Wednesday, August 24, 2022 Est. 1934 Issue 1, Volume www.thedailycougar.com88@thedailycougar 5 Years Later A half decade after Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston, some wounds have yet to heal.| PG. 5 SPORTS OPINION LIFE AND ARTS Advice for freshmen on meeting new people and making friends. | PG. 11 Students should support libraries now more than ever. | PG. 10 How a footballlinebackerUHusestospeakout.|PG.6
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As it currently stands, two primary solutions have been proposed to ensure Houston is better prepared to deal with major flood waters. The first involves the construction of a third reservoir, but this has faced pushback from local homeowners who see it as a threat to their property values.
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news@thedailycougar.com opinions Board (the members of which are above cartoons the opinion expressed in The Cougar not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.
Despite this Schneider did go on to emphasize the importance of community involvement when it comes to natural disaster preparation, saying that residents cannot rely on government projectsCommunityalone. efforts aside, for victims of the storm the response to Harvey on behalf of state and local officials has left a lot to be desired.Aperceived failure to act in a timely and meaningful manner has shaken the trust many residents had in governments and institutions, Schneider said. “I saw a dramatic fall-off in trust in public institutions,” Schneider said. “That’s with respect to the city, it’s with respect to the county, it’s with respect to the state.” That, says Schneider, is the unfortunate legacy forged in the five years since Harvey. Red tape, bureaucracy and political squabbles have left the city in a position no better than before the storm, all the while many of those affected are still picking up the pieces.
“These types of things can definitely help when it comes to smaller events, every little bit helps,” Schneider said. “But the Army Corps said it won’t be enough to sufficiently offset flooding, and that’s probably true.”
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The second option is centered around the construction of a storm tunnel that would carry rain waters from the city into the ship channel through a system of tunnels. The concern here, however, is cost. “The tunnel project isn’t facing quite as much pushback because it’s, well, underground,” Schneider said. “But there are still people that are very skeptical, principally aboutOnecost.”ofthose people is former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who expressed doubt about the feasibility of the storm tunnel in an episode of “Below the Waterlines.”
“I’ve always been skeptical,” Emmett said. “Just the gradient from Buffalo Bayou to the south isn’t very great, so how deep do you have to make that tunnel?”
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 | 3 NEWSTHEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS @THEDAILYCOUGARJOHN LOMAX & LISA EL-AMIN, EDITORS
Hurricane Harvey was one of the most devastating hurricane in U.S history. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm caused $125 billion in damages, making it the second only to Katrina in terms of cost.
GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@ thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.
Hurricane Harvey: Some still recovering 5 years later
Skepticism aside, as it stands now the storm tunnel seems to be the most viable option. As such, the Harris County Flood Control District has since begun a threephase tunnel study intended to evaluate the viability of the storm tunnelPhaseplan.one was completed in 2019 and simply determined if the tunnel could be feasible. The second phase was completed earlier this year and focused on the development of tunnel concepts that could meet the needs of the city. Finally, the third phase is scheduled to begin in 2023 and is the final phase of the study before the project can be approved. While the project is a step in the right direction, its pace has left Schneider concerned for the city in the“Ifmeantime. threeyears from now we can get the project approved, then we need funding,” Schneider said. “If we somehow manage to get the money for this multi-billion dollar project, then that’s another 10-15 years we’ll be waiting for it to be built.” Until then, some Houston residents have decided to take the situation into their own hands, creating flood-deterring green spaces and so-called “rain gardens” designed to absorb and retain rainwater.Although community efforts can be impactful, Schneider is doubtful that they can make enough of a difference to offset a disaster on the scale of Harvey.
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EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF Donna Keeya MANAGING EDITOR Jhair Romero WEB EDITOR Denise Miller NEWS EDITORS John Lomax Lisa El-Amin ASSTISTANT NEWS EDITOR Logan Linder SPORTS EDITOR James Mueller ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITORS Sean ArmandoThomasYanez OPINION EDITOR Cindy Rivas Alfaro PHOTO EDITOR James Schillinger CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dylan Burkett STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
CITY JOHN LOMAX NEWS@THELASTLOMAXEDITOR
Hurricane Harvey was one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm caused $125 billion in damages, making it the second only to Hurricane Katrina in terms of cost. The deadly storm ripped through the southern U.S. in August 2017, impacting 13 million people and countless homes and businesses. Though the water has since receded, the scars have yet to heal completely. Many are still seeking compensation for property damages and others have completely lost faith in their state and local officials as a result of the storm. UHstudents were among those affected by the storm. Deniz Girismen attended UH during the storm. Her experience, like many others, began with waking up at 3 a.m. to find the city under water. “It was actually my birthday, a family member woke me up and all I could hear was the roar of rain coming down,” Girismen said. “Then we looked outside and it was just total anarchy with people trying to save their cars and belongings.” Despitethe ongoing national disaster, Girismen would be able to celebrate her birthday thanks to the efforts of friends and neighbors who banded together to bake her a cake. ButGirismen wouldn’t escape the storm entirely unscathed. Her father, who owned several rental properties in the area, suffered extensive damage to one of his units. “There was maybe eight inches of water in the unit,” Girismen said. “We had to replace everything, the drywall, the power sockets everything.”Thestorm would set Girismen and her family back several months as they not only had to contend with the cost of the repairs but also the cost of being unable to rent the property out until the damage was fixed. Houston Public Media politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider is all too familiar with the storm’s lasting impact. In addition to reporting on the storm at the time, Schneider has also covered its effect on the greater Houston area through his work on “Below the Waterlines,” a series covering Harvey five years after theForfact. Schneider, what’s truly striking about Harvey’s aftermath is a lack of meaningful preventative effort on behalf of state, county and local“Weofficials.arealmost as far away now as we were immediately afterward,” Schneider said. “There’s been a lot of discussion about it, but that’s all there’s been.”
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Though the University does offer contraceptives through the Student Health Center, Azizi said that restrictions with regard to insurance can create a barrier for students. “Theyonly accept University insurance,” Azizi said. “So it’s basically just like going to any primary care provider, and it has all the headaches and complications that come with that.”While Favor does accept insurance, it differs from the University in that it accepts a myriad of different providers, as well as offers subsidized costs for those without insurance.
JOHN LOMAX NEWS@THELASTLOMAXEDITOR
“70 percent of the student body commutes to school, and because of that we don’t necessarily know what their home life might look like,” Azizi said. “So we’ve teamed up with the Wellness Center to provide a safe pickup zone for those who may be concerned about shipping it directly to their homes.”Boththe Wellness Center and the Women and Gender Resource Center will serve as designated safe pickup zones for students seeking discretion.
“I’d say my favorite part about the event is that tell us what we’re supposed to do and they explain who we’re helping out and what type of community service we’ve been doing to help our community,” said exercise science freshman Annali Scott. Dedicated and hardworking students can work towards the President’s Volunteer Service Award by logging any volunteer hours throughout the school year and even from summer.
El-Amin/The Cougar SGA partners with Favor to expand access to contraceptives STUDENT GOVERNMENT
As access to reproductive care continues to face legal challenges nationwide, students at UH have partnered with a company to help continue access to contraceptives. CalledFavor,the company’s mission is to provide an affordable and accessible platform for distributing birth control. The partnership came about as a result of efforts made by SGA Speaker of the Senate Ariana Azizi, who initially reached out after becoming concerned about her fellow student’s access to health care.
“Prices can be as low as $6.99/pack for 1 year supply or $10.66/pack for 3 month supply (dependent on brand, but we strive to keep out-of-pocket cost low),” Abboud said. “We’re always looking for partners and would love to explore other opportunities in the area to ensure women and people who menstruate have access to contraception at this critical time.”Favor is already available at UH, and students can transfer their prescriptions to Favor’s digitalSarahpharmacy.Sommers, a spokesperson for the company, said that the company is dedicated to ensuring women have access to birth control, regardless of their home situation. news@thedailycougar.com
In terms of cost, Favor director of communications Sarah Abboud said that the company offers prices as low as $7 a pack without insurance. In addition, the company hopes to expand to other universities and institutions in the Houston area.
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The Metropolitan Volunteer Program offers various opportunities that fit every student’s needs.
Favor’s focus on discreet delivery can fit the needs of some of UH’s student population.
“College students are a demographic that generally does not prioritize their health care as much as they should,” Azizi said. “Especially as it relates to reproductive health care, this is something that’s been a problem on college campuses for a long time.”Inaddition to already running several similar programs on other campuses, Favor’s emphasis on discretion and affordability made the company an easy first choice, Azizi said.
Another service is a kid’s meal bag decorating event for the organization Kids’ Meals who bags food for children in need. MVP medicalClinicwithtogardenHarvest andenvironmentalencouragessustainabilityareplanningforUrbanandothercommunitydays.NextopportunitylookoutforisinpartnershiptheBaylorTeenHealthforaprojectonpackagingsuppliesintheUSand other countries which is all coming up in September as well.
Suppose you’re looking for ways to get involved within the community and give back through acts of service. In that case, the Metropolitan Volunteer Program offers various opportunities that fit every student’s needs. MVP has reopened its services for the new school year with events and outreach.
For the school year, MVP is setting up multiple volunteer opportunities such as Cougar Cupboard and the campus food pantry in September.
Another concern for Azizi when it came to choosing a company to partner with was finding one that would suit the unique needs of the UH commuter population.
On the first day of classes, MVP held its “Be the MVP” event where students met with the program board and learned ways to connect with their community and find out about service opportunities throughout the school year. Between classes, students enjoyed prizes, food and a giveaway at the student center as a kickoff for the start of the semester.“Hereat this event we provide students the opportunity to complete four mini service projects as well as advertising future volunteering events for all of the weeks of welcome,” Laredo said.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 | 5 NEWSTHEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/NEWS @THEDAILYCOUGARJOHN LOMAX & LISA EL-AMIN, EDITORS
MVP director Taylor Laredo shares some insight into the importance of volunteering and making an impact on and off campus.“MVPcaters to four of our committees, health and wellness, children’s education, environmental sustainability and hunger and homelessness,” Laredo said. “I encourage people to look for little ways they can make an impact. It doesn’t just have to be collaborating with an existing nonprofit community, it might just mean reaching out to someone in need, donating money or your clothes.”
Laredo shares that MVP works with a few non profits around Houston that students can take advantage of on their own. Organizations like Loaves and Fishes.Houston Food Bank and the BARC Animal Shelter accommodate solo and group volunteers.“It’smostly important that students find causes that they’re passionate about,” Laredo said. “There are so many ways students can help out and impact their community within their interests.” news@thedailycougar.com
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Lisa MVP event encourages students to volunteer of Favor
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For the second consecutive season, linebacker Donavan Mutin was voted as one of the captains of the UH football team. | Courtesy of UH athletics
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How linebacker Donavan Mutin found his voice
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JAMES MUELLER SPORTS@JDM2186EDITOR Donavan Mutin will have no problem finding a job once his football career comes to an end. Whether it’s as a politician, motivational speaker, philosopher or football coach, the 6-foot, 230pound linebacker just has a way with words and speaks with such passion that naturally tugs at a person’s heartstrings. UH associate head coach and defensive coordinator Doug Belk even calls Mutin the “Peyton Manning of the UH defense” for the way his voice commands the Cougars’Despitedefense.whatit might seem, using his voice to make a profound impact on those around him has not always been a natural strong suit for Mutin. Rather it’s something he had to grow in and become more comfortable with. “My whole life I’ve been introverted,” Mutin said. “I’m very shy. I don’t have a lot of friends. I’ve always been very quiet. Outside of football, it’s hard for me to be around people and speak to people and be interactive. It’s just not natural for me.” Mutin, who didn’t start playing football until his late middle school years, always has had the gift of a keen eye for noticing things that could be improved both on and off the field to make the team better. But as a player who wasn’t very good on the C-team when he first began playing football, Mutin didn’t feel like voicing what he saw to his teammates would make a difference.“AsIgot into high school and I started working out, training and everything I would see things going on in the workout, I would see things going on at practice that I wanted to say but I didn’t have the confidence to stand and say it because I didn’t feel like my words carried any value,” Mutin said. Mutin’s high school coaches, however, noticed the way he carried himself and his work ethic and encouraged him to speak up to his “Theseteammates.mentold me ‘We understand what you’re doing. We see how you work every day. Don’t be ashamed to stand up and do that. You have it in you and it’s natural. Go speak and go tell them and I’ll bet they’ll get behind you,’” Mutin said. This might have been the best piece of advice Mutin was ever given because it gave him the confidence in his voice that he had always been searching for. Mutin slowly started speaking out and just as his coaches suggested, his teammates started to gravitate toward him. There was power and value in everything he said so they were inclined to listen to Whilehim. Mutin is naturally gifted in seeing things that the typical football player doesn’t see, many of the things he noticed and voiced his opinion about weren’t even that complex, but rather simple things that every player knew they needed to do but didn’t put it into action.“The hardest things in life to do are the things that you know that you should do. And these are the things that naturally I just see,” Mutin said. “We can do this a little better. Hand placement can be this, steps can be that. We just got to get off the field better. We’ve got to speak to each other in a more positive way, in a more edifying way. Different things like that, I think of Mutin’snaturally.”keeneye and newfound voice helped him stand out when he was recruited, putting him on the Cougars’ radar. “From the very first time we met, I knew he was going to be extremely unique in a very good way,” said UH linebackers coach Archie McDaniel. “There’s not much that Donny misses. He sees everything.”McDaniel was not wrong in his initial assessment of Mutin as the linebacker made an immediate impact on the UH football program from the moment he stepped on campus in 2018. From seeing action in 10 games as a freshman to becoming a starter as a sophomore and eventually catapulting his way to captain status as a junior, Mutin has been the heartbeat of the Cougars’ defense during the Dana Holgorsen era. “He is the walls and the guy that holds the rope to keep everybody together, all 11,” said senior defensive lineman Derek Parish. “We’re blessed to have him.”
While Mutin is humble, not holding an elevated view of himself compared to his teammates, he has a desire to be great both as an individual and as a team, so he makes it his responsibility to ensure that the team is getting each and everything out of each day by making his presence felt within the locker room. “As I come into the building every day I feel obligated to stand for something and make sure that things go a certain way if we’re going to be great,” Mutin said. This is evident in everything MutinWhetherdoes.it’s a pregame walkthrough, lifting weights, a film session or anything in between, Mutin attacks it with laser-sharp focus because he has learned how one small detail can be the difference between winning and“Whenlosing.you look at the things Donny from the communication standpoint, the way he prepares, the way he identifies formations and just his entire approach to practices and games, that’s his thing, that’s his niche, that’s what makes him special,” McDaniel said.It’s easy to notice the impact Mutin’s sheer presence has on the UH football program on Saturdays in the fall. But what goes unnoticed is the gratitude that fills Mutin’s heart each time he steps onto the field, thankful for the opportunity to play the very sport that helped him find his voice. “Football gave me an avenue to really stand on what I believe in,” Mutin said. sports@thedailycougar.com
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Looking at UH’s loaded receivers room entering the season MUELLER
SPORTS@JDM2186EDITOR
Entering the 2021 season, wide receiver depth was a major concern for Dana Holgorsen. Other than Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, there was no clear-cut receiver on the UH football roster to fill the No. 2 and 3 roles at the position “We were a one-man show last year,” Holgorsen said. This will not be an issue in 2022 as the Cougars’ receiver room is absolutely loaded with skill.
Dell called Carter “his partner in crime” on the field and expects him to play a big role in the UH offense thisTightseason.end Christian Trahan, who was second on the team in 2021 in receptions with 37, also returns. Fantastic frosh Klein Cain standout and fourstar recruit Matthew Golden already has sky-high expectations on him despite not having yet played a single snap at the college level.Golden, who was heavily targeted by many Power Five programs before committing to UH, joins the Cougars after posting 1,416 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior at Klein Cain.The freshman receiver, who joined the team in the spring, has already caught the attention of his teammates for his abilities on the football“Matthewfield.Golden, he’s going to be special,” Dell said. “I feel like Matthew, he has the talent to be the next star at receiver at UH. That man is something special. You are going to see this year.”
Talented transfers With receiver depth as a priority, Holgorsen and his staff loaded up the position through the transfer portal, adding Sam Brown from West Virginia, Joseph Manjack from USC, Cody Jackson from Oklahoma and Brice Johnson from OleWhileMiss.all four of these transfers saw limited action at their previous schools, the raw talent and athleticism are there. Jackson is a former four-star recruit, and Manjack and Brown were both three-star recruits. One of the biggest benefits of all the different options the transfer receivers bring to the offense is it will allow the Cougars to line up Dell in the slot, where he is most lethal, more often.
8 | Wednesday, August 24, 2022 THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/SPORTS @THECOUGARSPORTSSPORTSNEWS JAMES MUELLER, EDITOR
FOOTBALL JAMES
Tune described his favorite target as “unguardable.” Holgorsen echoed Tune when asked about the Cougars’ star receiver, specifically citing how difficult Dell is to guard when he lines up in the slot, something which will be seen much more in 2022 compared to the 2021 season. “Once we moved him inside you can just tell you can’t cover him,” Holgorsen said. “He is an elite inside receiver.”
Overall, with the combination of the returners and new weapons at receiver that UH has, Holgorsen is confident that they will allow Tune to thrive within the Cougars’ offensive system in 2022 “Probably the biggest key is we’ve got better pieces around (Tune),” Holgorsen said. sports@thedailycougar.com
UH football’s Tank Dell was tabbed a preseason All American by Pro Football Network heading into the 2022 season. | James Schilinger/The Cougar
“We have playmakers at every position, X, H, Y and Z, and we’re at least two deep at each of those positions,” said UH starting quarterback Clayton Tune. “It’s really good to have those guys out there who are able to make plays and make my job easy.”
Dell has lofty expectations for his junior season including hauling in more than 100 receptions and scoring 15-plus touchdowns. Along with Dell, KeSean Carter, who missed the final five games of the 2021 season with a foot injury, is back and fully healthy. The 5-foot-11-inch receiver has caught UH associate head coach and defensive coordinator Doug Belk’s eye with how he performed at fall “KeSeancamp.is a guy that has real real juice man and he is highly highly competitive,” Belk said. “He plays receiver like he plays safety. He’s physical. He’s tough. He loves the grind.”
The returners Dell, who is coming off a 1,329yard, 12 touchdown season, is back and will be the focal point of UH’s air attack. Though small in stature, Dell’s lightning-quick speed combined with his shiftiness and precise route running make him a defensive back’s worst nightmare.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 | 9 The Student Centers is a multipurpose building where students can relax in-between classes, grab food & participate in various events throughout the year. Our Conference & Reservations team is eager to help you or your organization reserve meeting & event spaces. With 3 facilities & 19 event spaces, you’ll be sure to find a place where you belong. The Games Room offers bowling, billiards, table tennis & other amusement games! It’s available for individual or group usage for open play & by reservation.Student Centers’ graphic design & print shop, CreationStation, offers a wide range of services including design, printing, lamination & passport photos. CREATIONSTATION GAMES SHASTA’SROOMCONES & MORE CONFERENCE & RESERVATION SERVICES Follow us @uhstudentcenter to stay up-to-date with the latest news & events happening throughout the year! Stop by Shasta’s Cones & More, a student-run ice cream shop featuring a number of ice cream flavors, candy & beverages. STUDENT CENTERS
10 | Wednesday, August 24, 2022 THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM/OPINION @THEDAILYCOUGAROPINIONNEWS CINDY RIVAS ALFARO, EDITOR
Students should support libraries, not coffee shops, as they are a cheaper and reliable alternative that provide endless resources to students. Coffee shops are praised by all for their ideal learning environment but the benefits seem to be dwindling.Thesweet aroma of bitter beans, the grinding of the machine, the soft music playing behind the joyful chatter of jovial guests, coffeehouses find themselves as the perfect catch-up and study spot for people of all ages. However, while the buzzing and aromatic setting of a coffee shop welcomes guests, it can also distractTherethem.needs to be a certain amount of ambience in the environment to create a perfect studyThespace.constant chatter, the whirring of blenders, the music that is always slightly too loud and the seats that never seem to empty themselves can make coffee shops overstimulating for many kinds of students.Headphones and some lo-fi music can drown out some chatter but it can’t block out the running guests, the friend group huddled together or the man who has spilled at least half his drink on his shirt.
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Moreover, coffee shops seem to only be getting more expensive. While an average cup of coffee only costs around $3, upgrading size, milk, syrups and more can raise the cost to easily over $5. For many college students, a daily $5 drink just isn’t realistic.
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SARAH ELISE SHEA STAFF@SARAHELISE_SCOLUMNIST
There are many alternatives to cut down on coffee spending, such as getting your own machine, learning the ins and outs of what you like and finding that mug that strikes just enough joy in your heart.However, there just seems to be something so dazzling about having your favorite barista make it forForyou.many college students, that $5 of ecstasy is more reasonably treated as a weekly indulgence than as an everyday occurrence. To add on, many people find that doing things at home or in the same place makes tasks seem more unbearable than before, especially since the pandemic. Some students report feeling a Pavlov effect towards coffee shops, almost like they are unable to be productive in their studies without being in that environment. This is unsurprising as coffee shops are found practically everywhere. As of 2022, there are approximately 65,410 coffee shops in the PlacesU.S.like the University follow this pattern, with students choosing if they want to get their daily fix at Cougar Grounds, Starbucks or The Nook. However, there is a cheaper and easier alternative to helping students get out of the house and study:Publiclibraries.libraries give students all the best tools for success: access to databases and research sources, textbooks and other books needed for classes and a space dedicated to studying.Wandering through book-lined halls, it’s almost impossible to not be inspired to get some work done. Moreover, University libraries help allow students to become more engrossed in the on-campus community, provide digital detoxes, rooms for study groups and create a sense of tranquility that coffee shops generally lack. Now, more than ever, is the time to support local libraries as they face much backlash from current book bans and are dying out due to being overtaken by coffee shops. Many librarians report feeling overwhelmed from harassment amid the government book bans. This year, the American Library Association reported a record number of books being challenged, whether it be because they are too graphic, challenge religion or other preposterous reasons. To help both libraries and get students motivated to tackle academics, students should feel encouraged to take the switch from studying in coffee shops to libraries. Not only will students be saving money, they will make sure libraries continue to be there for those who need them. opinion@thedailycougar.com Dylan Burkett/The Cougar
Libraries should be supported, not coffee shops
Hi, everyone! My name is Denise Miller, and I am the web editor this year for The Cougar. My name may look familiar if you are subscribed to our newsletter. If you aren’t, I’ll give you a bit of time to sign up now. Got it? OK great, back to my introduction. I know y’all enjoyed our anonymous advice column, “Ask Ashley,” so after chatting with Donna Keeya, The Cougar’s CEO/editor in chief, we knew it had to be brought back. Ashley’s legacy will be continued with me. Her funny and extremely helpful advice will be missed but never forgotten! If you want to catch up on her previous work, it can be found here. In this weekly advice column, I’ll be giving advice to freshmen as someone finally entering their senior year of college. To submit your questions for future issues, click the “Dear Denise” button on our home page. I’m a freshman and I’m terrified of coming to campus without knowing anyone. I know we are told that everyone is kind of feeling the same way, but I don’t know if I am outgoing enough to just start conversations. Help! Hey! Thank you for the submission. I remember feeling the exact same way my freshman year. Coming to UH without knowing anyone is actually more common than you think. Since college is such a huge commitment, people tend to pick what place works best for them, and sometimes it’s not around people that they already know. Before I give my advice, I want to say welcome to the Cougar family! I’m sure you will love it here.
Since I can only speak from my experience, I’ll tell you how I started making friends after moving in my freshman year.
ADVICE
Dylan Burkett/The Cougar DENISE MILLER WEB@PAPERBAMBIEDITOR
Step 1: Talk to your suitemates! This may seem obvious, but after moving in I was sitting alone in my dorm and could hear my suitemates in the other room. I was bored, so I decided to knock on the door, pull up a chair and start a conversation.
Step 2: Attend events hosted by your RA These events are for you, so it’s important to take advantage of them. Feel free to attend alone or maybe bring a roommate! I remember going to a pumpkin painting event by myself and meeting people on my floor that eventually became my acquaintances.
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Step 3: Join a social club If you have any interests or hobbies, chances are there’s a club for you! Go to the Get Involved tab in your AccessUH and look around. Step 4: Give it time This was the hardest lesson for me to learn because I expected to find my best friends in the whole wide world within one week of me moving in. But that was not the case. Everyone is feeling awkward and shy at first, but as the semester goes on and people become familiar with their new surroundings, friendships are sure to form.Ihope this helped and let me know in a few weeks if my tips were a success or failure! arts@thedailycougar.com
Dear Denise: Being more outgoing as a freshman
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