Now that the new year has begun, we’ve planned to bring it in with a month filled with success tips and skills. Come take part in our health, academic, and lifestyle success-building events, and help us raise money for Relay For Life along the way. With classes starting back, remember to use our academic tips to have a semester filled with good grades! Also, congratulations to all of our seniors who graduated this December.
Special Highlight
- We’re happy to announce our brand-new shuttle will be up and running for this semester. It’s packed with new features, so be on the lookout at the shuttle stop.
- Have you ever found it hard to talk to your roommate about issues in your apartment? Remember, the CA for your zone is trained and fully equipped to help you mediate these situations. Make sure you contact them whenever you need help.
- There are a ton of new things here at 21 Oaks, including property-wide Wi-Fi!
- We have a new CA on our team: Julian. Come by to say hello, and also be on the lookout to see if the CA for your zone has changed.
- If you have friends that you would like to live with you next year, then be sure to come by the office to talk about either transferring or getting your friends to sign here.
Reminders & Updates
- Remember that your utility overages are due with the upcoming month of rent. Also, utilities are billed a month behind, so ask us for breakdowns of your usage if you’re having issues understanding the fees.
- To use the printer in our computer lab, you must print from an Apple computer and have your own paper to put into the tray.
- With classes starting back up, be sure to check your schedule with our shuttle schedule. Our shuttle does not run after 6 p.m.
- Don’t forget to wipe down the machines in the fitness center after use to keep it sanitary for everyone.
- If you received a bunch of candles for the holidays as gifts, make sure you purchase a candle warmer as open flames are not allowed!
- Keep in mind that if you have an emergency work order, you MUST call it in instead of submitting online. Water intrusions, power outages, and HVAC systems are examples of emergencies.
- If you ever find anything left on the shuttle or out in the parking lot, please turn it in to the lost and found in the front office.
Start Now
Written by Megan McCollum
You’ve conquered your final exams, spent time with family, and brought in the new year with friends. But now what? How do you ensure that you’ll be at the top of your game with a new course load when you’re so used to relaxing at home?
Here’s a hint: Start now. Buy your books, find your classrooms, spend some time cleaning your room and clearing your desk.
As the fall semester probably taught you, college flies by. There’s no time to slowly ease back into it — take a deep breath, prepare your mind, and dive in. Don’t just take it day by day; create a study schedule, make some friends and form a study group, and talk to your advisor and get to know them.
There are thousands of resources at your fingertips just waiting to be used. For example, places to study. Trying to focus in your bedroom with your roommates around and electronics everywhere is hard, so take advantage of your property’s clubhouses and study rooms, as well as places on campus.
Once you’ve found your perfect study place, it’s time to use the resources available to you. College students today rely on technology for almost everything, from textbooks to full online courses and online study materials. There are even some apps that can be used to help you study, such as iTunes U and Brainscape. If you aren’t using your cell phone to study, turn it off — social media will be there when you’re done, but your professor won’t wait around for you to learn.
If you find yourself procrastinating, take a deep breath, and ask yourself why this assignment is important. Don’t ask why you don’t want to do it; ask yourself what you will benefit from it. Ask yourself what you can learn, and why it’s meaningful.
Reward yourself with something you can truly withhold from yourself if you don’t complete the task. Offering yourself candy or saying you won’t go to that show if you don’t write your paper isn’t meaningful enough to motivate you. Find something you truly want, and when you reward yourself, notice how it feels.
Don’t settle for less. Don’t wait for things to just work out. Start now.
Community Events Calendar
Welcome Back Breakfast on the Go — January 16 @ 8 a.m. — As you gear up to head back to classes, meet us at the shuttle stop for breakfast on the go.
New Year Visionary Board Party — January 18 @ 6:30 p.m. — This party will be a celebration of new goals and aspirations for the new year. Come create visionary boards for your personal goals and hopes for this year.
Career Fair Prep — January 21 @ 5:30 p.m. — USC’s career fair is on January 23, and we’re here to prepare you for it! Come by the office for haircuts, resume building, and portfolio creating. We’ll also have a professional closet available for you to pick up a few things you may need.
Health/Fitness Success — January 22 @ 5 p.m. — Come learn how to successfully prepare yourself for eating healthy and get some fitness tips!
Polar Plunge — January 26 @ 3 p.m. — Come show support for healthy living and Relay For Life by donating to have our staff members plunge into the cold pool. All proceeds go to Relay For Life.
Welcome Back Extravaganza — January 30 @ 4 p.m. — After a month filled with health/fitness, academic, and lifestyle successes, come to our extravaganza to see who is the most prepared for this upcoming year. Win gift baskets and write out all of your hopes for this year!