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What you said

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Multimedia Editor Chaveli Guzman took to campus to ask upperclassmen what they would have done differently during their freshman year and what advice they would give to their freshmen selves.

“I would actually join more clubs.

I would have done that during my first year so that I could have been more involved.” ­ Kaila Williams, a senior — majoring in mass communications.

“I would concentrate on my studies so I could get good grades.” ­— Megha Rokade, a graduate student studying engineering.

“I would of gone to more USF events, like “Movies on the Lawn” or events held in the MSC, during the Week of Welcome.” ­— Marissa Lotfy, a junior majoring in nursing.

“I would have really used the resources more on campus. I know that I really struggled in my first semester and didn’t really know what the school offered, in regards to resources.” ­— Tabata Rodriguez, a senior majoring in health sciences

“I went back in time to my freshman year, I would have spent more of my time in classes and spent more hours in the library.”

“I would go more to the Tutoring Centers, because they help me improve my spelling, grammar and structure in my essays.

“I would probably use my time more wisely. I did not study in my freshman year as much as I should have.”

“My first semester I would have definitely become more involved with more clubs and organizations and tried to network more.”

­— Mariuf Mihal, a junior majoring in cyber security.

­— Qianyi Luo, a sophomore majoring in business.

­ Yasmine Bazzi, a junior major— ing in women and gender studies.

­— John Adams, a senior majoring in computer engineering.

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Guest column

A letter from System President Judy Genshaft

System President Judy Genshaft. ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ Welcome Bulls! We are so pleased that you and your families are now part of the exciting USF community.

You can feel the energy on our campus. We’re a young university – remember, we were founded in 1956 – and we’re bold and agile. We take risks, and that’s what I hope you will do as well: explore everything

USF offers and create the pathway that fits your hopes and dreams.

We may be young, but we are a leader. USF was just ranked as the fifth best public university in the United States, founded between 1945 and 1967, by “Times Higher Education,” which is a leading international publication.

We also were just named a preeminent public university by the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida. This is a major accomplishment; it means we meet rigorous standards and it confirms our standing as one of the state’s top institutions of higher education. Only two other universities have earned

this impressive designation – and they are more than 100 years older than we are.

One of the advantages of being a large university is that we have lots of resources – from computer labs to campus recreation, from Student Health Services to Career Services, from restaurants and coffee shops to art exhibits, free events and so much more. USF truly is a city within a city.

There also are many ways for you to get involved. From academic and professional to community service and special interest, there are more than 600 registered student organizations at USF. They offer countless ways to be part of efforts you care about, connect with fellow students who will become life-long friends, and give you the chance to contribute to a positive campus environment.

This is truly a vibrant campus. It’s a global campus as well -- a place where you can expand your horizons, both inside the classroom and beyond it. We want you to become global citizens.

In fact, every USF student graduates with at least one global experience. The world is a remarkable classroom. It is the world you will help to lead.

As you get to know your professors, you will quickly find that they are leaders in their fields. They’re great teachers who will do everything they can to help you succeed. They’re also incredible researchers.

Our university is well known for research that makes a difference in so many areas, including medicine, science, engineering and the arts.

At USF, research isn’t reserved only for graduate students. We have many opportunities for you to experience the excitement of discovering and sharing new knowledge.

Participating in research is great for your career; it shows that you are determined to make a positive difference in the community and in the global society.

Students are integral to our research success, just as research experience is crucial to your success.

Parents, we want you to stay connected to USF as well. I hope you’ll take advantage of the Parent & Family BULLetin, a monthly e-newsletter that updates you on university news, resources you can share with your student, important dates, and much more. Please visit the website of the Office of Parent and Family Programs to learn more about this and other important services available to you.

Our students, faculty and staff are proud to call the University of South Florida their home, and we are delighted that you now are part of the USF family. Go Bulls!

Judy Genshaft President, University of South Florida System

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Commentary

Attending sports games adds to the college experience

By Sam Newlon S P O R T S

E D I T O R

A typical college experience can consist of a lot of different things: staying up all night studying for a test, making friends in a class group project or sharing a cramped dorm room with another person.

Attending a school’s sporting events should be an item on that list.

Every student at USF can attend any sporting event for free. With highlytouted sports programs, students should consider using sporting events to make the college experience as memorable as possible.

Let’s talk about football first. All you have to do is opt-in online. At some nationally-ranked football programs, such as the University of Alabama, students have to pay for their tickets. At USF, students get an email every week asking them to sign up for a ticket. Once that is done, you are in.

The USF Student section is located in the south end zone across from the Raymond James Stadium signature pirate ship.

Being in the student section during a college football game is one of the most exciting experiences that a sports fan can imagine. Most of the time, everyone around you is cheering for the same team and you can make friends with complete strangers by giving out high-fives after the team scores or makes a stop.

So consider going to football games this upcoming season. USF is expected to put together another decent season this year.

Football is not the only sports program offered at USF. The soccer teams, both men and women’s, provide students with the opportunity to watch exciting games. Corbett Soccer Stadium is on-campus and students can choose to sit in the stands or on a hill overlooking the

field.

USF’s basketball games are a good time as well. The women’s team has consistently been one of the top teams in the country. The Bulls are ranked No. 14 in the nation right now.

Coach Jose Fernandez describes his team’s play style as “exciting.”

The Bulls even set a new home attendance record this season in a 100-49 loss against No. 1 UConn with 6,659 fans traveling to the Sun Dome. Even on a sparsely attended game, crowd members will always remember the eruptions that follow Kitja Laksa making a wide-open three-pointer.

The men’s basketball team is still rebuilding, though. Second year coach Brian Gregory is trying to get all the gears to turn together. The team could use that extra support from fans. There is an opportunity here to get on the bandwagon early before USF men’s basketball shocks

the nation.

The Baseball and Softball programs both earned NCAA Regional Tournament bids last season. This means that each team was one of the top-64 programs in their respective sport. Baseball was ranked No. 24 by the end of its season.

Both teams usually have one weeknight game and then a threegame series on the weekends. You can sit wherever you want during these games and again, the tickets are free. Just show your student ID at the gate and you are in.

Understand that you are helping support these teams just by enrolling at USF. Out of your tuition, every student pays $14.46 per credit hour as an athletic fee each semester.

Someone taking 12 credit hours will pay $173.52 in athletic fees. Since you are paying for it already, you might as well make the most of your tuition and sport some green and gold at the

games.

What is important to consider is that the athletic programs at USF have momentum. As an incoming student, you should be excited for the opportunity to watch these teams play live. You should be able to hear shoulder pads cracking against each other at Raymond James Stadium, see a USF pitcher paint the corner of the strike zone to end an inning and shout the USF fight song at the end of every game.

Consider going to at least one of each sporting event this year. One thing is for sure — when you do go, you may see someone from one of your classes or maybe even a professor. You do not have to be a sports fan to attend USF sporting events. It is a great way to meet new people and network as you transition into USF.

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Q&A with student body president Moneer Kheireddine ●

Editor in Chief Jesse Stokes asked the student body president about some of his best times as a student leader, the impact his role has had on his life and his message to the next generation of on-campus leaders.

1. Looking back, what is the biggest piece of advise that you would give your freshman self ?

I think the biggest piece of advice I’d give is to not stress as much about the little things. I remember walking on to campus and thinking for the first few days “Am I going to make any friends here? Am I really going to be able to get involved? Do well in class?” And it really put a weight and pressure on me to try and do as much as possible as quickly as possible.

Eventually I burnt myself out and came to realize that it’s not worth worrying about trying to do everything and anything, and put a focus on the things you are really passionate about and have a genuine interest in.

3. What is the primary area of growth you think future campus leaders will need to focus on?

Moneer Kheireddine. ORACLE PHOTO/ JACKIE BENITEZ

I think as a student leader you should always be focusing on your passions and motivations on why you do what you do. In college you get this amazing opportunity to try so many different things, take so many different courses and join so many different student organizations. If you try as many different things as possible, you’re giving yourself more opportunities to find what you’re truly passionate about. That doesn’t mean to spread your time too thin, however; you can usually know within the first few weeks whether an opportunity is right for you, and if not, it’s important to recognize as a student leader when to walk away and pass the opportunity to another. Try as much as you can within reason, and always remember to give it your 100%.

2. What has been your favorite part of your USF experience thus far?

I think some of my favorite moments have also been some of the most rewarding, as I truly think that my past leadership roles and serving others these past few years has been my favorite part of my Undergraduate experience. Each role that I’ve taken on has given me the opportunity to impact aspects of our campus and the student body, whether serving as President of my fraternity or as Orientation Leader in the summer of 2016, every moment that I’ve been able to commit myself to others has helped build me into a better man, and a better leader. Being given the amazing opportunities to support others and grow into the man I am today is one of the greatest things I’ve been able to take away from my USF experience.

n See Q&A on PAGE 16

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5. What has been your biggest challenge as a campus leader?

Continued from PAGE 15

I think the largest challenge I’ve faced is the balance between

4. How do you plan to use your USF a student leader and a friend. In many roles on campus you experiences and apply them to the workforce? may find yourself often leading those who you have formed

Almost every role that you can get involved in at USF is going to teach transferable skills. Whether it’s insight into servant leadership or more technical skills such as managing a budget form in Excel, your USF experiences are building you into a better and better candidate for almost any role you might pursue.

great friendships with, and finding the best way to balance between your role as a leader and your role as a friend is always a challenging concept. It’s one I’m still learning the in’s and outs of to this day, but I think that over time and consistent exposure to leadership roles that place you in those types of positions you learn the right time and place to separate your professional and personal relationships seamlessly.

7. Why is it important to become a campus leader?

To grow. To learn. To become the best version of yourself possible; becoming a campus leader doesn’t have to mean becoming president of a student org or taking on a huge involvement role, it can simply mean taking on challenges and roles that push you to support and serve others around you. There are so many important reasons to push yourself out of your comfort zone and become a campus leader, but becoming the best version of yourself is, in my opinion, one of the most critical reasons.

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6. What has been your biggest success as a campus leader?

I think in all honesty my biggest successes are the moments where a student who I’ve impacted in one way or another reconnects with me and shares with my their passions for leadership or involvement. As a leader you never know in what way and how you’re impacting those around you, but in the moments where those you’ve impacted share with you how you’ve impacted them you’re reminded of why you do what you do and how important it really is. There truly isn’t a better feeling in the world as a student leader than those moments.

8. What is your message to future campus leaders?

Remember to celebrate your little successes and learn from each of your failures. Far too often when you step out of your comfort zone and fail it paves the way to simply giving up on leadership or involvement, but that’s the exact opposite of what you should do in the face of failure. Each of your failures in college is an opportunity for growth and reflection, to ensure that after you leave college you won’t make the same mistakes as a leader and employee. In order to grow you must be willing to fail, and you must always remember to celebrate the little moments in college. Whether it’s getting an A on that test you’ve been studying weeks for, or throwing a super successful student organization event, make the most of each of those little moments and recognize how awesome of an accomplishment it was. Every little step you make towards a successful future is always cause for celebration.

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The Top eight places to study around campus ●

Sitting on over 1,900 acres of land, USF provides a wide variety of locations for its students to retreat to in order to

study. As the semester nears midterm and final exams, some of the more popular locations fill rapidly. There are some locations that hold peaceful study atmospheres that not every student may be initially drawn to.

Shaded Seating Under the Allen Building Breezeway

Directly outside of the Collins Parking Garage, a series of umbrella-covered tables are available.

Picnic Tables Outside of the Education Building

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Often students forget about the study spaces available above the first level of the MSC. On the fourth floor, a variety of tables, couches and booths are available for students to study or meet classmates for group projects. Also, the fourth floor offers students who commute a “Commuter Lounge,” — a space with microwaves, vending machines and couch areas for commuter students to rest, eat or study inbetween classes.

Entering the John and Grace Allen Building is a shaded breezeway with a series of tables available. Even with the hot weather, the location provides a cool breeze.

On each of the four levels of the Education building, there are a variety of tables and booths offered for students to study at. However, there is also a peaceful courtyard available outside of the building where there is minimal foot traffic, so students can focus on their work without as many distractions.

Rocking Booths Outside of the Bookstore

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Outside the USF Bookstore, there is a courtyard that provides umbrella shaded seating and two rocking booths for students to meet or study. In the fall, when it is cooler outside, this space is a wonderful location to both enjoy the weather and catch up on class assignments.

Umbrella Shaded Tables Outside of Cooper Hall

While the MSC holds a great deal of foot traffic during the beginning of the semester or on Wednesdays for Bull Market, its shaded tables offer a peaceful study location in the early mornings or afternoons.

Fourth Floor of the MSC

The Courtyard Outside of the Marshall Student Center (MSC)

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Umbrella Shaded Tables Outside of the Student Services Building

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Though Cooper Hall has a great deal of foot traffic, because of the multiple clubs and organizations that gather there, the courtyard is a wonderful location to meet with classmates or review for classes.

Fifth Floor of the Library

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The fifth floor was renovated in the last year to provide updated seating and desks to foster a peaceful environment for students to focus on their coursework.

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Commentary

Prioritizing mental health in college is imperative

By Samantha Moffett A S S O C I A T E

E D I T O R

College student’s mental health continues to be a growing concern on every college campus. The American Psychological Association reports that 41.6 percent of college students struggle with anxiety, while 36.4 percent struggle with depression.

These are the leading mental illnesses found in college students, but there are countless other mental illnesses that go undiagnosed, as 40 percent of students do not seek help, according to a study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Health.

While college campuses offer counseling services to assist students in maintaining both their mental and physical health, it is easy to overlook the benefits of engaging in extracurricular activities when students already may feel overwhelmed with a heavy workload.

Students should make it a priority to engage in extracurricular activities in college to help maintain their health while balancing school, jobs and a social life.

While many may argue that being involved in clubs, student organizations or sports teams can overload a student, it is a necessity to maintain that balance between work and leisure.

Being too heavily involved in either side, whether it is academics, work or socializing can absolutely be detrimental to one’s well-being, but having a healthy balance can aid the process of maintaining mental and physical health.

Extracurricular activities are a common part of most high schooler’s lives, but in college it is a prevailing theme that many of the sports or hobbies once enjoyed previously are dropped to focus on the weight of college classes, internships and

becoming acclimated to a new academic and social environment.

The toll that this can take on one’s mental health combined with the stress of all that comes along with college can be extremely overwhelming.

Psychology Today reports that our generation of college students have a significantly higher rate of depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses than the generations before us.

There are many factors presented to us in college that can potentially lead to this, some of which include more pressure placed on students, increased financial stress and a heavier workload. Making extracurricular activities a priority is one of the best decisions we can make to help us become a more wellrounded version of ourselves.

Involving yourself in something that fuels your passion, creativity or provides any kind of outlet of expression gives us the ability to use different skills than we normally might in the classroom. It can also allow us to make connections, network and build relationships that may not otherwise happen without extracurricular activities.

Being a well-rounded individual can only help us in preparing for our future.

At USF, there is something for every kind of student. Whether you are interested in the arts, sports, gaming or just making new friends, it is important to make sure to do something that you can find value in and outside of the classroom.

It is no secret that college can be a trying time for many of us but taking care of your mental and physical health should be a priority for all students. Get involved in an extracurricular activities on your college campus and your future self will thank you.

Samantha Moffett is a junior majoring in mass communications.

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