their Sam Houston State sweaters and scarfs, as the veteran seniors sink

One month left from jeans and hoodies from the fall to sweat pants and jackets.

Although the freshmen remain proud of their new school, the seniors and upperclassmen strive for effectiveness with their dress attire.

As the clouds crawl across the sky and open to the spring sun, the coming of finals stirs the freshmen as the strong persevere

Finals and the weak are left behind.

During finals week the style and class of your dress, male and female, will inform the student body and the professors of your status and mind set of your upcoming tests. Basketball shorts with no underwear and a torn, stained t-shirt accompanied by

Continued, page 11

Sam Houston State University

cjcenter.org

F O E G E L E L C O I C T S U J L A N I M I R C

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Online Bachelor of Arts in Victim Studies Bachelor of Science in Victim Studies Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology Master of Science in CJ Leadership and Management Online Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Online Master of Science in Victim Services Management Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Online Master of Science in Forensic Science Master of Science in Security Studies Ph.D. in Criminal Justice For more information, contact CJ Advising at 936.294.3170 or askcj@shsu.edu.

Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Kassidy Turnpaugh, Connor Hyde |

The Houstonian

the college wardrobe

First Day of School and freshman

FROM

page 10

Crocs or flip flops is an elusive yet off-putting message. Many students will experience their

12th Day of School first all-nighters in college and their morning walk of shame, fame, or humility is exemplified by their dress.

Many females decide to revert to the universally accepted

Midterms

yoga tights with a large t-shirt to hang below their butts. But in many cases, the stress of finals hit the weak harder and sightings of spank shorts and UG boots appear, accessorized with

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• Make Deposits • Make Withdrawals • Make Loan Payments • And more!

Students and friends visiting or living in the Huntsville area are invited to come by and use CSCU for credit union access!

Community Service Credit Union www.cscutx.com 250 FM 2821 • 2432 Sam Houston Ave.

936-295-3980

Check www.creditunion.net to see if your credit union participates.

Federally insured by NCUA

One month left obnoxiously large sun glasses to cover their naked face and a bun or pony tail to tame their hair.

Class and elegance despite your mindset will deceive your fellow students and professors.

Finals

To survive the jungle, elusiveness and deception will be the key to become the aged veteran of campus.

Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Who not to be, what not to do (like using these fonts) KASSIDY TURNPAUGH Staff Reporter No matter where you go in life there will always be those people who annoy the heck out of absolutely everyone. If you have no idea what I am talking about then you are lying. You know that in every group of friends you have had since the beginning of your social development there has always been that one guy who everyone constantly and secretly wanted to punch in the face. If you still don’t know what I am talking about then that person is probably you. Luckily you have stumbled upon an article that tells you exactly how to not be your stupid, annoying self when you get to college.

of these things so well, he can do the same with all of your college professors. They constantly agree with everything the professor says. “The sky is purple?” “Yes I concur!” Thankfully this time around restraining orders are an option.

Kassidy Turnpaugh | The Houstonian

1. The Brown Noser The Brown Noser is probably a person you have seen many times before. He was that kid in middle school who would helpfully remind your teachers of the homework you had been assigned the day before. In high school, he attempted to get on a first name basis with your teachers or stayed after class bugging them until the teacher was forced to physically flee the building. Now that he has gotten through life doing all

2.

The One Upper Ever since time began there has always been friendly competition, or something like that. In the One Upper’s favorite form of competition, there is a constant struggle between the truth and a wealth of extravagant fabricated myth. When something occurs in your life the one upper must immediately top everything you have told them, at any cost. Their worlds tend to quickly fall apart once they have collided and reveal the sad truth that they have never in fact been to Siberia to hunt the down the last Saber Tooth Tiger alongside Vladimir Putin. They were late awarded the medal of the rapid bear, Russia’s highest secret honor. In addition to the endless tales of mystic wonder and, dare I say, unbelievable adventures the one upper is a bookshelf of sad

tales. If your dog dies...this person was once forced to eat their dog after training for a sled race, when they became trapped in an icy cavern for three days. He said it tastes like deep fried Cambodian tarantulas, which I’m sure you’ve never had. Surprisingly, no one ever reported on any incident he tells you because where he comes from there is no news media.

3.

The Moocher The Moocher is the person you know as the frequent ride bummer. He or she is everywhere in high school and sadly for those of you with cars there is no relief from this person. Moochers are overly abundant in college, even more so than in high school, and no they still won’t be paying you back anytime soon. The moocher extends in college, emerging as a hideous butterfly after the far too brief summer break. The moocher arrives at college and immediately plays the catch up game and will borrow your notes at least once a week. No you will not ever get them back. Moochers are the pencil borrowers who never return the pencil. They are the only people who will arrive at a final without a scantron. They always conveniently forget their wallet. If you are ever forsaken with the task of covering their tab at the bar or even sparing them the change for coffee, you have forever doomed yourself. They will always wander back to you, knowing that you have the inability to deny them anything. So for the sake of your wallet and being a pansy when it comes to your possessions, start practicing the words now. Say it with me: “N-O. Noooooooo. No.” 4.

The Woo Girl While this breed does have two very distinct genders, the Woo Girl and the Drunk Douche, the main problem with the woo girl

is you never know if your talking to one until it’s too late. This is the girl who could be the quite little angel in class but as soon as she starts drinking you know you have erred beyond all salvation. You’ll take this girl to a party as your date and as soon as you give her alcohol, a slippery slope coated in vomit will emerge beneath you. This is just her first form though. After a few more, glitter will start rubbing off of her as if it came straight from her pours, which for all we know it does. In her final form the Woo Girl is a lesser version of what you would expect to find after a librarian gets hooked on crack for a couple of months. The remnants of what she used to be is scattered throughout her Facebook and tell the sad tale of a student misguided. Nothing in moderation for this girl, she will gain the ability to drink most men under the table but only at the cost of forever being an extreme bipolar on her rare sober occasions. In the end the Woo Girl develops a mating call that attracts her sexual counter part, the aforementioned Drunk Douche. What is that mating call?

“Wooooooooooooooooo!”

5.

The Know It All You know exactly who I am talking about here. The moment you read the headline you instantly thought of a person who fits this description perfectly. The Know It All is that guy who seems to either be incapable of understanding rhetorical questions or is just eager to ruin everyone’s fun. The Know It All hooks onto the most minute or bizarre of hobbies and topics.

He is that guy who only talks about particle physics or their Lego robots when at any type of social event. He will constantly grant you the grace of his knowledge with “Random Factoids” just so

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he can be sure that you feel like he is more intelligent than you.

The Know It All hinges his world on the disillusioned idea that he is brilliant and everyone around is a moron. When ever he is proven wrong he tends to lose grip on this non-reality and will freak out at the slightest provocation. This only makes matters worse when he attempts to openly argue with the professors in the middle of class over the most obviously incorrect ideas. In addition he will try to constantly prove people wrong simply by appealing to authority or misusing words he assumes to be beyond your vocabulary.

The Know It All in reality is just a smaller, weaker version of the Compensator, clearly trying to make up for something lacking in his life.

6.

The In-Class Muncher This character is one who will frequently behave in a manner that would cause you to think that he or she were socially inept, mentally handicapped or just simply the rudest person on Earth. Every time you see In-Class Munchers they have something in their mouth. Sadly you will rarely be graced by chewing gum and instead will become familiar with several peculiar odors that they emanate. Whether it is a granola bar or a full fledged sandwich with peanut butter and jalapenos, the In-Class Muncher has no concern for the nostrils surrounding him, the professor lecturing or the person who sits in his desk in the next class. God forbid they curb their appetite outside of classes or not walk across the room to dispose of garbage in the middle of a lecture, and no they will not take the back way, they will walk right in front of the professor. This person may be and most likely Continued, page 13

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Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

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page 12

obese, anemic or quite possibly the biggest tool you have ever met. You will never be spared the constant disgust and annoyance that is derived from smacking food without remorse. The pinnacle of the In-class Muncher’s career is that time during finals when he brought in an industrial sized bag of Sun Chips during the biggest review for the last test. It takes him 10 minutes to “open” the bag before SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK CRUNCH SLURP. Fingerlickingood has never been so terrifying. For any misophonia sufferers, this is the bane of your existence, yet he is almost unavoidable. When you are unlucky enough to sustain the wrath of his jelly tuna bagel, feel free to flee the room at a hasty pace so you may vomit in privacy.

7.

The Slob The Slob is a close relative of the Muncher. Luckily, the only people who have to typically suffer at the Slob’s hands are roommates. Their lack of organization is apparent the moment you meet them. Male slobs are the guys with a shirt that has what they think may have been spaghetti sauce at one point...three months ago. If you ask him what kind of stain that is he will not hesitate to sniff or lick it to find out. Stumbling into his dorm or apartment grants the same feeling that the creators of the nuclear bomb felt at its first detonation.

Do not be surprised to have your olfactory senses assaulted by the harpoon wielding odors that he carries with him. Thankfully, in most cases he is able to contain his public mess in a two-foot radius around his desk. The same cannot be said for anyone forced to room with this pig. If you are unfortunate enough to be trapped with the Slob, prepare for a array of unidentifiable stains on your couch and quite possibly your bed, as well as the mountain of dishes that will eventually become sentient and try to eat you while you sleep. The one recommendation for these fearful and disturbed roommates is to lock your toothbrush up for safekeeping and learn how to unclog every type of drain imaginable. Or toss a match and run.

8.

The Clinger The Clinger will stick to her object of attention in the most annoying of manners. She is

obsessive when it comes to her significant other, constantly demanding to know where they are, even though she knows he is at the dentist because she drove him there. She survives on the endless feed of her social media connections and network of other Clingers. It is theorized that depriving a Clinger of access to electronics for more than an hour or so will cause them to drop dead where they stand. She may seem cute and normal at first, but she quickly shows her true colors once you are locked in with a barrage of pointless fits, immense jealousy and talk of a future. The scariest part is that you have only been dating for three days. The male equivalent of the Clinger treads the line between abusive and obsessive and is just as terrifying if not more than his female counterpart. He tends to keep track of all of your male friends through a neatly compiled hit list that you are fairly sure he is going to use. In either case the best thing that you can do when trapped in a relationship with a Clinger is to run as far away as you can as fast as you can, because once you’re caught in their tornado of crazy it can be impossible to get out.

9.

The Twatter A distant relative of the Clinger, the Twatter exists only on a social plane. This is that inconsiderate ass clown that cellphone warnings in movie theaters were made for. The Twatter can only function when in the midst of social interaction and may be very literally superglued to their mobile. As the name suggests, the Twatter is always connected to the Internet’s mass of social media no matter their location. Somehow even when trapped on a desert island, the Twatter will manage to fashion a cellular device out of a coconut, six bobby pins, and severed finger just so they can be sure to post, “heyy guise!!1! omg gotta luv dat coconut watr! ;P <3” The Twatter’s language is one of the most perplexing and difficult to translate into English. It has confused decoders for years, and we may never understand the communication efforts made by the always-growing population of Twatters. When forced to socialize in person the Twatter can easily be found chatting about the most meaningless things in life with fellow Twatters in the middle of every single walkway you need to use.

This is especially true whenever you are running late. You might as well give up now though, they will never hear your polite little, “excuse me” above their own incessant yammering. The only way to get past one of these hallblockers is to don full padding and football gear and tackle one of them with all of your frustrations.

10. The Saliva Swappers Most students have seen Saliva Swappers before in high school.

They were the couple waiting outside of the library after lunch for a little mid-hallway mackin’.

In other words, they were the kids who had to be forcibly peeled apart using the Jaws of Life and enough strength to make 10 Dwayne “The Rock” Johnsons.

What no one told you about that couple is, that when they got to college no assistant principles are going to demand their heads for all of their PDA. College is where these two will thrive at their practice. They will clutter the hallways, while you try to get to calculus before being late again, do things you didn’t think could happen with your clothes still on and are pretty sure is illegal in most states...and Guam.

You can here them through the walls of your dorm room, not the sex noises, just the smacking of another sloppy make out session.

Walking past this couple will make feel like you need to wash every inch of yourself in bleach.

They show no bit of shame for the absurd display that would cause their parents to hurl on sight. Later on in life you won’t be surprised to find out that one of them is in counseling for sex addiction and the other has 12 and half kids.

All-in-all there are endless kinds of people who could make this list and would have been if it weren’t for space restrictions. The best way to avoid being any of these horrible examples of what may be considered human in some circles is to remember what got you this far.

Most of the people listed here will somhow see their senior year despite a lack of decency.

Most importantly remember that this is college, and while yes you do need to focus on studying and keeping those grades decent, fun is important as well. Just befriend moderation, stick with people you can trust and most importantly, like your mom told you before she left you here, “make good choices.”

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SHSU Gift Shop - Game Day Dresses - Embroidery Email hwcpo@att.net Shop 936-661-8891 Fincher Fantasies located downtown Huntsville. Open Mon - Sat. 10am 5:30pm . We can make anything out of fabric for fashion or home.

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Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

What online maps won’t tell you JAY R. JORDAN Senior Reporter If you’ve ever gotten parking tickets (yes, multiple), scrapes on your bumper, or pissed off at people who can’t frackin’ drive, you’re ready for the roads of Huntsville. If not, check out these awesome tips on how to get around town.

Know how to drive Before you hang your Bearkat parking pass in your mirror, make sure you’re familiar with the rules of the road. Understand right-of-ways, which lane is the passing lane, and how to handle pedestrians crossing the street.

Imagine how perfect driving would be if every driver obeyed traffic laws and rules.

• Use your turn signal. No explanation needed.

• If you’re at an intersection and it’s your turn to go, go. Don’t try and be nice and let another person go ahead of you. That only causes unnecessary confusion.

• I hate that I have to state the obvious – look both ways when crossing the street or turning onto it. Don’t bolt out into traffic assuming that it will stop for you.

Huntsville is full of blind spots and awkward intersections, and failing to look can total your car.

AND STOP TEXTING WHILE YOU CROSS. • Seriously, use your turn signal. It’s not that hard.

• Drive the speed limit.

Countless numbers of people drive under the speed limit or over the speed limit. It’ll save everybody a

lot of time.

Mind the jaywalkers Sam Houston State has a large jaywalking community and takes pride in its lack of auto-pedestrian accidents. If someone is crossing the street, don’t rev up your engine or honk your horn at them – they’re most likely trying to get to class on time just like you. On the flipside, if you’re walking to class, don’t make people slow down for you. Don’t be that guy.

Park in the right place There are four different types of parking permits offered by SHSU. As a freshman, you’ll probably only deal with one – the blue resident permit. This allows you to park only in the blue lots that

are outside of dorms (not to be confused with the white faculty/ staff lots). And for the love of everyone on this good green Earth, park inside the lines. This isn’t high school. This is the big show.

Bonus: Scan the QR code to check where you can park with your permit. Also, University Police usually stops ticketing after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

lot.

• If applicable, cringe at the sound of your bumper scraping the asphalt.

My Kaywa QR-Code

http://www.shsu.edu/~upd_www/parktrans/images/2...

Getting home inebriated

If you’re in that special situation where you don’t know how to get

Continued page 15 Scan code for UPD

parking map

The wrong kind of bumpin’ It’s a well-known fact that Huntsville’s infrastructure, well, sucks. A lot of campus parking lots have large dips at the entrances, and here’s how to avoid them: • When you’re confronted with a deep dip, enter at an angle.

• Slowly ease into the parking http://kaywa.me/Wku9t

Submitted graphic from Isaac Moen

Download the Kaywa QR Code Reader (App Store &Android Market) and scan your code!

Inevitably, you and your friends will find out about Margaritas (although you’ve already probably eaten there). But most students start trying to get there the hard way. The best way to get to Margaritas is to travel down Sam Houston Ave. away from SHSU to the south. Then take a right at Montgomery Road (next to Sonic). Then take a left on the road right after a long wooden fence (Elks Dr.). Keep going down this road until you find the back entrance to the restaurant and enjoy!

Because you’re poor you have to shop at Walmart and Target, right? But traveling all the way from your dorm or apartment the long way around to get to them sucks. The first way is to turn down either road flanking the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and then take a left at Avenue S. Stay on that road til you cross the interstate and the entrance to Target is on your right. To get to Walmart, keep going past the Target entrance and take a right on the road behind Target (Veterans Memorial Parkway). The back entrance to Walmart is there. Just back track to get home without looping around the interstate. An alternate route is to take 22nd Street to Avenue S, which may be closer depending on which apartment complex you live.

Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Submitted graphic from Isaac Moen

The light you want to make sure and avoid is the intersection of Sam Houston Avenue and 11th Street. Everyone...EVERYONE...uses this route to get apparently everywhere in Huntsville. The easiest way to avoid this light is to hang a left on 12th Street and then a right to hop one light over.

This light isn’t much faster, but definitely less crowded. The best advice is to try and avoid 11th Street at all costs. It’s too busy and too narrow with drivers that are too dumb to be behind the wheel.

Listen to “C&C Sports Factory” with Connor Hyde and Cody Lewis on our website for quality sports news and analysis!

The longer you stay in Huntsville, the more you’ll appreciate what are known as “the avenues”, a grid of streets that sit across from campus. This collection of streets rarely has police officers, which comes in handy when you still haven’t fixed that tail light you broke four months ago, or when your registration expired and you forgot to tell your parents. In addition, you can use the avenues to avoid the notoriously slow traffic lights on 11th St. One light that always causes problems is at the intersection of Avenue O and 11th Street. Instead of traveling that far, take a left as shown above on 15th Street then a right on Avenue Q. The light is much faster and less crowded.

Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter “Help us help them”

FROM

page 14

home from Shenanigans or The Fox or that one frat party that you just couldn’t miss, here are some tips on how to wind up home safely (and not in the back of a police cruiser).

• Have a designated driver. DD’s save lives and money and are the smartest

way to assure a safe night out.

• Call a cab. Reliable Cab Co.’s number is (936) 295-3606.

• If you’re at Shenanigans or The Jolly Fox on Tuesday or Thursday night, a free DD service called Kat Kab is available to take you and your car home.

Driving while intoxicated is the last thing you want to do after a night out.

Huntsville PD and UPD patrol the city thoroughly and issue DUIs and PIs on a

nightly basis.

Drive like a Bearkat (not literally): with excellence.

Ultimately, your first year at Sam Houston State University will be a weird transition into college life. Your first time living on your own will probably be a shock, but don’t fret. This first year will fly by. Especially if you drive safely.

And use your turn signal.

Come adopt your new best friend or volunteer Thank you K.I.S.S.

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Fall 2013 Orientation Guide Kassidy Turnpaugh | The Houstonian

You’re hungry, where should you eat?

MISTI JONES Viewpoints Editor As an incoming freshman at Sam Houston State University, you’re required by the school to have a meal plan. This means you have access to meals at Paw Print, South Paw and Old Main almost every day of the week. But what no one ever tells freshmen is where to eat, when to eat there, what to get and what not to get.

My friends and I have this theory about Old Main Market: if lunch was good, dinner will probably not be so good. If lunch was awful, dinner will most likely be good. Almost always follow this theory because it’s almost always true.

Old Main can be pretty delicious at times when they aren’t running out of things to serve us.

On several occasions, they try to throw things together such as a

hot dog in a taco shell and hot dog buns as breadsticks.

Bearkat Bucks allows you to eat at Chick-Fil-A, Subway, Burger King, Sushic, Tortilla Fresca, Quiznos, Einstein Bros and Subway. These places are good about getting you in and out in a timely manner but they are not open past 4 p.m. on Friday and are not open on the weekends.

This can be a real inconvenience for someone who does not always want to eat at the dining hall and for someone on-the-go.

Save up some money to go out to eat on the weekends or to get a quick bite around the city. Avoid Old Main from Friday night to Sunday night. Instead go “NOM” somewhere else because NOM stands for “not Old Main” and also means “delicious.”

Don’t settle for chain restaurants that you’re already comfortable with. Instead, branch out and go treat yourself to a

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restaurant that is exclusive to the Huntsville area. Try Farmhouse, Potato Shack, Five Loaves, City Hall Cafe, Humphrey’s, Pita Pit (which is also in College Station), Los Pericos, Asian Star Hibachi & Sushi, Bandera Grill and China House.

Each one of these restaurants has something great to offer. If you want great chicken fried steak, meat loaf, mashed potatoes, fried okra and chicken parmesan, go to Farmhouse. If you want almost any crazy delicious combination of toppings on a giant baked potato, go to Potato Shack. If you want yummy deli sandwiches, try Five Loaves but they aren’t open on the weekends. If you want a hearty breakfast, try City Hall Cafe. If you want a delicious hamburger or fried pickles, go to Humphrey’s.

They also have amazing alcoholic beverages but you’re not old enough for that - wink, wink.

If you want to always

be satisfied with your selection and experience great hospitality, go to Pita Pit. They’ve always got some deals going on to save you money.

If you want cheap tacos, amazing nachos and warm, chunky salsa, try Los Pericos. If you want a wide range of foods, go to Bandera Grill because they’ve got it all. If you want hibachi or sushi, try Asian Star. If you want great hospitality, food cooked with love and more food for your buck, eat at China House.

Also, when you eventually move off campus, you’ll think to yourself, “Now I can buy groceries and cook every night instead of eating with a meal plan.” However, this statement is false. Moving out into an apartment or off-campus townhouse will not motivate you to cook more often. Instead, you’ll wish you could be swiped in at Old Main because they cook the entire meal for you. Your food will most likely go to waste because,

let’s face it, you’ll be too exhausted to cook every night. After a long school day you don’t feel like cooking. You think you’re going to but you really don’t. Instead, you’ll resort to some sort of fast food chain because you don’t have a meal plan and you’ll most likely cook once a week - maybe even once a month.

Yes, it seems forced upon you to have a meal plan but if you’re going to live off-campus somehow, you might want to at least get 50100 meals a semester that comes with Bearkat Bucks.

You won’t want to eat on campus all the time, so when you come to school, have some spending money. Go out with friends and socialize on the weekends. Have that spending money for when you want to eat somewhere different and delicious that isn’t your normal fast food or restaurants chains and isn’t sometimes disappointing.

So you want to hide that grade from your parents...here’s how CODY LEWIS Sports Editor Your journey to adulthood begins in college and there’s a reason your parents don’t get report cards at this level. College is a time for you to cut the cord from those who raised you and do things by yourself. Unfortunately, if your parents don’t see it this way, there are ways you can fool them into believing you are the world’s greatest student.

When you come to Sam Houston State University, the school will give you a username and password that will let you gain access to your school email, SHSUOnline and Blackboard.

SHSUOnline and Blackboard are where most professors will post your assignments and grades.

One obvious way you can avoid your parents looking at your assignments and grades is not giving them your username or password. As far as parents know, the schools are still handing back grades on paper, not posting them online. Do not give them your professors’ email addresses or phone numbers. Your

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professors will see you as a child if your parents are emailing them about your grades. If you have “helicopter parents” meaning they constantly hover over your life, avoid giving them your professors’ names too. It’s quite easily to look up someone’s email address and phone number when you have his or her last name.

If you are struggling with classes, the last thing you need is to have your parents calling and nagging you about grades, which will stress you out even more. If your parents insist on knowing how you’re doing, reply to their questions with answers such as “good” and “awesome.” Also tell them that you love all of your classes and professors, even if you do not, so they will think you’re not having any issues. If you’re happy, your parents are happy – most of the time.

Make no mistake; struggling in your classes can turn into a real problem. But for that problem, there are tutors available on campus for free. Well, they are included in your tuition. With a tutor, your grades go up and your parents never know you were doing terribly in the first place.

Another way to fool your

parents into thinking you’re doing really well is by getting involved in many different clubs and organizations (or at least saying you’re involved). If you appear to be busy to your parents, they are less likely to call you on a daily basis.

Getting a job on campus is also a great idea. If you make your own money, you will have one less reason to have to talk to your parents on the phone. Your parents will see that you are getting closer and closer to supporting yourself and they will most likely leave you alone.

If you don’t want them checking up on you, seeing if you’re out partying, looking through your photos, wondering if you’re actually involved on campus, then don’t add your parents on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

As long as you’re at least staying on top of all your assignments, you should do well. If you do well and make the Dean’s list (maybe even the President’s list), then that would be a good time to share your grades with your parents. If not, practice the steps provided above to fool your parents into thinking you’re a really great, independent student.

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Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Where are you?

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1. Art Building E 2. Art Building F 3. Art Building D 4. Art Building C 5. Art Building C 6. Art Building A 7. Art Building B 8. SHSU Post Office 9. South Paw Dining 10. Forensic Chemistry Building 11. Academic Building III (AB3) 12. Parkhill House

13. Barrett House 14. Allen House 15. Roy Adams House 16. Vick House 17. Spivey House 18. Randall House 19. Academic Building IV (AB4) 20. College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building (CHSS) 21. Lee Drain Building 22. Farrington Building 23. Counseling Center

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24. Estill Building 25. Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center 26. Evans Complex 27. Thomason Building 28. West Plant 29. Bobby K. Marks Admin Bldg 30. Dan Rather Comm. Building 31. Austin Hall 32. Peabody Library 33. Margaret Lea Houston Bldg.

34. Methodist Student Center 35. Episcopal Student Center

36. Belvin-Buchanan Hall 37. Old Main Market 38. Estill Hall 39. Student Health Center 40. Lowman Student Center 41. Parking Garage 42-45. Sorority Hill 46. Psycological Services 47. Lone Star Hall 48. Criminal Justice Bldg.

49. Performing Arts Center (PAC)/University Theatre Center

50. Music Building 51. Academic Building I (AB1) 52. Smith-Huston Complex 53. Newton Gresham Library 54. Teacher Education Center 55. Counselor Education Center 56. Johnson Coliseum 57. Rec Sports Center 58. Health & Kinesiology Center 59. White Hall 60. Raven Hall

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Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

Which professors are the best?

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David Gerling, Ph.D.

Nick Pappas, Ph.D. Nicholas Pappas, Ph.D., a history professor, was another one of King’s picks.

“He’s nutty and has great stories,” King said.

Green said Nicholas Pappas’ wife, Lee Pappas, made world history easy to understand and filled with laughter.

Misti Jones recommended two Spanish professors: Caleb Baker and Christine Payne.

“Baker cares about his students, is hilarious and an easy professor,” Jones said. “Payne is very funny, sweet and an easy grader.”

Green adds David Gerling, Ph.D., to the list of great Spanish professors.

“He understands the college lifestyle and is willing to help students in need,” Green said.

“I’ve taken him at every chance

she uses pop culture references to help ease up sometimes dull topics.

www.shsu.edu

www.shsu.edu

I get, including all four semesters of Spanish.”

Heather Evans, Ph.D.

Christian Vazquez suggested a fun professor who has a love for chinchillas.

“Alan Clune (Ph.D.) has a good sense of humor, which really helps out,” Vazquez said. “He makes his lectures interesting and fun to listen to.”

Clune is a professor of philosophy.

www.shsu.edu

freshman, and she took the time to help him out with an honors contract several times during the course of the semester.

Wouldn’t students love to take a class with a man who has a hook for a hand and isn’t afraid to joke about it? Well it is an option.

Ashley Baker said James Olsen, Ph.D., has done a lot for Sam Houston State University.

“He’s survived cancer 12 times, has one arm and makes pirate jokes with his hook hand,” Baker said. “Also, he’s one badass professor.”

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Olsen is so distinguished on campus that the auditorium in Academic Building IV is named after him. He teaches introductory level history classes as well as some upper level classes.

Olsen’s been published countless times in articles, and he has written his own books.

www.shsu.edu

The Houstonian staff brainstormed the best professors on campus that students must take before they graduate. By far this is not a comprehensive list because we know there are many professors out there who probably deserve to be on this list, we just haven’t taken them.

Jay R. Jordan said Professor Taylor Gaines for English 1301/1302 was a must have professor.

“He is thorough and teaches good grammar,” Jordan said.

Molly Waddell agrees, Gaines helped her decide to change her major.

“Gaines believes in his students and wants them to succeed,” Waddell said.

Gaines also has a lot of insight because he has been in so many jobs including but not limited to: wedding photographer, judge and professor.

Professors are not there to watch you fail, so in finding that great professor you need to make sure you reach out to them as well. Professors can get you jobs or connect you with other great contacts.

Stacy Ulbig, Ph.D., was another staff selection because of her personality and how much she cares about students.

Before each test she arranges study groups so if anyone has any questions they can meet and work them out.

“She is badass, and was teacher of the year last year,” Karmen

King said.

Ulbig teaches Intro to Political Science as well as several upper level classes.

Stephen Green took her as a

www.shsu.edu

MOLLY WADDELL News Editor

Alan Clune, Ph.D. Green and Stacy Hood also said Heather Evans, Ph.D., in the political science department is probably the most in tune with students and can make complex theories easy to understand.

During the course of her classes,

The university also awards outstanding professors with teaching excellence awards. That list is a good way to also determine if a professor is worth your time, but not necessarily the only way.

Talk to the upperclassman in the classes you’ve taken within your major or minor. They’re the best resources for which professors to take, and which to avoid.

Ask your professors, although they aren’t normally supposed to, under most circumstances, professors know which ones in their own department not to take and who you should. So ask.

Another way to determine which professors are good is to look at the list of professors who teach in the Honors College. Green said as an Honors College student, he hasn’t gotten a professor that teaches there yet that he wouldn’t take again.

You may feel foolish at first doing research on your professors and reading their vitae, but in the long run, you’ll thank yourself.

Visit our website for all of the content you see in our regular issues of the Houstonian, plus some! Our team of writers ensures new content and breaking news coverage on www.HoustonianOnline.com.

Fall 2013 Orientation Guide

How to play and win THE GAME STEPHEN GREEN Editor-in-Chief

College, like any good strategybased game, can be won or lost.

Winning means getting your diploma at the end with solid job prospects. Losing means dropping or flunking out without really knowing how it all happened.

Use this as your strategy guide to succeed in college, potentially graduating early, and getting good grades (even if sometimes you don’t really deserve it).

No this isn’t a guide to how to cheat on that American history midterm, nor do anything that violates school policy. Just good ol’ fashioned people skills.

The first and best way to succeeed in college is to actually read, study and do well on exams.

Unfortunately, at some point it becomes overwhelming and you need an easy way out, but you should really try this first. Your degree won’t mean much if you didn’t take any knowledge away with it.

Start with your professors.

Get to know them. This doesn’t imply being a condescending brown-noser because professors hate that too. But take time to read over their vita, which is like their resume. You might find something that they know a lot about or particularly enjoy that can come in handy. Like when you don’t know the answer, but you know what your professor knows about and wants to hear.

In addition, professors can actualy be *GASP* your friends that you go out and have a drink with. When you graduate (especially if you’ve got graduate school in mind) your teachers will be your peers. They know the guys with the jobs you want.

Even while you’re in college they can be of use to you. Failed that midterm? You might score extra points (literally) by helping with a research project, or cleaning out an old office.

Befriending not brown-nosing is the key.

If you are lucky enough to already know what you want to do when you graduate and where you want to go, begin networking with the people at the university that can help you get there. It may

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be professors, students, staff, or administration, but don’t be afraid of going after what you want.

Unlike high school, which was mostly filled with students who didn’t want to be there, college is a place (for the most part) where ambition is respected by your peers.

The most successful students aren’t necessarily the ones with the hgihest GPAs, although that is nice. They’re the ones who are respected and know what they’re doing in their field.

For example, my grades don’t always accurately reflect what I know, more like they reflect how much sleep I’ve been able to get over the last few nights.

Get involved with a group related to your major. This isn’t just about networking, it’s about getting practical, hands-on experience you can stuff your portfolio with once your out of this protective bubble we call college.

My time working at the Houstonian and with the radio and TV stations on campus have taught me more than anything I’ve learned in the classroom. And in addition to that, I’ll walk out with more than 200 articles, online projects and videos that I can show editors and producers.

It’s not out of the realm of possibility for anyone else.

Student groups and academic organizations are screaming for students to join their ranks. If you at least act passionate about what you do, you’ll go far. Especially on this campus.

Go to all of the events your department puts on and meet all the professionals in the field who come to speak. Odds are you’ll only be one of a handful of students, depending which major you’re in.

This gives you the opportunity to not only meet distinguished people in the field, but get respect from your professors for attending.

Especially at events with a lack of attendance, professors who attend will notice you at some point and it gives you something else to talk with them about.

If a professor asks you to help work on a project or invites you to a dinner, don’t say you don’t have money or that you have work.

Take time off! These are once-in-

a-lifetime opportunities that you’ll be experiencing. Find a way to make it happen.

Do your own research or projects. Maybe you haven’t gotten on the inside track quite yet, but these will help.

In practical majors especially, figure out how to work equipment and programs on your own time. The university computers all have the ability to run many industry standard programs from anywhere on campus.

The more you know going into a class, you’ll not only get a better grade, but it will help you refine your own ability. Some of the skills that are being required of you or being taught to you aren’t easy, and sure you’ll probably make a bad grade at some point in college. Don’t panic.

It may be taboo to say that GPA doesn’t matter but...GPA doesn’t matter in the long run. It’s the degree and what you know that counts. So focus on what does matter: your major specific classes. Have two finals but only enough time to study for one?

Pick the one that matters more.

It may hurt your GPA temporarily, but even if an employer cares about your GPA, odds are they’ll look at the major specific one. Who cares you made a C in Applied Mathematics besides mom and dad? Just don’t lose your scholarship.

Take your difficult classes first.

As a student, I knew going in that I would get lazier as I went into college so I made sure to leave the easy or fun classes until my last few semesters so my grades and attention span wouldn’t be hit so hard. My first semester I took classes I knew would be hard for me because I knew I would work hard because I was at a new school. You can do the same.

Getting through college is easy, but doing so, maintaining a high GPA, actually learning what matters, networking, and preparing for the work place in a few years is not.

Follow my advice and make your own list. Maybe some of my advice won’t work. But it sure beats not trying anything.

Apathy is the enemy of an education.

Kassidy Turnpaugh | The Houstonian

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