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July 06, 2011

Lansing Introduction | Spartan Connect

This is a cross-post from my blog on Spartan Connect. Check out the original post here.

I’m going to begin a series of blog posts about things to do in the East Lansing and Lansing area. It’s something I was truly unaware of as a freshman, and I wish I had more of an opportunity to take advantage of the wonderful local events.

I won’t lie to you. My first experience in downtown Lansing was terrifying. I hated it and vowed never to return. I had ridden the 1 bus (which is a straight shot from the Capitol to the Meridian Mall, down Michigan Ave and Grand River) all the way to the main bus station in Lansing to meet a friend who was getting off a Greyhound bus. It was dark and gloomy outside, and I had no knowledge of the area. I’m pretty sure I saw some shady business go down in the bus station. The city looked cold and uninviting. I did go back briefly a few times, in the year that followed, but only to deal with taking the Greyhound home to Metro-Detroit. Never to actually go to Lansing.

I decided to attend Silver Bells, Lansing’s annual Christmas tree lighting and parade, with a friend in December. We took a shuttle school bus with MSU students, and arrived outside of the CATA station. Along with our hoard of people, we walked downtown. I was amazed at what I saw.

That gloomy city seemed like it had never existed. The streets were brightly lit, packed with people of all ages watching the parade. Local vendors set up stands for hot cocoa and popcorn. At ten, we all gathered in the public square, and watched the Govenor light the tree. After the tree lighting, the sky was lit with fireworks. It was incredible. From then on, I vowed to give Lansing a chance.

At first, it seems as if there is nothing to do for the under 21 crowd. Don’t be fooled! There are things for you to do, and you can even get there using our public transportation system!

#1: Impression 5 Science Center

You’re first impression is right. It is definitely geared toward children. That doesn’t make it any less enjoyable and exciting! It costs just $5 for students to get in and start to explore. Many of their exhibits are interactive, allowing you to actively participate in science. It’s a cheap and fun thing to do on the weekdays or weekends; just take the 1 bus right past Larch Street, and take a walk down Museum Drive.

If you love the things you see, Impression 5 also has several internships available, including graphic design. It’s great to experience the museum like a patron before going to work for them. Let your inner child out, and go have fun at Impression 5.

Next week, I’ll talk about music venues in Lansing, as well as some of the great places to go hear local musicians.

Feel free to leave a comment or tweet me at @DesignLightning with any follow up questions or conversation!

July 05, 2011

Navigating Campus | Spartan Connect

This is a cross-post from my blog on Spartan Connect. Check out the original post here.

After asking my Twitter network for the most useful tip for new students at MSU, the unanimous advice given was this: Know where your classes are before the first day of class.

MSU is the largest land grant university, with the largest capacity for on-campus living in the US and the largest campus. Here are some statistics: Today, MSU’s contiguous campus consists of 5,200 acres, 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of which are developed. There are 556 buildings: 100 for academics, 131 for agriculture, 166 for housing and food service, and 42 for athletics. Overall, the university has 22,763,025 square feet (2,114,754.2 m2) of total indoor space. Connecting it all is 26 miles (42 km) of roads and 100 miles (160 km) of sidewalks. MSU also owns 44 non-campus properties, totaling 22,000 acres (89 km2) in 28 different counties.

That’s pretty big.

When signing up for classes at AOP, you’re not always aware of the layout of the campus, where you’ll live in relation to where your classes are. Once you’ve signed up, it’s possible to change your courses on WebEnroll, which can allow you to craft your schedule to make your classes closer to each other (or at a more suitable wake up time). In the meanwhile, figure out where your classes are to begin with.

MSU has an interactive map of campus. Look for your buildings, and mark there locations on a physical map. In your few days before classes start, try to find your class rooms on campus. That way, when it comes time to actually getting to class, you’ll be sure to be on time. You can also use CATA, the bus transportation service, to map out your transportation to classes if you don’t plan on walking/biking.

In addition, don’t be afraid of asking people where your classes are. People are always willing to help, although not everyone is aware of all building locations. Don’t feel embarrassed. We’ve all been there.

It may be scary at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. It took me about a month to really get settled in and be able to know how to get to where I needed to be. When I had a class in a different building this year, I still had to map it out before classes started. My understanding of the streets helped me navigate without having to look for landmarks.

Feel free to leave a comment or tweet me at @DesignLightning with any follow up questions or conversation!

June 29, 2011

Online Identity | Spartan Connect

This is a cross-post from my blog on Spartan Connect. Check out the original post here.

Now that you’re in college, it’s time to start thinking about your online identity. I think about this topic a lot, and I have done a lot of research on the subject.

As kids, we really don’t think about the consequences of our online adventures. How many of you signed up for accounts on gaming sites or other sites that you subsequently forgot about? I did an experiment, where I looked up usernames I had created when I was younger, and found over 60 various online accounts. At least 30 had not been used in several years.

I was a candidate for research at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, and was asked to create a presentation about youth and the world wide web. View the Prezi presentation here. I discussed a possibility for an online solution, as well as what the common problems were as seen by Berkman and Internet researchers. Although the solution is geared towards children, pre-teens, and teenagers, we are still susceptible to the same problems. We have the opportunity to make better decisions about our presence online.

When you apply for jobs, human resources will look at your online history. Those pictures from your 21st birthday party on Facebook could be found. That post with un-friendly social commentary on Twitter can be tracked. Even if you have privacy settings, it’s possible for other people to share your information publicly. Basically, nothing is ever truly private on the internet. Once it’s out there, who knows what can happen.

We’re adults now. It’s time to start taking responsibility for our presence online. Mashable (my favorite source for news about social media) wrote a great article in 2009 about centralizing your identity. Read it here.

Feel free to leave a comment or tweet me at @DesignLightning with any follow up questions or conversation!

June 29, 2011

Shuttle Launch

In eight days, I’ll be heading to Orlando, FL for the last shuttle launch… ever.

Ok, I probably am speaking too soon. Who knows what will happen in ten, fifteen, or a hundred years. Maybe another president will reinvigorate the shuttle program with NASA. For now, however, this shuttle is set to be the last. I get to watch from the Kennedy Space Center as it launches. Incredible. (Read about the launch plans here)

When I was a little girl, there was something called Space Camp. Perhaps you remember those commercials from the 90’s. A trip to Space Camp was always the prize on those Nickelodeon challenge shows, and I dreamed of winning. What kid didn’t want the chance to experience zero gravity?!

Space Camp

A shuttle launch definitely doesn’t afford me those opportunities. However, I do get to be a part of history. I get to watch Space Shuttle Atlantis, who already has over 25 years of history, go to space for the last time. I will be there alongside professors from my department, and we can “geek out” together. It may be the last launch, but hopefully it will allow a friendship to form.

Most importantly, I suppose, I will be tweeting from the event. Follow me on Twitter to get the feed on July 8th. You can look forward to pictures of the space center and of the launch.

June 27, 2011

Sleep & Study | Spartan Connect

This is a cross-post from my blog on Spartan Connect. Check out the original post here.

If you reside on campus, there is one primary rule that resides overall in your housing contract: The right to sleep and study.

What does this mean? You are afforded a lot of rights by living in University Housing. You share a space with up to four people; an unlimited meal plan (excluding Van Hoosen & University Village); access to your dorm 24 hours a day; the right to bring guests over; etc. You can play music in your room; watch TV; attend events planned by your mentors; and so much more. But above all, you have the right to sleep and study in peace.

As a mentor, it is my job to make sure that this is being upheld. That doesn’t mean I am constantly policing the floor for noise. That also doesn’t mean that you have to worry about watching a movie at any time of the day. What it does mean is, if someone asks you to quiet down in order to protect those rights: you have to agree. Or face the consequences.

We want there to be a positive atmosphere, where residents can talk with each other and have fun. However, it shouldn’t be at the cost of someone else’s rights. If you have a roommate, respect their rights. Perhaps that means going accross the hall to a friend’s to watch TV while they study, or turning off the lights at 11pm so they can go to sleep.

Mutual respect is the only way to go.

In addition, some halls have “quiet floors.” This means there is a “quiet” rule enforced 24 hours a day. Some people request to live in those situations, and others are placed there because of housing needs. That doesn’t mean you can’t play music on the floor; it just means that you have to be aware of the volume level (particularly of the bass). There are people around you. Even if it’s 5PM on a Saturday, everyone has the right to take a nap or study.

June 21, 2011

7 Jobs? | Spartan Connect

This is a cross-post from my blog on Spartan Connect. Check out the original post here.

You may be thinking, “Seven jobs? No way that’s possible.” Well, ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the one and only ridiculous person to have and maintain seven different jobs at once. Granted, two of the jobs are on hold for the summer, but will pick up once the fall begins.

What are these jobs, you ask?

  1. Resident Mentor in McDonel Hall (to be continued in the fall)
  2. Peer Writing Consultant & Social Media Coordinator at the Writing Center (to be continued in the fall)
  3. Social Media Intern at TechSmith Corporation
  4. Graphic Designer for Middle of the Mitten
  5. Professional Writing Events Coordinator
  6. Beer Rhetorics Intern
  7. Spartan Connect First Tier Engager

This has taught me a lot about myself. I am someone who hates being bored. Sitting all day and doing nothing does not appeal to me. At the same time, all of my jobs are things that I have found a deep passion and interest in. Everything will help me towards whatever my future career is. Furthermore, I’m not being paid for every job; the unpaid jobs will just further help me develop my skills.

Another really important skill this is teaching me: Time Management. That is something I have always struggled with, and I have a pretty horrible memory. Although I tried to use the planner we are all given Freshman year, or the mentor planner I am given at the beginning of the year, I realize that just writing it down in one place is not useful. I am now an avid user of Google Calender. Having my calender in a digital form means that I can take it everywhere: it’s on my laptop, my smartphone, and my tablet. I can check it on any device with access to the internet.

I’m not saying that is the right choice for everyone. Some people are better physically writing down their schedule. I also don’t advise taking on seven jobs without being fully aware of what you’re committing to and what you’re sacrificing. It means that I don’t necessarily get to have that extra hour of sleep. In addition, I didn’t work my first year at school. However, I did participate in three theater productions each semester. I’ve always kept myself busy.

I love every minute.

The most important thing to get out of this: do what you love to do. Don’t be afraid to take on a few extra responsibilities, because it’s possible to learn how to juggle it. On the same note, don’t overwhelm yourself with jobs that won’t make you happy. I have the habit of wanting to help people whenever I can, and therefore I take on too many responsibilities. It’s good to know when to say, “No.”

Happy scheduling!