Mount Hood

Tips for managing finances and credit

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

As many students are stuck in the limbo between living with their parents or guardians and becoming fully fledged adults out on their own, there are many life lessons they need to tackle between point A and point B. Of these lessons, learning how to manage personal finances and a credit score is one of them. This task can seem intimidating, but breaking it down into main points to deal with can help with avoiding a crisis.

Knowing the basics is an important first step in credit management. Future purchases, such as cars and houses, are affected by financial decisions made now. Student loans, for example, are one way that many students are faced with the need to understand personal finances and credit. This often leads to questions like the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans or which credit card to get, as most people at some point will apply for a credit card.

Plenty of scary stories about the dangers of credit cards have been passed around, but these stories are worth telling if it means those new to credit approach their finances with caution. Part of the above mentioned education on the basics should include the tip that it’s not necessarily a good idea to get a credit card with the intention of paying off only the minimum amount each period or of adding more expenses to daily life with the acquisition of a credit card rather than using it to help with existing expenses. It all has to be paid back eventually, and spending more than can be paid back immediately can be risky.

If there’s uncertainty still about financial and mental preparedness for adding more bills to the pile, reconsidering which are really needed can save some time and effort. If the main goal for getting a credit card is to build up good credit, keep in mind that there are other ways to earn a good credit score. Paying rent and making payments to student loans are both other ways that credit will build up without a credit card.

On the other hand, another thing to consider for those needing to apply for a loan or a credit card is that people with little to no credit will likely have trouble getting approved without a cosigner. This means, for example, that students needing an extra loan may not be able to get one unless a family member signs on, and that it would be a good idea to discuss plans early on.

Asking for help in situations like this may not be everyone’s first choice, but it’s not an uncommon necessity. When it starts to feel overwhelming, remember that, though it does take personal effort and educating to nail money management, there are plenty of resources to consult.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Illustration by Rachel Hetzel

Transportation options

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

College, on its own, is a stressful time for many. On top of this, some students have the additional problem of figuring out transportation. Those don’t own a car face the regular challenge of finding arrangements whenever they have need to get around or out of town. Though Western is conveniently placed near downtown, walking or biking may not be an option when the destination is farther away or later in the evening. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do so that are available to Western students.

 

Wolf Ride

Wolfride is a free transportation service for Western students. All that’s needed is a current Western V number. Hours of operation are during afternoons and evenings. Full details can be found at https://dev.wou.edu/student/wolf-ride/.

 

UCarShare

UCarShare is another option provided on Western’s campus. This service allows students to rent cars by the hour and include cards for purchasing gas if necessary. All that is required is signing up on the app, which is how students can pay for their rentals.

 

City Bus

Public transportation is another option for getting to locations in Monmouth or Independence. The city bus stops conveniently outside Hammersly library and takes riders through Monmouth and Independence. A full map and schedule is posted at the stop.

 

Amtrak and Greyhound

Amtrak and greyhound trains and busses, which can both be found in Salem, are inexpensive ways to do long distance travel. Their websites allow for reserving trips in advance and have various routes and schedules for each destination.

 

Contact the author at howlifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Tips for writing a cover letter

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Many students are reaching a point in their life where they’ve begun to think about the future and their careers. Some, however, may still feel somewhat unprepared for the job of pitching themselves to an employer. The skill of writing a cover letter is an important tool both for students starting out in their career and students who just need to pay the bills until they get there.

The first point to remember is to make sure a cover letter isn’t just a repetition of a resume. Employers usually ask for both, so being redundant won’t help applicants stand out. Instead, try to add something that didn’t really fit in a resume but is still relevant, such as long term goals with the potential employer. This is especially important when applying without much experience relevant to the position. If the resume is lacking in experience, the cover letter is an extra opportunity to present oneself as a viable candidate.

Another thing to remember is to make sure it’s conveyed that the position being applied for is fully understood. If possible, address the letter to the person in charge rather than ‘hiring manager.’ Be sure to also mention specific aspects of the job that relate to the skills or experience listed in the resume.

If still unsure about how exactly a cover letter should look, it can be helpful to look up examples. There are various templates that can be used as a starting point. These can be adjusted according to the position being applied for.

Resume and cover letter writing is an essential skill for young adults. Tackling an application can be intimidating, but with the right starting point it can be easier than it seems.

For more help, students can visit the Service Learning and Career Development center (SLCD). Information can be found at wou.edu/slcd.

 

Contact the author at howlifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Students display their jack-o’-lanterns

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Halloween is here, and for many this means their pumpkins have become jack-o’-lanterns. Western students are no different and have been busy getting creative, making everything from classic spooky jack-o’-lanterns to nontraditional works of art. They’ve drawn inspiration from multiple different sources, such as social media and their passions for art.

Those looking for last minute ideas have similar options as far as sources of inspiration. For senior Michelle Soutar, her spooky jack-o-lantern served to help create the atmosphere for her halloween party. For junior Jackie Shepherd, her pumpkin was a way to use her artistic strengths, which happen to be painting. Others like junior Madison Gaylin and myself simply browsed Pinterest until they found the idea that spoke to them most.

In addition, I’ve assembled a compilation to display their carved creations and hopefully bring more ideas for those still looking for the perfect one.

“Happy Halloween” by Jackie Shepherd, junior, education major.

“I really love to paint flowers, so I saw this as an opportunity to incorporate beautiful fall colours into my favourite subject.”

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Meyers

 

“Pokemon” by Megan Bricco, junior, education major

“Gengar was just the first thing I thought of.”

Photo courtesy of Madison Gaylin

 

“Carved Flower” by Madison Gaylin, junior, education major.

“I saw other floral pumpkins that inspired me to make this one.”

Photo courtesy of Madison Gaylin

 

“Classic jack-o’-lantern face” by Michelle Soutar, senior, communications major.

“I originally wanted to put a fog machine behind it…I saw a similar face done…and thought it was spooky so I attempted it.”

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Meyers

 

“Bats” by Rebecca Meyers, senior, international studies major.

“I usually do the usual Jack o lantern as a face, so I wanted to change it up this year.”

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Meyers

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

The best locations for fall photoshoots

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Midterms are arriving quickly, but many students are still finding ways to enjoy fall while it’s here. One way to do this is to find a friend, a camera and a nearby scenic place and take a fall photoshoot. Finding the first two is usually the easy part, so we’ve helped with the final step and compiled a list of scenic places that are only a short drive away.

Dallas City Park, Dallas

Address: SW Academy St Dallas, 97338

The largest park in Dallas, this site includes wooded trails, an arboretum and a Japanese garden.

Bush Pasture Park, Salem

Address: 890 Mission St, SE Salem, 97302

Bush Pasture Park, located not far from the capitol, includes a gazebo, garden, and an open area with lots of trees perfect for fall photos.

Minto Brown Island Park, Salem

Address: 2200 Minto Island Rd SW Salem, 87302

Found just off River Road on the way to Salem, this park is a large, wooded area with a number of different trails.

Fitton Green Natural Area, Philomath

Address: Location does not have specific address. For directions, search “Fitton Green Trail”. Directions should end on Chaparral Dr.

This spot, which is just west of the popular hiking spot Bald Hill, is located on a hillside and offers a scenic backdrop.

Peavy Arboretum, Corvallis

Address: NW Peavy Arboretum Rd, Corvallis 97330

Part of Oregon State’s McDonald research forest, this large site is perfect for woodsy fall photos.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Volunteering Opportunities

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Often as college students, we are busy preparing for life outside of school. Volunteering is an opportunity to do this, whether the purpose is to learn new skills, help out the community or even just add a line to a resume. Luckily, there are many opportunities to volunteer in or around Monmouth. I’ve listed some examples below to help spark an idea.

 

On Campus

Western has a food pantry that is open and free to members of the community in an effort to combat the food insecurity prevalent among students. It is run by volunteers, and needs them to be open during regular hours on weekdays. Contact them at foodpantry@wou.edu or at foodpantryvolunteers@wou.edu.

Western also runs a program called Alternative Break, where the school collaborates with other organizations to bring positive social change. The program takes place over spring break, is student run and has different options for locations. Applications are currently open, though students should note they close on the 28th of October. Students can apply or find out more at https://dev.wou.edu/slcd/ab/

 

Off Campus

The Willamette Humane Society is located in Salem and has many volunteer positions that are perfect for animal lovers, from adoption ambassadors to kennel buddies. The Humane Society depends on having a large number of volunteers, meaning many positions have ongoing availability. For more information, visit https://whs4pets.org/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/

The city of Monmouth also has several volunteering positions available, some of which can potentially offer valuable job training and skills such as positions on city boards or commissions. Other opportunities include park and festival projects, the public library and the police department. For the full list, see www.ci.monmouth.or.us/

For those who are willing to make strong commitments to help communities, the cities of Dallas and Corvallis also have the option of being a volunteer firefighter. Volunteers do have to meet a certain fitness standard as well as attend the occasional mandatory training. More information can be found at www.corvallisoregon.gov/fire/page/volunteer-firefighter-information and https://www.dallasor.gov/163/Volunteer-Division

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Self-care tips for midterms

Rebecca Meyers | lifestyle editor

Midterms are notorious for bringing in a lot of stress. Some students find this time of the term especially difficult as it is challenging to balance school work and basic survival needs. However, it’s important to remember not only the importance of self-care for students under lots of stress, but it will likely help your grades in the long run.

It may seem obvious, but it’s important to remember the basics. Physical health has an effect on energy and focus, and will therefore help in class. This means it’s important for each student to know their own limits and habits and plan accordingly, like making sure there’s enough time to get a decent amount of sleep or plan a meal instead of ordering takeout every day for the week.

It may seem difficult to schedule time in for things like these, especially for those unlucky students who have their midterms lumped together rather than spread out over two weeks. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of work there is to do, which can feel paralyzing when it’s hard to tell where to start. When this happens, it’s helpful to take a step back and organize priorities. Questions to ask, for example, are: what work has to be done first? Which will take the most time? Can any studying be done in a group so that any questions will be answered quicker?

Another important reminder to students is that asking for help can be productive, whether this means using a professor’s office hours or asking friends to be mindful of one’s time and space during midterms. Many professors will offer study guides, and if assignments pile up onto a small space of time, it never hurts to see if they’ll be understanding and be more lenient with deadlines. Also, while having a social life is important to most students, sometimes it’s also important to set aside time with no social or academic obligations for both mental and physical rest.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

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