An update and we’ll see you on the Owl Nation blog!

Hi everyone! By now, you’ve all heard about the consolidation of our school and Kennesaw State University. Due to the merger, we will no longer be posting to this blog but instead, will be redirecting our efforts to assist our counterparts on the Kennesaw campus with updates and information on the happenings of the Marietta campus. Go subscribe to the Kennesaw State University Undergraduate Admissions blog so that you can stay up-to-date on all things Owl Nation! Thanks so much for all of your support!

Let’s Talk: Interview

BY: EMERALD ALEXIS

Hello readers!

Hopefully you were able to read the September issue of the sting. It featured a special interview with a polyblogger (Me). My interview was conducted by the wonderful Brittany Rosario. Today, I bring you an interview conducted by me with Brittany!

Introduction: Who is Brittany Rosario?
Wise Confident and multi-talented Brittany Ro  sario is a force to be reckoned with. Upon first meeting Brittany, I found myself impressed with her poise and maturity. I admire her tireless work ethic and overall drive for perfection. She currently works for Southern Poly’s newspaper the Sting as well as working as a student assistant and student caller. Brittany is currently studying as an English/Professional communication digital writing (New Media) major and actively involved with her sorority.

Blogging, Newspaper all the same right? …not quite. Brittany and I discussed the parallels of the two worlds and the differences that set them apart.

Brittany explained that newspapers are a bit more structured with deadlines and layouts. I find Blogging is rather solitary, while a newspaper requires a cohesive team effort. Brittany told me what it was like working for a team and what she has learned.

As a lead copy editor Brittany has learned the benefit of hard work and patience. Even though she may find herself stressed she finds her job fun. She even got backstage passes to see the Far East Movement when they came to SPSU!

During the interview I spoke with Brittany about sorority life in Gamma Phi beta and found my self being educated on the reality of a sorority. The misconception the media portrays about sororities certainly does not pertain to Gamma Phi Beta. This sorority is a community centered philanthropic organization. Brittany’s sorority encourages sisterhood and helps develop strong, intelligent, confident caring young women.

To close the interview, I asked Brittany for one of her favorite quotes and one thing she wished people knew about her.

When asked what she wished people knew about her she replied with a wise and humbling answer.

“I wish people knew that they could tell me anything, that I’d be supportive. I also wish people remembered not to take life for granted.”

When asked for her favorite quote Brittany gave words many should live by

“Nothing is impossible, the word actually says possible”- Audrey Hepburn

Brittany is wise beyond her years and sparkles with a contagious energy. I am truly honored to have met her and had an interview with her. Wishing you the best! Keep up the great work Brittany!

  

Roommate Etiquette

BY: RUTH PETIT-BOIS

So now you’re living with a bunch of people you probably just met mid-August. At this point in the semester, I really hope you guys are getting along. I can tell you that college was and still is an amazing experience because of the people I lived with. The fact that I had people that I lived with who were just getting acquainted with the “First Year Residence Experience” and the college life just like I was was great as we bonded over similar struggles despite being in completely different majors.

I can say that having diverse roommates can definitely help you out by letting you glimpse into the life of a stranger. You never really know someone until you live with them after all. You can have absolutely everything in common or you could be polar opposites. But that is what makes the whole roommate thing (especially random roommate thing) really, really fun.

I want to help you out with your new living partners. I want to give you guys 5 things you can do together to have fun and get to know one another a little better. They worked (and still work) for me, and they will hopefully work for you!

1. Go eat together

Whether it is at Stingers (where you can meet up with your other awesome new friends), or at the Marietta Diner, nothing bonds two people better than eating in one another’s presence. During this meal time you can learn about each other and you can figure out what you both like to eat. You can talk about how good, or bad, the meal is and the habits of other patrons. As you probably already know, dinner is a great way to get into those very awkward silences where you’ll both be scrambling for something to say to fill in those empty spaces. While that may be a bad thing at first, soon enough you guys will stumble on topics that you both are very enthusiastic about and you’ll be having normal conversations just like normal people… Great huh?

2. Walk to class together

Do you guys leave at the same time to go to the same building or at least in the same direction? I think rather than awkwardly waiting three minutes for your roommate to leave and give you sufficiently enough time so you can walk alone, try ad switch it up and make the trek together. It beat silence and it is a great way to gripe or praise the class and teacher decisions you made earlier in the summer. Hopefully you took my advice from my “Choosing Your Classes” post from late July/early August!

3. Study together

The conference rooms were made for a reason. I know I made my very best friends by studying in the conference rooms. By having your roommate come with you to study, you can bypass the weird stage of being in a room or space by yourself and have your living buddy there with you to spark conversation. After all, let’s face it you both need to be studying for your classes regardless. Even with your roommate there, you can also make other friends as other studiers who just want to make a better grade and a new friend join your group.

4. Chat with one another 

As you can see, I am commanding that you guys spend a lot of time talking with one another. How else do you expect to know one another better? Since you guys are living in the same place you guys can just make the short walk into the common room and just talk. If you have already reached a close enough point, go into one another’s rooms and resume the chat from there. It is convenient and it is also great because you don’t have to go to another room to find your social fix, you can just talk to your roommate! Another pro to connecting with your roommate now is that you can room together again next year of you don’t like change. You also don’t really have to do all these steps all over again for your new living partners.

5. Go to campus events together

Finally, I think you guys should make an effort to go campus events together. Especially if you are a part of the First Year Residence Experience (FYRE). You should make every effort to try to be a part of the events going on on campus. Your Resident Assistants work really had to organize events for you to take a step back from your studies and instead of going by yourself you can go with your roommate. This eliminates the awkward wait as you hope for your other friends to arrive because you are with your roommate and you can make a safe return to your dorm as you will probably be walking in groups of two or more.

Like I stated earlier, I really hope you and our roommates are getting along! If you aren’t, please take a look and try these steps above. They helped me and I think they can help you. As you can see, talking in a major factor in getting to know each other so if you are introverted try to break out of that shell. I promise you, the results are way worth the risk.

Taking a Peek

By: Lauren McNitt

When picking a college, it is very important to visit the campus. According to University Business, about 30 – 40 % of college students decide to come to a college based off of their campus tour. This was true for me. When I took a tour of Southern Poly two years ago, I fell in love with the campus. It had the wonderful, green space I wanted right in the heart of Marietta. The social atmosphere seemed just right as well, a campus that is not too big and not too small.

You can come experience Southern Poly as well. Every week our amazing Ambassador program hosts tours Monday through Friday at both 10 am and 2 pm time slots. There is also an information session that goes along with each of the tours to provide financial, housing, and organization information. Coming to a tour is a wonderful way to look into a school. So stop by our campus, you’re guaranteed to be welcomed! Register at http://www.spsu.edu/visit.

 Information session for a tour.

Old Ambassador program flier.

The lovely campus globe.

Let’s Talk: Being Young

By: Emerald Alexis

I find as a young person that I am often at the receiving end of wise words. Wise words warning me of the mistakes the young make and the regrets the old carry. These words lead to thoughts that fill my head with questions. Am I on the right path? Am I planning for my future? Am I avoiding the characteristic young mistakes? After letting these questions circulate around my mind and guide my life decisions, I realized something. These words of wisdom came from the older generation, a generation that was once young. This generation made “mistakes” that shaped the world, that improved technology, that brought peace and education to those in peril. These “mistakes” that we are so adamantly warned against may be a door to the next great discovery or possibly the next great leader.

 

Of course we must use our common sense and avoid harmful and potentially harmful situations. However, the time to explore and develop our selves is when we are young. We will make mistakes for the rest of our lives and we will have questions and regrets. There will be times we wished we said something or times we wished we’d bit our tongues. Our young mistakes may leave us with new found understanding or lead us down a whole new path in our lives. However, I do not believe we should ignore the cautious experienced words that our granted upon us.

The words of the wise carry great knowledge and should be heard, respected and considered. Unfortunately, our elders may offer these guiding words whilst often forgetting to warn us of some very important things. To live our lives, to enjoy being young, to make mistakes and to constantly foster our growth and development to become righteous people. We should not just invest in our futures, but invest in our consciences, in our philanthropy and in our hearts and souls.

One life, Many Paths

High Museum of Art -Dream Cars

By: Laura Sherman

To architects, designers and engineers alike: the Dream Cars exhibit at the High Museum is to be marveled at! For the sake of great design, below I’ve put together key points of the High Museum’s descriptions of these cars, along with photos I took at the exhibit. Talk about innovative! These cars are the epitome of form and function. If you haven’t seen it yet, GO! Engineer, designer, architect, or artist: this exhibit appeals to the best of ’em. It will be here until the end of this month.

Here are my top 3 favorite cars (and why) from my visit:

A fabric car?! Come on, guys- A FABRIC CAR?!? I had to why and how a designer chose a stretchy textile material over an aluminum shell.

 

 

To get into the car… the whole top comes off!!! Also, look at that beautiful, aerodynamic design!

 

 

This concept car was ultimately never put into production and had some issues- but it INSPIRED technologies later used by ALL of today’s cars and Corvette roof designs. Isn’t that what design is all about?

A few more great cars on exhibit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, while you’re there, bring some lemonade and a good book to the Mi Casa, Your Casa exhibit. Hundreds (I may be exaggerating) of steel frame houses with your own personal hammock in each one! I, myself, lazed around in a hammock for about an hour, sketching my day away. The perspectives from the arrangement are even wonderful, alone.

 

 

Microwaveable Goodness

By: Lauren McNitt

Everyone loves to eat. Although we have many great eateries on campus, sometimes we just want to prepare food ourselves. This can be tricky because there are no open coils aloud in the dorms here at SPSU. Last year my residential assistants brought us a paper with some nifty microwave recipes. One of them is a recipe for microwave brownies. It is super easy and delicious! So invite over some friends and use your microwave to whip up this chocolaty treat!

Microwave Brownies

Prep Time: 10 min    Cook Time: 5 min    Yield: Deliciousness

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• 3 ounces unsweet chocolate
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup chocolate chunks/ chips
• Nonstick cooking spray

First, put the butter and chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 30 seconds, mix, then heat another 15 seconds. Set aside.

In another bowl, mix the eggs and sugar.

In a third bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the egg and chocolate mixtures along with the vanilla and stir well to combine.

Spray a microwave safe bowl or pan with the cooking spray, pour the batter into the pan, and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Cook on high in the microwave for 5 min and then let it cool for 3 before cutting and eating.

 

Enjoy!!

2014 SPSU DESIGN CHARETTE

By: Laura Sherman

One of the highlights of being in SPSU’s architecture program is participating in the annual design charette. A charette is a collaboration of design ideas and development of those ideas in a very short time frame. These often produce the best ideas! It also gives all year level students the chance to learn from each other. It is organized by SPSU’s very own American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). The theme of this year’s annual all-level architecture charette was to design a pavilion for SPSU’s next big milestone: the KSU merger! Drawing inspiration from the SPSU hexagon and KSU mountain logos, several designs signified the unity of the campuses.

Some ideas included:

• Incorporating digital and social media to give our seperate campus live updates
• A relaxing place for KSU and SPSU students to congregate
• Unifying campus identities through monument
• Outdoor auditorium space for sharing ideas
• Interactive Interfaces for students

The 4-hour charette ended with pizza and prizes provided by SPSU’s architecture department and AIAS.

I’m so proud of my fellow SP_Arc Hornets!

Who knows? Maybe some of these brilliant ideas will come to fruition!!!

Check out some of the event photos:

 

All years being check in to meet their teams!

 

 

Guess how many architecture students you can fit in a room?

 

AIAS President, Matt Rosenberg and Dept. Head, Tony Rizzuto rallying the troops!

Some of the AIAS board who helped make it all happen! Thanks guys!

Professors judging and picking the top 4 projects

Pizza Party after a hard day’s work!

Students voting on the People’s Choice Award 

KEEP

CALM

and

DRAFT

ON!

Let’s Talk: Journey To Nevis Part III

By: Emerald Alexis

As I kneeled on my swollen suitcase zipping it closed, I could think of one word that would begin to describe my trip….Astounding. With my luggage now sealed, I sat atop my suitcase and gazed about the room, with the pastel blue walls and ivory marble tiles patterning the floor. I wanted to contain the trip, to somehow make it tangible so I could hold it in my hands. I wanted to capture every bit of memory roaming about my mind, and make a movie that would let me view every detail. This thought was interrupted by a gust of morning air flying through the window, leaving me with a new idea about this trip.

Still atop my suitcase, I realized that I had a true experience. A true experience meant I could not quantify my trip, as much as I tried. I could not lock it in a jar or pack it in my suitcase. I could not hold it in my hands. However, I could hold it in my heart. These tangible things that I would take back with me were simply small keys to the gateways of my memories. I heard mum’s voice informing me of our impending departure. How could I leave Nevis?

Nevis is in an abundance of something I have found nowhere else. There is an abundance of peace, which I took my fair share of. Nevis had my family who showed me unconditional love. The kind of love, that solidifies your foundation of self-understanding. Nevis gave me something many do not get… nourishment for the soul. With my heart filled to the brim of love, I stood up and rolled my luggage to the car, understanding that this was not the end of my journey, it was the beginning.
This was a journey so positively impacting, that I was led to a whole new path of thought. A thought that I would like to share with you: We are the sole proprietors of our destiny, we are the sole proprietors of our soul and with this understanding, I relinquish all that may oppose the development of my mind, of my body and of my soul.

Closing Thought
I wish that I could truly translate the essence of my trip so that you could feel the emotions and the love. I hope you enjoyed this series. Thanks for reading.

Nevis Sunset

One life, Many Paths

Emerald

How to Get an On-Campus Job

BY: RUTH PETIT-BOIS

It’s been a hectic start to the semester guys, what with financial aid, dropping and adding classes and making sure to get enough sleep. I’ve been away for a while, but I’m here now! 🙂

I hope you guys are ready for me to drop some more knowledge on you. And this time it isn’t philosophical, moral, or parental-like guidance! No, what I’m going to give you is the precious key to making money (all without having to hop into your car and zipping off to some fat food chain to pick up after people you don’t know!). I know, I’m amazing.

I kid, obviously. But the sentiment is still the same.

So maybe where you’re from, while you were in high school, you were in school and working part-time to help pay for your car insurance, or your phone bill, or maybe even for the tuition for school now. Flash-forward and now you are probably hours away from your old job, you are in a new school but you don’t have any money. Not for the gas in your car, not for the toilet paper in your bather, not even for the dollar menu at McDonald’s (now that’s a struggle).

Not everyone is blessed with parents who give them a college allowance like a salary. So let’s get you some extra change in your pocket so that you aren’t looking at your “bordering on zero” bank account any longer and when your friends ask you if you want to go to Marietta Diner this weekend, you can confidently tell them yes and have a good time.

So Step One!

Go to SPSU’s Website –> Go to Current Students –> Go to Career Services under “Student Services” –> An then click on Career Link!

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

 

Or, you know, you can click right here to go straight to Career Link. But because I doubt you have this blog post open 24/7, I suggest you should do the above steps to familiarize yourself with how to get there on your own. I’ll tell you why in a sec.

So now you scrolling all the way to the bottom and register just like you would with Facebook or Twitter. And when you finally log in, you should be brought to a page that looks like this:

Once on that page, click on Jobs! And you will see a list of jobs in the area. Can you see now why I suggested you familiarize yourself with how to get to this page? The Career Link database can help you find jobs, internships, and co-ops that are not just on campus or for the duration of your education, but for graduation and beyond. Career Link is a valuable tool if you want to find employment quickly and easily as these jobs (& employers if you are brave enough to click on that tab! ;)) are looking to hire Southern Polytechnic students! Cool right?

So anyway, click on jobs and click on Advanced Search. It is to the far right of the search bar.

A complicated list of drop down menus and text boxes will show up, but all you have to do is just go the box that is labeled Position Type and select On Campus Job.  Them press search!

Bam! Life made easy! You found a list on on-campus job! Congratulations! Now start applying.

The best times to look through this list is the beginning of the semester and the end of the semester. The departments will then be looking for hire-es because people may have graduated, transferred, or you know, dropped out. Who really knows?

Another great place to find jobs is through email and then just walking around and asking if the department is hiring. It pays to do work. … (hahahahaha…)

Okay so hopefully you guys have a glimpse of what Career Link is, and you know how to find some jobs on campus! Off campus jobs are great, but on campus jobs are very convenient and do not require much from you. These positions are very competitive though so make sre you get in there early!

That was my gold nugget advice! Hope to see you guys soon!

–RPB