Get Ready for Priority Registration Starting Nov. 6 and 7

Next Monday and Tuesday, November 6 and 7, will be important dates for current Vol State students. It's the start of Spring Priority Registration. It's your short opportunity to register before the public. That could mean getting the classes you need at the times you want.

Spring class registration opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, November 6 for sophomores (30 or more credit hours earned). It opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7 for freshmen (less than 30 credit hours earned). Once Priority Registration starts, you will have until November 19 to take advantage of it. You can still register for classes after November 19, but you will be competing with new and readmit students.

Get ready this week by visiting the Degree Works program on your My Vol State page. It will show the classes you need for your listed degree path. But that isn't enough- make sure you talk to your academic advisor about your choices. You don't want to take classes you don't need for your degree. You can find the name of your academic advisor listed on that Degree Works page.

Robbie Stanley on How to Turn Your Fandom into a Career

Clay Scott and Robbie Stanley

Hockey season has started, and many people are wondering what's going on with the Nashville Predators. A handful of fortunate students were able to get the inside scoop from a source who's pretty close to the Preds. Recently, Clay Scott and the Settler had the opportunity to host Vol State alumnus, Robbie Stanley. Robbie Stanley is a multimedia journalist who’s mainly known for covering the Nashville Predators for NHL.com. This event was held in the SRB Performing Arts Studio, and nearly every seat was packed with Preds fans and future journalists alike. Robbie explained his story, and answered questions about his career and relationship with the team.

“I always wanted to talk about sports,” said Robbie, “I was always fascinated with SportsCenter; with the stats and the storytelling.” Robbie got his start in sports writing when he was 17 years old, creating content for his own personal blog. It was this writing that gained the attention of NHL.com. He got his associate’s degree in journalism here at Vol State, and his bachelor’s from MTSU. While at Vol State, he covered sports on campus for the Settler. “I like the close-knit, family atmosphere at Vol State,” said Robbie, “My time at Vol State, out of my four years of college, has been the greatest.”

For those students who wish to get into journalism, Robbie tells them to write about what they’re passionate about. “You talk about being there from 9 a.m. until 2:30…not one second of it felt like work to me,” says Robbie, “I love talking about sports, about people, and being around that atmosphere.” Another thing students should keep in mind is being current. “You always have to keep on your toes. The way people experience news is changing.” Robbie also stresses the importance of developing connections, saying that “Creating those contacts is just as important as what you know.”

Movie Music Concert Thursday at Vol State

Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark. E.T., Mary Poppins: they're great movies with moving, memorable music. Those are just some of the Movie Music selections in concert this Thursday, November 2 at Vol State in Caudill Hall. The 7pm show ill be performed by the Vol State Wood Wind Ensemble and the Robertson County Community Band. The concert is free and everyone is invited.

Events at Vol State this Week

October 30      SGA Forum, Cafeteria, 12:45pm-2pm

October 30      Paul Brock Band, Irish music and dance, free show, Caudill Hall in Gallatin, 7 p.m.

October 31      Paul Brock Band, Irish music and dance, free show, Livingston Campus, 2 p.m.

Nov. 1             Dead Poets Reading, Sigma Kappa Delta, SRB 150, 12:45pm

Nov. 1             Humanities Lecture: Fantasy and Theory - Structuralist Vision of Modern Speculative Fiction, by Shannon Baldo, SRB 255, 2:30pm
Nov. 2             Movie Music Concert, Vol State Wind Ensemble and Robertson Community Band, free, Caudill Hall, 7pm

Irish Music at Vol State with the Paul Brock Band October 30

Paul Brock has received many accolades for his music, including “Male Musician of the Year” from the Irish American News. He brings his Celtic, Irish and Global music to Volunteer State Community College on October 30. Several Irish musicians and dancers join him for the Paul Brock Band. Brock is an accomplished accordion and melodeon player who has performed at venues across the world, including the Grand Ole Opry. The free concert will be held at 7 p.m. in Caudill Hall on the Vol State campus in Gallatin at 1480 Nashville Pike. No tickets are required. There will also be a show at the Vol State Livingston campus on October 31 at 2 p.m. It is also free and everyone in invited. The concerts are presented by the International Education Program at Vol State. For more information call 615-230-3764.

Stress Relief for Vol State Students

Austin Guerrero

It’s the middle of the semester, you’ve got assignments due and you’re worried that you may not be performing well in class. On top of this, there are just endless problems popping up to overwhelm your thoughts and feelings. You’ve got stress, and you’re not alone. One of the causes of could be a lack of good planning. “I think it has to do with time management,” says Caitlyn Ellis, president of SGA, “A lot of students have trouble managing their time.” Another problem could be the lack of a good diet, regular exercise, and an irregular sleep schedule.

David Brewer

We asked Vol State students how they deal with stress, and we got some common answers. Playing video games or watching Netflix were the top two among the answers we received. This could best be summed up by Spectrum treasurer, Austin Guerrero, who said “I relax by doing stuff that I like.” David Brewer, accounting major, told us that he plays the bass guitar like a “delirious, funky priest” and wanted to remind students to “take in the air and breathe, and enjoy all things good”. If you would like more ways to deal with stress, this guide from Everyday Health can help you out.

Mid-Semester Worries: Get Free Academic Help with Papers and Math Homework

Students are stressed this time of year. The assignments are piling up and you may be struggling in some courses. We know it's tough. Getting extra academic help may not only get you through the tough times, but help you succeed. You don't need to go it alone.

Vol State has several free academic services that are especially helpful this time of year. Visit the Language Center on the Gallatin campus for help with papers or writing assignments. The Thigpen Library can assist with doing research for those papers. The Learning Commons has tutors to do one-on-one work with you in math and math related science classes, like physics. You also have access to online tutoring through your class eLearn page. Just look for the tutor.com tab.

We have collected info about these services under what we call the College Success Zone. It's a list of what we offer and how to find that help. Visit www.volstate.edu/collegesuccess.

For those students on other campuses visit the Learning Commons to find out what's available. And remember- Tutor.com is available to all Vol State students.

Hang in there and get extra help!

Get Ready for Priority Spring Registration

Priority spring class registration for current students is coming up soon. Why should you care? Priority registration is your opportunity to get the classes you need at the times you want. You have nearly two weeks to register for spring before the public. To get ready to register you need to meet with your academic advisor. You don't want to take classes that don't apply towards your degree. You can start the process by visiting the DegreeWorks section of your MyVolState page. It shows you what classes you need, but you still need to meet with your academic advisor to make sure. If you don't know your academic advisor, you can look them up under your personal information on your MyVolState page. They are also listed in DegreeWorks.

Priority spring course registration for current sophomores (30 credit hours or more) starts at 8am on November 6. It opens for current freshmen (less than 30 credit hours) on November 7 at 8am.

Spring registration for new and readmit students opens on November 20.

Events this Week at Vol State

October 23      Discussion: “To Kneel or not to Kneel”, Nichols Dining Room, Wood Campus Center, 2:30pm

October 24     The College Gamer Project, Dr. Ryan Otter, inspirational speaker who focuses on student success, Livingston, 9am

October 24      One Book, One Community, Lisa Guenther on the American prison system, Nichols Dining Room, 1pm

October 25      Speaker: NHL.com Predators’ writer Robbie Stanley, Vol State alumnus talks about his career, SRB Performing Arts Studio, 12:45pm

October 25      Sumner County College Night, university and college reps from across the country, Pickel Field House, 6pm, must register at www.gotocollegefairs.com

October 26      FAFSA Frenzy, form assistance, Cookeville CHEC, 3pm-6pm

October 27      Family Date Night, free dinner and a movie, Nichols Dining Room, 6pm

October 28      Household Hazardous Waste Collection, drop-off site, Gallatin Parking Lot E, 9am-2pm

October 28      Artist Reception: Connie Smith, Vol State Art Gallery, first floor of SRB, 1pm-3pm

Help Us Name Our New Pioneer

Are you ready to meet the new guy on campus? Vol State has introduced a new mascot today to help cheer on our Pioneers, and some of our students are excited to meet him. “I think it’s a good idea,” says Nathan Woodard, “It gets people more involved.” Another student, Kadee Johnson, says, “Every sports team needs a mascot. It gets people riled up, and I think that would be fun.” We’ve got almost everything ready, but we’re missing something.

Our Pioneer needs a name, and we’re open to suggestions. We value the input of our campus community and would love to hear your ideas. All that we ask is that they be reasonable; nothing vulgar or silly. Some ideas we’ve already had were “Paul”, “Pierre”, and “Patrick”. We’d like to use “Pete”, but some other schools have a “Pioneer Pete” of their own. For a bit more inspiration, check out this list of mascots at other schools. If you have any appropriate suggestions for the name of our new Pioneer, send them to pr@volstate.edu.

Fall Festival and Food Day in Gallatin Wednesday

Fall Festival Featuring Food Day this Wednesday, October 18. Outside on the Thigpen Library Plaza. 11:00AM-2:00PM.

Join us for Fall Festival in conjunction with Food Day as we bring together faculty, staff, and students to celebrate World Food Days. 88 students from across multiple classes, including dual enrollment, are scheduled to present research projects related to food.

Visit the Stations:
• Mini-Golf
• Face Painting
• Games & activities
• DIY Photo Booth
• Interactive Community service table assembling lunch bags for the Feed
• Community Guests Include:
o UT’s Sumner County Ext. Office and Master Gardeners
o Second Harvest Food Bank
o MTSU’s Fermentation Science Program
o Sumner Regional Hospital
o Tower Garden by Juice Plus
o Mid-Cumberland Resource Agency
• The Vol State Library, SGA, and faculty/staff groups will also have educational and service project opportunities.
• Humanities Matters Lecture Series and History Department Talks present The History of Cooking with Carole Bucy, 2:30, Caudill 102

What You Can Do to Improve Your Test Scores

Sally Lindsey

The “wing-it” mentality is one that can be damaging to your academic success as a college student, and I would say that I’m guilty of it. It seems like I can devote time to everything but studying, which doesn’t always work in my favor. Instead of following my example, you should follow the example of someone like Sally Lindsey, who revisits her notes often. As an example, Sally says, “Before I took my philosophy midterm, I would go into my notes and write over them with new information.” It’s a good idea to study for your exams, but you should also be aware of what material will be on them. “Check in with your teacher, email them, and figure out what you need to study,” says Betty Mandeville, an English professor here at Vol State, “Don’t waste time studying material you don’t have to.” Also remember to use campus resources such as the Learning Commons, Language Center, and Tutor.com to help if there’s something that you don’t understand.

Betty Mandeville

Along with studying, you should try to get a good night’s sleep. Findings at the UCLA suggest that cramming isn’t helpful, and that a bit more sleep can net you a better score on your tests. Andrew Fuligni, UCLA professor of psychiatry, reports that “an adequate amount of sleep is also critical for academic success. These results are consistent with emerging research suggesting that sleep deprivation impedes learning” (http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/cramming-for-a-test-don-t-do-it-237733). It can be difficult to try and strike that balance of sleeping and studying, but it can be done. Look at your schedule and devote enough time to studying and resting. Cut out distractions like TV or your phone when you work so you can stay focused and use your time better. Get in bed at a specific time and try to wind down before doing so.

Fiesta this Saturday, October 21 - Fiesta de Otono octubre 21

(abajo en español)

Volunteer State Community College will host the Latino Fall Fiesta on Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual celebration of Latino culture will include a soccer goal kicking contest, with several age categories from kids to adult. The Fiesta is a free event featuring food, music and fun. The Miss Princesa Americas Pageant competition will be held live on the plaza stage this year.

“Vol State hosts the Fiesta each year to help showcase many of the nations and cultures that we call Latino,” said Eric Melcher with Vol State. “We want to show how diverse Latino culture is around the world. It’s also an opportunity to welcome people to the Vol State campus. We have hundreds of Latino students at the college each semester.”

The food cook-off contest features foods from many different Latino nations. After judging at 11 a.m., the public is welcome to sample. There will also be a free Mexican lunch and drinks starting at noon. The family event, held outside on the campus grounds, includes live music, dance groups, art activities, and games for kids.

The Fall Fiesta at Vol State will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will happen, rain or shine, on the campus at 1480 Nashville Pike in Gallatin. The rain location is the Pickel Field House. The Fall Fiesta is free and open to everyone. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket and chairs and spend the day. The soccer contest age schedule can be found in Spanish and English on the web page: www.volstate.edu/espanol/Fiesta.php For more information in English or Spanish call 615-230-4846.

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La Fiesta de Vol State Presenta el Concurso de Miss Princesa Américas

El concurso de Miss Princesa Américas se presentará en el Volunteer State Community College, el sábado 21 de octubre como parte de la celebración de la Fiesta de Otoño de Vol State. El concurso será en vivo en la tarima de La plaza. La celebración de la cultura latina incluirá nuevamente el concurso de “patear” la pelota de fútbol, con varias categorías por edad desde niños hasta adultos. La Fiesta de Otoño es un evento gratis con comida, música y diversión.

"Vol State patrocina la Fiesta todos los años para ayudar a representar todos los diferentes países y culturas que forman lo que conocemos como cultura latina ", dijo Eric Melcher, Coordinador de Comunicaciones de Vol State. "Queremos demostrar la diversidad de la cultura latina alrededor del mundo. Es una manera de darle la bienvenida a todas las personas al campus de Vol State. Tenemos cientos de estudiantes latinos en el Colegio todos los semestres”.

El Concurso de Cocina demuestra comidas de los distintos países latinos. Una vez los jueces determinen quienes son los ganadores, el público tendrá la oportunidad de probar los platillos. Además del Concurso de Cocina, habrá un almuerzo de comida mexicana y bebidas gratis a partir del mediodía. Este evento familiar celebrado al aire libre en los terrenos del campus, incluye música en vivo, grupos de bailes, actividades de arte, y una variedad de juegos y diversiones para los niños.

La Fiesta de Otoño de  Vol State se celebrará a partir de las 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. El evento ocurrirá, con lluvia o con sol, en el campus de Volunteer State Community College, 1480 Nashville Pike en Gallatin. En caso de lluvia el evento se moverá al Pickel Field House. La Fiesta de Otoño es gratis y abierta para todos. Invitamos a las personas a llevar una manta y sillas para que pasen bien el día. Las categorías de edades del concurso de “patear” la pelota de futbol las pueden encontrar en el sitio web: www.volstate.edu/espanol/Fiesta.php . Para obtener más información en inglés o español llame al 615-230-4846.

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Events this Week at Vol State

October 16      Fall Break

October 17      Fall Break

October 18      Food Day and Fall Festival, Gallatin Plaza and Quad, 11am-2pm

October 19      Speaker: Singer Tonya R. Dyson on being a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence in the music industry, Nichols Dining Room, 12:45pm

October 21      Fall Fiesta at Vol State, celebration of Latino culture, free food, music and fun, outside on Gallatin Plaza, 10am-3pm

Discussion Thursday: Sex Assault in the Music Industry

A very timely discussion coming up next week- Singer Tonya R. Dyson will share her personal accounts of being a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence in the music industry. Thursday, October 19, Nichols Dining Room, Wood Campus Center, 12:45pm. Check out her website to hear her music.

Visit Your Advisor Now So You Don't Have to Worry Later

Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about the spring semester. You’ll be able to register for spring classes starting in the first week of November. Get started now by meeting with your academic advisor. Your advisor can help you figure out what classes to take, and can make sure you’re getting what you need to succeed. Since my focus is in English, my advisor is Nancy Blomgren. Throughout my time here at Vol State, I’ve made it a point to check in with her a couple of times each semester. She’s helped me concoct a good plan of action for which classes to take, and she got me back on track after unfortunate scheduling meant I couldn’t get the classes I needed.

It’s important to see your advisor sooner rather than later. He or she can help you pick which classes you need, making sure you get the schedule you want. You can also schedule an appointment with your academic advisor at other times- to seek their advice on other academic matters, like graduation, transferring, and switching your major. If you don’t know who your advisor is, you can figure it out by logging into your MyVolstate account. As soon as you do, you’ll see a group of quick links. Click on “DegreeWorks” and you’ll be lead to a page that shows who your adviser is. You can click on their name to email them if need be.

Priority spring semester registration opens on November 6 for sophomores (30 credit hours or more) and November 7 for freshmen (less than 30 credit hours).

Get Ready for Priority Registration - See Your Advisor

It's time to see your academic advisor to get ready for Priority Registration for the Spring Semester. Priority Registration is your opportunity to get the classes you need at the times you want- before new students. Anyone taking classes this fall is eligible. But it's important to see your academic advisor first, so you take the classes you need for your degree. You can also get started now by using DegreeWorks on My Vol State to see what classes you need. But then make an appointment and see your advisor. If you take classes that don't apply to your degree you may be wasting time and money.

If you're not sure who your academic advisor is, the answer is just a few clicks away. Go to your personal information on you My Vol State page- your advisor will be listed there. It's also listed on that DegreeWorks page.

Priority Registration for spring classes for current students opens on November 6 for sophomores (students with 30 credits of more) and November 7 for freshmen (students with less than 30 credits).

Events this Week at Vol State

October 11      Crescent Circus, stunts, magic and comedy, Cafeteria, 12:45-1:45pm

October 11      Lecture: Monuments and Memorials, by Grady Eades, Performing Arts Studio, 1pm

And a reminder for next week:

October 16      Fall Break

October 17      Fall Break

Free Tutoring is Just a Couple of Clicks Away

Nicholas Baker logs into tutor.com

Many of us do our assignments at night, sometimes late at night. Fortunately, there’s online assistance that’s free and available 24/7. During my freshman year at Vol State, my English Comp II professor asked us to use a site called tutor.com to help us with our essays. I sent them my work and a copy of the assignment guidelines, and they got back to me a day later with some helpful feedback. What I felt was most neat about the service was that it’s real instructors offering their advice on coursework.

The button you're looking for

Tutor.com isn’t just useful for writing and English assignments. Aside from dropping off an essay, you can also request on-demand tutoring in several areas like math, science, history, and foreign language. They also offer quizzes to help you practice your skills and see where you might need improvement. To access tutor.com, you first have to log into eLearn. Then, navigate to one of your course pages and look for the tutor.com heading. Click the “connect” button and you’ll be brought to the site where you can select which type of help you need.

Tutor.com offers help in many different subjects

Tree Removal and Planting

In an effort to maintain the aesthetics of our campus and to ensure a healthy tree population, Plant Operations will be overseeing a couple of noteworthy projects in the weeks ahead.  First, eighteen pine trees will be removed from an area contiguous to the tennis courts.  These trees are damaging the infrastructure in that area.  After these trees are removed a project will be undertaken to resurface the tennis courts.  Second, four spruce trees will be removed from the area between the parking lot and the Pickel Field House.  These trees are dying because of insufficient area for their root balls.

For each tree that is removed two native trees will be planted in locations that support the Volunteer State Community College Master Plan. Vol State  is intentional in planting diverse foliage and promoting the health of trees on campus.  If you are interested in becoming more involved in these efforts consider reaching out to Le-Ellen Dayhuff at Le-Ellen.Dayhuff@volstate.edu

This Week at Vol State

October 3        Calaveras Poetry Contest, Performing Arts Studio, 12:45pm-1:45pm

October 3        Speaker: Former Ambassador to the United Nations from Grenada, Eugene M. Pursoo, Mattox Building, Room 104, 1:30 pm.

October 4        The Feed Vol State food pantry grand opening celebration, food tips and demonstrations, Ramer Great Hall, 2pm.

October 4        Domestic Violence Awareness Presentation: “A Journey through Domestic Violence” by Suzie Jones, Caudill Hall Auditorium, 12:45pm and 6pm.

October 5        Connie Smith art exhibit opens, through Nov. 2, Vol State Gallery, first floor SRB

October 5        Shut Up and Write Workshop, Nichols Dining Room, 2:20pm