ISSUE FOCUS:
FINDING YOUR COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS
> Here's How to Make Yourself at Home 
By the time spring arrives, most college students expect to be happily settled in at school. After all, they know their way around campus and are familiar with what it takes to succeed in college-level class work. But many students, freshmen and beyond, are surprised that they still have some of that first-semester anxiety. From time to time they find themselves struggling to feel more at home in their collegiate environment, especially if they are at a large university. If you are one of those students, you may even be thinking about transferring to a school closer to home. While that could be the right choice for you, it may be a good idea to give your "starter" school another chance.
You've probably heard people say, "College is the best time of your life!" But as exciting as college can be, sometimes all that newness can seem overwhelming. Living with a roommate, keeping up with your classes, budgeting your money, and scheduling your free time all come with challenges. It's no surprise that the college experience may not seem like the best time of your life - at first.
The good news is that everyone has experienced the same thing. From the students who couldn't wait to taste the freedom to those who dreaded leaving the familiar comforts of home, everyone needs to make an adjustment to the reality of college life. And it should be reassuring to know that this is completely normal - you aren't alone. It's just that some people settle in faster than others.
In fact, even the most independent students felt the inevitable stress that comes with change. Now that you are away at college, for the first time you are responsible for making most of the choices about your life. What courses should you take? What will you do on weekends? How much sleep should you get? Even what should you choose for dinner? Sure, you can and should ask your parents for advice, but now it's up to you to make the choices and follow through. READ MORE
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PATHFINDER
> Resources and More
Creating Community Do's and Don'ts:
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Do
Take care of yourself
Get involved
Ask for help
Try new things
Make new friends
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Don't
Skip classes
Pull an all-nighter
Go home every time you're homesick
Stay in your room all day
Set unrealistic goals
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A Click Away: Thriving at School
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GET STARTED
> Take the First Step to Feeling at Home Away from Home 
Get involved. The most effective strategy for feeling at ease is to get involved with the people and priorities of your surroundings. You'll feel comfortable in your new environment sooner if you stay busy and take active steps to meet congenial people.
Most schools have an event at the beginning of the year that gives campus organizations a chance to promote their activities to new students and meet the people involved. But you don't have to wait for this "involvement fair" to discover the kinds of extracurriculars offered at your school or meet some of the people who keep them going. At any time of the year you can check out the meetings for a group or activity that seems interesting, and sign up if you like what you see.
If you don't find something you want, like an AISES chapter, you can start a club of your own. Joining activities and following through by attending meetings, volunteering for outreach, and working on committees will help you meet like-minded people and build lasting friendships.
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NEWS FROM AISES
Now accepting applications for AISES scholarships during the 2016-2017 academic year. Multiple scholarship opportunities are available and range from $1,000 to $5,000 per academic year. Applications are due May 2.
AISES is proud to announce that nominations are being accepted for the 2016 AISES Professional Awards in the categories of Executive Excellence, Technical Excellence, Most Promising Engineer or Scientist, and the new Blazing Flame Award.
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Nov. 10-12
Minneapolis, Minn.
The annual AISES National Conference is a one-of-kind, three-day event focusing on educational, professional, and workforce development! Exhibitor and sponsor opportunities are now available.
Hokule`a, a re-creation of the famous Polynesian voyaging canoes that explored the Pacific and brought the first people to Hawaii, is now on a tour of the East Coast and will visit Yorktown, Va., April 24-May 8. The double-hulled sailing ship's itinerary, which began in the Everglades with a visit to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, will conclude in New England. For news on additional stops, where the crew plans to connect with other Native peoples, click here.
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