Have the time of your life!

Congratulations to the 2009 Hixson Scholars who begin the first day of their college career today. You should be very proud of the accomplishments that brought you to this point. There are a lot of people at home and here on campus who are really pulling for you, so make this opportunity count. There are fifteen peer mentors in our program who are as eager to meet you as I am. They are some of smartest student leaders with whom I have ever worked, so I know they will be great resources for you.

Don't worry about dropping your tray in the dining center, getting on the wrong CyRide Bus, or getting lost on the way to class. Those things happen to everyone and we all survive. Focus on the big picture, the adventure on which you have embarked. See you in class tonight!

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you have the time of your life.

~Green Day

Celebrating Persistence

While introducing myself during our new student festival today, it occurred to me that it is the anniversary date of my career at Iowa State. I actually began working in my first student affairs job in August as well (back in the Stone Age), so lots to celebrate this month. It's my half-birthday today too!

Professor and blogger Delaney Kirk celebrated her 28th year of teaching with a wonderful poem, so I was inspired to share a favorite quote with you.

Learning is finding out what we already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, and teachers. ~ Richard Bach

College Students & Money: No new car, caviar, four star daydream

It's handy having a international expert on financial literacy around when counseling first-year college students about managing their resources. Iowa State professor Tahira Hira is recognized for her work on consumer spending including debt and bankruptcy. As our graduates leave campus with some of the highest student loan debt in the nation, I feel an obligation to discuss personal finance during our first-year seminar.

Dr. Hira's three main principles for college student financial well being:

• Live within your means.
• Spend less that you make.
• Be mindful of borrowing, including consumer credit or students loans.

Spending plans are key to managing finances and Hira shares these tips for students:

• Give yourself an allowance that fits your budget.
• Balance your checkbook regularly.
• Leave your credit cards at home to avoid impulse buying.
• When going out for an evening, take only as much cash as you can afford with you.
• Eliminate casual shopping.
• Reduce stress with exercise, hobbies, or community service; versus shopping.

Our financial aid office partners with a great online tool called CashCourse that offers financial planning tools and economic tips. I utilize CashCourse for a personal finance assignment in our seminar course.

Read more about Dr. Hira's financial wellness advice for college students.

Quarters

Twenty-five cent coins met their demise in our Residence Halls several years ago when laundry room washers and dryers moved to digital payment via student ID cards. Students no longer hoarded rolls of quarters before moving to campus or worried about jammed coin dispensers. Now students are able to monitor machine availability and check if the wash cycle is finished, all via the internet.

Quarters used to equal the gold exchange rate in the residence hall. How will students shed the dreaded first-year fifteen if not running up and down stairs to check the nuclear baking cycle of the dryer? Will student engagement suffer when no one is negotiating over the next available washer? Sadly, it appears quarter status has been relegated to drinking game only.

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in...

It's the last full day of APTi 2009, the conference for all things MBTI related. I have an early flight tomorrow and even with my clear preference for extraversion and love for all things social related, I am exhausted and focused on my auxiliary introverted intuiting (read: quiet down time).

Preparing for a travel day, I headed for the hotel gift shop to stock up on granola bars. Not wishing to navigate the crowded lobby again, I snuck up the back way through the conference floor to my elevator. Navigating the now deserted hallways of the conference area I was startled by the loud music I hadn't noticed earlier over the din of our crowded meetings. Turning the corner to the elevator I discovered it was not some lame recording but rather a fellow conference attendee, playing his heart out on the grand piano tucked into the corner. I could not tell who it was or read the name tag as I peeked into the room. Not wanting to disturb this impromptu concert I quietly crept back toward the elevator. Piano Man continued his performance, a contemporary piece, something akin to Handel's Water Music, but with more emotion, more oomph. I sat quietly by the elevator and listened for at least 20 minutes.

Who was this Piano Man? Another ENTJ like me or perhaps an ENFJ, finding balance in their auxiliary function from the extraverted thinking of the day? Or maybe someone with an introverted preference, spending some much needed processing time away from the crowd. Regardless of Type, it was a delightful surprise ending to my day.

Well we're all in the mood for a melody, and you've got us feelin' alright...