Spring has sprung!

Curry Hall CA, Danielle Scalise offers the following advice now that Springtime has almost arrived: It is a wonderful time of the year when the flowers start to bloom and the sun starts to shine! It is one of my favorite seasons and should be enjoyed! I think the best thing to do in spring is to spend time outside! Therefore, I wanted to create a list of fun spring things to do! They are great little breaks from studying and will be relaxing! Spring things to Do! 1.) Take a long walk with a friend 2.) Play some tennis 3.) Grab some friends and kick a soccer ball around 4.) Try playing some Frisbee 5.) Take a run outside 6.) Lay in the grass and look at the clouds! 7.) Take a stroll downtown 8.) Purchase some flower pots, dirt and flowers and plant! 9.) Get some yummy ice cream 10.) Plan a night out on the town with good friends! Try to enjoy your meal outside! Try some of these activities and embrace and enjoy spring! =]

Got the Semester Blues?

I think we all do! It is that time in the semester when you just want to be outside, hanging out with friends, or home with your friends and family! I totally understand and agree. It is so hard to concentrate and focus when the sun is still out at 7 pm. I think it is only 5 pm and realize I have been procrastinating all day. So I keep telling myself that in 39 days, I’ll be home bound! For most of you that will be shorter depending on your final schedules. The best thing to do now is work even harder. I know you don’t want to study for that exam, but you don’t want to throw all your hard work away now! So I have some tips to surpass the rest of the year! 1.) Keep going to class! 2.) Review your notes after class 3.) Make note cards or study sheets 4.) Form study groups 5.) Ask professors/TA’s for help 6.)Take breaks (like 20 minutes, not 2 hours) 7.) Get enough sleep 8.) Eat healthy 9.) Go to the gym 10.) Set goals for yourself I feel that these tips work for me! Try your best and study hard! It is only another 39 days! We can do it! Put your mind to it! Good Luck with the remainder of the semester! Danielle M. Scalise Undergraduate Student Curry Hall CA Major: Elementary Education Minor: Special Education The Pennsylvania State University

The Challenge

CA Shonna challenges residents to make the most of the remaining Spring semester:

"Today is 3/14/2011. There are only 35 days of school left...but who is counting...lol. While we cannot wait for summer break, it is important to realize that we still have 35 days of school left to complete. With that being said, I pose a challenge to you. I challenge you to give school your all, to keep your head in the books, to study on a regular basis and not cram the night before an exam.

I challenge you to get involved. This can be done by going to clubs.psu.edu or contacting your CA to find out information about different clubs. I challenge you to volunteer at PSU. Whether it is cleaning up the quad in Eastview Terrace or helping out with urban service development trips, try to volunteer for the betterment of our community.

I challenge you to meet your neighbors and come out to programs that your CA works hard on for you and your community! Lastly, I challenge you to live up to what a PSU student is. A PSU student is a hardworking, focused individual filled with pride and strives to meet new people and to get involved as much as possible. Spread love, it's the PSU Way:)"

THON raises $9.6 million.

Another THON has ended and the dancers and all of the volunteers are home resting their feet and happy that they worked together to raise $9.6 million. CA Shonna Graham shares some thoughts after participating in her first THON at University Park:

"This is my first year at Thon and I am overwhelmed with emotion. To see all these people come together for a common cause..to beat pediatric cancer....is amazing. It is wonderful to see everyone come out and really give it their all. It's important to realize that just because Thon may be coming down to it's final hours, it doesn't mean that we still can't help donate and raise money. I became actively involved in THON while I attended Penn State Mont Alto and I am proud to still be a member of THON. All those days of canning in like 4 degree weather, training, and getting myself mentally prepared for such a day was worth it. I lost my grandma to cancer so that initially was my driving force to getting involved with THON. I fell in love with THON. It was great to see all of the hard work that everyone did and to see that we raised 9.6 million dollars!!!!! I shed tears today but not of hate but of joy in knowing that we are here for these families and doing what we can to fight for the cure! For the kids!"

Happy Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day, CA Shonna Graham shares these thoughts:

"On Valentine's day, I plan to spend time with my residents. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see my boyfriend because of time conflicts, but what better way than to hang out with my residents! A couple of my residents expressed to me that Valentines Day is a pretty sucky holiday and that Valentine's Day should really be called "Single Awareness" Day! We all plan on going out to dinner and then coming back and watching romantic/funny movies!

I enjoy skyping with my family and friends on Valentine's day when I am not able to see them. What most people don't understand is that Valentine's day is a day of love and showing others that you care about them. It doesn't necessarily mean it is just for couples. Spread love to everyone. Show your friends you are for them by making a personalized v-day card, show your parents you love them by actually calling them...lol and most importantly, treat yourself to something nice because you are a wonderful person!

So for this Valentine's day, get off of your bed and get out to spread the love!"

How do you plan to spend Valentine's Day?

A New Semester

This picture was taken by Senior Coordinator Tracy Shadowens when she interviewed at Penn State in May 2006. Tracy will be leaving Penn State at the end of the semester. She is looking forward to making the most of her last days at PSU and can't wait until the campus is beautiful and green like this picture again.

As a new semester gets underway, CA Danielle Scalise shares some thoughts about her first semester at University Park.

"I look at the calendar now and I am truly amazed at just how quick this past semester has gone for me. Upon transferring to University Park this August, I was unsure of what was to come in the future. Well, I absolutely love it here! Every aspect of this campus has fulfilled my wishes. The campus itself is so pretty and I enjoy the mile walk to class every day. I love seeing such large crowds of people no matter where I go. I love stepping off campus and knowing we have a downtown! There is always something to do or go see no matter what time of day. This campus is alive and fun. The only regret is that I did not start my college career here. I will never regret my time spent at Penn State Behrend, but wish there was more time to have here at University Park. This first semester of classes have been fun since I am an elementary education major. I have realized once again that group work is a great thing, but eventually it does get old. Anyways, I love this campus and definitely continuing my position in Residence Life has been a great decision. I have made new friends in many different areas and enjoy these new friendships."

What are some plans you have for the upcoming semester?

Time for the Holidays

Winter break is almost here. CA Danielle Scalise shares some thoughts about the holiday season:

As classes wrap up this week and I look ahead to my only final. I cannot help but get excited for Christmas knowing I only have one final! This is absolutely my favorite holiday of the year. It is not only my favorite because of Christmas Day, but all the preparation prior to Christmas. My Mom takes off a week to decorate our entire house. It looks gorgeous and is very enjoyable. We also take part in a cookie exchange every year. It is with some of my mom's family and friends. They each make two kinds of cookies and give away two dozen of each. Over Thanksgiving, I helped my Mom with "Grammy Fancy's." This cookie has been a tradition since the 70's when my mom baked them with my grandma. My grandma is unable to complete these cookies, so my mom has taken over. This is a long process of mixing, rolling, cutting out, and icing the cookies and decorating. They are very yummy though. Some other aspects I love are wrapping and the last minute shopping. Also the food preparation is fun. Finally, Christmas Eve rolls around and we start the celebration with my little brothers birthday and then of course Christmas. I love the holiday season and cannot wait to go home!

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?