Transitions NEW STUDENT GUIDE
2016 - 2017 usishield.com
THE
SHIELD
table of contents 6 Advice on Picking a Major 8 Humans of USI 11 Exploring Electives 12 Archie’s First Day 14 Thinking Thrifty 16 Grub Guide 19 Stream a Little Stream 20 Clubbin’ Quiz 22 What to do When You Feel... 24 Regional Gems to Visit 27 Places and Places to Know 28 Shieldster Advice 30 Who to Follow
hey, it’s megan If you’re shaking in your shoes, hands clammy, eyes darting back and forth and scared to talk to anyone or look them in the eye, chances are you’re a new student. I remember walking down the wide hallways of the University Center during freshman orientation, passing booth after booth, looking around at people and thinking, “I’m not ready.” But then I came across The Shield’s table, where I was greeted with a smile and handed a copy of Transitions. I remember thinking, “That would be cool to be a part of one day.” Little did I know that “one day” was less than a year away. Being a freshman and taking on this guide definitely made me nervous. I had to assign content, come up with catchy ideas and manage responsibilities. But at the same time, I felt honored that enough people believed in me taking on this role. I learned something from this experience that I am happy happened my freshman year. Just because you are a new student or a freshman experiencing university life for the first time, that doesn’t mean you can’t do something big. Even though the transition to college life might be challenging, there are many things out there to help you, including this guide. It was made for new students by a new student. Hopefully, Transitions will help you through your first-day anxieties. From a detailed food map that includes restaurants and vending machines, to advice on majors and knowing whether or not you’ve chosen the right one for the right reasons, this guide has it all. This publication also comes with a fun twist. It has a “wreckit” quality. On certain pages, you will find little things to do to Transitions, whether it’s a pro-con list for your major or creating your own elective, you have the chance to be a part of this new experience, too.
sincerely,
Megan Thorne
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This guide was made by: E DITOR-IN-CHI DITOR-IN -CHI EF: M egan Thorne CREAT IVE DIRECTOR: Jessica Stallings P HOTO DIRECTOR: Alyssa Smith COP Y E DITORS : James Vaughn Sarah Loesch Bobby Shipman Gabi Wy DDESI ESI GN ERS : Brian Tenbarge Philip Kuhns
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Use this guide to help you survive your first year at USi. 2. Read and follow the instructions on each page. 3. Instructions are open to interpretation. 4. most importantly, have fun! TRANSITIONS 5
Advice on picking a major,
from someone who never doubted theirs by Sarah Loesch
Don’t let others’ feelings influence your decision A lot of students look to parents, friends or older siblings to help them select a major. A word of caution: only use what others say as guidance or advice. Students should never let a decision about their future be made by someone who thinks they know best. It is possible they don’t. A parent’s future isn’t directly impacted by the major their son or daughter chooses. Students don’t need to let someone else lay the foundation for a future they have to live.
Pick for passion, not for a paycheck A student shouldn’t let fear of not finding a wellpaying job stop them from majoring in an area of passion. College is the time to better oneself and learn as much as possible. Don’t shy away from an area of interest because it won’t earn you a wealthy salary or because the job market is competitive. Passion, in the long run, allows for happiness and peace within a career and life.
Make a Pro/Con List to decide the right major for you.
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There are 70 majors to choose from at USI. Whether a student comes into college prepared to declare or they are still searching, the decision can be overwhelming. Below is a list of some tips to help you find your perfect major.
Investigate Options Don’t come into college thinking a major needs to be declared on the first day of class. Take time, take classes and take a breather. Not everyone is meant to decide their future as soon as they enroll. The more classes and areas of interest a student explores, the more accurate their decision will be.
Pick a career and pay the bills On the flip side, students should not let people shame them if they choose a major because they want a well-paying job after college. Seeking security does not make one student’s decision less admirable than another’s. Everyone wants a little security in life. If picking a major with an open job market and a comfortable salary provides surety over chasing after that potentially unattainable reason for existence, then there is no reason not to do so. Not everyone can afford the luxury of finding themselves.
PROs
&
cons
HUMANS of USI
by M egan Thorne
Kayla Butler,
Senior psychology major “I’m from a really small town and I wanted to come to Evansville to try and see if it was a bigger city and if I would like it, but I think I’m probably going to go somewhere bigger. I thought about New York for awhile, but kind of changed my mind. I think I want to go out west somewhere. I always try to balance school and work, but it stinks trying to adult. However, it’s definitely helped me balance spending money versus saving my money and how to make good decisions for myself. It plays a huge role in our lives because a lot of people don’t know how to balance their time, their spending money and school, and I think they should. There should be a class in high school on how to take care of your life. It’s definitely something people struggle with. My parents didn’t tell me I had to get a job. I just got a job because I wanted extra spending money. Sometimes it stinks, but it’s helped me overall as a person, so I like it. I’m a server and it’s helped me deal with people. Being a psych major, it’s helped me learn how to read people better and I think I’m good at balancing my time where some people aren't. It hasn’t been bad for me, but I would say working could definitely have positive and negative effects on people.”
Drew Collins,
Junior computer information systems major “I’ve been in the Evansville area all my life. I’ve been trying to look for a job here and I've had a bit of a hard time. After I got out of high school, I managed to get into Vincennes University. I went there for two years and got my Associate’s Degree. I tried to get a job and, unfortunately, nothing really was available. Jobs don't like that degree. So instead, I managed to get on with AT&T for about two years. But after that, they changed policies and everything so I decided to go back and get a Bachelor’s Degree. For the past two years, I've been coming here and taking classes and it’s been alright. The teachers are really nice. I’ve had some teachers that are awkward and some not so bad, but overall, it was not a bad experience. It was just a little disheartening that I couldn’t get a job. It is actually kind of hard to find a job in my field because they all want the best, and when you’re not top of the line, it’s difficult … I more or less tried to compensate. I didn’t really want a career I didn’t like, so I settled with computers because I really enjoy computers and technology. It was disheartening, but it felt safer.”
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Corbin Schmitz,
Freshman graphic design major “It’s hard keeping a schedule balanced. I balance four classes a day, all of them being fairly difficult, for me at least. It’s probably easy for other people. I tend to get everything jumbled up in my head and I’ll mess up times, like I’ll forget something on a review and it is all jumbled together. Keeping organized is a problem, as well as keeping in touch with people from high school and middle school that I swore I’d keep in touch with. Since starting college, it’s been hard. I get busy and they get busy. They are three to four hours away, and sometimes we lose contact and it sucks because I really want to keep in touch with these people. Keeping from getting super stressed with the general stressors of everyday life builds up eventually. I drink lots of green tea to destress. I’m slightly addicted and it’s a problem. Tea and writing music helps a lot. I really enjoy songwriting. It tends to externalize what I bottle up. People I look up to got me into music. I’m very active in a church community. Our worship pastor recently left and we actively keep in touch, but he was a songwriter, in a band and very level-headed. I aspire to be that just because of what I saw in him. I’m loving music and I want to inspire people and myself.”
Harley Wegloski,
Freshman English teaching major “I’ve always dealt with depression and anxiety. But on campus, there’s no big problems, just casual stress. I mean, for me personally, this college environment doesn’t create stress. I graduated (high school) with only 19 kids in my class, so I was surrounded by the same 12 people since preschool. Here, I’m not surrounded by the same people constantly. I’ve made several friendships, some where I can talk to people about whatever I want to talk about. I think that’s helped me deal with my stress a lot instead of causing me stress. Being here surrounded by people that actually care instead of by people that don’t has really helped a lot. I’ve become more open. I used to be really shy and I still am, but coming to school has opened me up a lot. I’ve always liked English and working with kids. In this case, it would be junior high- or high school-age kids, but my favorite teacher all throughout school was my preschool teacher and my English and speech teacher in high school. I want to be that person for students — that trusted adult they can turn to and be able to give them logical advice. Originally, I was a psych major and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with that and I needed to be done with that in four years. I’m on so many scholarships and grants right now, and my family and I can’t afford to go any longer at this point. Eventually, I’ll probably have to come back, but right now I need to get done in four years.”
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Exploring electives by Osman Aime Bien
Intro to Theatre (THTR 101)
Want to discover your inner thespian? Do you have a fascination with theatrical productions? Why not supplement your studies with Intro to Theatre? For the newcomer to USI who’s always wanted to learn about theatre, this class sets the groundwork for anyone interested in the performing arts by focusing on the history of the art itself.
Scuba & Bowling (KIN 145)
(KIN 122)
The Kinesiology Department offers some cool courses for students trying to meet their P.E. requirements. Among them are scuba and bowling. If you want to add a few extra gym classes to your schedule and relive the better parts of high school but prefer snorkels and stylish shoes to racquets and basketballs, definitely check out these two courses.
FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING (THTR 251) So, let’s say you looked at Intro to Theater and scoffed. “Hmph! I don’t need to discover my inner thespian. I’ve already got the chops!” OK then, Juliard, how about Fundamentals of Acting? The history and basic structure of performance art is still taught, but this course offers a much greater emphasis on performances. If you want to go tête-atête with your classmates in an improv exercise or belt out a passionate monologue, keep an eye out for this one.
Class Piano I (MUS 181)
For the more musically inclined, maybe consider Class Piano I. Focusing on the basics of musical structure and music theory and developing basic skills for playing the keyboard, this course culminates in a recital, demonstrating everything learned throughout the course. As someone who loves the piano, but only has a rudimentary understanding of music composition, you might just see me in this class.
CERAMICS I (ART 313)
The clay pottery scene in “Ghost” comes to mind when I think of this class. For the student who loves working with their hands and isn’t afraid to get a little messy, this class offers an excellent introduction to pottery and claymaking, highlighting basic techniques in the medium. Whether or not your experience will be as romantic as “Ghost” will be entirely up to you.
earth system science (GEOG 112) Maybe you aren’t as interested in the arts and humanities. Maybe 50 minutes of sports every other day isn’t your cup of tea. During my first semester at USI, my favorite elective was Earth System Science. It was something I knew a little about, but didn’t know I’d end up enjoying so much. Here, you’ll learn everything from the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, to the formation of rock structures, to the basics of the weather. If you want a bit of science in your schedule, this is definitely a rock-solid choice.
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Fill out each of these categories with fun and random words (i.e. adjective: purple). Then use each answer to fill in and personalize your story on the next page. Adjective:
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archie’s first day On Archie the _______ _______’s first day at the (animal)
(adjective)
University of _______ _______, things didn’t exactly go (adjective)
(location)
as planned. H e woke up _______ hours late for his first (number)
class of the day, Introduction to _______ _______, and (adjective)
(noun)
_______ _______ to campus and realized he was still (adverb)
(verb: past tense)
wearing his _______ _______. Embarrassed, he hid in (noun)
(article of clothing)
the first _______ _______ he could find just before (adjective)
(type of room)
_______ walked by. After he built up enough _______, he
(proper noun)
(emotion)
_______ back out to _______. With his _______ held
(verb: past tense)
(body part)
(location)
high, Archie _______ toward his _______. But when he (noun)
(verb: past tense)
reached his destination, the _______ was _______. H e (noun)
(adjective)
missed the _______ _______. _______, he _______ (adjective)
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back to his _______, and then collapsed into his favorite (noun)
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The feeling of a heavy wallet is not something familiar to a lot of college students. From paycheck to paycheck, meal to meal and loan payment to loan payment, it’s in a student’s best interest to stretch every dollar to the limit. This guide has been compiled to give newcomers to the area a plan of attack when venturing out to find some sweet deals.
Thinking Thrifty by Gavin Gaddis
Gas Loyalty Cards
Saving money on the go
Recently, major gas station chains have realized the same thing Facebook did ages ago: collecting demographic data is incredibly easy if you give people free stuff. As a result, chains such as Chuckles and Thorntons offer rewards cards that can save you anywhere from $0.03 to $0.10 per gallon (although the higher savings are generally during the first month of use or during special promotional periods). If you have no qualms about giving a gas station everything from your name to your bank account details, you can shave a decent amount off your monthly gas expenditures.
Don’t just stop at gas, though! Thanks to a recent surge in popularity for couponing, the process of saving money has gone digital in many ways. With enough digging, you’ll find tons of apps and websites designed to help you save money efficiently. Case in point: Dough Deals. This easy-to-use app allows you to save money at Evansville restaurants with deals tailored for breakfast, lunch and dinner (except Sundays, when two brunch deals are offered). Note: your mileage may vary. For every cool place that shows up there seems to be three or four duds. Still, 20 percent off a greasy, cheap piece of pizza is still 20 percent off some pizza.
Thrift Stores
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Many things, ranging from essentials like clothing to recreational items like books and movies, can be obtained cheaply through thrift stores in Evansville. All three Goodwill locations are great places to start, but keep in mind some of the smaller locations as well, such as St. Vincent DePaul or Penny Pinchers. For books, movies and video games, a good first stop would be any Book and Music Exchange location or the Book Broker. The former has several locations in Evansville, while the latter is a comic book store stuffed to capacity with cheap books, DVDs and tabletop games.
The University of Southern Indiana Theatre produces four mainstage productions annually, with USI performing arts students as actors, sound and light engineers, costume and set designers.
The USI Theatre season is designed to introduce students to a wide range of theatre styles, from musical to drama, contemporary to classic. Once a year, students have the opportunity to act alongside professional actors in the Repertory Project, a collaboration between USI's Performing Arts Department and the New Harmony Theatre. Students gain points towards membership in the Actors' Equity Association for their roles in the Repertory Project plays.
by Philip Kuhns
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EDUCATING PHYSICIANS HERE
STREAM A LITTLE STREAM Entertainment services offer variety of options by Gavin Gaddis
Netflix
About one third of bandwidth on the internet is used by Netflix. It’s kind of a big deal. The OG streaming service offers both a wide spread of existing content and a series of award-winning exclusive shows. One downside to Netflix is its constantly-changing catalog. With its growing popularity becoming a selling point, certain content providers attempt to charge more per series when contracts expire, leading to the occasional show being pulled entirely (such as “Doctor Who” in early February). That being said, no ads, no streaming errors, amazing exclusive content, $7.99 a month (with the occasional discount for new subscribers). ‘Nuff said.
amazon prime Netflix’s biggest rival, Amazon Prime, is a sweet deal for students (at first). In addition to streaming movies and television, a Prime membership comes with access to the Kindle Lending Library for e-readers, Amazon Music streaming and free two-day shipping on almost anything sold through Amazon’s storefront. All for less than $50 the first year, which averages out to under $5 a month. In addition, certain networks are adding a la carte options as add-ons, allowing you to buy content from networks not currently part of Prime (such as Showtime) for a few extra bucks a month. It’s almost too cheap to pass up and remains an affordable streaming service once one’s account is bumped up to nonstudent prices. The biggest issue is having enough liquid cash to spend it all at once.
hulu
This plucky little streamer has tried its darndest to succeed, yet has never really grown out of its initial teething problems. To counter these problems, the green monster is gearing its advertising to tell people it bought “The Mindy Project,” is in cahoots with Stephen King and J.J. Abrams to produce new content and has pretty much every recent episode of every basic cable and network show you can think of. For $7.99 a month, you receive access to everything in the library with “limited commercials.” Yes, Hulu has commercials even if you pay for it. That is unless one selects the $11.99 a month plan. It’s worth noting Hulu doesn’t quite have the bandwidth of Netflix or Amazon, so it’s not uncommon to receive less-than HD service with a perfectly fine internet connection (although you’ll magically have every ad in full HD every single time).
crunchyroll With access to more anime and manga than one person can possibly watch in their lifetime, Crunchyroll is the perfect streaming option. For $6.95 a month, users can access their extensive library of everything from giant fighting robots to high school dramas, as well as have the ability to watch/read content within an hour of it being released in Japan. For $11.95, users can access beta features, perks at certain anime conventions and entry into exclusive contests.
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’ Clubbin QUIZ How should you get involved?
by Bobby Shipman
What generally makes up your morning meal?
What is your spirit animal?
a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
Protein shakes I like a variety Simple, on-the-go food A caffeine IV Home cooked & hearty
A tenacious tiger A colorful chameleon A dutiful dog An exceptional elephant A devout dove
What movie genre attracts you the most?
What part of the body do you hold most sacred?
a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
Action/Adventure Documentaries Heartfelt dramas Biopics Spiritual
You win $1 million. What’s first? a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
Build a decked-out home gym Travel the world Start a nonprofit Create your own company Donate half to charity
How do you let off steam? a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
Hit the gym Branch out Do a selfless deed Read a good book Say a prayer
The heart The eyes The hands The head The soul
Pick a continent. a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
Australia Asia Africa Europe South America
What type of people do you surround yourself with? a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
The motivational The diverse The caring The thinkers The morally sound (mostly)
What U.S. social issue is the most important?
What’s the one thing you MUST accomplish before you die?
a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
a.) b.) c.) d.) e.)
The growth of obesity The persistence of discrimination The increase in poverty The failing education system The restrictions on religious freedoms
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Live a long, healthy life Experience as much as possible Make a positive difference Achieve true success (not perceived) Devote yourself to a higher cause
Results
USI has more than 140 student clubs and organizations to choose from. It may be difficult to know where to start with so many flavors to choose from. Use these results to help guide you to the perfect fit. Log in to OrgSync to view a complete list.
(Mostly A’s)
(Mostly B’s)
H ealth:
Cultural:
Getting in tune with your body is of the utmost concern. You like to stay active and/ or eat healthy. Try joining a sporty club like Rugby or Ultimate Frisbee, or a greenbased group like Vegetarian Club.
The world is your oyster and you want to learn about it in and out of class. Try joining clubs that allow you to explore cultures and interact with students from different countries such as International or Chinese Club.
(Mostly C’s)
(Mostly D’s)
Service:
Academic:
Your life isn’t complete unless you’re helping out your fellow humans by giving back to the local community. Try joining a serviceoriented club, such as Best Buddies or Habitat for Humanity.
You need a club that expands upon your field of study because you want to make the most of your college experience. Groups like Philosophy Club or the Association of Nursing Students that amplify a specific major are essential to join.
(Mostly E’s)
Religious: You are a spiritual being and the need to constantly feed your soul means a faithbased group is right for you. Try joining one of the clubs, such as I Am Second. So far, USI only has Christian clubs available and one secular.
(Combination of B’s and C’s)
Social: Every club and organization has a heavy social element, but your main priority with involvement revolves around meeting people and making everlasting connections. You belong in a large group with lots of members; you may find a home in Greek Life.
(Combination of B’s and D’s)
Creative: From paintbrushes to feather pens, your skin tingles when you’re immersed in the creative arts. You flourish when surrounded by the diverse and unique-thinking minds that make up groups like Art Club or the Student Writers’ Union.
(Combination of C’s and D’s)
Political: You hope to one day cut through the red tape of beauracracy and fight for the people. Or steal their money. It’s your choice, really. But you are politically savvy and want to expand your knoweldge of government. Try joining the College Democrats or Republicans or the Student Government Association.
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What to do when you feel... Depressed
by James Vaughn
• Listen to “The Sun is Rising” by Britt Nicole • Watch a feel-good comedy like “Due Date” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. • Climb the largest hill you can find. Reaching the top will give you a sense of fulfillment, and the view will change your outlook on life entirely.
Determined
by Gavin Gaddis
confused
by Bobby Shipman
• Listen to “Where is My Mind” by The Pixies — a rock song that will sooth your skin and add beauty to your indecipherable stream-of-consciousness. • Make a list of things you need to do and label which items are high and low priority. Focus on one task at a time. • Finish your week with “Memento” to remind yourself that life could always be much more confusing.
anxious
by M egan Thorne
• Listen to George Watsky’s album “Cardboard Castles,” and take regular breaks in the schoolwork you’re currently crushing.
• Take a breather, listen to “Slowtown” by Twenty One Pilots. The upbeat tune and relatable words will help you slow down your thoughts and begin to rationalize.
• Spending too long on one subject can burn out even the most studious of minds. A popular method is 20 minutes on, 10 minutes off. Bang out some paragraphs; play a few songs.
• Tea is the best stuff on earth for stress or anxiety. Try passionflower or peppermint. Put the kettle on, sit down and relax.
• To get that math homework started, play some Undertale.
angry
by Gabi Wy
• Listen to a screamo cover of “Let it Go.” It blends fury with the soothing effects of Disney Magic. • Look at your pillow, all fluffy and innocent. Punch the heck out of that cushion. You’ll release anger without drumming up criminal charges. • Get on the treadmill. They say that you shouldn’t run away from your problems, but it’s alright because you’re not really going anywhere.
• Try yoga. Do the downward dog or cat-cow. Just get outside to clear your head.
no emotion
by Philip Kuhns
• If you feel nothing, do nothing. • Do all your homework and save those pesky emotions for later. • Fold an origami crane.
unmotivated
by Caitlin Golden
• Cut yourself off from social media.
insecure
by Sarah Loesch
• Listen to “Flawless Remix” by Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj • Watch “Mulan” or any Disney movie. They have the ability to make someone feel stronger and capable. “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” • Make yourself feel good, whether it’s shopping, working out or exploring the outdoors. In moments of insecurity it’s all about finding that part of you that you love.
• Make a to-do list, and every time you check something off, reward yourself with some candy or a game of Candy Crush. • Lack of motivation usually means stress. Try exercise or meditation to calm down and rejuvenate.
happy
by Alyssa Smith
• Grab a friend or three, hop in the car, blare the “Acid Rap” mixtape by Chance the Rapper and drive to a beautiful place like Garden of the Gods in Illinois. • Rainy day? Invite some friends over, blare Beyonce or Otis Redding and dance around the house in your underwear. • Take advantage of your happiness and share it with others.
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Regional Gems to visit by M egan Thorne
Garden of the gods 745, Garden of Gods H erod, Illinois 62947
If you enjoy getting in touch with nature and rock that is 320 million years old, you might be interested in checking out Shawnee National Forest, home of Garden of the Gods. The 3,300 acres of forest go through three different Southeastern Illinois counties and is only 70.4 miles away from campus. The park is open year-round and offers backpacking, horse-back riding and trails to show you what the environment has to offer.
photo by Jessica Stallings
the log inn
12491 S. 200 E. Haubstadt, Indiana 47639
Have you ever wanted to dine in the same log room Abraham Lincoln did in 1844? You can do that at the Log Inn. The restaurant was built in 1825 and gives diners a chance to have a home-style meal and a dish of history. In the 1840’s, the Log Inn was a main stop between Evansville and Vincennes and is one of the oldest inn and coach stops in the U.S. The restaurant also served as a stop for the underground railroad and still has the tunnels to prove it. It was also featured on Food Network’s Best of Viewer’s Choice Program.
photo by M egan Thorne
willard library
21 1st Ave Evansville, Indiana 47710 Think you might have the sixth sense? You can test it out right here in Evansville at the Willard Library, where you might see the ghost of the Gray Lady, which was first spotted in the late 1930s. The Library has been offering ghost tours since the 1990s. Library employees and many others have seen the Gray Lady or other unexplained occurrences. Go out and catch a glimpse of the Gray Lady any time.
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photo by Alyssa Smith
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People and places to know PUblic safety
- Located between University Center and Liberal Arts Building - Emergencies: 812-492-7777 or 911, Non-emergencies: 812-464-1845 - Monitors and protects the campus 24/7, answers calls ranging from triggered smoke alarms to dangerous persons, provides escorts to students who feel unsafe
Counseling Center - Located in Orr Center, Room 1051 - Contact 812-464-1867 - Free services to any student, provides one-on-one counseling or varying group sessions
University Health Center - Located in lower level of the H ealth Professions Building - Contact 812-465-1250 - Provides both medical services and health information to any student
Dean of Students - Bryan Rush (Dean) Laurie Berry (Assistant Dean) - Located in University Center East, Room 1129 - Contact 812-464-1862 - Work to oversee the Counseling Center and University H ealth Center, advise Student Government Association, enforce student conduct
President - Linda Bennett - Focuses on the big picture, oversees all aspects of the university and provides administration with goals for the future
Provost - Ron Rochon - H eads the academic affairs of the university, oversees college deans and the faculty below them
TRANSITIONS 27
shieldster advice
photo illustration by Alyssa Smith
“
Don’t blow your hard-earned money on nice things and trips to hip places in order to accumulate a mass of friendships. Most will fade by senior year. I found the people who mean the most will be impressed by the PJs your grandma bought on clearance and that time you busted your bum galloping to the convenience store. Save up for something grand.
”
“
Bobby Shipman, Senior
I spent my freshman year worrying about things I shouldn’t have. ‘Did people notice that I sometimes ate Sarah lunch alone? Or that I didn’t know my way around? Loesch, Or that I ran from one building to the next because I Sophomore was nervous to be late?’ My advice is to let yourself be a freshman. Be unsure, be inquisitive and don’t worry that anyone is judging you. They aren’t.
“
Partying can’t be put on your rEsumÉ. While it’s important to have fun and let loose every once in awhile, you don’t want to get to a job interview post-graduation and realize that all you can manage to reference is that one Dairy Queen job you had freshman year. Get involved from the get-go, try new and scary things, but most importantly, learn about the world and learn about yourself.
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Alyssa Smith, Senior
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Don’t worry too much about what other people think of you. Every other student has classes, homework and their own social lives to think about. Honestly, if they don’t know you, you’re just another face. The spotlight isn’t on you as much as you think. Also, use your munch money a little more sparingly or you’ll be wishing you had cash left for Starbucks come finals week.
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Gabi Wy, Freshman
“ Gavin Gaddis, Senior
Networking is far more important than your early grade performance, especially for anyone transferring after an Associate’s. I worked my butt off being a model 4.0 student at another college, only to discover other colleges really don’t give a crap about your GPA after you transfer. The connections made through going out on campus, meeting people and making friends are more important than the piece of paper you’ll get at the end of this, if not moreso. Your degree qualifies you for a job, having been friends with the person hiring you for five years can get you through the door.
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College is about having fun, but also about being involved in clubs, classes and school activities. As a freshman, Megan you have time to figure out who you want to be and it certainly doesn’t all have to happen in one semester. Thorne, College is about finding a balance between school, Freshman activities, fun and occasional sleep. Don’t be so involved that you can’t go out Friday night for a movie on the quad or end up missing a road trip with your best friends.
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Write a letter to yourself to read after your freshman year. Tuck it away in this book.
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who to follow
@USI_WLC
If you enjoy learning about cultures and reading small snippets from people on why they chose to learn a new language, you should check out @USI_WLC or USI’s World Language and Culture Department. Tweets include facts about languages and tips about how to take affordable trips across the world.
@USI_Free_Food
If there are two things college students love and could really use - it’s free t-shirts and food. If you follow @USI_Free_Food, one of those things can come true. You’ll be one of the first to know where you can grab some free pizza or ice cream on your way to class.
@USIedu
The official university Twitter account, follow @USIedu for the latest scoop on campus happenings. Be ahead of the game. Know about upcoming events, such as plays and musicals or professional workshops, and be in the loop about the university’s plans for the future.
@usishield
If you’re the type to keep up with the latest news, or you enjoy sports and event coverage, give @usishield a follow. You’ll also learn about contests and giveaways. Students who want to have their voice heard can participate in The Shield’s weekly poll.
30 TRANSITIONS
1. Fuel economy! 3 minute walk vs. 30 minute drive 2. Easy access to wide range of support services
3. Updated housing facilities
4. Shuttle bus service from housing to campus 5. On-site, on-call staff ready to assist students 6. Involvement opportunities
7. Multiple food options available @usihousing facebook.com/usihousing
Questions? Contact Housing & Residence Life at 812-468-2000 or email living@usi.edu