This week I spent as much time as I could on the Division of Undergraduate Studies, MinorQuest website.  It has certainly proven itself, as extraordinarily helpful, informational, and simple when it came to narrowing down all my interests and possible minor options. I literally went through and clicked on each of my interests separately, and then read all of the minor descriptions for the minors that popped out at me.  I was nearing the last of my interest categories, when five possible minor descriptions got me thinking: Global Studies, International Studies, Medieval Studies, Transnational Perspectives, and World Literature.  All have very similar descriptions and similar lists of courses revolving around my curiosity in International Relations and Global Studies.

First I eliminated Global Studies just cause, and then Medieval Studies since I am debating on that one as a major.  In the end I was torn between Transnational Perspectives, as I think I would enjoy learning about the issues across different cultures and how they are molding nations; International Relations because I have begun some of the requirements for it, and already plan on continuing my foreign language education further, as well as  study abroad; and finally World Literature because I enjoy reading, analyzing stories, and comparing literature and its development across cultures and centuries.  I have taken a Comparative Literature class in high school, and LOVED it!  But I am entirely unsure if I will love it just as much now in college.  (I have also been internally arguing with myself about possibly Comparative Literature as a major)

In the end though, I guess it will have to take some time and experimenting with new classes to find what I truly want to major and minor in.  As well as many more discussions and meetings with my lovely advisor. 🙂

Click the link, to bring you to the DUS MinorQuest website so you can do your own exploring!

DUS Advising offices are located in the Grange building, depicted below.

Kevin Cass is president of one of the largest student orgs on campus, Atlas.  Atlas is the highest earning fundraising organization for Penn State’s annual THON, the past four years in a row.  Since formed in 2005, Atlas has raised over $2 million dollars For The Kids, and supported many Four Diamonds families whose children undergo or have undergone treatment at the Hershey Children’s Hospital for pediatric cancer.

At first, Kevin just wanted to become as involved as he could in all activities, clubs and orgs on campus.  He discovered Atlas at the activities fair his freshman year, talked to a variety of THON orgs, and decided to go to his first Atlas meeting since the floor he lived on was called Atlas Hall.  The passion and fun that everyone had for such a great cause brought him back, over and over again.  It was there, he discovered that through this club he’d achieve his goals. He took on some smaller leadership roles and gradually moved up the ladder.  As an under classmen Kevin would run and host canning trips, his sophomore year he was a Fundraising Captain, and his  junior year he became Canning Chair.  Many members and fellow Atlas leaders suggested he should run for president his senior year, and the next thing he knew he was President of Atlas.  Previously, he didn’t have much experience in such a high leadership role; in high school he was a team captain.  But this University inspired him to become a better leader, and the best that he could be.  It has motivated him and given him a boost of confidence (especially with public speaking), and even influenced one of his majors.

When we asked Kevin what is was like being President, a huge smile came across his face. He said, “It would suck if I didn’t love it so much”.  Kevin has a great time being President of Atlas, but it takes a lot of time management to really enjoy it.  Kevin estimated he spends 60-80 hours a week on Atlas related activities and duties.  As a student with two majors and two minors, that’s a lot!  But Kevin loves what he does and refers to it as a, “welcome distraction”.

The advantages of holding such a prestigious leadership position for Kevin, is the impact he and the org have, and the way it all changes peoples lives.  Plus it’s a great way to get people involved.  The only disadvantage he has experienced, is that as a result of being so involved in one org, it can take away from being involved in many other clubs, orgs, and activities.  He had to sacrifice some other clubs he had an interest in.  But he is still involved in one of the campuses Engineering clubs that are involved and help out at the middle school.

Kevin hasn’t faced many challenges as President.  A minor one is his difficulty remembering names.  But I think it’s safe to say that many of us face that challenge.  We recognize faces, but can’t recall names.  His other difficulty was a personal one, that I can relate to as well.  His role as President requires a lot of delegation and trust in other people- which can be difficult for him because he likes to have control over everything.

His favorite memory from being so involved with Atlas was his sophomore year within the last 10 hours of THON.  Kevin along with a few other Atlas members actually went to Hershey Medical Center for several hours to be with the kids who were too sick or incapable of being there at the Bryce Jordan Center, and cheer them up.  Then later when they returned to the BJC, and the amount of money was revealed, he loved being there celebrating and supporting all of the families who are and have been effected by pediatric cancer.  Kevin said that before Atlas he didn’t have a lot of knowledge about pediatric cancer. But now, he has the opportunity to learn about the cause, and help make a difference.

Maddie and I are both members of Atlas, so immediately we knew which President we each wanted to interview.  For convenience, we agreed to interview him together, and I am glad we did.  It can be nerve-racking to explore out of your comfort zone. So bringing a friend helps you (or at least me) to be more relaxed and myself.  Kevin was extremely friendly, flexible with availability, and willing to answer all of our questions.  I hope to be as involved as him on campus, and to make a difference one day.

Click the link to find out more about ATLAS

This past weekend I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather in State College and explore the Pumpkin Festival at the Arboretum! I went with my parents on Friday night since they were up for parents weekend, and it was one of the best ideas ever!  With the perfect fall temperature, my parents, pumpkins, lights, and playful children everywhere it was the perfect place to spend the evening.  Plus the pumpkin carving contest was a great way for Penn State University students and the community of State College to interact.  The pumpkins were funny, scary, pretty, and they all showed off spectacular carving skills.  I even got to see the pumpkin I carved of Jack Skeleton with the help of a friend, as well as all the other pumpkins that Discover House members worked hard on.

I went back on Sunday afternoon with my boyfriend, and it was just as amazing during the day as it was at night.  The gardens, views, open landscape, and overall atmosphere were full of beauty.  Overall the Arboretum is peaceful.  I’ve definitely found my new favorite place to get away from everything for a while, and maybe even get some homework done there when the weather allows.

Even though the Pumpkin Festival has passed, you should still take a walk to visit the Arboretum! You wont regret it!

(Thanks to my mom for snapping pictures on her phone!)

This afternoon I decided to check out the Education Abroad Fair happening in the Hub from 11:00- 4:00PM.  Studying abroad has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and London has been THE place where I want to study since I visited in the summer of 2010.  It was on my 5 day visit of my 2 week vacation that I fell in love with this city in England!  Naturally, this EAF was the place to find out more info.

Unfortunately, the way it was organized left any students who are undecided and apart of DUS wandering aimlessly.  The way the Alumni Hall had been set up was for students to find their enrolled college table, discuss your interests and then visit their corresponding schools in the part of the world where they wanted to travel, then talk to a representative.  So being in DUS, left me with no place to really start.  I may not know exactly what I want to major in, but I DO know that I want to study abroad.

I didn’t let that setback stop me from exploring.  Instead I walked around a bit to check out the Education Abroad Advisor table, where I picked up some informational pamphlets, and I made my way to several other tables that looked interesting.  I stopped and talked  to a girl at the College of Liberal Arts since the majors I am looking at all seem  to come from that College.  She was as helpful as she could be with a student who didn’t know what she was studying yet.

I cant complain about the overall event, as I did collect a lot of information about trips to London, England, the semesters, the requirements, duration, and financial costs.  I look forward to the day when I will speak with my advisor as well as an Education Abroad Advisor about my opportunity to study in London!

   

Looming on all of us is the Freshman 15. Striking fear into all who miss homemade meals, get dinner or a late night snack after 10pm, and who snack when they’re stressed.  Yes, walking or biking to class helps to combat the fat.  But by becoming a member of any of the 3 fitness facilities on campus can help even more.  Exercise is a way students can relieve some stress or anger, get away from homework and assignments, and a way to keep healthy.

This week, I finally accomplished a goal of exercising in all three fitness facilities on campus.  The White Building is the most convenient gym for me, as it is practically right across the street.  However the Rec gym as well as the I.M. gym require more of a trek- but we did it. (I dragged along some of my fellow floor mates).

The White Building fitness center, while convenient is also extrememlely crowded.  The easiest time for me to go is in the evening after classes, which also happens to be the most convenient time for the majority of other gym-goers All those sweaty bodies makes for a pretty uncomfortable work out…in a small space.  Plus the stairs required to walk up after a hard workout, makes it all more exhausting. The Rec gym is similar in size, and also very crowded. Closer to North along ‘Frat row’ , it’s a little far for a quick gym session for anyone living in Pollock, South or East Resident halls.  It was newer than the White Building and appeared cleanlier, yet with the few amount of machines I still felt like I was right next to the person working out beside me.

The newest and largest fitness facility on campus would without-a-doubt be in the I.M. building (my favorite).  Although all the way up by East and overlooking Beaver Stadium, there is no more comfortable place to get fit. There are easily accessible lockers to contain, your belongings and plenty of machines well spread out for an enjoyable experience. Plus the I.M. building is home to the most modern exercise machines.  You can listen to music, watch T.V., or surf the internet, all while working up a sweat on the treadmill.  There is even a longer allotted time; instead of 20 minutes that include a cool down, there you get 20 minutes of your workout and then an additional 5 minutes for a cool down. A great method to insure that you keep working hard and then gradually slow your heart rate!  Yes, the I.M. gym is the furthest but for the best workout, I would make the walk up there.   Also located in the I.M. building are flyers, information, and sign ups for different fitness classes, clubs, and intramural sports.

Ultimately you’d benefit from any of the gyms you decide to go to.  It’s just a matter of the one you prefer!