Author: Julie Brock

Love is in the air

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Some people hate it, and some people love it, but either way Valentine’s Day is 4 days away! So, let’s have a chat about relationships! It doesn’t matter if you’re currently seeing someone, actively looking, or happily, perpetually single. Valentine’s Day and relationships are things most people thinks about on Feb. 14. Maybe you’re just in it for the discount chocolate on Feb. 15, your idea of sweet nothings is whispering I want to be with you as much as–if not more–I don’t want to be with a Furby at night, or you spend weeks planning something special for your boo.

To be honest, I’m more excited for Deadpool to be released on Feb. 12 this year, but to each their own.

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Source: Marvel

But on a more serious note, let’s take a closer at some relationship statistics for college students…

  • 43 percent of women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors
  • 1 in 3 people in relationships have given their partner their computer, email, or social network passwords and these students are more likely to experience digital dating abuse
  • 57 percent say dating abuse is difficult to identify and 58 percent don’t know how to help someone who is experiencing it

What defines a healthy relationship?

No matter your relationship status these are important questions to think about. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is able to help:

Healthy relationships allow both partners to feel supported and connected but still feel independent. COMMUNICATION and BOUNDARIES are the two major components of a healthy relationship. Ultimately, the two people in the relationship decide what is healthy for them and what is not. If something doesn’t feel right, you should have the freedom to voice your concerns to your partner.

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Where can you get help or just talk to someone?

*If you are in an unsafe relationship please use caution and access these links from a public computer.

I know it’s a heavy topic but it’s one that has the potential to impact everyone regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, age, or personality. So, please, if you or someone you know is in this position, speak up.

9 Ways To Get Your Festivus On In Columbus

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It’s officially December 1st, which means now is the chance to do all the winter and holiday things you can handle! Everyone enjoys this season in a different way, so get out there and enjoy it (instead of dreading the chill).

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Here are nine ways you can get your festivus and winter feels on:

  1. Do you like holiday lights, but hate being outside in the cold? Then go to the Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting on December 1 at 5:30! Zoo
  2. Take in the lights at Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! The lights are already up and will stay up until Jan. 3. They have millions of LED lights, 3 animated musical light shows, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and reindeer! And through Dtix in the Ohio Union you can get tickets for $10! What more could you want?
  3. What signifies cold weather more than hockey? The Blue Jackets have three games before the semester ends: vs. The Panthers December 4, vs. The New York Islanders December 12, vs. The Tampa Bay Lightning December 14. Ohio State’s Women’s Ice Hockey has 2 games against Minnesota Duluth on December 11 and 12.
  4. Kick off the holiday season with the Grand Illumination of Columbus as the Scioto Mile is lit up with thousands of lights! The ceremony starts at 5 p.m. on Dec. 4.
  5. Explore the Short North during their Holiday Hop on December 5! Enjoy an evening filled with sights, sounds, food, shopping, Santa, and surprises!
  6. Get a selfie with Rudolph! North Market will have reindeer outside on Dec. 6 from 12-3 p.m.GrandIllumination_FeatureImage
  7. Roam the historic streets of German Village and enjoy shops open late with holiday treats, discounts, and special offers during their Village Lights event. Festive surprises like carolers, live music, and a horse-drawn carriage are at every corner on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.!
  8. Celebrate with the Ohio State community at Light Up The Lake on Dec. 9. There will be student performers, a motivational speakers, snacks, and holiday fun!
  9. Relax with friends and just enjoy the energy that comes with this time of year!

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Check Your Wellness

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Whenever we run into someone we know, often the first question is, how are you doing? The standard reply is usually along the lines of good, fine, well, etc. Do you ever stop to think about it and answer honestly? I know I normally don’t.

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Ohio State’s Student Wellness Center splits wellness into 9 dimensions and there are many resources at Ohio State and in Columbus you can use to improve your wellness:

Emotional Wellness–Do you express your emotions in a healthy way? Can you identify your feelings?

Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS)–Free to students! CCS helps with stress management, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, life transitions, identity exploration, substance use, eating concerns, feeling overwhelmed, and academic adjustments.

Career Wellness–This can be about your job, your major, or your involvement. Do you enjoy the work you put into everything?

Career Counseling and Support Services (CCSS)–CCSS can assist with “personal concerns related to career decision making, clarification of career goals, exploration of career/major options, and guidance in development of necessary tools (resumes, cover letters, interviewing, personal statements).”

Dennis Learning Center–Can help with academic motivation, time management, and strategies for self-regulation, test-prep, test-taking, note-taking, and reading through academic classes they offer, one-on-one appointments, and workshops.

Tutoring Resources – Math, Physics, and Chemistry tutoring happens in both Younkin and the residence halls. The Math and Statistics Learning Center has tutoring for math and statistics classes. The General Chemistry Learning Resource Center has tutoring hours for general chemistry courses. The Department of Physics has tutoring hours for physics courses. The Economics Learning Center has peer tutoring. If you need help with a writing assignment The Writing Center and MARS (Mobile Assistance with Research Students) is available! When in doubt, talk to your professor or TA!

Social Wellness–Do you have a support system built on trust and respect? Are you sensitive and aware towards the feelings of others?

Have fun with friends, new and old–Dtix has a lot of discounts for cool places in Columbus. Ask people if they want to go to a Blue Jackets game, grab some Jeni’s, or go to Skyzone! Try to get people from your floor to go see one of the OUAB Flicks for Free on Wednesday nights or sing like nobody’s listening at karaoke night in Woody’s (the remaining karaoke night themes are Boy Bands, Taylor Swift, and Buckeye Spirit)!

Get Involved–Try going to different student organization meetings. All of the organizations are listed online where you can sort through by type and it has their contact information in case you have any questions!

Spiritual Wellness–This doesn’t have to relate directly to your religious (or non-religious) beliefs. Do you seek harmony and balance by  exploring the depth of human purpose, meaning, and connection? Maybe service is how you seek that balance.

Pay It Forward–Volunteer around Columbus with other Ohio State students!

Physical Wellness–Do you get an adequate amount of sleep, eat well, engage in exercise for 150 minutes per week, attend regular medical check-ups, and practice safe and healthy sexual relations?

The Student Wellness Center–Online resources can be found at link. You can sign up for a free nutrition counseling session on their site as well.

Group Fitness–Check out the group fitness classes offered by Ohio State.

Student Health Services–Schedule an appointment to get a flu shot or a check up. Complete your vaccination paperwork!

Financial Wellness–Are you aware of your finances? Can you manage them?

Scarlet and Gray Financial–Have a one-on-one meeting with a peer financial coach to learn more about banking, budgeting, and goal setting.

Intellectual Wellness–Do you try to learn new things and expand your worldview?

Ohio State and Columbus events–Dtix has tickets for different performances. The Wexner Center for the Arts has documentaries, artist talks, and performances. Ohio State’s Multicultural Center hosts events throughout the semester. Embrace your interests and your curiosity!

Creative Wellness–Do you value and seek out a range of arts and cultural experiences?

Off the Lake Productions–This is a student-run musical theater group at The Ohio State University who have multiple performances throughout the year. Get involved or just enjoy the show!

Search out events in Columbus and Ohio State–Dtix has tickets to concerts and performances throughout the semester. Explore the exhibits at the Wexner. Venture out to see local bands! Create something yourself. Whatever interests you, expand on that.

Environmental Wellness–Do you want to improve the environment? Do you appreciate the connection between nature and individuals?

Adventure Trips and Clinics – Go enjoy the outdoors with other Ohio State students! Or just chill on the Oval or visit a local park if that’s what you like.

Everyone’s wellness is different. The Student Wellness Center has an online assessment for you to assess your own. They also provide Wellness Coaching, a free service helps you become aware regarding your capacity to create the life you want to live, both now and in the future.

5 Ways to Prepare for the Career and Internship Fair

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If you haven’t seen it advertised around campus, let me be the first to tell you that the Career and Internship Fair is happening, September 15 and 16 in the Ohio Union, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.! I can guess what some of you might be thinking:

“Summer just ended, I’ve been a college student for less than a month, and now you want me to start thinking about jobs and internships?!”

The answer is YES!

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It doesn’t have to be intimidating, and it’s fine if you only have experience from high school. Ohio State has a lot of opportunities to prepare you for the world of career and internship fairs.

1. Update* Your Résumé

*Or make one if you don’t have a résumé! Your résumé is the time to showcase your accomplishments and skills you will be bringing to the job. If you don’t know where to start, then Ohio State can help. The Writing Center and Career Counseling and Support Services have resources available online.

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Once you have updated it, don’t forget one of the most important steps: PRINT IT. It can be on normal printer paper, or if you want to be more professional you can use résumé paper. It’s less flimsy than normal copier paper and you can find some on the second floor of the Ohio Union in the Resource Room. Once you print out copies of your résumé, be sure to put them in something; don’t just let them hang around unprotected! That way, when you hand a potential employer your résumé, it’s presentable. A padfolio or even a clean, unmarked folder will work. This way you have somewhere to put pen and paper, in case you need to take notes, as well!

2. Prepare What You’re Going to Say

At some point during the fair you will be talking to professionals and you will want to make a good impression. This is where an “elevator speech” comes in. Basically it is a brief speech…imagine a short 20-30 second elevator ride conversation that lets the other person know more about you, your qualifications, and why you’re talking to them about their company. You can see a template here.

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Also, think about what you want to ask the professionals at the career fair. What do you want to know about their company, and what they could offer you? If you aren’t sure what you would say, look through this list from Buckeye Careers, Career Counseling and Support Services can help, and if you’re free next Tuesday, September 8th in the evening try going to the Making the Most Out of a Career Fair Workshop. Look through the list of employers attending and do some research on ones that sound interesting to you. That way, you can ask specific–as opposed to general–questions.

3. Pick Out Your Outfit

You are going to want to look professional. Here are a couple suggestions from Buckeye Careers. When in doubt, have someone look over your outfit. Don’t wait until the last minute to do this!

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And let’s all remember that you’re not fully dressed without a smile! Let’s be honest: who wants to work with someone who looks like they hate life? Even just looking interested can help your first impression.

4. Breathe

This career fair isn’t going to determine the rest of your life. Think of it as a way to get comfortable in a professional environment. You are going to want an internship or job eventually and being familiar with the process makes a difference.

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Just breathe and remember that everyone had to start somewhere.

5. Follow up

Did you connect with an employer at the job fair? Write the representative you spoke with a thank you note! Buckeye Careers has some follow-up suggestions here.

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If going to the career fair made you confused about what you want to do with your degree or how to get from point A to point B, don’t worry, there are people to help with that! Buckeye OnPace is an online module that helps you figure out what careers fit with your interests, you can meet with Career Counseling and Support Services, or can talk to your advisor about the resources available in your major. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!