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Thanks to Elise, Meagan, Matt, Jackson and Marina for participating!

1. Get involved: Socially

Being involved socially entails making friends, joining clubs, and not being a outcast.  Making friends furthers your college experience; your new friends can be incorporated in your down time and focusing on your goals.  Form study groups and plan to have “down time” together after studying.  Your roomate can be your first step in getting involved; commit to join new clubs together and actively particiate in events around campus. Having a friend by your side can make the adjustment easier.   

2. and Academically

Being involved academically means committing yourself to some serious work time. You should be thinking and breathing Cal Poly.  Of course you should have some down time for yourself, but the more you are committed to your goals, the easier it will be to achieve and concur them; develop a relationship with your professor, be active in class, and study.

3. Manage your finances

Managing your money is crucial in college. What you get through student loans or parent loans, is what you will have to pay after you graduate. Don’t think of your loan money as “free money”; depending on your loan, you could be paying interest on top of your loan amount after you graduate. Spend your money wisely; and don’t purchase unnecessary things. Don’t buy those new pair of boots ladies, andput down that XBox guys; you can spend your millions of dollars after you are successful, thanks to your degree.

4. Focus on your goals

Focus on what is important in order for you to achieve your degree. Although at times it can be stressful, remind yourself it will be worth it in the end. Don’t get distracted from things that don’t contribute to your education; that party Friday night, ditching class to go eat, and not sumbiting an online assignment ontime becuse you were passed out from the night before, are just a few examples.

5. Allow yourself to have some down time

School is stressful, point blank. So commit to some downtime for yourself at least a few times a week. Do activities you enjoy and that you can relax from; read a book, hangout with friends, go to the beach, watch your favorite show, or go out for a date night. The possibilities are endless; you need to allow yourself to recharge and refocus in order to do your best.

6. Stay healthy and fit

Staying healthy and fit go hand in hand with your successes.  Being healthy gives  you immunity from getting sick and feeling down, which can bring your studies to a halt.  Stay active and eat healthy; it wouldn’t hurt to put down that candy bar and go run on the treadmill for a few minutes.  Commit to incorportating more fruits and vegetables into your dinner; just simple changes can take you far.  

7. Maintain your family relationships

Keeping ties with your family is important; they are there for you to lean on when you need a helping hand or ear.  Don’t seclude them out of your life; they should be just as involved in your college experience as you are.  After all, your mommy is always your best friend, so don’t  ignore her calls! 

8. Don’t be afraid to ask; put yourself out there

Putting yourself out there can be hard if your shy; but breaking out of your comfortable barrier is what college is all about.  Think of how beneficial putting yourself out there can be in the long run; challenge yourself and make different decisions than you normally wouldn’t.

9. Participate in class

Participating in class is a way to establish a relationship with your professor.  It can also be a way to make some new friends.  In most classes, it is a requirement to participate and actively raise your hand, so think of it as contributing to your grade.  Don’t be shy!  It also furthers your thinking process;   what you said in clas could spark something in someone else’s mind, and in turn can snowball into an enriched discussion.  Everyone’s opinion counts.

10. Use your available resources

There are uncountable resources available for Cal Poly students; anything to additional library resources that only Cal Poly students have access to, to great counselors and advisors, to free transportation on the SLO buses.  Use these resources to your advantage; they can make your Cal Poly experience easier, and more importantly, fun.

1. Starbucks in the UU

Although there are only four tables in the tiny seating section of Starbucks, you may get lucky and score a table.  Here in this compact spot, you can be free of any distractions as the area is small so, all there is to concentrate on is your work.

2. The 4th and 5th floors of Kennedy Library

This is my definite pick of choice when it comes to studying spots; the 4th and 5th floors of the library are “quiet floors” so it is completely dead silent.  There are numerous amounts of tables and cubicles on these floors.

3. Under the stairs in front of Mustang Lanes

Just steps away from Starbucks are a few tables in front of Mustang Lanes.  This spot is ideal since you can grab some caffeine at a moments notice, which is ideal when cramming for finals.

4. In an empty classroom

Plan on getting to your class early one day, and see if there is a class ahead of you in the room.  If there isn’t, you can park yourself in there and get some studying done.  I have done this a bunch of times, and it really serves well.  I have had the most luck when my classes are in the Center for Construction Excellence building.  If there is a class before you, sneak into a neighboring room.

5. In front of Campus Market

In front of Campus Market is a sectioned off place under the shade with some benches that is great for hitting the books.  Grab some lunch and sit on one of the benches and get some readying done.  Although this is only a good spot if the weather is nice, considering this odd November weather, it will work out just fine.

6. On the 1st level of the library, in front of the elevators

New this quarter are some couches and sectionals with tables in front of the elevators to the left, on the first floor.  There are outlets for your laptops, and easy access to the rest rooms.

7. On Dexter Lawn

Considering this odd-November weather, studying on Dexter Lawn is an ideal spot.  Sit on your sweatshirt and hit the books; just make sure you don’t fall asleep, as I have seen happen quite a few times to some.

8. In a sectioned off study group room

If you’re looking to study with a group, consider one of the sectioned off study group rooms.  They are all along the inside of the 3rd to 5th floor of the library.  Sometimes they are reserved for some groups that made reservations prior, but most of the time you can get lucky and find a room.  They are equipped with a blackboard, so you can do some demonstrations on the board to your group if you need to.  There are also some sectioned off rooms on the 2nd floor that are new this year.  Called Collaboration Rooms, you can reserve this clear cubicle that has a flat screen projector and white board for all your group studying needs.  You can reserve a room, although it’s not necessary to use the room. 

9. On the top floor of the UU

The whole top floor of the UU is committed to studying and working.  There are LOTS of couches, tables and chairs, so you are bound to find a good comfy spot.  There is also a special quiet area if you need silence to get some studying done.  There is a section, where I call the “sleeping section”, that has rows of sectionals in front of a television with the news on, where you’ll find people napping.  Since they are, this is an ideal spot for some quiet; if you don’t mind the snoring of course.

10. On the 2nd floor of Kennedy

Just like the top floor of the UU, the 2nd floor of the library is committed to studying.  There are also LOTS of tables, big and small, chairs, sectionals, couches, and computers to serve your studying needs.  On the floor is also Julians, Cal Poly’s original coffee shop.

Now get to studying at these great spots!  Good luck on finals :]

Etiquette in the classroom:

• Don’t have a full course Thanksgiving meal on your desk–The last think I want to look at when my stomach is growling is someone else’s yummy salad, bag of pretzels, and Starbucks, sprawled across their desk.  Be courteous and eat before class; or if you can’t refrain from your food, eat a simple granola bar or a piece of fruit.  (The less distraction, the better).
• The basket under the person in front of you is supposed to be for their books, not for you to bang your feet on.  Don’t bounce your leg to your favorite Miley Cyrus tune; the person in front of you most likely isn’t a fan of feeling the vibrations, nor Miley Cyrus for that matter. (Oops, that’s just my personal feeling).
• It’s fine if you don’t want to pay attention in class and instead want to look at all your friends’ new pictures on Facebook, but don’t click through their drunken pictures from last weekend.  If you want to be a rebel and not pay attention in class, play solitaire or do some other homework; don’t distract the person behind you.

Etiquette in the library:

• First of all, duhhh, it’s the library, so don’t have an hour conversation with your mom on the phone about family issues.  Especially on the 4th and 5th floor of the library; these are quiet floors.  Repeat, QUIET floors.  If you’re in the library, and need to take a phone call, go outside or head to Julian’s Coffee.
• No full course Thanksgiving meal (See classroom, above)
• That is fine if you’re going to take a nap in the library, but please, don’t snore.  The last thing anyone wants to hear is you snoring, let alone hear you talk in your sleep.  If you need a nap, head to the UU; at least if you snore there, it will be drowned out by all the other commotion that takes place there. 

Etiquette on the bus:

• Even before the bus pulls up to your stop, you should have your Cal Poly ID card in hand.  Don’t hold up the line while you’re digging in your backpack for it; you’ll just make people behind you agitated.  Have it out, or in your back pocket even before the bus gets there.
• Don’t have a full-fledge, loud conversation with your sister about your ex-boyfriend on the bus.  Everyone is trying to get home or get to a new destination, and although your conversation may be entertaining to some, it may be annoying to most.  Keep on the safe side and refrain from your conversation with your sister; wait until you get home, or if you can’t wait, text in your seat.     

 Those are just a few etiquette tips to help you not drive potential friends away.  Many more can be added to the list, so this is just a start for you to get thinking about how you’re looking in front of others.

Health Care Reform Lecture: Why Should Students Care?

On Monday, November 23rd, a committee of health care professionals will be talking about the health care reform, and why Cal Poly students should care.  This is especially related to those students interested in going into the health care field; a doctor, nurse, dietician, an administrator, a therapist, any occupation related to the well being of people is related to the health care field.  The panel will be discussing efforts that students can act upon in order to improve, alter, or change the United State’s healthcare issue.  The event will be held at Spanos Theatre from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm;  rally your friends together and attend  this session, as all of us will need the benefits of healthcare at one point in our lives.

Dollar Dilemmas on Dexter

Running from this past Monday until Thursday, there will be a “wall of concern” set up on Dexter Lawn and on the 2nd floor of the library, for students to voice their concerns and opinions about the recent budget crisis.  There will also be a “vent tent” from Tuesday to Thursday on Dexter Lawn.  These productions are put on by the ASI student government panel. This would be beneficial to anyone, which is most likely everyone (including myself), that has been effected academically by these drastic budget cuts.  It would be beneficial to put your voice out there, even if it is on a piece of paper in the library, in order to add to Cal Poly students’ voice about these cuts.

Poly Reps Info Session

Want to be a  Poly Rep and tour those prospective students and parents around campus?  Then attend the informational meeting this Wednesday, November 19th from 11 am to noon.  The event, held at the Chumash Auditorium, will go over the important steps in order to start and complete the application process of being a Poly Rep.  You can also be what Poly Reps call a “hometown hero.”  Attend the session in UU 216 on Wednesday night, November 19th at 6p.m. in order to become a Poly Rep at your old high school.  You go to your high school and give informational meetings about Cal Poly, and encourage higher education.  You can also visit some of your favorite old teachers and let them know how well you’re doing at Cal Poly!

These events count on Cal Poly students’ input and voice.  Get involved with these important events, and make some new friends along the way.

1. Bus

How can you not accept something that is given to you for free? As a Cal Poly student, you have a free pass to use the bus system across San Luis Obispo; all you need is your ID card. With this card, you can commute to school for free, and save money instead of buying a parking permit. There are two stops that the bus makes at Cal Poly; right in front of the brick dorms, and at Kennedy Library. The two stops run every thirty minutes. The buses run all around San Luis Obispo, so you can take advantage of the system not only to school. 

2. Bike

Riding a bike is probably the most valuable of the alternative modes of transportation to school.  In having your bike, you can also ride from class to class.  In looking around campus, you can see that riding your bike to school is an option chosen by many students.  There are numerous bike friendly paths around campus, and all along San Luis.  By riding a bike, you also can get a workout from commuting; it’s a two-for-one deal!  But before you put on your helmet on and get ready to go, make sure you check the weather. 

3. Carpool

Carpool with one of your friends or neighbors; schedule (only if it works out) your classes around the same time, and chip in for a parking pass.  That way, you only have to pay for half.  Or, get more friends in on the bargain.  And don’t forget to switch off cars in order for it to be fair. 

4. Zipcar

New this year, and the coolest of the options is a Zipcar.  You can rent a car that is already on campus; you just register on zipcar.com/calpoly, and reserve a car.  Although it doesn’t help you to get to campus, you can go home with it, run some errands, and return it the next day when you come back for class.  You can work it out somehow!

You can do any one of these three, or do a combination of them.  You can ride your bike to the bus stop, and take the bus to campus.  Or you can ride your bike to your friend’s house and carpool together.  Or you can ride your bike to campus, rent a zip car for running errands, return the car, and ride your bike home.  The possibilities are endless!

And here are some informational services, to get involved and to get ahead: