Pierce College's The Pioneer - Vol. 51, Issue 1

6 / CAMPUS
Sept. 27, 2017 / Vol. 51, Issue 1
piercepioneernews.com CAMPUS / 7
NEW STUDENTS MINGLE, MEET
OVER ‘NEW RAIDER WELCOME’
Guest speaker
Tom Krieglstein
encourages
students to look
for new
opportunities
By MARJI HARRIS
Staff Writer
IT’S A NEW QUARTER AND FOR
MANY students coming in, it is their first
time on a college campus. A community
college does not have the same challenges
and pressures that a university has, but it is
still different than high school.
Sept. 14 was a day just for them. Guest
speaker Tom Krieglstein helped the
Running Start students and those fresh
from high school break the tension.
According to his website, Swift Kick, the
entrepreneur, speaker, and professional
travels to colleges giving presentations on
“how to build a culture of connection.”
His message was not centered around
the academics expectations. His approach
used a mix of his own stories with
interactive exercises to get the audience
engaged. By the end of the morning,
they knew things about each other that
otherwise they may have felt shy about
sharing.
They knew that the worst thing they ever
did on a dare maybe wasn’t really as bad as
they thought. They learned each one has
Students have their own “take a seat,
make a friend” moment.
a super power that is unique. One student
shyly admitted to twirling a baton, while
another has an IQ of 158.
There were two parts of the presentation
that had a significant impact. The first was
a video about a young man, Matt Harding,
who randomly would pick a location
and set up his cell phone to record as he
danced. Then, he would post the video on
YouTube. People would jump in and join
Harding at later events.
Harding later received a job that allowed
him to travel all over the globe for a year
— expenses paid — doing what he did
originally. Only this time, it was people
in the countries Harding was visiting that
jumped into the video.
The second half of the presentation,
“Take a seat, make a friend,” was a video
put together by SoulPancake.
Strangers were invited to sit and talk in
a large bin, containing plastic balls with
questions written on them. Some of the
questions mirrored the same ones the
students answered.
Marji Harris / Staff Writer
Krieglstein encouraged students to look
for opportunities. Going to college can be
more than just showing up for classes and
finishing assignments, he said.
“When I graduated from college, I
already had a billion-dollar business going.
I started by selling textbooks on Ebay that
no one needed any more,” Krieglstein said.
After having them team up and create
their own secret handshakes, it was time
to break for lunch, catered by Lancer
Hospitality.
Around the room, tables from various
support teams and other groups on the
campus were present.
Sitting at the Veteran’s Center table were
William Cole III and Holland Cooley.
Cooley, who is usually at the Puyallup
campus, was here to welcome new
students.
The center’s primary mission is to be
a support system for students who are
military veterans. Part of that support is a
revised program, Vet Navigators.
“We want to be a resource of resources
for veterans. Whether they need help
with housing, mental health, anything
for transitioning to civilian life,” Cooley
said.
“Having an actual presence on
campus gives better communication
between vets and staff,” Cole said.
A new support group, ASPIRE, was
also present. Miguel “Aki” Smith is the
retention manager and Kiana Fuega is
the outreach specialist.
The organization’s goal is to serve and
support students on campus who are of
Asian and Pacific Islander heritage.
“These groups historically are
underserved and we want to expose
then fill gaps in services. Language
is not the only barrier, Sometimes
the barrier to a successful education
can come through stereotypes. For
example, often the perception is that
Asian students do not need preparation
or assistance when coming to school,”
Smith said.
“ASPIRE seeks to reach across
those cultural barriers to successful
academics,” Smith said. By assisting
with goal-setting, personal growth, and
development, they will reach, support,
retain, and see their students graduate.
At the WorkSource table, Jayna
Petterson had pamphlets with
information on the criminal justice
program and the B-tech program.
She enjoys events such as this because
students can get a lot of information at
once.
Because she is also connected
to WorkSource, she has funding
connections. “Students can look
here for additional, possible funding
resources,” Petterson said.
William Cole III, left, and
Holland Cooley are ready
to explain services and
resources available for
veterans.
Tips for making the best start
to a new school year
BY BEATRIX CENDANA
Contributing Writer
Summer break is over. It is time to say hello to fall quarter
and get in a school routine. Here are some tips on how to
face that new reality:
CHANGE YOUR SLEEP HABIT
When on vacation, sleeping in or staying
up late until midnight is the norm. But
when attending college, it is not wise to
continue that habit. Change this by:
• Set an alarm two hours before
you go to class so you will be ready to
prepare for anything.
• Keep away from any kinds of
distractions (such as smartphone,
laptop, or tablet) one hour before going
to sleep.
• Create calmness within yourself.
Practice meditation or other
mindfulness activities that relax the
brain.
LIST ALL PLANS
List to-dos in notes or electronic devices
to make sure assignments are finished for
that day. Add other activities that could
be joined after school, such as clubs or
organizations. Also, make sure your
notes are in your bag when you go out
or make it as a reminder on your phone.
EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST
Protein, carbs and high fiber are
needed to maintain your body. Start the
day with a simple breakfast like wholegrain
bread with honey or a boiled egg
and a bowl of oatmeal. Breakfast helps
your concentration for paying attention
in class
EXERCISE
Walk for 30 minutes around the park
or use the exercise facility on campus.
Balancing movement with study helps
the brain stay alert.
Marji Harris / Staff Writer