DUS News - March 8, 2021

News: 

Asking for Letters of Recommendation

If you’re applying to a study abroad program, internship, or other opportunity, you’ll need letters of recommendation as part of your application packet. Recommendation letters should personalize your application by allowing reviewers to get a sense of who you really are, so it’s important for the writer to know you well enough to speak about you in specific ways. Hopefully, you’ve been cultivating relationships with instructors and advisers and have a few people who know you well enough to write a letter that speaks to something special about you.

Some basic etiquette:

  • Make an effort to allow potential reference writers to get to know you.
  • Ask permission before putting someone’s name down as a reference.
  • Allow ample time for the writer to complete the letter—good letters take time to compose.
  • Share information about what you’re applying to and what you hope to achieve through it so that your recommender can tailor their letter.
  • Fill out a confidentiality form, allowing your recommender to talk about your academic record.

Take Action if You Received a Warning From an Instructor

Instructors have been asked to use Starfish to provide you with feedback about your progress in their courses. If you receive positive feedback in the form of a “kudo,” keep up the good work! If you receive a warning in the form of a “flag,” please take action! In that case, your instructor has noticed that you are not doing something they expect for success in their course and has taken the time to draw your attention to this concern. Making a change right now will give you the chance to recover your grade before the end of the semester. If you’re not sure what you need to do differently in order to be successful, talk to your instructor, TA, or academic adviser as soon as possible. Not sure how to take the first step? See our article about office hours below.

Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 

Student Legal Services

Do you need legal assistance? Penn State's Student Legal Services offers referrals, consultations, or representation. Want an appointment? You can complete an intake form online or call (814) 867-4388 for more information. Services are free and confidential. Student Legal Services is only a short walk from campus, their video can help you locate their office.

Events and Announcements: 

Quick Question Advising

University Park

Have a question that can be resolved in a short 5–10 minute conversation? Join us for quick question advising via Zoom on the dates and times below. Some of these topics include: discussing adding/dropping courses within deadlines; getting a form signed; using LionPATH; reviewing entrance-to-major requirements; learning about general education information not related to schedule planning; and transferring credits. Quick question advising is not intended for in-depth conversations.

For students enrolled in DUS:

  • 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:

Study Smarter Workshops

University Park

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.

For more information or to sign up for a study smarter workshop, visit the Penn State Learning website.

Upcoming Study Smarter Workshops:

  • Monday, March 8, 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
  • Wednesday, March 17, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 18, 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 21, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 14, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
  • Monday, April 19, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

HackPSU

All Campuses

This March 19–21, join over 900 students from across the nation for 24 hours of creation, innovation, and fun. From seasoned coding veterans to first-time hackers from any major or field, all are welcome to join. Discover your ability to create change by developing technology to solve real-world problems, working with industry leaders, and collaborating with your peers.

There will also be swag, prizes, and much more for your enjoyment!

Visit the HackPSU website to register and learn more. 

City Semester Pittsburgh

All Campuses


Looking for a summer or fall internship and interested in sustainability? Apply now for Penn State Center Pittsburgh’s City Semester program and make a tangible impact on the community and your future. The program—offered in-person or virtually—provides Penn State students with a unique and immersive experience to earn credits through an internship with a Pittsburgh partner and course on urban sustainability. Learn more and apply at citysemesterpittsburgh.psu.edu.

Join us for a virtual information session to chat with the City Semester team on Thursday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m. Register online for this event.

Academic Peer Mentoring Program (APMP)

University Park

Are you passionate about helping others? Do you want to gain valuable workplace skills? Apply to be an academic peer mentor. Mentors will learn tactics to: 

  • help mentees with time management, study-skill development, and more
  • learn and implement active listening and motivational interviewing skills
  • discover how to build a successful mentoring relationship and make referrals

Interested? Get started in four easy steps:

  1. Complete the APMP application online.
  2. Earn a B or higher in a one-credit preparatory course.
  3. Attend a mentorship interview.
  4. Begin mentoring students.

For questions about the program or the class, contact spc83@psu.edu.

Apply to Be a Student Engagement Intern

University Park

The Student Engagement Network internship program was created to support the advancement of student engagement across the University, providing interns with the opportunity to serve as voices of engagement at Penn State. Applicants must be undergraduate students at Penn State University Park and be in good academic and conduct standing with the University. The internship program is open to students of all educational backgrounds, especially those interested in helping current and future students enhance their out-of-classroom learning.

Applications are open now for both summer 2021 and fall 2021–spring 2022. Learn more on the Student Engagement website.

Health and Physical Education Emphasis Info Session

University Park

Interested in pursuing the Health and Physical Education (HPE) emphasis in the Applied Exercise and Health (AEH) option in Kinesiology? You are invited to attend a virtual interest meeting on Monday, March 15 at 5:00 p.m. During this meeting representatives from the college will be going over all of the requirements to get into the HPE emphasis; suggestions for future courses in terms of sequencing (which courses to take when, together, etc., helping with your fall 2021 schedule); and answers to any questions you may have about the HPE emphasis!

If you are curious about the suggested academic plan and/or courses in the AEH option/HPE emphasis please view this program on the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Attend the virtual interest meeting. Note that this is the link to the actual Zoom room and you will not be able to enter until the specified time of the meeting. 

Undergraduate Research

All Campuses

Interested in doing undergraduate research but not sure where to start? Students looking to learn more about how to become involved in research as undergraduates are encouraged to attend workshops organized by University Libraries and Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring.

The workshops cover everything undergraduate students need to know, including defining research and discovery opportunities, using research ethics and emotional intelligence, designing an effective research poster, and preparing to present at the Undergraduate Exhibition.

Research opportunities are available for undergraduates in all fields of study. While inquiry in the social sciences may look different from the arts, which looks different from engineering, the process of discovery and asking questions is similar across the disciplines. Previous experience with research is not required to participate in the workshops.

For a full list of research and fellowship opportunities, visit the Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring website.

Group Advising Sessions

All Campuses

DUS will be holding group advising sessions throughout the 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 the DUS Group Advising website. All sessions will be held via Zoom.

Upcoming Spring 2021 Session

March 30, 8:00 p.m.: Explore and Find the Right Major for You

Register and attend online

Remote Tutoring and Guided Study Groups

University Park

Looking for help with your courses? Penn State Learning (PSL) is offering their tutoring and guided study groups both online and in-person this semester.

Guided Study Groups (GSG): Access the date, time, and Zoom link for the GSG through Canvas.

Tutoring: Students can get tutoring for math and writing through PSL. Students can reserve a tutoring time through Starfish by clicking on the appropriate service tile under “Your Services.” Language tutoring has been temporarily suspended.

Visit Penn State Learning's website for more information. 

EMS Program Info Sessions

University Park

Interested in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Energy Business and Finance, Energy Engineering, or Environmental Systems Engineering within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences? Want to learn more about academic advising in the department, academic planning, course requirements and resources? Come to an information session for the program that interests you:

Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering (PNGE):

  • Monday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 18 at 9 a.m.

Please register in advance using our online form. Questions? Contact Molly Nulty at mkn6@psu.edu

Energy Business and Finance (EBF):

  • Tuesday, March 9 at 10 a.m.
  • Thursday, March 18 at 3 p.m.

Please register in advance using our online form. Questions? Contact Molly Nulty at mkn6@psu.edu

Energy Engineering (ENENG):

  • Monday, March 22  at 10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 24 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Monday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m.

Please register in advance using our online form. Questions? Contact Samantha Suk at sjs68@psu.edu

Environmental Systems Engineering (ENVSE):

  • Monday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 23 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Monday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Please register in advance using our online form. Questions? Contact Samantha Suk at sjs68@psu.edu