#lbjsc

[needlepointcursewords]

What's bobcat preview like?

I don’t personally know as I went to UTSA my freshman year, so I never did any freshman stuff at TXST. From what I can tell, it looks like another orientation type deal. You’ll probably learn about where things are, different campus resources, and how to use online TXST stuff. It’ll probably be boring and/or cheesy, but it’ll also probably be pretty informational. Its also required, so don’t skip. They’ll put a hold on your account I bet.

http://www.bobcatpreview.txstate.edu/about/faqs.html

[lbjsc]

Great photos taken from Mama’s Kitchen event in the LBJSC ballroom! Truly one of the best traditions at Texas State to celebrate Black History Month. Thank you, Multicultural Student Association!

[lbjsc]

Happy Lunar New Year, Bobcats! 

[lbjsc]

A Closer Look: What they don’t tell you about college

Do you all remember everything the orientation leaders said at orientation? Probably not. One thing you did hear often was, “Get involved! Stay active!” This is sound advice, and very true. Being active and involved provides students with a community while at the same time connecting them with their school. However, nobody ever gives you the real 411 concerning the next four years. You will learn and experience things about yourself that you never even knew existed. Challenges and struggles will pop up unexpectedly, and you may not know how to deal with them. Here’s some real advice to get you through college: Grow.

You will grow in ways that you can’t even imagine. Your taste in clothes may change, your circle of friends may grow or shrink and you may learn more about your gender or sexuality. Exploration occurs often in college which is pretty normal. Take time during these college years to learn about yourself. Educating yourself is important, but realizing who you are as a person is important as well. Essentially, growth comes with change. You’ve opted out on being a nurse or engineer. Instead, you’ve discovered a new major that sparks your interest in a new way. Yeah, about that. Don’t work yourself up if you’ve already changed your major once and you’re thinking about changing it again. You don’t go into college knowing all the answers, you go there to find them; even then, you still may not find them all.  

When you move from adolescence to adulthood, life tends to get a little harder and emotions get stronger. Becoming an adult means you’ll be on your own and you may not have a safety net. If you feel the need to speak to someone, there are counselors waiting to hear your story. If that’s too much, see if your professor has time to speak for a few minutes after class. Tell them why you’ve been struggling in the class lately. They want to help you, so always reach out when you have the chance to talk to someone. Don’t hold onto things that will build up and make you want to explode later.

If that isn’t enough, you may also find yourself facing an identity crisis, constantly asking yourself “Who am I?” College is where you will find yourself or at least take the first teetering steps along the path to self-discovery. Finding yourself can be a lifelong process. Who do you want to be? To get closer to figuring that out, take time to learn what you truly admire and what you’re passionate about. You see those organization flyers all over campus? Take a few. You can’t knock something till you try it. Archery Club? Check. Ski club? You got it. Do you like playing hide and seek? Yep, there’s even a hide and seek club. Online there’s hundreds of organizations to choose from provided by the Student Organizations Council that may interest you.

You’ll have great days and you’ll have terrible days. There will be times when you cry because you’ve had a horrible day, and there will be times that you cry from laughing with your friends. Maybe you failed that test that you studied so hard for, or there are some personal issues going on in your family. If life ever leaves you feeling overwhelmed, slow down and take a deep breath. Remove yourself the problem so you can have some distance and get a new perspective. Remember to just breathe. You will survive this, and you will come out stronger from it.

One of the most important life skills you can learn is how to let go, and the sooner you do it, the better off you will be. Letting go can be one of the worst feelings ever. There are people you’ve had in your life for a long time, and disentangling them from your social network can be both difficult and painful. Let go of toxic relationships and friendships that don’t mean you well. The love of your life goes to Texas State but you’ve been fighting a lot, or you and your best friend forever are drifting further and further apart. Some relations can be fixed indeed, but if it isn’t benefiting you both as a whole, let it go. Delaying the inevitable may seem like it’s putting off the pain of ending things, but it’s really just prolonging your hurt.

Napoleon Hill once said, “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” Struggling is a part of life, and there will be many struggles here at Texas State. Just remember to stay true to yourself, recognize your growth and let go of things that are doing you more harm than good. There aren’t any instructions on how to get through college without any challenges or obstacles. You just have to grow through it.

[lbjsc]

A Closer Look: Post-College Life

So, for all you seniors out there preparing for graduation, is that post-college-life anxiety sneaking up on you yet? Are you wondering what the heck will be next? Are you afraid you’re going to feel lost and aimless after graduation? Here are a few tips about post-college life if you are just straight-up clueless on what route to take after graduation.

If you want to get ahead of the game, visit the Career Services office on the fifth floor of LBJ. Go there a few times before you actually graduate—you can get help with finding internships or jobs related to your career field. Create a fresh resume of all the experience you’ve obtained throughout your college years and put it all together. Improving your cover letter is key as well, and be sure to tailor it according to what jobs you’re interested in. Preparation is really important for job seeking.

Make sure to get reliable references to put into your resumes. If you’ve completed an internship, use your internship supervisor as one. You can ask many of your professors if they will be a reference (the ones whose classes you did well in, of course). If you’ve kept up with a portfolio, make sure to look over it from time to time and add or take away anything that will benefit it.

If you’d like to go straight into graduate school after earning your undergraduate degree, find out the requirements for the program you are applying for ASAP. Are there any tests you have to take? Do you need a final transcript? Research all of the required documents and their deadlines. Try to submit everything at least two weeks in advance if you want to stand out from the rest of the applications.

One of the most common worries about post-college life are future living situations. You know if you move back home, you’d save money; but are you going to be able to stand living under the same roof as your parents and abiding by their rules? You’ve gained so much independence––the last thing you want to do is have it taken from you... as an adult. Honestly though, going back home is sometimes the most logical decision. You don’t have to worry about rent and bills, that’s for sure—or if you do, it’s at a lower rate than what you would pay for an apartment. If it’s better for you to stay in the area and renew your lease at your current apartment, have at it. Be sure to have a steady income so you will be able to pay rent on time and without stress. An eviction can ruin your prospects for leasing apartments in the future.

Let’s be real, you might just grow out of having roommates, but your bank account might not have, yet. If you want to get a new place but those one-bedrooms will kill your bank account, consider getting a roommate or two. You’ve graduated college—which is a major milestone—but your life won’t instantly change. You won’t magically become rich living in the Hamptons. Money will get tighter and bills will get higher. If you don’t know how to budget, it’d be best to learn at your earliest convenience. Keeping all of your money in your checking account is sometimes too much easy access, so use your savings account to your advantage. Try to put some of your money away: When you are in need of extra change, you have your savings account to back you up.

Speaking of money, those student loans are out to get you. Although you have six months after you graduate to start paying them back, those months will come quick. Figure out how much you owe, and stay on top of that. Keep up with information given to you from your student loan distributor so you will be aware of vital information and deadlines. Being in debt is already bad enough. You don’t want your debt to be in debt. Plan out how you will pay it off. You can put aside money each month and save it specifically for paying back loans. Keeping track of your money and how you spend it is a major key during post-college life. They don’t want you to be debt-free. Stay away from “they.” Thanks DJ Khaled.

All in all, post-college life will have its ups and downs. Even if you have to move back home with your parents, make the most of it. Being a college graduate doesn’t mean that you will automatically have your life in order: You’ll continue to learn and grown way past your college years. Whichever path you decide to take, develop a plan and figure out the steps to get you there. Sure, there may be less parties, freedom and maybe even friends; but once you get that job, that one-bedroom you always longed for and begin paying back your loans… adulting won’t be so bad after all.

[lbjsc]

Eight Secret Spots on Campus

Boko’s Living Room

Located on the bottom floor of the LBJ Student Center, Boko’s Living Room caters to the biggest majority on campus: Tired, overworked college students who haven’t gotten enough sleep. Boko’s Living Room features dimmed lights, couches and a checkout system for pillows and blankets. Essentially: It’s naptime. Aside from providing a nap space, there are headphones, magazines and TVs for students to take advantage of to unwind between classes or cram sessions.

Memorial Garden

Beside the Bell Tower between Lampasas and Flowers, you’ll find a still garden with wrought-iron benches and a stone memorial in the center. Memorial Garden was opened during Homecoming 2009 by the Texas State Pride & Traditions Committee, dedicated in memory of Texas State students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who have passed away. Its isolated position away from the Quad makes for a peaceful location to sit, unwind and take in a bit of solace.

LBJSC Art Gallery

Plenty of students know about the University Art Galleries in the JCM building, but lesser know is the art gallery at the LBJ Student Center. Located on the third floor in the hallway outside room 3-15.1, the LBJSC art gallery features semester-long gallery exhibitions of student- and staff-submitted artwork. The current exhibit, Experiencing War and Conflict, features 37 pieces by 22 different artists and is open until Dec. 2, 2016.

Alkek 3-D Printing Lab

As of the Spring 2016 semester, Alkek Library has been outfitted with a 3-D printing lab equipped with Makerbot-brand 3-D printers, as well as a 3-D scanner. 3-D printing is done by superheating a plastic filament and extruded layer by layer to make the form created by a digital 3-D model. The print center is available for all student use, so as long as you have a valid student ID, you can make and 3-D print anything you’d like.

Glade Theatre

Built in 1968 by Texas State Playwright-in-Residence Ramsey Yelvinton for his play series, Texian Trilogy. After that, the theatre fell into disuse, not hosting another play until a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1995. Now, the Department of Theatre and Dance produces a play each spring semester. The outdoor amphitheater features stone bench seating and shady tree cover, perfect for quiet studying when the theatre isn’t in use.

Lampasas Coffee House

In itself, the honors college in Lampasas is fairly unknown by the majority of the campus student body, but even more well-hidden than it is the coffee house inside of it. The Lampasas coffee house features warm lighting and rich wooden furniture with soft armchairs and couches for students to gather. Perhaps even more inviting than the décor is the cost of the coffee: Free. Go ahead and stop by one of these days—there are precious few students not in need of a caffeine boost.

The Hidden Hammocks

Tucked away in a garden off the beaten path of the University, two hammocks hang together in a garden. Nestled in the Pleasant Street Garden, quiet and secluded from the hustle and bustle of campus, these hammocks are surrounded by trees and plants to help students relax in a natural setting. Quite possibly one of Texas State’s best-kept secrets, Pleasant Street Garden and its hidden hammocks are situated between the Agriculture building and the Hines building.

The Taylor-Murphy Courtyard

This particularly picturesque spot on campus is located in the history building off of the Quad, found by navigating through the Taylor-Murphy history building. The stairs, fountains and much of the floor are decorated with artistic ceramic tiles that offer a splash of color to anyone visiting. Trees are interspersed across the yard, and along the archways, vines climb up the wall. On bright days, the courtyard is soaked in sunlight, making its benches the perfect place to sit and relax.

[lbjsc]

A Closer Look: Financial Aid

How do you pay for school? What do you do when you’re out of money but your financial aid isn’t cutting it? Are you afraid your classes will be dropped because you can’t pay for them in time? Getting through the ins and outs of financial aid is a daunting task for even the most seasoned of students, so here are some tips and tricks to make the labyrinth just a little easier to navigate.

First, apply for the FAFSA. The FAFSA is a form that lets you officially apply for student loans, and it lets you get government assistance. Once you’ve filled it out, you probably want to know what you’re getting yourself into. There are, in fact, different types of aid available—which include work-study, student loans, and grants. If you’d rather receive money by working on campus, see if you qualify for a work-study program. As far as student loans, there are direct loans (provided by the government) and indirect loans (private loans provided by other institutions). Private loans require you to make payments on your loan, and you may need a cosigner. If you are eligible for a grant, take advantage of it. These are the ones you don’t have to pay back. Yay!

When you get to the point of accepting your award offers, you’re probably wondering which loans to choose. It’s really all up to you and your financial situation. In a nutshell, subsidized loans don’t have any interest on them while you’re in college, and unsubsidized ones do. For subsidized loans, the government pays for the interest while you’re in school and for the next six months after you graduate (called a grace period). Unsubsidized loans are the opposite: You’re responsible for paying the interest on that loan while you’re in school, but you don’t have to. If you choose not to, that interest will accumulate over the years, and you’ll just have even more to pay off six months after you graduate.

Sometimes, things get a little crazy in the Office of Financial Aid. It’s in J. C. Kellam, suite 240, and it can get really packed in there, especially near financial aid deadlines. Still, if you need help, it’s worth the wait. They can help you with anything and everything. Are you looking into studying abroad? Go by their office to see if you’re eligible for receiving financial aid for your trip. Do you want to check out what scholarships are available for you? You might be able to save yourself some money and not even know it. Maybe even consider getting a loan through your parents if you didn’t get awarded enough money to make it through the semester. Do you need a little more time to pay for your tuition and want to pay it off in smaller portions? There’s also the option of setting up a payment plan for you to pay off your tuition in increments throughout the semester. See, look at all those financial opportunities!

So, that aid check comes in and you’re feeling like a high roller. Be careful. Sometimes people get carried away and forget the reason they’re receiving financial aid in the first place. Sure, it’s there to finance whatever you need for school, but it isn’t there to pay for you to go on ‘de-stressing’ vacations every weekend. Make sure to prioritize when spending your aid money. Pay for your books and any other school-related items first before you use it for anything else—easier said than done, I know.

It’s not a crime to use your financial aid for other things (e.g.: gas, groceries or rent), but just make sure everything is A-OK with your school expenses before you go spending it elsewhere. Be responsible about your financial aid money, because it will go quicker than you think. Keep track of what you’re spending and how you’re spending it. You don’t want to run out of financial aid money smack dab in the middle of the semester.

Now, this brings us to those who aren’t eligible for financial aid. What do you do now? There are loans that the school offers that will help you get through tight spots. Luckily for you, Texas State offers short-term loans and emergency loans. Emergency loans help if you can’t afford the down payment for a payment plan, and short-terms loans can help with whatever else you need. Keep in mind, though, that both of these loans have to be paid back by the end of the semester. If this option doesn’t work, check with whomever you’re banking with—many banks offer loans for college students (these are the private student loans mentioned earlier). Each bank is different. Be sure to go and talk to your banker so you know what is required from you in order to pull out a loan.

If you ever get to the point where desperate times call for desperate measures, look into other options for paying for school. Don’t give up! If FAFSA doesn’t work out for you, remember that there are other ways your schooling can be paid for. Needless to say, there are a lot of other financial options available or you, and you should look into them before you make any permanent decisions you’ll regret… like dropping out. If you’d like to dig deeper, check out one of our previous posts, Boko’s Survival Guide to Financial Aid. We’ve got you covered! Ultimately, though, your best bet is to go by the financial aid office to really get a full understanding of how financial aid works—we at LBJSC are students, just like you, and we’re in the same boat navigating the waters of financial aid. Getting some expert help will definitely put you ahead of the curve. We all know college isn’t cheap, and we want to make sure you have your coins in line so you’re squared away. You’d be surprised at what’s out there.

[lbjsc]

Students are currently standing together in the Quad to peacefully protest the election results.