by Hannah Whitley

It’s almost Valentine’s Day – you know what that means! No, not time for pink and red roses or an assorted box of chocolates, but time to schedule an appointment with your College of Liberal Arts adviser. For those of you who don’t know, first year students are required to meet with an adviser in the CLA’s main office each term before registering for classes. It is suggested that freshman and transfer students schedule their advising appointments early each term – typically around Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo. To make an advising appointment with the CLA main office, stop by 213 Gilkey Hall or call 541-737-0561.

 
Sophomore students and above are not required to meet with their advisers each term, however, you should plan on meeting with your Major Adviser if you have any questions relating to major course selection, internships, studying abroad, etc. Not sure who your Major Adviser is? Visit http://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/finding-my-advisor for more info.
I recently sat down with Kathy Fultz, an Academic Advisor in the College of Liberal Arts, to get her input on what a successful advising appointment looks like; here’s what she said:

 
Hannah Whitley: In your opinion, what does a successful advising appointment look like?

 
Kathy Fultz: A student who has all their questions answered. And if we didn’t have the answers, resources ho how/where to get them answered. Advising is more than “take these classes, get these grades, and you will graduate.” My goal is for students to recognize that they’re not just a number – more than an OSU ID, more than a GPA. What really matters is are you [the student] enjoying this [college]? We want you to be heard and understood.

 
HW: What can students do to be prepared for their advising appointment?

 
KF: Come with ideas and suggestions – bombard us with questions! We want you to be engaged and interested in your education.

 
HW: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to students and advising?

 
KF: A student who comes in and doesn’t have an idea of what they want to do or what direction they’d like to go in someone who doesn’t care about their education and simply says, “tell me what I need to take.”

 
Remember: Advisers do not have all the answers! Ultimately, you are responsible for your education and your decisions here at OSU, but advisers are a great asset that can help you find the resources and contacts needed to answer your questions and meet your goals!

By Sam Trunkett, CLA Ambassador

“Be the Match” is an organization that aims to build a large and diverse registry of potential bone marrow donors who can help those suffering from advanced blood cancers. In the fall of 2013, two Oregon State University students, Blair Fettig and Jesse McGinty, teamed up and established a “Be the Match” university chapter in the hopes of finding a donor for a fellow OSU student. Since then the OSU’s “Be The Match” chapter has registered over 1,000 potential donors through on-campus events. Today, the group is tasked with staging another event for a very special individual.

Rio Ramirez, a fun-loving and spunky four year old, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia in December of 2015. He is just one of 14,000 individuals waiting for a bone marrow transplant. The “Be the Match” team is trying to up Rio’s odds of finding a bone marrow donor by arranging a super hero themed bone marrow registry event and fundraiser in his honor. If you are in Corvallis and would like to get registered to be a potential bone marrow donor or you would like to attend the event it will be at Franklin Elementary School. On top of joining the national donor registry with “Be the Match,” there will be live music, a silent auction, and a bake sale. All of the proceeds will towards Rio and his family. If you are not able to attend but still wish to be a super hero and help Rio out during this difficult time you can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/eef5vn8c

by Jenna Saperia

It’s a new year, and that means a fresh start for infinite adventures! The term just began, and that means that the stress of trying not to fall behind along with the inevitable crossed eyes that come from reading your computer screen for six hours straight is upon us once again. But 2016 is the time for change; resolve to mix in restorative breaks to maintain your peace of mind! Here are just few options.

Find a new place to breathe the fresh air. If you enjoy Mary’s Peak, try Chip Ross Park. The uphill bike ride there will be a work out, but the satisfaction of the view, and the fun of going downhill on the way back will be worth it.

Find a new coffee shop. Sure, you enjoy the indulgence of Dutch Bros coffee, but try mixing it up with a local option! Interzone is close to campus and a great place to get a delicious coffee while experiencing a new Corvallis environment!

Find a new distraction.New year means new movies, which means new books to read before the movie comes out! Personally, I’m reading The 5th Wave. A movie night with friends after a week of studying is exactly what we need to make this term successful. So grab a book, find a couch in the MU, enjoy some spontaneous piano playing, and maybe even take a nap.

Now that you’ve got a new plan for the 2016, rock your resolutions and ace this term!

By Jon Bosworth

Whether you just began your college career or you’re finishing soon and the real world is fast approaching, there is nothing more stressful and exciting than searching for jobs. Luckily, Oregon State University has great resources available for students to take advantage of at any time throughout their undergraduate years and beyond.

Begin your job search at career.oregonstate.edu, here you’ll find a TON of information about jobs on and off campus, career fairs, and even handouts guiding you through each step of the application process. If you want to meet with someone in person to discuss your career options, review your résumé, or conduct a mock interview, you can do that too! The Career Development Center is located in B008 Kerr Administration Building and has a staff of professionals willing and ready to help you achieve your goal!

If you’re a current or prospective student and are looking for an on-campus position, the Career Development Center homepage has links to a list of on-campus jobs ranging from administrative assistants to food service workers to undergraduate research. If you’re like me and getting ready to graduate soon, visit Beaver Careers at http://career.oregonstate.edu/students/beaver-careers and explore the hundreds of companies and careers that want to hire Oregon State graduates. As Oregon State University students, our skills and abilities are in high demand in the workforce and we have the tools necessary to get us the perfect job on our way to our dream career.

Happy job hunting!

by McKenzie Ross

Let’s be honest, you’re probably procrastinating right now. And while I could give you pointers on how to combat those urges to snap (god, those face filters are addictive) I won’t. I believe in procrastinating better. By this I mean maximizing your potential while procrastinating- aka multitasking. If you’re going to put something off (ahem that 8 page paper) then you might as well get other things done in the process. While I can’t identify the areas where you specifically procrastinate and tell you how fix it, I can provide you with examples of how I procrastinate better and hopefully give you ideas on how to do the same.

For me, physically getting out of bed in the morning is leaving a soft nest of coziness and warmth and entering a cold cave of responsibility. I LOATHE it. So yeah, obviously have found a way to stay nestled in my cocoon of blankets with a (somewhat) legitimate adult excuse: Skimming the news. This is a daily newsletter that lets you know what major events are happening in an often hilarious and sassy way. Because of the Skimm I get to avoid life for a few more minutes while also becoming an informed citizen. Win-win.

I’ve honestly tried to break up with Netflix; telling myself that I’m going to cancel my subscription or only use it during the weekends but somehow I always end up in that virtual realm of amusement. So I decided to create an open relationship with the Flix and it went something like this:

Oh Netflix,
How I love you so: your large selection; your endless hours
of entertainment; your riveting original programs. But oh, how you so quickly zap my productivity.

That is why, Netflix, I must also sweep,
Windex, and fold laundry while I marathon Scandal, Narcos, and Weeds.
I am sorry to break it to you this way, but I mustn’t focus my
attention solely on you anymore.
Love, your devoted

See, not so bad! I still get some TV time and my apartment stays tidy.

Music makes everything in my life better. If I can find some crispy synth-pop overlaid with a female vocalist, my week is made. However, searching for new music takes time and effort, both of which I should be focusing on school or extracurricular activities. So, I have managed to compromise with myself. When I write to-do lists I use indieshuffle (a music blog) to search for new music. At the end, I’ve usually got the beginnings of a new playlist and an idea of what I need to prioritize in the upcoming days.

Overall, I think it’s worth examining what areas of procrastination in your life could partner with multi-tasking. You never know, you might actually wind up being productive.

Some additional tips:

For the nerdy: get some studyspo (like fitspo but without the unbelievably good-looking abs) in your social media. Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram are prime places for this.

For the sporty: review your notes while you run/cycle/elliptical or whatever. (Just don’t call this studying; it’s a review method at best.)

For the truly serious: Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator

 by Hannah Whitley

Halloween is just around the corner for Oregon State students, which means that it’s just about time for pumpkin carving, picking out the perfect costume, and planning the perfect trick-or-treat route. One thing to keep in mind while prepping for the perfect Halloween night is that while the OSU campus and city of Corvallis as a whole are considered friendly communities, remember that any city is vulnerable to crime – especially on nights where ghouls and tricksters are in such abundance! To help keep my fellow Beavers safe this Hallow’s Eve, I’ve compiled a few tips you can keep in your candy bag just in case:

1. Travel with a friend – or even better – in a group! The more the merrier, right?

2. Avoid dark, vacant, or deserted areas. You want people to see your costume, right? Stay on well-lit and well-traveled routes to keep your and your friends safe!

3. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable about a fellow Halloweener or a sticky situation, remove yourself immediately. To report any potential crimes or emergencies, refer to the following numbers: Campus Non-Emergency: 541-737-3010; Campus Emergency: 541-737-7000; Corvallis Police: 911. For a full list of emergency phone numbers, visit http://fa.oregonstate.edu/publicsafety/campus-safety-information/emergency-phone-numbers.

4. Take advantage of the SafeRide Shuttle Service. SafeRide operates from 6 pm to 2:30 am seven days a week – including Halloween! To request a ride, download the SafeRide OSU app from your Google Play, Android, or iTunes Store to be picked up. Don’t have a smartphone? Have no fear! SafeRide dispatchers are on standby to help you request a ride and can be reached at (541) 737-5000. For a full list of SafeRide regulations, visit http://asosu.oregonstate.edu/saferide.

5. Remember that Oregon State operates a zero tolerance policy for use of alcohol or intoxicating substances by minors on campus. Under OSU policy, minors using alcohol or illegal substances on campus may be subject to arrest, citation and or student judicial proceedings. Driving under the influence and the sale or distribution of alcohol to minors is also a criminal offense and persons involved in these activities are subject to arrest.
Make good choices, Beaver Nation! I believe in you.

by Cam Nhung Vo

Do you like traveling and meeting new people? Have you ever considered the idea of exploring the world and immersing yourself in an unknown culture? Did you know that Oregon State University has many wonderful opportunities for you to explore and do just this?

Well, if not I have the perfect place for you to go. Here are a few suggestions to help you find new ways to broaden your education here at OSU.

This year on Wednesday, October 28th, 2015 at the MU Ballroom from 11am to 3pm, the Global Opportunities Fair will take place. At this fair, students who are interested in education abroad can meet others who have previously gone abroad through IE3 or OSU GO to ask questions about their experiences. Students will also have the chance to explore various clubs and organizations which have an international focus as well.

At the fair, there will be many booths designated for specific study abroad and exchange programs with information about Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, etc. Students can also find out about how to earn the International Degree, a unique opportunity to pair their primary major with a secondary one, earning two degrees by the time they graduate. Information will also be available on the international internships through IE3. Often times students can fit these programs to their major through working with their adviser to pick the best option based on duration, concentration, and cost.

With the many options offered students will likely have questions about Financial aid and scholarships. These questions can be addressed here at the Global Opportunities Fair through staff from the respective departments here at OSU. So what is there to wait for? Make sure to come by and check out this wonderful opportunity. You won’t be disappointed!

For those of you who are looking for even further opportunities to get engaged with the international community, I have some good news: every year at OSU, the International Living Learning Center holds an event called the International Fair. This year, the fair will be on November 17th. The fair will display an abundance of traditional foods, games, and activities from various cultures around the world that students, faculty, and staff can explore. These booths and activities can be found throughout the building on every floor. The event is also free of charge and open to the public.

The International Living Learning Center is located on 1701 SW Western Blvd. past Dixon Recreation Center, across from Arnold Dining Center.

These are just a few of the many events held at OSU. For a list of upcoming events related to the international community, refer here to the ISOSU website: http://sli.oregonstate.edu/isosu/events/irc-events for links to event information.

By Hannah Whitley

 
Hey fellow Beavers!

We’re closing in on week 5 of fall term, and if you haven’t by now, it should be prime time for midterms, projects, and papers to be due pretty soon. The middle of the term comes with its own challenges, but luckily, Oregon State students have a plethora of resources available to help them as they journey through college! One of my favorite resources at OSU is the Academic Success Center. Located in Waldo Hall, the Academic Success Center provides students with a variety of services, varying from study tables, to assistance with writing, to supplemental instruction and coaching. Here are a few programs the Academic Success Center offers that can help keep Oregon State students successful in the midst of midterms:

 
1. The Writing Center. Offering free help with any writing project at any stage in the writing process, the Writing Center is open to all OSU students in addition to staff, faculty, and members of the Corvallis community. In addition to academic papers, Writing Center assistants are trained to help with resumes, cover letters, and applications as well. Alongside their location in Waldo hall, the Writing Center has an online presence through the Online Writing Lab, where students may submit their work-in-progress though this portal: http://cwl.oregonstate.edu/owl.php. Call (541) 737-5640 to schedule your appointment today, or stop by Waldo from 9 am – 3:30 pm for a walk-in appointment.

 
2. Supplemental Instruction (SI) offers peer-led, group study tables for challenging courses. Though the support courses change each term, students can find which courses offer SI at this link: http://success.oregonstate.edu/si. SI groups meet once a week for 50 minutes during weeks 2-10 of each term. The Academic Success Center reports that “students who participate in study tables at least 5 times or more per time, on average, receive final grades 1/3 to ½ a grade higher than students who do not participate.” With that said, check out the SI tables today!

 
3. Feeling stressed about exam preparation? Struggling with your study plan for a challenging course? Academic coaching may be right for you! Academic coaches are available for a series of conversations which aim to assist students with their personal well-being and academic performance. With 45 minute appointments, coaching sessions allow students to discuss time management, test preparation, test taking, procrastination, and stress reduction with a trained coach. I was able to participate in academic coaching during my first term of college, and I will say, it’s the best thing I could have done at the time! Coaching helped me analyze how I was taking tests and gave me tips for how I could better my test taking experience. I definitely recommend academic coaching for anyone feeling stressed out during midterms or even with their impending final exams.

by Sam Trunkett

As a senior, I can definitively say that fall term is by far my favorite term of the year. Fall term is the term where the air is finally crisp, football season is back, and all of my friends come home from a long summer break. However, I can also definitively say that with age comes nostalgia. Since I am starting my fourth and final year, (yikes), I have recently taken time out from stressing about the future to reflect back on my first fall term at OSU.

 
My freshman year fall term was one for the books. Even though the winter and spring terms were great, this was the term where I met and was positively influenced by so many amazing people. One of my favorite experiences was taking Sports Media Through the Lens of Twitter, a UEngage course taught by Louie Bottaro. Louie didn’t just teach us to understand how media shapes the world of sports but also how to make the most of OSU. He made himself available to all of us and if there was anything we needed he would always try to help. By the end of the term, I found myself to be a not only a more confident student but a more confident individual.

 
Through this experience, I realized I wanted to help new OSU students adapt to this university too. I became a UEngage teaching assistant during my junior year and loved it. Not only did I get to work with Louie again, but my group of students were amazing individuals. I learned from their perspectives on sports, media, and also from hearing them share their experience as new OSU students.
In the interest of helping other students have UEngage experiences as rich as those I have been lucky enough to have, I have created a short list of tips to help current and future students get the most out of their UEngage course.

 
1. Ask Questions: Even though this tip may seem simple, most students do not feel comfortable during the first couple of weeks to raise their hand and ask a question. If you are this type of student, I recommend that you write down the questions you have in class and talk to your professor or teacher’s assistant after class. This way you can get to know your instructor and teachers assistant while building up confidence to ask questions in class.

 
2. Get To Know Your Instructor: What most students don’t know is that your instructor wants to get to know you. Most will take the time to keep in touch with you during the term and will help you adjust to college life. Your UEngage instructor will also be the most connected person you meet during your first term at school because he or she has been around OSU for at least a few terms and have built relationships with many instructors, offices, and advisors. They can refer you to different on-campus resources or they have the know how to figure out an issue if you have one. The biggest mistake a first year student at OSU could make is not getting to know their UEngage instructor.

 
3. Get To Know Your Peer Leader: The second biggest mistake is not getting to know your UEngage teacher’s assistant, or peer leader. UEngage peer leaders go through a course to learn about the different on-campus resources so that they are equally as knowledgeable as the instructors. Unlike instructors, peer leaders are also undergraduate students. Even though I learned a lot from Louie, sometimes I was able to get even better advice from my UEngage teacher’s assistant, Caitie. She was able to relate to the class in a way that Louie could not (if you’re reading this, Louie, I am sorry to point out the age difference). Your peer leader understands how hard it is to be a student in today’s changing world and just as eager to help you resolve your issues.

Each year, there is an amazing time in Oregon when the sun comes out for long spells and nature invites us to revel in her wonder; this magical time is called summer. But then, as we begin to adapt to the rhythm of free and unstructured time, the weather cools and school comes back calling.

 
Going back to school can be both exciting and scary. For freshmen, it entails moving into a new place, trying to make new friends, and figuring out that class schedule. For returning students, things might seem a little more familiar. But for all of us, we come back as slightly different people with new experiences under our belt. Here are a few tips for coping with the new school year:

 
1. Try new things: I know this sounds difficult, but trying new things is one of the best ways to grow personally and expand your mindset. College is a great place to invest in and develop your own unique interests. So try new things!

 
2. Take it all in: Life moves very fast and before you know it, you will be graduating college. What this means is that you have to take time to reflect on what you have done and where you are going. Going back to school brings a ton of new adjustments and taking time to reflect on life will give you the sense of clarity and focus that you will need to get the most out of your experience at OSU.

 
3. Don’t forget home: Most of us had a little help in getting to OSU, whether that is from parents or some other support base. Don’t forget to check in once and a while with that support base while you have loads of fun. Often times, our families can offer meaningful advice and encouragement that helps us get through tough times.

Ben Petersen