Hey everyone,
Drop-In is looking for new tutors for the Spring semester of this brand new year 2010. Many tutors are returning which only reinforces how good of a program Drop-In is, and how much you can get out of it. Last semester we helped 703 students, and this semester we hope to strive just as much. If you would like to become a Drop-In tutor or even find out more information, come into the GUTS office on the 3rd floor, 4413 in the Student Activity Center or email me at guts-di@rso.wisc.edu. I will be putting together a schedule over the next week and a half and hosting orientations as well, so hurry up. For those of you that have already signed up, you will be receiving an email very soon.
Drop-In will open its doors on Sunday February 7th at the newly renovated College Library Drop-In Center, and at its satellite center at 4413 Student Activity Center on Tuesday February 9th. Check the GUTS website for the published schedule grid to get updated tutor information as the date approaches. http://guts.studentorg.wisc.edu/
my best
Lee Jastrow
Drop-In Coordinator
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Onward Bound
So here I am...I am in my last semester at the UW of Madison. I will soon graduate and be on my merry little way. In other words, I've almost succeeded in climbing out of the boiling pot and into the red-hot fire of El Diablo. Worrying about what to do after we graduate is something that eats at most of us. I, for one, am in dire need of finding a job this summer. Some of us dread leaving what may be the best years of our lives and might try to cling to any semi-advernturous opportunity that comes our way. But we still need to make money, right?
However, I've discovered a sly little loophole in the whole "get a job" thing after college. My answer for those who still don't know what they want but want to do something new? Teach English abroad. And somewhere different than here (i.e. not Western Europe). South America, Asia, etc. Although it's not necessarily or always easy to qualify for such a position, it's certainly obtainable if you put effort towards it...especially in less picky schools in China. In some places you can make a solid income compared to the locals around you. It'll be different than what you're used to but that's the point. Break your confort zone...it'll be healthy for you. Do it for a year, enjoy the local culture, and daddle a little into the local language. Develop your skills well enough and you create resume gold. Successfully surviving this sort of experience builds confidence and a more open mind. Most importantly for me, it forces us to become more independent.
The path (or loophole) that I personally am seeking involves not teaching English abroad but studying a foreign language (Mandarin Chinese) through a scholarship that allows me to enrichen my coffers, not drain them. I'm a sly dog like that. However, that kind of opportunity is not guaranteed so my Plan B is to do as I perscribed above. Spending 1-2 years in China or Taiwan? Yes please.
Until next time,
Michael
However, I've discovered a sly little loophole in the whole "get a job" thing after college. My answer for those who still don't know what they want but want to do something new? Teach English abroad. And somewhere different than here (i.e. not Western Europe). South America, Asia, etc. Although it's not necessarily or always easy to qualify for such a position, it's certainly obtainable if you put effort towards it...especially in less picky schools in China. In some places you can make a solid income compared to the locals around you. It'll be different than what you're used to but that's the point. Break your confort zone...it'll be healthy for you. Do it for a year, enjoy the local culture, and daddle a little into the local language. Develop your skills well enough and you create resume gold. Successfully surviving this sort of experience builds confidence and a more open mind. Most importantly for me, it forces us to become more independent.
The path (or loophole) that I personally am seeking involves not teaching English abroad but studying a foreign language (Mandarin Chinese) through a scholarship that allows me to enrichen my coffers, not drain them. I'm a sly dog like that. However, that kind of opportunity is not guaranteed so my Plan B is to do as I perscribed above. Spending 1-2 years in China or Taiwan? Yes please.
Until next time,
Michael
Thursday, January 21, 2010
It's a new semester...a chance to start over with a clean plate. While it is easy to fill your plate with class, study time, your favorite tv shows, and friends, make sure to leave room for "brain food". This article from Live Science, http://www.livescience.com/health/090107-brain-food.html, explores the best foods to eat to ensure your brain is prepared for all the other activities taking up room on your plate.
Still in Winter Break mode? Make a Study and Learning Skills appointment at the McBurney Disability Resource Center to get back into the swing of things. Call 608-263-2741 to make a one-on-one appointment. We can help with topics such as time management, test anxiety, procrastination, reading comprehension, and more!
Hope to see you soon!
Abby
-Study and Learning Skills Specialist
Still in Winter Break mode? Make a Study and Learning Skills appointment at the McBurney Disability Resource Center to get back into the swing of things. Call 608-263-2741 to make a one-on-one appointment. We can help with topics such as time management, test anxiety, procrastination, reading comprehension, and more!
Hope to see you soon!
Abby
-Study and Learning Skills Specialist
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Let's Not Snow This Out of Proportion But...
Hello again! This is Michael from CE and I am here to rant about the winter. So we had our first blizzard of the season and the first full snow day since 1990 and I can't help but smirk at this. Although the Farmer's Almanac predicted that we will have a pestilential winter this year, many more "scholarly" sources said that this winter, in comparison the past few, will be more mild. The score thus far: Farmers: 1, Meteorologists: 0.
During my high school years (2001-05) we never had white Christmases. It never snowed until January. Seasonal snowfall was meager, never reaching 50 inches. That changed however when I migrated on over to the UW to attend college. How lucky was I to discover that as soon as I needed to start walking outside all day between classes, the weather of Wisconsin decided to berserk and deviate from its previous behavior. Thanks, Badger State. The past few winters have been record-setting in snow volume and frequency (snow in November was not uncommon). Last year, we broke the previous record of seasonal snowfall: ~79 inches. The new record to beat: a whooping ~101 inches. Wow. Although it makes for a nice white Christmas, it also makes for a hassle-filled end to first semester.
Because Wisconsin's change from autumn to winter can happen very abruptly, it is important to be prepared for winter and have everything you'll need. That said, I have prepared a list of things to have/keep in mind in order to properly prepare you for the advent of winter.
1) A massive, thick winter coat. In the midst of the Ice Age fashion should be the last of your concerns. Not everyone needs a $200 North Face parka (and a nice-looking peatcoat might not cut it during the most savage days of winter). Dress thick and warm. It is okay to walk around campus looking like a giant blob of coats. Besides, the more fashionable you look the harder I laugh when you slip on Bascom Hill.
During my high school years (2001-05) we never had white Christmases. It never snowed until January. Seasonal snowfall was meager, never reaching 50 inches. That changed however when I migrated on over to the UW to attend college. How lucky was I to discover that as soon as I needed to start walking outside all day between classes, the weather of Wisconsin decided to berserk and deviate from its previous behavior. Thanks, Badger State. The past few winters have been record-setting in snow volume and frequency (snow in November was not uncommon). Last year, we broke the previous record of seasonal snowfall: ~79 inches. The new record to beat: a whooping ~101 inches. Wow. Although it makes for a nice white Christmas, it also makes for a hassle-filled end to first semester.
Because Wisconsin's change from autumn to winter can happen very abruptly, it is important to be prepared for winter and have everything you'll need. That said, I have prepared a list of things to have/keep in mind in order to properly prepare you for the advent of winter.
1) A massive, thick winter coat. In the midst of the Ice Age fashion should be the last of your concerns. Not everyone needs a $200 North Face parka (and a nice-looking peatcoat might not cut it during the most savage days of winter). Dress thick and warm. It is okay to walk around campus looking like a giant blob of coats. Besides, the more fashionable you look the harder I laugh when you slip on Bascom Hill.
2) Warm pockets to keep your iPod or cell phone in. People, including myself, like to walk between classes whilst listening to tunes. The cold, however, likes to suck out the battery power of electric goods like iPods or cell phones. Last year, my cell phone even broke simply because I was walking around outside too often with it in my pocket. The coldness scrambled my ability to get new voicemails. Likewise, my iPod was want to die and think it was out of battery even if I had just charged it 100% a few hours earlier. My advice is to keep these things in internal pockets if you have them.
3) Girls should never, never wear high heels. If you need them for something, bring them but don't wear them out on the ice. I don't pity the girls who slip on Bascom Hill's ice while during high heels. I laugh at them.
4) The warmer your coat, the less you need to wear underneath. This is benefitial for when you go inside places that have the heat pumped sky high. Too often my freshman year I made the mistake of trekking to class in long underwear and thick sweaters only to find myself sweating profusely in the middle of Feburary. Gross.
3) Girls should never, never wear high heels. If you need them for something, bring them but don't wear them out on the ice. I don't pity the girls who slip on Bascom Hill's ice while during high heels. I laugh at them.
4) The warmer your coat, the less you need to wear underneath. This is benefitial for when you go inside places that have the heat pumped sky high. Too often my freshman year I made the mistake of trekking to class in long underwear and thick sweaters only to find myself sweating profusely in the middle of Feburary. Gross.
5) A scarf. On the coldest of days, this should be worn around your face, not just around your neck. Who cares if you look like a winter ninja, at least now your snot won't be freezing in your nose.
6) Wool socks. These are not necessary if you will not be outside for long. However, if you intend to find yourself outside for an extended period of time, wearing wool socks is heavenly. There will be no cold toes for you!
7) Hot chocolate is eternally delicious.
See you next semester!
7) Hot chocolate is eternally delicious.
See you next semester!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Study Skills is Growing!
The Study Skills program has steadily increased the amount of people it reaches since its inception in 1974. Along with the individual appointments, Study Skills has begun to develop workshops, research new material and maintain collaborative relationships accross the campus community.
We feel that the most meaningful interactions that we have as a program are the one-one-one sessions with our specialists. However, with the increasing amount of people sigining up and the new directions our program is going, we are making some changes.
We need your help!
Instead of our specialists conducting individual appointments, we are going to train a team of Study Skills Advisers that will conduct initial appointments, do follow-up meetings and maintain a system of support for students throughout the semester.
If you are interested in becoming a Study Skills Adviser...
CONTACT US
send us an email or come into our office anytime. Training will start at the beginning of next semester. Hope you can help out!
We feel that the most meaningful interactions that we have as a program are the one-one-one sessions with our specialists. However, with the increasing amount of people sigining up and the new directions our program is going, we are making some changes.
We need your help!
Instead of our specialists conducting individual appointments, we are going to train a team of Study Skills Advisers that will conduct initial appointments, do follow-up meetings and maintain a system of support for students throughout the semester.
If you are interested in becoming a Study Skills Adviser...
CONTACT US
send us an email or come into our office anytime. Training will start at the beginning of next semester. Hope you can help out!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Conversational English Weekly Events!
Conversation Hour, Every Monday 1:00 pm
Informal gathering to practice speaking English led by CE Coordinator Amy. Located in the GUTS office.
CE English Lesson, Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm
Come read and discuss a current article, all the while practicing pronunciation and learning vocabulary and idioms. Meets in the Student Activity Center, ask us for location specifics!
Conversational English Tea and Activity Hour, Every Thursday at 4:00 pm
CE Coordinator Michael will be leading a casual conversation hour at a location called the Satellite from 4pm-5pm. It is located at 717 W Johnson Street. The entrance is under the bridge between Witte Dormitory and Gordon Commons (the cafeteria). If you have any questions about the location, please call the Satellite at 262-6791.
ISS International Conversation and Coffee Hour, Every Friday at 12:00 pm
Relaxing time to meet new people while practicing speaking English! At the Memorial Union.
Informal gathering to practice speaking English led by CE Coordinator Amy. Located in the GUTS office.
CE English Lesson, Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm
Come read and discuss a current article, all the while practicing pronunciation and learning vocabulary and idioms. Meets in the Student Activity Center, ask us for location specifics!
Conversational English Tea and Activity Hour, Every Thursday at 4:00 pm
CE Coordinator Michael will be leading a casual conversation hour at a location called the Satellite from 4pm-5pm. It is located at 717 W Johnson Street. The entrance is under the bridge between Witte Dormitory and Gordon Commons (the cafeteria). If you have any questions about the location, please call the Satellite at 262-6791.
ISS International Conversation and Coffee Hour, Every Friday at 12:00 pm
Relaxing time to meet new people while practicing speaking English! At the Memorial Union.
Monday, November 2, 2009
All Hallow's Eve
Because this year was my last Halloween at the University of Madison, I thought it might be proper for me to reflect upon my experiences with the Holiday. [Random Fact: for those of you who do not know, the culture of Halloween as the modern world knows it today is a North American (US & Canada) invention but the holiday originates from Ireland.]
This year was my first time going to State Street since they began to charge money for entrance. The last time I went was the last time it was free...and believe me, I miss the chaos. It wasn't as exciting this year, but I guess something had to be done to control the out-of-state folks who came just to relish in the mayhem. This year I even got to watch the State Street event from the roof of an apartment on State Street!
Anyways, I thought I'd rate all of my costumes from across my years and show you the best, worst, and simplest ones. I've gone as many things and people...Indiana Jones, a cowboy, a zombie, and so on. I think the simplest costume I ever went as was...
A man getting eaten by a shark. I took the shark costume, threw it on over my body. Costume complete. This was my freshmen year at UW.
But some people on State Street liked it. I, however, was not too proud of myself. My best costume, the pinnacle of my creativity, I think, was...
Kim Jong Il, Glorious Leader of North Korea.This was my costume THIS year.
People love to make fun of that guy. However, a costume they would make fun of even more is my worst costume, which was...
Peter Pan. How manly. If I had gone as Hercules maybe I would have grown up to be over six feet tall.
Now that my last Halloween at UW is over, I think Halloween will only get boring for me unless I have Halloween parties to still go to. From here out in, Halloween will mostly just mean handing out candy to trick-or-treaters until I have kids of my own who I have to lead around to get candy (that part will be fun, I suppose). I also get to look forward to dressing up my children in horrendous cutsie costumes so that they grow up with a grudge against me, haha.
This is Michael of GUTS: Conversational English, signing off once again.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
GUTS is Hiring!!
Hi Everyone, Feel free to email me with any questions about the position at guts-slss@rso.wisc.edu! |
Kopperton Checks In
Hello everybody-
First, I would like say that I am proud of every one's work already this year. DI is continuing to be solid. AM is rocking. CE's new Give and Take program is inventive and helpful. For the first time ever, we have a commercial, and we are going to be making a another one.
I would like to tell all of you that GUTS is working on a new program. We are not ready to reveal all the details about it yet. But I can tell you that it could greatly benefit all UW undergrads.
Since I cannot share much more information about it with you, I've decided to share some other interesting information with you in the following links:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/opinion/28friedman.html
This is an article by Thomas Friedman of the New York Times. I look forward to reading his articles because he has the best connections in the world - no kidding. He knows everybody, from foreign politicians, to domestic CEOs, to top scientists, to influential celebrities. And, they all like him, even those in the Middle East. Although I do not agree with all of his opinions, many of his points are hard to disagree with.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-forbesoverpaid102309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
This is an article a friend sent me about overpaid NBA players. It points out an imbalance with big (as in tall) players' contracts and their stats. Andrew Bogut is a star of the article. Which provided me with the first piece of hard mathematical evidence to my continuous argument that Bogut was a terrible draft pick (#1 overall in the 2005 draft). Most notables picked behind him: #3 Deron Williams, #4 Chris Paul, #10 Andrew Bynum, #17 Danny Granger, and the list goes on.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/0613_050613_sharkfacts.html
This article was sent to me because I was recently made a fool. I believed my friend when she said she was bitten by a shark. Idiot, right.
Enjoy,
Chris Kopp
SAGE Coordinator
First, I would like say that I am proud of every one's work already this year. DI is continuing to be solid. AM is rocking. CE's new Give and Take program is inventive and helpful. For the first time ever, we have a commercial, and we are going to be making a another one.
I would like to tell all of you that GUTS is working on a new program. We are not ready to reveal all the details about it yet. But I can tell you that it could greatly benefit all UW undergrads.
Since I cannot share much more information about it with you, I've decided to share some other interesting information with you in the following links:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/opinion/28friedman.html
This is an article by Thomas Friedman of the New York Times. I look forward to reading his articles because he has the best connections in the world - no kidding. He knows everybody, from foreign politicians, to domestic CEOs, to top scientists, to influential celebrities. And, they all like him, even those in the Middle East. Although I do not agree with all of his opinions, many of his points are hard to disagree with.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-forbesoverpaid102309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
This is an article a friend sent me about overpaid NBA players. It points out an imbalance with big (as in tall) players' contracts and their stats. Andrew Bogut is a star of the article. Which provided me with the first piece of hard mathematical evidence to my continuous argument that Bogut was a terrible draft pick (#1 overall in the 2005 draft). Most notables picked behind him: #3 Deron Williams, #4 Chris Paul, #10 Andrew Bynum, #17 Danny Granger, and the list goes on.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/0613_050613_sharkfacts.html
This article was sent to me because I was recently made a fool. I believed my friend when she said she was bitten by a shark. Idiot, right.
Enjoy,
Chris Kopp
SAGE Coordinator
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
GUTS Drop-IN
Hey Everyone,
This is just a post letting everyone know that GUTS Drop-In is in full Swing at College Library and the Student Activity Center (SAC). The College Library Center is located on the first floor, and the SAC center is in room 4413. Full schedules of tutors are found at the GUTS website for both the centers so be sure to check them out, and remember that you can use the Drop-In centers as much as you want. Here's a link to the schedule: http://guts.studentorg.wisc.edu/dropinschedule.htm. We have tutors in all the most common classes (Chem, Math, Physics, Econ, and more) and the centers are open Sunday through Thursday. If anyone has any questions feel free to email me and let me know,
Lee Jastrow
guts-di@rso.wisc.edu
This is just a post letting everyone know that GUTS Drop-In is in full Swing at College Library and the Student Activity Center (SAC). The College Library Center is located on the first floor, and the SAC center is in room 4413. Full schedules of tutors are found at the GUTS website for both the centers so be sure to check them out, and remember that you can use the Drop-In centers as much as you want. Here's a link to the schedule: http://guts.studentorg.wisc.edu/dropinschedule.htm. We have tutors in all the most common classes (Chem, Math, Physics, Econ, and more) and the centers are open Sunday through Thursday. If anyone has any questions feel free to email me and let me know,
Lee Jastrow
guts-di@rso.wisc.edu
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