DUS News - August 31, 2020

News: 

Message from the Dean

Dear DUS students, 

With the first week of the Fall semester now behind us, I hope all of you are in good shape for a successful semester.  Though there remain many unknowns about how the public health crisis will impact our community over the coming days and weeks, know that everyone in DUS is here to support you as we navigate these uncertain times.  Given the many challenges that confront our world, take time this week to start thinking about how you can make a difference in the communities you call home.  Much change is needed in our world and all of you can be part of finding good ways to move us forward to overcome challenges that undermine our communities.  Whether you are learning on campus or remotely, discover opportunities to engage in meaningful issues that not only will improve those communities but also will help to give thought to how you best want to approach your education.  All the academic advisers in DUS are here to help you think about your education and ways to make it meaningful.  Be curious and bold with your education.  Again, we are here to support you, so please reach out to your academic adviser so that you can build a good relationship with them.  And, finally, please continue to be great members of the Penn State community by doing your part to meet the public health expectations for masking-up and social distancing.   

Sincerely,

David R. Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Advising
     and Executive Director
The Division of Undergraduate Studies

Seeking help is correlated with being successful

There is a remarkable correlation between certain student actions and success in college. Some of those are obvious (go to every class, check your Penn State email daily, turn in your assignments on time). But some are not. There is a wide range of resources available to you here (as well as a wide range of ways to get into trouble). Your help-seeking initiative can make a really big difference in your success. Take some advice from a college professor about how to anticipate and navigate your transition (back) to college: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/social-lights/201707/the-tune-every-first-year-college-student-needs.

Schedule an appointment

You can schedule an appointment with your DUS Adviser (at University Park and at some Campus Locations) online via Starfish (starfish.psu.edu). To do this, log into Starfish and click the "My Success Network" icon on your Home page to display your personalized network. This channel lists the people and resources that are available to assist you, including your assigned DUS Academic Adviser. If online scheduling is enabled, you will see a link to make an appointment (If not, you can always contact your adviser or your Advising Office directly). For more information or step-by-step instructions, please visit: http://sites.psu.edu/starfishinfo/user-roles/student-users/#appointment

Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 

Starfish

Hopsons Starfish Logo - a blue starfish shape wiht a white starfish shape inside to the right.

Starfish facilitates communication among academic advisers, instructors, students, and others who are here to support student learning. Starfish provides students with a central location to connect to the people and services that can help them engage with their educations.

Don't forget to upload a picture of yourself into your Starfish profile. It is quick, easy and will help your adviser remember you better! Learn more at starfish.psu.edu

 

Events and Announcements: 

Bellisario College of Communications Involvement Fair

University Park

Information session about Bellisario College and communications-related activities, clubs and organizations on campus. This free event on September 2, 3 and 4, provides opportunity for students to get information about getting involved on campus. Learn more by visiting the Bellisario College of Communications website. 

SEN Remote Innovation Grants

All Campuses

Undergraduate students across the commonwealth are encouraged to apply for a Remote Innovation Grants that will support virtual, remote, and/or face-to-face engagement opportunities this coming academic year.The SEN will be awarding grants of up to $2,000 to support student engagement experiences. Grant recipients may use funding to cover the costs of living (i.e. housing, food, transportation), supplies and materials for events and presentations, and other costs related to an engagement experience. Professional conference registration fees and/or travel may also be covered depending on the application. Please provide these details in the budget breakdown on the application.

The application will be open August 17 through September 4. To learn more and apply visit https://www.engage.psu.edu/remote-innovation-grants/.

Quick Question Advising

University Park

Quick question advising is intended for topics and questions that can be resolved with a brief 5-10 minute conversation or an email. Some of these topics include: Discussion about adding/dropping courses within deadlines; getting a form signed; help with LionPATH; reviewing Entrance-to-Major requirements; General Education information not related to your schedule planning questions; how to transfer credits. It is not intended for in-depth conversations.

For students enrolled in DUS:

  • Email your assigned adviser. Use your Penn State email.
  • Click here for Quick Question Advising via Zoom - Please note that a DUS Adviser is only available during the times listed below. All times are Eastern Time. 
    Monday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
    Tuesday 9:00–11:00 a.m.
    Wednesday 9:00–11:00 a.m.
    Thursday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
    Friday No Quick Question advising.

For students not enrolled in DUS:

Group Advising Sessions

University Park

DUS will be holding Group Advising Sessions throughout the fall semester as a way to discuss popular advising topics with groups of students. These sessions are open to all DUS students and will help you to learn more about the topic and to ask questions in a friendly, open environment.  For more information on each session, including dates and times, visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website. Some sessions have multiple dates and locations available.

Fall 2020 Sessions

All sessions are at 8:00 p.m. EST and held via Zoom:

September 1: Tools for Success:  How to be a Successful Online Student 

Register and attend online:  https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E91x7TfnRWu82lkyoIExgg

September 22: How to Get Involved:  How to Start the SemesterOff on the Right Foot

Register and attend online:  https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mxdBgcupT5WK8z_lDH-m7w

October 6: Interested in Smeal?

Register and attend online:  https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tTinkKA7Tq-tD5W6zLoEOQ

October 20: Explore and Find the Right Major for You

Register and attend online::  https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LzZyxV3OQ7GVkIdV4DhWzg

Study Smarter Workshop

All Campuses

How can you better monitor your learning so that you don't waste time and effort on ineffective study strategies? This workshop presents research-based evidence that metacognition (awareness of how you learn and the predictable effects of the related choices you make) can help you successfully transition to the demands of college-level courses as well as the flexibility of setting your own schedule. All sessions will be held online via Zoom and all times listed are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Upcoming Study Smarter Sessions: