Summer To-Do List

Summer To-Do List

Summer is almost here! There are 3 months ahead of you to finally relax. Here are some tips to keep from getting bored after the second week.

WORK: Find a fun summer job, or an internship related to your field of study. This  is a good way to build your resume, and make some money.

RELAX: After all of your hard work you deserve a break! Sleep in or take a nap, but make sure you don’t waste your break away sleeping.

TAKE SUMMER CLASSES: Take this chance to get ahead, or catch up. You can take classes at IUP, online at IUP, or at your local community college. Be sure to get the credits approved before taking them.

GO ON VACTION: Go on a trip with your friends or family. This is a fun and relaxing way to spend time together

GET ORGANIZED: Clean out your room. Donate things you don’t use anymore, and then reorganize everything

HAVE A SCHEDULE: Try to eat, sleep, and exercise on the same schedule. This is much better for your body!

Good luck with the rest of the year, and have a great summer!

Finals

We’re just about 18 days away from finals, so now is the time to begin preparing for them! Here are a few pointers and tips to help you succeed.

·         If you don’t already have one, begin a calendar and write your finals schedule down for the week of May 13^th. This will help you prioritize your studying, depending on when your final is. You are able to find your finals schedule on the class syllabus.

·         Use the library! Its hours are listed below. The second and third floors are the quietest, which is very helpful when studying.

·         Beginning May 12^th at 10pm, your residential hall will officially be on a strict 24-hour quiet  schedule. Take advantage of this! Use the lobby or study rooms to get away from distractions.

·         Take study breaks. These are important so that you don’t stress too much.

·         Form study groups with students from the same class. It’s very likely that they are just as concerned about the exam as you, so contact a few and use the first floor of the library to study with them.

·         Eat healthy and get enough sleep! Contrary to what most college students believe, our body and brain will work much better when they are healthy. Getting enough sleep and eating right will boost energy and motivation while studying.

·         Use your resources on campus! Try out the writing center for a term paper, take advantage of the tutoring sessions, and spend time at the library. These are all here for your benefit.

If you have any questions about your finals schedule, studying, or resources on campus, come visit your ASMs!

Here is a very helpful technique to help you study!

ASPIRE Study Tips (from studygs.net)

A: Approach/attitude/arrange

·         Approach studying with a positive attitude

·         Arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions

S: Select/survey/scan

·         Select a reasonable chunk of material to study

·         Survey material to get an overview

·         Scan the text for keywords and vocabulary

P: Piece together the parts

·         Piece together what you've studied and summarize what you understand

I: Investigate/inquire/inspect

·         Investigate alternative sources of information

·         Inquire from support and other resources for assistance

·         Inspect what you did not understand

R: Reexamine/reflect/relay

·         Reexamine the content

·         Reflect on the material

·         Relay understanding

E: Evaluate/examine/explore

·         Evaluate your grades on tests and tasks

·         Examine your progress: toward achieving your goals

·         Explore options: with a teacher or tutor

Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day is April 21, 2013! Earth Day began in 1970 and is an annual celebration to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

Will you be celebrating Earth Day at IUP? The following are some of the activities that will be held this week to help you love the earth!

Earth From Space

April 17 8:35pm in Ruddock Hall G-12

Come celebrate Earth Week and enjoy free food and edible dirt!

IUP Earth Day

April 22 10-3pm in the Oak Grove

Come participate in various eco-friendly activities put on by on and off campus organizations and local businesses. Live music will play all day! Activities include a Mineral Sale, a Used Book Sale, E Recycling (10:30am to 1:30pm), a Gardening section, lots of free stuff and much more!

Pot Party

April 21 5pm in Ruddock Lobby

Join your ASMs and make a potted plant! It’s free and you get to keep your plant!

Interested in doing more to save the Earth? Here is how to be an Earth Day supporter:

Join IUP ECO

Plant a tree, flowers, or start a vegetable garden

Recycle

Walk or ride a bike instead of driving

Save energy

Take showers instead of baths

Go on a hike

Pick up trash

Try eating organic foods

Attend an Earth Day Celebration

Find it @ the Library Scavenger Hunt

Celebrate National Library Week with the Find it @ the Library Scavenger Hunt! You will have fun finding the answers, and as you do you will also become familiar with library, places, resources and services so you will know about them when you need them in the future.

1. What does the wall in front of the library patio say?

2. When you enter the library, between the doorway and the elevator there are some sofas. What color are they?

3. Right across from the sofa is a glass display case?  What is featured in it? (PS student groups can  reserve these display cases put  up educational displays)

4. There are many printers in the library that print both color and black and white printouts? How much does it cost to make a black and white print from the library computers? (Hint: Check under Library FAQs to find the answer http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=103149 .)

5. How many books can an undergrad check out at one time, how many books can be checked out at a time, and what do you need to check them out? (Check out the library circulation page to find the answer http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=101300  )

6. Is there a place in the library for silent study?

7. What is the library's web site address?

8. Facebook page?

9. Twitter handle?

10. Go on Twitter and tweet a photo of you or your friend doing something fun at the library to @IUPLibraries and use the hashtag #itsatIUPLibraries.   What message do you get back when you do?

11. The Library has a number of desks where services are offered. Find each of the following and ask the person working there to put their initials next to the name of the desk.

Circulation/Reserve:____________

Media Equipment: ___________

Reference: ___________

12. Look up a book on the online catalog. How do you text the call number to yourself?

Finished? Bring your answers to an ASM during office hours!

Goal Setting 101

Goal Setting 101 

Are you looking at your calendar and beginning to get overwhelmed? Are you looking at what you want to do in the future, but not sure how to get there? Try setting goals, to help you achieve these things.

Why set goals?

Setting goals help you organize your time and resources. By setting goals you can take pride in your achievements. Goal setting can also raise your self-confidence because you are able to see what you are working towards, and the progress you are making. Setting goals for yourself is also a great way to increase your motivation.

Tips for Goal Setting:

If you have multiple goals, prioritize what is most important. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed, and can also help you focus on what is most important. Also remember to write down your goals! This helps you remember them, and provides motivation if you see them daily.

How to write S.M.A.R.T goals:

Your goal should be…

Specific: be precise and knowledgeable of how to advance

Measurable: How will you measure your goal?

Achievable: Is your goal possible?

Rewardable: Is it rewarding?

Time-Frame: When should your goal be achieved?

	S Specific Goal	M How is the goal Measured?	A Is it Achievable?	R Is it Realistic?	T What is the Time-frame for this goal?
Short term goal
Long term goal

Volunteer Opportunities

Whether you’re looking to fill free time, or trying to make your resume stronger, volunteering around the community is a great experience that you should take advantage of! Here’s a list of current opportunities available, and if you’d like more, check out IUP’s volunteer services webpage at:

http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=26169

Alice Paul House
The Alice Paul House offers services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or any other violent crime. In order to volunteer here, a free training course is mandatory. This course will prepare you to offer support, accompany victims through medical and legal processes, interact with the residents, assist with child care, and most of all, empower the victims. If interested,  contact Melodee Gett, education specialist/volunteer coordinator, at 724-349-444 or melodee@alicepaulhouse.org.

Ark of Learning
Ark of Learning is a tutor program held at the Salvation Army on Water Street. There are a bunch of students who need tutoring from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. In the past there has been a wait list for tutors because of the lack of volunteers, so if you’re interested in helping out, contact Denice Conner (program coordinator) at arc.of.learning@gmail.com or 724-465-2530.

Beacon Ridge
Beacon Ridge is a non-profit nursing and rehabilitation facility that’s looking for help with activities. Volunteers must be friendly and outgoing. If interested, visit the office at 1515 Wayne Avenue, or call  Debbie Fenner at 724-349-5300 for more information.

Center for Family Life
The Center for Family Life is looking for people to greet families as the enter, and care for children while parents are in classes and support groups. Volunteers are also needed for manual labor and clerical work. If you are interested please call Kristina Taylor-Porter at 724-463-8595, or e-mail cflandcac@gmail.com to apply.

Indiana County Humane Society
Located at 65 Haven Drive in Indiana, they are looking for volunteers to care for animals. If interested, please contact Marie Twal or Lisa Grosch at 724-465-7387.

IUP Special Needs Activity Program
IUP Snap is located in Zink Hall for children and adults with special needs. Spring 2013 days include Saturdays from 9-11am, and April 6, 13, and 20. Interested volunteers with positive attitudes are encouraged to e-mail Dr. Lorenzi at David.Lorenzi@iup.edu to apply.
 

If you have any questions about these or anything else on campus, come visit your ASMs!