The ABC’s of Penn State Berks

It’s me, Jeanine, again! So I was thinking about what to write for my blog post, because it’s been a crazy, fun, stressful, wonderful semester so far, and I decided that I wanted to give you guys the ABC’s of Penn State Berks. What’s that mean you ask? Well, I’m going to take you through the alphabet and give you little tidbits of information and helpful hints I’ve learned along my 7 semester journey through the wonderful world of Penn State! I hope you enjoy!

A is for Acronyms! You’re thinking acronyms, why do they matter in college? Well, here at Berks we have RAs, LAs, SGA, CAB, PM, IM, MM, OLs, LUC, BSCC, SAF, CSF, SPL, PSC, BCC, MPR…. And I could honestly keep going! Make sure that you learn all about these abbreviations because a lot of them are really cool things to get involved with on campus, clubs you might know about, and places you should probably visit!

Started at the creamery…

B is for Berkey Creamery Ice Cream! Think you need to go to University Park for Creamery Ice Cream? Nope. Housing and Food Services has pints shipped right to campus and on sale in Tully’s! Availability varies, but it’s always a great treat for anyone!

... now it's here!

C is for C.A.B.! C.A.B. is the campus activities board on campus. Their primary goal is bringing fun, interactive events to campus that students love! They love to hear new, exciting ideas and are always looking for a few good cabbies to help with events! Check them out Mondays at 1:30 p.m. in PSC 3! (Remember, what I said about Acronyms, yet?!)

D is for Degree Audit! What’s a degree audit? It’s your handy guide to graduation that is available via eLion at any time. Learn to read these ASAP and make sure you meet with your advisor every semester about them! There’s no better feeling in the world than seeing all the little + signs on them… that means it’s graduation time!

E is for eLion! eLion is your online portal to paying your bill, scheduling classes, finding your advisor information, seeing your financial aid package, finding your degree audit and more! You can access eLion at www.eLion.psu.edu.

F is for Financial Aid! College is expensive, but Financial Aid on campus is a great resource to visit and communicate with! They are easy to work with and super helpful! They can even help you fill out your FAFSA!

G is for Graduation! College is the best four (or five) years of your life, but graduation is the goal to aim for! Work hard and enjoy every second of college, because I promise it goes by in the blink of an eye… says the girl with one semester left!

My home this year… we’re all Step 

Brothers fans so this sign is fitting!

H is for Housing! Want to live on campus? Great! Berks has 2 housing options… The Woods and The Village! About 805 people live on campus so spaces fill up quickly! If you want to live on campus, accept your offer and request a contract FAST! Living on campus has been so fantastic for me! I’ve gotten more involved and met so many friends through the Res Halls on campus!

I is for Imagine it then do it! That sounds strange, right? Wrong! If you want to see something on campus, whether it’s a club, different food at Tully’s, or a campus event… imagine it, plan it out, then find a way to do it! If you get involved on campus and let you voice be heard there are tons of faculty and staff willing to help make your dreams a reality!

J is for Jitters! So this J is a double whammy (not just because it’s my favorite letter of the alphabet but because it works in two ways!) The first Jitters I’m talking about are those butterflies you have in your stomach thinking about coming to college, the exam you need to take, or what you want to do afterwards! All of these jitters are perfectly normal and, hey, guess what? Other people feel that way, too! Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about it! Jitters #2 is my pride and joy on campus- our Coffeehouse Series we have in Tully’s! 4 to 5 times a semester we have acoustic acts, spoken word artists, bands and open mic nights happen and students can come for free! (Bonus… you get cookies and coffee for FREE!) Make sure to check them out!

K is for Kindness! You probably think that’s lame, but give me a second! Here at Berks every student I have meet has been respectful of others beliefs, ideas, and goals. Students are helpful and always looking for ways to give back! We do tons of community service (Camp Out for Hunger, P.A.L. Thanksgiving, Reading Enrichment, and more) and love it! What makes Berks great is that everyone cares!

L is for Lion Ambassadors! Lion Ambassadors are the students who are selected and volunteer their time to help the admissions office out! We give tours, we help at Open Houses, and we assist with Alumni events or anything else that pops up and needs coverage! I’m lucky enough to be the president of this group and, honestly, I couldn’t be luckier! I have 36 peers always in my corner and helping me when I need it! I definitely suggest trying to be a Lion Ambassador! If you want more info sign up at Club Rush or contact me through the clubs page on the Berks website!

M is for Multi-cultural! Penn State Berks is a diverse place! We have over 41 international students, clubs, and organizations dedicated to celebrating diversity, and campus events that will transport you to a different culture! You can also study abroad to be really transported there.

N is for New Student Orientation Part 2! NSO2 (acronym!) is my favorite thing about Berks. The first 2 weekends and week you are at Berks, OLs will help you get adjusted by giving you the coolest, most jam packed experience of your life! You will get to know faculty, students, upperclassmen and more! Get ready for non-stop fun!

O is for Opportunities! There is a wealth of opportunities at Penn State Berks! Whether it’s becoming a student leader, getting your dream internship, or making a difference in the community and the world, you can find it all at Penn State Berks!

P is for Professors and Pro-Staff! Penn State Berks has some on the best, brightest, and most caring professors and professional staff in the world. Everyone learns your name and cares about your education! You can do research with professors, go to conferences, and find a mentor! It’s all about making connections that last and they love to!

Q is for Quaint!: Quaint (a): attractively unusual or old-fashioned! Even though Penn State Berks is constantly adding to our campus, there is a quaint feel as soon as you step onto the campus. We are a family here and it shows through the second you step on campus! We put education and peers first, which is sometimes rare to see.

R is for Research! Interested in a field of study and want to do more? Faculty members are always looking for students to help with research or to help students conduct their own! We are a research based institution and it shows! You get hands on research experience in every major and you learn the right way to do it! What could be better?

S is for Student Government Association! Afraid your voice won’t be heard? Have no fear SGA is here! SGA is the voice of the students at Berks. They work on anything from smoking policy changes, helping gets clubs funding, and working with administrators to make sure that things are fair for students and that they are constantly a priority. SGA also works to make sure ideas are heard and developed! Want to get involved? Come to meetings in Gaige 246 Wednesdays at 1:10pm!

T is for THON! THON is the largest student run philanthropy in the world and it’s all For The Kids! THON is a 46 hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon that happens at the BJC in State College in February! Berks has their own org that raises money and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer! Want to get involved? Meetings are Wednesday nights at 9:15pm in the MPR!

U is for Umbrellas! Let’s face it, you are living in Reading, PA… it rains here! Bring an umbrella (ladies, bring the cutest rain boots you can find) and stay dry! If you would rather get wet, that’s cool, too! Life is about learning to dance in the rain, not waiting for the storm to pass… I just like to do this more with an umbrella in hand.

V is for Victorious! Ask us about our champion varsity sport teams! Go ahead, I dare ya!

W is for Where did my 4 years go? I can’t say it enough… take every opportunity, face every single challenge, find your voice, discuss your beliefs, make friends, try new things, get involved, do things you never thought possible because this is YOUR life and Berks is YOUR home… make the most of every single second.  I did and my life has been changed because of it!

Running around crazy during 

Orientation Training… see, things 

happen you never thought would!

X is for eXcitement! Okay, so I couldn’t find a good x word but hear me out! College is the most exciting time of your life and here at Berks isn’t any exception! I’ve traveled to conferences, made lifelong friends, helped plan concerts, ran an entire Orientation, and done things I never thought I could do! There’s always adventures to be had and things to do on campus or in the area so do it! It’s an exciting time!

Y is for Your Time! For the first time in your life, it’s all about you! Do what you love, what makes you happy, what you think is right, and find yourself! It’s your time so live it up!

Z is for Zen! College is stressful! Classes, extracurricular, the cute boy you like but don’t have the guts to tell… we have all have stresses! Find your inner peace and what makes you happy! I like walking to the labyrinth late at night or listening to music or cuddling with my pillow pet! Whatever relaxes you, do it and do it often! You need to be ready to go live life to the fullest!

Well, now you know my ABCs of Penn State Berks… next time maybe you can help me add some more! 

- Jeanine