PAGE 6 | SURVIVAL GUIDE
www.thesunflower.com
MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2016
Top 5 tips for incoming freshmen We have all been there: new students on campus wandering about not COLUMN BY knowing where ALEX BULLOCK to go or how to get there. The upperclassmen you pass seem confident in where they are headed, so should you ask them to give you direction? Will they help you out? The answer is yes. The start of something new, especially college, is always a little intimidating. From getting to class on time to getting involved on campus, there is a lot a freshman needs to know to have a record first year of college. There are five specific tips that seem to be a perfect guide for a newcomer on campus to rock not only their first year of college courses, but also their social life
and prepare for their prospective careers. The first tip is a generic term used by parents and professors everywhere - get involved. It’s easy to tell freshmen to get involved, and it’s easy for them to want to be involved. But get involved in what? How do I get involved? Getting involved is quite easy, especially at Wichita State. First, pinpoint what you would love to get to do outside of classes. From the Student Government Association to Intramural Sports, students have endless options available. “Definitely don’t be afraid to go out and meet new people,” senior Kylie Wuestewald said. “It’s easy to be intimidated to attend campus events as a new student, but everyone is so welcoming and friendly once you just get out there and do it.” The second tip is geared more toward academic success. WSU
SHOCKER STREET SPEAK What advice would you give incoming freshmen?
offers supplemental instruction in many of its courses. Supplemental instruction is a series of weekly review sessions open to any student taking the course. “Supplemental instruction has helped me so much throughout being a student at WSU,” junior Rebecca Arbuckle said. SI is free and voluntary. The university states on its website that students who take advantage of SI prove to earn at least half a letter grade better than those who do not. A student who has previously succeeded in the course runs these sessions. On top of improving your knowledge on the course, students have the opportunity to get to know other students in the class, compare notes, discuss important topics and are able to test their knowledge before a professor does. The third tip is also tied to academic success, and that is to
“Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions in class,”
“Get to do your professors. I have always done so much better in my classes where I got to know the professor,”
— John Lam, Sophomore
—Logan Cassity, Sophomore
always get to know your professor and show them that you are determined to succeed. “In the classes I have gotten to know my professors in, I have always done so much better than in classes I haven’t,” junior Logan Cassity said. So many professors expect students to go into their class with the “I’m doing this because I have to” mentality. But, if you show them that you are interested and willing to go above and beyond for a good grade, there’s no way you won’t succeed. The fourth tip is to always have someone hold you accountable. This one is easy to overlook because college tends to be the beginning of being on your own. But just because you are no longer in your high school bubble doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be someone there to help push you along the way.
“Being able to manage your time wisely is the key to doing well,” — Dimitri Mccaffery, Sophomore
Whether it is your roommate or a student teaching assistant, people want to see you succeed and won’t have a problem checking in and making sure you are doing what needs to be done. “I always make sure I get to know three people in each of my classes,” junior Kyle Taylor said. “That way if I ever miss something or want to compare notes, I have people that I can count on.” Finally, the fifth tip for success: Don’t ever be afraid to be yourself, even if it makes you stand out a little bit. What a lot of freshmen aren’t able to understand until they are an upperclassman is that nobody cares. No, that doesn’t mean nobody cares about you. It means that college is the time for you to do what makes you happy, and if the robotics club makes you happy, join it. No one is going to care or judge you for being you.
“Don’t be afraid to go out and meet new people,” — Kylie Wuestewald, Senior
“I always make sure I get to know three people in each of my classes,” — Kyle Taylor, Sophomore
INFORMATION COMPILED BY BRIAN HAYES AND ALEX BULLOCK
Campus safety reminders to start the school year COLUMN BY
CHANCE SWAIM
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
Emergency service poles provide help for anyone who finds themself in a dangerous situations. Emergency service buttons are available at various locations on campus.
Last fall, WSU experienced a spike in crime — a homicide and two nighttime robberies — on its campus that prompted safety forum discussions, safety walks and improvements to
university lighting. To help curb campus crime on campus, Wichita State police have posted suggestions online for students, faculty and staff this year. Those tips include: Be aware of your surroundings and avoid bad situations. “The best way to stay out of a bad situation is to see it coming and avoid it,” said Wichita State University Police Capt. Guy Schroeder. Preventative measures students can take include walking tall, projecting confidence, staying in well-lit areas, observing surroundings and trusting their instincts. Spend the least amount of time alone as possible. When you’re in a perceived threatening situation, such as walking to your cars at night, police say to use the ‘buddy system.’ “Walk in groups,” Schroeder said. “Let
people know where you are and when you’re expected somewhere. Let them know you got there safely. Use your cell phone.” Call for help if you feel uncomfortable. Call WSUPD to report any suspicious persons or activity or to request a safety escort. If you feel afraid to walk alone on campus by yourself at night, university police will provide free-of-charge escort service to your vehicle. University police can be reached from any campus phone by dialing 911 or by any non-campus phone by dialing 978-3450. University police suggest students program its number into their cell phones for quick access. Twenty emergency boxes — stations scattered throughout campus with a blue light on top — allow students to press a red button and gain immediate access to an emergency dispatcher. Keep your eyes and ears open. University police urge students to stay aware of their surroundings and keep their senses active — don’t wear headphones or text and walk. Trust your gut. “Let your instincts be your guide,” Schroeder said. “If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.”
Discovering the truth about your food has never been more hilarious Let’s get one thing out of the way right off the bat (spoiler ahead): this COLUMN BY thing culmiANDREW nates with a LINNABARY food orgy. That should more or less let you know whether or not this is a film for you. It’s raunchy and ridiculous. It’s also a lot of fun. The film, directed by Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, stars Seth Rogen as a hot dog named Frank who dreams about being taken from the supermarket by the gods and making it to “the great beyond” with his hot dog bun girlfriend, Brenda (Kristin Wiig). All of the other supermarket food long for the great beyond as well, aside from a handful of nonbelievers (who will later on prove essential to the story). The before mentioned “gods” are the human supermarket shoppers. If you couldn’t tell already, there is quite a bit of religious commentary thrown in throughout the film. And an inordinate amount of food puns. It’s surprising that a film like this, that spoofs Pixar and DreamWorks animated films, had yet to be made. It’s sort of doing
for animated films what Deadpool did for superhero movies. Keeping in line with many of its more kid-friendly counterparts, Sausage Party opens with a downright catchy musical number, with the whole supermarket singing an uplifting song about making it to the great beyond. The number of expletives in this sequence can be counted on both hands – a pretty solid feat in comparison to the rest of the film. Once the film agets rolling, with Frank realizing that his great beyond may be nothing more than being eaten at a cookout, it doesn’t really ever lose steam. The jokes keep coming, and while some may make you groan or cringe, there are definitely more hits than misses. Just be forewarned: If you’re offended by cursing or sexual innuendo involving food, you’re going to be in for a bad time. On that note, let me just say that some of the best jokes are left for the two lovers, Frank and Brenda. They talk about letting their tips touch out of their packages (at the film’s start, Frank is still in his hot dog package and Brenda is still with her fellow buns). At one point, Brenda tells Frank that her bun crease is still super tight, showing
him. It’s hilarious and crudely clever. Who knew so much sexual tension could be mustered from a frank and a bun? Aside from sexual tension, Sausage Party also does a great job of making the process of cooking and eating food into a horror film. It will probably be a while before I can eat a baby carrot without thinking of one of the hot dogs screaming, “They’re eating children!” The supporting cast is also star-studded, with the likes of Bill Hader, Michael Cera, James Franco and Edward Norton, among others. The film features Nick Kroll in what is undeniably his definitive role — a literal giant douche. As expected, he kills the role. It’s as if his whole life’s work was to get him to this point. After going into Sausage Party with an idea of what was in store, there’s not too much to complain about. It’s not really a film that warrants repeat viewings, and the religious commentary can be a bit heavy-handed, but as an adult CGI film, it’s an hilarious, albeit ridiculous, adventure. You’ll never look at your food the same way again.
courtesy photo