Category Archives: Lifestyle / Hall Life

Academics, Advice, Lifestyle / Hall Life

How to Stay Focused on Your Goals Mid-Semester at Millersville University

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It is official: we have now reached the halfway point in the semester. Unfortunately, this is when students tend to feel overwhelmed or lose focus. However, staying motivated is key to finishing strong. Below are several strategies to help you stay on track and maintain your momentum through the second half of the semester:

1. Reevaluate and Set New Goals

  • Assess Your Progress: Take time to reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the semester. What have you accomplished so far, and what needs more attention?
  • Break Down Large Goals: If your original goals seem daunting, break them into smaller, manageable tasks. Achieving these smaller milestones will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue.
  • Set SMART Goals: Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). This ensures clarity and provides a clear roadmap to success.

2. Create or Refresh Your Study Plan

  • Time Block Your Schedule: Organize your remaining weeks by assigning dedicated time for studying, assignments, and personal activities. Sticking to a schedule helps reduce procrastination.
  • Prioritize Tasks by Deadline and Importance: Focus first on upcoming deadlines or major projects, but also make sure to carve out time for ongoing study and review sessions.
  • Use a Planner or Digital Tools: Apps like Google Calendar, Trello, or Notion can help you track your progress and maintain accountability. Regularly check your planner and adjust it as needed to stay organized.

3. Utilize University Housing Resources

  • Access Study Spaces: Take advantage of quiet areas or common study rooms in the residence halls’ common areas. A change of scenery from your room can boost productivity.
  • Attend Stress-Relief Activities: Mid-semester stress is common, and MU offers offers many wellness programs and other events designed to help students unwind. Balance between study and relaxation is essential for maintaining motivation.

4. Build a Support System

  • Form Study Partnerships: Reach out to roommates or classmates to form study groups. Discussing material with others can improve understanding and keep you engaged.
  • Stay Connected with Mentors or Advisors: If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, schedule a check-in with a professor, academic advisor, or your resident assistant (RA). They can offer guidance, help refocus your efforts, and provide useful resources.
  • Communicate with Roommates: Set clear boundaries with roommates when it comes to study time, and try to minimize distractions in shared living spaces.

5. Practice Self-Care

  • Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition: A well-rested and nourished body is more focused and productive. Avoid all-night cramming sessions by planning study blocks that allow for adequate sleep.
  • Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is a great way to relieve stress and reset your mind. Use on-campus facilities or get outdoors for a quick walk or workout.
  • Incorporate Breaks: Use the Pomodoro Technique (work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break) to keep yourself refreshed and prevent burnout.

6. Focus on the Big Picture

  • Visualize Success: Remind yourself of the long-term benefits of your hard work, such as passing your exams, achieving high grades, or preparing for future career opportunities.
  • Celebrate Small Wins: Reward yourself for completing tasks, whether it’s a small treat, taking time for a favorite hobby, or enjoying a night off after a productive day.

7. Stay Positive and Flexible

  • Accept Setbacks: It’s normal to face challenges, but don’t let them derail your progress. Adjust your goals or plans as needed without losing sight of the end goal.
  • Practice a Growth Mindset: Embrace the idea that challenges are opportunities to learn and grow, rather than obstacles to success. A positive attitude will keep you motivated during tough times.
You can finish all of your classes strong! You’ve already put in so much effort. With just a bit more focus and determination, you can end this semester on a high note. The second half of the semester is your opportunity to build on your progress, improve where needed, and achieve the goals you set out to accomplish. Keep up the good work, stay focused, and remember that every step forward brings you closer to success. You’ve got this!
Lifestyle / Hall Life, Living-Learning Communities

Find Your Community: LGBTQ+ & Allies Housing at Millersville University

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As we enter the month of June, the celebration of Pride Month has begun. During this time, awareness of the queer community is heightened, and an extra strong sense of community is present. Here at Millersville University, this feeling exists all the time due to our LGBTQ+ & Allies affinity housing. Although this is most popular with first-year students, all class years are accepted that are interested in exploring identities, history, and social advocacy.  

Living here means collaborating with faculty and staff in bi-monthly meetings, connecting with like-minded peers, and fostering a community built on mutual respect, understanding, and affirmation. Through guided discussions, we’ll delve into the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ history, social movements, culture, health, and personal experiences. 

Residents will also have opportunities to engage with local LGBTQ+ organizations through trips and community service initiatives. This community offers a brave space where students can authentically express themselves, learn, and grow together. 

Applications for this housing are accepted all year round until there is no space left. If you are interested in completing a form, please click on the link below: 

https://www.millersville.edu/housing/llc-special-interest/lbgtq-allies.php 

If you would like additional information or have questions, please reach out to Chad Baker by phone (717-871-7644), or email (Chad.Baker@millersville.edu). 

Academics, Lifestyle / Hall Life, Student Life

Home at Millersville University: Positive Outcomes from the 2023-24 Residential Survey

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Every year, the Department of University Housing & Conference Services surveys our residential students to understand the successes and areas for improvement in our program. We assess our department’s services along with those of various campus partners, comparing them to other colleges and universities across the country. We use the industry-standard Benchworks by Elentra service to manage survey administration and data collection. We are proud to have previously received an Assessment and Impact Award for Housing & Residence Life success among the 200+ institutions nationwide that use this assessment.

In addition to the various quantitative items assessed, we asked our residents a few open-ended questions concerning their feelings about their sense of belonging, academic success, and skills & competencies developed as a result of living on campus. These questions allowed us to gather more personal and detailed feedback, providing deeper insights into the student experience. The responses highlighted positive aspects of our residential life program and the impact it has on students’ personal and academic growth. Below, we share some of the key themes and representative quotes from our students’ feedback.

Reflecting on your time living on campus, how do you think it has contributed to your sense of belonging and community at Millersville University? 

  • I think it has helped me get used to being at college and being more independent. I also have a close group of friends I can see easily since they’re also on campus, which has helped me find belonging.
  • It contributes in the sense that I am on campus and can get to classes/extracurriculars easily and go out with friends while being able to just walk home to South Village.
  • It helped me become a more individual and responsible member of Millersville’s campus.
  • It has helped me relate to people around me and learn new information.
  • I was able to make some friends in my hall.
  • I am able to get around well.
  • I like living on campus because it’s easier to spend time with friends and participate in campus activities this way.
  • It has been there for me with a sense of involvement and I came here to be close to home and make new friends
    met a lot of people.
  • It has helped me be more available to on campus things and be closer to my classes.
  • Very well. I love the MU campus!!!
  • It has allowed me to create life-long friendships as well as teaching me many life lessons about living with others.
  • I met friends.
  • It has made it a lot easier to go to class.
  • Basically all of my friends are in the Honors College, so being in the living-learning community definitely contributed to my sense of belonging.
    being near friends and all buildings allows for better access to either.
  • It has connected me to students around me.
  • I definitely feel like a college student.
  • Having more groups and a specific study field allowed me to start finding a community of people that have the same interests as me.
  • Living on campus allows me to easily hang out with my friends that I made during class.
  • Makes it easier to be available to participate in the activities.
  • It allowed me to make some of my closest friends at Millersville.
  • Allowed me to be able to be more present on the campus.
  • I think it has because I have friends that are a short walk away.
  • Put me closer to classes.
  • More time to hang out with friends or work on group projects
  • I was able to attend the involvement fair which allowed me to join various clubs.
  • Being able to go out everyday and see the same people made it a lot easier to transition from high school to college and make friends.
  • It has helped me to meet some new people and make some new friends.
  • I mean I know where everything is now so that’s cool
  • I definitely feel more involved by living on campus. I do feel like I belong.
  • It has helped a good bit.
  • I enjoy being able to walk my community and easily attend events.
  • Being able to spend a lot of time out on the quad and seeing all the other “college kids” made me feel like i was really a part of Millersville University.
  • It provided me easy access to the places and people within this community.
  • I feel more connected to the campus and the people.
  • Closer to events and better ability to impulsively hang out with friends.
  • I think living on campus at Millersville has helped me meet new people and become part of a group or community to help give me a sense of belonging.
  • I think it allowed me to meet more people outside of class. I got to be in more clubs, since I’m not commuting too.
  • Living on campus has allowed me to meet new people.
  • I think living on campus has made my friend group closer and allowed for more outings with everyone.
  • See friends around often
  • Have more opportunities to make a lot of friends and talk to a lot of people.
  • Its easier to make friends while living on campus.
  • Feeling closer to the events, people, classes, and professors has helped me feel much more included in ‘Ville activities.
  • It definitely helped me adjust to life on campus and helped me make more friends here.
  • I have met a lot more people living here and will often recognize people as I am out and about. It’s a good feeling seeing familiar faces every day and makes me feel like less of a stranger.
  • Living on Campus provides time and the ability to connect with students outside of the classroom setting.
  • Living on campus as contributed to my sense of belonging by helping me engage with other people that are in similar situations as I am and helped me make more connections to people within the dorms that I live in.
  • I think that I have found multiple groups of people that I have been able to connect with, and I don’t know if I would have gotten the chance to meet these people if I hadn’t lived on campus.
  • Yes! Living on campus has helped me with connecting with other students.
  • Living on campus means there are more opportunities to interact and engage with peers and staff.
  • The after-class life makes me feel more like I belong.
  • It’s easier to meet with other students.
  • I feel more connected to the atmosphere and lightheartedness of others.
  • It helped me to feel more included from living on campus and being able to hangout with others that also live on campus.
  • By being able to do things with other students
  • It has made it a better experience since I am constantly surrounded by people like me.
  • I’m on campus more.
  • Means I actually meet people instead of just taking my classes and leaving.
  • I think that I truly liked it, and it made me feel like I belong.
  • Has let me talk and bond with others in my major.
  • It was easier to make friends.
  • I’m on campus for almost everything and can go almost anywhere
  • It has made me more involved on campus.
  • I think it was good for me to be living on campus because I was able to do my work and connect with other students who are in my classes.
  • I think having campus as my home, I was able to become closer to other students and join clubs and activities with others.
  • I feel comfortable living on campus and I have met a lot of good friends here.
  • I got to be closer with my friends by being able to access them everyday.
  • By making me more involved in campus organizations.
  • Allowed me to meet more people and hang out with them.
  • Feel very involved. Feel like I am in the middle of campus. Very nice.
  • I am able to be more active on campus (clubs, sports) as I live super close.
  • It made me feel like I belong.
  • It had contributed to it by allowing me to go to places with my roommate on campus. I have been able to go to different clubs that my roommate is a part of and found people there. Doing these different clubs definitely helps.
  • I am close to everything and have made friends with others who live in the residence halls. I am also close enough to get to hang out with my friends often and walk to clubs and campus events.

How has your experience in the residence halls contributed to your academic success and persistence at Millersville University?

  • I don’t have to worry about going to and from home, especially since I live two hours away. I am easily able to study in the residence halls since it’s not too loud.
  • It has helped me to stay focused on my work this semester.
  • The study lounges are really nice and useful when you are able to snag it before anyone else.
  • It is very convenient to study in my room.
  • Staying in the residence halls allows me more time to get ready for class and greater access to my professors so I can stay on top of my classwork.
  • Ease of communication amongst friends in class
  • It’s given me another place to study and allowed me to take a break from my work and recharge when needed.
  • Been easier for me to learn how to live on my own. Also help me to prepare for the future
  • Being able to access my classrooms and labs because of my proximity has been huge. It really benefits my academic success as I can reach any of my professors and/or classrooms in a matter of minutes.
  • It has allowed me the privacy to study as well as visit any professors in person. I also really enjoy being able to be self-sufficient in regards to food and what time I do things.
  • It’s quiet and I can focus.
  • Being on campus has forced me to work on work if I was at home or associated my room as “home” I probably wouldn’t be able to do as much work as I can. Plus having a room mate study while I study makes it so I am more likely to study.
  • I felt more likely to study in my room, or at times going to a different area to study.
  • Closer to classes and can go get food when I want to.
  • I am able to go to the library to study and use computer lab on first floor if needed.
  • The study rooms provided in the dorms are very nice when reviewing for finals or when studying with a group.
  • Made it easy to study and be close to my classes.
  • It gives me easy access to my classes, professors, office hours, etc.
  • It also allows me to return to my room between classes so I have a quiet place to study and work, rather than needing to use public areas like a commuter.
  • I study and do work by myself.
  • I have been able to find people to study with.
  • Allowed me to be accountable for my classes and being there on time/completing the work.
  • Ease of studying
  • More time to focus on studying and keeping up with classwork
    easy access to library/other quiet seating areas
  • Since my current roommate is rarely in the room, I am comfortable with the space I have to study without distractions
    I think it made it easier for me to be motivated to go out to study rooms and the library and study outside of my room here.
  • It has helped me to perform better in a sense because me and my roommate push each other to do better and to get all of our stuff done.
  • I have access to places where I can easily get into study mode.
  • The residence halls has given me a nice and quiet place for me to study and do my school work.
  • I feel like I definitely was able to plan out my day and get things done accordingly.
  • Has helped a decent amount.
  • I enjoy having quick access to the library and faculty.
  • Having my own personal space to study and practice speeches and presentations
  • It allowed me space from familial issues and a reliable safe place for me to stay and study.
  • I feel more equipped with the resources I need to succeed.
  • I feel like the room that was given to me has been a huge contributor to my academic success and helped me get all my assignments done to the best of my ability and in a timely manner.
  • It just makes it easier to walk to class.
  • Since I’m on campus, I go to the library a lot and feel like I have more options to get help.
  • Living on campus has given me quicker and easier access to my professors and other study resources.
  • Convenience. I live an hour away. It would be very hard to have enough money for gas like that, and it would be [difficult] to try and figure out a schedule like that.
  • Make my experience a lot better
  • I have my own space to study.
  • Having a constant place to study and hang out has eased my anxiety.
  • Many of my professors have early office hours, so being on campus allows me to attend all of the necessary office hours.
  • This was my first year living in a single suite and I believe because of this I have found the most academic success this year.
  • Having my privacy and being able to go to bed on my own accord has made major improvements for me compared to previous years.
  • While I know this is a fun place where my friends are right next door, I know that if I get my work done on time I will have more time to be with them.
  • I think it promotes a strong learning environment.
  • I can go anywhere to study.
  • It has allowed me to get to classes in a timely manner.
  • My academic success has been maintained while living in the dorms by providing areas to study in, as well as being so close to people who I study with that it is easier to work together and engage in academic topics with each other.
  • I do not have to worry about losing time on commuting when I could be doing work.
  • It has helped me get back on track because now I have the library and other study spaces open to me 24/7. I have also found it easier to find time to meet with my professors outside of class.
  • Living on campus allows me to have a place that is quiet and comfortable to study and do work in without needing to drive, or go somewhere else to do work.
  • It was calming and helped me focus.
  • Yes because I have easy access to my building and being able to go there anything.
  • It makes me more intact with class.
  • It has helped since I have options for studying.
  • It is easier to focus there than at home.
  • It made me focus more on schoolwork.
  • The halls give me a space where I can collaborate with others on homework or assignments.
  • Close to classes/buildings
  • I have often used the study lounges to complete homework and study.
  • Positively
  • I am able to devote more time to my studies when I live at school.
  • My academic success has been good. I’m able to study in the quiet.
  • More time to study in the dorms.
  • I have multiple places to study in the residence hall.
  • By having a convenient space to study.
  • Highly.
  • I get to class at a decent time, no rushing due to commuting.
  • Using the study room has supported me when studying for finals and tests.

In what ways has living on campus helped you develop skills or competencies that you believe will contribute to your success after graduation?

  • I’ve learned how to be more independent and how to take care of myself without my parents around.
  • Living on my own
  • It has helped me understand different perspectives and personalities.
  • I know how to live with other people and respect their space along with learning how I like to keep my own space.
    problem solving
  • Forcing you to go out to get help from others.
  • Helped me with independence and problem solving
  • Communication, independence, and responsibility.
  • Time management
  • It has helped me live on my own.
  • Living on campus has allowed me to develop my skills as an adult like budgeting and I’m now able to get an apartment off campus.
  • Opening up more to people.
  • Communication with RAs and the RAD. It just gives me more experience in problem solving and communication with others.
  • Living with roommates is important.
  • Helped me learn how to become an assistant teacher.
  • Living with other people has helped me to become more considerate.
  • Understanding that people live very differently has allowed me to recognize that everyone is different and I sometimes need to take a step back and see that we don’t know everything going on in each other’s lives.
  • Allowed me to be independent and solve my own problems
  • It has given me the opportunity to live with someone who isn’t family.
  • Having to live with somebody else and work around her schedule was highly inconvenient. However, it helped me with skills in communication and tolerance.
  • New social skills are learned here everyday.
  • I have been able to start my develop my experiencing living on my own.
  • Trying to teach me to be able to manage my time / work.
  • Being able to have a room to myself, with a roommate, allowed me to start growing ideas of living away from my house, and having others alongside me to help with any problems.
  • I have adapted in many ways to living on my own and supporting myself.
  • Living by myself
  • I have learned how to talk to people better.
  • Talking to others.
  • Making connections with people who are different from me, and being able to live together/get along.
  • It has given me some experience living on my own and having to budget my food and drinks. Living on your own means you are responsible for keeping your living space clean, which is good to be familiar with.
  • Learning some responsibilities that you don’t think about before you come to college (cleaning bathrooms, laundry, dishes, etc).
  • Just learning to live on my own and be independent in getting the things I need without help all the time.
  • Communication skills
  • It has given skills I would need to live on my own.
  • It has helped me get over certain fears such as talking and meeting new people.
  • Being able to live by myself
  • Helped me learn to live on my own and not depend on someone like my parents to watch over me.
  • Networking and punctuality
  • It helped me prepare for the real world by cleaning and taking care of my room.
  • Connection to other students.
  • Time management.
  • Communicating with others to resolve problems
  • Organization
  • By living near others who are different from me I have learned myself better, I know what works for me in studying and routine.
    living with another person learning to respect that persons schedule and likes/dislikes.
  • It allowed me to manage my life and needs without disruption or negativity from others.
  • I feel the best skills that I have developed living on campus that will help me in the future are my communication skills and being able to talk to the other students and professors around me.
  • Communication and cleanliness skills
  • I have learned how to communicate better with my roommate
  • I just think conflict resolution and becoming more mature and responsible because I’m off in my own, away from parents.
  • Living on campus has helped me learn how to handle conflicts between roommates and people that I will have to continue seeing after the conflict.
  • Knowing how to coexist with someone who has completely different beliefs than me.
  • Living on campus has helped me to realize that I may need company in the future if I were to live alone.
  • Helped build skills with being independent
  • I learn to deal with my own problems and manage my time, living space, etc.
  • Having the ability to adjust and coexist with people I’ve never met is very helpful.
  • I have learned how to be a respectful roommate and how to successfully live with someone for an extended amount of time.
  • Being able to form connections and have a conversation with those you may not know.
  • It has taught me to be more patient when dealing with people.
  • Living on campus has prepared me for living by myself in the future and maintaining a clean and orderly living space, as well as resolving conflicts and personal relationships that will be useful to me in my education career field.
  • Learning to share spaces with someone new and be self-sufficient.
  • Living on campus allows me to have certain outlets with people that have similar interests and views as I do.
  • Living on campus puts me in an environment that betters my ability to obtain useful information and or knowledge to help contribute to my success for after graduation.
  • I can better navigate disagreements, speak my mind, and tolerate others.
  • I have definitely developed patience.
  • Learn to tolerate others more.
  • It helped me to confront others and how to go about it in a way, as I had a difficult time with my roommate this year.
  • I’ve learned how to live well amongst neighbors.
  • Probably talking to people
  • I’ve become more social
  • It has helped me with my independence skills.
  • It has helped me to learn to organize my time and priorities.
  • If I was bored or looking for something to do there was normally at least one activity I would be interested in. My only issue is I don’t like to go alone and my friends tend to be busy. I believe this has helped me become more independent and willing to go do things on my own and meet new people.
  • I think it has helped me be more independent and outgoing.
  • Problem solving
  • Better time management.
  • Tidiness/overall cleanliness.
  • It has made me more responsible for my space.
  • Being able to work and boundaries with others
  • Living on campus has helped me learn how to live with a bunch of different kinds of people on my floor and communicate with them.
  • I think problem solving skills and living by myself was something I learned today.
  • Living on campus has greatly helped me to learn how to live on my own as an adult.
  • Cleaning and working with roomates
  • Resilience and flexibility.
  • Increasing my social network.
  • I get to be more social
  • I think the biggest one is learning how to work with someone who is different than me. A lot of the time I have to navigate someone who has different beliefs from me. By learning how to interact I can have a meaningful conservation. I have learned how to also live with another person.
  • It has helped me problem solve and be cleanly.

The feedback from our residential students underscores the importance of living on campus for fostering a sense of belonging, academic success, and personal development. These responses reflect the significant impact that our residential life program has on creating a supportive and enriching environment. By providing easy access to academic resources, opportunities for social interaction, and a safe space for personal growth, living on campus contributes significantly to the overall student experience at Millersville University.

We are committed to continuously improving our services and programs based on the valuable insights shared by our students. The positive outcomes highlighted in this survey reinforce our dedication to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and ensuring their success both during their time at Millersville and beyond. We look forward to building on these successes and addressing areas for improvement to create an even more vibrant and supportive campus community in the future.

Health & Wellness, Lifestyle / Hall Life

Spring Cleaning and Decluttering for College Students

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Is your residence halls suite messy as a result of leaving and returning from spring break? Do you have extra clothing that you want to get rid of, does not fit anymore, is worn out, or has gone out of style? Here is a list of things you can add to your spring to-do list. You can even print this out and check things off as you go, as that may be a more productive way of doing things. 

Closet Decluttering:
First, make a yes and no pile. Then, put the no pile in a garbage bag to transport to local clothing donation spots. Local locations include, Plato’s Closet, Goodwill, and CommunityAid. If that is not an option, you can even have a yard sale while you are at home and make some extra cash for the semester! Selling on eBay and Facebook Marketplace are also two easy ways to get rid of unwanted items in a sustainable way. 

Cleaning Your Residence Hall Room:
Deep cleaning may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of spring. Having a fresh bedroom and bathroom for the spring season can make your life feel tidier. Having a simple routine can include cleaning bathrooms, floors, under your bed, inside the refrigerator, and the microwave. Inexpensive cleaning products can be purchased at any grocery or big box retail store. Remember, NEVER mix liquid bleach and cleanser because it will create a dangerous chemical reaction. 

Build a Capsule Wardrobe: According to Wikipedia, “A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways to cover a variety of outfits and occasions.” Find outfits that you can style in multiple different ways. For example, buy plain colored shirts and pants with added accessories. That way you can minimize buying new clothing each year and save yourself money in the process. 

Reduce Trash: Using reusable water bottles, keeping food in reusable containers so it stays fresh for longer, creating rags out of old t-shirts for cleaning instead of paper towels, and using reusable bags is a great way to reduce trash and be more sustainable. 

Maximizing Storage: Adding storage under your bed and in your closet will make your room look less cluttered. Buying storage containers is an easy way to maximize your space. Plastic and fabric containers can be purchased through various online retailers at big box stores, and even at local hardware stores. 

Keep in mind that these are strategies you can use in times other than the spring. Make your living situation and habits easier with these ideas. What are some ideas that you have for spring cleaning and decluttering that you do? Share in the comments below or reply to our accompanying Instagram post. 

 

 

Advice, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle / Hall Life

6 Tips for Enhancing Your Mental Health

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Mental health is something that is brought to students’ attention. Realizing that you need to take a break, relax, and do more of what makes you happy and more relaxed is important. Here is a list of things that can help you focus more on your mental health. 

Plant a garden:
Planting flowers or fruits and vegetables at home is a great way to dive into the spring vibes. Flowers are always very colorful and can bring life to your yard or your room. If you go home, you could spend time with friends and family planting flowers. 

Read books:
Finding good books to read, laying outside, and relaxing is something that is so easy, but yet overlooked too often. You could also swap books with friends. For example, each person buys a book and then, after reading, they swap it so they can enjoy the same book. 

Go to your closest coffee shop:
Finding a coffee shop that is close to you that you can visit is a convenient way to destress. Simply reading, spending time with friends, or just grabbing coffee by yourself is something that is very therapeutic and simple. The environment in coffee shops is something that many college students enjoy. 

Watch movies:
Going on streaming platforms, like Netflix or Hulu for example, can be a great inexpensive night with friends and family. You can find a lot of new movies that were recently released, such as, comedies, romance, horror, documentaries, and other genres. 

Exercising:
Going to your local gym or even taking a walk outside of your neighborhood is a healthy way to get your mind off of stress. For example, walking a dog, stretching beforehand, listening to music, and putting your phone on “do not disturb” are great ways to establish an exercise routine. 

Puzzles:
Assembling jigsaw puzzles is really beneficial for your brain and lets you relax in peace and quiet. This activity also lets you put down your phone for awhile. It is easy to find inexpensive puzzles at Walmart, Target and Amazon. Also, you can give a puzzle to a friend once you have completed it. 

Once again,  do not forget to take breaks during the remainder of the semester. This is a great way to focus on your mental health and overall wellness. What is something you do to relax and enhance your own mental health? Please leave a comment below or reply to our accompanying Instagram post!

Lifestyle / Hall Life, Social Advocacy / Justice

EPPIIC Ways to Spread Kindness on Campus

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College life is more than just attending classes, studying, and earning a degree. It’s also about fostering a sense of community and spreading kindness wherever you go. For Millersville University students living on campus, creating a positive and inclusive environment can make your college experience even more memorable. In this blog post, we present creative EPPIIC ways to spread kindness on campus, helping you make the most of your time at Millersville and create lasting memories.

Building Relationships

  • Smile at everyone you meet.
  • Hold the door open for the person behind you.
  • Leave cheerful sticky notes for friends, faculty, and staff.
  • Introduce yourself to others who live in your residence hall.
  • Organize a study group or tutoring session.
  • Start a book-sharing club in your residence hall.
  • Offer to cook a meal for a friend.
  • Surprise your roommate with their favorite snack.

Acts of Service

  • Volunteer at local community events.
  • Participate in campus service events.
  • Mentor a younger student.
  • Offer to help a friend with their chores.
  • Run errands for someone who’s sick.
  • Provide academic support to underclassmen.
  • Assist in set up & clean-up for campus events and programs.
  • Donate unwanted clothing to a local charity.

Random Acts of Kindness

  • Pay for someone’s coffee or meal.
  • Leave anonymous compliments on classmates’ doors.
  • Surprise your roommate with a thoughtful gift.
  • Give a genuine compliment every day.
  • Write and share inspirational quotes.
  • Offer a friendly greeting to passersby.
  • Share a helpful tip with fellow students.
  • Start a kindness challenge on social media.

Supporting Mental Health

  • Promote mental health awareness on campus.
  • Offer a non-judgmental space for friends to vent.
  • Attend mindfulness or meditation sessions.
  • Be sensitive to friends’ mental health needs.
  • Encourage peers to seek professional help when needed.
  • Share resources for counseling and support.
  • Offer to accompany a friend to counseling appointments.
  • Host a stress-relief event in your residence hall.
  • Create a safe space for open conversations.
  • Advocate for mental health initiatives on campus.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Attend cultural events and gatherings on campus.
  • Learn about different cultures and traditions.
  • Invite international students for cultural exchanges.
  • Support diversity and inclusion initiatives.
  • Challenge stereotypes and biases when you encounter them.
  • Engage in dialogue about cultural awareness.
  • Offer assistance to international students adjusting to campus.
  • Learn a foreign language.
  • Share traditional recipes with friends.
  • Attend guest lectures on diversity and inclusion.

Acts of Kindness Online

  • Leave positive comments on classmates’ social media posts.
  • Share helpful academic resources.
  • Avoid engaging in online negativity.
  • Promote healthy online discussions.
  • Share inspiring stories and quotes.
  • Offer a virtual shoulder to lean on.
  • Send encouraging messages to friends.
  • Promote online awareness campaigns.
  • Organize virtual events to stay connected.
  • Support online mental health initiatives.

Spreading Joy and Laughter

  • Share funny memes and jokes with friends.
  • Host a game night in your residence hall.
  • Plan surprise movie nights in common areas.
  • Decorate your living space with positivity.
  • Share personal stories of overcoming challenges.
  • Encourage humor and laughter in everyday life.
  • Celebrate birthdays and milestones with friends.

Promoting Self-Care

  • Share self-care tips with friends.
  • Organize self-care workshops and activities.
  • Offer to accompany a friend on a self-care day.
  • Provide support during busy exam periods.
  • Encourage a healthy work-life balance.
  • Create self-care kits for friends.
  • Share stress-relief techniques.
  • Promote regular exercise and healthy eating.
  • Offer to help friends create study schedules.
  • Celebrate each other’s accomplishments.
  • Always be a supportive friend and peer.

Conclusion

Spreading kindness on campus is not only about making others’ lives better but also about enhancing your college experience. These ways to spread kindness on Millersville University’s campus can foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive community. Remember, kindness is contagious, and your actions can inspire others to do the same. So, let’s make our campus a better place, one act of kindness at a time!

*** Graphic by Scott M. Helfrich, Ed.D. 

Lifestyle / Hall Life, Student Life

Spring Into the End of the Semester

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Spring has officially sprung on Millersville’s campus as we enter into, in my opinion, some of the worst weeks of the semester. The countdown is on until graduation and summer break, and it cannot come fast enough. As professors cram the last of assignments and finals creep up on us, it is sometimes hard to really enjoy the beautiful weather. So, let’s discuss what exactly you can do during this time of year on a college campus.

Study outside: Utilize this weather to get the never ending assignments and studying you need to do, done. I get it, just because the weather is warming up, does not mean that your list of to dos is decreasing. Rather than sulking over the fact that there is much to be done, utilize the multiple outdoor locations around campus for studying outside.

Take a walk: Walk around the entirety of campus, even those parts you have yet to explore. Or venture into the neighboring communities near campus. Millersville is luckily equipped with plenty of sidewalks and neighborhoods that are perfect for taking a mid-day walk on a warm day.

Explore local markets: Specifically, explore the Lancaster Central Market or downtown Lancaster in general. On a warm spring day, walking around downtown Lancaster and the market is something out of a Hallmark movie, I promise.

Attend sports events: Whether it is a local game or a Millersville specific team, take a warm day to sit outside and enjoy an outdoor sport, while also supporting your university. This can be a fun way to spend time with friends or also a way to support friends who play a sport. It is never a bad idea to have a little school spirit, too.

Relax and recharge: Warm weather is the perfect excuse to give yourself a break to relax and recharge. As a college student, this time of year is exhausting and extremely hard to push through. Take a nice day as a sign to take a nap in your portable hammock or to not touch your laptop for 24 hours. Sometimes, that is exactly what your brain and body need to get back on track.

Soon you will be able to enjoy the spring weather as a simple task without having to worry about impending due dates. Until then, balance fun and work as best you can, and utilize these tips as much as possible. Happy Spring, Marauders!

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Gabrielle Krick is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Management and minor in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include human resources, social media marketing, and content marketing. When she graduates in May 2023, Gabby hopes to work for a large company’s human resources department, specifically representing minorities and the LGBTQ community. She hopes to either stay in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area or move somewhere near Rehoboth, Delaware.  

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Advice, Lifestyle / Hall Life, Student Life

From Residence Hall to Home

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College. Your home away from home. There is nothing more important than your space. It is the place you begin and end your day with. And even if you wish to ignore it, your space has countless effects on your frame of mind. So, let us discuss some easy tactics for making your residence hall and college experience one to look back on and smile about.  

Utilize something that reminds you of home. Whether that is a small keepsake that a parent gave to you or a framed picture of you and friends, having reminders of home serve as nice decorative touches for your room. Have something that you will look at and be immediately reminded of your home, however that is defined for you. Home is often a mindset rather than just a physical space.  

Curtains for your closet. Install some curtains to act as a door to your closet. This will prevent your closet contents from being visible to everyone that enters your suite. To install this easy fix, I recommend purchasing an adjustable curtain rod with stoppers on the ends, to best fit your closets size. Do not forget to measure your closet when purchasing a curtain, as well. Then, just put the curtain on the rod and adjust the rod to the desired length to secure it as a make shift door on your closet. Somewhere such as Amazon is the perfect place to find these items at an inexpensive price. And if this explanation is not suitable for you, YouTube is a great resource for researching this hack.

Always remember the word “comfort”. At the end of the day your residence hall room is your space. You sleep, do homework, have friends over, relax, and even eat there sometimes. Remember that your suite is multifunctional. So when you are shopping for items to fill your space with, do not forget while the residence hall is your bedroom, it is also your living room, study space, and kitchen. 

Go for interchangeable and inexpensive décor. College is a time of immense change. Throughout the several years you spend here, I would be willing to bet your style will alter. So, instead of spending an unnecessary amount of money on décor, lower the budget a bit and buy interchangeable items.  

Acknowledge that home is not always a physical space. While aesthetic décor, plants, and framed pictures are great, it is also important to realize that home is so much more than the space you spend your days in. It is a feeling, the people you surround yourself with, and the memories you make in that space. While a residence hall room can be so different from what you are used to, it can be just as sweet of an experience with the right mindset and people to fill the space.  

College is a time to truly grow into yourself and the person that you are away from the people that have shaped you for most of your life. While it is great to remind yourself of where you came from, do not forget to make your own memories and definition of home. 

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Gabrielle Krick is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Management and minor in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include human resources, social media marketing, and content marketing. When she graduates in May 2023, Gabby hopes to work for a large company’s human resources department, specifically representing minorities and the LGBTQ community. She hopes to either stay in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area or move somewhere near Rehoboth, Delaware.  

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Advice, Events / Programs, Lifestyle / Hall Life, Resources, Student Life

The Dos and Don’ts of Getting Involved In College

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One of the most important details of your development as a person while in college, yet one of the most overlooked, is getting involved. For most of us, college is the first extended period we have spent away from home. And while that thought may not invoke intense fear for you, it is still important to recognize this large shift in routine. You may feel right at home at college, or like you have it all figured out from the start, but getting involved on campus can only benefit you in the long run for countless reasons. So, let us discuss the dos and don’ts of getting involved in college.  

To start, use your resources. There is no need for “do’s and don’ts” if you do not even know what your college campus has to offer for clubs and activities. Millersville University makes it simple. Visit https://getinvolved.millersville.edu/ for all your organization, event, and involvement needs. The site is broken down into sections and makes it incredibly simple to sift through clubs and organizations that you may be interested in.  

Begin with the obvious. I have danced my whole life, so the first organizations that I sought out when I arrived on campus were Millersville’s Dance Team and Expressions Dance. It made complete sense, and as a senior, I am happy to say I have spent four amazing years with Expressions Dance and owe it to that club for introducing me to my lifeline friends. Then, go with the not so obvious. Just because you have a club you are set in does not mean that there are not others that are a great match for you as well. For me, that was Her Campus, an organization all about college women using their voices in an online magazine and blog site.  I joined because a dance friend recommended it, went to an info session, and fell in love with their message as a club. I have now been writing for Her Campus for over a year, allowing myself to speak my mind while also gaining blogging experience.  

Differentiate between organizations that are beneficial to your career or are just extracurriculars. Balancing between both is so important; you cannot have fun without the work. So, I recommend joining a club because it is something that you love and then also because it will give you experience. Brownie points if you can find a club that does both. Dance is fun for me, but I have no intention of going into the performance industry. I do however plan to go into the marketing world post-graduation, so, Her Campus has been extremely helpful in this sense with giving me real life blogging opportunities.  

Recognize when you need to step up. No matter if an organization is fun or all business, stepping up into a leadership role is always a great experience. Not only is it a great resume booster, but it is also an amazing opportunity to work with other students and faculty in a more professional sense. I have been lucky enough to be a teacher for Expressions Dance and serve on their board throughout my junior and senior years. This specific experience has taught me immense patience, accountability, and respect for my peers that I work with. As for Her Campus, I have had the pleasure of running their social media pages for the past school year. This has given me so much experience in the marketing aspect, which I have spent the past four years studying and hope to continue with my career.  

While joining an organization can be exciting, it is also important to recognize when it might not be the right fit. This could be due to scheduling conflicts, the amount of time involved, or not what you thought it was going to be, so it is alright to turn down a club. While college schedules are frequently flexible, you do still have a life. From alone time, to homework, and social events, you do not want to take away from these equally important things just because you want to join a club. Burnout is real and while your first year on campus may be jam packed and you made it through just fine, remember you still have at least seven semesters to go. And they only get busier. So be picky with your clubs and only join those few that you know you are either getting important experience from or extreme happiness.  

Despite the immense information just given, it is important to remember that clubs are supposed to be the stress relievers of college. I go to dance, and I forget about that massive project I have due next week and additional stressors that I have. While we are all here for an education, we are also all here for enriching experiences, and those experiences will not just come with sitting in a classroom. Get out of your residence hall, make new friends, and join an organization that you will miss come graduation.  

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Gabrielle Krick is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Management and minor in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include human resources, social media marketing, and content marketing. When she graduates in May 2023, Gabby hopes to work for a large company’s human resources department, specifically representing minorities and the LGBTQ community. She hopes to either stay in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area or move somewhere near Rehoboth, Delaware.   

Subscribe to our blog to receive email notifications whenever we make a new post!  

Follow us on social media:  

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Lifestyle / Hall Life, New / Prospective Students, Resources

Residence Hall Essentials From Amazon That You’ll Want to Buy

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Moving away from home and moving into the residence halls is super exciting, but can seem daunting if you don’t know what to pack. If you’re unsure about what you need to bring with you to college, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here is a short list of some residence hall essentials you can buy from Amazon to help you prepare for living on campus once the fall semester begins:

(Here’s a helpful tip: College students can take advantage of Amazon Prime Student, which is a discounted Amazon Prime membership program. Click here to learn more about it!)

1. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner

Mrs. Meyers multi surface everyday cleaner is a great investment because it limits the amount of cleaning supplies you have to buy and store since its multipurpose, and it’s inexpensive. This multi surface cleaning spray is also available in different fresh scents. Click here to purchase a 3-pack from Amazon.

2. First Aid Kit

Something a lot of students wouldn’t think to bring with them to college is a first aid kit, but they’re actually really convenient to have. Amazon has a great first aid kit available that includes 100 pieces but is still compact, and it’s only $8.00! Click here to see details and buy it.

3. Laundry Hamper

Laundry hampers like this one are an essential because you can use them to carry your clothes to and from the laundry room easily. This laundry hamper from Amazon comes with carrying straps and a side pocket for detergent and dryer sheets, as well as comes in different colors. Click here to check it out.

4. Foldable Storage Bag Organizers

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