...of STARs kicking back!

We work hard, Thanksgiving break was too short, finals week is fast approaching...whatever the reason, us STARs needed a night to hang out and relax! We chose to hit up our friendly neighborhood Applebee's for half-priced appetizers. Good food and cheap food? Check! I, personally, tried the potato twisters for the first time - I highly recommend them for anyone who likes a little kick in their dip!

 STARs Joslyn, Diann, and Jill and a new friend!

Something cool about the Cedar Falls Applebee's - there was even karaoke for entertainment! This happens every Wednesday and many college students and community members came out. While none of us got the guts to actually participate, there were plenty of volunteers to cheer for. With great friends, great food, and great conversation, it has been one of my favorite nights this semester and a fantastic reminder as to why I love this job so much.

-STAR Stephanie

 

..... Of a Thankful STAR!

Hey, Panther friends!

As we are all aware, Thanksgiving break was last week. Although it may have been a little bit of a tease, it's always so nice to get home for the holidays and have a last little recharge before the end of the semester! I thought I would give you guys a little look into a few things that I did over my break that show you just a few reasons why I am so thankful.

Enjoy!

Have a great week, Panthers!

If you get stressed, just remember how many reasons there are to smile! 

STAR, Molly

...Of Visiting My Old High School!

Hey there Proud Panthers and Panthers To Be!

Today I had the chance to go visit good old L-M. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the initials L-M, it stands for Laurens-Marathon. Laurens-Marathon High School is where I graduated from in 2011. Although I am now a Panther for life, it’s always nice to go back and visit my old Charger stomping grounds!

Supporting UNI

So I wasn’t just back for nothing, I was back to participate in Panther Push! Panther Push is a program the University of Northern Iowa puts on where current UNI students go back and visit their high school, usually during Thanksgiving or winter break, to talk to interested high school students about UNI. I think this is a great program because it gives high school students an opportunity to ask questions to someone who is currently enrolled.

High Schoolers Filling Out Contact Cards

The gift of the day for one lucky high school student

This is my second time participating in Panther Push and both times I have been very fortunate. Lots of good questions were asked, and the students all seemed genuinely interested in this great university! It was a lot of fun to see students I went to high school with and help answer their questions about UNI. I would suggest if you get a chance, check out the Panther Push program!

-Jill, STAR

..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 

...of being in the know!

Hey Future Panthers! Everyone on UNI's campus knows the place to be between classes. Check out this video to find out what it is!

-STAR Stephanie

...of a Volunteer STAR!

Hello there, friends!

Have any of you ever thought about volunteering just because? No? Well, I have a great opportunity in mind for those of you who might like to try their hand.

This weekend, I got the opportunity to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house in Iowa City with some of my friends. The Ronald McDonald house provides housing and food for families with children dealing with illnesses that require them to be at the hospital for a long stay, or there for frequent appointments. The Ronald McDonald house has no time limit for those in need of staying there. If a family is in need and they have the space, they will take people!

  

 

The thing that I find to be really cool about the RMH is that they are willing and able to take volunteers anytime and have lots to keep us busy! For example, when I was there this weekend, I got to cut out Christmas ornaments that will be sold at local Hyvee grocery stores,  and the proceeds will go right back to the RMH. Some of my other friends who were with me were given a small cleaning list to finish, and they were done within the hour! This is because the RMH is lucky enough to receive lots of willing and able volunteers who want to make the stay for those there as comfortable as possible.

When talking to a woman named Natalie who works at the front desk there, I asked her what her favorite part about having people come volunteer at the RMH was. She explained to me that she thinks it is so cool how willing people are to come in at any time to help. She said that the smiling faces and great energy brought by those who come to volunteer is something you just can’t explain.

That’s what I love about the Ronald McDonald house. Although it might seem to us that we are doing a very small part in helping out, it makes such a big difference in the lives of those living there. It’s amazing to help out when you are healthy and able bodied, and giving back at the Ronald McDonald house gives me great pride and joy. I like to think they give me back a whole lot more than I give them.

Have a great week, guys!!!

STAR Molly