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It's Winter Term at OSU!
February can be pretty rough on students here at Oregon State.  There's a sense that spring is FAR away and that the joys and rest from winter break have faded.  February can be a bit overcast and rainy here, so those who are impacted by the lack of sunlight tend to struggle some as well.  I say all of this to say, now is a GREAT time to check in with your student about what they're doing to care for their mental health and how their self-care is going. 

This issue has some great information about the adventure leadership program, as getting outside in nature works for lots of people (even if it is grey) to help fight the dullness of February.  We've also included information about the craft center, as turning anxiety into creativity is an excellent self-care activity.  If these things don't resonate with your student, encourage them to find something that does, so they have a plan to succeed this term.  Now is also a great time to think about sending some goodies from home, whether it's a batch of cookies or a childhood toy or a note of encouragement from you! 

If things get tough and your student needs some extra support, our Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a variety of tools that students can use.  I also highly recommend our Student Care office, which can sit down with your student and walk through their challenges to create an action plan of next steps.  Regardless of which support path you choose, stay in there with your student this month and help encourage them through any bumps they encounter.  Spring is just around the corner!

In February-self-care solidarity,
Melissa Morgan
Director - Office of Student Orientation
Check out our Parent and Family Calendar!
 Check out our Parent and Family Handbook!
Want Even More Information and Resources?

The Oregon State Alumni Association (OSUAA) publishes the Beaver Family Newsletter for the OSU community. You can find the most recent issue here! You can also apply for the new Parent and Family Council, which meets twice per year and supports current OSU students and parent engagement. Check out the OSUAA website for even more ways to get involved!

Upcoming Academic Calendar Dates 

  • February 18 - last day to change the grading basis of a course
  • February 18- last day to withdraw from a course 
  • March 11 - last day to withdraw from the term
  • March 14-18 - Finals Week 
  • March 23 - grades available online
Upcoming Student Account Due Dates
  • February 1 - bill due from previous month
  • February 17 - student account hold for accounts past due or above $2200
  • March 1 - bill due from previous month 
Crafting for Well-Being: Getting Creative at the OSU Craft Center

Students coming down to the OSU Craft Center to make cool stuff is more than just fun. Numerous studies have shown the health benefits of engagement in arts and crafts to improve mood and lower stress. Learning a new craft or picking up an old one has been a positive way for students to get through the pandemic and other life stressors.

Making art or crafts is a mindfulness exercise that requires focus, attention, and engagement of the senses; as a result, it is a healthy distraction from stressors. The action stimulates the parts of one’s brain cortex involved with regulating emotions and lessens activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain that processes negative emotions and fear.

At the Craft Center we believe in the power of art to heal and strive to make the center welcoming and accessible for all OSU students. Membership is FREE for current OSU students (incidental fee-paying) and fee-based for other OSU students. All skill levels are welcome!

Open Monday through Saturday, student members can enjoy open studio time in well-equipped studios in Ceramics, Glass, Woodworking, Fibers, Printmaking, Paper Arts,  and Jewelry/Metals. If a student needs instruction, they can register for a workshop taught by a skilled artisan. There are fee-based and free workshop options. In addition, there are several free craft kit options with detailed instructions for self-directed learning that can be utilized within the Craft Center or checked out for a 2-day rental. With over 11 different craft kit options to choose from, there’s something for everyone’s interest!

You don’t have to be creative or have prior experience to give crafting a try. Working with one’s hands and creating something gives a sense of pride and accomplishment and builds self-esteem. Additionally, making items for friends, family or the surrounding community can lessen feelings of isolation.

A part of Student Experiences & Engagement, the Craft Center is located in the Student Experience Center. More information can be found from the OSU Craft Center’s website at https://craftcenter.oregonstate.edu or Instagram account at www.instagram.com/osu.craft.center

Five steps to finding a job on campus - Suggestions from the Career Development Center 

 An on-campus job is a great way for a student to support their education, and even more importantly – to gain skills and experience that will help them once they’re ready to launch into their first career after graduating from Oregon State.

 The best place for Beavs to find on-campus jobs is through Handshake, a nationally recognized jobs platform that OSU students automatically gain access to once they’re enrolled. All on-campus jobs (as well as multiple off-campus jobs) are listed on Handshake.

1. Check Handshake for jobs. Students can log in at oregonstate.joinhandshake.com using their Oregon State email credentials, then click on “jobs” at the top of the screen. Filter the job listings by clicking “on-campus” to see just opportunities at Oregon State.

2. Prepare a resume. Once a student has found a job they’re interested in, they should tailor their resume to highlight any experience or skills that might be relevant to the position. If this is a student’s first job, that’s perfectly fine! Skills and knowledge gained through coursework, group projects, volunteering, sports, and clubs are all relevant for student employment, and Oregon State offers numerous ways for students to get help translating those skills onto a resume:
  • Get resume tips from the OSU Career Guide online.
  • Get instant feedback from OSU’s online resume help system, Vmock.
  •  Meet one-on-one with a Career Assistant (a peer advisor) or a Career Advisor (a professional staff member who works with students in specific colleges or majors).

3. Apply online. Submit materials via Handshake or jobs.oregonstate.edu.

4. Practice interviewing. Sitting down in front of a prospective employer and talking about yourself can feel awkward – taking time to practice beforehand helps!

5. Follow up. Leaving a positive final impression matters; encourage your student to thank the person who interviewed them, both at the end of the interview, and again within 24 hours via email.

Want to know more about how families can help support their students throughout their college to career journey?

A Message From the Adventure Leadership Institute 

Studies indicate that time outdoors has many health benefits, including: 

  • Decreased anxiety

  • Improved sleep and focus

  • Enhanced creativity

Oregon State University's Adventure Leadership Institute™ (ALI) has been helping students and the OSU community engage with the outdoors for over 70 years. The ALI has a variety of pathways for engagement, including classes, Adventure Club outings, services, and facilities.

The ALI provides awe-inspiring, transformative experiences to more than 9,500 students each year, serving as educators who develop and change students using experience as the textbook and the outdoors as the classroom. The ALI offers over 30 PAC and LEAD classes a year for academic credit, including rafting and mountaineering. Wilderness First Aid and Lead Climbing are two of the over 20 non-credit classes offered. In addition, the ALI provides professional certification courses from nationally recognized organizations, including SOLO Wilderness Medicine, ACA White Water Rescue, PCIA Climbing Wall Instruction, and more.

The ALI student-led Adventure Club connects students through outdoor adventure. Adventure club trips include backpacking, rock climbing, and snowshoeing. The upcoming Adventure Club trip, Art and Yoga at Smith Rock on Feb. 26 is the perfect trip to help students clear their minds in preparation for winter term finals.

ALI services such as the bike shop and equipment rental provide students with the gear and resources to embark on their outdoor adventures. The ALI Bike Shop offers maintenance services, has parts for sale, and has a bike tech on staff to help students get their bikes ready for campus commutes or longer trips. The ALI equipment rental program rents gear for activities, including backpacking, ice climbing, mountaineering, rafting, rock climbing, bouldering, and more. In addition, the ALI operates two indoor climbing centers with over 40 ft walls that include bouldering and top-rope as well as a challenge course

Adventure awaits! Visit the ALI Service Center, located in the Dixon Recreation Center, Monday to Friday from 12 to 6 p.m. or connect with the ALI online or by email

We hope you enjoyed this newsletter.  Drop us a line and let us know what you liked from this issue and any ideas of what you'd like to see in the next issue!
https://families.oregonstate.edu/
newstudents@oregonstate.edu
https://www.instagram.com/osunewstudents/
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