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Tips on How to Live with Roommates

ar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:51:16 +0000

Tips on How to Live with Roommates

March 28, 2021

ar Fri, 04/22/2022 - 11:51

Lara Decastecker '23

Here at FUS, there’s a LOT of different dorm possibilities. Single, double, triple with or without separate rooms, apartments for six rooms… all of it, really. Most FUS students get to experience a few of those arrangements during their time here, so this article may be helpful to them or incoming students. Without these tips, I had to learn from hands-on experience! I had my own room back home so it was definitely different.

This article touches on a few tips which I’ve learned from my current experience as someone in Panera… which if you don’t know has a shared bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living space. My roommates and I have made this work, but not without communicating and understanding the social cues we give off.

1. Decide together what spaces belong to who

So.. there's a book space. Who has which shelves? In the bathroom, where is each person able to store their stuff? Be prepared to sacrifice space in areas you don’t really care about but others do, it’s only courteous. In regards to kitchenware, in my opinion, it’s best to have pots, pans, bowls all belong to everyone. Some personal mugs or cups make sense, but if there isn’t an excess. Why not share them? In regards to the refrigerator and food, be prepared to at times share in order to not overlap. Take turns buying the milk.

Overall, it’s still up to everyone’s personal preference, but I see that these strategies work well with most people.

2. Know what your roommate's pet peeves are from the beginning

Make this one of the first questions you and your roommates get out of the way. For example, I’m a pretty messy person but for the most part, I keep my mess in my space to not bother others. Little pet peeves are important too. Like if you don’t like having hair left up on the shower walls (one of mine) or having the doors of the wardrobe open (one of my roommates’... I gotta work on that). You’ve got to respect people’s pet peeves, but it makes sense if not everything is done perfectly. People make mistakes and it takes a while to adopt a good habit. Just try to work on it.

Also… communicate. I cannot stress that enough. Even if something sounds silly, it’s important. You’re living with someone and that’s a pretty big deal and responsibility in my book.

3. Check with them before bringing people over (unless otherwise decided)

As an introvert living with introverts, this is a pretty big one in our book. Lots of people use their dorm as a recharge for their social battery, so having more people over when they’re not expecting it can be off-putting. It’s important to check-in, and just that nice gesture may be enough for people to easily comply. Apartments have many rooms, so people can dip in one if they’re not feeling like interacting with others. This is probably easier for dorms in which people have their own rooms, but for those in Panera, it’s especially important to check-in.

Figure out whether you and your roommates are okay with a simple text informing or if asking for permission is necessary.

4. Give each other space when needed

Everyone needs space, even the most affectionate of people will need a breather at some point. So this is when reading people’s body language is extremely important. Are they tired? Probably not the best time. Exhausted from schoolwork? See if there’s any way you can help, but if not step away for a bit. Do they look like they need a hug? Ask. If you’re not sure, it may be best to wait a bit before approaching. Fortunately, with time it gets easier to sense each other's social energy levels.

Simply remember that everyone's social battery is different and people need recharge time. Also, people process their stresses differently. Learn each other's preferred ways of comfort if you’re at that level.

5. Learn how to share expenses

This tip goes in line with the first tip and I’d think it’s pretty obvious. However, I’ve heard stories of how people don’t pay their share of toiletries, grocery bags, etc, and it’s not okay. If it’s been a while since you’ve bought the necessities go and do it before someone has to ask you. If your roommate has to get to the point of asking you to pay your part, they might feel taken advantage of. You can come back from this, just take the high road and understand their frustration. But at the end of the day, try to not take it personally if they bring up an issue.

If your roommate brings an issue to light, appreciate it. They don’t want to be resentful but instead fix the problem together.

Summary

Overall, remember to communicate and compromise. Be open and make some sacrifices if necessary, but only if they’re willing to as well. Think about what’s most important to you and make it apparent to those you’re living with. All these tips have one thing in common: it’s necessary to put the effort in so you live in a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment.

P.S. If your roommate tells you to throw away your ramen wrapper it doesn’t mean she hates you. She just wants you to throw away your ramen wrapper. But hey, we’re all human. We all make mistakes and those who care will forgive them once you make an effort to change your bad habits. Totally not a personal experience... Not my proudest moment.

So it’s important to throw away your ramen wrapper. Your roommate will appreciate it.

To our next meet-up via the web!

Ci vediamo presto!

(We will see each other soon),

Lara

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Fall 2021 Franklin Survival Guide

ar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:30:22 +0000

Fall 2021 Franklin Survival Guide

September 4, 2021

ar Fri, 04/22/2022 - 11:30

Lara Decastecker '23

Welcome back to Franklin! After the whirlwind of last semester we are back to in-person classes and a flood of freshmen came in— 175 of you guys! Because of this, I felt that a simple 4 step guide may help new and returning students out. If you want to get the most expansive experience here, try to apply some of these tips into your life!

What kind of friends?

All kinds! Have some party friends but also have friends you can count on for studying with. Have a chill friend you like laying on your bed with while binging a TV show. Also, get some travel friends! Try it all out.

But.. why not just have a few?

There can be some overlaps of course, but why constrict yourself to only one type of school culture? By figuring out which friends make you feel most comfortable in different environments you can have your needs met more easily!

But I still like only having a few friends…

I’ve always been the same but even as an introvert, I found a way to open up. Simply look for common interests and bring them up! Lastly, my favorite friendships came from random occurrences and I would not trade them for the world. Just compliment someone and see if a conversation springs up.

Why Ponte Tresa and not downtown Lugano?

Did you know it takes less time to get to the Italian groceries by train than it is to get to those in Switzerland via walking? Seems quite obvious and that’s because it is, but most people walk down for groceries so it’s important to point out. A painful 30 minute walk down for expensive groceries? I’m out.

Thus, save your trouble and give Italy a little visit. The Japanese restaurant Asian Fusion is also wonderful and quite affordable. Feel free to support a family business while you are there and get fantastic Japanese food (which is hard to find near Lugano!)

How to Get There/Trip & Price Logistics

Tigros and Coop are ridiculously close to the border of Italy and in comparison, you can get your groceries for 40% the price of the Migros and Coop in downtown Lugano. So how will you do this? You can get to Tigros and Coop by taking the train to Ponte Tresa from the Laghetto train station nearby Giardino. The train ride is about 25 minutes long and Ponte Tresa is the last stop. It costs 7CH round trip with the half pass or 14CH without it.

The Route to Get Into Italy

Once you get off the train simply follow the majority of people going towards the border or pull up maps and search up the groceries. Then you’ll find the border patrol you can simply walk in (easy as that) and then keep walking until you find a larger bridge and actually cross into Italy. Make sure to have someone with data so you don’t get lost!

So… why do this anyways? + an anecdote

As someone with ADHD, I constantly have to change my study space due to getting distracted easily. See, my attention span is only 20 minutes long and if I don’t have something else going on then I will get nothing done. That’s how I work. However, many neurotypical people (those without ADHD, autism, etc) I believe (though I could be wrong) may do better by keeping their study space a constant place so their brain associates it with work. That’s why associating work with your bed can become dangerous because it’s also associated with sleeping.

So.. if that doesn’t work for you.. what now?

There are always exceptions to the neurodiverse/neurotypical ways a brain can work so maybe you’re the opposite of what I stated and that’s okay. It would make sense for someone with Autism to want to stick with routines and perhaps keeping their study space constant is what works for them. Thus, see what works for you and then continue to do. Work smarter not harder. College is for enjoying yourself, not slaving yourself. No teacher wants that, I can assure you that.

Buy..

Yoga mat (I got mine at Manor on clearance for 18CH!)
Posters for your dorm (make it feel homey and express yourself)

Make a habit…

Make your dorm an efficient, yet cozy environment
Bring your favorite water bottle with you everywhere

Do ASAP…

Have a lanyard or bracelet connected to your keys
Find your comfort food (healthy or not!)

Conclusion + Blog Updates

Hey, thanks for sticking around and reading until here! I’m planning to still write articles two to four times a month, but I’d love to get guest contributors on board. No prior experience is extremely needed, just a love for blog writing. If that sounds like you then feel free to send your email of interest to marketing@fus.edu.

To our next meet up via the web!

Ci vediamo presto!

(We will see eachother soon),

Lara

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Differentiating ‘Honors’ Initiatives at FUS

ar — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:26:36 +0000

Differentiating ‘Honors’ Initiatives at FUS

October 2, 2021

ar Fri, 04/22/2022 - 11:26

Lara Decastecker '23

Ciao amici!

So little storytime. At the club fair this year I had to explain to about 10 freshmen that the FUS Honors Society isn’t like the exclusive ‘The Honors Society’ in American High Schools. Alas it’s quite the opposite really. It’s inclusive to all with no grade requirement.

Additionally, FUS also has the Honors Program and Honors Scholarship that get confused with each other. The Honors Program is the closest to a traditional American Honors Society, except not mostly just for show. Finally, the Honors Scholarship is an invite-only opportunity that flies out prospective students to Lugano!

The overall point of this article is to differentiate the Honors initiatives from each other and listing out everything they include. Additionally, participation/inclusion in one does not translate to another (though in some cases it is recommended!)

Honors Society – A School Club

First off, everyone is invited to get involved. Actually, there isn't even really the concept of “members.” Students, faculty (both professors and staff), and alumni are able to participate in the main events that take place which are called Learned Conversations.

It’s good to note that the Learned Conservations are…

In a salon-style atmosphere
Based on Fairly open-ended questions
Less disciplinary bound
Accepting of different approaches/perspectives
Led after with a reception that involves snacks and refreshments

These one hour talks are what make up the score of Honors Society. In 2002, Jasper James (now a Franklin alum) and Professor Pyka created this school club for the students who wanted to be more intellectually stimulated. They wanted an atmosphere where they could be proved wrong, question why something even exists while laughing and making inside jokes.

Past Learned Conversation Themes:

Can culture be owned? Appropriation vs. Appreciation
The Art VS the Artist
Is Learning an Experience? Should it be?

So, as the advisor, Professor Pyka put it simply: Honor’s Society isn’t all composed of “hopeless nerds that live in misery.” Surprising, I know. There’s not a grade requirement. There’s no real “membership.” You show up if the learned conversation spikes your interest. That’s it.

Honors Program – An ‘Honors’ College Experience & Degree

I’ll just give you a quick run down on the mission statement and how to get involved!

Mission statement — “The Honors Program at Franklin is an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research and scholarship with expert faculty and other highly qualified peers. ... Honors students are encouraged to give back to the community through service learning and by sharing their knowledge, expertise and experiences.”

Some more juicy details:

You can “declare honors” only after being at FUS for at least one semester
In most cases other than exceptions, you’ll need a 3.5 grade average BY THE END of your undergrad college career
You can CHOOSE what class to do an ‘Honors Seminar/Tutorial’ in and usually there's 5 students MAX in the class
There’s an annual Honors Showcase where all soon to be graduating Honors students present their thesis! A bit of information is linked here.

Alongside also doing an Honors Capstone, thesis, and keeping “good disciplinary standing” you can then graduate with an honors diploma! The teachers are here to support you through this process and are more than happy to aid you in your classes.

Honors Scholarship -- An Invite-only Scholarship

*Only for accepted prospecting freshmen

The Honors Scholarship is an opportunity available via an email invite that many prospecting freshmen can apply for. It requires the student to write a short creative essay on a subject and later if selected for a final group (a handful of students, or two) will then be interviewed.

After a quite fun interview process (totally not intensive at all) the scholarship is then given to 1-2 students based on their essay and interview answers.

This mostly merit based scholarship requires that a student maintains a 3.5 GPA throughout their time at FUS. In turn they’re rewarded with a recurring scholarship of 5k a year.

I hope that’s cleared up some confusion if you’ve had any! Now take your pick and make your experience truly yours.

To our next meet up via the web!

Ci vediamo presto!

(We will see eachother soon),

Lara

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Advice about Franklin Q & A

ar — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 22:12:52 +0000

Advice about Franklin Q & A

May 17, 2016

ar Mon, 04/11/2022 - 00:12

Jessica '16 and Morgan '16

Somehow in the blink of an eye, after four years at Franklin, we are graduating this weekend!! So for our final blogpost we thought we'd do a joint Q & A and answer some questions to offer our final advice about life at Franklin. We miss you all already!

Q: What advice would you give to your freshmen self?

Jessica: Don’t be afraid to speak up more in class! I took a few upper level courses my freshmen year. And especially my first semester when I had a few classes with older students I was so intimidated by them that even though I did all the readings, was regularly prepared for class and had things to contribute to the discussion, I often stayed silent. Huge mistake. Now that I am a senior it's so apparent to me that I should have contributed more! I had legitimate points to add to the discussion, and moreover I was probably a lot more prepared than some of those seniors were ;) Plus professors notice who is participating in class and you’ll make a better impression with them if you make the effort to contribute, even if you aren’t always correct.

Morgan: Don't worry so much! In my first year, I distinctly remember the feeling of slight panic lingering in me at all times. I wish I could go back and tell myself-- you will make incredible friends, do well in your classes, take once-in-a-lifetime trips, find a job, find a balance. I spent so much time thinking about HOW I would manage to make Franklin my home I didn't savor the process of MAKING Franklin home as much as I could have! This sentiment isn't just felt by me, either. Franklin is such an enormous life change, but everybody gets used to it, and finds their 'new normal' here in Lugano. Every feeling I had led up to today, so I am grateful for all of it.

I am reminded of a quote by Anne Lamott, which reads:

"It's funny: I always imagined when I was a kid that adults had some kind of inner toolbox full of shiny tools: the saw of discernment, the hammer of wisdom, the sandpaper of patience. But then when I grew up I found that life handed you these rusty bent old tools - friendships, prayer, conscience, honesty - and said 'do the best you can with these, they will have to do'. And mostly, against all odds, they do."

Q: What has been the best part of Franklin?

Jessica: I am leaving Franklin so much more confident than I was when I arrived here four years ago! I’m sure part of that is naturally the difference between being 18 and 22. But I know that a big source of my confidence has to do with the fact that life at Franklin is challenging! Being away from your home and family, not understanding the local language, having to make new friends. Coming to Franklin was not choosing the easy route, but it has been so rewarding! Traveling with friends on weekends to a foreign country may seem glamorous on Instagram, but the behind-the-scenes can also be stressful and involves a lot of planning, independence and a dash of courage! Franklin has given me the confidence to feel like if I can live in a foreign country for my undergrad and plan a successful weekend trip for five girls to Morocco, then I can do just about anything!

Morgan: To echo Jessica, many of the feelings I have might just be the difference between being 18 and 22. That said, the best part of Franklin, hands down, has been the community we have built here over the past four years. I am so proud of the relationships formed and the memories made together. At graduation rehearsal, I looked around the room and teared up, as the love and happiness shared was palpable. Because Franklin is so small, every experience and dynamic is amplified. I am most grateful for this when it comes to the tight-knit feeling of our class.

Q: What was your favorite class?

Jessica: This is actually a really difficult question because its hard to narrow it down, so I’ll give you my top three. "Politics of Latin America" with Professor Cordon. This class was so interesting! I never thought I’d be so interested in Latin American politics, it made me see that region of the world in a whole different light. "International Political Economy" with Professor Zanecchia. I loved the texts that we used for this course and just found myself nodding my head in agreement with most everything we read and talked about it class. I felt like this course helped me make sense of the modern world as it functions and I still reference things I learned in it all the time! And my third choice, "International Environmental Politics", also taught by Professor Zanecchia. I took this course my first semester freshmen year and this is going to sound super corny, but it was like an inner reawakening for me. It put me on the path to eventually switching my major from International Relations to Environmental Studies. You might have noticed that all of these courses are Political Science courses. That is because I completed all of the core requirements for an IR degree (besides a thesis) before switching my major in the fall of my junior year to Environmental Studies. I am passionate about environmental studies now though and so glad I made the switch, but also happy I had the opportunity to take those political science courses and now I am graduating with a minor in Political Science.

Morgan: This is truly a difficult question! The course sequence which I learned the most from, and appreciated the most for its academic excellence and rigor, was taking "Investment Analysis I and II" with Professor Luca Colombo. While it was a remarkably tough subject matter, the way Professor Colombo truly cared about his tiny, devoted class of students is something I will never forget. Of course, every management class with Professor Rocourt was a treat as well. Not only has he gleaned so much wisdom from his diverse and fascinating life, he made sure to impart some of this wisdom into every class meeting.

Q: What was your favorite Academic Travel?

Jessica: Again, an impossibly difficult question! If I had to pick though Rome would be 3rd, Iceland would be 2nd, and Botswana would be my favorite Academic Travel. As someone who is passionate about environmental studies it was just such an amazing experience to study conservation for two weeks in the bush of Botswana. Walking through the bush with a thunderstorm approaching, watching the zebras and giraffes in the fields, then returning to our tents at night under the stars and listening to the roars of lions in distance was simply magical.

Morgan: To echo Jessica, this is like choosing a favorite child-- I loved and appreciated all of my Academic Travels for different reasons! My first and last travels stick out especially, to London and South Africa, respectively. London was my first academic travel and really was when I first started to understand what it meant to be a Franklin student, and how much of a gift it was. Not only did I make some of my closest friends on this travel, for the first time I understood how valuable of an education we were getting by being able to experience real, hands-on learning in incredible locations. Our final trip to South Africa studying conservation this spring was breathtaking, and wrapped up senior year in a way no other college in the world could have!

Q: What surprised you the most about Franklin?

Jessica: I had never been out of the US before I was 16 years old. I had only traveled to three countries before coming to Franklin and had NEVER been to Europe. It surprised me how although statistically 50% of my peers were from the US, many of them had very international upbringings. I found that even if they are from the US many students come from a multicultural home where one or more parents was not American. Moreover, many of my American peers were well traveled or had done foreign exchange programs around the globe. I felt a little intimidated by this, but mostly I was impressed and thrilled by how many of the students seemed to be seeking a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere. It is hard to put this into words, but I feel like this multicultural atmosphere is what makes Franklin in particular so unique compared to a study abroad program or a university satellite campus in Europe.

Morgan: What surprised me the most about Franklin was how consistently hard and good it was. I can't properly put to words what I mean by this, but from the very first day I had this deep, equal awareness of how difficult it would be to live abroad completely separated from my home; but also how beneficial and courageous this endeavor would be. The duality of this feeling absolutely carried me through the happiest and toughest days. Over the years, my experiences at Franklin shifted and evolved, and continued to remain both challenging and beautiful at the same time, whether academically, socially or personally. I am truly surprised and even more proud of how much I have grown these past four years. It was a gift to to watch dear friends experience the same intense personal growth and transformation as well.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering attending Franklin?

Jessica: When else in your life do you get to this kind of opportunity? To learn abroad for four years, to travel the world with an academic focus, to meet new friends from around the globe. Franklin has its drawbacks, and yes, life is challenging here. But I have never come across another school quite like Franklin! This place is unique and an opportunity that deserves to be seriously considered!

Morgan: Trust your gut! Whether you feel ready to take on a leap like Franklin, or not, it's ok. Just remember, as Jessica said, it's an absolutely phenomenal place. If you are leaning towards"no", you can always move on from Franklin if it's not your scene! It is always better to try something than be left wondering "what if". I am often reminded of the thought... our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. You are stronger than you believe, and definitely strong enough to attend Franklin! If we can do it, and thrive, you can as well.

Q: What's next for you?

Jessica: I am moving to New York City this summer! I have a paid internship with The Nature Conservancy at their New York City office working in their Marketing and Media department. I am so excited to a) move to my favorite city and b) work for one of the most prestigious international environmental organizations! After my internship I hope to get a job in the city with an environmental organization in communication.

Morgan: I am also U.S.A. bound-- at least for now! I am beginning a full-time job at an investment firm in Boston this June, working as an Analyst. I can't wait to dive into a professional role and enjoy the little luxuries of living at home. I will pursue an MBA in the next couple of years, and would not be surprised if my career leads me back to Europe in the future!

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The ULTIMATE List of Resources for Prospective Students!

ar — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 10:27:38 +0000

The ULTIMATE List of Resources for Prospective Students!

October 10, 2020

ar Mon, 04/04/2022 - 12:27

Asa Yangsirirsuk '21.5

"You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you" - Chérie Carter-Scot author, American author, Master Certified Executive, Life Coach.

Welcome back or welcome to Adventures at Franklin! Today, I provide the ULTIMATE list of resources for prospective students. This post is inspired by a previous post on Adventures at Franklin, entitled "Top Five Resources for Prospective Students", which came out in 2017. There are some things to update, but I also want to expand on that post and provide a list of resources in one space. I hope that this post will help prospective students to gain information about different resources at ��ӰԺ (FUS) without having to spend a lot of time going through the FUS website or other sites. Prospective students, I am basically doing the work of researching the things you need to know about FUS for you, so you're welcome ????

As mentioned, Top Five Resources for Prospective Students is the predecessor to this post, and it covers a lot of helpful information. This post first looks at different programs (3+1 with Emerson, Undergraduate, Graduate, Academic Travel) within FUS. Afterwards it looks at dining and housing, campus resources (libraries, OSL, Bursars, Registrar), Lugano and Switzerland, and finally admissions/contact information.

Here are the external links (that still work!) provided in Top Five Resources for Prospective Students.

Academic Travel

Majors and Minors

Emerson partnership

Graduate studies

Residences

Dining

Offices and services

Libraries

And here are more relevant links that may be useful.

Admissions and aid: here you will find more information about how to apply, tuition fees and cost, scholarships and financial aid, how to meet with an admissions counselor, and more!

About Franklin: learn about the university's history, facts and figures as per the latest census, take a virtual tour, and other great things!

Life at FUS: Here's a great feature where you can chat with current students (I will be among the list of students you can chat with until I graduate). You can also read about safety and security, student activities and clubs on campus, and student support.

In general, the FUS website is a great resource. Another resource (and 1 that I used) is Adventures at Franklin. This blog was created in 2013, has had 6 different authors, and has 130 posts covering life at FUS. Here are some of the most informative posts about life as a student here.

Why I came to Franklin

10 things I've learned while at FUS

Advice about Franklin

To be the parent of a Franklinite (parts 1 and 2)

6 ways studying abroad will change your life!

Fowler Learning Commons (Also known as the Writing and Learning Center)

Franklin First Impressions and Franklin First Impressions 2: read and watch the the stories of new Franklin students and their first impressions of university life!

Sustainability on Campus

The Ultimate Packing List

All about the LLLS program! LLLS stands for Life-Long Learning Scholarship. The program is a way to gain working experience (and make a bit of money) while attending the university!

My Academic Travel post which briefly covers the 15 previous posts on Academic Travel.

Orientation week: A couple posts on this blog cover orientation. Here is a recount of 2013 orientation, and here is my recount of my orientation experiences (2017, 2018, 2019).

How to Save Money

What you ACTUALLY need for a dorm

Succeeding Academically and Socially

The ULTIMATE guide to dorms

Key Words and Phrases to Know in Swiss Languages

Eating at FUS

Guide to Course Registration/How to Graduate. This post is more for current FUS students, but it will definitely also provide insight into academic life.

The Future for Franklin Students

Congratulations on making it to the end of this post. I hope what I have provided will answer pretty much any question about life at ��ӰԺ. As always, if a question (not covered in the ultimate list of resources) pops up, then leave a comment below, or use 1 of the links provided above to contact someone and ask. You can also keep up to date with the happenings at the university via this blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

A presto,

Asa

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Life At FUS

The Blogging Process and Some Opportunities!

ar — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 10:19:28 +0000

The Blogging Process and Some Opportunities!

October 31, 2020

ar Mon, 04/04/2022 - 12:19

Asa Yangsirirsuk '21.5

"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is more important than the outcome" -Arthur Ashe, American professional tennis player

Welcome back or welcome to Adventures at Franklin! Today I wanted to cover my process in writing. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Adventures at Franklin writer, and I hope this post can help anyone interested in writing a blog, and how to manage and enjoy the process. After, I present some opportunities to current FUS students to make an impact in the community.

My writing process for Adventures at Franklin is very similar to how I would write a paper. I have a few major steps and here they are.

1. Pick a topic.

There are a few ways I pick my topics. The way I decide on the majority of my post topics is through identifying knowledge gaps. When I became the writer for Adventures at Franklin, I looked through all the previous blog posts, and I identified gaps that I could fill or posts that I could update. In other words, I write many of my posts because they provide information about things not previously covered on the blog (i.e. Eating at FUS, Office Hours, How to Save Money at FUS etc. or because I want to update or continue a previous post (i.e. Housing 102, Swiss Cities in Depth, Franklin First Impressions 2 etc.

I will also pick my post topics due to current events happening in the community. I wrote 3 posts documenting how FUS life changed under COVID-19 conditions. I wrote a post about Things to do during long weekends, because it was the long weekend. Another way is also if people ask me to write about something. I am very open to incorporating other voices on this blog, so I very much enjoyed being a part of the process for The Franklin Podcast and the Introducing SGA posts.

The last way I picked my post topics is simply that I want to write about that given topic. My series Things I wish I knew as a Freshman was something I wanted to write about to the new generation of FUS students, so they could benefit from my experiences. My series My Favorite Memories at FUS is something I wanted to write to reflect on my time at FUS as I near the end of my FUS life. I wanted to write this post to showcase my writing process etc.

2. Research and gather evidence. The quality of the content is paramount, so I need to do the necessary research to have good quality content. Most of the time I will have my own ideas on the subject I am writing about, but I also always look at what other bloggers and content creators have done as well to see if I can add anything to my own writing.

3. Organize evidence/main points. I like creating an outline or skeleton of the main points I want to make within the post. I do not always create an outline, as sometimes I just begin writing and the post comes together pretty easily. However, I do like creating initial outlines, leaving them there for a few days, and then coming back and changing the structure once I have had more time to think about it.

4. Write. Once I have a post topic decided, gathered and organized my evidence, main points, I write and it goes by pretty quickly. If I have planned everything well, then the post comes together very easily.

5. Proofread and finishing touches. I proofread my work a few times, add a thumbnail/photos, add labels/tags, and once I am happy with it, I publish.

This post has covered my writing process, and as I mentioned in the introduction, here are some opportunities.

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To current ��ӰԺ students,

Adventures at Franklin and The Franklin Podcast are looking for student voices and student storytellers, and here is why you should consider sharing your experiences.

The dynamics at FUS are truly unique. The university is small enough that its students are not just a number in a crowd. As students, we can often achieve, or at the very least have an opportunity to achieve, what we pursue. We have genuine opportunities to have our voices heard, and for our voices to have tangible effects. Consider sharing your voice and continuing to create your Franklin legacy.

Adventures at Franklin is looking for a new author or authors soon. I graduate in December 2020, and I want to leave this blog in the hands of the next generation of FUS students. This blog is a wonderful platform to express creativity, share and reflect on your experiences, and help new students interested in FUS. I took on the challenge of creating content for this blog predominantly by myself, but I have always hoped for this blog to be a platform for different student voices. I would love to see the legacy of Adventures at Franklin continue, and for it to provide the opportunity for any students who wish to contribute their voices.

The Franklin Podcast is also looking for a new host or hosts. Like Adventures at Franklin, the podcast is a platform through which students can use their voices to share their stories. I have long advocated for an auditory medium to showcase FUS students, and I (among many) would like to see the podcast continue.

If interested in either opportunity, then please let myself or Carisa know. You can leave a comment on this post, send us an email, or come speak to us if you see us on campus. This university is small remember, so it is not difficult to find us. Your ��ӰԺ experience is what you make of it, and here is a chance to add another chapter in your story.

A presto,

Asa

P.S. As of next week, all classes will be online as was the case during the first COVID-19 wave during spring. I have already written relatively extensively about the online class experience and lockdown experience, both of which you can find in the archives of this blog from March 2020. All I wanted to add is: I hope everyone is responsible, follows the rules, and stays healthy. Stay safe.

P.P.S. No post next week! I am taking a week off to write my senior thesis, and to work on my next post which will cover Fall 2020 Academic Travels for the week after! 14.11.2020, save the date.

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Why and How to Use Office Hours!

ar — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 10:00:10 +0000

Why and How to Use Office Hours!

September 5, 2020

ar Mon, 04/04/2022 - 12:00

Asa Yangsirirsuk '21.5

"It's not about your resources, it's about your resourcefulness" -Tony Robbins, American Author, Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Philanthropist.

Welcome back or welcome to Adventures at Franklin! In this post, we tackle one of the most important resources available to FUS students, office hours. Some of the most common cases why I have attended a professor's office hours are to ask for advice/review (on papers, assignments, future course selections etc.), to check/clarify course material/grades, or ask about external resources/opportunities. The semester has just started, which means most people who traveled to campus are still in quarantine, but thankfully students can still set up appointments with professors virtually! Here are some reasons why office hours are so important, and how to use them :)

Why are Office Hours Important?

It is an opportunity to clarify information and/or ask questions. As a student, maybe something did not make sense in class when the professor was teaching. Perhaps the topic stimulated something that you want to know more about. Perhaps you are unsure of an assignment. Perhaps you missed a class and are unsure of the material. Well, office hours are the perfect opportunity to ask for clarifications, or ask further questions.

It is an opportunity to ask for advice. Professors at FUS have so much experience and so much knowledge. They are there to help students. So to my fellow students, use your professors as a resource! If you have a paper due and want feedback, ask your professors to do a quick review when attending their office hours. Perhaps you need advice on which classes to take for the following semester, ask your professors! Perhaps you are like me a year ago, and needed to find internships to complete your major requirements, ask your professors! They have so many connections and can point in the right direction.

Attending office hours can help build a good relationship with a professor. Going to office hours is one way to shows the professor that you care about their class (or at least that you are making somewhat of an effort to). Professors are also people at the end of the day, so attending their office hours. In doing so, you are showing them that you care about their efforts into providing you with a good education can go a long way. It is very likely that somewhere down the line, a professor can help you with something (i.e. get professional connections, recommendation letters, advice etc.), so I highly recommend creating and maintaining a good relationship with your professors.

How to Use Office Hours:

Things to do before:

Do your research. Check the syllabus.

There are actually shirts like this, and people actually sell shirts like this, which means people are making money because students do not check the syllabus. My point is, check the syllabus. It is very possible if you have a question, the answer might be there. Also, do your research and consult the reading(s) and your notes if you have a question about the class. Maybe do a brief search on Google. If you can find your answer via the syllabus or the internet, then no need to go to office hours.

Let them know you are coming. Some people just like showing up on the spot, but I always like sending the professor a quick email asking them if I can stop by during their office hours. There are several reasons why this is beneficial. Firstly, what if for whatever reason (already have meetings booked, urgently needed elsewhere, other emergencies etc.) the professor is unavailable that day. If you send them an email, then they will let you know if they will not be in their office, so you will avoid showing up to their office hours and leaving empty handed.Secondly, it is also a bit of common courtesy to let the professor know you are coming.

Be prepared. Professors do have lives as well. They probably have work to do, and they probably have a good amount of people to meet with. Therefore, make sure you arrive prepared so you can efficiently use the time that you have. Know what the purpose of the meeting is (i.e. maybe you need advice or maybe you need clarifications). Bring everything you might need to the office hours (i.e. laptop, notes, books, academic plans etc.). If you have a specific question, then come prepared with the question.

Things to do during the meeting:

Be respectful. This means arrive on time, listen to the professor, do not interrupt them, thank them for their time etc.

Take notes. Taking notes is a great thing to do if in the future you want to come back to what you had discussed during a professor's office hours.

Be honest. Your professors are there to help you at the end of the day, and it is easier to do that if you speak up and be honest with them.

Things to do after the meeting:

Follow through with and incorporate their suggestions. Maybe the professor recommended to go to the Writing and Learning Center to schedule a tutoring appointment. Maybe the professor recommended for you to consult a piece of work or a contact. For students, most of the time you should follow the advice of your professor, and if you choose not to then you better have a really good reason why.

In general, I think office hours are another tool to help achieve academic success, and in most cases, the most successful students are the ones who know how to use their tools effectively. Also my from experience, a professor will always appreciate students who come to their office hours, unless the student wastes their time and does not follow some of the things I mentioned to do above (i.e. show up late, unprepared, and is disrespectful). Good luck!

A presto,

Asa

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