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CASAS
If you have questions about what classes to take, need tutoring or want advice on your future career, CASAS (Center for Academic Support and Advising Service) will be your best friend at Liberty.
According to Melinda, a CASAS student worker, the department is there to oversee advising appointments and paperwork dealing with students' majors and minors. Students declare a major and are assigned an advisor based on their major. There are also advisors for students with undecided majors, so don’t worry if you don’t know what you want to major in!
Early in their academic career, students meet with their advisors before they register for classes. Advisors give advice on what classes to take, keeping students on track to graduate on time.
Students farther along in their academic career are no longer required to meet with their advisor, but can do so if they wish. Graduating seniors must converse with their advisors about meeting all requirements for their major and turn in graduation forms to CASAS.
According to Melina, CASAS is like an umbrella, overseeing many other departments that provide academic support for students. The Bruckner Learning Center, Tutoring and Testing Center, and the Career Center are under CASAS. These departments help students academically and provide career development opportunities for students and alumni.
All students have some interaction with CASAS during their time ate Liberty but many only do the minimum. However, I would advise all students to take full advantage of what CASAS has to offer. If you have questions about your program, struggle in a class or want information about your options for a future career, CASAS can help. For more information on CASAS, check out their website.
Julie Celano
Hockey player Eric Reynolds: Doing What He Loves
He's passionate and driven, excited about life and looking forward to his future. Eric Reynolds, a junior member of Liberty’s Division I hockey team, tells his story with. Listen in on my interview with Reynolds as he shares about his love for “the best game in the world”.
Tell me about your position on the team.
I'll give you a little Hockey 101. There's a goalie, just like soccer. There are two defenders, left and right, and there are three forwards: left wing, center and right wing. There are six players on the ice for each team and I play right wing.
Have you always imagined yourself playing hockey through college?
I think most Canadian hockey players want to go to the NHL (National Hockey League). I just wanted to always have fun with hockey and play at a competitive level, so that's what I'm doing right now and I love it.
What is it about hockey that makes you love it?
It's the best game in the world, that's why! I have discovered at Liberty that people are amazed by hockey because it is difficult even to skate for some people let alone skate, take a hit, pass, shoot and score. It's a very high skill level.
What made you come to Liberty and play hockey instead of going somewhere else?
Liberty has a unique set-up. You can get excellent hockey in Canada. They also have excellent Christian education which you can get a few places. But the combination of good hockey and a Christian education is very rare.
What's up with the hockey team bleaching their hair?
I guess it's a Liberty tradition for team unity. You're easily recognizable and it's a bonding experience. It may be for intimidation, but mainly just for fun.
After Liberty, what are your plans with hockey?
The hockey world is very competitive. So if I do play hockey again someday, I would also have to have a job. I will probably keep playing hockey just for fun.
Jane Marczewski
On or Off? Residence Halls vs. Apartments
On-Campus
Pro’s
It is much easier to connect with friends and student life. Concerts, games and other events are within walking distance. Brother/sister dorms, prayer groups, roommates and hall mates help even the most shy person burst into a social butterfly.
Food is never an issue with meal plans and dining facilities all over campus. It is easier to get to class on time when you don’t have to try and find a parking space or battle with traffic. Also, not having a commute gives you extra time to do whatever you do.
Con’s
For the serious sleeper or studier, living on campus can be trying. There are quiet study areas around campus but it is next to impossible to study in the comfort of your own room without interruptions and distractions. And if you like to get the recommended eight hours of sleep per night, I suggest ear plugs.
Also, if you don’t have a car, errands and going out can be difficult. It can be easy to find yourself stuck in the campus bubble if you don’t make an effort to ride the buses and get rides off campus. Finally, you have more rules like curfew, hall meeting and room checks on campus. While these things can help develop character and good habits, they can feel restrictive.
Off-Campus
Pro’s
The biggest perk of living off-campus is being in charge of your own space, your own comings and goings. You can decorate how you like, eat what you want, sleep whenever you like and study however you like. You can invite people (including the opposite gender) over for a real sit-down dinner. There is no curfew. You can burn candles. You don’t have to clean your room every other day. You can develop cooking skills. You can choose who you live with.
Con’s
While an apartment can cost less than a residence hall, initial set-up is expensive. Furniture, a vehicle or the bus system, fuel, garbage and recycling, groceries, cooking, errands and bills are costly and/or time-consuming. It is harder to stay connected to campus events and friends. You have to make an effort and plans to get together with people. There is also less accountability without prayer groups and student leadership. It is much easier to let things like cleaning and your prayer life go when you are by yourself.
Parking and traffic are probably the worst things about living off campus. They make you late, irritable and tense. It also costs a lot to purchase, register and maintain a vehicle.
Angelica Atkins
Having a Job in College
It isn't rare that a college student might find themselves scrounging around for a few extra bucks. After all, with doing laundry, going to the dollar theater and running out of meal points, we've got a lot on our plates.
A great way to reverse the "poor college student" stereotype is to GET A JOB! Now you may be saying, "I don't have time to have a job!" or "I just want to focus on my education!" While those are good reasons to be void of a job and for those of you who can relate to those reasons, you are excused and may or may not continue to read this article. For the rest of you, listen up.
There are many positives to having a job while in college. First off, you get money. Let me repeat myself ... YOU GET MONEY! Seriously, when it comes to being a college students, money is a great thing. Unless of course you let it take control of your life. That's never a good thing. In addition to money, having a job helps fill that time where you'd most likely be sitting at your desk surfing the net not being productive. It's a great way to keep yourself responsible and on top of things. It'll help you schedule out your time more wisely. Depending on what your job is, it's a great place to make new friends and learn to work alongside different people.
Of course, if there are positives, there must be negatives. Right? Right. So, yeah, the money thing is great, but what about when you want to go to that concert or go to the football game, but you can't because you couldn't get anyone to switch shifts with you last minute? Definitely a negative. Or what about when all of your friends decide to go out to eat after class but you can't because you have to high tail it to work? Also a negative. (Although, without a job, you wouldn't have the money to go to the concert or out to eat with your friends. Think about that.)
Overall, having a job while you're in college is a great thing, whether it's serving up coffee at the local Starbucks or stocking shelves at Walmart. Find a job that fits with your life, schedule and interests and it'll almost be like your not even working!
- Jake Ford
How to: Dress to Impress
How to Dress to Impress
Job interviews, class presentations, first dates, auditions, important meetings, meeting the parents and more. There are so many opportunities in college where the way that we present ourselves influences the impression that we leave. There are a few easy steps you can remember when dressing for an important situation that will leave a lasting and professional impression.
1. Be Clean
A 5-minute shower could determine how you spend your Saturday night.
2. Know the Occasion You’re Dressing For
You don’t wear jeans and a t-shirt to a job interview, black to a wedding, jeans with holes to a class presentation or your pajamas on a date.
3. Tame That Hair!
The styled bed head look seems to be in right now, keyword being styled. Rolling out of bed without a second glance at that mangy mane may make you look lazy and it could give the impression that you woke up late. There are too many hair products in this world to let you go out and ruin an interview with your Medusa-like tresses.
4. Coordinate/Match
As simple as it may seem, for some, this is no easy feat. For guys there is a simple standard; dark shoes mean dark socks. White socks and dress pants should be a universal no-no. Ladies as fun as it is to be eclectic and creative with our patterns and jewelry, stick to the basics for that new job interview.
5. Be Yourself
The goal is to impress but not to pretend to be someone you’re not. Fashion is an expression of your own personal style. Be confident that you’re resume is going to impress just as much as your newly shined shoes. Be confident that she’s going on a date with you, not you’re freshly scented cologne. Be confident that you sound just as fabulous in jeans and a t-shirt as you do in heels and a nice blouse.
