YOGOWYPI

YOGOWYPI may be the best overarching advice you recieve about being successful in college (and life!).

You Only Get Out What You Put In

This mantra applies to sports, relationships, exercise and schoolwork. You can't expect to reap the benefits of an experience if you haven't invested at least something into it. If you don't supply X (the preparations, the time, the effort, the attention, the right attitude), you won't get Y (the good grades, the strong muscles, the praise).

It is a simple formula really, but our experiences all too often fall short of our expectations simply because we didn't put anything into it. Relationships fail, internships are denied, bad grades are recieved, the scale number goes up, our bank accounts are depleted, and we are let down. But I'd bet when you refelct on these disappointing results and truly dissect the situation, you'd find that you didn't devote enough time, effort or positive attitude.

So, YOGOWYPI people!

Go to class. Study hard. Ask for help. What grade do you think you will get?
Find other people. Join their groups. Commit your time. How do you think your resume will look?
Save your money. Be a smart borrower. Live like a student. Where do you think your money will be?

You can simply survive college by going through the motions, or you can THRIVE here by pouring yourself into the experience. And I promise you, you'll get so much more out of it.

Majors in {Minutes}

Hey everyone, It's Caitlyn again! Just letting you know about an AWESOME event going on tonight: Majors in Minutes!

Here's the breakdown:

What it is: A way for students to learn more about a major. Its set up is similar to speed dating; every 7 minutes, a bell will ring and you have the choice to stay at your current table or visit a new one, it's totally up to YOU!

Where will it be: The Maucker Union ballroom.

When is it: TODAY! It begins at 7:00 p.m. and goes until 9:00 p.m.

Why you should go: This is a great opportunity to learn about all of the majors on campus. Not only are you becoming more familiar with UNI's majors, you are also meeting with students and getting their perspective on all of the programs, courses, and organizations provided.  An additional perk: FREE CANDY!

The glory of this event is you have the option to stay however long you want! Visit one major, or visit them all! It's up to you.

Not sure what to ask when you get there? Below are some questions you might want to consider:

• What do you study in (insert major here)?
• How did you get involved in this major?
• What are the different jobs/careers in this major?
• What surprised you about the major?
• What types of classes do you take? What classes would you suggest I take to learn more about the major?
• Are there skills or experiences I should have if I am thinking about the major?
• What do you like the most about this major? What do you like the least?
• Are there opportunities for internships or field experiences in the major? What are some examples of things I could do?
• Would you recommend getting involved in campus organizations? If so, which ones?
• Anything else you want to learn!

This is a great opportunity for any and all students! I hope to see you there!

The PAIR World: Homecoming Basics

Time Management Tips

Write things down.

Stay organized.

Focus on one thing at a time.

Take charge of your time.

Resist the urge to procrastinate.

Get an early start to your day.

Learn material the first time around.

Know what's important to you.

Take advantage of downtime.

Set goals.

Work in short blocks with breaks.

Avoid skipping class.

Create a strategy.

Prioritize.

Get ahead if you can.

Find your peak hours.

Break up large projects into smaller, manageable pieces.

Work smarter, not harder.

Set mini deadlines.

Ask for help.

Avoid over-commitment.

Use a calendar or planner.

Account for the unknown.

Keep track of how your time is spent.

Work out a schedule at the beginning of each week.

Create realistic to-do lists.

Keep a flexible schedule.

Always make time for things you enjoy.

Take care of yourself.

Learn to say no.

Don't schedule out sleep.

Leave time for yourself.

 

 

{Smile} Today

The {PAIR} World: De-stress into Fall

{Math} Tutors

Not good in math? There are lots of resources and services that can help! Math tutoring is available through the Academc Learning Center on everything from Intermediate Algebra to Business Statistics. Time and locations are:

 

Monday, 8:30 am-3:00 pm - ITTC 008

Tues., Thurs., 8:30-10:30 am; 1:00-5:00 pm  - ITTC 008

Wednesday, 8:30 am- 3:00 pm; 4:00-5:00 pm  - ITTC 008

Friday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm  - ITTC 008

Sunday, 6:00-9:00 pm - Rod Library, 1st 

 
 
 

{Questions?}

What do you know now that you wish you would have known at the start of the semester?

{Transition} Times: Career Cruising Workshops

Hello there! My name is Kimberly Schirm and I am an Academic Advisor in the Office of Academic Advising. I advise freshman Deciding students and Social and Behavioral Science majors. Over the next few months, I will be making appearances on this blog, where I will be writing about the transition to college and what can help make this process a smooth and positive adventure.

 

 

The Office of Academic Advising puts on a variety of events during the fall semester to aid you in your transition to UNI. One of the most fun and beneficial events, Career Cruising Workshop, is quickly approaching! In case you are wondering what Career Cruising is, don’t worry, you’re not alone!

 

 

Career Cruising is an assessment tool that matches up your interests to possible careers and majors. To complete the assessment, you must answer a variety of questions that range from “Do you enjoy working with children?” to “Do you like working outdoors?” Questions such as these enable the assessment tool to then provide an accurate list of possible careers that match up to your interests.

 

 

The workshop portion of the event is designated to help you better understand your Career Cruising results. There will be an Academic Advisor from our office available to assist you in looking through and understanding your results. It is a quick, easy and fun way to look more about you, majors and careers!

 

 

If you are interested in attending a Career Cruising Workshop, please read below to see the dates, times and locations of the workshops. Hope to see you there!

Career Cruising Workshops:

Location: ITTC Studio Lab

Dates: Monday, 9/24 at 3:00 PM

           Tuesday, 9/25 at 3:30 PM

           Wednesday, 9/26 at 12:00 PM
           Thursday, 9/27 at 4:00 PM

The {PAIR} World

 

The Peer Advisors in Residence (PAIR) are great resources for those students living in the residence halls. They are accessable, approachable and knowledgeable about the academic and social happenings at UNI. Every other week, a PAIR or two will be joining us with a video blog about information, facts or stories they think will benefit you.

 

To start off the series, enjoy this introduction video - The PAIR World!

{Test} Taking

 

Being a little anxious for a test is normal. Did you hear me? Normal. Give yourself a break- it is still early in the semester, these are probably your first round of exams and many of you are still figuring out the strategies for doing well in college. It’s ok if you are nervous. But what’s not ok is letting your anxiety overcome you and interfere with your success. There are steps you can take to make your test-taking experience manageable.

I’m going to state the obvious and first tell you that you need to be prepared for your test. This starts with having a good record of going to class, completing assigned readings and being engaged in class lectures and activities. Then once it comes time for your tests, studying becomes a review of the material you have already heard or seen rather than the first introduction of the material.

Next, make sure you know what will be covered. Discussing the test with your professor or referring to your syllabus for the chapters and topics that will be on the exam will offer you the framework for your studying and can help reduce uncertainty.

I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but you must avoid last minute cram sessions. Pulling an all-nighter before an exam will leave you fatigued and even more overwhelmed. Plan to study for your tests over the course of the week using flashcards, reading aloud, asking friends to quiz you or simply go over your notes.

Finally, and maybe a bit hokey, but practice positive thinking. It will do you no good to dwell over how hard you think the test will be, how you don’t understand anything the professor taught, or how your low test scores in the past have shot your confidence. Focus on getting yourself prepared for the test, understanding the expectations of the exam and being optimistic about the results and you will find yourself in a much more calm state.

And always, there are Academic Mentors in our office who are willing to help you with things like test anxiety, study strategies and skills, and understanding your learning style – all things that will benefit you and help you be a successful student. Be sure to connect with them early on in the semester before any troubles arise.

Good luck on those first round of tests!

 

{Questions?}

 

After a month of classes, what questions do you have that still need to be answered?

 



{Introducing} Caitlyn

Hey everyone! 

I’m Caitlyn and I work in the Office of Academic Advising!   I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa last spring and decided to come back to get my Master’s Degree in Student Affairs.  Just last year, I was in your shoes, facing the same situations you are now.  Actually, I am still trying to figure out how to juggle school, work, family, and friends!

My goal is to keep you all updated on what’s happening on campus, so you can just think of me as “the happenin’ girl”! There are so many activities and opportunities for you to get involved and meet new people, it’s probably overwhelming!  So if you have any questions at all, feel free to leave a comment or shoot us a message.  As always, we love hearing from you!

So… Want to know what’s going on this upcoming week?!  THE CAREER FAIR!

Here are the facts:

It’s Monday, September 17, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the McLeod Center.

Over 150 employers will visit UNI recruiting students for career opportunities, internships, and continuing education.

Whether you are a freshman or senior, I’m telling you this is a GREAT opportunity to explore and network!  Start thinking about your future!

FUN FACT: There will be a photo booth at the fair this year, so any student who doesn't have a professional photo yet, will have an opportunity to have one taken!

If you have any questions about the Career Fair, leave a comment! If you want even MORE information as to why you should go, click the link below.

http://www.uni.edu/careerservices/events/careerfairstudent.html

Hope to see you there :) 

Introducing your {host}...

Hello there! As we start our fourth week of classes (can you believe it!), I want to step back from content driven posts and introduce myself. I'm your blog curator Advisor Alex and it is my goal to bring you resources, tips and ideas to create a successful (and fun!) university experience. I want this online space to be yours so feel free to ask questions, propose topics or engage in the information provided. As your host, I plan to bring friends, colleagues and experts to our space as guests, keep you in loop about university happenings, ask questions of about your experiences and provide you with a little inspiration along the way.

To get the most out of your blog-time, I suggets you follow the blog by entering your email in the right-sidebar or follow via Google Friend Connect. Instructions are here. Then your final step is to drop me a line or two! Comment on the bottom of a post, send me an email or just stop by the office! I truly want to provide you with content and ideas that work for you, so feedback is always appreciated.

Finally, go out and enjoy this amazing university. Get involved. Talk to people. Ask a million questions. Show up. Make mistakes. Make successes. Embrace change. Learn about others. Learn about yourself. And just plain have a good time.

                                                                                        It is nice to meet you!

To ease the stress of a busy week, tell us a funny story about

your first few weeks of school!

Getting {Involved}

• Gaining experience and skills in leadership,communication, problem solving, and time management. 

• Creating a stronger connection to campus, people and other resources.  

• Increasing your level of satisfaction with your college experience.

• Meeting people who share similar interests with you.

• Easing the transition from high school to college.

• Creating new friendships.

• Free Food! (Sometimes :-) 

If any of these statements interest you, consider getting involved on campus!

Student organizations are great opportunities to share your talent and passion with others!  In fact, there are over 300 options waiting for you to join at UNI.

To search for an organization click here. If you'd rather meet with someone face to face to learn more, visit the Student Organization Fair on September, 5th at Maucker Union from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

More questions?  Visit the Student Involvement Center at 111 in Maucker Union, or at 319-273-2683.

Do you know about the Procrastinators Club? We've heard they haven't met in YEARS!

Leave your comment below: What organizations are you interested in being a part of? 

We can't wait to hear from you!

A Letter to UNI {Freshmen}

Academic {Mentors}

“I was so excited to start classes and get on campus but after the first week I am feeling overwhelmed. 

I feel like there is so much reading and I can’t keep up with the lectures because I feel like I have to write everything down. 

I mean, I have a quiz already next Friday! Don’t my professors know I am taking more than just their course!? 

I’m trying to do everything- meet new friends, keep up with my schoolwork, work my first job and go to the WRC because I just can’t gain the Freshman 15.  

 I am not sure if I should drop a course because I do not want to fall behind.

 I’m so lost. 

I love being a Panther, but I’m afraid I will slip through the cracks.” – Struggling Susie

Do some of Susie’s concern sound familiar? These are common reactions to the beginning of every semester, so realize you are not alone. Making connections with faculty and staff on campus is extremely helpful when dealing with your uncertainties, and a great way to begin establishing that relationship is to meet with one of us!

We are the Academic Mentors through the Office of Academic Advising and we work one-on-one with students serving as a resource throughout your academic journey. Whether your needs include learning how to manage your schedule, deciding on a major, discovering appropriate study habits or simply transitioning to the university, we are here to help you be successful!

As graduates of UNI, we’ve been there and can relate to what you are going through. We would love the opportunity to help you be a successful Panther and make the best of your college experience! Contact us by filling out the form under the Academic Mentoring tab or by calling the office 319-273-3406.

We hope you had an excellent first week of classes! What surprised you most about your first week of the semester?

Anatomy of a {Syllabus}

Your syllabus is the most vital document you will receive all semester. It is a contact sheet, schedule, guide, course preview and contract. In order to have a successful semester, you have to understand the anatomy of your syllabus! Below, we've broken the syllabus down into it's key parts with some helpful tips.

1. Instructor Name & Contact Information: It is extremely important that you know your professor's name, office location and office hours. How can you ask for help from someone you can't name or locate?

2. Course Description: This brief introduction of the course outlines the scope, purpose and relevance of material. The description offers a foundation for understanding how the professor is approaching the class topics and how he or she will conduct the class.

3. Required Materials: Your syllabus will include citations for required texts including auther, title and publisher. Addtional materials may also be required such as notecards, course packets or lab equipment.

4. Assignment & Test Descriptions: Assignments and test descriptions are important because they explain what each requires and how you can complete them successfully. They answer questions like: What will my test cover? What types of questions might it include? How many pages should my paper be? What format? How many sources do I include? Do I need to prepare a presentation for my project? Should I include handouts for my peers? Understanding the information in this section is the first step to completing graded material well.

5. Grading Policy: Most syllabi contain some description of the grading policy, whether it be a points or percentage system. Understanding which your professor uses will help you figure out your standing in the class at any given moment. Calculating your grade throught the semester will be a valuable indicator to how you have been doing and what more more needs to be done to ensure a good grade.

6. Attendance Policy: All professors expect you to be in class, but they will vary in terms of reprimanding you for absences. Not understanding the attendance policy can be the easiest way to lose points in a course. You will find that many professors will take away points for missing sessions and these deductions can add up over the semester. Be sure to understand the policy before it's too late!

7. Course Calendar: The course calendar outlines exaclty when assignments are due and when readings should be completed. If you want to avoid a chaotic semester, it is crucial to review the course calendar and transfer the information into the planner or schedule you will look at on a regular basis. Professors won't likely give you daily reminders about assingments, tests and readings so take responsibility and know this section.

Before asking you instructors about expectations, policies or responsiblities, consult your syllabus!

{Welcome} to Campus!

Welcome to campus, Panthers! All of us in the Office of Academic Advising are excited to see you and eager for you to start the first week of classes. We will be taking walk-in appointments all week so feel free to stop by the office with any questions or just to say hi!

Make sure you take advantage of all the Welcome Week programs happening around campus.