Words Of Hope From Happy Valley

In a time of great uncertainty, many are looking for motivation. To get through the pandemic, Penn State students have sought out inspiration from all over. But what advice do our very own professors have for us? They may be caught up in the pandemic as well, but many are eager to share inspiration and advice for their students.

V: What words do you live by?

JOHN AFFLECK, Professor of Journalism in the Bellisario College of Communications: Be here now. John Lennon was asked, “What’s the message of rock ‘n’ roll?” and that was his answer. Don’t live in the past with your memories and regrets or in the future with your fantasies and fears. Just be present to the people around you, be engaged in whatever you’re doing and you won’t need to have regrets and your future will be better.

JESSICA MENOLD, Assistant Professor of Engineering Design and Mechanical Engineering: Never stop exploring.

BRANDON SCHWARTZ, Assistant Research Professor in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences: From the movie “Reservoir Dogs,” “So you had a few bad months. You do what everybody else does. I don’t care if it’s J.P. Morgan or Irving the tailor. You ride it out.”

CAREN BLOOM-STEIDLE, Associate Teaching Professor of Criminology and Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts: Be kind and think positively. Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right. The more positive you are, the more you will see the positive in others and things around you.

JOHN GERSHENSON, Director of Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) in the College of Engineering: Go, do, change. There is ample opportunity to have an impact on the world around you at any level if you leave your comfort zone and go to the problem. Do the hard work and focus on the change you want to create. This semester this will be more true than ever before.

NOEL HABASHY, Assistant Teaching Professor of International Agriculture in the College of Agricultural Sciences: In regards to the current global pandemic, I try to be smart, not scared and not stupid. There’s so much we can’t control, but we can be smart about what we can do and not live in fear.

JERRY HARRINGTON, Professor of Meteorology in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences: When it works best, education provides you a framework for seeing the world and for living a good life. I think Thoreau captured this best: “It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”

V: What have you learned from teaching online last semester, and what do you plan to do to set yourself up for success this semester?

JA: Segmenting your life is key. Pay attention to all the areas of life that help you succeed. Set aside time to rest and eat well. You can’t live off junk food and coffee. Find something you like to do and set aside time to do it. Stay motivated to get your work done and set a time for it.

JM: I learned the importance of empathy and patience. Empathy for my students and the struggles they were facing transitioning to online learning environments was really critical for me. I’ve tried to be patient with students and cultivate a welcoming and inclusive online classroom to support them in their education and their lives in general during this time.

BS: Teaching online makes it harder to promote class interaction and measure the class’s engagement while you’re lecturing. I’m embedding a lot more illustrative videos, gifs and images into my slide decks this semester because I think it will help keep everyone interested.

CBS: I learned that students, and I, need the personal connection that teaching and learning in person provides. It takes more work, but we need to stay connected. I’m a big proponent of learning through discussion — listening to and sharing with others who think differently than we do.

JG: I learned that you need to focus on continuous engagement online. Even the best of students have difficulty focusing in this situation. I will add significantly more engagement opportunities like questions, pauses and polls.

NH: There are lots of opportunities that come from being on Zoom that aren’t possible in a traditional classroom. I was able to have visitors to class from Washington, D.C. and Boston — something that would have been less seamless in person.

JH: I learned that I don’t like Zoom very much. Teaching and learning online has its challenges, but I think students can learn as much remotely as they can in person. It just requires diligence, hard work and flexibility on the part of the instructor and the students.

V: Any other advice for PSU students this semester?

JA: The difference between an average runner and a

PHOTO BY ANDREW KIM

really, really good runner is that they make everything they’re doing the most important part of their workout. When you’re stretching, that’s the most important thing. If you’re doing sprints, or running long, that’s the most important thing you’re doing. Be present to what you’re doing and it goes a lot quicker and it’s more enjoyable. The pandemic has been a really terrible event for the world, but we’re going to get through it. It’ll be better if we can all just stay engaged and stick together the way Penn Staters do.

JM: Well, the obvious advice is wear a mask, but the meaning behind this is sometimes lost. Don’t wear a mask for yourself, wear a mask for others. As a former Penn State student, the phrase “We Are!” means a lot to me. It means that we have empathy for our fellow classmates, our community and for the broader global population. We need to remember that empathy is the glue that holds a community together. So wear a mask, be patient with others, be kind to your professors (especially those that are not tech savvy) and care about the world you’ll enter when you leave Happy Valley.

BS: No one is happy with how things have to be this semester, and everyone should try to make the best of it. Find ways to see the good in every interaction, every day. “We Are” all in this together. CBS: Stay as positive as you can. Stress weakens your immune system. I know it’s frustrating that you are missing out on normal college experiences, but please follow the recommendations because doing so is our best chance of keeping everyone as safe as possible. guarantee you this. If you do not get out of your comfort zone and learn about what is going on around you and get involved and be part of the change in the world, you will regret this moment in years to come. Think how would you look at someone who sat on their hands at college during the late 60s and early 70s? This world is yours to create — right here and right now. NH: While no one expected this situation, this is a great opportunity to practice being flexible so we’re better equipped when the next challenge comes along. Also, keep in mind that your professors really are trying to make this a meaningful experience. Throw them a bone. Even little things like keeping your camera on so they know you’re still there or sharing online helps the learning experi-

JG: This is in so many ways a historic semester. I ence immensely. JH: Given the uncertainty, I’d advise people to be flexible, understanding and respectful of each other. I do think it is quite important for all of us to find other activities to help balance our lives. Many things I love in life are no longer possible, so I’ve had to seek out other new activities to help balance my life. I’d strongly advise using this as an opportunity to discover something new. It is worth it because you just may discover a new passion, and that may help you remain as positive as possible. One of my local friends told me the other day that he’d like to see the same level of Penn State spirit happen right now that occurs during football games and other events. It is now — in a time of real uncertainty and difficulty — that that level of spirit is needed. Why

save it only for the good times?