Making the most of your Husky experience

Welcome to the 2021-22 year!

A message from Denzil Suite, 91探花Vice President for Student Life.

Hello Huskies,

I am thrilled to welcome you to the 2021-22 academic year. This time last year, we were launching into something completely new and different: the beginning of UW鈥檚 first-ever fully remote academic year.

While it was not easy, students, faculty, and staff adapted to this new dynamic skillfully and effectively. Each of you navigated academic and personal challenges 鈥� both foreseen and unforeseen 鈥� with grace and compassion.

As this new academic year begins, we launch into something yet again new and different. The return to an in-person campus experience brings with it excitement and cause for celebration, but, no doubt, it may be cause for some nerves as well.

Whether you are returning to 91探花for your final year or have never actually set foot on campus until now, we in the Division of Student Life are here to help guide and support you as you navigate this transformational journey of discovery.

We鈥檙e here to聽,听, and聽make sure you have a friendly and inclusive community within the larger University environment. We also offer you聽a wide variety of activities to enhance your personal health, which we know is important to your academic success.

Student Life, in conjunction with our partners in the聽Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity,听Undergraduate Academic Affairs,听, and more, serves as the hub of many of the activities that complement your academic pursuits. And make no mistake, your academic pursuits need to remain your #1 priority.

BUT you must also get involved! Your 91探花experience will be incomplete if all you do is attend class and then study all night.

We know from years of experience and research that students who聽, who聽, who聽, or who聽聽鈥� these students graduate at higher rates, they are more satisfied with the college experience, have better grades, and are less likely to stop out.

While the last 18 months have been a roller coaster, and we still must be mindful of an ever-evolving public health situation, do not let these variables deter you from (safely) getting involved or from making this experience an enriching one.

This is a great year to be proactive, engaged, to put yourself out there, and to really make the most of your Husky Experience.

Welcome to a new academic year. I鈥檓 excited for the things we will achieve together.

Sincerely,

Denzil J. Suite
Vice President for Student Life

Grad Student Spotlight: How Kickboxing made me a better Teacher, Researcher, and Engineer

Guest post from Eldridge Alcantara, 91探花Electrical & Computer Engineering PhD Candidate, Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, and Cardio Kickboxing Group Fitness Instructor.

My Husky Experience began in autumn 2013, when I started my graduate program in Electrical Engineering. And I鈥檓 not going to lie 鈥� I felt like I was on top of the world.

Even though I was setting aside a pretty good life already in San Diego, CA, where I was born and raised surrounded by a large Filipino family, close friends, and a full-time engineering job, I was thrilled to be here in Seattle because I was finally pursuing my dream of getting a PhD.

On top of that, I came into 91探花with a five-year scholarship and a guarantee to return to my job in San Diego afterwards. Nothing could go wrong, right? I just have to be the best student researcher with the most amazing research project, and this degree would be in the bag.

But that鈥檚 not what happened.

Fast forward to 2019, I鈥檓 still in my PhD, in my sixth year, and still fighting to finish. What has surprised me is that my most notable highlights so far have not come from research, as I had originally envisioned and is common with other PhD students. Rather, my greatest experiences and successes have come from another love of mine: teaching.

I came to 91探花with the intention to improve in research. But I soon realized I could not turn away from teaching that easily, something rooted in me ever since my time leading Electrical Engineering discussion sections as an undergraduate at UC San Diego. Something about being a TA just feels right. I like the interaction with my students. I like coming up with new ways to review concepts and solve problems. So, I decided to carve my own path and seek out other opportunities to teach.

I emailed Professor Maryam Fazel, who was teaching a class called Continuous-Time Linear Systems (EE 235), and I asked her if I could lead optional discussion sections as a volunteer. I鈥檓 surprised to this day that she did not brush this off as a prank, and I鈥檒l be forever grateful that she agreed to let me teach these sections, which I continue to lead to this day.

Photo: 91探花EE 235 (Continuous Time Linear Systems) class, Spring 2014

So, after my first year, I was doing great with my PhD program while continuing to keep my teaching skills sharp. I started to wonder, what鈥檚 next for me?

Little did I know that an opportunity was waiting in the wings.

That opportunity was 91探花Recreation鈥檚 Fitness Instruction Training (FIT) Program. I was already a group fitness enthusiast, and I liked the idea of getting paid to work out, but I saw something else with the FIT program: another opportunity to teach 鈥� to teach a new class format, in a new environment, and to a wider campus community I鈥檇 never worked with before.

I joined the program not being the fittest person in my cohort (nor the most enthusiastic), but I was determined to finish. I completed it in spring 2015, and began teaching Cardio Kickboxing the following autumn quarter.

During my first quarter teaching Cardio Kickboxing, I was amazed how I was able to seamlessly apply all that I learned from engineering teaching. Over eight weeks, I taught short combination sequences to the beat of music that incorporate basic punches and kicks and increase in difficulty over a quarter.

Photo:聽 91探花Dawg Daze Cardio Kickboxing class, Autumn 2017

My time as a TA helped me understand the importance of designing organized lesson plans. I knew how to break down what I taught into small, digestible parts that my participants could follow. I also understood how to progress my lessons slowly and methodically over a quarter to help my participants safely reach their fitness goals.

Unfortunately, there was one thing missing that first quarter: enthusiasm.

As my fitness manager noted, 鈥淓ldridge, your experience in teaching clearly shows, but if you want your students to be at 100% intensity, I need you to be teaching at 110%.鈥� I learned right away that any amount of enthusiasm I showed in an engineering classroom was not going to be enough for fitness, so I worked on it.

I practiced my class routines more regularly, so that over time, I worried less about the elements of my choreography and focused more on being comfortable in front of my participants. It worked. My class blossomed as a result, with healthy attendance rates that continue to this day, 11 quarters later.

But do you know what surprised me most about my experience with 91探花Recreation?

Being a group fitness instructor served to improve other areas of my work in ways I could never imagine. My engineering students now comment on how much more engaging my class is because of my energy and enthusiasm. I owe that to Cardio Kickboxing and the confidence it taught me, where I鈥檓 regularly shouting things like 鈥測ou go, boy!鈥� or 鈥渘ice side kick, girl!鈥�

My work as a researcher also improved. I get regular comments from my advisors and colleagues on how my presentations flow well and are easy to follow. I owe that to Cardio Kickboxing and the experience teaching to music and speaking to a wider non-technical audience.

Reflecting on these last six years, I never would have predicted that teaching would define my Husky Experience. My love for teaching has only deepened. From teaching group fitness and further engaging outside the classroom, I truly believe I have become not only a better researcher, engineer, and TA, but a healthier and more well-rounded individual.

Photo:聽 91探花Dawg Daze Cardio Kickboxing class, Autumn 2018

Easy Ways to Practice Self Love this Valentine鈥檚 Day

Valentine鈥檚 Day is known for a lot of things鈥攔oses and chocolate, to name just a few. It鈥檚 a day to celebrate significant others, family, and friends, but it鈥檚 also a great opportunity to remind yourself to practice some self-love as well. With the gloom of winter weather, the stress of midterms season, and finals seemingly right around the corner, there鈥檚 never been a better time to take a little better care of yourself. Not sure where to begin? Try starting with a few of these ideas.

Detox your social media feeds

Social media has been the center of a lot of controversy lately; love it or hate it, , FOMO, and the are undeniably issues of our generation. If your own feed is triggering any feelings of stress or anxiety, it might be time to take a look at who you鈥檙e following or what posts show up while you scroll. Unfollowing or unfriending someone might feel awkward, especially if they鈥檙e a friend, so instead try just muting some Instagram stories or unfollowing people on Facebook so their posts won鈥檛 pop up every time you open those apps. Not only will this help stop comparison culture, you might even cut down on daily time you spend on social media since you鈥檙e not wading through content that you鈥檙e not interested in.

Check your caffeine habits

I know, I know鈥攖his can seem impossible at best, and blasphemous at worst. Whether you鈥檙e brewing your own coffee at home, stopping by a campus Starbucks, or using energy drinks to get an extra boost, caffeine can seem like a necessity just to get it all done. However, too much caffeine can like nervousness or a racing heartbeat. If you鈥檙e already stressed, that鈥檚 the last thing you need鈥攏ot to mention it can wreak havoc on your sleep habits. Check in on whether you鈥檙e drinking those 2 or 3+ cups a day out of necessity or habit. Do you really need the caffeine boost or do you just like the taste? The cozy feeling of a hot beverage on a cold day? Think about trying decaf after lunch or branching out to try matcha or chai.

Stretch

After hours of class, group project meetings, and studying, it鈥檚 no surprise if you feel stiff or sore at the end of the day. Taking ten or fifteen minutes to stretch can help shake off that tension and leave you feeling infinitely more relaxed. Not only will you be less tense, but it can lead to better posture and even better sleep.

Schedule something you鈥檒l look forward to

Some weeks are rougher than others, and these mid-quarter, dead-of-winter weeks can feel like the roughest of all. One of the best ways to motivate yourself to make it through the endless grind is putting something on your calendar you can look forward to. A bright spot you know is coming up in the future will make the Ode study sessions in the present just a little more bearable. Commitment is key鈥攂ook a spin class in advance online, get movie tickets, or make plans with a friend to go to Volunteer Park. Accountability will mean you actually take time off from studying, working, or, let鈥檚 be honest, even just re-watching Parks & Rec on Netflix for the umpteenth time.

Say no to something

After the last tip this might seem a little counterintuitive, but having time to say yes to things you love usually means having to say no to something else. If your Google Calendar is starting to look like a rainbow kaleidoscope of colors, appointments, and commitments, maybe it鈥檚 time to create a little white space鈥攍iterally and figuratively. Everyone needs to unwind every now and then, and that free time can free up some mental space as well.

Make a go-to playlist

We all have certain songs that always make us feel better, so why not put them all in one place for when a bad day or a late afternoon slump hits? Throw anything on there that always puts you in a good mood鈥攗pbeat jams that always make you feel better, any soundtracks that hype you up, or even some middle school throwbacks. A better day is only some headphones and a push of a button away.

Valentine鈥檚 Day might be just a day in February, but these are habits you can carry throughout the year to make getting through those classes and extracurriculars just a little easier.

Student Life blogger Hannah M. is a 91探花senior studying Marketing and English聽who聽is also involved with the American Marketing Association and . When not pitching, writing or editing blog posts for UWSL, you’re likely to聽find her聽making PowerPoint presentations for a case competition or ordering a vanilla latte on the Ave. To suggest a topic for the UWSL blog, email dawglife@uw.edu.

Student Voices: Perspectives on Leadership from the Husky 100

Every year we get the opportunity to celebrate some incredible students from UW鈥檚 three campuses (Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma) as the Husky 100. This recognition honors 100 students for their exceptional contributions on and off campus and for truly making the most of their Husky Experience. These students prove that leadership is far from a one-size-fits-all stereotype, and it鈥檚 possible to lead from all sides and angles.

2019 Husky 100 applications are open now (due January 23^rd!) so log on and start sharing your story of leadership at UW! I chatted with some members of the Husky 100 from 2018 to learn more about their own journeys and ask what leadership means to them. Their answers were as diverse as they are鈥攁nd might just inspire you to start your own application.

鈥淗ow would you define leadership?鈥�

鈥淭he most important part of leadership is being involved with the people in your community鈥攇ood collaboration. A good leader is someone who collaborates with the people around them, goes the extra mile, and inspires and empowers others to succeed.鈥�

鈥� Tina Hernandez, 91探花Tacoma, who has spent her time as a Husky serving the community through social work volunteering and researching the effects of trauma on the developing brain.

鈥淢y definition of leadership has changed a lot since I was a freshman. Now it鈥檚 a lot about listening鈥攏ot telling people what to do, but listening and understanding their needs. So to me, being a good leader means being a good listener.鈥�

鈥� Nadya Ekhteraee-Sanaee, 91探花Seattle, who leads as the president of the Economics Undergraduate Board, chair of the Arts & Sciences Advisory Council for Students, and an active member of Women in Economics.

鈥淟eadership to me means leading by example鈥攂y doing, not by telling.鈥�

鈥� Colton Twiddy, 91探花Seattle, who has connected his work in and out of the classroom as part of the Neighborhood Design Build Studio and by competing on the 91探花Commercial Construction Team.

鈥淓尘辫补迟丑测.鈥�

鈥� Beck Adelante, 91探花Tacoma, who has tirelessly worked to promote accessibility and elevate marginalized student voices, such those from LGBTQ+, mixed race, disabled, and other underserved communities.

鈥淟eadership, to me, is tied closely with service and learning. You have to really put in the work, learn as much as you can, empower people, and ultimately teach them how to lead themselves.鈥�

鈥斅�Henry Milander, 91探花Seattle, who strives to create a more equitable and sustainable future through his work in the 91探花Rotaract, as a residential advisor, and as the President of the Certificate of International Studies in Business program.

聽鈥淭o me, leadership is not only being available to others and letting people come to you with their needs and problems, but also reaching out when you notice people need help.鈥�

鈥� Leah Ruggerone, 91探花Seattle, who has dedicated herself to promoting the health and wellness of her community as an education assistant in the pharmacy department, the president of the pediatric pharmacy advocacy group, and a devoted volunteer working with children that have primary disabilities.

鈥淎 good leader works to make sure the voices of all our different communities are heard.鈥�

鈥� Katrina Salazar Punzalan, 91探花Seattle, whose Husky Experience empowered her to embrace her identity as a queer Filipinx student and inspired her to pursue becoming an attorney to help marginalized communities such as migrant workers and Pacific Islanders.

鈥淟eadership is working with other people toward a goal you鈥檝e all set. At the end of the day, I think leadership is about working with others, serving others, and listening to your community.鈥�

鈥� Aishwarya Mandyam, 91探花Seattle, who leads from the intersection of technology and humanity as she serves as the president of the 91探花Association for Computing, innovates in the biotechnology space, and builds inclusive communities on campus.

鈥淎ccountability and humility.鈥�

鈥斅�Brit Barnhouse, 91探花Tacoma, who founded a literary journal dedicated to communicating complex ideas simply and accessibly, inspired by her double major in environmental studies and writing.

鈥淟eadership means being a role model. It means bringing out in the best in the people around you. It means doing your best and being humble at the same time.鈥�

鈥� Kimberly Ruth, 91探花Seattle, whose time on campus researching, organizing, tutoring, and mentoring has made her quite the role model in her own right.

鈥淟eadership is passion and compassion. Passion because you need to love what you do; compassion so you can feel what others feel.鈥�

鈥� Angel Chen, 91探花Seattle, who has created a more inclusive environment for transfer students as a transfer-student FIG leader and Commuter & Transfer Associate with First Year Programs.

鈥淟eadership is giving back to others, which means you have to get to know their needs. A leader sees a problem and tries to solve it, bringing everyone to the table to find a solution.鈥�

鈥� Youcef Yacoub Bennour, whose passions have led him to chair the committee for the Students and Activities Fee, become a voting member of the World Affairs Council, and mentor students at a local high school.

To learn more about the Husky 100聽recognition as well as current聽and past nominees, visit the Husky 100 website.

10 Ways to Destress This Winter Quarter

Winter quarter (or any quarter, honestly) can be stressful for a variety of reasons鈥攁nything from the lack of sunlight to a mid-year motivation slump, a tough course load or just feeling stuck in a rut. If you find yourself facing a lot of stress, overwhelm, or are feeling really tense, try some of these tricks to make life feel a little more manageable鈥攁nd enjoyable.

Join a club – for fun!

Infographic explaining the process of registering a student organization, which can also be accessed at http://depts.washington.edu/thehub/sao/rso-registration/ During your first days at UW, the sheer number of activities and opportunities can be overwhelming, but it鈥檚 so easy to play it safe, fall into a routine, and never look back. When you鈥檙e super focused on your classes and leadership activities, sometimes your hobbies fall by the wayside to your busy schedule. If you鈥檙e stressed or feeling burnt聽out, doing something you鈥檙e passionate about or enjoy can do wonders for your mood. Could聽an a capella group, the Hiking Club, the Cooking & Baking Club, or Badminton Club be perfect for you? Find out – and explore the full list of UW鈥檚 1,000+ other student clubs on . (P.S. If you don’t see one that strikes your fancy, you聽can always start your own!) Check out the infographic聽at left to find out how.

Head outside

that time in nature and time by bodies of water can dramatically reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Don鈥檛 let scattered showers deter you鈥攇rab a jacket or umbrella and head outside! Whether it鈥檚 five minutes on a bench under the Ship Canal Bridge, a stroll down to the 91探花Farm, or just a quick bike ride on the Burke Gilman Trail, just a little time outside can make a big difference in your mood.

Pick up a book

There鈥檚 something about the physical act of paging through a book that helps you get “in the zone” and escape the daily grind for a little while. Whether you devour mystery novels or love a good biography, you can easily find something to read at Suzzallo and Allen Libraries or in Odegaard Undergraduate Library. The most popular mainstream reads are stocked behind the help desk of Odegaard on the second floor, and are available in many languages. (Pro tip: Keep an eye out for 鈥渂ook blind date鈥� shelves in Ode, where occasionally librarians set up books wrapped聽in brown paper with only a brief description written on the front鈥攕uch a fun surprise once you take it home!)

If you鈥檙e a currently enrolled 91探花student, all you need is your Husky card to check out your books. If you live in the UW-Seattle dorms or near Seattle campus, you can also register for a free Seattle Public Library card, which will not only let you check out books from their branches, but also give you access to a huge range of audiobooks and ebooks you can download to your device. More info on how to get a SPL library card on the 聽(you must have valid ID and proof of address).

Take advantage of free events聽

Every once in a while, you just have to take a study break and do something totally new. What better way than to head to one of the thousands聽of free events that take place every month聽in Seattle? Even if you don鈥檛 love it, you shook up your daily routine, got out of your comfort zone, and didn鈥檛 waste any money. Here are a few of my favorites coming up:

This book club discussion of John Green鈥檚 latest novel, Turtles All The Way Down, at the UBookstore on the Ave
Pasifik Voices Winter 2018, an event celebrating Pacific Islander music, dance, art, poetry, and more, at the Ethnic Cultural Theater
The Yule Ball 2018, at the HUB South Ballroom for all the diehard Harry Potter fans out there
Harry Potter Trivia Night (in case the Yule Ball just wasn鈥檛 enough)
The Seattle Symphony & the Roosevelt High School Orchestra are giving a free classical music concert at Roosevelt High School, featuring works by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky
These fun & free modern dance workshops, co-hosted by CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work and The City of Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department.
And don鈥檛 forget that many Seattle museums are free on the first Thursday of every month.

Sweat it out

As Elle Woods once said, 鈥淓xercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy.鈥� This might be a slight oversimplification, but it鈥檚 undeniable that exercise has when it comes to managing stress. Head down to , take a leisurely jog to Gasworks Park, or even grab a canoe from the Waterfront Activities Center on a clear day. Getting some exercise doesn鈥檛 have to mean hours on a treadmill or training for a marathon鈥攊t could be as simple as walking across campus instead of taking the bus, or trying out some new with the Mindfulness Pass.

Zone out with a great movie or TV show

I couldn鈥檛 find any scientific data to back me up, but I鈥檓 pretty sure that curling up with a good binge-watching session is every college student鈥檚 favorite activity. You鈥檝e probably already got your go-to sites and shows, but here are just a few suggestions if you want to mix things up.

hosts frequent movie nights, usually with films that aren鈥檛 available on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc., like Alfred Hitchcock鈥檚 Rear Window or 500 Days of Summer. Their events are totally free, so follow the 91探花Film Club Facebook page to see upcoming movie nights you might be interested in. They also collaborate with movie studios pretty often, so you might also get the chance to win free passes to advance screenings of upcoming Hollywood movies before they鈥檙e open to the general public!
If you live in the 91探花dorms, you can enjoy movie nights hosted by the 鈥攁 few recent flicks include Baby Driver, Spiderman: Homecoming, and Blade Runner. Free popcorn & lemonade are provided! (Must be a current HFS resident.)
Dorm residents also get complimentary streaming HuskyTV (powered by philo.com) and access to HBO GO.
You can also borrow DVDs of movies and tv shows from Suzzallo and Allen Libraries, or request them online if they鈥檙e currently checked out by someone else. Just and get started!

Get more sleep

When it feels like there just isn鈥檛 enough time in the day to get everything done, sleep is usually the first thing to go. However, this can actually have during your waking hours, potentially leading to decreased academic performance, increased mental health issues, and a weakened immune system. Getting a good night鈥檚 sleep will actually make you more productive the next day, helping you get through that mile-long to-do list. Try setting an alarm on your phone 30-60 minutes before you plan to go to bed to remind you to start winding down for the night, or schedule a 20-minute power nap during the day.

Use the sun lamps聽

While complaining about the constant Seattle gloom may be a popular extracurricular for most 91探花students, its effects can be more than just annoying. Seasonal Affective Disorder, caused by reduced natural light, affects more than three million people a year and can be especially widespread during the winter. Symptoms include mood changes and聽increased appetite, as well as changes to your weight, sleep habits,听and activity levels. The 91探花Counseling Center offers free light therapy for currently enrolled UW-Seattle students who are affected. Call (206) 543-1240 to schedule an intake appointment聽(which is required before beginning sessions with the special light box for treatment).

Ask for help

Let鈥檚 be honest鈥攁 lot of our stress as college students comes from our academics. Maybe you鈥檙e applying for a competitive major or just worried about your next Econ exam, but there are a ton of academic resources at 91探花here to help.

Your professors. Go to office hours! They want to make sure you understand the material, and they鈥檙e the expert on what they鈥檙e teaching, so if you鈥檙e confused about something in class, who better to ask than your prof? If you鈥檙e really interested in the subject they teach, they might also be able to suggest other classes or programs you might enjoy.
Your TA鈥檚. They鈥檙e students just like you, so it can be less intimidating to ask them for help instead of your professor, especially if you鈥檙e in a 500-person lecture.
Study centers & tutoring. Struggling with a philosophy essay? Make an appointment at the . Think you might have a question on your Math 126 homework? Work on it at the , where TA鈥檚 are available to help if you run into a tricky section. The holds drop-in help for many classes, along with exam reviews and class discussions. An appointment at the can help you refine your research paper or brainstorm new insights for your English 111 essay. Check out more resources on the .
Academic advisers. Their full-time job is helping you along your academic career! They can help you identify academic strengths & weaknesses, suggest career paths, help you pick courses, and help you create long-term academic plans.

Explore somewhere new

In my opinion, one of the best things about being a Husky is getting to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. With the UPass on your Husky Card, why not carve out some time to explore a little? Take a quick day trip to Bremerton on the Kitsap Fast Ferry, head to Golden Gardens Beach, or hunt down some hidden gems in Fremont or the International District. A change of scenery can help you return to your routine refreshed & inspired.

While the weather outside might be dark & gloomy, try these tips to brighten your mood this winter quarter! Have any advice of your own to beat stress or stay upbeat? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, or at dawglife@uw.edu.

And finally – if you feel like you might need a little extra help, don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out to or the . If you鈥檙e experiencing anxiety, depression, or other negative emotions, they鈥檙e here to support you.

Student Life blogger Hannah McConnaughey is a 91探花senior studying Marketing and English聽who聽is also involved with the American Marketing Association and . When not pitching, writing or editing blog posts for UWSL, you’re likely to聽find her聽making PowerPoint presentations for a case competition or ordering a vanilla latte on the Ave. To suggest a topic for the UWSL blog, email dawglife@uw.edu.

91探花

鈥淗ow would you define leadership?鈥�

Join a club – for fun!

Head outside

Pick up a book

Take advantage of free events聽

Sweat it out

Zone out with a great movie or TV show

Get more sleep

Use the sun lamps聽

Ask for help

Explore somewhere new