Sep 27, 2018 | Feature |
By Tania Bureau Contributing Writer
College is challenging when students balance studying, practicing sports, working and getting eno
Sophomore Charlotte Allard combats stress by going to the library to do homework. (Photo by Tania Bureau)
ugh sleep at night. Gavin Pickering, a counselor at UMF, said that while it is important to set times and make schedules, it’s also smart to take breaks and spend time with friends.
“It is important for students to take one thing at a time and not try to multitask,” said Pickering in an email. “Think of yourself as capable to get the work done, and don’t overwhelm yourself. Focus on one thing at a time.”
Two students at UMF dealing with busy schedules and the stress of college life are Joseph Ashby, a freshman, and Charlotte Allard, a sophomore.
Ashby is still adjusting to college. “It is extremely overwhelming,” said Ashby. “Especially playing a varsity sport and having to juggle to get my 16 credits and having three hours of practice everyday.” Ashby is working to find strategies to help with the busy workload. “If I am not in class, I am doing homework and if I am not doing homework or in class, I’m playing soccer,” said Ashby. “I’m always doing schoolwork.”
Both Ashby and Allard have come up with some strategies to help with stress and a busy schedule. Ashby goes to a math tutor through Johnson Scholars, and Allard goes to tutors to have papers read with a fresh pair of eyes.
Allard strives to be organized, making a list of everything that needs to get done, and goes to the library to do homework. Allard finds that writing her notes color-coded also helps with studying.
Allard has found that it helps her to take a short break. “…[During a stressful time] I did something other than homework. I got away from that specific thing and when I came back to it I reread what I had, and it was like, ‘oh, there’s my mistake.’”
Allard also has strategies to unwind. “I stress out myself so bad. When I am mentally stressed and overwhelmed I write in a journal,” said Allard. “I will just like word vomit all of my thoughts, everything I am thinking and throw it on paper and I can get back to what I am doing because my mind is clear.”
Pickering emphasizes that students need to focus on the positives while studying. “Celebrate the work that you accomplish also think about how you will feel when the homework is complete,” said Pickering. “Try to get excited about a task. It gets rid of the voice that says, ‘I don’t wanna,’ which is often the reason work goes undone.”
If you’re struggling with the stress college life brings, you can make an appointment at Counseling Services by go online to the Counseling Service Page on the UMF website, or call 207-778-7034.
Sep 27, 2018 | Feature |
By Evan Gorr Contributing Writer
Tori Lands, pictured with a team of young basketball players, while teaching abroad at Daegu International School in Korea. (Photo courtesy of Tori Lands)
Tori Lands, a 2017 UMF graduate, has started a second year of teaching at Daegu International School (DIS) in South Korea and is immersed in the Korean culture.
Lands graduated UMF with a degree in Secondary Education, and also holds a minor in International and Global Studies. Lands completed student teaching at DIS, which is operated by Maine’s Lee Academy, and really enjoys the experience.
When Lands was offered a full-time position teaching 5th grade, she couldn’t resist. “I highly recommend taking advantage of studying or teaching abroad,” said Lands, who believes that the opportunities to travel and meet new people are the most satisfying parts of teaching abroad.
Lands believes that teaching abroad has had positive impacts on her perspective of the world. “Prior to moving to South Korea, I had never traveled out the U.S. or Canada,” said Lands.
Lands learns something new everyday and is starting to feel at home in her new environment. From bowing when greeting someone, to using Korean language, Lands has become more comfortable with the culture.
Lands is getting to live in and explore parts of the world that some people never visit. During her first year of teaching, Lands took students on a weekend trip to an island off of Korea. Lands said, “It was really cool to see a new part of Korea with my students, most of whom are Korean.”
In addition to the trip with students, Lands takes advantage of her time off of work. “Most weekends and breaks I am exploring either in Korea or other countries in Asia,” Lands said. “Korea has some awesome hiking and biking trails and being active is a huge part of the culture here so I also try to take advantage of that.”
Lands has had some great experiences in South Korea. “I am constantly surprised at the environment I have the opportunity to work and live in,” said Lands.
Lands has learned that education in Korea is one of the highest priorities for families. The support Lands receives from her community is helpful and gladly accepted. Lands was also pleasantly surprised to find out that her students put in an immense effort towards their education.
Lands finds that the hardest part is being away from home. “With anyone who moves away from where they grew up, you realize that life doesn’t stop just because you aren’t there anymore,” said Lands.
There is a 13 hour time difference between South Korea and Maine, so communication with family and friends can be tough for Lands. In addition, the flight back to the US is at least 24 hours, so it becomes difficult to make it to important events like weddings or birthdays.
It is custom in Korea to have the youngest person pour all the drinks at a table. Lands is the youngest teacher at DIS, so she finds herself participating in this tradition often. She has also had to learn parts of the Korean language, as it is a necessity to get around certain places. “The Korean language is very different from English, and for myself, very difficult to learn,” said Lands. Although Korean is hard to master, Lands has begun to feel more at home each year.
Education is very important to their families so it becomes important for the kids, too.
Sep 27, 2018 | Feature |
By Aislinn Forbes Contributing Writer
UMF Career Counselors Cyndi McShane and Stephen Davis have made themselves more available to busy students by beginning a new service, Drop-in Career Counseling, for those seeking advice on their career path or academic exploration.
Cyndi McShane, a UMF career counselor and graduate, helps guide students to success after they have completed their time at UMF.
Right now, students who need to go over their resume or an application have to make an appointment a week in advance and travel to the second floor of Franklin Hall. With the Drop-in Hour, students can have a resumé proofread in under 10 minutes by a professional. This will make McShane and Davis more available to students in need of longer, one-on-one sessions.
McShane’s goal was to encourage students who might not have anyone else to turn to. “I like to think I can offer comfort and support,” said McShane. Recent graduate Madison Uliano visited the Career office only once, but that visit had a lasting impact. “Career services really increased my confidence in myself and my career options,” said Uliano.
Astra Pierson, who graduated in Spring 2018, said, “I went to see Steve at a very turbulent time in my life. I never would have gotten through my senior year without Steve’s help.” Pierson is now a grassroot organizer for the Maine Democratic Party.
“It’s fun to work with university students,” said Davis. “I like to hear their stories, learn about where they come from.”
“We subscribe to what’s called the ‘Planned Happenstance’ philosophy,” said McShane. “Planned Happenstance” work
s by searching for opportunities to explore their interests and skills by going to events and meeting people in that field. When in doubt, “action is the right answer,” said McShane.
There are many events planned for the rest of the semester. October is Graduate School and Other Post-College Opportunities month. The career office will be driving students to graduate and professional school fairs at Bates and Colby, which students can sign up for by emailing McShane at cynthia.mcshane@maine.edu. Other events will be on the MyCampus calendar.
Both counselors encouraged students to visit anytime. “There is never a wrong time to talk to a career counselor, about anything,” McShane said.
McShane has a few perks if you schedule a meeting. “I have chocolate,” she said. “And I have a dog, his name is Cosmo, I’ll tell you about him and show you pictures if you come and see me.”
UMF offers career counseling in the Fall, Winter and Spring, to all students and alumni. For students who are interested in meeting one-on-one for the full hour, meeting can be scheduled on MyCampus. Go to the Career Counseling page, click on Davis or McShane, and a calendar will be provided of their availability and instructions on how to contact them.
Drop-in Counselling will be available in Olsen Student Center room 108 on Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. McShane and Davis will alternate staffing every week.
