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Dates to Remember Cassie Van Gompel
Just as due dates are important for assignments, deadlines are an important part of attending a University. Here at UWM we have multiple deadlines for different things from housing to adding and dropping classes to paying for your education. It may seem like a lot to remember, but you need to find a system that works for you to keep them straight, because the repercussions can range from late fees to having your classes dropped. One of the ways that I remember important dates is by adding the “Important Dates” Zimlet on my Pantherlink calendar. If you’re not a fan of technology, there are many other options such as calendars, phone alerts, & sticky notes to name a few—it’s really your preference.

One of the best tools I found for storing my important dates on paper is the planner given out by the Student Success Center. The planners that you can get from Bolton 120 have some of the dates already marked in them and come equipped with facts and tips about campus.

All of us need to make sure that our tuition is paid, whether the money comes from your parents, yourself, or financial aid. If you are planning on using financial aid, you should make sure that you have submitted your FAFSA, accepted your financial aid, and done your master promissory note and loan counseling if necessary. If you receive financial aid, you need to make sure that you still checkout due dates because some of them are before you financial day with be dispersed, so verify with the areas that are asking for the fee and see what is necessary to pay the fee.

Another set of dates that is important to remember are the add and drop dates. There are several sets of drop dates with different repercussions that come along with each set. There is a drop date that will result in little negative effects, but the longer you wait the harsher the consequences come. They can range from monetary amounts to a “W” on your transcript, so make sure that if you are going to drop a class to do so before negative consequences occur. One date that is important to remember but is not posted on the University’s website is the return policy on your books. You want to make sure that you will not lose the hundreds of dollars you can invest on one book if you don’t have to, so look to buy from a company with a generous return policy.

Here is a list of some of the University’s important dates, but you should continue to look for ones that pertain to you depending on your housing situation and major.

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October Feature

Welcome to Milwaukee Wally Wenzel
Welcome to Milwaukee, the city by the water, the city of festivals, the city of beer, the city of sewer socialists. Welcome.


What on earth did he just say Milwaukee was? A city of beer and something called sewer socialists? I truly must be crazy to think that Milwaukee consists of merely those things. Tell you what: I almost am, but when you look closely at what those four things really have done for the splendor that is Milwaukee, you'll see that they are pretty good pseudonyms for the city.

City by the Water.
Well, duh! There's a big lake a little over a mile east of campus, Wally! Lake Michigan does, indeed, lie mere minutes from campus providing the perfect backdrop for sunrises, the chillest place to party on a beach in the Midwest, and stretches and stretches of parks and recreational trails. But wait there's more water to be had in Milwaukee: another few blocks to the west of campus lies the Milwaukee River, which in the past few decades has been beautifully reclaimed by environmental groups and partially restored to a healthy urban habitat. For opportunities to get involved with the environment in an urban setting, to kayak, or just go get involved, check out the Urban Ecology Center located on the east side of the river by Riverside Park. Recreation is something we do especially well in Milwaukee, and the number of parks, green spaces, bike trails, miles of lake and riverfront, golf courses, and general gathering places is far more extensive than you will find in any other city (check out the Milwaukee County Parks website for more info).

City of Festivals.
Summerfest, German Fest, Irish Fest, Festa Italiana, Mexican Fiesta, Polish Fest, PrideFest, Arab World Fest, Indian Summer, Bastille Days, Labor Fest, multiple different street festivals, the coolest and freest festival for UWM students, Pantherfest, the Milwaukee Film Festival, MAM After Dark, the LGBT Film Festival... Festival after festival after festival. You can search any of these festivals on basic search engines and get information about them. What else can you do in Milwaukee? Go to a Bucks game, a Brewers game, an arena football game, see a concert at one of the many venues in the city (the Rave, the Pabst Theatre, etc.), see a show at a theater (the Rep, the Skylight, etc.). If you couldn't tell, there is a ton to do in Milwaukee.

City of Beer.
Well, there's not much to say about that one. Common sense: we have a lot of breweries, so I encourage brewery tours, especially when you are legal. Other than that, be responsible and make good decisions that you want to make, not that others want you to make.

City of Sewer Socialists.
That's a history lesson because Milwaukee was one of the few cities in the past century to have a whole bunch of Socialist mayors, but rest assured, not the scary kind of socialists. They were the kind of socialists that made sure that government was clean and honest, and they provided services for the citizens at little or no cost. Why is this important? All those beautiful green spaces and parks, the buses (which I completely suggest everyone use), and the wonderful museums, theaters, and libraries downtown, all are thanks to those socialists. I'm not trying to sway anyone's vote, just a little history lesson that is all.

I hope you have a whole list of places you want to see and things you want to do in Milwaukee, now. If this wasn't enough interest, come find a mentor in the Student Success Center in Bolton 120. We love Milwaukee, and I'd personally like to show you around.

 

Food Options on CampusJames Newton III
No matter what you like, whether it’s burritos, tacos, breakfast, burgers, fries, wraps, ice cream, or pizza—we all must eat. It is good to know the many different selections on campus because eventually the same food gets boring and repetitive. Personally, I enjoy Taco Bell and visiting the Terrace Café for their price and convenience. You may not know of the different selections available, from the Union to various places both on and off-campus. In the Union alone, there are 11 places you can get food. And off campus there are even more possibilities to partake in.


Located in the Union there are restaurants such as Burger King, City Subs, Pizza Presto and Taco Bell. Pacific Wraps makes many different ethnic inspired wraps and Cedar Crest is an ice creamery. The Flour Shop serves breakfast foods before switching to lunch around 11.

Union Station & Terrace is a convenience store of sorts that also serve melts and hot foods. Additionally, there is a salad bar and Union Station has many vegetarian, vegan, halal and kosher options. Lastly is the Grind, with several locations around campus including the Union, Library, Engineering building, and some of the residence halls.

The Kenwood Inn, located on the third floor of the union is open from 11 till 2 Monday through Friday and they serve many different sandwiches and soups; The Gasthaus, located in the basement of the Union, serves different unique sandwiches, breaded chicken, fries, and more. With several projection screens tuned into the biggest games or television events, live bands every Thursday, trivia, and much more you will be surrounded by entertainment while eating at the Gasthaus.

Off campus restaurants range from William Ho’s, a Chinese restaurant; Quizno’s; Domino’s, Jimmy Johns, Qdoba, Noodles, George Webb’s, Oakland Gyros, and Five Guys. There are more restaurants located nearby, with many concentrated in Riverwest or on North & Farwell near Cambridge & Riverview. Many of these off campus eateries deliver to the campus by request and save you time waiting in line.


Figuring out the Bus System Naomi Grabber
The snaking network of bus routes that crisscross the city of Milwaukee ties communities together and provides economical transportation for the entire city. By preparing beforehand, riding the city buses can be a lively adventure.

Even if you typically drive a car, riding the buses in Milwaukee can give different perspectives about the city and people that are difficult to notice otherwise. Traveling on the bus affords excellent opportunities for people watching and the non-stop flow of individuals entering and leaving the bus are sure to entertain. Catching snatches of conversations around you, the diversity of the lifestyle and cultures of the people aboard the bus are intriguing.

Riding the bus can also give you a better sense of independence. Since each student is allotted a free ID and bus pass, paying for transportation around Milwaukee is unnecessary. Traveling is essentially free! Also, the more you ride the bus the more familiar you will become with the city and its neighborhoods.

While riding the bus it is necessary to communicate with the driver. By making sure the driver acknowledges you when you enter the bus you can avoid confusion later. Also, if you are not quite sure where you need to get on or off, asking a driver is always a good idea. They know every quirky street and stop in Milwaukee and will be able to help you find your way no matter where you need to go.

Utilizing the Milwaukee Public Transportation system can enhance your understanding of the city and its culture and is always an entertaining experience.  For more information on the bus system, visit the Milwaukee County Transit System website, or talk to somebody from the Parking & Transportation office on the ground floor of the Union.

 

Is Your Major Undecided?Kim Pater


Don’t know what to major in? Don’t worry. We have you covered. UWM has many different services and programs to help you decide. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:


Step 1) Become familiar with the different majors, minors, and certificates that UWM offers. A full list of undergraduate degrees is available here. After all, you can’t decide anything without knowing all of your options. You might discover 3something you never even knew existed.

Step 2) Take a Career Planning Course. Ed Psych 101, Foundations of Academic Success: Planning Your Major and/or Career, is a 2-credit course. As the course name suggests, this course is designed specifically for undecided majors. Although the deadline for adding a full term course has passed, click here to search for course times for Spring 2011. For search for offerings this semester click here. Remember, you have until September 16th to add a full term course.

Step 3) Visit career researching websites. The Career Development Center (CDC) provides a whole list of career research websites. These sites provide descriptions for many different careers and professions. My favorite of all of these is the “You’re a What?” page which contains link to articles of some jobs and professions you may never have heard of. Do you know what a farrier does?

Step 4) Go to the CDC. The CDC is located in Mellencamp 128. There you can find a wealth of resources. They have Career Resource Assistance and Career Counseling. To schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor call (414)229-4486.

In a hurry? Check out the Express Lane! Hours:
Monday: 4:00-5:45 pm
Tuesday: 9:30-11:30 am
Wednesday: 2:00-4:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30-11:30 am
Friday: 10:30 am-1:00 pm

Step 5) Assess your own interests, skills, goals, and values. Both online and print sources are available. There are worksheets and online assesments can be found here.

Step 6) Talk to your mentor. Chances are that they were also undecided at some  point in time. Ask them what tools and resources they used. When I was deciding what to major in, the main thing that I did was look at what my strengths and weakness were. I thought about which classes were challenging and which ones did not interest me.

The final and most important step is...

Step 7) Don’t Panic. You can change your major if you change your mind. Most students change their major multiple times before finding one that really fits them.  No decisions need to be made today. If you need to relax (and I’m sure you do),  check out this weird job quiz!

Now that you have these 7 simple steps, you are well on your way to choosing your major. Good luck with your first semester!


Roommates (Friend or Foe)Nicole Glaser
Unfortunately, roommates are not like siblings. If you don’t get along with siblings, you still have to love each other. Roommates don’t have to love you if you don’t get along. This is why a relationship with a roommate can be tricky to navigate at times. In my experience I have found there are a few different ways a relationship with a roommate can look like:

1. The “we love living together, and have now become best friends” relationship (this one is obviously ideal, and does fortunately happen). 

2. The “okay, so we won’t hang out outside our room, but we enjoy each other’s company while in the room” relationship (I personally had this one, and it was actually really nice). 

3. The “non-relationship” relationship. (So you live together, but barely talk, or even acknowledge each other’s presence. For some this may be ideal, to others, maybe a little depressing). 

4. And last but not least, the “Why? Why! Why did I get stuck with you?!” relationship. (This is obviously the least ideal relationship, but it unfortunately does happen). 

Now, roommate relationships don’t have to be like the 4th possibility, or even the 3rd. Like any new relationship, building a relationship with a roommate requires one important thing: communication.

As long as you are open with your roommate from the start about your expectations, the two of you can really start to respect each other, and therefore get along. By not being afraid to get to know each other, you can even start to really enjoy each other’s company. Communication is obviously not just important in the beginning, though. Don’t wait to address problems you and your roommate might be having.

Will your relationship be the stuff of legends?

Putting off talking about issues and problems can make them form into mega-monster problems. These, are obviously not necessary, and are even harder to then resolve. The golden-rule is also way important when dealing with roommates. Would you appreciate it if your roommate blasted music at 12:30am when you were trying to sleep? Probably not. Don’t create situations that you would dislike if you were in your roommate’s place.  

 

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Academics

Improving Time ManagementHarinder Kaur

The Work:

If only we spent more time looking at our books or doing our homework—other than wasting it on a harsh stare at a clock, hoping time will go by faster or slow down. Feeling like an overwhelmed robot running on someone else’s account is a result of poor time management skills. To ease your pallet, take these points into consideration:

o For every hour in class, you should dedicate at least 2 additional hours outside the meeting time. For instance, if you have a lecture for one hour, spend two hours studying for it outside of class. (It can be done, trust me!)

o Study the harder subject first and leave off little assignments, with extended due dates, as your last priority.

o Set your priorities straight and always keep in mind what your goal is.

o Keep a weekly planner by you at all times, it helps you organize your life and makes things a little less stressful. Plus, in the long run, you avoid making unnecessary decisions. (Hmmm…should I got to this party tonight? Clearly, your planner says no!)

o Add work hours or any other activities you are involved in. (Limit your work hours if it is constantly getting in your way).

o Always leave free time for yourself. You don’t have to do this cold turkey; positive reinforcements will only strengthen your will power to stick with your schedule.

o Any available time you have, USE IT!!! Don’t waste it doing nothing or thinking about what you have to do, this is why you need a planner. Time is very valuable in college, and quite often, you don’t have much of it.

o Leave extra time available in case something unexpected comes up. (For example, if an unexpected meeting comes up or you want to develop a study group) o It’s always good to map your planner according to your syllabus.

My personal experience:

From personal experience, I noticed if I eat healthy, exercised, and kept up with a good amount of sleep, I was less irritable and more willing to follow a structured schedule. My first year, I just wanted to do anything but homework, which is why I MADE myself sign up for a lot of tutoring sessions, forcing myself to do the homework and spend time outside of class studying. Furthermore, I learned how to properly organize, correctly prioritize and shy away from procrastination, which seems to be a disease when you first come to college. None of this could have been possible if I did not see a goal on the other side, I am a visual person and if I don’t see the big picture of my actions, I tend to focus less with the task on hand.Follow these tips and find the methods that work best for you. College can be stressful, but if you manage your time properly, you can cut down on the all nighters spent cramming for exams, have more flexibility when writing papers, and have an overall more fulfilling college experience.


 

Is Your Major Undecided?

Kim Pater
Don’t know what to major in? Don’t worry. We have you covered. UWM has many different services and programs to help you decide. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

Step 1) Become familiar with the different majors, minors, and certificates that UWM offers. A full list of undergraduate degrees is available here. After all, you can’t decide anything without knowing all of your options. You might discover something you never even knew existed.

Step 2) Take a Career Planning Course. Ed Psych 101, Foundations of Academic Success: Planning Your Major and/or Career, is a 2-credit course. As the course name suggests, this course is designed specifically for undecided majors. Although the deadline for adding a full term course has passed, click here to search for course times for Spring 2011. For search for offerings this semester click here. Remember, you have until September 16th to add a full term course.

Step 3) Visit career researching websites. The Career Development Center (CDC) provides a whole list of career research websites. These sites provide descriptions for many different careers and professions. My favorite of all of these is the “You’re a What?” page which contains link to articles of some jobs and professions you may never have heard of. Do you know what a farrier does?

Step 4) Go to the CDC. The CDC is located in Mellencamp 128. There you can find a wealth of resources. They have Career Resource Assistance and Career Counseling. To schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor call (414)229-4486. In a hurry? Check out the Express Lane! Hours:

Monday: 4:00-5:45 pm
Tuesday: 9:30-11:30 am
Wednesday: 2:00-4:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30-11:30 am
Friday: 10:30 am-1:00 pm

Step 5) Assess your own interests, skills, goals, and values. Both online and print sources are available. There are worksheets and online assesments can be found here.

Step 6) Talk to your mentor. Chances are that they were also undecided at some  point in time. Ask them what tools and resources they used. When I was deciding what to major in, the main thing that I did was look at what my strengths and weakness were. I thought about which classes were challenging and which ones did not interest me.

The final and most important step is...

Step 7) Don’t Panic. You can change your major if you change your mind. Most students change their major multiple times before finding one that really fits them.  No decisions need to be made today. If you need to relax (and I’m sure you do),  check out this weird job quiz!

Now that you have these 7 simple steps, you are well on your way to choosing your major. Good luck with your first semester!

 

Changing Majors Celia Orsono

So…what are you studying? That seems to be the most common question people ask you when they find out you are in college, but the truth is a lot of us don’t know. Personally I tried a few majors before finally declaring. When I first came to UWM I was convinced I wanted to be a Political Science major, but after taking the beginning course I realized politics we not really for me, so then I took the intro Journalism and Mass Communication classes to see if that was more up my alley. JMC also was not the perfect fit, so I tried Global Studies because those had been my favorite classes previously, but eventually I decided on Psychology because it was the most interesting thing for me to study in the long run. 

Even though I tested out many options before making my final decision, I am not behind in my major or going to graduate much later than all of my friends. Thankfully, I had been taking a lot of my general requirements while I was on discovery mission and this process helped me figure out what I was interested in.

If you are like me and unsure of what you really want to study or you are considering changing majors, do not be afraid. You will find that many of the credits you already have will carry over to your new major. The best thing to do is be aware of what credits you need for your general education requirements (GERs), and use the freedom you have to find out what is out there to study. If you take a wide variety of natural and social sciences you will be exposed to a variety of topics and eventually a light will go on in your head and you will want to know more about a subject. 

When you come to that point, you have found your major and it is time to announce to the world the answer to what all of your relatives have been asking you since your senior year of high school….I know what my major is!!! Once you decide what major you want to switch to, be sure to meet with an advisor from your intended school or college AND also with your current advisor. Below is a list of phone numbers for several offices on campus.

Contact an Advisor:
Academic Opportunities Center – Mitchell 173 – 414-229-5135
College of Engineering & Applied Sciences – Engineering & Applied Sciences E386 – 414-229-4667
College of Health Sciences – Merrill 115 – 414-229-2758
College of Letters & Sciences – Holton 142 -- 414-229-4654
College of Nursing – Cunningham 135 -- 414-229-5047
Global Studies – Garland 110/111 -- 414-229-6925
Peck School of the Arts – Theatre 120 -- 414-229-4763
School of Architecture and Urban Planning – AUP 225 -- 414-229-4014
School of Education – Enderis 213 -- 414-229-4721
School of Information Studies – Bolton 510 -- 414-229-4707
School of Social Welfare – Enderis 1110 -- 414-229-4851
School of Business – Lubar N291 --414-229-5271
Student Support Services – Mitchell 135 --414-229-5598
First Year Center – Bolton 120 -- 414-229-5385
Career Development Center – Mellencamp 128 -- 414-229-4486


Building a Relationship with Faculty Sarah Najam

College! When people first start off their academic career there can be million thoughts running through one’s mind that can stress them out. One of them could be how am I going to survive and thrive here!? Well one key component is building a positive relationship with a faculty member. For example, when I was a freshman I had to develop a strong relationship with my Ethnics professor by coming to her office hours and staying after class. This not only showed that I was dedicated, but diligent in understanding their subject. As a result, I was able to have a comfortable relationship with my professor and it still persists today.

If you are wondering where you can find your professor’s office hours, either look in the syllabus or ask them after class. They are usually are flexible if the office hours do not work for you; furthermore, they will give you other assistance if they cannot provide it themselves. Overall professors are here because they enjoy teaching, so do not be afraid to ask help. After all, that’s what they are here for! Another great way of building a positive relationship is by being an active learner. For example, try participating in class, whether you ask questions or contribute to the conversation some other way. Other examples of being an active learner include sitting in the front row and being punctual. It not only shows that you care about what you are learning, but it lets you stand out in the classroom so the professor is more likely to remember who you are.

You almost always have the option of staying in contact with the professor through email. All professors have e-mail addresses at UWM and should include it on their syllabus. Professors may have other methods of communication they prefer, and they will let you know in class or on your syllabus the best way to contact them.

As a result of building a positive relationship with a faculty member, you can use them as a resource. For example, they can help introduce you to a network group that relates to your major. Lastly, they can be useful for recommendation for any circumstances.

Overall, building a positive relationship with faculty can open up many doors leading to a successful college career. For more tips on getting to know your professors, check out this great article from the College Board.



Writing an EssayRaquel Sanchez

“It’s all part of the college experience.” If you haven’t heard someone try to console you with these cliché words yet, I assure you, you will! But what does that even mean? What entails this “experience” that so many seem to point out, yet not define? The answer is quite simple actually: Fun. That, my friends, is what the “college experience” is all about: having fun. But I must elaborate for just a moment, as there is confusion to be found in this declaration. We must remember the context of this equation: college experience = fun (that’s for you Math Majors out there), key word: college.

During my college career, I’ve come to find new and fulfilling ways of having fun. One of the most prevalent being—bear with me—writing essays and academic papers! Although daunting the task may be, the end result never fails to impress me and my thoughts about myself. I couldn’t have learned this better than through English 102 my first semester here at UWM. This class, along with the other entry-level English courses, is writing intensive; you are writing essays once or twice a week. It was very difficult because I hadn’t written an essay in years, and now it was expected of me every week for this class, not to mention some others. I’ll admit, I hated this class at first, I thought it was a waste of my time, but that all changed after the end result, my final paper.

The grade I received is irrelevant, however, after reflecting about it for awhile, I realized the course’s value. Whether or not my grammar improved wasn’t important. What blew me away was my evolved skills and ways of thinking critically. If you really give yourself to the assignment, find a connection between your own personal beliefs or experiences and the topic of the writing assignment, it’s amazing what starts happening to your mind. This is a whole new realm of fun. Unfortunately, it can only be experienced individually. So I shall ceasefire on the sentimentals and finish by imparting my wisdom onto you. I’ll leave you to discover the rest for yourself! How to begin:

Ask yourself:

· What is the assignment/writing prompt asking me to answer and/or address?

· Can I include my own opinion? If so, what exactly is that opinion and why? If not, what are my sources saying and how do they connect (i.e. agree/disagree) with one another?

After letting these thoughts marinate in your mind, see if you can come up with a thesis (“what’s the point my paper, and what main sub-points/arguments will I address to prove that point?”) For example:

“…Despite what the media has fed the minds of the youth, chairs do not have human emotions. By examining the three main scientific quantifiers for human emotions [insert quick list of 3], I hope to dissolve the ludacris proclamation that chairs exhibit human emotion…”

Then from there, the rest should have a steady flow. By coming up with a strong thesis statement, or controlling purpose, first and foremost, you’ll save the grief of getting stuck or going on unnecessary tangents. You just go back and look at your thesis, and BAM! you’ll remember what it is your supposed to be writing about.

One last piece of advice: DO NOT SWEAT THE TECHNICALS! If you’re constantly worrying about your grammar right away one of 2 things will happen:

1. You have perfect grammar but the content of your paper is lacking which defeats the whole purpose of the assignment

2. You’ll take too long grammar-checking and you’ll never get the paper done in decent time!

If you take these tips, and are still struggling or just want some feedback, we (UWM) got you! The Writing Center on campus offers tutoring services to help you get and/or stay on track in your writing. Being a tutor there myself, the advice I just shared is a very “standard” thing I say to the majority of the writers I help tutor in the Center. Plus! This year The Writing Center has a new, bigger and better location located in Curtin 127. There is also a satellite location in the Library East Wing. Stop by and say hi, or if you want to schedule an appointment you can register and schedule one by going to the Writing Center website and clicking on the link to make an appointment! Hope to see you there! I’ll leave you all with a little Twain…

“Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very;" your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.” ~Mark Twain
Using your Brain Before an ExamAndrew Xiong

What is your opinion about studying, especially for midterms and finals? Without a doubt they can be daunting but if you have faith in your brain and prepare wisely ahead of time, & truly stick to your system of concentration then breathing will come easy to you. You will not regret not having to struggle to read five chapters in one night, or skim through tens of hundreds of lecture slides just to get the main point the lecture.  

Studying involves pacing yourself and knowing your limits. One quote you may have heard before is “the more you learn, the less you know.” Now, this is not necessarily the case for everyone but, as a college student, you must know your limits (especially with late night studying). You may believe that you have read the material and can spew it all back out perfectly however, you may not have understood the concept behind the overall content. Always pace yourself and rehearse your lecture notes, the class Power Point slides, and read the text book or book that was assigned. More often than not, by reviewing your notes you'll pick up on a vital tidbit you missed before.

One of the main money questions many students across campus ask is, “How do I study?” There are so many methods that can be used on a regular basis and I will point out one that I find useful to me personally. For key terms and concepts, I write down the associations to the term or concept and then I define in my own words how it relates to the class materials. Also, it is wise to find a partner to study with so that the both of you can discuss what one or the other missed in their definition. This is an effective method that I found useful when studying terms and concepts. Additional study methods can be found at this site.

Another important feature to remember is not studying in a location that you know for sure you will be distracted by it. Another important thing that I want to mention is the day before the midterm or exam, you will be overwhelmed and you may feel that you’re not prepared however, have faith in your brain that is if you have taken the time to pace yourself and study regularly.

 

How to Take NotesTakira Williams

Do you hate taking notes in those big lecture halls? Well you're not the only one. There are all different types of people who take notes, but hate it. When taking notes, everyone has their own technique. Some people use outlines of the lecture, tape recorders, comparing notes, or just writing everything that they feel important. Two methods that have worked for some time now include comparing notes or getting posted notes from professors off the course website (not all professors post notes online, though). This helps a lot because you can go back and look at the notes without missing any information. On the UWM campus students needing special accommodations in class can visit the Student Accessibility Center and request a note taker for their course. 

When reading out of books or articles one common technique is highlighting everything that the reader thinks is important. The repetition is helpful, and some people learn better when seeing what is the most important part of every different section they are reading. The second technique is the Label in the Margin, or LIM, method. This way lets the reader use posted notes or different colored pens. The student reads at least one paragraph before stopping to summarize the section. If you are reading something that you are not interested in, it is hard to remember particular pieces of information, so the LIM method makes it faster to jog your memory when reviewing. 

As a UWM student myself, I actually use LIM all the time because there is tons of reading that I do hat I am not too interested in, and I have to go back and reread the paragraph or section to figure out what it is about. Since I summarize the important parts of the reading, it's a lot easier to go over the reading again. Also, for people who have some classes in big lecture halls, it also helps to get to know as many people possible. That way, if you don’t make it to class or just didn’t get a certain piece of information, you can talk to these people if you see them in class and ask them if they would compare notes with you.

 

Tips to do Well in ClassSheila Hamill

When I asked a group of incoming freshmen what their biggest fear for college was, the most common response I received was: “Classes!! I am afraid I won’t do well in class…” This is no surprise, seeing how many hear in high school just how hard college will be. Well, I won’t deny that there is some truth in this, that college does take a lot of hard work, but hopefully I can decrease your worry with a few easy tips to do well in classes.

The first tip I have for you is: Attend Class. Yes, it seems awfully simple, but as your friends increase and your sleep decreases it might get easier to think “aw, one class here, one class there might not matter.” Well, one sure way to do well in class is to actually go- physically and mentally. It’s true that once you decide to skip one class, it is definitely easier to skip more. As for being there mentally, perhaps you need to sit near the front, or print off slides to focus better, or just turn off your phone and log off of Facebook. :) I know for me, it is helpful to print off the slides so that I can just add to the notes there and not concentrate on writing everything down. It also helps me to sit near the front so that I don’t get distracted and/or nod off!

My second tip for you has to do with studying. To start off, it is proven that studying is much more effective and always easier in smaller chunks. As best as you can, try studying your notes weekly so that you don’t end up cramming right before the test. You will most likely do better on the tests and better remember the information in the long run. Find the way you learn best- whether it is flashcards, study guides, or explaining it out loud to yourself while nobody else is around. And I am not afraid to admit that I definitely fall in the latter category. On the day of the exam, knowing how to take a test is always helpful. I recommend visiting this site from CollegeBoard.com with tips on specific exam types.

Also, getting to know others in the class and forming study groups will also be helpful. I have always been a strong believer in introducing yourself the first day of class to whomever you sit next to- no matter how awkward it can be! A few of my best friends have come from that first day meeting and it definitely helped when I needed notes because I missed a class, or when an exam was approaching and I needed to form a study group. If you would like tutoring or extra help from a student who formerly took that class, I highly recommend scheduling a tutor through Panther Academic Support Services or by stopping in the Student Success Center in Bolton 120.

My final tip for you is to make a schedule. Chart out, early on in the semester, all your classes, activities, rest or exercise time, etc. Then highlight when you have free time and block out at least an hour or two everyday when you will study. And when that hour comes around… study! Scheduling this time to study will help you to make good use of your time and hopefully you won’t be thinking at 11 PM… “Ah! I haven’t done any homework yet!” For me, I can do my homework much better in the morning, so I try to schedule time in the morning to find a quiet place in the library to do my homework. This way I am not distracted by the million things there are do to in my room: TV, internet, music, food, etc. etc. etc.

With these few tips, I hope you will be able to do well in classes - something very important to having a successful college career!

 

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Commuters

Tips for CommutersMichael Fink

Many of the daily commuters that travel to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee do so by car. If you are having a hard time finding or affording parking, there are several less expensive alternatives. Other modes of transportation for your commute can include the bus, motor scooter or bicycle on sunny summer days.

There is some important information that commuters need to know. Commuters should plan to be on campus for more time than just courses: get to know your professors, get involved with student organizations, and spend time in the residence halls and form study groups.

The long-distance alternative mode of transportation when commuting is riding the bus. The bus is actually very convenient. There are many benefits to riding the bus including saving money over driving a car, reduced traffic congestion, no need to find parking and getting time to read, relax and socialize. The university UPASS makes the Milwaukee County Transit System bus FREE for students. Your UPASS can be picked up at the Parking & Transit office, Union Room WG25. There are 6 local bus routes and 3 express bus routes in Milwaukee County that take passengers directly to the University. The interactive Milwaukee Transit System website, can help you with planning your routes and times.

Please consider the UPARK system if you must drive a car when commuting to UWM. UPARK is a satellite parking lot and shuttle bus system developed to address the additional parking needs of students. The shuttle and parking are free; all you need is your campus ID. The three UPARK lots are located at northwest of campus at the intersection of E. Capitol Drive and N. Humboldt Blvd and two locations on the lakefront along Lincoln Memorial Drive at Veteran's Park and McKinley Marina. For more information on this service visit the Parking and Transit office of the Union.If you are searching for additional parking information, it can be found at the Neighborhood Housing Office, Room WG85 at the lower level of the Union. There is very important information that will help you with day parking, night parking, important phone numbers, and parking restrictions for winter parking and street sweeping.

When attending campus activities and organization events, find people that have common interests and that are similar to you. This will make it easier to become long term friends in the future. It may also be possible to carpool with these students if they are also commuters.When you attend and participate in campus events and activities outside of courses, you will meet new people and create friendships. If you become involved in student organizations you will also become more knowledgeable about the UWM campus and feel more connected to it. Invite other students to join your study group. The stress of studying will create a bond and you may decide to hang out together during your free time. If you form a study group, good places on campus to meet are the library, residence halls, or outside during the warmer months.

 

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Beyond the Classroom

Building Your ResumeFlor Rivera


What is a resume? A resume is a list of your skills and experiences that you give to a potential employer.
Why is important to have a resume? Having a resume of your life journey helps you to develops new ideas. Writing a good resume can help you get the job you always wanted to have.
 
Every time you are looking for a job, make sure to take a positive approach to yourself. Face the new experiences head-on and learn from them. In your resume, be competitive and take control: talk about experiences from your previous jobs that may stand out and relate to the job you're applying for.

Your resume is a tool to win an interview; it is then the interview that is key to getting the job. Resumes should have the following sections: mission statement (What do you want? What kind of worker are you?), qualifications (personality type, experience with Microsoft Office products), professional experience (not job names, but what skills may assist you with the new job), work history (including relevant dates, job titles), education history in chronological order (highlight first colleges and maybe high school), and in the footer section, “References Available Upon Request”.

Be concise and clear in your descriptions. Make sure there are no typing, spelling or grammar errors. Each entry should follow a uniform format, choose a font that is easy to read for example Times New Roman, no larger than 14 point and no smaller than 10 point. Seek advice from the Career Development Center (Mellencamp 128) for suggested improvements in wording, layout and style. They will be more than happy to meet with you.

 

The Importance of Undergraduate ResearchJeff Overholt

As the economy toughens and jobs are harder to come by, the average college undergraduate needs to do more to make themselves stand out from the thousands of other graduates with degrees. The importance of doing undergraduate research is greater than ever if you want to secure the job of your dreams. Just a few years ago, undergraduate research was few and far between, but today graduate schools almost require some sort of undergraduate research to be admitted to their program.

 As an undergraduate, I fully understand the importance of research and how it will help me when I want to apply to graduate school in a few short months. I was lucky enough to work with Dr. P. Richards on the Milwaukee County Institution Grounds project during my sophomore year. Through my research, I was able to work on hundreds of full skeletal remains that were buried in the Poor Farmer’s Cemetery in the 1800’s in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. In the research, I categorized all of the remains and wrote down and observed unique pathological occurrences on the remains. From this research, I was able to work with real human remains as an undergraduate, learn how to orientate the bones in the body and how to write down and categorize human remains so future students can benefit from my research. Without this opportunity, I may not have gotten to work with and be comfortable with human skeletal remains, which would ultimately put me at a disadvantage when I attend graduate school and work again with skeletal remains.

The opportunity I presented above about my personal experience is just one of hundreds of research opportunities UW-Milwaukee offers. They offer opportunities in almost every college and most majors within the college. The great thing about Undergraduate Research is that you can do it in any field that you want. In other words, as a graduate student, you are confined to doing research in your specific field, but as an undergraduate, you can do research in any field, even if you have no interest in majoring in it. Also, undecided students can use research as a way to gain insight into specific fields they may be interested in, or to find areas of interest they may not know that have. At the website for UWM’s Office of Undergraduate Research, you can access all of the current opportunities you may apply for, so you can start your research right away. The office also has a brand new location on campus in Bolton Hall 192.

 There are numerous benefits of participating in Undergraduate Research, and it can be that edge to allow you to beat out fellow graduates for future jobs and graduate school positions. This link emphasizes successes of other students and how they have had many opportunities because of their involvement in research. Take advantage of the opportunity UWM offers and use it to help ensure you have a bright future when your time at UWM comes to a close.



Studying AbroadMary Vang

An Adventure Awaits You...OVERSEAS! Come study abroad!

Have you been craving for an adventure? Or perhaps curiosity has been edging you to look beyond what you've been accustomed to? Maybe you just need some time away. Well then, you should study abroad! Wait, what's that? You're broke? That's right, you're a college student. It's to be expected, but hey, there are many scholarships and grants waiting for you on the other side if you were to brave through the challenge. Sounds crazy? It probably is, but that's the whole joy in studying abroad!

Despite popular belief, study abroad opportunities are not just for those who have been taking a foreign language. Sure, you might not qualify for some of the programs, but you still have a limitless amount of other programs at your disposal to take on. To start out with, the first place to check out is UWM's Study Abroad website. There, you can check out all the programs that UWM is affiliated with. And if you're not satisfied with those programs, you can go to the Study Abroad office on the first floor of Garland & Pearse Hall, and talk to them about the other programs contained within the UW-system. That way, you may qualify for the same amount of financial aid.

Perhaps there's a possibility that what you're majoring is incompatible with where you want to go. Well, there's obviously no problems there. A number of study abroad programs do exist outside of the UW-system that you can check out and join. Checking out websites like: http://www.iiepassport.org/ will aid you in finding a vast amount of possibilities to choose from. Although you may have to pay more, seeing as UWM is not supported by the specified program, that doesn't mean that you're own your own. The Study Abroad office on campus is more than willing to help you with applying for a program outside of its system. Meanwhile, you can check out: http://www.studyabroadfunding.org/ for more scholarship oppurtunities to help pay for the cost, but don't let the price scare you as there are many beneifits in studying abroad.

If you were to study abroad, the benefits would include seeing the world in a different scope, making friends oversea, having a higher chance to land a future job, and more than you can ever brainstorm. Pretty much, in a nutshell, the experiences you gain through studying abroad will change your life before you...forever - - and in that good way. Still unconvinced? If you have any interest in studying abroad, maybe just a little one, you're more than welcome to visit the Study Abroad office and talk with them. They will not only confirm with you what you should do but explain more in depth about the process in signing up for a study abroad program. What are you waiting for? There's nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain!


Building a Positive Relationship with your AdvisorBrian Barnes

If you have enough money you can hire a guide to take you fishing. These guides can be found in the area where you want to fish. They can take you to the lake or river and to the very spot where the fish are, help you figure out what to use as bait and tell you when the fish are biting.

Think of your academic advisor like your personal guide for college. Your advisor will show you which classes to take, when to take them, and which classes you should not take together. My Academic Advisor has helped me out with a strategy to obtain my degree but that’s not all. I have met with my advisor before dropping a class to figure out what class I would need to take the next semester to stay on track. If you change your mind about your major (like the majority of college students) your advisor is the first person you want to meet with to figure out how many of your credits transfer to your new major.

I meet with my academic advisor before I register for classes each semester. I tell him which classes I have struggled with, which ones I have enjoyed and which type of class I seem to excel at. Not only does he help me to fulfill my major’s requirements but he also helps me to customize my schedule of classes to my benefit.
Your guide can help you to “Catch the big one,” your degree that is, and it doesn’t even cost you any extra.



Online ClassesSamuel Pacetti

Online classes are a convenient tool in one’s college experience, one with both pros and cons, soon to be elaborated on. 

I took several online classes during my time in college, including one during the summer. I found them very convenient, especially during such a busy semester. Since most of them were self-paced courses, I could progress in them as slow or as fast as I wanted to. In many, I sped through the entire class in the beginning weeks of school, so I did not have to worry about it during more intensive times. The online aspect also enabled me to take on more classes, despite having a disjointed schedule that wouldn’t allow me to fit in any more lectures and discussions. Thanks to this, I could get my general education requirements out of the way as quickly as possible, leaving me to graduate sooner. This flexible system is also convenient for those who are unable to come to campus, such as if their schedules are tight with other responsibilities, such as a job or a child.

Online classes, however, have a negative. They cost more money than regular classes, even if taken by a full-time student. This money is used to pay for administrative costs associated with maintaining online classes. One, then, has to decide whether the added cost outweighs the convenience. Another thing to consider is the limited scope of online classes. Most people could complete some of their general education requirements with only online classes, but they rarely go beyond 200-level classes. Hands-on experience, such as those provided in labs and discussions is not possible.

Online classes also present fewer chances to communicate with others face-to-face. While there are methods of contacting others, such as e-mail, some are simply not comfortable with just using text for communication, and it is significantly slower. UWM has made strides in this area, though. Resource centers such as the Writing Center provide online resources one can use for all varieties of classes.

Essentially, what one must think about before choosing to take an online class is whether the few negatives outweigh the positives. I could deal with the negatives of online classes, and I found my college experience the better for it.



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The Indie Life: Moving Away from Home


Roommates: Friend or Foe?Nicky Glaser

Unfortunately, roommates are not like siblings. If you don’t get along with siblings, you still have to love each other. Roommates don’t have to love you if you don’t get along. This is why a relationship with a roommate can be tricky to navigate at times. In my experience I have found there are a few different ways a relationship with a roommate can look like:

1. The “we love living together, and have now become best friends” relationship (this one is obviously ideal, and does fortunately happen). 

2. The “okay, so we won’t hang out outside our room, but we enjoy each other’s company while in the room” relationship (I personally had this one, and it was actually really nice). 

3. The “non-relationship” relationship. (So you live together, but barely talk, or even acknowledge each other’s presence. For some this may be ideal, to others, maybe a little depressing). 

4. And last but not least, the “Why? Why! Why did I get stuck with you?!” relationship. (This is obviously the least ideal relationship, but it unfortunately does happen). 

Now, roommate relationships don’t have to be like the 4th possibility, or even the 3rd. Like any new relationship, building a relationship with a roommate requires one important thing: communication.

As long as you are open with your roommate from the start about your expectations, the two of you can really start to respect each other, and therefore get along. By not being afraid to get to know each other, you can even start to really enjoy each other’s company. Communication is obviously not just important in the beginning, though. Don’t wait to address problems you and your roommate might be having.

Putting off talking about issues and problems can make them form into mega-monster problems. These, are obviously not necessary, and are even harder to then resolve. The golden-rule is also way important when dealing with roommates. Would you appreciate it if your roommate blasted music at 12:30am when you were trying to sleep? Probably not. Don’t create situations that you would dislike if you were in your roommate’s place. 

 

Residence HallsCamille Ridgeway

The residence halls offer opportunities to meet tons of people and to get the full college experience. It is best when first moving on to college to throw yourself head first into new things, and living in the student halls helps that transition. There are a few things to keep in mind that will make things go smoothly. First off, try to have a suite meeting as soon as possible so that you and your new roommates can set standards. You never know how the others will feel as far as cleanliness and having guests over, so it’s best to just ask before conflict has the chance to rise.
 
Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s best to pack light. It’s better to be realistic than to bring everything you own. The room you will live in for the next year is guaranteed to not be as spacious as one may like, but to make it comfortable, having less is more.

All of the halls provide great opportunities to get out of your room as well. No matter where you live your first year, you'll have access to a cafe, study areas, a gym, a convienence shop, and food. Sandburg has its own movie theater and basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts. Cambridge and Riverview may be a little south of campus, but the are within walking distance of great dining and shopping along North Ave, as well as the more artistic district in Riverwest.
 
Another way to get involved in the residence halls is to join the Student Housing Administrative Council. Basically, the student Senators represent their halls and their floors to bring funding and programming. Meetings are held every other weekend on Sunday and are usually only about an hour. As a SHAC senator you help allocate thousands of dollars towards housing activities and you have valuable input into how things operate within housing. For instance, if you feel as if something is inefficient within the halls, you can bring it up at a SHAC meeting, and members will vote on whether to move towards change or not.



Off Campus Living Marcus Turner

Freshmen year is fun, but there is a lot more to look forward to later on in your college career. Living off campus is one of the most exciting things to look forward to! You get to experience the independence, freedom, & temptation of completely living on your own; there is the rush of catching the bus in the morning; walking to friend’s house for breakfast before school; or the simple gratification that comes from waking up and getting to where you needed to get to, on time. Here at UWM, we have lots of resources to help ease the transition from on-campus to off-campus living.

Let's start with where to look for housing: The Neighborhood Housing website is VERY useful--you can search properties that fit your budget, ideal location, and even find potential roommates with the same major as you. The Neighborhood Housing Office (NHO) also runs a program The Preferred Tenant Program which runs in February and March. There are only two meetings in each of these months, and they last about 2 hours. If your landlord participates in the program and you attend each program, you will be eligible for a discount on your rent. If you are unsure about how to navigate this website don’t worry, the NHO located on the ground floor of the Union near Terrace, next to the LGBT Resource Center.

It is important you remember to respect the UWM neighborhood. Many families have made their homes right next to rental properties popular with college students, and as an adult living in the historic neighborhoods surrounding campus, it is your obligation to be respectful of them. Introduce yourself to your neighbors when you first move in, and let them know if you will be having any wild shindigs. Giving neighbors your phone number allows them an option before calling the police to complain about noise violations--but remember that if they call you and ask you to quiet down, you should comply. COAST leaders are UWM students living off-campus who are paid to work with neighborhood associations & help maintain good relationships between the neighborhood & campus. Visit their website to learn more about your area's COAST leader, upcoming events, & how to become a COAST leader.

Having landlord issues? Unfortunately, some landlords (but not all!) are quick to take advantage of students, know your rights & read your contract thoroughly. Negotiating your contract (reasonable demands) is an option before signing the lease, and be sure to contact the NHO if you feel that you are being taken advantage of. They will work with you and our Legal Clinic to help you deal with an unsavory landlord.

Carefully picking your roommates is vital--especially if you are signing a one-year lease. Your best friend might be crestfallen if you don't want to room with them, but it's important you are honest if you have any doubts about living with somebody. There is a major difference in seeing a person every day & actually living with them--make sure their lifestyle and habits are compatible with yours in order to save the household grief (not to mention your friendship) down the road when conflict arises. No matter who you live with, conflict will occur, so be sure that everybody in your house or apartment can get along in tense situations.

Security is another thing to take into consideration when living on your own. On-Campus, there is extensive security to ensure the safety off all residents; however, you are much more responsible when living off-campus. Don't walk home alone late at night, Talk to the Safe Walkers and ask them to walk with you home if you have a late class or have been socializing into the early hours--and don't feel intimidated, despite their cop-looking uniforms, Safe Walkers are mostly students! Otherwise, there is always BOSS and the bus system. Remember to always lock your doors, don't let strangers in late at night, and basically adhere to your safety lessons from elementary school to ensure your castle remains impenetrable.

Let's end with something everyone loves, FOOD! There are over 20 restaurants in a two mile radius of campus, so if you are hungry, you have TONS of options. Personally, I like Oakland Gyros, they have everything from Fish to Lamb meat and they aren’t too expensive. They are located on the corner of Locust and Oakland. 

Stock your fridge with food from Pick N Save on North Avenue (across from the Riverview Residence Halls) or Shorewood's Oakland Ave. branch. Whole Foods on Farwell (one block north of North Ave) may be pricey, but it houses the largest selection of organic foods on the East side, and has a killer bakery & some pretty tasty to go meals. Looking to support local businesses? Sendik's (Oakland Ave, 2 blocks south of Pick N Save & five blocks south of campus on Downer) has been in Milwaukee for decades. Specialty markets catering to a variety of ethnic flavors & nutritional lifestyles can be found all over Milwaukee. Vegans, vegetarians, & others with special dietary needs will enjoy the selection at Beans & Barley (North & Oakland).



Going Back Home Ashton Harned

Going home is something most students want to do, but it can be challenging figuring out how to balance living in Milwaukee with visits home. If your parents are anything like mine they want you home more than you are able to make it. Trying to get the balance that makes both you and your family happy is not an easy thing to do. I know from experience my parents wanted me home all the time because they feared the evil streets of Milwaukee were going to change me. Then there are friends back home that I don't want to neglect too much. So, how do you make the transition from being with your family every day to maybe only seeing them once a semester?

Making sure you have time to do everything you need for class is always the most important thing and sometimes parents do not consider that. Reiterate the importance of your schoolwork and the advantage of sticking around UWM (so many resources at your disposal) is more advantageous for your studies. In the end though, the most important thing is to sit down with your parents and reassure them that you'll come home to visit. Negotiating how often you should come home is important, and you want to leave some wiggle room. For example, if your parents want you home every weekend but you only want to see them once a semester, reach a compromise such as "Okay, I'll come home at least once a month & you can visit me once a month." 

Having your parents visit you once your are comfortable with Milwaukee can also help tone down parents demanding you come home every weekend. For many parents, once they see their child happy and healthy in a new environment without them, it will help them realize that you'll be okay if they let go a little bit. It is important that you don't neglect them either, they did raise you! Call home once a week if you aren't heading back, and make sure that it is more than arranging a ride or asking for money. If you aren't too bogged down with school work, try to get assignments done ahead of the time before heading home. That way you can put in more face time with your parents (especially important if you like to spend a lot of your time back home with your friends from high school).

Making sure you stay happy and you keep the balance between home and school is the most important thing. Going home every weekend just is not going to work if you want to learn to be independent and really experience college life in Milwaukee. All you have to do is sit down and explain it to your parents who will hopefully be more understanding following an explanation. Keep the balance and just enjoy college, going home is not everything.



Planning the Ultimate Spring Break Kayla Sweeney

A dream of luxurious beaches, warm oceans, daring adventures, and sunshine lies on the minds of all college students as Spring Break sparkles on the horizon. Ranging from day trips to week-long jaunts, even students sticking close to home can still have a memorable Spring Break experience without breaking the bank. Whether you choose a spontaneous road trip, a week in Cancun or something in between, careful planning is vital for the budget conscious college student.

Those looking at flying to their destination of choice will find that by spending about an hour or so comparing prices of flights and hotel packages will pay off in the long run. When investigating flights, I prefer Kayak, a search engine that compares fares from a wide variety of discount search engines and a great way to find the lowest fare. Don’t forget to check out STA or Student Universe for student discounts and packaging ideas. With the economy in its current state, many popular vacation spots are offering dirt cheap packages, especially if you book way in advance or last minute. Last summer my group of friends spent a little over $300 on round trip airfare from MKE to Las Vegas that included 4 nights in a suite at the Monte Carlo.

While investigating options for accommodations, you may benefit from looking into hotel reviews written by previous guests at sites like Trip Advisor to ensure that you do not end up staying somewhere dirty or dangerous. It is important to check the State Department's website if you are traveling abroad to be updated about travel warnings.

If you do not have a lot of time or money, you can still experience many nearby getaways for a few hours or a couple of days. Check out Weird Wisconsin or Weird Illinois--two books that highlight the quirkier and spookier sides of the Midwest. When staying overnight on the road, driving about a mile off of a bigger exit on the interstate to find non-chain hotels and motels. Although rather bare bones compared to major hotel chains you’ll find, these places can offer rooms for as little as $30 a night as opposed to $70 or $100 (just make sure they are clean).

Finally, do not get too stressed in organizing a trip, start early and plan ahead. Leave extra time for you to unwind and relax while on vacation and when coming home (you will regret taking the red eye and arriving at the airport at two in the morning when you have a nine o'clock class the next day). By leaving extra space you also have a margin of error in case something does not go as planned, and it will be easier to deal with any issues if you do not have so many time constraints.

Hopefully these steps will help you plan a smart but super fun Spring Break that you can brag about to all your jealous friends when you arrive home with your bronzed skin and regale them with tales of your adventures during your week free from school. Just don't forget to get all your work done BEFORE you leave for your trip because no matter what you say or think, you will not do any of your Sociology reading on the airplane, and like I mentioned before, you'll need a day of rest before classes. Plus, leaving the books home gives you more room for souvenirs and clothes! ;)

Moving Off-Campus Brian Lloyd

Deciding to move off Campus and into the surrounding neighborhoods is often a difficult decision to make because there are many benefits to both living environments. The residence halls offer convenience, dining services, work-out facilities, and more student interaction while living off campus provides freedom, comfort, and a little more independence. Once you make the decision to move off campus, then it’s time to decide what surrounding neighborhood will best suit your needs.

The Murry Hill neighborhood just south of campus is arguably the most popular with students. It has access to the 62, 30, and 15 bus routes and is within walking distance to both Oakland and North Avenue restaurants, nightlife, and shops. The River West neighborhood is known as primarily an artist community and offers many unique cafés, bars, studios, and galleries. The rent prices in this neighborhood are usually less expensive compared to those on the East Side. To the North of campus, Shorewood offers more of a quiet, village setting; moreover, the neighborhood is complemented by many restaurants, parks, and beaches. However, this is only an overview of some of the surrounding neighborhoods. There are many more great options that have not been mentioned, including the Historic Water Tower neighborhood, Cambridge Woods, Mariniers neighborhood, and Riverside Park. 

Once you have chosen your ideal neighborhood, the next step is to choose whether you will be living in a house or an apartment. Houses are often divided into two separate units and are very spacious. Apartments may be smaller, but they offer security and close neighbors. They are relatively similar in rent prices, but sometimes apartments will utilities in the rent price (i.e. cable/internet, water and/or heat). The most important step in moving off campus is visiting the Neighborhood Housing Office (NHO) located in Union WG85.

The website offers a search option to help you locate potential apartments/houses or even roommates, as well as landlord ratings and information about off campus parking. The NHO also offers The Preferred Tennant Program which is two sessions that help you to learn more about being a responsible tenant. If you participate in this program, you could receive $250 off your security deposit or 2% off your monthly rent from participating landlords. Moving off campus requires a lot of research and responsibility, but if you take advantage of the resources the Neighborhood Housing Office provides, it will be just as effortless as living in the residence halls.



Long Distance Relationships Kyle Schultz

As many of us have found out, after high school a lot of your friends and colleagues from high school have headed in different directions, both with life direction and where they go to school or live. This can be tough if a relationship is split up by that. Here some helpful ways to keep your relationships strong.

· Make sure both partners understand what’s going on. Make sure you and your partner know how each other feel. Decide on what direction you want the relationship to go in, maybe you plan to get engaged and married some day, but your partner doesn’t want that. These are important things that may be difficult to talk about, but it’s better to get it figured out if you want the relationship to be a good one.
· Do things together. A lot of times in long distance relationships, the hardest part is not seeing each other. Though many couples communicate through phone calls, IM, or texting, it is important hang out or do stuff together. This can be difficult depending on how far the distance is, but finding time is important.
· Communicate in some way every day. If the daily phone call is the only way you communicate, it can get a little stale no matter how you feel for your partner. However, with advances in technology you can now video chat, IM, or take advantage of plenty of other forms of communicative devices, you can almost talk face to face when you are miles apart.
· Take advantage of the benefits a long distance relationship offers. Though at times a long distance can be taxing to say the least, it does have advantages. You have more time to spend with your friends/family or by yourself. This may not seem like a big deal, but it will also help you not think about missing your significant other. Also the time between seeing each other gives you time to plan things for you to do, seeing the city, visiting old friends, or whatever it may be.
· Pursue common interests, even if it means pursuing them apart. If there's a movie you're both interested in seeing, watch it individually and then call each other afterward and talk about it.
· Avoid the temptation to be controlling. In relationships, as you probably know, often times one parson takes control of the relationship or “wears the pants”. In a long distance relationship it may be more tempting to want more control. This should be avoided.
· Talk about your future together. You need to decide if you want to move in together at some point, where you’d like to end up, and where you want go in life.
· Remember. Things won’t always be fine in the relationship. Remember that a relationship is all about compromise. If you work together, you can get through anything and the relationship will become stronger.
· Visit often. Try to make time for each other. Visiting each other will help keep your relationship strong. It will also show that you are both working hard to work on the relationship.
· Long distance dating is all about a balanced relationship between partners. If you want to have a good, strong relationship you need to remember the fundamentals. Talk often, be honest, be open, and try hard. A little effort goes a long way. And remember what was said here, I hope it helps.

Having been in a long distance relationship my freshmen year, I know how difficult they can be. Mine did not work out, and after compiling this list I see a lot of things that was messed up in my relationship. Hopefully you read this first and can keep your long distance relationships strong.

**List compiled from: www.waiit.com , www.longdistancerelationships.com , www.coupledtogether.com , www.wikihow.com .
 Kirk McCamish ( mccamish@uwm.edu )

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Getting to Know MKE (Milwaukee)


Affordable Entertainment Heather Wichman

When it comes to surviving college, you have to make sure to pencil in some fun time in your schedule somewhere. Between homework, friends, work, and other time-consuming activities, it can seem impossible to fit anything fun in your life. Combine a lack of time with a lack of money and it would seem your social life is doomed. Never fear, you can have a fun-filled night with some pocket change and a 5-minute walk to the UW-Milwaukee Union. Let’s start at the bottom, shall we?

The basement of the Union houses some of the hottest entertainment spots on campus. The Union Recreation Center offers billiards, bowling, ping pong and a ridiculously nice arcade complete with an Xbox 360 and Wii. Monday through Friday they’re open 9am-11:45pm, Saturdays between 12pm-11:45pm and Sundays are from 12pm-9:45pm. Not only is the Rec Center conveniently located, but you can’t beat the prices. The student rate for an hour of pool is $3, ping pong is $2.50 and bowling is $2 per game.

Those sexy bowling shoes are perfectly priced at .75 cents a rental. And if these ultra low prices still aren’t cheap enough for a poor college student, don’t worry, there are plenty of deals offered. What better way to start off your week than with a $5 All You Can Rec deal on Monday and Tuesday nights from 9-11:45pm. Stop by Bolton 120 and get a coupon for free bowling every first Wednesday of the month. Fridays get super cheap with $1 COSMIC bowling. All your loose change gets you a set of shoes and 3 games of twilight bowling. The fun begins at 9pm. For more information on the Union Recreation Center call the front desk at 414-229-4430 or check them out online.

After working up an appetite from all that bowling, make sure to stop by the Gasthaus for some great food. This sports bar, concert venue and on-campus escape is student-staffed and has a full menu of comfort-food. The restaurant is lined with huge projection screens showing your favorite channels and sporting events daily. This is a great place to hang out with friends in between classes or on Thursday nights. What so special about Thursday nights? Just the fact that the Gasthaus always has some kind of fun-filled event going on! They’ve got sick local and non-local bands, comedians, and TEAM TRIVIA. These awesome events usually start around 8 or 9pm, but just to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun, check out the Gasthaus’ entire line up online. Who would have thought some of the best -and CHEAPEST- entertainment would be right under your nose?



The Great Outdoors: Parks, Beaches, & Bike Trails Daniel Kelley

One of the great things about UWM is its location near several parks, a bike trail, and a series of beaches. One of the most popular during fall, spring and summer is Bradford Beach. The beach provides a great place to swim, play volleyball, football, go for picnics, or just relax in the sun. Parks extend from the north of Bradford Beach and as far south all as the Milwaukee Art Museum, including the marina. At the Marina and Veterans park, you can rent ski jets, paddle boats, dingies, and other recreational equipment; the fee for some of this equipment is as low as ten dollars a day.

One of the great bike trails of Milwaukee county is the Oak Leaf trail; it passes along the lake near Alterra (which is by the marina), all the way north to the Urban Ecology Center (a great spot to stop, rest, and visit), to parks as north as Estabrook park and beyond. It totals over ninety miles and completely circles Milwaukee.

Near campus, there are also many parks that are great for recreational use, including Riverside Park which is right off of Oakland & Locust, a few blocks south of campus. Gordon Park, across the river from Riverside and Lake Park, can be reached by taking Kenwood east from campus. All of these parks are great for anything from a game of frisbee with friends to a peaceful walk in nature or a fun spot for a picnic with your significant other. Since these parks are nice, quiet places away from campus, they great places of solitude for reading, studying, or just relaxing to clear your head.

If you ever are feeling adventurous, I highly recommend biking the Oak Leaf trail. Start by the lake access to the trail (where Brady Street would be if it ran into the lake), then head north to a predetermined park where you can get off of the trail (I recommend the Urban Ecology Center/Riverside Park for a short ride, or Estabrook Park for a longer ride). You can find maps online from the Milwaukee County website. And remember always be safe and wear a helmet!

**Currently, there is a detour off of the Oak Leaf Trail down by Capitol.**



Things to Do in Milwaukee Matt Nett

Craving an adventure, but not sure where to look? Why not start right here in Milwaukee? With an assortment of style, history, and charismatic sites to see, Milwaukee surely covers a little bit of everything. Travel back in time to the Milwaukee Public Museum; learn about things that have come to pass within your own back yard as well as around the globe. Speaking of time travel; let’s step into the future at Discovery World, come to understand how new technologies and contemporary innovative ideas will come to create tomorrow. Learn how to build your own space traveling rocket ship, or turn yourself into your very own self-sufficient light bulb generator. The Harley Museum is another great look into both the past and future of Milwaukee. Having been a larger provider for jobs and industry of the years in Milwaukee the Harley Museum is a great way to see how the development of the companies in turn has become part of the development of Milwaukee. Taste a bit of Milwaukee's cultural side with a visit to the Milwaukee Art Museum, catch a play at the Milwaukee Rep, or a performance at the Pabst Theatre.

More of an active person? Not to worry Milwaukee has a great stretch of beaches, bike trails, and parks to check out. Take a ride on the various bike trails that follow along Lake Michigan, feeling the burn and breeze as you wind along Milwaukee’s Upper East Side. Take this great opportunity to look at the distinct features and characteristics of the different architecture and engineering styles on the homes in the neighborhood. These trails offer so many breath taking views, both natural and man-made. Bradford Beach,known for its soft yellow beaches and great view of Lake Michigan, is one of Milwaukee's most popular beaches. With its very own volleyball courts, food stand, and the occasional live band, Bradford is a great place to play and relax in summer.

Hungry? Itching to get out for a night on the down? Come check out the Third Ward near Downtown Milwaukee. With great shopping and restaurants, the Third Ward brings comfort to the minds of many. Downtown Milwaukee is home to several great coffee shops like Mocha’s. Mocha’s is a great place to sip on your favorite vice while getting some work done in the process. With free internet and a tranquil space, Mocha’s is a regular stop for study buddies. But that’s not all Milwaukee’s Downtown has to offer: Check out the Milwaukee Public Zoo or hit up a game at Miller Park. Whichever or whatever you chose to do in Milwaukee this is for certain, great experiences and outstanding memories.



Avoiding Cabin Fever: Enjoying Milwaukee in the Winter Aaron Simon

As the semester continues to roll on and the days get colder, you’ll be finding it harder to get out and go anywhere. I am here to say fear not, there are a lot of ways to beat cabin fever. I have found many ways to go about filling my days with things to do.

One of the things I started doing was reading. I don’t mean my text books--I mean I read novels, about 2 a month. The only drawback to that is it’s a solitary time killer, so if you are a social butterfly this may not be the greatest idea for you.

Aside from the events held in the union a lot of the clubs have an office up on the 3rd floor. Clubs are a great way to get away from the bed and tv. Aside from meetings of club members, there may be fundraisers or other activities being prepared for the club that can be a great way to get out there and to kill time.

If your already in a club or two, there is always movies an video games. The Klotsche Center is open year round to help you stay active, and you can even check out ice skating downtown. If you have watched every movie you wanted to see and played through all your video games you can grab a paper and look in there and see if there are any shows or events going on in the city. The city is one best resources for finding something to do, in the end the best thing I can recommend is to keep an ear open for ideas and opportunities.



Fun in the Sun: A Guide to Milwaukee in the Summer Takira Williams

For people who live in Milwaukee they may feel like there in nothing to do what-so-ever; but in reality there are plenty of things to do, especially in the summer. Some things you can do are go to fairs and festivals, restaurants, summer classes, summer jobs, volunteer work, and even parties and clubs.Some of the annual fairs and festivals that goes on during the summer are State Fair, Summerfest, Greek Fest, and Blues Fest.

State Fair is a place where people can have fun and be themselves with friends and family. It has music, comedy, and a variety of different acts--most of all it’s known for their cream puffs, cheese curds, and funnel cakes. Summerfest is another famous festival that is very popular, being one of the biggest musical fests in the Midwest. Each summer, some of the country's top bands in every genre, from indie, rap, rock, r&b, to country, and everything in between--chances are even if you don't like music, you'll find something to do at Summerfest. Adding shopping to the mix, Summerfest is also a good place to get a variety of things, such as African artifacts and clothes from different all over the world. Greek Fest has rides and lots of Greek food, while Blues Fest is another music festival in the park where you can listen to blues and the occasional jazz.

I personally go to State Fair and Summerfest every year because it gives me and my friends something to do and we like eating the different food they have. Some restaurants that are good to eat in Milwaukee are Bravo and Bucca for Italian food. Personally, I always go to Bucca for the pizza. For BBQ restaurants there is Tony’s BBQ and Speed Queen--I love Speed Queens ribs, they are really tender and both places have pretty big menus to pick from. For Soul food restaurants, there is Grants soul food and Jana L (my family cooks soul food so I haven't had a chance to try either). For some fast food restaurants are Culvers and JJ’s Chicken and Fish. I would recommend going to Culvers, not only because I work there, but because they have really good butter burgers and really good flavors of custard.

Last but not least, there is volunteer work to do. It’s very easy to sign up for volunteer hours, especial, for UWM students because we can just go to the Center for Volunteerism & Student Leadership office to sign up. Some popular places where people volunteer include the Hope House of Milwaukee and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. They are always looking for people to volunteer, and it also could work towards your major (especially if you are a Social Work major). Me personally, I volunteered at The Hope House of Milwaukee as a tutor with kids 6 to 17 and it was a very good experience. The people who really worked at the Hope House were very open and welcoming and I would recommend this place to anyone because they made me feel so comfortable.



Places that Deliver Katie Woods

You are doing your homework in your room for a while and suddenly, your stomach is growling… One only thing it may mean: Hunger. So what do you do if you're starving and looking for a non-university food option?

The solution for this situation is delivery foods! There is a millions of places in Milwaukee (or even close by the residence halls) to order. The top pizza deliveries (my personal opinion) are Toppers and Pizza Shuttle. These pizza places usually have special coupons every month or less. For something more than pizzas, Jimmy Johns and Erberts & Gerberts are two great places for sandwiches, and then there is always Subway (the one on North Avenue delivers). For another healthy option, Tallgrass, on Farwell Ave serves organic burgers that are supposed to be Milwaukee’s healthiest burgers.

It only takes a few seconds to dial the phone and be able to continue working on homework or studying as you wait for your food to get arrive. Many of these sites has an online ordering option, so you don't even need your phone to buy dinner! In addition, there is an amazing website where it has Milwaukee RESTURANTS that deliver! The website is called, The Meal Mobile. The link is http://www.themealmobile.com/ . It has a list of restaurants along with the menus. Participating restaurants include Culver's, Cold Stone Creamery, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Harry’s Bar & Grill, Beans & Barley (for veggies), and more! However, once you order it, they will charge you a $5 delivery fee.

From my personal experience, I like delivery foods because sometimes I feel too lazy to make dinner (Really, I am no expert at cooking…), or too busy to walk to a restaurant...It is nice to have food readily available to buy while I am working on the projects or studying for midterms/finals. I hope that helps you to decide where to order and which restaurants with specific foods you like!!/



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Health, Safety, & Technology


Avoiding the Freshmen 15 Blen Bayu

The dreaded freshman fifteen; students tend to gasp and make an unflattering face when the subject comes up. Most of us know about it and we all try to avoid it. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the freshman fifteen concept, it refers to the fifteen pounds that college students gain after their first year. This weight gain is mostly due to the poor food choices students make, less motivation or/and time to workout, beverage choices, and perhaps the amount of stress students face.

Especially for those staying in the residents halls, it’s very easy to go for the cheap hamburger and fries instead of a sandwich or salad. Then on top of that, there are countless restaurants around campus that are more than happy to deliver. Some tips for keeping the weight off include choosing a baked potato over fries, drinking a lot of water (eight glasses a day, to be exact) and staying away from alcohol. A typical can of beer has 150 calories, and that definitely is not a part of a well balanced meal Ehow.com also recommends. Check out Ehow.com for some great tips on keeping the weight off.

For students that really don’t know where to start or how to eat healthy, there are great resources on campus that can get you going in the right direction. In the Klotsch Center there is a Registered Dietitian for a one-on-one nutrition consultation, and they don’t stop there. After a consultation, the student can also make a follow-up appointment to see how they are progressing and if more changes need to be made. The best part of it all is the sessions are FREE! Student will have to contact the Fitness Center to schedule an appointment. With these free options, students don’t have any excuses to gain the freshman fifteen (unless you want to!).

During my freshman year, I definitely had a fear of this nightmare coming true, and since my mom and I are very close, she would probably make fun of me the most (sad but true). I personally have had problems with my weight most of my life. When I was younger it was very hard for me to keep any weight on but after I was 16, I gain every pound I possibly could. So by the time I got to college I was very conscious of my weight and how to be healthy. During my first year I made sure I paid attention to what I was eating, especially with the cafeteria food. Additionally, I worked out as many times a week as I could, and tried to alter my lifestyle so I could stay healthy.

I was able to make it through my first year without gain the shameful pounds, and with the help of the campus resources and fitness center so can other freshmen. Getting a workout buddy, making a schedule, and maybe even getting a trainer at the Klotsche Center can all be great ways to stay fit. Then, if you watch what you’re eating, especially late at night, it will be a piece of (sugar-free) cake and no worries about gaining the weight. Try it and fight the fifteen!

Safety Pa Kou Lee

The fresh start of the freshman is the single, greatest feeling in the world. You’ve stepped out away from home for the first time and you’re expecting a year full of new friends, new ambitions, and a fresh, new you through your newly, self-proclaimed independence. Whether you choose to live in the university residence halls or on your own with roommates, you have a new set of responsibilities upon you now. Many of your responsibilities will force you to become an adult and remind you that you are in charge of you.

College is the perfect time in your life to realize all of the privileges that you’ve grown up with. While you were under your parents’ care, they made sure that you had food, shelter, and safety. Now that you are an adult, their responsibilities of taking care of you are now your own. Your college experience will teach you the many ways on how you can keep yourself out of harm’s way. Success in college will entail success in your safety first.

At one point, many college students will find themselves in a situation that forces them to be alone at night. Whether it be coming back after a night out with friends or spending a few extra hours at the library to study, always try to walk in well-lit areas and walk with confidence, showing that you are aware of your surroundings. If you should ever find yourself in a compromising situation, react quickly. The best way for you to do this is to BE PREPARED ahead of time. You may not have added mace or whistle to your list of supplies at the beginning of the school year, but you should add it in now. If you forget and find yourself without either item, scream as loud as you can to draw attention to yourself. After you have run away to find a well-lit place or safe area, call 911 immediately. If you are on campus, know where the campus Safe Phones are located.

A popular misconception about parties is that it is unlikely for anyone to be able to hurt you if there are a lot of people there. This may seem intuitive, but it can actually desensitize you if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Do not compromise your safety or the safety of others for social acceptance--it is not worth it. If you arrive at a party and have a bad feeling, trust that feeling and leave. Pay attention to what is going on around you and make the better decision. When going to parties, make sure you are with people you know and trust through and through. Make smart decisions, and no matter what you chose, be sure there is somebody watching out for your best intersts.

Another tip for protecting your safety is to be very careful of what you post online. You might assume that posting your location on Facebook or Twitter is no big deal, but remember that there may be people who you are unaware of waiting for an opportunity to corner you when you are alone.

Finally, if you have the unfortunate luck to meet the occasional mugger, give them what they want. It's a pain to cancel your credit cards, get a new cellphone, and replace the contents of your pockets, backpack, or purse; however, a wounded pride and some inconvenient add-ons to your do list are better than the alternative.

Take these simple precautions to protect yourself, your new ambitions, and independence! You can also sign up for Safe Alert and recevie text messages from the University Police should anything ever happen on campus. With the UWM Police Department, Shorewood, and District One protecting campus and its surrounding areas, there is always a lot of security nearby, but nothing works better than preperation. Remember that you are in charge of you.



Food Options on CampusJames Newton III


No matter what you like, whether it’s burritos, tacos, breakfast, burgers, fries, wraps, ice cream, or pizza—we all must eat. It is good to know the many different selections on campus because eventually the same food gets boring and repetitive. Personally, I enjoy Taco Bell and visiting the Terrace Café for their price and convenience. You may not know of the different selections available, from the Union to various places both on and off-campus. In the Union alone, there are 11 places you can get food. And off campus there are even more possibilities to partake in.

Located in the Union there are restaurants such as Burger King, City Subs, Pizza Presto and Taco Bell. Pacific Wraps makes many different ethnic inspired wraps and Cedar Crest is an ice creamery. The Flour Shop serves breakfast foods before switching to lunch around 11.

Union Station & Terrace is a convenience store of sorts that also serve melts and hot foods. Additionally, there is a salad bar and Union Station has many vegetarian, vegan, halal and kosher options. Lastly is the Grind, with several locations around campus including the Union, Library, Engineering building, and some of the residence halls.

The Kenwood Inn, located on the third floor of the union is open from 11 till 2 Monday through Friday and they serve many different sandwiches and soups; The Gasthaus, located in the basement of the Union, serves different unique sandwiches, breaded chicken, fries, and more. With several projection screens tuned into the biggest games or television events, live bands every Thursday, trivia, and much more you will be surrounded by entertainment while eating at the Gasthaus.

Off campus restaurants range from William Ho’s, a Chinese restaurant; Quizno’s; Domino’s, Jimmy Johns, Qdoba, Noodles, George Webb’s, Oakland Gyros, and Five Guys. There are more restaurants located nearby, with many concentrated in Riverwest or on North & Farwell near Cambridge & Riverview. Many of these off campus eateries deliver to the campus by request and save you time waiting in line.



Using Facebook Positively Josh Hutchens

During my college experience, I have noticed that we as college students are definitely a remarkable social networking community. With all the events, especially those that occur during each semester around campus, and the positive turn outs that each event brings, it is a wonder how so many come together and make an event successful. This year, I received the honor of becoming a Mentor at the First Year Center. At the First Year Center, my colleagues and I come together to throw events each month to not only bring each other closer together as a community, but to obtain information of other organizations and opportunities around campus. But how exactly do we let our community know about these events? For me, I like to use Facebook.

For years now, Facebook has been an extremely useful tool when it comes to social networking. Millions of people worldwide have registered an account over Facebook, including myself. There are many features that come with the Facebook account such as:

· The Friend Finder: This allows you to find recently acquired friends from school or work, or even find a long lost buddy from the 5th grade and enables you to stay in touch with them no matter where you may be.
· The Info Page: This is an easy way to give an explanation about yourself (birthdate, hometown, religious views, etc.) or even build a resume if you use Facebook for business purposes.
· The Event Planner: What better way to spread the word on an upcoming event around campus than to let all your Facebook buddies know. This feature allows you to set up the date, time, and location of the event you are trying to plan and also allows you to message everyone who has accepted the invite to the event you are planning to update them on current statuses of the event. And the best part is, the event planner doesn’t always have to be used for a campus event. You could use it even for your own personal parties!!

In my own personal experience, Facebook has definitely been a great social networking tool for me. I am able to keep in touch with my friends from over the years, I am able to keep in touch with my mentees on campus, and yes, I am even able to stay well organized with all the events that happen whether it be on or off campus. Our times are changing, especially when it comes to networking. So don’t let the stone-age catch up to you.

Creating a Facebook account is one of the easiest ways to stay with the times and also stay connected to our community. And if you do have a Facebook account or decided to create one, look me up and we can probably become good friends. Just remember to keep your account professional, you never know what may come back to haunt you when you join the real world!


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