A BIG college myth is that everyone drinks all the time and it’s just one big party. While this is in some ways true, there are many people who choose not to drink, and still have an amazing time. Watch this video about sober fun with interviews with students Ali Zimmerman and Jillian Alexander and R.A. Brett Kelley.
Two Sierra Madre residents living in tower 1, Claire Francis and Josh Hafford, spoke with What is True? about their experience in the dorms so far. Resident Advisor Brett Kelley also talked
about his previous time in the dorms, and about what he does as an R.A. to make the dorm life an incredible experience. Listen to their interviews below:
Claire Francis and Hannah Russell became close friends through the dorms. Photo by Anna Jacobson.
Three residents share positive thoughts on freshmen dorms. Andrew Blocher likes many aspects of dorm life.
“Having all your friends right next to you, and its super close to campus, that’s really nice,” he said.
Jerry Hansen agrees. “It’s a great way of meeting people. You might meet people you live with next year and hangout with at college,It’s a close community,” he said.
Jackie Abeyta has made many new friends as well. “It is a great experience meeting a lot of new people,” she said.
Claire Saiza, Jackie Fleming, and Tory O’Dwer all live on the same floor, and have become great friends. Photo by Anna Jacobson
Try backpacking. It is a cheap and awesome way to spend your time off school. There are many places you can go, such as Big Sur, or San Rafael Wilderness.
Just a FEW of the many Places to Go:
Hike all day, and camp at night. There are many beautiful places to pitch tents along these trails. Enjoy the landscapes around you, ranging from beaches, forests, rivers, mountains, and more.
As fantastic as a weekend like this sounds, it is surprising how cheap it is! If you already have gear, all you need to buy is food, and pitch for gas. If you don’t have all of the necessary backpacking materials, borrow them from a friend! If your friends don’t have gear, or they are coming along with you, don’t worry. Rent from Poly Escapes! For the full list, see their website. But here’s a quick look at some prices
Cost for Gear Rental (weekend prices, day and week are also available on the website):
Max McEwan rests before sunset in San Rafael Wilderness. Photo by Anna Jacobson
Max McEwan enjoyed a recent three-day weekend backpacking in the San Rafael Wilderness. He had most of his gear, so he spent $10 on gas and about $20 on food.
“Once you have gear you really aren’t paying for much except food and transportation. It’s definitely a cheap activity.”-McEwan
Backpacking is a great activity for reasons other than its inexpensiveness. Backpacking allows one to be surrounded by the wilderness and close friends. McEwan says that backpacking makes him appreciate everything so much more. “When you go backpacking, it makes you appreciate the wilderness and when you come back home it makes you appreciate home,” he said.
Max McEwan, Tyler Davis, and Chris Hornbeak rest after a long day of hiking. Photo by Anna Jacobson
“It’s a stress-free environment.”-McEwan
So, get outside, get off-campus, and gain great experiences…all in one weekend. Backpacking is the cheap, and fun way to go!
Everyone has different study habits. Some people need to do homework inside, with absolute silence. Others can handle a more open and loud environment. Regardless of your study habits, it is good for you to change it up a little bit every once in awhile. If you can’t handle another day in the library, or just another day on campus in general, head to downtown San Luis Obispo. You can drive, take the bus, ride a bike, or go on a 15 minute walk to any of these locations on the map. Once a student is in downtown, there are various options. On the map you will find places to study in a big open park, near a flowing creek, or inside a cute cafe. However, there are many more… go walk around and find your new favorite place to study!
Click on the LINK BELOW…
Sam Corio studies in this unique location.
Studying abroad helps you too see things in a different way. Photo by Anna Jacobson
What makes studying abroad so great? Students are curious on how it is different than just traveling in general. Jennifer O’Brien is the supervisor of faculty-led study abroad programs at Cal Poly. She says that you should study abroad in school, because when you want to travel later you may feel tied down with building your career, or even a partner and kids.
“At this age you are less encumbered by all that stuff, so do it now.”-O’Brien
O’Brien also points out that when you are a tourist you see a place for rest, relaxation, and fun. But, when you are a student you are observing the region’s interesting and unique culture. A student will be comparing the new country to their own, and may be open to questioning their own cultures and the things that they do.
Hannah Russell wants to experience as much as she can during college, like studying abroad. Photo by Anna Jacobson
Hannah Russell, a freshman at Cal Poly, has many reasons for wanting to study abroad.
“I want to be able to experience another culture.”-Russell
Russell also believes that traveling and studying abroad are two completely different things. “If I am in a place for a couple months, I am really able to immerse myself in a new place. If you’re traveling, then you’re just getting a little taste,” she said.
Some places Russell is thinking studying abroad are Florence, Berlin, Costa Rica, or South Africa. She says that one reason some kids don’t do it is just laziness, or they think it costs more than it does. “It’s hard to pick up and go,” Russell said.
Adrian Tamayo is a junior at Cal Poly and studied abroad in Peru during his time at school. He recommends it just to try to experience a new way of life.
Traveling afterwards is also great, Tamayo said, but he thinks that studying with peers, people your own age, is something you can’t get with simply traveling. In Peru, Tamayo stayed with a Spanish-speaking family, and completed a Spanish course and two G.E.’s. “The experience was incredible,” Tamayo said.
Study abroad almost anywhere. Iguazu Falls, Argentina. Photo by Anna Jacobson.
While traveling is an amazing experience, people should do everything they can to study abroad, students agree. Seeing the world through curious eyes allows us to learn everything we can about another country’s way of life. Do it, go.
Study abroad?
Cal Poly’s ‘Learn by Doing’…Is it for real and what does this really mean? Well, it means students learn by actually practicing what they are going to be doing in their field of study. In the case of an animal science major, ‘Learn by Doing’ means getting hands-on experience with Angus beef cattle.
‘Learn by Doing’ definitely happens at Cal Poly!
Ah, sunny California. This state’s coast is lined with golden sandy beaches, covered in plushy green grass, and sprinkled with mountains to hike, rock climb…and ski on. That’s right, people ski in California. Although it’s not right out their backdoor, students at Cal Poly do go skiing and snowboarding.
Whether this is news to you or not, it may be interesting to see just how easy it is to shred the peak nearest to you. At Cal Poly, it can be hard to tell just how many skiers and boarders there are. Disguised in tank tops and board shorts, these people are actually itching to hit the slopes. One way to get involved in ‘shreddin the gnar’ is to join the Central Pacific Ski Club. If that’s just a bit too crazy, there are many other things you can do to get on the mountain.
Chair at Mammoth. Photo by Anna Jacobson.
Fears of not being able to ski were busted.
“My biggest fear about coming to Cal Poly was not being able to ski as much because I really love skiing and snowboarding.” -Blocher
Andrew Blocher is a freshman studying aerospace engineering. He worried that his favorite sport would get pushed aside while at school. “Cal poly is practically on the beach, it’s not known for being close to snow,” he said. But, getting a group together and spending the weekend in Mammoth is not that hard to do, Blocher said.
“I realize now that it’s not as challenging to get to a mountain, and there are more people that ski and snowboard than I thought.” -Blocher
Great snow conditions, grab a group and go!
Land Le Coq, a freshman studying environmental science, agreed with Blocher. “I went to mammoth this past weekend and it’s really pretty, a huge area, and you can stay really close to the mountain…it’s just really fun,” Le Coq said.
Growing up in Colorado, she didn’t expect California slopes to have such great conditions. “I knew it was gonna be a big resort, but I didn’t realize it would have as much terrain. I thought the snow was gonna be really bad because its California,” she said. Her idea that everyone would go to the beach, and nobody would ski, was proved wrong.
“I didn’t really expect it, I expected kids to just go surfing and other beach things, like what you’d picture of California, but you just gotta find a group and do it.” -Le Coq
Land Le Coq skiing at Mammoth. Photo by Anna Jacobson.
Cheaper than you’d think…
One of the most loved ski resorts in California is Mammoth. It’s a popular destination of Cal Poly students, Jordan Copp, Mammoth employee, says. Although the drive isn’t short (about six hours), it is absolutely worth it, students agree. A season pass for students is a mere $299 compared to the regular, non-student price for a season pass ranging from $629 to $999.
“We definitely see a lot of people coming to Mammoth that are college students.” -Copp
“A a lot of people drive up here,” Copp said. “There are a couple cheap places to stay in town, and renting a pair of skis is about $39 -$45 per day,” Copp said. If you aren’t into skiing all weekend, there’s plenty of other fun to be had in Mammoth. “Snowmobiling, an inter tube park, backcountry hiking, ice fishing,
Summit of Mammoth. Photo by Anna Jacobson.
and climbing are all around,” Copp said.
Mammoth’s not the only mountain! Take a look at the places you could spend your ski weekend:
So you think you can’t hit the slopes if you go to Cal Poly? You’re wrong, and according to these students, it’s one of the funnest things you can do on a weekend. You can ski while attending school at Cal Poly! This myth…
it.
Worried about acquiring that weight that you would really rather not have? First of all, DON’T worry and stress so much because that can lead to overeating. Secondly, chill out student! Cal Poly, compared to other schools, does not seem to have as much of a problem with weight gain.
Kellie Green Hall is a professor in the department of kinesiology. She has taught at other schools, and says that Cal Poly students don’t seem to have as high of an obesity rate as others she has seen.
“I think Cal Poly seems to be a bit better with weight, or maybe even all of California.” -Green Hall
You may wonder why this is. Look around you! San Luis Obispo is the happiest city in America! With so much to offer, you don’t have time to sit in a hole and eat non-stop (except for when you are studying!).
Still, there are things that the campus could improve on, Green Hall said.
“It is frustrating that still as good as we are… the most convenient options are the least healthy,” she said. “Read the labels, have more fruits and vegetables,” Green Hall said.
There are all sorts of ways to not put on the weight, she said.
Mechanical engineering freshmen, Chris Naughton, says he avoids the Freshmen 15 by taking advantage of the healthy environment around him.
Chris surfs with his buddies at Montana De Oro. Photo by Anna Jacobson.
“We have a pretty kick-ass gym, and there’s a lot of things to do outdoors.” -Naughton
Naughton says that as long as you stay active and do the things you enjoy, you should be alright.
“I personally stay in shape by spending time outdoors, playing racquetball, going surfing, swimming, and lifting weights,” he said.
Ali Zimmerman eats healthy. Photo by Anna Jacobson
Around campus, many students seem to be taking advantage of these opportunities for exercise. They also appear to be making smart food choices, which is the most important way to maintain a healthy weight.
Freshman student Ali Zimmerman is a parks and recreation major. She, like so many other freshmen, has avoided the weight gain. As she speaks, she is tossing together a big leafy salad, complete with healthy dressing. She feels that gaining weight is definitely possible, but easier to avoid at a college like this.
Hiking is a fun way to maintain a healthy weight. Photo by Anna Jacobson
“What I’ve learned is to avoid the processed food, and grab things from VG’s that are fresh, like from the salad bar,” Zimmerman said. “I buy things from campus market, they have good healthy options,” she said.
Eating right is important, but she agrees with Naughton in that there are so many ways to stay active in San Luis Obispo, indoor and out!
“Being at Cal Poly I’ve noticed everyone is so active…much more active from other places like where I’m from in the midwest.” -Zimmerman
“It seems like if you’re not working out, you’re missing out,” Zimmerman says. “Everyone hikes all the time, it’s normal,” she said.
Something Zimmerman recommends is to grab a friend to keep you motivated.
“Just doing things with friends, like the classes at the rec center, are really fun,” she said.
“I would have never started yoga, except for I was persuaded by a friend…and now I love it.” -Zimmerman
There are many ways to avoid the dreaded Freshman 15. If you take advantage of all that Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo have to offer, and make the right dietary choices, Cal Poly is a great place to avoid the weight gain. So WILL you gain fifteen pounds as a freshmen? Maybe, maybe not, but luckily a lot of Cal Poly students tend to avoid it. The myth of the freshman 15 at Cal Poly is a…
You may gain weight, but have a higher chance of not doing so because you live in an awesome place!
What is True? 