DUS News - November 11, 2019
Is there a chance you’ll hear this question over break? If so, know that it can trigger some predictable responses. A research study shows that this question often makes students feel anxious and inferior, especially when their majors are not aligned with a specific career. The question, although often well-meaning, reinforces a simplistic view of education as vocational training and perpetuates the myth of a linear path between major and career. Don’t let this question cause you to simply go with the flow, and don’t let it dampen your intellectual curiosities. Take some time to reflect on how this question might be influencing your decisions. Use your adviser as a sounding board to examine if those influences are leading you on a fulfilling path. And remember: majors are not careers, and your Penn State education is more than your major.
In a few weeks, some Penn State students will spend fall break engaged in projects that connect their learning to real life. Are you interested in a unique and meaningful experience over a break? If so, check out Penn State Alternative Breaks. The deadline for applications for Spring break programs is January 19, 2020.
You should consult with an academic adviser if you’re considering late dropping a course to fully consider the ramifications for your degree progress, financial arrangements, and potential opportunities. The Late-Drop Checklist can help you think through the potential consequences of dropping a course prior to your advising conversation. Be sure to read up on Late Course Drop policies.
- November 12 (Tues)
- FLAS Fellowship Info Session - November 13 (Wed)
- Student Engagement Network Summit
- Student Engagement Network Expo - November 15 (Fri)
- Late Drop Deadline - November 18-22
- International Education Week - November 18 (Mon)
- FLAS Fellowship Info Session
- Industrial Engineering Major Night - November 19 (Tues)
- DUS Group Advising Session - DUS Students and Study Abroad
- Civil Engineering Major Night - November 24–30
- Thanksgiving Holiday (No Classes)
More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.
The Lion’s Pantry was created to address the issue of food insecurity at Penn State, University Park, and is available to students with a valid Penn State ID. Similar programs may be available at other campus locations.
Feeding Pennsylvania has a search tool for food banks in other parts of the Commonwealth.
Are you considering late-dropping a class? Are you curious about how that may affect your student aid? Come to Grange Building this week (Nov. 11-15) to meet with a representative from Student Aid. He will be able to answer your questions about Satisfactory Academic Process and more aid-related questions. Be sure to select the "Financial Aid Adviser on walk-ins" option when signing in on the kiosk.
Come learn about the Student Engagement Network during their Student Engagement Expo! The Student Engagement Expo is held annually as a celebration of student engagement at Penn State. The 2019 Student Engagement Expo will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. in HUB Alumni Hall and will include a number of demonstrations showcasing student engagement, as well as keynote speaker Joe Battista. For more information, visit the SEN Expo website.
Have a LionPATH question or need help getting started with spring semester planning? Drop in to Grange Building and speak with a DUS Leadership Council student during their office hours between now and November 15. DUS Leadership Council office hours serve students on a first-come, first-served basis and are intended for 10-15 minute quick questions on any of the following topics:
- Getting started choosing your courses
- Searching for general education courses that interest you
- Putting courses in your enrollment shopping cart
- Understanding wait lists and swaps
- Checking your holds and to do list on your LionPATH homepage
- Navigating the exploratory resources on the DUS website and the Bulletin
For an academic progress check, entrance-to-major evaluation, and/or long-term degree planning, make an appointment with your assigned DUS adviser. For urgent and sensitive issues, including late dropping coursework, meet with the first available DUS adviser during Quick Question Advising.
Peer Advising availability this week in Grange Lobby. Please sign in at the clipboard at the front desk.
Monday, November 11:
- 1:15–4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 12:
- 1:30–2:30 p.m.
- 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13:
- 1:15–3:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 14:
- 1:30–2:30 p.m.
- 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Friday, November 15:
- 1:15–2:15 p.m.
Want to volunteer, gain teamwork skills, and build your resume? The Parents Program is seeking passionate student leaders for its Family Ambassador Program. Family Ambassadors serve as liaisons between the Parents Program office and Penn State parents and families, assist in routine office tasks, and are crucial in the execution of Parents & Families Weekend, Fall Arrival, and other events. They are searching for diverse and enthusiastic student leaders with a passion for Penn State. Visit the Family Ambassador Program website for info.
International Education Week (IEW) is next week, November 17–22. DUS invites students at all campus locations to find a fellow student who grew up in a different country than you. Have a meal together, hang out, play a game, do whatever you want to do while learning about each other's culture and country. When you're done, take a few moments and write down the most interesting thing you learned and reflect on the differences and similarities in your lives. Submit your thoughts using this online form by 12 p.m. on Monday, November 25, and enter to win an international food prize!
Interested in helping the Class of 2024 to join Penn State? Join the Orientation Team! We are seeking diverse, dedicated, enthusiastic, resourceful, and motivated students to join our 2020 Orientation Team (OTeam). New Student Orientation (NSO) begins the transition to Penn State and the OTeam makes the difference for new students and their families. Members of the OTeam will serve as group facilitators, resource persons, role models, and ambassadors for Penn State during NSO. You can learn more about the Orientation Team by visiting oteam.psu.edu.
Looking for a quiet place to study? The Relaxation Room, in 20 IM Building, is the perfect location! The space is open Monday–Friday from 8:00–5:00 p.m. In addition to being a quiet study space, you'll find coloring books, a zen sand garden, puzzles, and a comfortable space to take a break, relax, or study. You can use the biofeedback software programs to learn breathing exercises designed to reduce your stress level. We also have a variety of relaxation, stress reduction, mindfulness, and brain massage audio tracks. From November through March, we have light therapy boxes that you can use in the space.
The staff and students from Health Promotion and Wellness hope to see you there!
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 the DUS Group Advising page on our website. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website. Some sessions have multiple dates and locations available.
Sessions include:
- Exploration Workshop
- Interested in Smeal?
- Standing Out: Choosing Minors & Involvement Opportunities
- Improve Your Study Skills
- What Gen Eds Do I Need?
- Afraid of Choosing the Wrong Major?
- Major and Career Planning
- Scheduling Tools
- DUS Students and Study Abroad