Five Things Every College Student Should Know

 by Desiree Madere, TRIO SSS Peer Mentor

●     Checking your email at least once a day.

○     There are so many updates that come through email. It could be a professor reaching out to you, or an update from an organization you're in. It has helped me not miss important information! I recommend at least checking it once a day or more.

●     Stay organized

○     Staying organized can help in so many ways. Keeping track of your Canvas calendar can help you keep track of your assignments. Even keeping a planner to keep track of both assignments and events that you have!

●     Use campus resources

○     Our campus offers so many resources to its students. There is something for almost everything you need help with. These range from the Wellness Center, Writing Center, Career Services (resume help), Student Success Center, TRIO SSS, and so many more!

●     Go connect with your professors

○     Connecting with your professors can help you in so many ways. One of them being they will know you and get to know your work ethic. The professors you have had multiple times are some of the best people to get recommendation letters by. Connect with them by talking to them after class or going to their office hours!

●     Don’t be afraid to ask questions

○     College is all about learning! Sometimes you will have to ask questions and that is totally okay! Speaking from experience, professors are willing to answer your questions; you just have to ask them! Yes it is scary at first, but asking questions can enhance your learning so much!

Campus Resource Spotlight - Foster Fitness Center

by Taylor Shanahan, TRIO SSS Peer Mentor

The campus resource we are going to dive into is the Foster Fitness Center! Located between the old tennis courts and Martindale Hall, the Foster Fitness Center offers a variety of resources and equipment to help you stay active and healthy while on campus.

The fitness center has a wide range of equipment, including treadmills, dumbbells, weight machines, and much more! Even better, full-time students can use the Foster Fitness Center for free during its hours of operation.

Before using the facility, you will need to complete the Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver, which can be found on CatPaws.

Foster Fitness Center Hours:

• Monday–Thursday: 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Friday: 6 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Sunday: 5–9 p.m.

Never been to the Foster Fitness Center before? No problem! You can request a guided tour of the facility to learn more about the space, equipment, and resources available to you.

Whether you're looking to get in a quick workout between classes or make fitness part of your regular routine, the Foster Fitness Center is a great campus resource to take advantage of!

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting College

by Brice Moeller, TRIO SSS Peer Mentor

Starting your college as a freshman student can be a scary experience in our life, especially if you are a first-generation student like me. Understanding what you need could feel like throwing a dart in the dark. With the power of retrospection, here are a few things that I wish I knew before starting college.

• You are an adult now. Your instructors will treat and respect you as an adult; you may not be reminded about homework and due dates due to the responsibility being delegated to you.

• You don’t have to deal with your struggles alone just because you are an adult and you may be receiving more responsibilities. You don’t have to go through your personal and academic obstacles and hurdles alone. There will be people in your college career who are there to support and uplift you.

• I wish I learned more about campus resources; there are so many opportunities to make your life easier. There is always someone who is always just a few minutes away that can teach you about resources and services that will boost your experience.

• Most people won’t be annoyed when you try to spark a conversation, especially if the conversation is about something the other person is passionate about. Some people may look like they will dismiss you immediately, but this isn’t always the case. While it’s true you will occasionally be unable to spark a conversation, this isn’t something that should discourage you.

• Your instructors/professors really do want you to succeed. Some professors get bored at office hours becomes people don’t show up much. If you ever need help, whether is a small clarification or help understanding homework questions, your professors are there to help.