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.
These are all popular things students in college say. There are brief ‘freakout’ moments every student experiences. You or your peers, while they may love college, also sometimes question what the heck they are doing. For reassurance, here are some reasons to stay in college. Click here for the full story.
So the next time you are wondering WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE?! WHO AM I?! WHY AM I EVEN HERE I DON’T UNDERSTAND?! Just look at this list, and reassure yourself that you are making a good choice in obtaining a college degree.
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
The GoodGuide app allows one to make safe, healthy, and GREEN choices when purchasing a product. These items can be food, household appliances, apparel, electronics, pet food, bathroom essentials, cars, and more! Say you need to buy a new deodorant, and you are trying to decide between Speedstick and Adidas. Well,
scan both items into your GoodGuide App. One will see that Speedstick scores a 7.5 out of 10 overall on how it impacts health, environment, and society (The higher the score, the better). Adidas, however scores a 3.3 out of 10 on how it impacts health, environment, and society. Knowing this information, a consumer’s choice will most likely be to purchase Speedstick.
GoodGuide app for iPhone. Scan your item…
Help conserve the planet by making ‘green’ choices when purchasing a product. Photo of Haines, Alaska by Anna Jacobson
Walking back to the dorms late at night…Students have had feelings ranging from complete comfort to absolute terror. So, how safe are you on your college campus? According to Cal Poly Campus Police Chief George Hughes, the most common types of crime on campus are property crimes, and crimes of opportunity. “If someone leaves their computer or I Phone laying around unsecured somewhere, it could be gone. If bikes are left unlocked, that’s a big one too,” he said.
Students should talk to the police about anything they feel matters. Photo by Anna Jacobson
Hughes says that the campus experiences a low crime rate.
“The county of San Luis Obispo and the campus enjoys a very low crime rate. The environment that we’re in helps us.” – Hughes
Hughes says that the police force is very proactive. The students, faculty, and staff all seem to be very safety-conscious and aware of their surroundings. “When things happen, people call us. They travel in pairs, they take care of each other,” he said.
Lacy Williams, a freshman at Cal Poly majoring in architecture, spends a lot of time walking back from the studio late at night. She feels pretty safe on campus for the most part, she said.
“I feel very safe on campus. I try to walk in groups at night. I pay attention to my surroundings, and keep an eye on questionable people.”-Williams
Claire Saiza also spends a lot of time on the campus at dark walking back from the library.”I feel fine walking back at night. I used to carry my keys in my hand though so in case someone came up to me I could stab the person with them.”
Sam Corio, Jackie Abeyta, and Hannah Russell are not making a good choice being in a bad environment late (the “rape tunnel”) at night. But, at least they are together. Photo by Anna Jacobson
Know who your date is…Riley Erekson and Tom Ward. Photo by Anna Jacobson
Although San Luis Obispo and the Cal Poly Campus do both have their occasional crime, Cal Poly, overall, is a generally safe campus if you make smart decisions. Trust it.
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?
Ross Byers, Amir Fassihnia, Buck Williams, Max Becker, and Alyssa Stowers get in, on, and all over that zip car. Photo by Anna Jacobson.
Where shall we go next? Amir Fassihnia pictured. Photo by Anna Jacobson.
What is True? 