Issue #3 |  July 30, 2019

First Year  @ USI
Starting College Life
For many of you, this may be your first experience living away from home for an extended period of time, and your usual sources of support may no longer be present. The first few weeks on campus can be a lonely period, and you may have concerns about forming friendships. When you look around it may seem that everyone else is self-confident and socially successful - the reality is that everyone is having the same concerns. Here are some tips that may help:

  • If you allow sufficient time, you can usually find peers to help provide structure and a support system. The important thing to remember when meeting new people is the old cliché “be yourself.” Also, don’t expect meaningful, new relationships to develop overnight. It took a great deal of time to develop your previous friendships; the same will be true of new friendships.
  • Increased personal freedom can be both wonderful and frightening. You are able to come and go as you choose, with no one to “hassle” you. At the same time, things are no longer predictable. The strange environment, with new kinds of procedures and new people, can create the sense of being on an emotional roller coaster. This is very normal and to be expected.
  • Living with roommates can also present special, sometimes intense, problems. Negotiating respect for personal property, personal space, sleep, and relaxation needs may become a complex task. This complexity increases when your roommates are of different backgrounds with different values. Communicating your needs calmly, listening with respect to your roommate’s concerns, and being willing to compromise to meet each other’s needs, can promote resolution of issues.
  • It is unrealistic to expect roommates to become best friends, and hopefully, you and your roommate(s) will work out mutually satisfying living arrangements. But, the reality is you each may have your own circle of friends.
How do deal with homesickness:
Leaving home to attend school is both exciting and challenging. Homesickness is very normal and is experienced by the majority of students who leave home for the first time. Even if you have spent time away from home previously, you are not immune from the loneliness, self-doubt, concentration difficulties, and preoccupation with home that characterizes homesickness. Here are some basic strategies which have proven effective for many students:

  1. Remember, homesickness is usually temporary - give yourself time to adjust.
  2. Get involved (with other students, classes, and student activities). The sooner you adapt to your new surroundings, the less intense your feelings of discomfort will become.
  3. Call or write home, but avoid going home every weekend. This is especially important during the beginning of the school year when many clubs, organizations and activities are just getting started. This is your opportunity to make new friends, many of whom are in the same boat.
  4. Talk out your feelings with a counselor, friend, or resident assistant. Just giving voice to your feelings can sometimes provide a new perspective and create a sense of relief.
How to Tell If It's More Than Homesickness
  • While most students will develop homesickness and move past it, homesickness can develop into something more extreme.
  • Homesickness can trigger anxiety and depression disorders if not dealt with. Seek guidance from the Counseling Center, they can help you assess the situation and make a plan to move forward.
Need help with homesickness or other concerns?
Contact the Counseling Center 812-464-1867 or visit their website for self-help  resources such as how to transition to college, mental health information, and more!
Self-Care
  • Make sure your basic needs are met get enough sleep, eat enough food, drink enough water, exercise when you can, keep personal hygiene in mind
  • Recognize the sources of stress eliminate unnecessary stress, face stress head on in a positive manner
  • Ditch technology for a day - it can truly clear your head!
  • Overcome creative block through self-care give yourself a cognitive break and just walk away, remove distractions, change your scenery, do something that inspires you
Alcohol and Drug Use
  • Despite the myth of "all college students drink", according to university data, 73.8% of USI freshman report NOT drinking when hanging out with friends. USI's policy prohibits alcohol and drugs on campus.

  • Students who choose to go out and drink should do so in a responsible manner. Students are encouraged to eat before and while drinking, go out with trusted friends, and make plans to get home safely. Use USI's SAFE Ride if you need to get back to campus!
Campus Resources
  • The Counseling Center offers individual and group therapy to assist students. Need to relieve stress, deal with your emotions, set appropriate goals, or make healthy decisions? Make an appointment today - 812-464-1867
  • The Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness Center offers many opportunities to exercise! Take a class or work out on your own! - 812-461-5268
  • The University Health Center provides medical services and health-related information to students, faculty, and staff. They are located in the lower level of the Health Professions Center. - 812-465-1250



Textbooks:
To Rent or Purchase?
Tips for deciding whether to purchase or rent your textbooks:

  • You should probably purchase a textbook if...
  • You think a specific textbook will be beneficial to you in the future (e.g. future classes, your career, etc.)
  • You highlight and/or write extensive notes in your textbooks
  • You wish to start and/or add to your book collection

  • You should consider renting a textbook if...
  • You're looking to save money
  • You do not plan on using the textbook after completing a course
  • You plan on just skimming/reading the footnotes

  • Other options...
  • Sharing a textbook with a classmate/friend taking the same course
  • Using an online version of the textbook - some websites offer free online versions of the textbook
  • Talking to professors - sometimes professors have older versions of the textbooks that they are willing to lend to students
  • Borrowing/checking out the textbook from the library if they have the version of the textbook available

Get textbooks from the USI Campus Store starting August 1

  • Charge your Student Account to make ordering easy

When buying textbooks think about:

  • Make sure you know what course materials your faculty want you to have for your classes. Different faculty for the same course may use different textbooks. Your section might not use the same book as a different section.
  • Check for your required books with the USI Campus Store before purchasing books from another student. The USI Campus Store will have textbook information for each course by August 1.
  • Sometimes books change from year to year. Check the ISBN number for the correct year and edition of the book. If you need the book, you want to have the correct version of it.
  • Once class starts, look over your syllabus to see what texts you’re actually reading throughout the course. Determine if you need to get it for your course.
  • If your course is using Blackboard, your syllabus will show how your textbooks will be used throughout the semester. This may be an indication when you’ll need your textbook for the course. Please note that your course may not display until closer to the start of the semester or the first day of class.
  • In some cases, it made be cheaper to purchase the book with the access code rather than just an access code online. And make sure you actually need the access code for your work.

Fight on, Screaming Eagles!
Fly your colors brave and true!
Relentless and storied, lead us to glory,
fight for the red, white and blue!
(RAH! RAH! RAH!)
Filled with strength and honor,
Show your spirit far and wide.
We ever hail thee, on to victory,
Our Southern Indiana Pride!
U-S-I!
August 15-21
Visit the  Welcome Week  page for more details.

Before Welcome Week and beginning your journey as a USI Screaming Eagle, click here to review a FULL Checklist
Saturday, August 17, 2019

GET A JUMP-START ON YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE! As a part of the UNIV 101 course content you are REQUIRED to participate in a portion of Eagle Experience, which takes place the Saturday prior to classes starting.


Reminders and Upcoming Events:

Student Development Programs| 812-465-7167 | getinvolved@usi.edu