Commuter D.I.P. Social Friday, February 19th in the Commuter Lounge

Off Campus Student Services will be hosting the third Commuter D.I.P. (Drop In Program) Social for commuter students Friday, Feb. 19, in the Commuter Lounge of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. The event will take place from 11 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and we will be providing food, drinks, and games. Drop in to meet some new people and enjoy the spread of food! We hope to see you there!

Come join us for the first-ever (first of many) Commuter Drop In Program (Commuter DIP!)

this Friday from 11:00a-2:00p in the Commuter Lounge of the Union!

We’ll have some dip and veggies for your bellies, a few games to clear your mind, and holiday-card-for-our-troops-overseas writing stations to lift your hearts.

Feel free to drop in between classes for a snack or a game, or, if you have the time and inclination, to stay for the full three hours.  If you’ve never visited the Commuter Lounge, now you have a great invitation to.  If you frequent a different time, maybe you’ll have the chance to meet a few new people this Friday.

I hope to see you all there!  Here are the top ten reasons I believe you should drop in this Friday:

10. What else are you going to do from 11:00a-2:00p?

9. C’mon…

8. You can chat with one of us from Off-Campus Student Services (should this be number 10?).

7. To meet someone new.

6. You’ll have a legitimate (in my eyes) reason not to be studying.

5. To find out what kind of dip we’ll be featuring–I know I’m excited.

4. C’mon…

3. So you can write a holiday card supporting someone who is sacrificing their holiday season to support you.

2. It’ll be fun!

1. Because break is almost here and this might be your last chance to hang out with some of your fellow commuter students this semester–make the most of it!

Looking for a place to hang-out before or during finals?  There’s plenty of nooks and crannies that might appeal to off-campus students.

Most obvious in my mind is the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.  Besides all the tables and chairs around Starbucks, there’s little known space on the third and fourth floors.

Have you been to the Off-Campus Lounge in the Student Union?  Stash your food in the fridge, warm-up some soup (you provide the soup, we’ll provide the microwave), and set your laptop down for a re-charge in any number of convenient outlets.

The 2nd floor of Olscamp is another great spot.  Overlooking the Thinking Man on the North side is a great lounge, and there’s another sun-drenched lounge on the South side of the 2nd floor.

Try the 7th floor of the library, or the 2nd floor of the Business Building (I wont tell anyone if you’re not a Business major).

These are obviously just a few examples of spots around campus that you might find relaxing and convenient to study or chill.

As this week comes to an end and we have a short near-nothing of a week ahead of us (Thanksgiving Break starts next Wednesday), it might be a good time to take a step back and collect yourself.  In just a few weeks this semester will be over.  That means that in just a few weeks all of your papers, projects, assignments, and finals will be done.  Over.  Finished.

Are you ready for that?

Take out all of your syllabi (plural, like cacti!) and figure out what you need to do, how it needs to be done, and when you’re going to do it.  As much as Thanksgiving can serve as a much needed break from school, you might want to consider accomplishing something academically-oriented while you’re out of class.  Perhaps your goal should be one big project.

It’s easy to get caught in the whirlwind forces of the semester homestretch–twisted and turned and frazzled–and this is the time when it starts to happen.  If a you let a blink linger too long on your eyelids you might find yourself opening your eyes to a finals week disaster.  It happens that fast.

Are you ready for that?

After talking with a table-full of commuter students in the off-campus lounge this afternoon, I began reflecting on the importance of “owning your space.”

This is much more than just paying rent or marking your territory by plopping your bags on a chair – “owning your space” goes beyond even physical space.

Your space in “time”, your time at BGSU, your time with family or friends, and your “space” as a BGSU student all are important aspects of “space” to own.

If you truly “own your space” you’ll have no excuse for not getting your work done.  If you truly own your space, you’ll be better able to persevere through challenge, and you should have a sense of pride in your decisions.

Owning your space might take some effort to re-prioritize, too.  Evaluate everything around you and determine the space that needs “owned” today, tomorrow, next week.

Thanks Amanda, for reminding me and pointing this out – even if you didnt intend to do so!

10. Play!

Reconnect with the child in you. This may be number 10, but it is seriously important: play or else!

9. Eat your fruits, veggies, and grains.

A well-balanced diet will give you more energy and keep away those unwanted pounds.

8. Get some sleep.

Too much or too little sleep can hamper your immune system. Believe it or not, you will do better on that test if you get some sleep and don’t pull an all-nighter.

7. Belly Laughs.

Belly laughs are needed each day. Laughter is a form of internal jogging. Watch your favorite sitcom, check your e-mail jokes, or laugh with your friends.  Or, just watch this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtX8nswnUKU&feature=PlayList&p=42ED4E0B77F995C4&index=2

6. Feel your soul.

Reconnect with your spiritual side. Take time for meditation or a walk in the park.

5. Watch your alcohol intake.

Not all students drink heavily. In fact, 98.7% of BGSU students do not use alcohol daily according to a 2004 survey (I’d be willing to bet things haven’t changed much since then).

4. Smokers beware of frostbite.

Standing outside in the winter to smoke could cause frostbite!

3. Get some sunshine!

Sunshine in moderation (remember to use sunblock year round) can stimulate certain brain cells, which will help reduce depression.

2. Spend time with friends!

It’s important to have a support system. You will make many new memories with your friends that will last a lifetime!

1. Get moving!

Exercise is the key to boosting your spirit and reducing your stress level. Go to the Student Recreation Center, hit the climbing wall, or join an intramural team.

If you need more tips or are interested in finding out more about student wellness, check out the student wellness network at http://www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/swnet/

We have another Commuter Connection in the works, and I was hoping I could get some feedback from you.  Two things:

When should it happen?

What do you want?

Email your responses to Sam (killers@bgsu.edu) or comment below!

Hey Commuters!

We are interviewing up to 10 commuters to be in a video that will give new commuter students a glimpse of what to expect at BGSU!  We will ask you a few simple questions about your experience as a commuter student and what you have learned along the way which has allowed you to be successful.

If you’re interested in helping out, we’d love to have you!  Email Stacey Rose (slrose@bgsu.edu) ASAP!

It’s official: we have our first (the first ever, actually) Commuter Connection (C2) event planned.

Come join us on Thursday, October 8 @ 6p in Education rm. 206 for Connecting.

Dinner will be provided promptly at 6p, and the C2 program will begin thereafter.  Plan to be in your cars and on the road by 7:30p.

Come out and meet your fellow commuter students!  It’s about time we got together, isn’t it?!

See you there!

Thanks to everyone who was able to get to me and provide some feedback about the Commuter Connection Program.  I think we have a good idea of what the group wants now, and–in an effort to appease each and every one of your wishes–things will be kicking off next week with our first formal event.

Keep your ears tuned for an announcement in the next couple of days.  This program should be a lot of fun.  At this first event I’m hoping you’ll all have a chance to meet one another, exchange some stories and advice, and get some extra spring in your step to carry you on through Fall Break.

The theme will (appropriately) be Connecting. Try to keep your excitement tamed and socks in your shoes on this one, folks, it should be one heck of a hoop-lah!