..of a STAR!

Well hello there again Panthers!

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A STAR!! (but then again what day isn't it?)

We, the students who bring this blog to you every week, are known as the UNI STARs (Student Telecounseling Admissions Representatives). It is our job to speak with potential/future panthers and assist them in any way that we can!

The STARs team has been very busy lately calling students and reminding them that representatives from our admissions office will be visiting their high schools. Congrats calls are starting to be heard throughout the office. These are personally my favorite calls because we get to speak with students about coming to campus, majors, dorm life, and well.. basically anything you can imagine about UNI!

The lovely STARs team :) 

Even though we are very, very busy while at work, the STARs team never ceases to have fun; whether it be sharing a Thanksgiving potluck before work (so much food, so little tummy space), or participating in activities that our management team has provided for us to keep our energy high.

I cannot even begin to explain how much I love this job. My co-workers are some of the most splendid, kind-hearted, and just all around amazing people you will ever meet. So this one goes out to you, fellow STARs.

Shine on,

STAR Megan

...of Following Your Dreams!

Hey, Future Panthers!

I know that sometimes, as we begin to take baby steps into the world of adulthood, it might seem like you have to give up on your dreams, do something sensible with your life, and settle into mediocrity. I am here to let you know that this is not the case. I put together a little Monday-blues-curing inspirational video filled with examples of all the dreamers here doing what they love here at UNI. Enjoy!

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in the magic will never find it."
 ~Roald Dahl

Have a great week!!

-Emily (STAR)

...Of Getting Fit!

Many people know about the Wellness Recreation Center. It’s big, has lots of fun classes, and has lots of options for fitness. The only problem? It’s not always open when I can squeeze a workout in. Never fear, however, there is a place on campus that can accommodate my needs: the Health Beat! The Health Beat is located in the center of campus, in Maucker Union and is super convenient. It is open during the day on Mondays-Thursdays 6:30 a.m.-6:30p.m. and Fridays 11 a.m.-2 p.m. They also have a locker room available with lockers to rent, if you’d prefer not to carry around your exercise clothes. 

The Health Beat features Magnum strength training machines, Precor, Life Fitness and Sci Fit, recumbent and upright bikes, steppers, elliptical machines, cross trainers, treadmills and a rower. With it’s central location and great hours, the Health Beat is perfect for the days when I would like to get a workout in after class and before I head home. Check it out!

-STAR Stephanie

...Of a House Program!

Hello again!

Bailey Jimmison, 1st floor Rider RA

Recently, I sat in on a good friend of mine’s house program in Rider Hall, one of the dorms in the quads. She’s a Resident Assistant in Rider and decided to do a house program called “Scheduling and Scratch.”

For the Future Panthers who may be reading, I’ll fill you in on what “Scratch” in “Scheduling and Scratch” stands for! Scratch is short for Scratch Cupcakery, located in downtown Cedar Falls. As previously mentioned here on our Day in the Life blog, Scratch Cupcakery is a joint with scrumptious cupcakes, coffee drinks, and gelato all for a good price.

A selection of the Scratch Cupcakes

Some residents enjoying their cupcakes

At the house program, Scratch Cupcakes were offered while the RA showed her residents how to schedule their classes for the upcoming spring semester. Since many residents were freshmen, it was a nice program to refresh their memories from summer orientation on how to register while enjoying some delicious cupcakes.

Students were encouraged to bring their laptops so they could follow along as Bailey, the RA, showed them where to look to know when they register and the process to choose classes. Even I, as a junior coming up to my sixth time to sign up for classes, learned things I didn’t know I could do while registering.

If living in the dorms, be sure to check out your RA’s next house program or a senate program; there’s always something to be learned, fun to be had, or food to be eaten!

-Jill, STAR

...of Magic at UNI!

On October 10th, 2013, the University of Northern Iowa’s own CAB (Campus Activity Board brought the one and only magician and illusionist, Mike Super! The winner of the hit TV show “Phenomenon” entertained an immense crowd with his marvelous illusions and magic. From making a “future phone call” to reading the audience’s thoughts, the students of UNI were entertained with a show that they will never forget.

The magician’s 1 ½ hour show contained moments of thrill and even some of pure astonishment when it came to the magician’s tricks. I for one have to admit that next to Chris Angel, Mike Super is one of the best magicians I have ever seen. His awesome humor and overall nice personality made his show that much more entertaining.

To all the current and future students of the University of Northern Iowa, this event just shows how fun attending this school really is. I personally am looking forward to seeing what CAB has in store for UNI next.

-Javi, STAR

...Of Panther Benefits

Hey you, Panthers!

This post is for all of you Macklemore fans and Out-of-Staters. If you don't fall into either of those categories, I am sure you can still find some type of entertainment in the video :)

Last Wednesday, I had the AH-MAZING opportunity to "road trip" down to Des Moines with a few of my best friends and see Macklemore in concert!!!  A little fun fact about myself is that I am an out-of-state panther from Illinois, so I hadn't been to a concert before because they are always so expensive! These tickets were very affordable and I just can't say no to Macklemore!

Here is just a glimpse of the magic that happened that night...

...of a Halloweekender on a budget!

Hey there future Panthers!

The most exciting time of the year (well, in my opinion) was just upon us! Halloween is a time that we students can forget about our stressful lives and busy schedules and be anything we want for the night! However, dressing up can get to be a little pricey if you are not careful! So I thought I would give you all some helpful tips for making a cheap (yet still adorable) costume. 

• Do not buy a costume from a costume store!!! (these can range anywhere from $30.00-$100.00 and ain't nobody got money for that!!!)
• Enlist the help of some creative and crafty friends!
• PINTEREST IS YOUR BEST FRIEND
• Look around your room (and your friends' rooms too) before buying anything! 

While taking all of these helpful hints into consideration for myself, an idea hit me...

A LADY BUG! 

This costume was so easy to put together and very inexpensive! Here is a low down of the costs:

• I borrowed the dress I am wearing from a friend, so it was fo freeeee
• We made the tutus we are wearing out of tulle which we spent about $8 on
• My black lady bug spots are made out of felt which I spent $3 on
• My antennas are made from a black headband I previously owned and pipe cleaners that I got from one of my friends who is an education major. sooo..$0

After tallying up all of those numbers, my grand total for my Halloween costume was....drum roll, please....$11

Yes, making your own homemade costume can take a lot of time, but if you get a bunch of your friends to do it too it can be a lot of fun! So get your creative juices flowing, because we only have 362 days until Halloween :)

My friends who all had homemade costumes

-STAR, Megan