Mount Hood

Dorm decorating

February 5, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

Making one’s own space is extremely important in college. This chapter in life is full of excitement, new friends and new experiences. Although it’s easy to settle for bare walls, only sticking with the provided furniture, decorating one’s room has a significant impact on their mental well-being, self-expression and overall college experience. Here are a few reasons why decorating is important. 

The dorm room is one of the few places where students can fully express themselves. Personal touches like family and friend photos, favorite posters or other mementos to remind one of where one comes from can help anyone feeling homesick. At the end of a busy day, a student’s dorm room becomes a sanctuary for relaxation and recharging their social battery. Soft bedding, throw pillows and lighting work to create that relaxing environment. For students looking to choose a style, here is a list of popular themes: minimalism, boho chic, 70s style and much more. Personal expression and decoration don’t have to fit into a single label.

When making new friends, one will end up hanging out in their rooms. A decorated room can be a great conversation starter, or for when new roommates move in. Having a well-decorated space can feel more welcoming to guests. 

Stress is a normal part of the college experience, but that doesn’t mean it should follow one into their room. Creating a personal and colorful space is a powerful influence to one’s mental health. According to Mental Health America, “Happy, bright colors can increase your mental activity and leave you feeling rejuvenated and energized.” An aesthetically pleasing environment improves one’s mental health and can even make one feel more productive. 

Even though a dorm room is small, there is plenty of space to make it one’s own. It’s a fun and creative way to express oneself. So, grab those fairy lights, fluffy blankets and meaningful decor — the room is waiting.

Tips to decorate on a budget:

Bring in the greenery 

Plants have several benefits that directly affect its owners. Plants are therapeutic, improving one’s mental health, helping one to recover from illness faster and contributing to a good flow within a feng shui lifestyle. Some popular bedroom plants are lucky bamboo, succulents, snake plants and Pothos. 

Thrift shop

Thrift shopping has great options to find affordable decoration items that fit one’s style. Lamps, vases, frames and baskets are among the most unique decor that won’t break the bank.

Think multifunctional

Furniture that serves more than one purpose is extremely helpful for any student. One should look for under-bed storage with drawers and ottomans. 

Understand what’s allowed in the dorm

As one gets creative with decorating, it’s important to understand what is allowed — and, more importantly, not allowed — within the dorms. Candles, halogen lamps, vacuums and toaster ovens are among the most popular items that are prohibited in the dorms. Any student needing a refresher should look at the “FIRE and LIFE SAFETY” and “The Guide to Residential Living 24-25” on Western’s housing page. Some safe alternatives for the most popular prohibited item — candles — are diffuser sticks, essential oil diffusers and Scentsy warmers. 

Use peel-and-stick items

Students have likely heard this a million times already, but Command strips are our best friends when one wants to hang up any art and hooks without causing damage to walls. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Building healthy food habits

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

Healthy food habits are essential for a student’s success both in and out of the classroom. For many people, college is their first time away from home. Constant new experiences, late-night study sessions and other exciting events can lead to many overlooking the importance of building healthy food habits. With that, we need to nurture a healthy relationship surrounding food as early as possible. No matter what a person’s weekly schedule looks like, they can always make time for food. 

For many students, a busy schedule seems to take over daily life at the start of every term. Whether it’s classes, sports or music practice, extracurricular activities, work, internships or something else, meals often get shifted to fit our busy days, but sometimes when it feels like food can’t be fit in, mealtime tends to be skipped — a dangerous habit to develop. It can be tempting to skip meals, especially when one is running out the door, but it leads to low energy levels throughout the day. It also affects one’s ability to concentrate. This results in overeating later in the day, causing one’s blood sugar to crash afterward. Breakfast is, unfortunately, the most skipped meal of the day. Skipping meals can easily be combated by trying fast, easy and nutritious meals. This could be Greek yogurt and granola, oatmeal with fruit or even a frozen breakfast sandwich popped in the microwave. Breakfast helps with feeling more energized throughout the day and keeps one feeling full.

Since we’re constantly on the go, time restraints can lead people to rely on drinks to keep energy up. Soda, energy drinks and sweetened coffee beverages are loaded with empty calories that cause massive spikes in blood sugar and leave one feeling empty. Any person with a busy schedule understands the reliance on caffeine. Too much caffeine leads to jitteriness, poor sleep and huge energy crashes, which are all detrimental to a progressing student. 

Sugary drinks can contribute to weight gain, poor dental health and feeling sluggish. This doesn’t mean that one cannot ever have a sugary drink, but they should be an occasional treat. 

All should include more water in their diet. It’s crucial for maintaining energy and focus. In general, it’s great for overall well-being. For some — myself included at times — drinking water is boring and seems like a hassle. Try infusing the water with fruits like lemons or even cucumbers for a refreshing twist. 

Stress from exams and the general hustle and bustle of health can build up and become overwhelming. Some can experience emotional eating. This happens when the desire to eat is influenced by our emotions instead of pure hunger. Many seek out comfort foods like ice cream, chips or sweets. In the moment a person can feel good, but feelings of guilt may arise in the aftermath. Emotional eating tends to happen late at night. This can be common during study sessions. Generally, eating before going to bed disrupts sleeping patterns. The best way to fix emotional eating and late-night snacking is through therapy since the root of the stress comes from other areas in one’s life. 

When walking into the campus dining hall, one can see that most gravitate towards pastas, pizzas and fried food, but some forget to include enough vegetables. The salad bar is a customizable way for students to enjoy vegetables in a way that suits their preferences. Each vegetable is full of essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that support digestion and immunity. 

Technology has revolutionized the way food can be ordered. All it takes is a few taps on a phone and food is delivered right to the door. This isn’t the healthiest option to be pursued and isn’t a budget-friendly option for many college students. Many delivery food options are high in sodium, unhealthy fats and empty calories. Relying too heavily on these processed foods can lead to weight gain, poor digestion and energy crashes. Once this has become a regular habit, it can interfere with one’s ability to learn how to cook healthier meals. 

We see new fads and diets that claim to be “new and improved” methods of promoting physical health, but without the proper knowledge of what a person’s body is deficient in, many diets can be extremely harmful. This can be especially true when a person is constantly jumping from one diet to the next when they don’t immediately see results. Diets like keto, juice cleanses, the master cleanse — also called the lemon detox diet — and the “no carb” diet are examples of “fad diets” that often cause more harm than good. While these are just a few, the list goes on. It is essential to focus on a balanced, nutrient-dense diet instead of following fleeting trends. 

As students become more independent, it can be chaotic trying to adjust to a new chapter in life. Eating habits are typically the first to fall through the cracks and tend to go unnoticed until the effects are visible. There are changes that can be made in order to shift a poor or unhealthy relationship with food. 

The first is to prepare. Food prep is an easy way to plan out our meals and snacks. It’s possible to create single portions and teach ourselves how to cook. All it takes is a couple of hours and, in the end, it is one less thing we have to worry about during our busy week. 

The second is to listen to our bodies. Our bodies naturally give cues to signal when we are hungry. When we are eating, we should take the time to savor the flavors and not push ourselves to clear off our plates. 

When it comes to food, moderation is key. Instead of stressing over every meal, we should focus on making general healthy choices that will leave us feeling nourished and energized. 

BUDGET-FRIENDLY HEALTHY MEAL

Start to finish: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cups Rolled oats

1 cup Peanut butter or almond butter

1 Banana

¼ cup Honey or maple syrup (optional)

⅓ cup Milk (or water)

Instructions

Cook the oats according to the package instructions, using either milk or water.

Once the oats are cooked, stir in a spoonful of peanut butter for healthy fats and creaminess.

Slice the banana on top of the oatmeal.

Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for added sweetness (optional).

Recipe from Lee Funke at Fit Foodie Finds

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Why should we slow down?

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

In this fast-paced world, it can feel as though there is never enough time to do everything  needed and wanted to do each day. Between classes, work, internships, friends, family and much more, it can be overwhelming to anyone. At times, one may ask themself if they’re not doing enough, if they could be more organized or why does it seem like everyone else has it together? Maybe a different question is required — why is there so much pressure to do more? 

With never-ending busy lives, one might believe that slowing down in life is a luxury that cannot be afforded. In reality, slowing down is a necessity. As a society, younger generations are already facing major burnout in life. To combat this, it’s important to reconnect oneself to the present moment and relearn how to find balance in an ever-changing world. 

1. What are your priorities? 

In order to slow down, one has to figure out what’s important to us. Endless to-do lists can distract from what’s really important. By taking time to reflect on the things that bring peace and joy in our everyday lives, distractions can be cut out. If one is unsure on where to start, try looking at relationships with family and friends. Is there anything one would like to do more? Anything less? Once what’s important is identified, it’s easier to release unnecessary stresses that drain energy. 

2. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an extremely important skill that everyone can benefit from. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment. It includes observing one’s own thoughts, feelings and environment with an open and accepting attitude. It takes time to master mindfulness, but with lots of patience and a willingness to learn, anything is possible. 

3. Mindful Breathing

Pay attention to the sensation of one’s breathing as it moves in and out of the body. Try to breathe slowly and deeply, noticing how the air feels as it moves through the nose, fills the lungs and leaves the body. Allow the body to fully relax and feel as if it’s floating among the clouds. This practice can be done at any time, but it is especially helpful when one is overwhelmed or feeling disconnected. By focusing on what’s happening in the present, one can break free from the never-ending cycle of stress. 

4. Embrace Doing Nothing

Living in a time where productivity is highly valued, doing nothing seems foreign and wrong. Doing nothing is crucial in restoring mental and emotional selves. Whether it’s simply taking a nap, reading a book or people-watching, doing nothing is extremely vital for recharging one’s  mental batteries. Learning how to relax without guilt or pressure is extremely rewarding. One simple “nothing” activity is sitting out at night and looking up at the sky. The chilly air is refreshing and looking at the night sky can encourage one to reflect on their life as a whole. Giving oneself permission to take breaks and rest can lead to a more positive mindset about resting and can result in a higher level of productivity.

5. Reconnect with Nature

Nature has a magical ability to help individuals slow down. It allows for escape from modern responsibilities. Whether it’s in the park, garden or hiking in the woods, reconnecting with nature lowers levels of cortisol — the stress hormone — and improves feelings of emotional well-being. Nature reminds one of the simple pleasures of life, such as feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin or the calming sounds of the wind and water. One such place that encourages one to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the world is Peavy Arboretum. It has many different trails and it feels as if one is deep within the forest, when they’re relatively close to Corvallis. For anyone who wants to do this hike, one would recommend hikers to park in the small parking lot on 99W going South. 

6. Do Not Disturb

As technology continues to advance, people are relying on this powerful tool now more than ever. Whether it’s the constant notifications from email, Canvas, messages, Instagram, TikTok and more, it can become a distraction and eat up free time. Technology, especially phones, can feel as if they’re taking over lives. Just like any other relationship, setting boundaries is important. Some things one could do to limit the unnecessary stress is to turn off any notifications that are not essential. This simple step can make all the difference. As college students, many rely on our phones and laptops and it can be hard to completely take time away from busy schedules. Other than silencing unnecessary notifications, another important reason to take time away from phones is to strengthen in-person relationships. Spending too much time on phones only increases the feeling of being constantly overwhelmed. Setting boundaries in order to separate oneself from the online world allows one to prioritize important personal connections and experiences.

When life feels like a competition, slowing down can feel unproductive. But slowing down has shown the opposite effect. By embracing a mindful lifestyle, it can allow for the ability to feel truly alive and appreciate the smaller things in life. It is important to prioritize what’s really important in order to create a life that is more meaningful and fulfilling. Life is not about the destination, but about the journey — a journey that should be experienced and enjoyed. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Easy crafts to fight boredom

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

These simple crafts are fun for anyone of any skill level: 

Altoids tin wallet

Required materials: an empty Altoids tin or similar container, tape and/or glue.

Optional materials: stickers, colorful paper, acrylic paint, beads, buttons, charms and other small decorations.

Have an empty mint tin lying around? Decorate it and turn it into a fun wallet. The outside of the tin can be left untouched and be disguised as a regular Altoids tin, or it can be decorated however one’s heart desires.

Paper garlands

Required materials: yarn, scissors, liquid glue and any kind of paper.

Cut the paper into any shape. If the paper is thin enough, cut a small stack at one time. To really get creative, mix and match the shapes and sizes of the paper. Next, glue the paper shapes horizontally onto the yarn. If the garland is going to be hanging straight down, then glue the shapes vertically onto the yarn. Finally, hang the garland wherever it looks the best.

Start a junk journal

Required materials: an unused journal or notebook, any junk collected, e.g. receipts, postage stamps and ticket stubs, tape and/or a glue stick.

Make each page a collage of daily life. Take things that would normally be thrown away or left lying around, and instead, glue or tape them into a page of a journal. Once the journal is filled, one can keep it as a memento for their future self.

Bead curtains

Required materials: Many assorted beads, string, scissors and a curtain rod.

First, decide what length the curtains should be, then cut that amount — plus a few extra inches — of string. Start with a larger bead and tie it to the bottom of the string so that it doesn’t move. Then, just thread the string through the beads until there’s a few inches of string left. Tie a knot around the last bead to secure it, then tie the remaining string to a curtain rod. Repeat this process until the amount of strings desired is met.

Paper bookmarks

Required materials: scissors, a ruler and sturdy paper, such as cardstock or construction paper.

Optional materials: acrylic or tempera paint, colored pencils, markers and/or colored pens.

Cut the paper into a rectangle about two inches by seven inches. Next, let creativity take the wheel and draw or paint anything that can be imagined. For thicker paper like cardstock, acrylic will work the best, but for construction paper, tempera paint is recommended. 

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Happy birthday, Western

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Jan. 18, 1856 — 169 long years ago — Western was founded by 11 Disciples of Christ, originally titled Monmouth University. They were hoping to create a united community in their religion, which did, in its own way over time, become a tight-knit intermingling of students, professors and others, although without the faith originally in mind. Instead, the Western community honors their devotion to academic excellence and the Western way — a tailored educational experience, boasting small class sizes, caring professional staff, educational resources and a safe, walkable campus. Or, in Western’s words, “(commitment) to changing lives, strengthening communities and transforming our world.”

Western is the oldest public university in the state of Oregon, as well as an NCAA Division II institution, harboring a diverse population of students from underrepresented groups, veterans and especially first generation college students, notably recognized by the college.

Thanks to settlers who donated land and money, as well as financial support from local government members, Western came to fruition amongst a trying time in the 1850s, when customs and traditions were clashing with new age movements. Western, despite its religious founding, became an established center for training teachers for public and private schools, becoming Oregon State Normal School in 1882. It closed for a year after lack of funds and reopened as Oregon Normal School — hence the former “Lamron” title of “The Western Howl” paper. If unsure, read it backwards — not a very “normal” concept.

To add on to the normal trend: Western’s athletic teams, prior to 1928, were known as “The Normals.” Yeah, really regular.

Western adopted multiple other names over time: Christian College (1865-82); Oregon State Normal School (1882-1909); Oregon Normal School (1911-39); Oregon College of Education (1931-81); Western Oregon State College (1981-1997); and lastly, the current title, from 1997 to the present.

Throughout the last 169 years, Western hosted some significant and unforgettable events — as well as stories. In 1962, American Communist Party Secretary Gus Hall delivered a controversial speech at the Oregon College of Education, inciting an uproar. The event was later dubbed the “Gus Hall Affair.”

Previously, Hall had spent years running away from the IRS, after having been convicted of fraud and forgery in an election and had even been imprisoned after attempts to overthrow the American government, posted bail, fled to Mexico City and then was re-imprisoned. And, then, 11 years later, someone invited Gus Hall to speak at Western — nice move.

In less exciting, but still important, history, the 123-foot Sequoia tree in the middle of campus used for the annual holiday tree lighting was planted by the class of 1887. 

Columbus Day, Oct. 12, 1962, Campbell Hall lost its iconic tower structure in a massive storm overtaking Oregon, the crash photographed by student Wes Luchau. The storm, titled the Columbus Day Storm, has been tied directly to Luchau’s photo, even after more than 50 years.

Many of the buildings on campus are named after graduates of Western that went on to make notable accomplishments or titles, such as John H. Ackerman, former president of Oregon Normal School. He helped to secure adequate and stable funding for the school. In 2010, Ackerman Hall was named in his honor, incorporating housing and classrooms in an energy-efficient building.

Todd Hall was named after former Dean of Students Jessica Todd. The building was erected in 1912, closely followed by The Cottage in 1917. Todd, having retired in 1931 and passing away in 1944, was fondly remembered by the college community, but also regarded as being a stern, protective and respected woman.

Here comes the interesting part — it’s been told that Todd’s ghost still roams Western’s campus, looking over the students and the dormitories, as she once had so diligently. Possibly a myth, but in order to discover the truth, one might have to ask around or take a visit to one of Western’s oldest buildings.

In more recent news, Western was picked as the focus for the Amazon Prime Video television show, “The College Tour,” in 2024. And — not to bring myself into one of Western’s most accomplished moments — I was featured in B-roll for the episode, partaking in maybe the most awkward conversation I’ve ever had in American Sign Language. They had me sign a waiver and gave me a sticker, which might be worth the embarrassment. I only have myself to blame, after all.

Speaking of American Sign Language, the ASL program, as well as the Education program, continue to be vital to Western. After all, it was the Oregon College of Education, finding its footing by training teachers all those years ago — 169 is nothing to scoff at.

Despite its many name changes, “normalcy,” previous scandals — looking at you, Gus Hall — and potential ghosts, Western has become a beloved part of many students, professors and others’ lives, showcasing a gorgeous campus, with compassionate staff, enticing classes and endless opportunities. If there’s any time to be grateful, it makes sense to celebrate on Western’s birthday Jan. 18, potentially by toasting to Campbell’s lost tower or mourning the loss of the former publishing name “The Lamron” — I admit, it’s a lot funnier than “The Western Howl.”

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

Jumping into January

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

As we come into 2025, many people are looking forward to their yearly tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions — a way to promise to make change for the better. But why are we always trying to make ourselves better? Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to change when the new year comes by? 

New Year’s resolutions are an annual global celebration of personal reflection and the need for improvement. Although the resolutions set in January are well-intentioned, many struggle to continue to reach their goals after a month. According to Idaho State University psychology professor Alison Phillips, “Around 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February.” This astronomical statistic leads me to wonder why so many people fail their resolutions. Why do our goals of self-improvement have such a high failure rate and how can we create lasting change for the betterment of our lives? Before we look into how to create lasting resolutions, we need to dissect the reason for their failures. Here’s four reasons why New Year’s resolutions often fail.

1. The resolution is too big and too vague

Let’s take the most popular resolution, “I want to save more money.” It’s a great goal — everyone wants to save money —but we have to ask ourselves a series of questions. Are we decreasing our spending? How much money do we want to save? When a resolution is too big and vague, many people can feel unsure about where to start. Jennifer Kowalski, a licensed professional counselor at ThriveWorks, weighs in on resolutions: “When we set big overwhelming New Year’s resolutions, we also set up the expectation that we’re going to turn over an entirely new leaf on January 1st.” This can make many feel overwhelmed when our goal forces us to hit the ground running. 

2.  Expecting immediate results

Change is hard. It’s even harder when we expect our goals to be accomplished easily. Our results are our accomplishments. It’s hard to want to continue working towards a goal when we are not seeing the results we are expecting, but we should remind ourselves that our actions and inactions have a profound effect on how much closer we are to getting to our goal. 

3.  Having too many goals

Sometimes life gets the best of us. Having to juggle multiple goals on top of our daily responsibilities can make us feel as if we’re being pulled into too many different directions. Having too many goals will not allow us to give 100% of our effort and attention. The optimal number a person should make is one, but it should also be no more than three. The number of goals does depend on their scope. 

4. Not being ready to change

Sometimes one is just not ready and that’s okay. There’s no unspoken rule stating that it’s necessary to make a New Year’s resolution every year. In order to make lasting changes, we need to have the drive that encourages us to continue working towards our resolution, even when we don’t want to. 

This doesn’t mean that every New Year’s resolution will fail, but it can help anyone who wants to understand the ‘why’ behind their abandonment. 

Consider these three helpful hints for holding on to a resolution throughout the year.

1. Grab a buddy

Grabbing a friend and working towards completing a goal together makes the journey easier. They can encourage each other when things get tough and hold each other accountable until the dreadful feelings toward change shift to enjoyment of the journey. 

2. Use a tracker app

Technology should be used to our advantage, since most of us keep our phones on wherever we go. Keeping a habit tracking app can help a person continue their journey of self-improvement. A habit tracker can be set up to send consistent reminders to stay on track and celebrate mini-milestones. It can also share progress among others who have similar goals. 

3. Keep a positive attitude

Many times when goals are taking longer to achieve than usual, we go into a negative cycle mindset. We compare ourselves to the accomplishments of the past and shrink when we don’t live up to our expectations. By keeping a positive mindset, we highlight the actions we’ve taken along our journey while also acknowledging how we don’t have to guilt ourselves into success. Reminding ourselves that each small success keeps the ball rolling will in turn boost  confidence and morale.

New Year’s resolutions are more than just personal promises. They are opportunities to grow and challenge ourselves to change for the better. Reflection and growth can help us to create a fulfilling year that is aligned with our goals in life. Remember to stay patient, focused and most importantly we need to be kind to ourselves as we work to achieve our goals. Good luck, “Wolves.”

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Last minute Thanksgiving appetizers

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

CREAMED CORN

Start to finish: 20 minutes

Yields: 1 quart dish or ~8 servings

⅓ cup butter

⅓ cup all-purpose flour

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup whole milk

¼ cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Dash white pepper

5 cups frozen corn thawed

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in flour until smooth. Slowly add cream, milk, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then stir for two minutes at a boil. Add corn.

Transfer to an ungreased 1-quart oven and broiler-safe dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Broil 5 inches from heat for 3-5 minutes, or until lightly browned and bubbly. Optional: add cooked bacon on top. Cool and serve.

Recipe from Taste of Home

CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE CRESCENT BITES

Start to finish: 45 minutes

Yields: 24 servings

4 oz cream cheese

3 tablespoons chopped dried cranberries

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Dough Sheet or 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls

Heat oven to 375°F and line two cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper. 

In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, cranberries and chives.

Unroll the dough on a surface and create 24 squares. The easiest method would be to unroll into a large rectangle and then cut with a knife 6 rows by 4 rows.

Place 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mixture into the center of each square and connect the four corners at the top, making room for the mixture to peek out in between. Pinch and twist to seal. Place on cookie sheets.

Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Recipe from Pillsbury

WARM BRIE AND PEAR TARTLETS

Start to finish: 30 minutes

Yields: 24 tartlets

24 mini phyllo (also called fillo) tart shells

1 ripe pear diced

¼ pound ripe Brie cheese cut into 24 small chunks

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 tablespoons honey or to taste

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a pan with parchment paper.

Arrange tartlet shells onto a pan, placing a piece of Brie cheese into each shell. Sprinkle pear and a couple of thyme leaves into each shell, finishing off with a drizzle of honey.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tartlets are golden.

Recipe from Allrecipes.com

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu