Are you having trouble with one of your classes?

Are you studying for hours and the information still does not make sense to you?

If this is the case and you are not happy with one of your classes or it is too difficult, you still have time to withdraw from the class.

It is very common for Millersville students to take a class only to realize later that the class is too difficult or time consuming for them. Sometimes students take a class just to try it out and see if they like a subject and later realize they do not like the professor, the information does not interest them, or it is simply too difficult for them. Instead of struggling in the class for the rest of the semester, students have the option to “Withdraw” from a class in order to avoid getting a bad grade and negatively impacting their GPA (Grade Point Average). If this is something that pertains to you, keep reading to find out more.

The deadline to withdraw from a class is Friday, October 30th. In order to be eligible to withdraw from a class you have to be currently taking 5 classes, or the equivalent of 15 credits, so you can withdraw from one 3 credit class and still meet the requirements to be a full-time student. To be considered a full-time student you have to be taking at least 4 classes, or the equivalent of 12 credits. If you are only taking this amount of credits (12 credits) you are not eligible to withdraw from a class because you would fail to be considered a full-time student.

The process for withdrawing from a class includes filling out a Course Withdrawal Card and having your professor sign the form. After the professor has signed the card you are to bring the card to the Office of Global Education so that we can process it. Once we have processed the information and determined you are eligible to withdraw from a class, we will inform you that your card is ready for pick-up. The last step in the process is to submit the card to the Registrar’s Office in Lyle Hall by Friday, October 30^th.

If you have any questions regarding the process or determining if you are eligible to withdraw from a class, stop by the Office of Global Education or send us an email and we will be able to help you.

The Course Withdrawal Card can be accessed through this link: http://www.millersville.edu/registrar/files/studentforms/withdrawal-card.pdf

1. Print this form.
2. Fill out the top half with your information and the course information. 
3. Your Professor needs to sign the form.
4. The Office of Global Education needs to sign the form.
5. The form needs to be brought to the Registrar’s Office before October 30th. 

Winter Activities

Winter doesn’t officially start until the end of December, but the winter weather and winter traditions can begin much earlier! Winter in Pennsylvania will be a lot more enjoyable if you associate it with fun festive activities such as the winter traditions of going sledding, having snowball fights and making snowmen and angels in the snow, instead of harsh weather. Find things that you want to do in the winter and snow so that you have something to look forward to and get excited about.

1. Playing in the Snow – While many people hate winter’s harsh wind and cold, the snow brings out the inner-child in all of us. Making snow-forts and going sledding in the snow are very popular ways to spend the weekend with your friends, followed by a hot cup of hot chocolate to warm your hands. Even if you don’t want to spend much time in the cold weather, take some time out to have at least one snowball fight this winter with your friends. It is tradition for Millersville to have one huge campus-wide snowball fight on the first snow of the season, so go outside and get into it!
2. Make Paper Snowflakes – A great way to decorate for the upcoming winter season and to have fun with your friends and roommates as you watch movies on a cold winter day, is to make paper snowflakes and hang them around your rooms!
3. Go Ice Skating – Maybe you have never been ice skating and want to try it out? Winter is the perfect time to get together with some friends and have fun learning how to ice skate! A winter activity fun for everyone, it’s a classic that you only get to do for a few months out of the year. There are two skating rinks in Lancaster that have a free skate time for the public.
1. http://www.regencyicerink.com/public_skating.asp
2. http://lancastericerink.org/
4. Making Traditional Holiday Treats – Every culture has their own holiday traditions they like to do in the winter months, whether you bake holiday cookies, make traditional stews, or other foods from your country. Take some time to share your countries holiday foods and traditions with all your new friends here in Millersville. Everyone will be eager to learn about what you do to celebrate the coming of winter!

Make Plans for the Winter

The winter months can be a time when you feel you can’t do many things because of the cold weather and you may start to feel lonely or limited in what you can do. To avoid these “winter blues” as we like to call them, make plans with friends to do activities together, whether that be watching a movie or going for a 30 minute walk in the snow. Getting outside your room and involved in different winter activities may sound like the last thing you want to do but once the cold weather comes you will look for any excuse to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, even if it is cold and snowing.

Since you spend most of your time outdoors in the nicer summer and fall months, winter is a great time to visit the museums and historic sites you may have been putting off for a “rainy day” activity. A great excuse to get out of the dorms and explore more of what the U.S. has to offer. So go visit a museum in Lancaster, Philadelphia or D.C. and keep checking things off your list of things “to-do”!

 Winter can sometimes seem long and gloomy but you if you prepare accordingly you can enjoy winter as much as summer by knowing what to expect and planning fun activities to look forward to!

Have fun and stay warm!

Preparing for Cold Weather – What to Expect

With the changing of leaves in the fall comes the cool weather and a reminder that winter is just around the corner. The holiday season in the U.S. goes hand in hand with winter, and for many international students the Pennsylvania winters can seem long and overwhelming.

From now until the end of the semester the weather will get increasingly cooler. If you are not already wearing a jacket or coat, you soon will be. If you are a year-long exchange, degree-seeking, or graduate student and will be here past December, you will need to plan accordingly so that you are comfortable during the cold winter months. Winter in Pennsylvania is in full swing by December and usually lasts until March, sometimes even April if we have a particularly harsh winter. The cold temperatures usually start in late October and November is characterized by cold, dry temperatures with some rain and possible snow.

If you are not accustomed to the cold weather and do not know what to expect here in the Pennsylvania winters, here are a few tips that can help you better prepare so that you have a great winter season:

Buy Appropriate Clothes

The key to staying warm in the winter months is having appropriate clothing for walking to classes and spending those snowy weekends playing outside with your friends. Most of the heat loss from the human body occurs through the head and feet, so investing in good wool socks, winter boots and a warm hat can make a world of difference. You do not need to break the bank to buy the “best” winter gear on the market, but there are a few pieces that are key to keeping your fingers and toes toasty warm and dry in the cold temperatures.

1. Light Jacket – Important for the variable fall and early winter weather, you do not want to wear a heavy winter jacket when the temperatures are not quite cold enough only to end up sweating when you arrive to class. Fleece jackets are perfect for layering, they can be worn over long-sleeve shirts and are thin enough to put a larger rain jacket or winter coat over when it starts to get wet and cold in January and February. This is a great and versatile staple to have in the winter.
2. Winter Coat – If you are staying in Millersville for the year or longer, you will want to invest in a good quality winter coat. Again, you do not need to spend a lot of money with fancy designer coats; dressing for the winter does not mean it has to be expensive. It is important for a good winter coat to be a good length and well-insulated. Down feathers and materials such as synthetic down are the most common materials used in coats. Decide which material is best for you and how you want to wear and use your coat. If you will be layering your coat over a lighter fleece jacket you do not need a particularly heavy coat, you may want one that has a good outer-shell that is waterproof and includes a hood instead. Coat styles range from “puffer” coats and parkas, to ski coats and fashionable “pea” coats made of wool. This all depends on what you plan on doing in the winter.
3. Gloves and Hats – Thin cotton gloves may be perfect for the fall, but if you plan on playing in the snow or traveling somewhere to go skiing or snowboarding you will want something a little more waterproof. The snow can get wet and heavy, which will ruin your cotton gloves and make your day in the snow miserable. Look for gloves with a “Thinsulate” liner inside, they will be your best bet for remaining dry and warm and can be found in most clothing stores for a very good price.
4. Scarves – A scarf can help block the harsh wind during the weather transitions. A thicker scarf will provide more protection than a thin fashion scarf, and when winter arrives, you will want the added protection of a thick scarf.
5. Warm Socks – Wool socks are the best option if you are going to be spending some time outside. Unlike cotton, wool stays warm even when wet, working to keep your own body heat inside so you are warm and comfortable. If you are wearing cotton socks, your feet will sweat and you will end up with cold, damp feet. Even if you do not have very good or waterproof boots for the winter, having good wool socks will save you. Invest in just one pair of merino-wool socks to keep on hand when you know you will be trekking through the wet snow. Make sure to check the label for the highest percentage of wool if you are buying a pair of wool-blend socks. These can be found in stores that sell winter coats and gear, as well as Amazon.
6. Boots – UGG boots may be “popular” and “cute” but they will not only get wet and ruined in the snow, they will also give you quite the adventure walking to class before the sidewalks have been cleared of the snow. Well-insulated boots will keep your toes warm even on the worst days when the sidewalks have not been cleared and the ground is covered in ice and snow. Good boots are usually rubber on the outside and have a good rubber sole with warm liners that can be removed and dried when they get wet. Even if you decide not to purchase rubber boots, a popular choice is nice leather knee-high boots that work well in the cold weather, as long as you have some warm socks to pair them with.