USF Bullbits

With the embrace of a real-time web, students and schools are becoming more social. By that, I mean that students are looking outside of the traditional realm of teaching and learning. They are also embracing other areas as resources. Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics, states that Wikipedia not only has 15 million articles, but is as accurate is Encyclopedia Britannica. The point is, as we become more social, so does our information, so here are a few tips as to how studies can use social resources to maintain academic excellence.

Research, Social Research.

We all use Google, right? I can guarantee that most of us Google our topics prior to writing. Then using social research can’t all be that bad. In fact, I promise that Wikipedia isn’t bad. There is tons of information that is more relevant than those outdated books that collect dust in libraries. The “bad” aspect of Wikipedia relies on the student and how they use it.

• Use it as a stepping-stone. Wikipedia isn’t the end-all-be-all. It is just another tool we can utilize to make things easier for ourselves.
• If you don’t have any prior knowledge on the topic or area use Wikipedia to read up on what your topic entails
• Don’t quote it- most teachers still frown upon Wikipedia, so don’t use it as a source, but rather, a tool
• Check facts- Wikipedia authors use resources too. Scroll to the bottom and check the resources they’ve used to compile their information. This part is a gold mine.

Blogs

Yes, people generate blogs and the content published. Yes, influential people in their respective industries have blogs too. These professionals, these influential opinion leaders aren’t just authors, they are also professionals. Authors don’t save up all their knowledge just to regurgitate it out into a book. Professionals do not just work in a cubicle and keep to themselves. They use blogs, books, white papers, reports and studies to continuously cultivate their craft, get feed back and brainstorm ideas. What says their information and opinion there is less reliable than a textbook. Here is an example of authors who blogs I read to stay up-to-date on industry news, trends and information.

Brian Solis- Principal of FutureWorks & Author of PR 2.0 & Putting the Public                                     Back in Public Relations

David Armano- Digital Senior Vice President of Edleman, Chicago.

Mark Ragan – CEO of Ragan.com and creator of PR Daily

Mashable – The top source for digital and new media news

Sarah Evans- Consultant & Principal of Sevans Staragey

Presentations

Throughout your college career you will more than likely have to do presentations. Whether you use PowerPoint, tri-fold boards, or any other method it’s got to be done. Good thing there are a few, social, sources out there they help with the process. Prezi is a new presentation creation tool that helps you create your presentation in a fresh new way. SlideShare is a social tool that allows you access to user created and published slides. But how can these help?

• Create new, fresh presentation methods
• Generate ideas from other presentations
• Incorporate old slides with new presentations, giving attribution, of course
• Use slides that the professionals use

These are just a few ideas as maximize your use of digital and social consumption for academic purposes. There are more out there, take a look at this article from US News about 5 Social Media Tools for College Students. P.S. Yours truly is quoted!

As I write this, I have iTunes open. I’m listening to Jack’s Mannequin The Glass Passenger. I’m also doing research for a pitch letter — an assignment for my internship. I’m also talking to the Sport Clubs Coordinator about arranging an interview to hire our new Sport Clubs Intern. Sound like a lot? Well, it’s really not that bad. But possibly one of the greatest things that you’ll learn as you transition into the University of South Florida: how to manage your time appropriately.

For me, I like being busy. I can often accomplish a lot more when I have more tasks to cross off my to-do list. The adrenaline starts pumping and I just get on a roll. But no matter your style, you will need to learn how to manage time. You might have done this in high school as well. But with a campus of nearly 40,000 students at Tampa alone and roughly 500 student organizations, there is an incredible amount of people to meet and an incredible opportunity for involvement. With all these choice, you’ll need to prioritize and figure out what works best for you.

Like I said in my last post, start exploring the possibilities. This is how you’ll begin to discover what you enjoy, what you’re passionate about, what others think and ways to get plugged in to the university. And there’s no reason not to: Week of Welcome. This event — which is actually longer than a week — showcases many of the student organizations with great events, activities and FREE food. You won’t want to miss it.

Hope Orientation is going well!

Also, to help with the transition is New Student Connections. You’ll also be able to reach out to your Orientation Team Leader as a resource. And your Resident Assistant if you’re living on campus. By the way, if you’re not living on campus and this is your first year — what are you thinking?! First-year students definitely should live on campus. It’s an incredible opportunity to meet your peers, and you’ll transition into the university with much more confidence and excitement than if you live off-campus.

Be open-minded. Many students are coming to USF right after graduating high school. For most, it’s brand new, and most students don’t know each other. Everyone is eager to make friends and wants to be a part of something, they want to feel included. Take a step outside of your comfort zone, and meet everyone you possibly can.

That’s all I’ve got for now. More advice on transitioning to come. I’ve tried to summarize some of the major points. And, as always, if you have any questions, you can email me at rmhines@mail.usf.edu. Or read more at http://rmhines.com.

Our first freshmen began taking classes recently, and many will end this Summer semester with a new understanding of the fundamental difference between high school classes and college classes….. personal responsibility. This year’s incoming class was highly successful in high school however each of you will enter your first class with very different ideas about studying. It’s not uncommon for freshmen to find themselves struggling to navigate the pace of college life as they try to integrate coursework with the robust student life we offer. I know when I was in high school my teachers were constantly reminding us about upcoming assignments, going over readings, creating study guides for tests, etc. In college, you receive a syllabus with your assignments, dates, and deadlines; the professor might not mention them again until it’s time to turn it in, or they may not mention something you were supposed to read until you see it on your test. Help! Here at USF we’ve tried to provide all of the resources you need to be successful, but you have to take full advantage. Use your planner (electronic or paper) to input all pertinent dates at the beginning of the semester. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, you’ll hear about study groups from time to time, join them, or if you need a study group grab some classmates and invite them to study with you. Our Tutoring Center offers assistance with a variety of classes here on campus; they also offer help with papers and seminars on study skills, time management, and test anxiety. These services are free to USF students and can be great tools in helping you navigate your first semesters here.  The most important thing is not to procrastinate! If you wait until the semester ends to begin asking for assistance, you may be too late.  Enjoy your Summer and Welcome to Bull’s Country Class of 2014!

For More Information, please visit Tutoring and Learning Services

Welcome to Bulls Country. If you’re reading this, you might be attending first-year Orientation. Or you might just be exploring ways to make the most of your college career. Well, USF is an incredible place to begin. You can read all the great stats on the USF home page — about how we’re a top research university, how we unite roughly 45,000 students across four campuses and how we stay current with the ever-changing world around us with the latest technologies and safety initiatives. All of that is incredible! It’s one of the many reasons why I chose USF to call home. But I want to give you my personal advice on your time here.

I’m going in to my fourth and final year at USF. Although I began as a pre-med major, I am now majoring in public relations. And one of the most important things I learned: don’t freak out if you don’t know your major, or don’t have this elaborate life plan set in place. Just pursue your passions, find what you really enjoy and surround yourself with great people. Everything will fall into place. It’s insane how it works. No joke.

Get involved. They tell you that at orientation; take them seriously! I was an Orientation Team Leader the summer after my freshman year. The year before, I was the quiet one who didn’t want to play “Birdie on a Perch” or any of those other stupid “team-building” exercises. The following summer, I was the one leading those team-building exercises. What did I learn that year? Be who you are. Be confident in your own self-identity. Have fun, and don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself. You know what makes this world go ’round? Relationships. I led those team-building activities because I had realized just how important the TEAM is.

Freshman year: I joined Surf Club. I participated in Dance Marathon. I interviewed at every on-campus job possible. Take initiative and get out there. Don’t be afraid to go after your dreams. Next thing I know — I was President for Surf Club, and now I’m a supervisor for USF Sport Clubs, overseeing about 10 sport clubs. And I’m getting paid. I’m also leading USF’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, a great opportunity as I start thinking about graduation. Plus, I really like letting everyone else know how awesome PRSSA is!

The hard work will pay off. The more you do, the more you get involved, the more you will discover your passions and what you enjoy. And meet other like-minded people. Just put your entire heart, soul and mind to it and you will succeed. Yes, it may take a few all-nighters, but try to avoid those. I passed out once from being too busy. Not fun. Staying healthy is another top-priority.

If I can be of any help, shoot me an message. Or if you just wanna say “What up?” that’s cool too. We’re all a part of the Bulls family. I’m on Twitter at http://twitter.com/rmhines and have my website up at http://rmhines.com.

USF Rec Center is a very cool place.  Located on campus, it has a full gym with bunches and bunches of equipment.  It also has lots of classes.  Some of the classes are Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Cardio Funk, and several others that I can not think of right now. They are hour long group fitness classes.  They also have a full range of outdoor equipment.  They have a rope obstacle course that you can go through but I am not really interested in it.  They have boot camp training sessions too.  Its really nice stuff.

The coolest part of the gym is that they have a bouldering wall.  Its basically a wall you climb up.  Its really good exercise and really fun at the same time.  I am really interested to try it.  I want to see if I can do it. I am going to try that for sure.

I was really excited to get back into a gym. I have not been able to go for quite a while.  Gyms are expensive and there are really not any close enough to us to make it worth having.  The coolest part of the whole USF Rec Center is that is all FREE.  Everything you could possibly need is included in the tuition.  If someone wanted to go with me its only 5 bucks.

I have enjoyed being able to workout without have to deal with a meat market atmosphere.  The people who are at the rec center are there to workout, not to be seen.  It is a good feeling when you are surrounded by a like-minded group of people. I feel like my classes go smoother for me because I am more alert.  The rec center gets my body and mind moving before going to class and starting my day.

For people just starting out at the rec center, they offer an orientation to get to know the gym equipment.  For a very small fee you can be measured and get your body mass index so that you have a jumping off point.  They also have both male and female trainers to help you.  Training sessions are offered in a group setting or in an individual setting.  There is a small fee associated with the training sessions but they are worth the money.

There are two locations for the rec center.  Both centers have their own hours.  Information about the Rec Center can be found on the website http://usfweb2.usf.edu/CampRec.

This is the time of year when recent high school graduates begin preparing to launch their collegiate careers. I know this can be an exciting time, filled with anticipation, and probably some anxiety so I have a few tips that made my transition into college a little smoother.

(1) Get organized! There will be many things happening upon your arrival to campus: new home, new teachers, new activities, and yes, new study needs. It’s important to have a strategy to make sure you keep up with all upcoming tasks and assignments. A big difference between high school and college is how much is left up to the student when it comes to reading assignments, and how little reminder is given when projects are due. Each student organizes differently so devote some time prior to your arrival making sure you have all the tools you need. When I was a freshman (dark ages), I relied on different colored notebooks, binders, and pens to remain on task, but there are some neat gadgets now if you’re so inclined.

(2) Meet your professors! Our faculty are here to be resources for your success. When you get your syllabus on the first day, there will be office hours listed; I encourage you to make use of this time to go in and introduce yourself. This, coupled with active in-class participation, helps you to develop as a student, and should make you feel more comfortable approaching your teachers should you need assistance. Professors are also great sources for future letters of recommendation and research partners depending on your field of study.

(3) Jump in with both feet! Your college experience is going to depend almost entirely on what you put into it, and by selecting the University of South Florida, you’ve set yourself up to have a great time. There are many options when it comes to joining organizations, and I’d suggest looking for at least one activity that’s different from your normal interests.  College is a great time to learn new things about yourself so step outside of your comfort zone. Even if you discover something you don’t enjoy, you’ll have gained a new experience, some new insight, and hopefully, have met some cool new people. Through it all remember, the learning you do outside the classroom can only enhance the learning you do inside so take advantage of everthing this University has to offer.

Yes! School is out! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and… take summer classes?!

My name is Camille Gouveia and I am a senior at the best University in the world!  I am a Secondary Education for English major with a minor in Psychology.  This is actually my first time taking summer classes and I have definitely learned a lot about the process within the first week.

The most important thing is to make sure that you apply for Financial Aid through OASIS if you need it. You never know, you may be qualified for grants or loans as long as you are taking 6 credit hours. Once you do that, the next step is to start looking for your classes. I always make it a point to look up fall classes along with my summer class schedule so I don’t have to go through the process as the Fall registration time approaches. This will also help with my chances of getting the classes I want.

So far my summer class experience is actually relaxing, which is surprising since I am taking 12 credit hours this summer in an attempt to graduate on time. The atmosphere of the University is very slow paced and quiet but in a good way!

The only thing that I would say is the worst about summer classes is the fact that it’s hard not to be lazy because you have “summer vacation” mode programmed in your brain.  The way I solve that is by staying active during the day when I don’t have class. There are events held by organizations throughout the summer, you can get a job and earn extra cash, or even do community service projects with the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement.

The most important thing to know is that summer classes aren’t as bad as they seem… it’s a lighter course load that will be done before you know it! It‘s also a great way to make good friends or study buddies before the Fall semester starts so it can be even more fun being a USF BULL!

Student Health Services is charged with the responsibility of evaluating and maintaining medical requirements for registration for all University of South Florida students.  It’s one way we can help to keep the students and campus healthy.

We need 2 things: 1) Your Immunization Health History Form and 2) documentation of immunizations.

Here is what we are looking for:  We must have our USF Immunization Health History Form with your student information on the top and your signature and date in Section B.  These are non-negotiable.  We will not clear your IM and MH holds if either of these crucial elements is missing.  The other items in Sections A and B depend on what proof you have of your vaccines.  The good news is there are many ways to comply with the state’s immunization requirement.

Please use Section A to prove state required immunizations for Measles and Rubella. Many times these are given as one shot called MMR.  Proof of 2 MMRs will satisfy this requirement or if the vaccines were given separately, Florida requires proof of 2 Measles and 1 Rubella.

You have lots of options with Section B!  If you are living on campus, USF requires proof of the vaccine for Meningococcal Meningitis (Menactra Vaccine).   If you are not living on campus or don’t want the vaccine, please mark  the box to decline this immunization.  USF also wants you to be aware of the vaccine for Hepatitis B.  If you have not had the vaccine and do not want it, this too, can be declined in Section B.  For both the Meningococcal Meningitis and the Hepatitis B vaccine, we must have either your “check”  in the declination box or the date(s) you were vaccinated.

How do I prove that I have had vaccinations?

1) If you have your own baby booklet, vaccine record, or shot record or a print out of your vaccines, we may be able to accept it.  Please keep in mind that we must be able to tell that your shots were given by a medical professional.  Not sure if we can accept your records?  Let us take a look at it!  We accept scanned copies, faxes, and we look forward to meeting you in person.

2) Your doctor’s office can document the dates of the vaccines and then sign and stamp Section D. We must have a way to contact your doctor’s office if we have questions, so a telephone number and address are great!  3) The County Health Department may have a record of your vaccinations.  They can also document the dates you were immunized, then sign and stamp in Section D.

What do I do if the doctor’s office has closed or I don’t know which doctor gave me the vaccine?  There are other places that may have kept your medical records – many times Middle Schools, High Schools, County Health Departments, and the U.S. Military all have these records.  Records from these organizations may satisfy the requirement.

I know I have had those shots, I can’t prove it! More options here!

1) You can get the shots/vaccines again.

2) A laboratory can draw your blood and verify your immunity.

This is a good option if you don’t want the shots again and also because the lab tests are usually cheaper than getting the shots.  We must put an * on choosing lab tests – the results must show enough immunity to the disease.  If they do not, you will be asked to get the shots anyway to ensure immunity and we will not clear your IM and MH hold fully until you receive the vaccines.

Think you need a religious exemption or a temporary medical exemption?  Contact us at immunization@shs.usf.edu or (813) 974-4056.

For additional answers, please visit our FAQs

This post is provided by Susanna Perez-Field and the staff at the Immunization Compliance Office in Student Health Services.

Have you ever been so excited to go into a restaurant and order your favorite dish? My favorite happens to be chicken parmesan.

I went out to eat a couple of weeks ago and as I waited for my meal to arrive, I remembered how good it was the last time I ordered it. When the server placed the meal down in front of me, she could not help but notice the look on my face. “Is this chicken parm,” I ask. “Yes,” she said, “isn’t that what you ordered”? The dish did not look anything like what I am used to, and although it was delicious, I had to adjust my thinking and be willing to try it. If I read the menu closely, I would have noticed the difference in the description of the dish. My point is, as human beings it is natural to assume that “things” with the same name are the same, but as you know, that is often not the case.

Every day I receive at least one phone call from a new transfer student asking me if they have to attend orientation because they attended one at their previous college. While I refrain from telling my chicken parmesan story, I explain that orientation is a time when the campus comes together to welcome you. It is a required program for all new students, including freshmen, transfer, international, resident and commuter students.

Orientation is important because it allows you to become acquainted with the different aspects of our campus, such as the buildings, student services, parking, etc. By attending orientation, you will have an opportunity to meet and establish relationships with the deans, faculty and several departments. Most importantly, you have a chance to meet your classmates and current student leaders, and this is an opportunity to build friendships that will last a lifetime.

To quote my friends in the Academic Achievement Center, a department involved with orientation, “orientation is not something we do to you, but something we do for you.” I promise you that you will walk away from orientation with a lot of useful information that you did not know before.

This post written by Sandy Christoun, Transfer Coordinator at Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, Mass.

Summer Stampede is designed to help students achieve early success at USF.  This special population of first-year students is conditionally admitted to the University based on high school academic performance.  During the Summer B term, these students must successfully complete two courses from the Foundations of Knowledge and Learning (FKL) curriculum which is required for all degree programs at USF.  These courses are pre-selected by the academic advisor and enrollment is limited to Summer Stampede students.

For students who have demonstrated the potential for success, Summer Stampede offers the opportunity to focus on their academics during the Summer B term.  In the fall, these students are strongly encouraged to take the University Experience course (SLS 1101), which will provide them with an introduction to USF resources and many academic and life skills that will contribute to their success as a student.  Although this group of students will interact with others from Freshman Summer Institute (FSI) and Student Support Services (SSS), each program has its own eligibility criteria, requirements and activities that are independent from the others.

The summer will be an exciting time for our Stampede students.  Students can get to know others by attending free social events and living in either the Juniper-Poplar residence hall or the Magnolia Apartments on campus.  Social activities will sponsored by departments such as the Center for Student Involvement, New Student Connections, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.  Events will range from Movies on the Lawn and ice cream socials to street festivals and karaoke contests.  Aside from these fun extracurricular activities, students will have the opportunity to participate in workshops designed to enhance their academic success.  These workshops will cover a range of topics, such as study strategies, time management, test taking, communicating with faculty, understanding a syllabus, procrastination, and anxiety.  In addition, there will be a signature event with tips for success from student, faculty, and administrative perspectives.

There are a few things Summer Stampede students should be aware of.  These students are given conditional acceptance to the University based on their academic performance, so they should put schoolwork first before any extracurricular activities.  Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in two courses during the Summer B term or their admission to the University will be cancelled.  Tutoring and Learning Services has a special team of Academic Success Guides to help students successfully complete their coursework.  Summer Stampede students should understand that it is their responsibility to take charge of their success.  We pledge to provide challenge and support as they pursue their academic and personal goals at USF.  Go Bulls!

This post provided by Amanda Cutchens, M.Ed. – Special Assistant, First Year Academic Programs.