Dum dum dum… FINALS

GAHH! Finals are literally less than 2 weeks away, and all I can think about are the after finals days. You know, the days when you get to go home, decorate the Christmas tree, light the menorah, spend quality time with family and old friends from high school, help feed the homeless, go shopping, watch movies..

OH WAIT before any of that happens we’ve got to take finals.

Finals.

There’s no secret formula or ingredient to be successful on your finals. The only thing I can think of doing is studying. STUDYING. And by studying I don’t mean: Facebook tab open, tweeting on your phone, chips and soda at arm’s length, textbook open on the same page for 30 minutes, studying. I mean studying in the zone: Book open, highlighter handy, notes and study guide at arm’s length, studying.

As of December 9 the University enters full on finals mode.

December 9 is reading day and classes are cancelled.

For some students they have finals as early as December 10.

Willis Library will maintain its regular hours and will be open 24 hours.

So what if you like to study in the Union?

Well, Monday through Thursday UPC will be hosting Eagle’s Refuge in the 1 O’clock Lounge from 10am – 2pm. Eagle’s Refuge includes things such as snacks, massage therapists, and a relaxing environment. Return to the Union at night for Study Night in the Union from 6pm -10pm.

Like to study in your residence hall?

As of Sunday December 4, all residence halls will extend quiet hours, starting from 6 pm to noon the following morning and continuing the rest of the week. 18 hours of quiet. O_o

As of Sunday December 11, all the residence halls on campus will begin 23 hours of quiet, 5pm-6pm the following day. 6pm- 7pm is the Golden hour…with quiet hours resuming at 7pm.

Finding a quiet place on campus to study is very easy during the pre-finals and finals week. UNT wants to get you in the zone to ace your finals, and trust me, it’ll seem like the university shut down, but really, we’re making the ideal study environment.

I know this semester has been crazy, from living in the dorms to making more adult-like decisions. Although it has been tough, you have grown and matured (compared to early this semester as that “nervous freshmen” on the first day of classes).

Over the break don’t forget to check your my.unt.edu account. Make sure you are still registered for your spring semester classes and payment for your classes is taken care of.

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukah! Happy Kwanza! Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Holidays!!

Have a Splendid New Year!!

Good luck on your finals!

Love,

Precious

This picture is vintage.

p.s.- Classes begin January 17!

Best.Summer.Ever

Summer 2011 was the BEST. SUMMER. EVER. And it was all because I became an Orientation Leader! Applications are available at: http://transition.unt.edu/orientation/leaders or in Union, Suite 319.


BEST. SUMMER. EVER. SUMMER 2011.
Becoming an Orientation Leader changed my life and made me a better person. I learned about the type of leader that I could be, and I had a better sense of what it meant to be a part of a group and my role in a group dynamic. Not only did I become a better person, I made amazing friends and got a greater sense of pride about being a student at UNT. UNT is such an open community and the university is here to help us become global learners. I knew what resources were available, but after summer 2011, I understood why the resources were there and how it could help me be the best student I could be.

 

MORE. THAN. JUST. A. JOB.

Becoming an Orientation Leader is more than a job, it’s a way of life. We get to impact the incoming students and change their perception of UNT. I can say from personal experience, that I was not too excited about coming to UNT, but after my memorable orientation I knew UNT was the place for me! Orientation is a lot of fun, but it’s also a job and requires a little bit of elbow grease. But, it’s totally worth it!

BEST. SUMMER. EVER!
What are you waiting for? GO pick up an application today! And if you have any questions or concerns, come to one of our three info sessions:

• Thursday, October 13 in the Union, Room 418 @ 12 pm
• Tuesday, October 18 in the Kerr Hall Blagg Room@ 6pm
• Wednesday, October 19 in the West Hall Lobby @ 6pm

Summer 2012 is going to be the BEST SUMMER of your ever…join the team, it will change your life.

ARE YOU LIVING WITH A STRANGER?

Oh my goodness, well I hope not! It’s been a MONTH since you moved in. Do you know your roommate? Like, do you know know your roommate? Have you gotten into a routine with your roommate? I hope the initial awkwardness is long gone.

Precious, what if I don’t have a roommate? Well, what about your suitemate? Maybe you only know they are in their room when you hear the water running…..nothing like those awkward moments when you accidently open the door. OOPS! But on a serious note, get to know your suitemate; your relationship is hopefully more than just “have they put in toilet paper?” and “when are they going to get out of the shower?”

DO YOU SIT NEXT TO A STRANGER?
I know that I do. In each of my classes I sit in the same seat, but never turn to talk to the person next to me because depending on the time of day I’m probably not in the mood to talk to them. With a school of about 36,000 students almost everyone is a stranger, but at the same time they could also be 36,000 new friends. In my last post I wrote about leaving your room to get more involved because it’s a great way to make new friends; but talking to the students next to you can lead to a whole new world of possibility.

HAVE YOUR PARENTS BECOME STRANGERS?
I became a stranger to my parents. It was maybe three weeks after Sunday Fun Day that I went home. Between the time that I moved in and the day I went home I had gotten a second ear piercing (GASP!). I didn’t think it was a big deal; however, when my parents saw me they claimed that they didn’t even recognize me. They were convinced that in the weeks to follow, I’d be covered with tattoos and piercings before my next visit home. The daughter that they had dropped off was gone and a stranger had taken away the girl they loved. This is a relatively extreme case, parents care (Well, duh!). But especially when we are freshmen. That’s why they text, call, and send care packages (granted my parents live 30 minutes away and I never got a care package), but still they want you to remain an active part of their lives. Trust me it’s about a relationship that’s only going to get stronger after time.

Here are some simple steps in helping a make a stranger a friend:
1- Smile
2- Introduce yourself
3- Shake their hand
4- Smile some more
5- Awkwardly laugh
6- Talk about something vague
7- Awkwardly laugh again

I’m off looking for ways to help y’all put the U in UNT,
- Precious

p.s. the next blog will be about BECOMING AN ORIENTATION LEADER! :)

p.p.s. if you have questions and need any advice, you should email me, and I’ll help you to the best of my ability! Who knows, maybe your question will inspire the next post! :D

Hello? Hello, is this thing on?

Hello? Hello, is this thing on?

Hello! My name is Precious Femi-Ogunyemi and I am the student assistant for Freshman Programs at UNT. For all you freshmen out there, who went to orientation, do you remember the LOUD HAPPY always EXCITED orientation leader? Yup, that was me. I was that Orientation leader. (:

But I am so excited to make this blog for y’all.

Look to your left; now look to your right. You are probably sitting in your dorm, munching on some Cheez-its, reading this blog, recalling your time at orientation. Well I was just like you when I was a freshman, but then I did something that would change my life: I LEFT MY ROOM.

That’s right, I left my room, and walked down to the lobby where I saw some people tie-dying. I recognized some of the residents there because I had seen them in the lobby; I soon found out that the organization that put on the tie-dying event was the Hall Association. After talking with the president for a few minutes, she told me about all the programs going on with the Maple Street Hall Association, MSHA. In the weeks that followed I went to the events that MSHA hosted, and I had fun. 

But that was just one way that I chose to get involved. 

There are so many ways!

·         Intramurals: Each hall has a team and you don’t even have to be good at the sport. Cheering on your friends is just as fun as playing in the game. (I was an AMAZING cheerleader for Maple).

·         Organizations: There’s over 350 clubs on campus. Let me repeat. 350 clubs on campus! There’s one for everyone. We have a Student Government Association, African Student Organization, Engineers Without Borders, College Democrats, and so many more!

·         Large Campus Activities: Library Mall + University Union = Best Place on Campus.  I’m not one to exaggerate the truth, but it seems that not a day goes by where something isn’t happening in the Union or the Library Mall. Events that are held at these locations are guaranteed to be poppin’ because they are trying to get the attention of the ENTIRE University! These events include Carnaval, Salsa Night, and Union Gallery Exhibits, just to name a few.

·         Sports: UNT has a growing MEAN GREEN Athletic program, and our players need your support! The rush and excitement that one feels as a part of the crowd is incomparable! I remember my first football game; I was in a state of DELIGHT. IT WAS AN AMAZING FEELING.

·         Denton: Maybe you’re more interested in what Denton has to offer? Denton thrives as more than just a college town. We’ve got restaurants being built all over the place, and for those interested in a lively music scene, Denton has been compared to one of the top music capitals of the world: Austin.  Where Austin offers Austin City Limits (ACL), Denton offers the large street music festival just off the Square, 35 Denton (NX35).

This is going to be such an amazing year. But it all starts with you, right here, right now, taking a step outside of your dorm room…getting on the campus. Because getting on the campus is the first step to getting involved. 

See you soon?





Photo credit: Brian Maschino

  

-Precious

Party in the Park!

The Office of Orientation and Transition Programs at UNT is hosting an end of semester BBQ free for all students!!

Thursday, April 28th

5:00-7:00pm

Crumley Park

Let's celebrate the end of semester with food, music, and fun!  Bring your friends!

Party in the Park!!

The UNT Office of Orientation & Transition Programs is hosting a FREE end of semester BBQ for all students!!

Thursday, April 28th

5:00-7:00pm

Crumley Park

Party in the Park is an end of semester BBQ for students!! Let's celebrate with food, music, and fun!!!
We will also have prizes/giftcards from local eateries on Fry Street!! Come all....and bring your friends=))

 

Sustainable Living!

Sustainable Living!

If someone asked you to tell them what sustainability meant, would you be able to? I had the opportunity to do an in-depth study on sustainability last summer while studying abroad! Sustainable living means living within the resources of the planet without damaging the environment now or in the future. The University of North Texas is extremely involved in the growing “going green” movement. Part of UNT’s mission, found on the ‘About’ tab on the UNT homepage, is to “build on it legacy of conservation and environmentalism, where we teach green, research green, and are green in everything we do.”  We offer more than 50 courses with a sustainable focus, the campus has a strong recycling program and we are assembling new infrastructure and buildings to meet the highest green building standards! In this way, “UNT creates an enriched and sustainable future for our students, state, nation and world.” 

Are you a part of the Green movement? Below are ten ways college students can live more lightly on the earth, while saving money. Info found at www.worldwatch.org

1.   Save money to save energy.

1. If you live in off-campus housing, set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
2. Unplug appliances when you're not using them will help you reduce electric overages.
3. Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine wash clothes goes to heating the water.

2.   Save water to save money.

1. Take shorter showers to reduce water use in your apartment. This will lower your water and heating bills too.

3.   Less gas = more money (and better health!).

a.    Walk, bike, or ride the bus to school. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.

4.   Eat smart.

1. If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
2. Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain. This is especially true for seafood.
4. Skip the bottled water.
1. Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work. A couple years ago, UNT adopted the BYOB (Bring your own bottle) mission.  All new UNT students are given a “green” water bottle during orientation.
5. Think before you buy.
1. Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
6. Borrow instead of buying.
1. Borrow from Willis Library or check out a movie from Chilton Hall instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
7. Buy smart.
1. Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
2. Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
8. Keep electronics out of the trash.
1. Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
9.   Make your own cleaning supplies.
1. The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.

Global climate change concerns are becoming a major social issue, let’s be more aware of how our daily choices affect the environment! Also, don’t forget to visit www.sustainable.unt.edu  to find out how to be a part of the UNT green movement!

UNT Students Resources

Oh, how I love UNT and all the wonderful things being a student here has done for me! Transitioning from high school to college was a simple task for me because I took advantage of the student resources on campus. UNT has many help centers and labs in different subjects to help students understand concepts and give them extra assistance.  The graduate assistants in the labs are knowledgable and friendly, and most of the labs are open during the weekend! If you are feeling uneasy about a certain subject please visit a help center today!  See the list compiled below.

Learning Center (http://www.unt.edu/lc)
Union 323
369-7006
Provides speed reading and study skills classes, speed reading and study skills by computer, Volunteer Tutors, Supplemental Instruction, Supplemental Tutoring, and referrals to campus-wide resources. The Learning Center provides UNT students with FREE, live, interactive tutoring through SMARTHINKING.com. This service connects students to qualified e-structors (online tutors) anytime, from any Internet connection.


Math Laboratory (http://www.math.unt.edu/mathlab)
General Academic Building 440
565-3592
Provides short-term tutoring with homework and/or test preparation. The Math Tutor Lab serves students enrolled in UNT Math classes at the 1000-2000 level (except 2510-2520),including UNT students enrolled in NCTM 331, 351, and 371. If you are enrolled in one of these classes, you are eligible to utilize Math Lab services.


Writing Center (http://www.unt.edu/writinglab/)
Auditorium Building 105
565-2563
Provides free tutoring and workshops with individualized and group work in all areas of writing. Grammar and writing questions? Open Monday through Friday, from 9-5 in AUDB 105. Also open Monday through Thursday night from 6-10 on the first floor of the Willis Library.


Discovery (Student Support Services Office) (http://www.coe.unt.edu/discovery/)
Highland Hall 201
565-4754
Tutoring in various subject areas, personal and academic counseling, study skills instruction and career planning for students who qualify for this federally funded program.


History Help Center
Wooten Hall 220
565-4772
Provides tutoring for history classes, advises students in writing of term papers and monitors history make-up tests.


Economics Tutoring Center (http://www.econ.unt.edu/?TutorLab-Lessons)
Hickory Hall 266
Provides free tutoring for principles of economics for current students.


Accounting Lab (http://www.coba.unt.edu/lab/tutor.php)
Curry Hall 311
565-2081
Provides free tutoring in accounting for current UNT students.


Chemistry Resource Center (http://www.chem.unt.edu/crc.htm)
Chemistry Building 231
565-2556
Provides tutoring for chemistry, especially organic and introductory courses. Also contains a resource library.


Physics Instructional Center (http://www.phys.unt.edu/PIC/index.htm)
Physics Building 209
565-3275
Offers a multi-media center with computer-aided instruction to assist students in completing their physics lab during any open hours.

Other useful campus resources

Counseling and Testing Services (http://www.unt.edu/cat/)
Chestnut Hall 311
565-2735
Provides confidential, professional, short-term (8 sessions per academic year) psychological counseling to currently enrolled students. Counseling is available for the areas of educational, vocational, marital, emotional and personal adjustment and development for UNT students. Counseling and Testing services also serves as a national testing center and computer-based testing site for the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and CLEP. The computer based testing is located in the Gateway Center 140, 369-7617.


Office of Disability Accommodation (http://dos.unt.edu/oda/index.cfm)
Union 321
565-4323
Assists students with ADA-related concerns, educational access and accommodation. Makes referrals for diagnostic evaluations.


Financial Aid Office (http://essc.unt.edu/finaid/)
Eagle Student Services Center 228
565-2310
Applications; processing and awarding of federal and state financial aid - loans, grants, scholarships, work programs.


Career Center (http://careercenter.unt.edu/)
Chestnut Hall 103
565-2105
Information, screening and referral for part-time on-campus jobs; computerized information about off-campus and summer job openings. Interactive computer software provides information to assist students in choosing a major and/or career. Advisors and employment resources are available to individuals of all majors and educational levels with regards to resume writing, interview tips, job search strategies and career advising.


Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.unt.edu/csrr/)
Union 324
565-2039
Provides education to the campus community on student rights and responsibilities, referrals for violations of the Student Code of Conduct, mandatory psychological or medical withdrawals, ethics and civility issues training, student reinstatements and arrest clearances.


Health Center - Student Health and Wellness Center (http://www.healthcenter.unt.edu/)
Chestnut Hall
565-2333
Medical care and health education services for enrolled students. Call to schedule an appointment.


Psychology Clinic (http://www.psyc.unt.edu/clinic/)
Terrill Hall 171
565-2631
Provides psychological services such as counseling, testing, and biofeedback for UNT students and the community.


Student Money Management Center (http://www.unt.edu/moneymanagement/)
Chestnut Hall 313
369-7761
Offers financial planning assistance and advisement to students.

Housing & Residence Life - Assignments & Collections (http://housing.unt.edu)
Crumley Hall
940-565-2610
Although you can make your housing payments online, you can still come into the office to make payments directly if you would like as well as coming in to ask for an extension on the payment deadline.

Mean Green Connection Dinner - Saturday, February 26

The Mean Green Connection Dinner is an event hosted by Orientation & Transition Programs at UNT.  Students and parents are invited to join us for a fajita dinner and engaging speaker as they plan for the transition to their second year at UNT. The Mean Green Connection Dinner will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 5 p.m.

After attending the Mean Green Connection Dinner, come support the North Texas Basketball team as they play Denver! Families who attend the Mean Green Connection Dinner will receive a free basketball ticket to attend the game with their student!  This event is free for participants, but an RSVP is required by February 18.  RSVP online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/meangreenconnectiondinner. More information can be found online at http://transition.unt.edu

Attend to the Mean Green Connections Dinner with your family to connect with the UNT community and help with your transition into your second year!  The Mean Green Connections Dinner is a great way to get stay connected to life on campus. Staying involved and connected to UNT is so rewarding; if you feel like you are missing out on something during your college career, this could be it!

Back to the Basics: Parking Permits!!

Spring semester has officially begun and the parking and transportation police are on the prowl!  Buying a parking permit will save you from the hassle of paying for meter parking and relieve the uneasy feeling you get when you park without a permit. 

Parking permits are available to purchase online at www.unt.edu/transit  and you can pay off any citations online as well.  They typically take two weeks to arrive so make sure that you print the receipt after making the online purchase because it will be your temporary permit.  Student Accounting will take any unpaid parking tickets out of your financial aid and charge you late fees.  It is important that you pay your citations on time!  Last fall I received two parking citations, that cost $35 each, and Student Accounting ended up charging me $120 for the tickets and late fees.  Also, the university will not let you graduate until all of your parking tickets are paid off.

The highest student parking permit costs $135 for the spring semester and it is valid through August 31, 2011; students who live on campus have the option of buying a “R” resident permit and students who live off campus have the option of purchasing a “P” premium permit.  The great thing about having an R or P permit is the fact that you can park in the “D” lots after 5 p.m. every day and they are usually reserved for the faculty and staff.  You also have the option of purchasing a “G” general parking permit for $72 if you want to be more frugal.

Having a parking permit will give you the security to come and go as you please on campus without having to wait for the bus.  Log in with your EUID and password and once you get to the Parking and Transportation website click on the “buy permits & manage accounts” link to buy your permit today.  If you have any questions call 940-565-3020.  The Parking and Transportation main office is located across from Mozart Hall!