DUS News - September 6, 2022
If you are a first-year student, you may be feeling some homesickness, uncertainty, stress, confusion, and more. Please visit the Adjustment to College section of the DUSuccess website. Here you will find lots of resources about adjusting to college life and finding support. Feel free to share these resources with a friend, as well.
Are there legitimate reasons to be absent? If you’re sick, do you need a doctor’s note before an absence can be excused? How much notice do you need to give your instructor if you know you’ll miss a class? Read the Faculty Senate Policy on Class Attendance for full details.
Your instructors care about your success. If they’re concerned by something you’re doing or not doing in their class—your performance on assignments, attendance, participation—they can “raise a flag” in Starfish to share their concern with you and/or your adviser. Your instructors have been invited to raise flags and send “kudos” (positive feedback) to students in their classes over the next couple weeks. This gives you a chance to see how you’re doing and make any needed changes early in the semester.
What Can I Do About It?
Try these strategies to take charge of your success:
- Talk with you instructor about their concern during their office hours. Be sure to review the syllabus before the meeting and reflect on the reason(s) for their concern. While it’s normal to feel nervous about attending office hours for the first time, there are plenty of tips to help with crafting the perfect email and office hours etiquette.
- Attend a Study Smarter session to learn the most effective study techniques.
- Use FREE tutoring services on campus.
- Schedule an appointment with your DUS adviser to discuss your progress, learn about additional resources, and create a plan for your success. We care about your success and want to help you thrive.
Following up on flags can help you to achieve your full potential! Don’t know if you’ve received a progress report yet? Check your Starfish dashboard or Penn State email for progress reporting messages from notices@starfishsolutions.com.
- September 5 (Mon)
- Labor Day - No Classes - September 6 (Tues)
- Study Smarter Session - September 7 (Wed)
- Libraries Open House - September 8 (Thurs)
- AI For Good Expo
- LION Bash
- Libraries Open House - September 9 (Fri)
- Advising and Certification Center Open House - September 11 (Sun)
- Tutor Lab Guided Tour - September 13 (Tues)
- Group Advising - How to Get Involved - September 13–15
- Fall Career Days
The Undergraduate Bulletin includes an easy way to filter programs based on interests, college, and campus location. Just click the Program button, type in your search term, and click Find. Check it out!
Do you have an interest in the outdoors? Do you enjoy working with kids? Do you want to earn two credits for working one week as a counselor during the fall semester? Check out the Outdoor School at Shavers Creek Environmental Center! Outdoor School (ODS) is a four-day, residential program for upper-elementary school students run by Penn State’s nature center, Shaver’s Creek, and staffed by Penn State student counselors. To participate in ODS as a counselor, Penn State students must first submit an application. Students who are accepted will be registered for SciEd 140 or RPTM 140, Outdoor School Field Experience for academic credit concurrent with ODS. Counselors attend two required training sessions prior to the start of ODS. Course information and registration materials will be available at these trainings. During their week of ODS, Penn State students must commit to being on-site 24 hours a day, typically from 1:30 p.m. on Monday through 3:00 p.m. on Friday, with free time on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. Counselors sleep in cabins and eat family-style meals with the school students. There is indoor hot-water plumbing. Have more questions? Check out their frequently asked questions page.
Interested? The deadline to submit an application is this Wednesday, September 8!
The College of Education is hosting an open house on Friday, September 9, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in 228 Chambers Building. Guests are invited to learn more about the Advising and Certification Center within the college and to ask questions of current staff and students. Light refreshments will be available. As a courtesy to all guests, there will be no advising or walk-in appointments during the open house. Want to learn more? Visit the Advising and Certification Center website.
There are three ways you can talk with a DUS adviser at University Park (Note: DUS students at other campuses or at other colleges at University Park should check how advising services are being offered where you are):
- 20–30 minute scheduled appointment with your assigned adviser over Zoom or in person.
- Quick question advising with any DUS adviser over Zoom. No appointment is needed. Quick question advising will be held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00–3:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9:00–11:00 a.m. You can find the link to the Zoom room on the DUS appointments webpage.
- Email your assigned adviser.
Have a question that can be resolved in a short 5–10 minute conversation? Join us for quick question advising in person or 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:
- Email your assigned adviser. Use your Penn State email.
- Come to the Grange Building lobby or 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 1:00–3:00 p.m. Thursday 1:00–3:00 p.m. Friday No Quick Question Advising.
For students not enrolled in DUS:
- Use our online form to submit a question. Use your Penn State email.
Looking to get food on campus but don't want to venture out and wait in line? Penn State Eats, the online food and drink app is now available through the Penn State Go app. Skip the line and order all your favorites.
It's easy, here's how:
- Open the Penn State Go app
- Choose Dining
- Order through Penn State Eats
No lines or waiting, fast, easy, and contact-less. Enjoy! For more information and available locations, visit the Penn State Food Services website.
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 visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website.
Fall 2022 Sessions
All sessions are at 4:00 p.m. ET and held in the Grange Building Lobby.
September 13: How to Start the Semester Off on the Right Foot
Please register in advance for the September 13 session.
September 20: Undergraduate Research 101
Please register in advance for the September 20 session.
October 4: Interested in Smeal?
Please register in advance for the October 4 session.
November 1: Explore and Find the Right Major for You
The Division of Undergraduate Studies is on Instagram! Follow us @PennState_DUS to see student/alumni stories, academic tips, events, announcements, and more. Share your own DUS story with us using #PennStateDUS for the chance to be featured.