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FastStart: March, 2003 Newsletter
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This issue includes:
The Fun of Winter: Ice Skating Party
FastStart Alumnus Shares His Knowledge
Recent Events
Update: Where We Are, Where We Are Going
Upcoming FastStart Events
Campus Calendar of Events

In the spirit of what has been a very snowy and icy winter, FastStart had an ice skating party at the Greenberg Ice Skating Rink on February 22. Twenty-five students and mentors turned out to show off their ice skating skills.

"If I can do it anyone can" announced FastStart student Blessy Varghese as she and her mentor Katelyn Perry stepped off the ice to encourage others to give it a try. Soon the rink was full and the FastStart group was showing off its skating abilities.

Several of our FastStart students come from areas that never see snow and for these students this was one of their first times ice skating. Veronica Medina and Tania Santiago, both from Puerto Rico, bravely took to the ice and showed themselves to be naturals.

After several trips around the rink, participants enjoyed a hot chocolate warm-up. It was a wonderful afternoon—a break from work and a chance to relax and enjoy the fun of winter.

"There are so many resources like FastStart that students don't use. The more resources you know about, the more successful you can be." This is a statement by FastStart alum, Chris Thomas. Chris knows the importance of taking advantage of all the opportunities that Penn State has to offer and he has used this understanding to shape his Penn State experience.

As a first-year student, Chris participated in FastStart and was linked with two mentors who he is still in touch with today, two months before his graduation. His mentors gave him additional perspective on diversity issues at Penn State, shared tips on student involvement activities, and provided him "an extra resource for answers to questions."

Chris is finishing his Bachelors degree in Management/International Business, shaped largely by the open-door policy and advice of his FastStart mentor. "He is the epitome of the kind of businessman I want to be." From his description of his faculty mentor Vernis Welmon, it is clear that Chris has gained more than a mentor through FastStart, but also a role model.

Chris's Penn State career reflects a commitment to more than his academic success. Chris spoke with his alumni mentor, Bruce Rush, about getting involved in a fraternity. Although he did not pursue the fraternity of his alumni mentor, he became actively involved in Alpha Phi Alpha, which he recently represented in Dance Marathon 2003.

In addition to his fraternity, Chris has been a board member for the University Park Allocation Committee and he has participated in two study-abroad programs. As for getting overly-committed, Chris acknowledges his early temptations to participate in everything and he advises new students to "pick the things that mean something to you as opposed to the things that look good on a resume." It is clear that Chris's enthusiasm, coupled with his knowledge and experience, will take him far. Congratulations on your graduation Chris.

There have been three exciting FastStart events this quarter: the Musical Theater Program in Philadelphia; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service; and the ice-skating party.

Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in FastStart hosting a small event for mentors and students outside of the University Park area. Since the largest number of FastStart students are from the greater Philadelphia area, Philadelphia seemed like the perfect location for such an event. Rather than hosting an independent event, FastStart was included as a part of the Philadelphia location for President Graham Spanier's Musical Tour of five cities. The event was a tremendous success with nearly 1000 people in attendance. This event brought together about 15 FastStart mentors and students and it was also a great opportunity for recruitment—we enrolled 7 new mentors.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is an important way to celebrate the life of Dr. King and his commitment to making a positive change in our society. FastStart volunteered at the AIDS project in State College. Twelve students and mentors volunteered to help with a community education program that involved posting informational signs and speaking with members of the community about the AIDS crisis. Thank you to all of the people who participated.

The ice skating party was a wonderful chance to unwind (see article abouve).

Current numbers for participants is high and we have 118 students participating. 

The students are from across the country and with a variety of interests. Still the largest proportion of students is from the Philadelphia area and the top majors are business, engineering, and DUS (Division of Undergraduate Studies). 

The participation rate of active mentors is at an all-time high and was greatly helped by our event in Philadelphia. We have 171 active alumni mentors who work in all fields. Growth in all areas is always important for the best matches, but currently the greatest need for mentors is the medical and engineering fields of all types.

Our faculty/staff mentor pool is strong with 121 active mentors and we are hoping to continue to grow for next year. Like our alumni pool, we have a great need for additional mentors who work in the sciences and engineering.

Have you ever heard someone say that they work best under pressure? Or have you caught yourself saying that you will turn the television off in just fifteen more minutes? These sayings, and ones like them, are examples of how people deal with procrastination. Procrastination is a real thing and it can be a serious obstacle for any busy person.

So what is procrastination? Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task which needs to be accomplished. This can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, depression, and self-doubt among students. Procrastination has a high potential for painful consequences. In particular, it can interfere with the academic and personal success of students.

For many people, procrastination occurs as a result of poor time management. Uncertainties about priorities, goals, and objectives, as well as feelings of being overwhelmed with a task will contribute to students putting off academic assignments for a later date. Instead, students will spend a great deal of time with their friends and social activities, and worrying about rather than preparing for upcoming exams, class projects, and papers.

People also procrastinate because they have difficulty concentrating. They daydream, stare into space, and look at pictures of friends instead of doing the given task. This is usually because the work environment is distracting, cluttered, and noisy. In addition, students procrastinate because of fear and anxiety of getting a failing grade or a grade that they feel is unsatisfactory. These unrealistic expectations can result in an avoidance of the work itself.

Recognizing the sources of your own procrastination will help you overcome it. Experimenting with some of the solutions listed below should help you:

• Recognize self-defeating problems such as fear and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor time management, indecisiveness, and perfectionism.

• Identify your personal goals, strengths, weaknesses, values, and priorities. Post your goals so that you are reminded of them daily.

• Discipline yourself to use your time wisely: set priorities. Make a schedule of these priorities and how to accomplish them.

• Study in small blocks instead of long time periods.

• Take big jobs and break them into a series of small ones. For example, take a long reading assignment and break it up into several smaller ones.

• Motivate yourself to study: dwell on success, not on failure.

• Try to study in small groups so that others keep you motivated.

• Set realistic goals for yourself to accomplish.

• Modify your environment: eliminate or minimize noise and distraction. Ensure adequate lighting and have necessaryequipment at hand. 

• Make sure your study area is neat to avoid daydreaming.

• Convince yourself that the task is worth doing, even if it's hard getting started.

For more information, stop by at the University Learning Center (220 Boucke Building), call 814-865-1841, or visit
http://www.ulc.psu.edu.

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Questions
We welcome your comments and questions. To get involved, please call 814-863-6386 or e-mail FastStartInfo@psu.edu.