sutton035

It's Thanksgiving season, where everyone takes the time to sit back from the craziness of college and remind themselves what they are thankful for.  Purdue is something that I am so thankful for! From hanging out with friends to taking exams, I know that everything at Purdue is going to help us out so much in the long run and shouldn't be taken for granted.  Here's some top reasons why I'm thankful for Purdue: 1. Top-Ranked Engineering Program Of course, academics takes the top.  The entire Purdue community is centered around academics and even more so in the College of Engineering.  As I pursue my degree in Mechanical Engineering, I realize more and more everyday how applicable my studies are to real-life careers.  Although maybe challenging at times, the College of Engineering will prepare me for anything the world has to throw at me, and I couldn't be more thankful.   2. All of the Unique Student Organizations There are so many student organizations at P...

I’ve always enjoyed fall.  I love hot beverages, sweater weather, changing leaves, and all the excitement that comes with the season.  However, nothing compares to fall on Purdue’s campus!  Currently, I’m enjoying my third fall on campus, and each one makes me love Purdue even more!  Here are five reasons (season-related and otherwise) that I’ve FALLen  in love with Purdue. 1) The Campus During the Fall Since I’m from Illinois, I’ve experienced the beauty of fall in the Midwest.  I was still very impressed by how beautiful the campus is when these fall transformations begin.  Since Purdue has a walkable campus, it’s such a great time of year to enjoy transition time between classes or explore different areas.  I love to walk around with friends and look at all of the colorful trees scattered throughout West Lafayette. 2) B1G Sports I’m not normally a huge fan of sports, but there’s something special about so many Purdue students cheering with Boil...

Fall is an exciting time on Purdue campus. One of the great ways to utilize the time off from school is to spend time with friends. Whether it’s on campus or back home, having time to unwind with the people closest to you is a great way to recharge and make memories that will last a lifetime. Explore West Lafayette Area  Some fun fall things to do near Purdue campus include checking out the corn maze at Exploration Acres, going apple picking at one of the nearby apple orchards, going to the Wolf Park north of campus, or simply having a bonfire. Get Ahead on Coursework Another thing to do during the time off is to get ahead on your coursework and organize a schedule for the coming weeks. Whether that’s tidying up your dorm room, creating a study schedule for upcoming exams, or getting ahead on next week’s homework, being able to take your time and organize can help create a stress free environment for the rest of the semester. Take a Trip to Purdue If you are still a prospective stu...

Although college is very fun, it requires hard work! The adjustment from high school to college courses can be a big one, so it will take some time to get into the swing of things. Never fear though, we are here to give you some tips and tricks for a successful transition to college! Keep Track of Your Schedule             One of the biggest changes in college is the amount of responsibility you have to take on. From the first day of classes, you need to be keeping track of your schedule and upcoming due dates. Many of your assignments will be posted online, so it is important to check Blackboard frequently. In addition, lectures are much larger than high school so you will feel a little more removed from your professor. Therefore, take advantage of office hours as they are a great opportunity to talk one on one with your professors and give them a chance to get to know you. Try to go to as many office hours as you can and take adva...

My Study Abroad Experience Do you have a dream travel destination? Purdue has study abroad locations in over 45 different countries! Last summer I used this opportunity to travel to Italy for a 4 week long program and it was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. During the four week program, I took two communications courses through the College of Liberal Arts. That’s right, you don’t necessarily have to be in a major in the college that the study abroad program is through! These courses counted as general electives for my Biomedical Engineering plan of study and allowed me to make friends in different majors. Aside from the coursework of the study abroad program, I did a lot of exploring! This specific program had classes scheduled Monday through Thursday, leaving the weekend free for extra travel opportunities. Our program was located in the beautiful Siena, Italy which is part of the Tuscany region of Italy. The program focused on communication and culture and involved ...

  First-Year Engineering Classes             Looking ahead to classes next fall may seem overwhelming and even scary; but I am here to give you a sneak peek into what your freshmen year classes may look like. Since you come into Purdue as an undeclared engineering major, your first semester classes are going to be a lot about figuring out what major is right for you. So here is a little bit about the main classes you’ll take during your freshmen year: LT Megan and Allison in front of their favorite engineering building :) Engineering 131/132: Unless you are in EPICS or the honors college, this will be the first engineering class all Purdue Engineers take. This class operates with a flipped classroom approach, meaning you watch lectures and take notes outside of class, so that class time can be spent working in teams. From the start of the semester, you will be placed in a 4-person engineering team, whom you will sit with and complete the majority of y...

It's Valentine's Day, when we express our love for people, things, and other parts in our life. I'd like to express my love for a program that has taught, brought and gave me so much. . . Purdue's Women in Engineering Program (WIEP)! Here some reasons why I love WIEP: 1) The Many Unique Programs  Purdue Women in Engineering Program offers SO much to SO many people. From  Access Alums  to  I2D2 , Purdue WIEP is the hub for anyone with an interest in engineering. See the full list of programs  here .  They even have a wide variety of programs for prospective students, which you can see  here . It's so easy to get involved and stay involved for life without getting bored, and that's why I love it.  2) Their Mission The  mission of WIEP  is to help women and girls discover their inner engineer. By provide constant programming, support and guidance, this mission isn't just words on a paper but evident in everyday life. Every single facet abou...

              At the end of the semester, it can feel like the ounces of coffee consumed overwhelms the number of hours slept.  However, studying for finals doesn’t have to include all-nighters or panic.  Incorporate this advice into your finals week to find success, and your GPA will thank you!  Studying for finals! (with Jennifer Biasi (right), Chemical Engineering)  Practice Old Exams It's typically beneficial to gauge your studying progress by taking exams from a class archive.  If the final is cumulative, it's also helpful to look back at your previous exams throughout the semester. Make a Plan Map out your study time to balance out time studying for each final. Determine how much time you want to spend studying for each final, and use this to make a general timeline Take Five Allow yourself to relax every once in while. I've personally found that I can focus better when I allow myself to walk away from my textbooks for a few minu...

Want to know what the Holidays are like at Purdue? Check out some highlights below! Me in front of the very large Christmas tree in the Union. It takes a crew to assemble a tree this big! PMO Christmas Show  - Every year, the Purdue Musical Organizations put on an incredible show in Elliott Hall of Music. This year is PMO's 81st show, and students are excited as ever! Alumni, families, and music lovers everywhere come to enjoy this production, and students can order discount tickets! Beautiful sets created in three months of work, skits and dialogues, and of course incredible musical arrangements highlight the performance, which is an annual tradition for Boilermakers of all ages. Purdue Memorial Union Christmas Tree  -  Since the 1930s, Purdue has decorated and displayed extraordinary Christmas trees in the Memorial Union.  This year's tree was planted in 1990 and is over 30 feet tall!  While they used to be shipped in from Wisconsin and northern Indiana, in re...