& Student Life Presents
a
guide students to
USF
Learn what’s new this fall! Engagement 8
August 17, 2017
Feature articles on
Career Success Center Student Discounts Places to Go in Joliet
pages 22-33
Apps with Class
Guide to your first eight weeks on campus!
Organizations Tips!
How to
STAY HEALTHY
Alumni Office
C AMP US MA P S!
FAFSA
ch u m e d an mor
Editorial Board Clarice Swanson
Editor-in-Chief clariceswanson@stfrancis.edu
Engagement 8
Mat Tuck
Your guide to the first 8 weeks of school....... p.22-32
Eva Lopez Benedi
News Campus Maps.................... Letter from the Dean......................... Student Goverment............. Campus News..........................
4 6 7 8
4 Reasons You Need a Planner......... 10 8 Tips to Start Your College Career On the Right Track........................... 11 Making the Most of Your Dorm .... 12 The Keys to Multitasking.................... 14 The Best Places to Study on 15 Campus.................................................
August 17, 2017
Layout Director evalopezbenedi@stfrancis.edu
Dr. Scott Marshall Advisor
Health
Organization
2
Assistant Editor mathewtuck@stfrancis.edu
Stay Healthy! Tips For College Health..................................................... Say NO to the “Freshman 15�.......... Keeping Healthy Relatioships......... Keeping Mental Health in Mind....................... The Importance of Faith................. Advice to my Freshman Self...........
smarshall@stfrancis.edu
16 17 18 19 20 21
Feature The First Step: Advice on Choosing A Major.............................................. 34 Career Success Center........................ 36 FAFSA Update........................................... 37 Get to Know the Alumni Office.......... 38 8 Must-Have-Apps for College 39 Students.................................................... Student Discounts.................................... 40 Places to Go in Joliet............................... 42
Staff Writers Abigail Blome Andrew Finien Aubrey Knight Bruce Foote Christian Hoeger Delainey Smith Elijah Anderson Ivan Flores Joe Ramos Katherine Wozniak Lorraine Lawson Maribeth Hearne Misael Tobias Noah Mussay Skyler Kern
New and returning students, welcome to the start of another great school year! We're excited to present another ollaboration between The Encounter and Student Life to give you a guide to starting off the school year right. This issue is meant to provide you information and news that will make the start of school a little bit easier. It includes tips for studying, physical and mental health, and information from our Dean of Students, our Student Government President, our Director of Alumni and Family Relations, as well as several other student leaders and faculty members. It also includes a guide to the many activities taking place in the first eight weeks of the semester, giving you a jump start on planning these first few weeks. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to serve as Editor in Chief for the Encounter this year, and to work with an amazing team to bring you three more great issues this semester. If you’re interested in writing for the print or online encounter, everyone is welcome. Keep an eye out for our print issue sign-ups in the Uno Lounge throughout the semester. There are unlimited spots for writers for online, so come write for us! Were interested in working with you on articles on sports, entertainment, school life, world news, and more! For more information make sure to follow us on facebook (USF Encounter), Instagram (usf_encounter), and Twitter (usf_encounter). For information on becoming a writer, contact me at clariceswanson@stfrancis.edu. Welcome to the second annual guide to USF!
Clarice Swanson Hello,
Editor-in-Chief
Welcome home!! We are so excited to have you be a part of the USF Family. This is going to be a great year! There are many great activities and learning opportunities planned for you. I just have one request, JUMP IN!! It is unlikely that there will be another time in your life where opportunities will be planned for you, that new experiences will be right around the corner waiting for you to grab hold. That services and professional staff members will be excited for you to be a part of what they have to offer. Whether it be joining a club, starting a new club, volunteering in the community or getting a part-time job in a campus office, DO IT!! Don’t wait, don’t hesitate. I know I can speak for the campus community when I say we want you to be a part of these offerings and the best way to do that is open this book, pick five or ten things you are interested in and put them on your calendar now. The way to make this a great year is by taking part and not looking back and wishing you had branched out and tried new things. If you have any questions, idea or things you want to see, come visit us in Student Life, Motherhouse 150. We cannot wait to meet you.
Mollie Rockafellow Director of Student Life
From the top: Clarice Swanson(Edior-in-Chief), Eva Lopez (Layout Artist), Damon Sloan (Dean of Students), Molly Rockafellow (Director of Student Life), and Andrew Finein (Student Worker).
Policies The Encounter is published by the students of the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois, 60435. The newspaper office is located in room S413C of Tower Hall. The Encounter phone number is 815.740.3816. As a member of USF Campus Media, the Encounter strives to produce a publication that stresses quality writing and design. By reporting on issues that may be sensitive in nature, the Encounter aims to educate, inform and persuade students on topics that affect their lives on and off campus. Editorial pages provide Encounter staff with opportunities to express thoughtful views on controversial topics. Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author and are not necessarily opinions of the Encounter Staff. Publications of letters to the editor are subject to space availability and management discretion. Letters are also subject to editing. Letters to the editor or any other submissions may be dropped off at the Encounter office or emailed to usfencounter@gmail.com. The Encounter is printed by RICOH Services on the campus of the University of St. Francis.
All rights reserved.
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NEWS
Letter from the Editors
University of St. Francis
Campus Maps
4
August 17, 2017
NEWS
Parking Lots Lot B – resident students, commuter students, employees, and guests (overnight allowed) Lot C – resident students, commuter students, employees, and guests Lot D – resident students, commuter students, employees, and guests (overnight allowed) Lot E – commuter students, employees, and guests Lot F – resident students, commuter students, employees, and guests Lot H – resident students, commuter students, employees, and guests Lot I – resident students, commuter students, employees, and guests
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DEAR STUDENTS: Welcome back to another great year at the University of St. Francis! Our departments have been working hard over the summer to provide you with a number of engagement opportunities, and we hope that you take advantage of all there is to offer on campus. There’s so much to do here! Our clubs offer a chance for students to network, learn skills that future employers want, and forge lifelong friendships. We have clubs for most majors on campus, clubs for certain identity groups, clubs that focus on leadership, and what I call, “specialty” clubs, like Justice League of USF, Students Today Alumni Tomorrow, or Healthy Saints. Don’t see a club that you want join? Create one! What’s great about USF is the ability to form new clubs with only a handful of people. Also, take advantage of attending athletic events. Our Fighting Saints finished 10th place in the nation last year in the Learfield Director’s Cup, which awards points to schools based on national qualifying teams. Put simply, our teams excel, and we should all support their efforts by cheering them on. In addition, attend the events that are sponsored by the various departments on campus, such as Student Life, University Ministry, Institutional Diversity, or academic departments that sponsor speakers throughout the year. This is college! Don’t waste a second of it, and embrace the time you are here. Check social media later, binge-watch Netflix another time, and hold off on all those video games. Get out, participate, make friends, and truly be a Saint. As always, my door is open to hear your concerns and suggestions to make this campus a better place for our students. Please contact me at 815-704-5055, e-mail at dsloan@stfrancis.edu, or reach me on Twitter @DamonSloan. Here’s to an exciting 2017-2018 academic year! Best regards, Damon Sloan
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August 17, 2017
Dean of Students
NEWS
Skyler Kern Student Government President At the University of St. Francis, the voice of the students is brought to administration, faculty, staff, and trustees through the Student Government Association (SGA), to provide more cohesive communication about student life issues on campus. As the name implies, SGA is completely student-run, relying on the active participation of the SGA executive board, senators, club and organization members and representatives, and other students to be successful. In the past couple of years, SGA has implemented a new solidarity statement, created procedures for using the grills and fire pit near the pavilion on the quad, revised the alcohol policy for residents on campus, and brought about a new tobacco policy preventing the use of tobacco products on main campus except for in the designated smoking areas, including the designation of St. Clare campus as a tobacco-free area. The Student Government Association holds meetings every other MONDAY AT 8 PM IN SAN DAMIANO HALL on the third floor of Motherhouse to discuss the needs and concerns of the student body on issues pertaining to student life on campus. The first meeting will be held on August 28th. The meetings are open to all students to attend. During these meetings, SGA Executive Board and senators report on their initiatives and progress. All students are encouraged to get involved by addressing their issues and concerns with student life on campus. To better the student experience, legislation is proposed and voted on during these meetings as well. The SGA Executive Board consists of seven people: Vice President of Student Endeavors (Abigail Blome) President (Skyler Kern) Vice President of Diversity (Juanita MuĂąoz-Lopez) Executive Vice President (Mallory Johnson) Vice President of Sustainability (Meghan Price). Vice President of Finance (Travis Williams) Vice President of Publicity (Irma Sandoval) The Executive Vice President is in charge of the eight senators, represented by two people from each class (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior). Senators serve on various committees focused on different areas of student life, with focuses ranging from food service on campus to academics to finances of the clubs and organizations. Senators also write and propose one piece of meaningful legislation per year focused on some aspect of improving student life or the campus. Sophomore, junior, and senior senators have already been elected for this year. Freshman senators will be elected by their class within the first couple weeks of school. To run as a senator, interested freshman must pick up an official SGA Election Packet (available at the SGA office and Marian Hall Desk), answer the questions provided on it, and get 25 signatures from their classmates supporting their campaign as class senator by August 31st. Elections will be held on September 6th. Feel free to drop by the SGA office, located in Motherhouse 145 (Monday-Friday) or send us an email at studentgovernment@ stfrancis.edu if you have any questions or concerns about SGA or student life on campus.)
MEETING TIMES Fall
August 28th September 11th September 25th October 9th October 23rd November 6th November 20th December 4th
Spring January 22nd February 5th February 19th March 12th March 26th April 9th April 23rd
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Campus
UPDATES
Andrew Finein Staff Writer
Although most students were away from USF over the summer, it was a prime time for renovations and changes across campus to take place. From a new parking lot opening, to new faces around campus, new and returning students have a lot to look forward to upon arriving for class.
Parking renovations
Construction on a new parking lot across Wilcox Street from Tower Hall started in May and is ready for the USF community to use. The parking lot, Lot F, replaces the lot that was formerly located in the Quad behind the Rec Center. The parking lot in the Quad had to be demolished per the City permit. Overnight parking for students living in the residence halls will be in Lots B and D.
Residence Hall Expansion and Offices Relocated Over the past couple years, the Tower residence halls have expanded to include the entire section of the south wing of Tower Hall frequently referred as the “half floors.� The last phase of the renovation was completed this summer, converting the 4th floor to residence halls. The renovation adds an additional 18 residence hall rooms for residents to live in in Tower Hall. Prior to converting these spaces to residence hall rooms, the social work and psychology offices were relocated to the main sections of the second and third floor of South Tower Hall. 8
August 17, 2017
Photos courtesy of clipart-library.com
NEWS
New College of Arts and Sciences Dean
Dr. Bob Kase said farewell to the University over the summer after serving as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for the past eight years. During Kase’s time at USF, he helped the programs within the college grow, including the assisting with the development of the Digital Audio Recording Arts (DARA) program. As Kase tackles his next adventure, USF welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Davies as the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Davies previously served as a psychology professor for the past nine years. Although she is won’t be teaching in the classroom this year, Davies is looking forward to being able to give back to USF and be of service to the students, faculty, staff and administrators. College can be a time to try new things and discover who you are which is why Davies recommends students take the time in college to grow in all the different ways you need to: personally, intellectually, spiritually, athletically and so on.
Student Life Coordinator
The Department of Student Life welcomes Allie Youngren as the Student Life Coordinator. Youngren will assist with student activities on campus including advising Student Activities Board (SAB), assisting with the growth of Greek Life on campus, and much more! Youngren comes to USF from Princeton, IL.
Marian Hall Lobby
Residents and visitors of Marian Hall will be greeted with a new 50” LED display behind the front desk. The screen will be used to display important notifications, news and updates of upcoming events.
Construction on The LaVerne and Dorthy Brown Science Building continues to progress with a new opening date of Spring 2018. The construction team has begun to lay the outside brick for the building, which will be used for Scinece classes at USF once construction is complete. Renovations have also taken place at Motherhouse, where the front steps were torn and up and replaced during the summer months.
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4 Reasons to Start
Using a Planner Ivan Flores Staff Writer
WHEN coming back to school, nothing stresses someone out more than feeling overwhelmed and overworked. As college students, we have many tasks and commitments to complete daily, and it sometimes makes remembering everything difficult. According to The Seattle Times, a study conducted in 2014 titled “The American Freshman: National Norms,” concluded 34.6% of incoming freshmen felt overwhelmed by schoolwork and other commitments. Thankfully, this is where a planner can come into play. Available in an array of sizes and colors, a planner can keep you at ease when it comes to being organized with what is going on in your life. Here are the benefits of using a planner throughout the school year:
● Reduce Your Stress
There is nothing more calming than knowing what to expect throughout the week. All you need is an hour (or less) per week to determine how to balance assignments that need to be completed, your work schedule, and your commitments and events. Remember more and worry less!
● Time Management
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, full-time college students spend about 19 hours per week on actual educational activities such as attending classes and participating in after-school clubs or organizations. They also work an average of 16 hours a week. A planner can help you balance your commitments and tasks to keep you on top of everything that is going on in your life.
● Practice Good Habits
Writing down important information in a planner motivates you to check it more often. It starts to become second nature, like setting up your alarm clock. Not only does a planner keep you organized, it also helps you design your own type of system to help you prioritize your goals which can be useful in the workforce after graduating.
● Success
Being able to draw a checkmark or cross off a completed task or assignment gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to complete many more. It gives you a sense of greater control over your life. As Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Plans are nothing, planning is everything.”
Take a day to shop around for a planner. It gives you the chance to view the wide range of planners and choose the right one that will cater to your needs. You can shop around Walmart, Target, Hobby Lobby, Staples, OfficeMax, and many other stores or shop for one online. Plan away!
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August 17, 2017
Photos courtesy of diysolarpanelsv.com
Noah Mussay Staff Writer
You’ve made it through high school, and now, you’ve come to USF to face a new challenge and there’s no sugar coating it; college WILL be challenging. That’s why it’s important that you develop efficient planning and notetaking skills now to ensure the next four years are as smooth as possible! Here are some tips to help you along the way.
•
Read through the syllabus
•
Read assigned chapters before coming to class
Professors commonly use examples in order to help their students better understand complex concepts. According to simplypsychology.org, facts are encoded into our memory on the basis of meaning. So, concepts that we’re taught will have no meaning to us until the professor breaks it down using common examples.
Mark down all of your due dates and exam dates. This way, you can break down each task into manageable parts.
•
Familiarize yourself with the material prior to class. This way, you won’t have to copy down every word off of a PowerPoint.
•
Outline the information
•
Listen not just for facts but also context
This can be done in a variety of different ways i.e. using bulllet points for relevant details or organizing information into a chart.
Pay attention to the facts that are presented during a lecture but also to how these facts are apart of the bigger picture. Howard Culberts on, an emeritus professor at Southern Nazarene University, suggests that those who are inattentive to the relationship between facts will have a harder time fully understanding the main ideas that the facts are connected to.
•
Write down any examples that the professor gives in class
•
Explain concepts in your own words
•
Ask Questions
It’s easy to go into a lecture planning on simply copying down every single word on a PowerPoint. However, remember that the professor will always explain things in the way that they believe is best for the class, which is not always best for you. So, take notes that will help you best understand and remember the information.
Don’t sit quietly in a lecture if you have a question. Often times, students are too afraid to ask a question for fear of looking ignorant in front of their classmates. However, appearing ignorant is better than truly being ignorant.
Write down the “important information”
We’ve all heard this one before. So, what qualifies as important? Basically, any specific ideas, concepts or events that are explained using bulleted or numbered lists or examples can be considered “important information”. Also, if your professor explains a piece of information at length then it is likely that information will also be on the exam.
Photos courtesy of ordning-reda.com abd Papago Archery Association
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ORGANIZATION
8 TIPS
That Will Start Your College Career On The Right Track
Dorms are cramped. No way around it. However, with a few tricks you can make the most of your home-awayfrom-home. TO START, there is one thing I want you to keep in mind: If you can loft your bed, I highly suggest it! By lofting my bed freshman year, my roommate and I were able to fit a full-sized couch in our room, which was fantastic for when friends came over to hang out or when one of us had a guest stay over. Of course, to loft or not to loft is totally up to you. If you opt not to, as long as you have your bed raised to its highest point you can usually still fit your dresser and other storage underneath.
Mak ing the most of Abigail Blome Staff Writer
DORM
YOUR
THE NEXT STEP is floorplanning. Now with any floorplanning method, it is very important to measure everything. Measure your room from wall to wall, measure your desk, measure your bed, etc.. Also measure any doors and how far they swing out. (For example, Marian doubles are typically 12x15 but Marian triples can vary in size. Twin XL beds are about 7’x3’.) Measure things that can't be moved so you can work around them. Now to make a floor plan. There are two ways to do this easily. One is to make a physical paper floor plan (my favorite method), or you can use a website such as...
PlanYourRoom.com
A few other tips for getting the most out of your space: • • • • • •
12
Mirrors make any space look larger. Walmart typically has cheap full-length ones. Hang your posters up high, giving your room the illusion of height. Invest in additional lighting to make your space seem warmer. Ship seasonal clothes home or keep them in vacuum bags when not needed. Buy storage containers or shelving that stacks, saving your valuable floorspace. Storage ottomans can both hold your items and be used as seating. Score!
August 17, 2017
Photos courtesy of various locations websites.
PAPER PLAN
ORGANIZATION
HERE’S A QUICK OVERVIEW ON HOW TO MAKE A
1) Take your first piece of graph paper. This will be your room.
Decide how much space a square of graph paper will represent. I used paper with 1/4" squares and each square was 4 inches, so three squares made a foot. Cut out a rectangle to your room dimensions. Mark anything in the room on the paper that can't be moved. Things such as doors, heaters, a built-in closet, etc. You may also choose to mark things such as windows and outlets, if their location is important to you.
2) Take your second piece
of graph paper. This will be your furniture. Outline, label and cut out your furniture pieces. This includes any large objects that aren't already in the dorm, such as storage towers, floor lamps, and mini-fridges.
3) Take your furniture pieces
and rearrange them as many times as you would like until you find the perfect fit. This process only takes about half an hour and will save you a lot of grunt work. If you feel like rearranging your room at a later point, just pull the graph paper back out and move stuff around again.
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to MULTI-TASKING
The
Elijah Anderson Staff Writer
What do you do when you have a test and a project in the same day? How about adding on a couple of homework assignments and friends who want to hang out for the weekend? It all seems overwhelming, doesn’t it?
At times like this, it is best to consider what needs to get done and what can be worried about later. When it comes to multitasking, it is important to note three major things.
...
First
you need to set a schedule for yourself. Attempting to take on everything without a game plan of some sort is not going to be effective when you are looking the amount of work ahead . You can do this by keeping reminders in your calendar on your phone or keeping a planner on you throughout the day.
Second is to pace yourself. You have your plan for how you want to tackle everything
you want to do. Now, the question is, how to do it all without exhausting yourself? The key thing to remember is that you are only one person. If you try and take on everything at once, you will fail about ninety percent of the time. It is not to say that you cannot succeed at this skill, but you must also remember that there are limits to how much one person can do and handle.
Third, and most important, is to remember that it will all be okay. As stated before, it is
important to pace yourself and take your time. Everything does not have to be done immediately. Likewise, everything cannot be put off until the last minute. It takes a leveled head to take on the tasks of school, friends, a social life, and family. Trust me when I say this, but you can do anything you put your mind to. Just go and do what you need to do.
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August 17, 2017
Photos courtesy of Psychology Today and se.depositphotos.com
It’s that time of year to get back to the books and back-to-school activities. With our planners full of all kinds of assignments and events, it’s easy to find ourselves with a little bit too much on our plates. Finding a place where you can do your work best is key to succeeding this school year. From my time spent here at St. Francis, I’ve found many places that are great for individual and group study. Here’s my top four:
ter n e C e sourc r help e R c i m Fo ) C Acade R (A ted on
Campus Katherine Wozniak Staff Writer
LaVerne and Dorothy Brown Librar The best place
Here you will fin d numerous computers an d printers for an y online assignm ents you may have. The larg e tables found on all three floors allow space fo r groups to stud y together. Th e library even off ers special room s that you can re serve for any st udy group you may have. Looking for time to yourse lf? There are se ctions of the lib rary called, “qui et zones”, with de sks and couch chairs for silent study.
ca C is lo he The AR nd floor of t ny a o c r the se nd ready fo d a e library you may ne t e c subje h! Tutors ar y it n help w in almost a g le b it a r in avail d the W u ren a t c subje elp yo ethr will h Cente r papers. Wh u dy vise yo eeding stu , or n e in r b to g er it tice, tu dents c a r p , stu tips help , fellow advice ys willing to a are alw eed. cc you su
Uno Lounge: Comfy spot
Need somewhere to study in between classes? At the center of Tower Hall is where you will find the Uno lounge. The comfy couches and charging station allows it to be the perfect place to recharge and go over any notes before that big test. Photos courtesy of academiamavic.com
to get the most
done
y
Fireside Lo unge Study
with a sna Located o ck n the grou nd floor of Mo therhouse , this loung e is a grea t place to w ork with o ther students o r do some assignmen tswhile grabbing a snack. Righ t around th e corner is the Three Oaks Bistro , perfect for breakfast, a quick snac k, or lunch between c lasses. Wit h a compute r lab nearb y as well, it is the perfec t place to st udy.
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ORGANIZATION
P l a c e s t o St u d y A r o u n d
Endless dining hall passes, all night study sessions, copious amounts of caffeine and take-out do not amount for a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, in college all of these unhealthy habits are easy to fall victim too during what seems to be the most hectic years of our lives. However, there are steps we can take in order to stay healthy throughout our college years!
Stay Healthy!
Tips for College Health
Delainey Smith Staff Writer
1. Focus on Fitness
3. Don’t over Commit
2. BackPack Snacks
4. Indulgence is a Virtue
When one becomes stressed it’s easy to binge eat pizza or watch hours of mindless television, instead of hitting the cafeteria or next episode button hit the gym! Working out is linked to boosting happiness and energy levels in individuals. Your workout does not have to be a rigorous weight training circuit or a five mile run, it can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator throughout the day or taking a lap around campus after sitting in classes. Focusing on fitness is an important aspect to living a healthy lifestyle in college.
Let’s face it, we all get a serious case of the munchies at least once during the afternoon rush of classes, studying, and planning for the day. Instead of stopping at the vending machine or a fast food joint, load up your backpack with healthy snacks to munch on throughout your day. Granola bars, fresh fruit, trail mix, pretzels, nuts, and veggie straws are perfect snacks to give you an energy boost throughout your day. Not to mention bringing your own snacks can save you money throughout the semester! 16
August 17, 2017
It is easy to stretch yourself thin by becoming too involved in too many things during the school year. It can be all too easy to say "yes" to all of the exciting and interesting things that take place on campus. It is important to remember to say no when you find yourself struggling to balance everything. While you might want to go to class, study, work, play a sport, get an internship, participate in clubs, hangout with friends, and go to every event on campus, the reality is that sooner or later you’re going to get run down by trying to do too much. Focus on doing the things that will help your future and make you happy.
Sustaining a healthy lifestyle in college does not mean you have to completely give up the things you love. If you are having a particularly rough day and you want to eat a bowl of ice cream, eat ice cream. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a break from your routine for social time with friends or an extra Netflix episode every now and then. Ultimately, your happiness is the most important aspect for a positive college experience. Eat well, be well, and live well!
HEALTH
How to Say NO to the
“Freshman 15” Ivan Flores Staff Writer While there are a lot of positives in the transition from high school to the college life, there is one huge negative that every student needs to watch out for; the dreaded “Freshmen 15.” According to the Huffington Post, the “Freshmen 15” is a term used to define the amount of weight that a student will gain as they enter college. This typically occurs when students are stressed, eating larger meal portions, snacking heavily, exposed to drinking, and become less active. Thankfully, here are some tips that you can use to avoid gaining those pounds:
Choose your meals wisely.
While having an unlimited meal plan might sound like a good idea right now, it can backfire if you tend to choose greasy foods often, such as burgers, fries, and pizza. Remember that moderation is key. According to The Washington Post, a good guideline at every meal is to fill half your plate with vegetables, a quarter with (whole) grains and the remaining quarter with protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken or fish.
Don’t drink your way into empty calories
Sodas, juices and energy drinks are packed with calories making it easy to chug a few hundred calories in a matter of minutes. Substitute those drinks with either water or herbal tea if you are thirsty. According to PopSugar, fruity cocktails are extremely high in calories, for example, a six ounce “White Russian,” can have over 374 calories. What is recommended, according to The Washington Post, is to slow your consumption by alternating alcohol-based drinks with water and choosing low calorie drinks such as light beer or wine spritzers (100-150 calories per drink).
Fit in some time to exercise
As USF Students, we have free access to using the gym located in the Pat Sullivan Recreation Center as well as Inwood Athletic Club. Inwood offers a variety of classes that you can take to help you stay fit and active such as Spinning, Zumba, Yoga, Cardio/Core, Strength Building (S.O.S), and so much more. Please check out inwoodathleticclub.com for more information. Don’t have time to attend a gym? Got seven minutes? If you haven’t heard of the “Seven-Minute Workout,” it is packed with various exercises done intensely and rapidly with few breaks in between. To perform these exercises, all you will need is a yoga mat and to download one of the following apps on your phone which are both FREE and available on the App Store:
“Seven Pictures, timers, spoken instructions and even feedback on your progress.
“Quick Fit” An intense abdominal workout, a 15 minute yoga routine and more.
Overall, we should remember that gaining weight can be inevitable. At this time, it is crucial to learn how to make smarter eating choices and healthier active habits to avoid living an unhealthy lifestyle into our adulthood. Photos courtesy of various locations websites.
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Keeping Healthy Relationships
Clarice Swanson Editor in Chief
COLLEGE is a time of change. For many people, it’s a brand new experience, away from family, friends, and sometimes significant others. But with these changes, how can you keep relationships that are from a different time in your life? Or, how do you know when it’s time to let go of some of these relationships? This doesn’t just apply for romantic relationships-it applies for ALL relationships. During this time of your life, there are a few things to keep in mind when evaluating your relationships. This may sound cliche, but communication is the key to healthy relationships. It's important to keep friends, family, and boyfriends/girlfriends updated on your life. Make sure you plan time in your busy schedule to talk to loved ones about the many things that are going on in your life, both the good and the bad. On the other side, make sure to ask, and listen, to what is going on in other’s lives as well. The other people in your life have things to share as well. This is how you get to know new people, and how you keep communication with your loved ones strong. Time, especially making time, is another huge factor in relationships. Making time shows commitment, and it's important to show commitment to the relationships your truly care about. If you made a promise to visit family or friends, take time and go visit your best friends or your cousin. At the same time, recognize when people take time out of their busy schedule for you. If someone comes to visit, show them you appreciate their time. Even if it’s just a phone call, the littlest bit of time will mean the world to those close to you. Another true but hard fact is that you might go through more than one change in relationship while you’re in college. As people change, so do their relationships with other people. Sometimes, changes in people don’t affect their relationships. But in some cases, they do, and it can be good changes, or bad changes. In the case of bad changes, its ok to re-evaluate a relationship, and decide to let it go, whether it’s a romantic relationship or a friendship. You’re allowed to make changes in your life, and so are other people. Finally, not all changes are bad. Some changes can bring people closer together. If others are going through relationship issues, don’t let them affect your own life. Understanding of how to better your relationships, will make your life easier, and will give you better support throughout your college career.
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August 17, 2017
HEALTH
Keeping
Mental Health In Mind
Joe Ramos USF Counseling Intern
Wow you made it! You’re in college and the year has started in full gear. But with so many options, where do you start? There is actually a little science to lend some guidance on this question. A study took a look at nearly 600 first year college students in 2013. This study found that focusing on campus involvement, for example heading to the gym, would mean greater satisfaction with your college experience. Alternatively, focusing on one’s studies and being organized, as one might do at the library was would mean a better GPA at the end of the first semester. However, the study suggest that in order to ultimately be successful here at your college, it takes both a great experience and good grades. It is not a surprise to hear that being organized and focusing on studies leads to better grades. But it may come as a surprise that this factor came in second place. There was a factor, in the study, that beat it in the arena of getting better grades. Not only that, but it’s the only factor that emerged as a strong predictor of good grades both in the 1st semester and at the end of the school year. This factor is a central belief in oneself, also known as self-efficacy . In the face of the daunting challenges that mount with the onset of the school year. Success is strongly associated with the student that says “I believe it is possible for me to make good grades.” Another study in 2013 found that this belief in oneself, self-efficacy, is not only strongly connected with grades but with a person’s resiliency and well-being as a whole . Did you know that USF has a department dedicated to your well-being as a student? It is the Counseling Department, a team headed by Mr. Carlos Aquino in the Motherhouse room 310. A little science can sometimes help us with understanding how to invest our time for our desired outcome. In a similar fashion the team at the Counseling Department comes alongside students and employs science based approaches to improve resilience in the face of challenging circumstances. Dr. Wayne Dyer once said, “When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy every step along the way.” In the same way these college days aren’t about getting a particular grade. They’re about realizing a life of fulfillment and joy, now, and for years to come. These approaches learned from your counseling team may help with current circumstances. They may also serve to equip you to meet adversity and challenge and give you an advantage to pursue success long after graduation,when your college years are far behind in your rearview mirror. The counseling team is excited about coming alongside every student. Especially if you are doubting your ability to make it or are struggling with other circumstances we want to hear from you. Call us at (815) 740-3713 to schedule an appointment today.
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The Importance of faith Lorraine Lawson Staff Writer
FOR many people, college is a very challenging time of life. Although there are many awesome things about college, no one can deny that it is full of trials that we can either face or run away from. One of these challenges is living out the faith in a faithless society. I have personally experienced this many times, and it is most likely something that future generations are going to deal with as well. College is a time where many learn who they really are, and often the habits that are formed over this period end up lasting a lifetime. This is why I believe it is vital for college age individuals to solidify their spiritual beliefs and live out their faith. I was raised in a Catholic home, although I did not really discover the importance of my faith until recent years. Growing up I went to church every Sunday, “prayed” almost everyday (mostly consisting of mindlessly reciting prayers), and was considered a good kid. Despite all that, I wasn’t TRULY living out my faith. I was just going through the motions. It wasn’t until I surrounded myself with friends who were passionate about what they believed in that I really started living out my faith. These friends influenced my life more than words can express. I learned to pray with all my heart, offer each day to God, and developed a “game plan” so that I would stay on track with my faith. I began living with purpose, and because of that, I was able to bring joy to others. Although I firmly believe that religious values are very important, it wasn’t only the religion itself that moved me to begin living with purpose: it was relationship. God calls us all to live for relationship, first and foremost a relationship with Him, but with others as well. If we develop healthy relationships with faithful, joyful people, we will be influenced by that faith and joy. A strong relationship with Christ is the most important thing that we must focus on, and then let that overflow into the way we live our lives. Living out your faith no matter what faith it is, as a college student is tough, but our load can be lightened if we develop healthy relationships with faithful, loving individuals who make positive impacts in our lives.
“It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.” ~Saint John Paul II 20
August 17, 2017
HEALTH Clarice Swanson Editor in Chief
Advice to my Freshman Self
For me, 3 years ago marked the start of college. Ask anyone who is a senior, they’ll most likely say they are not the same person they were when they first started college. So what changed? If I could go back three years ago and give myself advice to make my life a little easier, it would be as follows:
Dare yourself
Ask for help
Don’t take your health for granted
You’re not Superman or Wonder Woman
Make time for the things you enjoy
Everyone is different
College is a new beginning, so don’t be afraid to make it just that; a beginning. That means new friendships, new experiences, and even finding out new things about yourself. So don’t be afraid to change some things in your life, and embrace new experiences as they come to you.
College comes with many opportunities for growth, but can also be a trap that keeps you from taking good care of yourself. Don’t forget to schedule time for exercise, and try and choose healthy eating options more often than not. Unhealthy habits can catch up with you more quickly than you would think.
College has a lot to offer. But that does not mean you need to do EVERYTHING college has to offer. Its ok to take time for the hobbies you personally enjoy, or even to make sure you have time to relax. This will help keep you from getting overwhelmed and stressed.
Often times we want to prove ourselves by accomplishing things completely on our own. We all have talents, but nobody is skilled at everything. It's ok to ask for assistance from professors, other students, friends, or family. You’re not inconveniencing anyone by asking for a little help.
You may have the ambition to be a leader in everything. But it's impossible. You can’t save the world by yourself. So prioritize, and choose what activities and things mean the most to you. It will save you a lot of headache in the future.
Different things will work for different people, and people will enjoy different things. The main thing is to make sure whatever choices you make, you will look back on them as good memories. Before you know it, you’ll be walking across the stage at graduation, starting another new adventure.
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Engagement 8
Fall 2017 First 8 Weeks Activities Schedule 22
August 17, 2017
Welcome Week MONDAY
Free Ice Cream and Make Your Own Dry Erase Boards 11:00 - 1:00 p.m Uno Lounge, Tower Hall
TUESDAY
Performer Odd Rod, 9pm, Sexton Auditorium, Tower Hall
WEDNSADY
Spidey-Mentalist, 9pm, Sexton Auditorium, Tower Hall
THURSDAY
Operation Glow, 8pm, Quad
FRIDAY
Free Bowling 9:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Joliet Town & Country Lanes
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ENGAEMENT 8
Bernie’s
Engagement 8
Week 1
August 20
•Welcome Back BBQ, 6-9pm, Quad. Join BSA to welcome our new and returning students for the fall with a barbeque on the Quad! Lots of food, fun, and music will be provided.•
August 22
evening with all the supplies necessary to make your own SMORES your way! Come join us to meet some other students and learn about what Rec Club is offering USF students this year! Contact recclub@stfrancis.edu for more information.
August 25
• Slacklining on the Quad, 2-5pm
• Dept. of Natural & Health Sciences Welcome Lunch, 121pm, President’s Room o Meet-up and discuss your summer with friends and faculty, and celebrate the end of the first week of class. Bring your own lunch, and faculty will bring desserts. Contact Dr. Jackie Wittke-Thompson for more information. • Men’s Soccer vs Rochester College, 7pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St.
August 23
August 26
o Come learn about an exciting activity that combines balance and coordination. Used by Rock Climbers and other outdoor enthusiasts as a training tool this activity will help you learn what it takes to reach the heights of some of these adventure sports. Contact recclub@stfrancis.edu for more information. • Men’s Soccer vs Taylor University, 7pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St. • University Convocation, 2:30pm, Cathedral of St. Raymond o Join faculty, staff and students in beginning the new school year at the University Convocation at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. The Convocation is followed by a picnic on the Quad.
August 24 • Paletas/Ice Cream Social, 10am-1pm, Uno Lounge o After the first day of classes, the Latino Honor Society will hold a social for new students to come and meet other new and returning students, while returning students can catch up with fellow classmates, all while enjoying a paleta/ ice cream. It is also an introduction to new students in an informal manner. Contact Raquel Montoya at raquelmontoya@ stfrancis.edu for more information. • SMORES on the Quad, 8-10pm o Who doesn’t like some fire roasted sugar and chocolate on graham crackers? Rec Club will be out in the Quad this
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August 17, 2017
• Day Hiking at the Cook County Forest Preserves o Come join your fellow Saints as we spend a day out enjoying the nature on one of the Cook County Forest Preserves. We’ll experience some of the beauty of nature while also taking some time to explore, take pictures, and learn about the nature environment in our own backyard. Transportation provided. Contact recclub@stfrancis.edu for more information. • Football vs Morningside College, 12pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Women’s Soccer vs Cleary University, 4:30pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Men’s Soccer vs Lincoln Christian University, 7pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St.
ENGAEMENT 8
Week 2 August 28
Hours of Operation Terrace Cafe Terrace Cafe
Monday-Thursday: 11am-1pm; Monday-Thursday:7am-10am; 7am-10am; 11am-1pm; 5pm-6:30pm 5pm-6:30pm Friday: Friday: 7am-10am; 7am-10am;11am-1pm; 11am-1pm;5pm-6pm 5pm-6pm Saturday Saturday&&Sunday: Sunday:11:30am-12:30pm; 11:30am-12:30pm;5pm5pm6pm 6pm
Bernie's Pub Bernie’s Pub
Monday-Thursday:5:30pm-11pm 5:30pm-11pm Monday-Thursday: Friday:2:30pm-11pm 2:30pm-11pm Friday: Saturday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday:7pm-11pm 7pm-11pm Sunday:
Saints Snack Shop Saints Snack Shop Monday-Friday: 11:30am-5pm Monday-Friday: 11:30am-5pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Three Oaks Bistro
Three Oaks Bistro Monday- Thursday: 7:30am-5pm MondayThursday: 7:30am-5pm Friday: 7:30am-2pm Friday: 7:30am-2pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Clare’s Garden
Monday-Friday7:30am-2pm Clare’s Garden
• SGA Meeting, 8pm, San Damiano Hall o Voice your thoughts and opinions about what’s happening on campus and changes you would like to see during the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. Contact studentgovernment@stfrancis.edu for more information.
August 29
• Bingo, 9pm, Abbey o Take your shot at a competitive game of Bingo in the Marian Hall Abbey lounge. Contact ClariceSwanson@stfrancis.edu for more information
August 30
• Jell-O Olympics, 9pm, Pavilion o Come out for FCA’s kickoff event...JELLO OLYMPICS! Fun games, races, and lots of jello and candy!!! Contact Dani Aurit at danielleaurit@stfrancis.edu for more information.
AUGUST 31
• Watermelon Smash, Time TBA, Quad o Smash some watermelons with Alpha Phi and help fight women’s heart disease. Contact DaniellaJimenez@stfrancis.edu or hannahmclaughlin@stfrancis.edu for more information.
September 1
• Women’s Soccer vs Aquinas College, 1:30pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Fighting Saints Twilight Invite (5k), 6pm, Channahon Community Park
September 2
• Men’s golf vs. Ottawa University (Kan.), 2pm, Inwood Golf Course, 3200 West Jefferson St • Women’s Soccer vs Cornerstone University, 5pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St
Monday-Friday7:30am-2pm
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Engagement 8
Week 3
September 3
• Men’s Soccer vs William Woods University, 1pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St.
September 5
• Volleyball vs Governors State University, 7pm, Pat Sullivan Rec Center • Alpha Phi Informational Meeting, Time TBA, Sexton Auditorium o Want to know more about St. Francis’ first sorority? Come meet the sisters of Alpha Phi and see what the sorority is all about, you might just want to join! Contact KaylaGarritson@stfrancis.edu or Katherinesmith2@stfrancis.edu for more information.
September 6
• FCA’s First Meeting, 9pm, Executive Conference Room (Motherhouse, C316) o Come out and get to know people who enjoy sports and lil’ baby Jesus! Contact Dani Aurit at danielleaurit@stfrancis.edu for more information.
USF Bookstore Sales
Aug 21-25: 25% off all Champion clothing Sep 12-14: All women’s apparel – Buy one get one 50% off Sep 19-21: All hates – Buy one get one 50% off Sep 28-29: All rolled tees – Buy one get one 50% off Oct 3-6: All women’s Redshirt clothing – buy one get one 50% off Oct 10-12: All fleece is 25% off Oct 31-Nov 2: All hats – Buy one get one 50% off
Bookstore Hours:
Mon. - Thursday: 8:30 am - 6 pm Friday: 8:30 am - 4 pm Sat. & Sunday: Closed 26
August 17, 2017
September 8
• Women’s Soccer vs Davenport University, 1pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Disc Golf Trip to Round Barn Farm Park, 2:30-4:30pm, Manhatten, IL o Come learn about the exciting and challenging sport of disc golf, its similar to golf but with specialized frisbees. No experience or equipment necessary. We will provide it all! Contact recclub@stfrancis.edu for more details. • Stephen Neal Concert, 7pm, Quad o Join SAB and the Alumni office as USF graduate Stephen Neal ’13 performs for a free concert on the quad! Stephen Neal is an up and coming country music artist and former Saints baseball player.
September 11
• SGA Meeting, 8pm, San Damiano Hall o Voice your thoughts and opinions about what’s happening on campus and changes you would like to see during the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting.Contactstudentgovernment@stfrancis.edufor more information.
September 12
• Volleyball Olivet Nazarene University, 7pm, Pat Sullivan Rec Center • Women’s Soccer vs Clarke University, 7pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St.
September 13
• Sweet and Greet with Members of LHS, 6pm, Outside the Cafeteria o Join the San Alberto Hurtado Latino Honor Society for sweets and pastries! Get to know your fellow LHS members and information about LHS! Contact Raquel Montoya at raquelmontoya@stfrancis.edu for more information.
September 14
• Party Time!, 12-1pm, Motherhouse room 305 o Hey, we know people like to PARTY! Do you know how much alcohol to consume before it becomes toxic or fatal? This presentation is all about awareness not preachy. We have a tool that will tell you exactly how many drinks (based on body weight) is estimated percentage of blood alcohol in one hour. Contact Carlos Aquino for more information. • Magician Ben Seidman, 9pm, Sexton Auditorium o Come out and enjoy a magic show by Ben Seidman! Ben has performed all across the world and has been involved in multiple magic TV shows. You won’t want to miss it! • Mud Olympics, Time TBA, Quad o Time to get muddy for a good cause! Alpha Phi hosts the first ever mud Olympics to help raise money for women's heart disease. Contact DaniellaJimenez@stfrancis.edu or hannahmclaughlin@ stfrancis.edu for more information.
September 15
• Aca Entre Nos, 7:30-9pm, President’s & Moes Room o It is a space to share your stories, struggles, and triumphs as we move together towards achieving the academic and career goals that brought you to this fine institution. Here, you can tell your story “en español” or in English, discuss the cultural values that are important to you, explore your relationship with others, including friends and family, and process the experience of being a Latino or Latina college student. Contact Raquel Montoya at raquelmontoya@stfrancis.edu for more information.
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ENGAEMENT 8
Week 4
Engagement 8
Week 5 September 19
• Frank Chat “Latin Americans: How are We Alike? How are We Different?”, 12:30-1:30pm, San Damiano Hall • Diversity Reception, 4-6pm, Motherhouse room 164 • Women in Church Series Lecture, 7pm, San Damiano Hall o Amy Levad from St. Thomas will be speaking about our US prison system. Contact Sister Mary Imler at mimler@stfrancise.edu for more information.
September 12
• University Success Scholars Social & Kick-off, 2pm, Presidents Room • Pintrest Night, 6pm, Abbey Lounge
September 21
• Movie Night: Fight Club, 6-9pm, room TBA o Join the Psychology Club for a screening of the 90s cult classic “Fight Club” and enjoy free pizza! An insomniac office worker, looking for a way to change his life, crosses paths with a devil-may-care soap maker, forming an underground fight club that evolves into something much, much more. • University Success Scholars Social & Kick-off, 7pm, Presidents Room
• Volleyball vs Trinity Christian College, 7pm, Pat Sullivan Rec Center
September 23
• White Water Kayaking Trip, 8am-4pm, Yorkville, IL o Join Rec Club for one of its most exciting experiences of the semester, white water kayaking! We’ll be spending the day on the Yorkville River learning about eddies, current, and waves while getting to experience them all first hand. No experience necessary. Contact recclub@stfrancis.edu for more information. • Men’s golf vs. Waubonsee Community College, 12pm, Inwood Golf Course, 3200 West Jefferson St • Women’s Soccer vs St. Xavier University, 1pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Men’s Soccer vs St. Xavier University, 3:30pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Choro de Lá pra Cá with special guest, Dill Costa, 7:30pm, Sexton Auditorium o This Brazilian trio’s name means “Choro from here and there,” the choro being a cousin of the samba. Their music is a mix of Brazilian rhythms, jazz, and classical played on traditional Brazilian instruments, and they will be joined by special guest singer, Dill Costa.
Homecoming Events Monday
FRIDAY
•Paint Paws on Taylor Street 12pm-3pm •Food Drive Begins
•Block party on the Quad at 2pm
Tuesday •Franciscan Idol: Auditorium 7pm •Team Banners Due
Wednesday •Comedian Pete Lee: Abbey 9pm
Thursday •Scavenger Hunt: Uno Lounge 9am 28
August 17, 2017
Saturday •11am-1pm, Tailgate at Joliet Memorial Stadium • Football vs Missouri S&T, 1pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St.
September 25
• SGA Meeting, 8pm, San Damiano Hall o Voice your thoughts and opinions about what’s happening on campus and changes you would like to see during the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. Contact studentgovernment@stfrancis.edu for more information.
September 26
•Women’s Soccer vs Olivet Nazarene University, 7pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St.
• Women’s Soccer vs Trinity Christian College, 1pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Men’s Soccer vs Trinity Christian College, 3:30pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Music Department Collage Concert, 7:30pm, Sexton Auditorium o Experience the many talents of USF’s Department of Music in an exciting concert of non-stop music including performances by USF ensembles, students, and faculty.Try your luck in a silent auction to help the Department of Music grow.
September 27
• Bystander Awareness, 12-1pm, Motherhouse room C316 o Are you or do you have a friend or know of someone who is struggling emotionally? Have you/they considered suicide? Attend this presentation to obtain information on how to aid someone who is struggling with isolation and depression. Contact Carlos Aquino for more information. • Volleyball vs Purdue University Northwest, 7pm, Pat Sullivan Rec Center • Men’s Soccer vs Olivet Nazarene University, 7pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St.
September 29
• Free Bowling, 9:30pm, Town & Country Lanes.
September 30
•Paintball Experience, 9am-5pm, Lockport
Rec Center
Mon-Thurs: 8am-10pm Friday: 8am-8pm Saturday: 12pm-5pm Sunday: 12pm-10pm
o Check out Rec Club’s newest trip this year! We will be traveling to Legacy Paintball in Lockport to learn about one of the most exciting sports out there. We will learn about the rules, equipment, and activities that can be played while Monday-Thursday: 8am-9pm Friday: 8am-8pm getting more first-hand experience in the games. No expeSaturday: 1pm-3pm rience or equipment necessary! Transportation provided. Contact RecClub@stfrancis.edu for more information. Sunday: 3pm-5pm
Fitness Center:
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ENGAEMENT 8
Week 6
Engagement 8
Week 7 October 2-8: St. Francis and Clare Week
Activities planned all week to celebrate our patrons Francis and Clare. Keep an eye out for more information and a calendar of the week’s events.
October 2
• St. Francis and St. Clare Day for Leach College of Nursing, 11am-2pm, St. Clare Campus o This event will give students, faculty and staff the chance to interact, enjoy friendly competitions, work on service project and learn about and engage with St. Francis and St. Clare. Lunch will be provided with required RSVP and donation of a pound of food for the Will county food bank. Some giveaways and raffle items will be available. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lynnann Murphy at lmurphy1@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3589.
October 3
• Feast of St. Francis, all day, 3rd Floor Motherhosue o Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with Mass at noon. There will be free popcorn and snacks on the 3rd floor of Motherhouse outside of the Ministry offices all day! Stop by and join the celebration. Food • 2018-2019 FAFSA Renewal Workshop, 3-6pm, St. Albert Hall, Room A112 30
August 17, 2017
o This event is to help with the 2018-2019 FAFSA filing! Priority deadline November 1st, 2017. USF Financial aid team is available to help you (and your parents) with the FAFSA renewal process. Please bring all 2016 tax returns, w2 forms and your FSA Student/ Parent ID. No RSVP required. Contact Financial Aid Services at 815-740-3403 or finaid@stfrancis.edu for more information. • Comedian Pete Lee, 9pm, Abbey Lounge o Enjoy an evening filled with fun and laughter as comedian Pete Lee performs live in the Abbey lounge.
October 6
• Overnight Camping Trip, 6pm-9am, Channahon o If you have never tried camping before, or if you just want some time away from campus to meet some new friends, this is the trip for you. Join Rec Club as we camp by the banks of the DuPage River in the Channahon State Park. Roast some hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire while meeting new students and learning more about the exciting events upcoming for Rec Club. Contact RecClub@stfrancis. edu for more information.
Daily Mass Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday in St. joseph Chapel @ noon Wednesday in Chapel at St. Clare campus @ noon.
October 9 • Major Discovery Day, 7:50-9am, Rec Center
o Freshmen and Undeclared majors are welcome to attend this event. The University’s majors will be represented at tables and students will visit with professors to learn about career paths. Contact Maribeth Hearn at mhearn@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3384 for more information. • SGA Meeting, 8pm, San Damiano Hall o Voice your thoughts and opinions about what’s happening on campus and changes you would like to see during the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. Contact studentgovernment@stfrancis.edu for more information.
October 10 • Slacklining in the Quad, 2-5pm
• National Coming Out Dat, 7:30-9pm, President’s & Moes Room o Chance to learn about being a LGBTQ+ member in the Hispanic/Latino community. Contact Raquel Montoya at raquelmontoya@stfrancis.edu for more information. • Pizza Study Night, 9pm, Motherhouse room 316 o Join FCA for a night of studying and pizza in the executive conference room!
October 14 • Women’s Soccer vs Judson University, 1pm, Joliet Memorial
Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St • Men’s Soccer vs Judson University, 3:30pm, Joliet Memorial Stadium 3000 West Jefferson St
o Come learn about an exciting activity that combines balance and coordination. Used by Rock Climbers and other outdoor enthusiasts as a training tool this activity will help you learn what it takes to reach the heights of some of these adventure sports. Contact RecClub@stfrancis.edu for more information.
October 11 • Grad Fair 2017, 11:30am-5pm, Bookstore
o All August & December ‘17 Grads are Invited! Come celebrate your achievement and take care of all your graduation arrangements in one central location! Contact jhohl@stfrancis.edu for more information. • Mid-Term Massages, Time TBA, Uno and Fireside Lounges o Take a break from mid-terms with free 5-minute massages • Are You in a Healthy Relationship?, 12-1pm, Motherhouse room C316 o Are you or do you have a friend or know of someone who is struggling in their relationship? Is it really love or control? Attend this presentation to obtain information on what is a healthy relationship and when it is considered dating violence or domestic violence. Contact Carlos Aquino for more information. • 2018-2019 FAFSA Renewal Workshop, 3-6pm, St. Albert Hall, Room A112 o This event is to help with the 2018-2019 FAFSA filing! Priority deadline November 1st, 2017. USF Financial aid team is available to help you (and your parents) with the FAFSA renewal process. Please bring all 2016 tax returns, w2 forms and your FSA Student/Parent ID. No RSVP required. Contact Financial Aid Services at 815-740-3403 or finaid@stfrancis.edu for more information.
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ENGAEMENT 8
Week 8
Engagement 8
SAVE THE DATES! SEPTEMBER 15-October 15
NOVEMBER 9
Awareness/National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15, 2017 to October 15, 2017. This month-long celebration will feature a film series, panel presentation featuring various speakers, a cultural festival, FrankChat program, and community service project. Everyone is welcome to participate. Please contact the Office of Institutional Diversity at 815-740-5025 or email Allison Heard at aheard@stfrancis.edu to join our email list and to get updates on programs and activities.
o Remember your roots, and learn about other cultures by watching fellow USF students, and friends from the Joliet community, perform in a “cultural showcase” in which they embrace a variety of different cultures with their talents. Come join us for live performances, raffles, and a free buffet afterwards. Contact Yareley Gonzalez for more information.
October 19
• Fall play, 7:30pm, Turk Theater o Students and community members present the annual fall theatrical production directed by Ernie Ray.
• Join the University of St. Francis as we celebrate Latin American •Exchanging Cultures, 6-9pm, Sexton Auditorium
• Who is at Fault?, 12-1pm Motherhouse Room C316
o Are you or do you have a friend or know of someone who is struggling with recent/previous sexual assault? Do you want to obtain information of what can be done while at USF? or if you are just seeking general information about the sexual assault then we welcome you to attend this presentation. Contact Carlos Aquino for more information.
October 30
• 2018-2019 FAFSA Renewal Workshop, 3-6pm, St. Albert Hall,
Room A112 o This event is to help with the 2018-2019 FAFSA filing! Priority deadline November 1st, 2017. USF Financial aid team is available to help you (and your parents) with the FAFSA renewal process. Please bring all 2016 tax returns, w2 forms and your FSA Student/Parent ID. No RSVP required. Contact Financial Aid Services at 815-740-3403 or finaid@stfrancis.edu for more information.
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August 17, 2017
NOVEMBER 9-18
NOVEMBER 18
• St. Francis Writers’ Conference, 9am-4pm, Tower Hall
o ComehearkeynotespeakerMaudlyneIhejirikaspeakabout her memoir, Escape from Nigeria, and life as a multi-media journalist with the Chicago Sun-Times. Throughout the day, you can attend sessions featuring student writers who will present their writing on various topics. Contact Elizabeth McDermott for more information. • Indoor Rock Climbing, 11am-5pm, Warrenville, IL o Join Rec Club on a trip to Lifetime Fitness to learn how to rock climb. No experience necessary to participate. Transportation provided. Contact RecClub@stfrancis.edu for more information.
ACE Aftermath Black Student Association Brother 2 Brother Commuter Assistants Council for Environmental Awareness Criminal Justice & Pre-Law Society Encounter F.R.E.E. Fellowship of Christian Athletes Healthy Saints International Club Justice League of USF Late Night Programming Mock Trial National Residence Hall Honorary Pre Health Professionals Pro-Life Group Psychology Club Radio Club Rec Club RHA Sister 2 Sister Social Work Club Spectrum Student Activities Board Student Athlete Advisory Committee Student Business Association Student Government Association Student Nurses Association Students Today, Alumni Tom. Unidos Vamos A Alcanzar USF College Democrats USF History Club USF Spikeball USF T V Club
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ENGAEMENT 8
Clubs to Join at USF
THE FIRST STEP: Advice on Choosing a Major Staff Writer Mathew Tuck
S
o, you haven’t picked a major yet. You’ve graduated high school and know you need a college degree but you’re just not quite sure which one yet. You’re probably feeling stressed out and overwhelmed by all the possible majors and careers they can lead to. First thing first, take a deep breathe. It’s all going to be alright. Now is your chance to use your first year or two of college to figure out how you want to spend your time in higher education. So, how do you pick a major. You’ve got to decide how you want to make money in your life. You can take the approach suggested by famous British philosopher Alan Watts. He would ask you the question, “What would you want to do if money were no object?” Watts believed it is stupid to do things you hate in order to go on living so you can do more things you hate. He would tell you it is better to live a short life filled with things you do like than a long miserable life full of thing you don’t particularly care for. Watts would add that if you really enjoy what you’re doing you’ll eventually become a master of it. “And then you’ll be able to get a good fee for whatever it is. If this is the approach you want to go with, then figure out what you like the most and choose your major based on what you are passionate about. However, not every job you don’t like will make you miserable. To you, a big paycheck might be worth a not-so-fun employment. And sometimes, no matter how much work you put into something, you just won’t ever be good at it. A tone-deaf person will never be a good singer no matter how much they like singing. Sometimes what we like doing doesn’t match our skillset. What Watts forgets is that humans don’t always find fulfillment in their employment. Sometimes a job is a just a job. It’s just a way for you to fund what you’re really passionate about like hobbies or raising a family. And sometimes, even if you don’t like the job you choose or the money it makes you may find it gratifying in ways that make it all worth it. For example, becoming a teacher and helping the future generations or working at a nonprofit and helping those in need. I can’t tell you which way to go. This article is really about giving you ideas to work with. Once you’ve chosen your motivation for a job, you can use the internet to research some jobs. Find out the hours, the wages, chances for growth, and so on until you’ve got the one you want. Then, find out what major will lead you on this path. This is a fairly easy thing to find online too but you can also ask your teachers and counselors for help. If you’re not completely sure, take some electives and to find out if you could see yourself doing that for the rest of your life. Finally, don’t be afraid to change your mind. If it turns out you want to work towards a job you never expected, change your major. It might cost you a little extra time and money but in the end it might just be worth it.
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Photos courtesy of City Colleges of Chicago
Health Care Management History *European *Non-Western *United States *History/Social Science Secondary Ed. (9-12) Individualized Major Industrial-Organizational Psychology Information Technology *Information Technology Management Information Systems *IT/Network Specialist International Business Liberal Studies Management Marketing Mathematics Actuarial Science* Mathematical Sciences Mathematics Secondary Ed. (9-12) Mathematics & Computer Science Medical Technology Music *Generalist in Music *Music Performance *Guitar *Piano *Voice Nuclear Medicine Technology Nursing Political Science *American Politics *General/Pre-Law *Public Policy Psychology Radiation Therapy Radiography Recreation and Sport Management *Community Recreation & Park Resources *Outdoor Recreation *Recreation Therapy *Sport Operations Mgmt. Social Work Special Education (K-12)** Substance Abuse Counseling Theology *Pastoral Ministry *Teaching Ministry Transportation and Logistics Mgmt. Visual Arts Education (K-12)** Web Application Development
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Accounting Art & Design *Graphic Design *Photography *Studio Art Biochemistry Biology *Pre-dentistry + *Pre-medicine + *Pre-occupational therapy + *Pre-optometry + *Pre-pharmacy + *Pre-physical therapy + *Pre-physician assistant + *Pre-veterinary medicine + *Biology Sec. Ed.(9-12) Communication & Media Arts *Advertising & Marketing *Audio *Data Visualization Information Design *Journalism & Public Communication *Media Studies *Motion Graphics and FX *Photojournalism *Video *Visual Communication *Web Design Computer Science Criminal & Social Justice *Forensics *Language & Cultural Diversity *Law & Politics Leadership Psychology Social Work Digital Audio Recording Arts *Audio Engineer *Music Industry Entrepreneur *Professional Audio for User Generated Content Recording Artist * Elementary Education (1-6) English *Comparative Literature *English Literature *English/Language Arts Secondary Ed. (9-12) Entrepreneurship Finance *Banking & Credit Analysis *Entrepreneurial & Small Business Finance *Financial Planning *General Financial Management
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The Career Success Center Maribeth Hearn Director of Career Success Center WELCOME, incoming students! You’ve come to USF with one goal: to obtain knowledge and a degree that will ultimately lead to a job or career following your graduation. However, the single greatest asset a job applicant can have besides a degree is work experience which you can acquire through internships. The Career Success Center is ready to help you on your path to becoming internship ready as early as your freshman year. As a freshman, we’ll start you off by administering the Strong Interest Inventory, an assessment that helps students determine a career trajectory that is based on their interests and how they prefer to work. Last year, the assessment was used to assist over 200 students in researching and choosing an academic major. All freshman and undecided majors are encouraged to attend the Major Discovery Day event in the Pat Sullivan Center on October 9th from 7:50 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. At this event students can learn about majors and programs as well as hear about career paths. Need help building a resume? Meet with our Career Counselor Sue Errek (CPRW, GCDF) to discuss what skills and job qualifications you have that would be most appropriate for your resume. Then, use Optimal Resume, a service that is FREE to students and alumni that allows users to create some effective resumes from a variety of templates. The templates themselves allow you to easily edit your spelling, change your verb usage of the template you choose. One of the most important pieces of advice that the Career Success Center can give you right out of the gate is to get connected! Every year, USF plays host to at least 50 vendors at the USF Success Center’s Career Fair. This networking event is a great opportunity for USF students to meet with potential employers and market themselves in a way that a resume or application won’t accomplish. There are many ways to connect. We encourage you to join the Student Alumni Mentoring Program to get paired with a successful alum. Last year, we were are also able to help students get connected with industry professionals through a program called Career Connections. With the help of Alumni & Family Relations and the Advising department, the Career Connections program matched students with alumni that are working professionally in their current field of study for a sit-down, informational interview. The end goal when you enter our office is probably to leave with a lead on an internship or job listing. While we are not here to place you into a job or internship, we will provide you with the resources you’ll need to succeed in your search. Aside from reviewing your resume, the Career Success Center will help you with: ● Cover letter writing ● Career counseling ● Interview-preparation ● Etc. If you have completed 60 credit hours and are looking for an internship but are uncertain where to begin, you can go to stfrancis.edu/careers and take a look at our job board to see our list of available internships and positions. Begin learning these skills now, and you’ll be ahead of the game. The Career Success Center will be here to help! We’re located in Tower Hall (N204) and are open Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm.
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Photos courtesy of coachjeancaton.com/
Bruce Foote Director of Financial Aid
While you may have just gotten through the financial aid application process for 2017-2018, it’ll soon be time to start all over again for the 2018-2019 year. All students should be aware that you must apply for financial assistance every year – it’s not a one-time process. As you’re also aware for 2017-2018, you had to begin applying for financial assistance by completing the FAFSA some time after October 1, 2016. The 2017-2018 academic year was the first year the U.S. Department of Education introduced the new concept called Early FAFSA. Like last year, the 2018-2019 FAFSA will become available to students on October 1, 2017 for attendance beginning in Fall 2018. For next year, the FAFSA will be collecting 2016 IRS data, thus the term Early FAFSA (using IRS data which is essentially two years old). You may have heard or experienced that the data transfer between the IRS and Department of Education had major issues and had to be shut down when you applied for 2017-2018. At this point the Department and the IRS have taken care of these issues and data transfer will be available beginning on day one of 2018-2019 FAFSA filing. Using this simple process, students and parents can allow the IRS to transfer their actual 2016 income directly to the FAFSA, both expediting the process and eliminating errors at the same time. Another huge consideration for filing the 2018-2019 FAFSA by at least November 1, 2017 will be the deadline for the ISAC Monetary Award Program (a.k.a. MAP Grant). When FAFSA filing for 2018-2019 begins on October 1, 2017 we can expect that the MAP deadline will also move back accordingly. Your plan should be, if you are applying for financial assistance for Fall 2018, file your FAFSA no later than November 1, 2017. More information about Early FAFSA for 2018-2019 will become available very soon. Please make sure you continue to keep up with communications from Financial Aid Services, and act on them as soon as you can.
Photo courtesy of Road Map Project and Iowa State Daily
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FEATURE
FAFSA Update
Get to Know the
Alumni Office Aubrey Knight Director of Alumni & Family Relations
As the Director of Alumni & Family Relations, I once began my journey exactly where you are today. I was a student at USF majoring in political science and held an on campus job. I got involved in Student Government Association as well as clubs and activities sponsored by different groups on campus. Little did I realize at the time that I was paving the way to my current role working with fellow alumni, a position I’ve held for the last decade. St. Francis is a huge part of who I am and I’m proud to say I’m a USF alum. The Alumni Association exists to support the social and professional needs of our alumni and students. I encourage you to get involved and meet new people, including alumni, during your college career. While our USF education prepares us academically, our alumni are a great professional resource and we hope you’ll engage with us. Over the years, I’ve seen alumni hire our students as interns or in full-time positions upon graduation. This is often a direct result of our Student Alumni Mentoring (SAM) program. We hope you’ll consider joining and get matched with an alum in your field to assist you with creating a professional network and providing support as you journey through college into your professional career. You can apply for this elite program online at stfrancis.edu/ alumni/sam. We offer several student events throughout the year such as our Halfway Party celebrating junior-level students, Scrap that Selfie that offers free, professional head shots, and our Career Networking & Etiquette Dinner, a networking event mixed with our professional alumni. These events are always free for students. In addition to great events, we advise the Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) student club. These distinguished leaders volunteer at alumni events, brain- storm student activities, and have direct access to many of our Additionally, we invite students to join us at all of our alumni events and network meetings. We have several alumni networks that meet multiple times a year. We encourage you to attend and get to the know alumni who graduated from the same college or major. Our alumni love interacting with current students and you are always welcome to join us. For a complete listing of alumni events and meetings, visit stfrancis.edu.alumni/events. If you are interested in learning more about the Alumni Association and how to connect with us, feel free to contact us at (877) 811-ALUM, alumni@stfrancis.edu, or visit us in the Alumni Center, Motherhouse 2nd floor. We hope you’ll take advantage of the many opportunities to engage with alumni. Best wishes on your collegiate journey. We hope to see you along the way.
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GroupMe
Apps 8forBestCollege Apps with
Misael Tobias
A great messaging app, GroupMe should be something installed into every student’s phone. Not only can you have multiple group chats, but they can also include a large number of people. The app is especially useful for those classes with many people in them. If you and a couple of classmates get together often, make a chat with each other in it to help each other out with questions or reminders of due dates and add more classmates over time.
Brainscape
myHomework Student Planner
Flashcards are a brilliant way of studying for the next big test or quiz. Brainscape understands that idea, and allows your phone to help you do that. People who use the app either on their phone or their laptop can create their own flashcards and study on the go. But what makes this more than flashcards on your phone? You’re not limited to your own flashcards. Users can access thousands of flashcards from other users.
Organization is key to success.. Which is a big problem when you're clueless where to start your organization.. That’s where myHomework Student Planner comes in. This app is terrific with tracking your classes, homework and assignments so you can get a step ahead when planning. Seriously, if you’re the kind of person who feels they are better with a planner, then this is the app for you.
Any kind of note app Notes are essential with pretty much every class you are going to come across. Everyone takes notes differently, and there are many different note taking apps that are very useful. This can be useful for any commuters out there who are in a hurry and may tend to forget their notebook. Whether it’s on a notebook, or on a notetaking app like Evernote, definitely do what you can to take great notes.
FaceTime/Video Chat Apps
For many people, this app is already installed onto their phone, and with good reason. College is a big step, and whether or not you chose a nearby school or a school a couple states away, you’re going to want to keep in touch with your close friends and family. That is where FaceTime comes in. Snapchat and texting are there, sure, but on that day where you and your friend have some downtime, FaceTiming each other is just a little better than those. Tell your friends about your first week at college. Show your mom and dad your dorm room (unless it’s a terrifying mess, you don’t want to startle your parents). Introduce your roommates to your friends. It might surprise you how much you start to use this app in college. Photo courtesy of 1001startups.fr, fluentu.com, Google Play, Wikipedia and GroupMe
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FEATURE
Have you ever thought of your phone as a piece of school supplies? Yes, we use it for Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Soundcloud, but what about other apps that could help students survive college? Here are 5 must have apps for students that will do just that.
One of every student's goals is to find as many ways to save money as possible. Check out some of these great discounts you can get just for being a college student.
Student Discounts 40
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Shopping J. Crew: 15% off on all items Banana Republic: 15% off Full Priced Items
Charlotte Russe: 10% off at participating stores
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Student Advan
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Places to go in... Christian Hoeger Staff Writer
Food (When You Run Out Of Meal Swipes) The Southern Café
Hands down the best Breakfast in the Joliet-area. Full of creative spins on not only southern specialties but all kinds of culinary styles, and with portion sizes that almost guarantee leftovers. I would recommend treating yourself to this on those Sunday mornings when you stayed up all night Saturday, studying obviously. Never open past 3pm this is strictly breakfast and lunch/early dinner options. The menu is large enough to keep you coming back to try new dishes.
Sushi Ya
Open for Lunch and Dinner and offers plenty of roll, piece and other Asian cuisine options, but that’s not what makes this place special. For a little over twenty dollars you can choose the all-you-can eat Sushi option, with a full selection of appetizers and side dishes on top of made to order Sushi rolls. Save up for this and prepare to spend a couple hours eating the best sushi in town.
Moody’s
This won’t be the best option for the healthy people among us, as Moody’s is a cheap downtown Chicago-style fried chicken and sandwich restaurant right across the parking lot from Campus. The food is fantastic, though a bit on the greasier side.
Baba’s/Mr. Subs
Baba’s lemon-pepper wings were the first thing I ate when I came to Joliet and honestly helped push me to come to USF. Similar to Moody’s but with a bigger menu and always open until 2/3 AM for those late night food cravings. Mr. Sub’s is located right near Baba’s and I would be judged if I didn’t include it, good subs and sandwiches.
Los Comales
Joliet and the surrounding area are chock-full of Mexican cuisine options. There will be many debates and conversations until the end of time about what the best is and my money is on Los Comales. Authentic and tasty, they are the best tacos in town.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
BC Osaka The Big Chill Plethora of Pizza Options Downtown Options
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Activities $5.25 Tuesday Movies at the Mall
A really solid deal at the Cinemark in the Louis Joliet Mall. Always fun to get a group together and escape into a movie’s world for a couple hours. Be prepared for the packed theaters on the first Tuesday after a major film release (Marvel, Disney etc.)
Frequent Free Friday Bowling
Various clubs and organizations will put on these Free Bowling nights on various Fridays throughout the year. Even if you’re awful at bowling, like me, most of campus can be found at the lanes during these promotions. It’s a great place to meet fellow students or just hang with a group of friends and let off some competitive steam.
University Athletic Events
University Athletics as a whole are coming off of arguably the most successful year in University history. Building school pride and watching exciting feats of skill make going to University Athletic Events a free and fun experience, no matter the sport.
Fishing/Hiking
When the weather permits, Joliet and the surrounding area is full of parks and trails to go exploring for fun or exercise. Multiple fishing spots can be found as well if that kind of thing…..floats your boat.
Club Events
The key to any fun and successful time on campus, regardless of school, is engagement with your fellow students. Clubs are arguably the best way to do this. You’ll automatically meet people with similar tastes in something. Even if time constraints or other reasons stop you from actually joining a club, the clubs and organizations on campus will hold plenty of diverse activities on and off campus. Photo courtesy of various locations websites.
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