Thursday, May 16, 2013

Cheers to four years!


As another year comes to a close here at DePauw, we wanted to reflect on some of the amazing things our Panhellenic seniors have done. Each chapter has nominated one senior to be spotlighted here on our blog, but every single senior Panhellenic woman has changed our community in some way. Here's to you seniors! You will be missed!

Liz Weingartner-Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Chi Omega’s Exceptional Senior is Elizabeth Weingartner.  Liz is graduating with a degree in Biochemistry.  She also has a minor in German.  She will be attending the University of Maryland in Baltimore and is pursuing a PhD in immunology.  Liz served as the President of Alpha Chi Omega in the past term.  She led the house with much grace, confidence and skill. She played an integral role in bringing the Miss Representation documentary film about women’s misrepresentation in the media to our chapter and organized the viewing of Miss Representation for DePauw as a whole.  Liz recently organized a 30th anniversary and birthday party for our cook, Anita.  She organized the full event and worked to raise funds to give Anita the gift of a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  Liz is incredibly driven and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.  Alpha Chi Omega and the DePauw community will miss her in the coming years, but is very excited to see what she will do in the future!


Kendall Quisenberry-Alpha Phi
Kendall is an incredible student, athlete, and sister. Despite her busy schedule and numerous commitments, Kendall always takes the time to invest in others' lives. She is someone that people enjoy being around because of her vibrant, genuine personality. She shares her love for life with those around her and she's never too busy to help a sister or friend. She is an English Writing major and an Education Studies minor. In her four years at DePauw, she has traveled to Ghana, Haiti, Nicaragua, France, taught English in Taiwan and learned so much from each experience. She swam for three years and was a conference champion. Kendall is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Mortar Board and Order of Omega honor societies. She would consider receiving a Fulbright her biggest accomplishment in college. Kendall will be moving to Malaysia in January, and when she returns home she plans to go to grad school.  

Brittany Sievers-Delta Gamma
Delta Gamma is nominating Brittany Sievers as our Panhellenic Exceptional Senior. Brittany is a graduating Delta Gamma from Manchester, Indiana. She is majoring in Studio Art, and her work has been featured in several art shows. Many of her clay pieces were recently displayed in the Senior Art Show. In addition, she is on the varsity track team and has placed nationally in discus throwing. Currently, she is ranked 33rd in the nation. She has been a leader in Delta Gamma, serving as the Director of Recruitment Records. Brittany is enthusiastic and committed, and she has been a wonderful member of her chapter.

Lee Harmon-Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Alpha Theta is proud to present Lee Harmon as an Exceptional Senior. Lee is a math major from St. Louis. Her warm personality embodies all of the values that Theta represents. As a leader of Greek InterVarsity, member of Mortar Board, and a star on the Track and Field team Lee has left a lasting impression on this campus. She unwaveringly dedicates herself to her faith, sport and academics. Always working late nights on her schoolwork, Lee is a great study buddy or perfect to lend an ear for a late night chat. Her scholastic hard work has paid off; being awarded the "Distinguished Woman in Math." Lee is supportive to all, and has spread her academic success to others as a Q Center tutor. Through her four years on this campus, Lee has branched out through the campus and enlightened many with her chipper smile and lighthearted charisma. Lee is friends with all, enemy to none, and can always put a smile on anyone's face at anytime.

Emily Eckert-Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma nominated Emily Eckert as the exceptional Panhellenic senior because she is an extremely kind person and a great role model in our house and on campus. She is always setting a great example for dedication to schoolwork by encouraging others to go to the library with her. She also encourages others to participate in other Greek organization's events on campus. Emily is passionate about Kappa and Panhellenic unity. 



Libby Harmon-Pi Beta Phi
Pi Beta Phi would like to nominate Libby Harmon as our Panhellenic Exceptional Senior. Libby has been not only a good friend to every girl in our house; she is the first person to offer her help to any sister in need. She is a kinesiology sports and exercise science major, turbo kick instructor, and offers her support in any event hosted by, or involving another sister. She actively supports multiple campus activities, always offering her assistance. She will be greatly missed and we are so proud that she is a member of our chapter. 



Thursday, May 9, 2013

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Its that time in the semester again. Its crunch time and Panhellenic wants you to make the most out of finals week! Here is a few study tips complied by out Director of Scholarship, Katherine Reichel. 

1. Study in chunksAlthough it's tempting (and sometimes inevitable) cramming really isn't the best way to study. According to the Dartmouth Academic Skills Center, you should study in 20-50 minute increments and give yourself a 5 to 10 minute break between each session. For best results, study throughout one full week.

2. Listen to MozartCertain types of music, like Mozart's compositions -- which follow a 60 bpm pattern -- have been shown to activate both the right and left sides of the brain in listeners. Stimulation of both sides is linked with increased recall, and so listening while studying can help increase the likelihood that you will retain relevant information.


3. Alternate study spotsEarlier this year, the New York Times explained that rather than sticking to one study spot, you should switch things up when reviewing for exams.


4. Drink cocoaPacked with antioxidants as well as cognitive and mood enhancers, the unadulterated cacao bean has been recently lauded as a superfood. But once it is processed into chocolate bars, cacao's healthy benefits are overpowered by sugar -- which will provide a spurt of energy followed by a longer crash. To take full advantage of the nutritious bean, dissolve a spoonful of organic cocoa into a hot milk of your choice and add cinnamon, espresso and cayenne pepper for optimal energy.


5. Form a study groupStudy groups can motivate you to get started when it's hard to motivate yourself -- plus, explaining difficult concepts out loud will help you figure out what you understand and what you still need to go over, and getting a group together will allow you to divide and conquer definition of terms and explanations of concepts.


6. Prevent test anxietyIf mere mention of the phrase "final exam" makes your heart beat a little faster, mastering exam material may not be all you need to worry about. To calm yourself down -- and prevent from blanking during the test -- spend some time before the exam imagining yourself acing it. You also might want to induce stress while studying, and then practice quelling fear by taking deep breaths, focusing on what you know and keeping things (including the importance of the test) in perspective.


7. Jog around campus: Just 20 minutes of cardio a day can help improve your memory. And for those of you who can, cardio outside is even better -- taking a break in nature is more relaxing than taking a walk down a city street, which calls upon you to engage actively with your environment. But if it's freezing out and the gym is closed, you can always take a quick dance break.


8. Manage your timeBy the time finals roll around, your time is precious -- every minute counts. Which is why scheduling is essential during the weeks (or days) prior to exams. So as not to go totally bonkers during this stressful time, make a realistic study schedule for yourself. Leave yourself time for breaks -- you'll be taking them anyway -- and be sure to prioritize according to which class you'll need to study for the most.


9. Go to office hoursNobody ever wants to go to office hours, which is why professors and TAs are so happy whenever students do show up -- the trick is to go a few weeks before finals, when you are sure to have plenty of time to meet and discuss. Even if you only have one question, feedback from a professor will help you figure out what he/she thinks is most important, and will help you figure out what to focus on while studying.


10. Build on what you knowIf you start by studying what you know and add more difficult or recent material as you proceed, you can associate new information with familiar material. Rather than taking on intimidating amounts of new information, this will ease you into a comprehensive review and ensure you don't forget basics.


11. Make it interestingJust as it's harder to recall a list of 20 words than a 20-word sentence, it's harder to recall a list of boring facts than a story -- to help retain information, try to connect with whatever it is you're learning. Whether by using memory aids (like mnemonic devices) or making facts personal, bringing test material to life will make it much easier to remember.