Don’t be the 19%: Prevent dropping out of Cal Poly

Close to twenty percent of students drop out of college within their first year of school.  Here are the reasons why:

• Financial Issues
• Academic Disqualification
• Poor Social Fit
• Family Support
• Health/Mental or Emotional Issues
• Homesickness

Here are some tips to tackle these issues, as these are ones that students encounter on a daily basis:

1. Financial Issues

College is the second most expensive thing a person has to pay for in their lives, so ways to afford the cost can be tricky.  You first need to assess the difference between how much you need for school and how much your parents can contribute.  The difference is how much you need to come up with to earn your degree.  You can earn what you need through student loans that the government offers.  The Cal Poly financial Aid Office will help you with all the details you need to be able to afford school.  There are many outlets you can use as resources to pay for college; not only tuition but, housing, living expenses, textbooks, and transportation needs.  Cal Poly also offers scholarships and work-study programs. 

2. Academic Disqualification

Adjusting academically from high school to college can be one of the more drastic ones that you encounter on your college journey.  Thats why you should take advantage of Cal Poly’s Study Session Program; this program targets some of the basic general classes with supplemental classes that meet after regular classes.  Some of the classes include, STAT 217 & 218, MATH 116, 118, 141, 142, 143, CE 204 & 207, and CHEM 124 & 127.  There is also the Study Skills Library which has a collection of informational how-to’s to improve your note taking skills, test preparation skills, or time management skills, to just name a few.  You should also look to talk to your professors if youre having trouble in their class; they can offer you advice on how to study more efficiently and effectively.  You should also talk to your advisor; they can give you recommendations on what to do. 

3. Poor Social Fit

Fitting in socially is important to go hand in hand with academics.  You should have a balance between studying and enjoying friends.  It can be hard to create companions if you don’t put yourself out there; trying to make friends will help you.  You can’t expect others to come up to you to initiate conversations.  You need to take the initiative; strike up conversations in class and actively participate in activities.  Join a Cal Poly club; there are more than 100 clubs here on campus.  You are bound to find just one that peaks your interest!

4. Family Support

Family support is key in being successful on your college journey.  But what one must learn is that you can receive that support long distance.  You don’t have to be in the presence of your family and friends to receive support in what you are doing.  Plan the weekends that you’re able to go home, and plan on doing family oriented activities. 

5. Health/Mental or Emotional Issues

Adjusting to college can take an emotional toll on anyone, so the added stress of school, fitting in socially, and studying can make you especially susceptible.  If you feel so overwhelmed and really need help, take a trip to Cal Poly’s Health Center and talk to a professional.  They have a special counseling services center that can help you tackle depression, anxiety, and stress.   

6. Homesickness

Homesickness is something that I encounter, still, after being at Cal Poly for almost three years.  So I can fully understand that it can happen to a first year student, or a new transfer student.  I don’t think there is a way to cure homesickness, but a student needs to understand that they are here at Cal Poly to get an education.  When they are done with that, they can be back at home for as long as they can.  But what is important now, is finishing school; a person who is homesick simply needs to adjust their mindset to positive thoughts about their academic goals.

Upcoming Events: Week 7

Here are some fun, informational, and interesting events coming up at Cal Poly:

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Healthy Updates for Students

Did you know that as a Cal Poly student, you have access to the Health Center where you can schedule an appointment with a doctor if you’re feeling under the weather? I didn’t know this well into my first year at Cal Poly, so here is the low-down for you: At Cal Poly’s Health Center, they offer an oral health clinic, orthopedic clinic, optometry clinic, and women’s services.  All the services are free, except the optometry clinic which costs $25, as long as you are enrolled in the current quarter.  They also have a laboratory, a pharmacy, an x-ray  department, and a vaccination department.  The Health Center also offers counseling services such as individual, group, and couples counseling.  They also have specialty services for managing stress, violent relationships, alcohol and drink consultations, and depression support.

Also, beginning this fall, the Mustang Health Portal was established which students could schedule appointments and receive confidential, professional advice.  All you do is have to register to start receiving the service on your portal.

The Health Center also offers AA Meetings; the meetings are free and are held at the Health Center, Room 153, Wednesdays at noon.

Brand new since October 24th, is the Health Center’s after hours nurse hotline.  The hotline was started after a huge demand for additional medical advice after the spread of H1N1 at Cal Poly.  Even though the hotline was started because of the widespread flu, it is available for any after hour medical needs.  As reported by the Mustang Daily, Nurse Response, the company that runs the hotline, has medically trained nurses who are specially trained in assisting callers over the phone.  The hotline’s phone hours are Monday through Friday, 4:30 pm to 8:30am, and 24 hours on weekends and holidays.

The hotline’s toll free number is (866) 439-2012.

Cal Poly is also stepping up their health resources by supplying the H1N1 flu vaccine at the Health Center.  The shot is free if you’re a Cal Poly student, and is available at the Health Center now (but only until Nov. 5th so go now!).  The vaccination clinic is offering the shots from 8:30am to 11am, then again 1pm-4pm and you don’t need an appointment.

You should take advantage of these health services at Cal Poly.  Saving a trip home to go to the doctor could pay off in the long run for you.  These services are included in your tuition so why not take advantage of them?  If you have any questions, stop by the Health Center and talk to a receptionist.

Those who don’t adjust: 19 percent

According to BNET, one in four college freshmen drop out in their first year.  Here is a breakdown of the reason’s behind it, according to duck9.com:

38% Financial Pressure

28% Academic disqualification

13% Poor Social Fit

9% Family Support

5% Health Problems

4% Distance from Home

3% Mental or Emotional Issues

 

Bikers beware: University Police are watching

I was walking to class last Wednesday evening, when I saw a University cop taking notes at the stop sign in front of the Rec Center.  I didn’t realize what the officer was doing until I stumbled across the Friday issue of the Mustang Daily; the officer was taking notes of all the bike violations students were committing.  According to the Mustang Daily, officers have been surveying areas including the Via Carta and North Perimeter Road interesection, and California Boulevard and Campus Way intersection for bike violations.  The heightened enforcement has been due to the increase in bikers across the Cal Poly Campus.  This year has seen a huge increase in cyclists, as more accidents and noted violations have been occurring.  Officers have been trying to get a handle on these problems by educating students; teams of officers have been going to the dorms to educate students on campus safety issues, biking safety being one of them.

Officers will be regulating violations on foot, on bikes, and in patrol cars.  The most common violations bicyclists commit, as reported by the Mustang Daily, is not stopping at stop signs, and a cyclist not having or using a bike light.  If you are cited for a minor bike violation, you will have the option to either pay the fine, or attend an educational class on bike safety.  But after the second offense you won’t have the class option.

In order to avoid the troubles involved in bike violations, I recommend reading up on California Bicycle Laws.  It will save you lots of time for your schoolwork, and a hefty amount of money depending on the violation.

You should also register your bike with the University Police; although it’s not required, it will help identify your bike if it gets lost or stolen.  In short, stop at stop signs and have a light on your bike to avoid any trouble with the University Police.

Adjusting to Cal Poly; Advice from an expert advisor

You know those ultra cool teachers in those cliché highschool movies?  Well, I’m pretty sure I found her, except she’s the college version.  Meet Wendy Spradlin; she’s the CLA advisor for all Ethnic Studies, Journalism, History, English, Theatre, Music, Philosophy, Communication Studies, and Modern Languages & Literature majors.  In an interview I had with her, I uncovered some expert advice from Wendy on adjusting to Cal Poly.  Take a listen to our interview, and here are the questions  I asked her, and shortened versions of her answers.

1. What is your background here at Cal Poly?

Originally taught English for 6 years then switched advising, and has been for 30 years

2. What has changed the most since you have been here?

Campus has grown larger; preparation of the students

3. What do you see is the biggest problem here at Cal Poly?

The administration, and “getting in the way of teaching” by not consulting with professors before making decisions

4. How do you think that can be improved?

Better communication between administers and the faculty

5. What advice do you have for incoming freshmen and transfers?

Reading over the catalog, and looking over the student’s curriculum, while keeping an eye on the student’s goal; also, connecting with university socially

• Cal Poly’s 2009-2011 Catalog

6. What do you suggest students do to succeed here, i.e. academic probation?

Students need to analyze the root of the problem

7. What about students that are homesick?

Students should get involved socially

8. What do you suggest for students to do if they can’t find their way here?

• Cal Poly’s Career Center

9. How do you get involved in the Career Center?

Walk-in or call for an appointment

10. What is the best stress coping method?

Exercise, fresh air, enough sleep, and a healthy diet

11. Is that how you cope with stress?

Laughingly says “hell no”; wine and her dogs

• San Luis Obispo Wineries

12. What is your favorite thing about San Luis Obispo?

Not congested with freeways

13. What do you like to do in San Luis?

• Montaña de Oro

Being that Wendy has been at Cal Poly for 30 years, I would consider her advice that of top stature.  Taking her advice, I have gathered some events that you can be apart of in order to get involved socially.  (Keep checking back as I will add more soon!)

Wendy is located in the Spider building, Building 47, in room 25G, and her walk-in office hours are: Monday- Wednesday 10 am-2pm, Thursday, and Friday 10am-noon.  Although she is an advisor for the College of Liberal Arts, I’m sure she would be willing to help any Cal Poly student no matter what major.  Don’t be shy, and take a trip over to her office!  If you find yourself strapped for time and can’t make it over there, here is a little unsaid advice from her posted outside her office:

Trick or Treat! Halloween ideas in San Luis Obispo

It’s the time of year for scary stories, haunted houses, and yummy candy corn.  Even if your not at a trick-or-treating age anymore, you can’t still have some grown-up fun.

The best part of Halloween is dressing up as someone else for the night.  Here are some fun costume ideas:

1. Traditional Costume

You can go the traditional route and dress as a Halloween-themed character; an evil witch, a mummy, a haunted scarecrow, or my favorite, Frankenstein.  Make-up is key in traditional costumes so don’t forget it at the Halloween store!

2. Movie-character Costume

Dress as a character from your favorite movie or television show.  Some of the most popular ideas are: the Joker from the Dark Knight, Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Carribean, Harry Potter, or any of the Disney characters.

3. Music Icon Costume

Channel your inner star and become an iconic music star.  The most popular this year is the late Michael Jackson, but some of the other popular costumes include, Gene Simmons from Kiss, Brittany Spears, or Cher.

4. Couples Costume

Team up with one of your friends and become a famous duo; Adam and Eve, a princess and her prince charming, or twins.  If you want to get a group together, you could be the characters from the Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, or the Flinstones.

5. Funny Costume

Get a great laugh out of onlookers and be something entertaining.  Some of the funniest I’ve seen are, a beer keg, a ketchup or mustard bottle, or a piece of food.

So now you have a great and original costume, now where are you going to celebrate?  Here are some places in San Luis Obispo that are celebrating also:

Not required to be 21:

• Cal Poly’s Haunted Corn Maze–Cal Poly is hosting their own haunted maze and pumpkin patch this year, running October 24th and 25th.
• Farmers Market on Thursday October 29th:

~Cal Poly’s own 500 lb pumpkin will be on display to admire

~Trick-or-Treating downtown: Arrive before 5pm to get a map of the participating stores that are handing out candy downtown; the booth is on the corner of Higuera and Chorro.

~Halloween Costume Contest for Kids hosted by Yogurt Creations: Sign-up for the category that bet suits your little tike (the age groups are pairs, ages 0-2, 3-4, 5-8, and 9-12)

Required to be 21:

• Downtown Brew’s House of Horror: Prepared to be extra scared at this haunted house with real actors, hosted by Traditional Tattoo.  The doors open at 9pm and it costs 5 dollars to get in.  They are also hosting a Halloween Air Guitar Contest on October 30th at Downtown Brew.

If your not into celebrating Halloween the traditional way and are looking for some alternative things to do, here are some of the things I like to do, when I’m not in the Halloween spirit:

1. Watch a scary movie

Hit up the scary movie section of Blockbuster and have a Halloween theme sleepover.  Watch scary movies and eat lots of popcorn and candy corn.

2. Bake something

Channel in your Paula Dean and bake some pumpkin shaped cookies.  Or go the traditional route, and bake a pumpkin pie.

3. Carve pumpkins

Although it might be a little late to display them on your porch, you can still be an artist and carve a funny face on a pumpkin.  You can even save the pumpkin seeds from the innards to plant your own pumpkins next here.  Here’s how to: Pumpkin Seed Drying

What now? Future decisions made easier by workshops

It’s your third year of Cal Poly, and it is soon coming to a close and you’re thinking, “what next?”  Do you plan on applying for an internship?  Getting a job in the real world with your degree?  Or are you thinking about going to graduate school but are skeptical about some things?  Well take advantage of some of the information sessions Cal Poly’s Career Services is offering at the end of October about graduate school.  Here is an overview of some of them:

Not sure how admissions of graduate school works?

Attend the Admissions and Test Taking Strategy workshop offered by Kaplan on Tuesday, October 27 at 5:00 p.m. at Building 124, Room 117.  This workshop is open to all majors, and will go over taking the admission test for graduate school.  Preparing and during the standardized test will be discussed.  And also, a how-to on an application timeline for admissions will be one of the topics.  Kaplan is an accredited authority in the admission process, so take their word for it!

Okay so you understand the admissions part of the process, now how on earth are you going to pay for it all?

Come and listen to Financial Aid Conselor Delfina Medina-Maloney in the workshop titled “Funding Graduate School:What you Should Know.” Taking place on Wednesday, October 28 at 11:00 am, at Building 124, Room 117, this workshop is all about being able to fund graduate school and the array of options prospective students have.

You somehow figured out how to pay for graduate school, now you don’t know what to say in the application!

Do you know the difference between an Academic Curriculum Vitae resume and a professional resume?  Me either!  Offered by Cal Poly Career Services and Kennedy Library, the Academic CV vs. Resume Writing Workshop will help you differentiate the two resumes and when to use one over the other.  This workshop is offered Thursday, October 29 at 11:00 am at Building 124, Room 117.

So what about the dreaded personal statement?

Luckily for you, Kaplan offers a seminar on writing the best personal statement for you. Writing the Personal Statement takes place on Tuesday, October 27 at 11:00 am, at Building 124, Room 117.  At the workshop, Kaplan will give you advice on writing your personal statement and give you feedback if you already have one written.

So your equipped with more background information about graduate school.  Now, are you still going to go?  And to what one, more importantly?  I’ll leave you that one to ponder; I have midterms to study for!

Today’s lesson: Take advantage of some of the seminars and workshops Cal Poly offers throughout the year.  They could be helpful to you down the road, even if graduate school isn’t an option for you yet.

Stay safe since the rain, rain, won’t go away!

My mom always told me that the first day of a storm is the worst because everyone isn’t used to the weather change yet; people drive crazy, dress like it’s still 80 degrees out, and don’t take in account how prone to sickness they can be. Although it’s the third official day of this crazy weather, here are some health and safety tips that my mom always used to tell me the day before it rained:

1. Tune up your car

You should do some maintenance work on your car to ensure that it will work properly.  You should get your breaks checked to make sure they are working up to par; you never know when some crazy lady decides to go 50 mph on the freeway at any given point!  You should also get your windshield wipers checked!  You kinda, okay really, need these when it’s raining.  Don’t be stupid like me and not get them fixed until the old wiper is actually creating an imaginary semi-circle on your windshield (Yes, I’m sorry to admit, true story!).  While at it, get your oil and tires checked.  Most places will check your tires if you ask, with a purchase of an oil change.  You might as well while your there!

2. Schedule your commute into your day

Make sure you leave early enough before class so you have time to drive safely.  Don’t leave ten minutes before you have class and expect to speed all the way there.  It isn’t safe to drive like you normally do, which I’m sure isn’t speeding, when it hasn’t rained in quite some time.  The roads are extra slippery and your breaks won’t react as fast as they normally do on the wet surface. 

3. Stay healthy

The change in weather could have a negative effect on your immune system.  The change in climate makes you prone to airborne illnesses, and make you susceptible of the common cold.  This is going to sound very motherly, but you should take vitamin C each morning before you leave for class.  The vitamin will build up your immune system in order for you to tackle any colds, and you wouldn’t want to get sick right in the middle of mid-terms would you?  You should also try to avoid anyone who is sick already; the cold air easily transmits germs.  Yes I am advising to stay away from your boyfriend or girlfriend if they are sick! Just wear a dentists’ mask around them!  And above all, wash your hands!  Or better yet, carry around hand sanitizer!

4. Eating right

Eating healthy goes hand in hand with taking daily vitamins.  Pound on all those vegetables on your dinner plate! (Yumm..broccoli!  My favorite!)  They provide natural vitamins to keep you healthy, and you may be able to bypass taking a vitamin pill if you eat enough veggies!  Avoid foods that you may share with a group.  Someone could be carrying a virus already, and if they use their utensil in the community food, they are pretty much getting you sick directly!

 

If you’re feeling sick, head over to Cal Poly’s Health Center.  There, they can help you if your feeling ill and give you personal recommmendations on your specific symptoms.  They also have a link to what to do if you think you have the flu; maybe read that first and eliminate some of your options, before going and standing in the long line it is known to have. 

Stay healthy and safe in this wet, but cool, storm!

Rain, rain, go away!

Have you seen the storm outside today? Well if you have been sleeping all day because your alarm didn’t go off, due to the fact that your power went off this morning, than wake up! It’s storming outside! This crazy October weather is part of a big storm that hit San Luis last night, and is supposed to last until Wednesday. Forecasts say that San Luis Obispo county could reach up to 2 inches of rain, with wind gusts ranging to more than 45 mph.

So what is there to do?  You’re caught up on all your studying (suuuuuuuure!), you have studied for all your midterms (suuuuuuuure!), and have even completed all possible extra credit assignments for your classes (do they even offer that these days?); you are pretty much have an open agenda!  Well here is some fun stuff to do to try and stay dry:

1.  Go to the movies:

A great way to stay dry is to head to the movies for cover.  Although my favorite, the drive-in isn’t an option in this weather, you could still see a great movie for a decent price at a regular theater.  Take advantage of the matinee price, and see the Disney dual-feature Toy Story and Toy Story 2; two movies for the price of one!

2. Head to your local coffee shop:

Hmmmmm..a soy vanilla latte sounds great when the weather is like this!  Head over to a coffee shop near you and enjoy the warmness of the shop and your drink of choice.  Bring your laptop and textbooks and you could make it a study session.  Invite some friends and you all could study for your midterms.  I recommend, as I’ve said before, Joe Momma’s in Avila Beach.  We have greeeat coffee and a nice warm fireplace.  Although we are closed today, we sure will be open tomorrow till 6!

3. Stay home and watch a movie!

Tuesdays are a great day to rent a movie because all the new releases come out!  Make a pit stop at the grocery store and rent a movie out of a redbox, or stop by a Blockbuster.  While at the grocery store, pick up a can of your favorite Campbell’s soup to make the movie even better!

4. Bake some cookies:

After picking up your movie from redbox, and your Campbell’s soup, channel your inner Paula Dean and make some dessert!  Head to the baking aisle and make some of your favorite cookies.  My favorite recipe that I stumbled upon are white chocolate and cranberry cookies! (yuuummmmmy!)  Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and AllRecipes.com have great cookie recipes that I almost always refer to when I’m in the baking spirit.

5. Take a tour through the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum:

Newly reopened, the San Luis Children’s Museum is a fun and educational place for everyone to enjoy!  You don’t have to be under 12 years old to enjoy the museum’s fun exhibits!  Explore three floors of innovative and fun activities!  A new exhibit is the caves of exploration.  Here, you can pretend you’re an archeologist and explore fossilized dinosaurs!

6. Red Hot Pottery in San Luis Obispo:

Are you feeling creative?  Go to Red Hot Pottery on the corner of Palm and Chorro Street, and create your own masterpiece!  They have an array of blank pottery pieces for you to create including vases, coffee mugs, statues and decorative plates.  You create your piece and you leave it with them for a few days to finish in their cast iron stove.  You could make a special birthday present for someone, or get an early head start on your holiday shopping!

The rain isn’t much fun when your right in the middle of it!  Stay warm inside somewhere and enjoy the weather from the inside, all warm and cozy with a hot cup of coffee by your side!