Ask Jamie Jayhawk!
Have a question? Need some advice? Jamie is here to help!
Dear Jamie Jayhawk-
My friend and I are interested in joining a fraternity/sorority, but we've heard that their members are too busy to study. Any advice?
- Undecided
Dear Undecided,
Our fraternities/sororities at KU are very committed to the academic experience. For many years the 'all fraternity and sorority student' GPA has exceeded the 'all university student'GPA. Last spring, the fraternity and sorority community (nearly 3,000 students) GPA was a 3.13,.13 above the all university student GPA.
Fraternities and sororities provide mentoring programs, study programs, and will help students create individual plans for academic success. There are many ways to get involved in fraternities and sororities; however each chapter will recognize your studies as your number one priority and will support your academic endeavors.
If you want to learn more about KU Greek life, check out www.kugreek.org.
Dear Jamie,
I have been having trouble with my ex-boyfriend lately, and it is really affecting my studies. We recently broke up, and he can't seem to let go. At first I thought he was just having trouble getting over me, and I tried to stay friends, but lately it has gotten worse - almost scary. He keeps calling and emailing me, and last week he started to show up at my classes. It's hard enough to concentrate on my homework without knowing I'm going to have to see him every time I go to class! What can I do?
- Nervous
Dear Nervous,
Although you may not realize it, the behavior your boyfriend is exhibiting actually sounds a lot like stalking. According to Kansas state law, stalking includes following or harassment by an individual when it is intentional happens repeatedly and implies a credible threat. There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself. If you haven't already, try making it very clear to your ex-boyfriend that you no longer want contact with him and you'd like him to quit bothering you. If the stalking continues, try contacting the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, Watkins Health Center, or KU Public Safety to obtain a Stalking Assistance Kit. These kits provide information on stalking and Kansas Law, how to protect yourself from stalking, and tools to document stalking incidents. They will help you build a case against your ex-boyfriend and hopefully get him to stop stalking you for good. For more information on stalking or other relationship issues, drop into the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, located in the Student involvement & Leadership Center on the 4th floor of the Kansas Union, 864-3552.
Dear Jamie,
I'm from a small town and am feeling lost here. I've met a lot of people but feel lonely and unhappy. What can I do?
- Despondent
Dear Despondent,
It takes awhile to find your niche. What kinds of things interest you? Whatever your interests, there is a way to get involved. First off, look at the groups with whom you already have a connection. Is there a way to take a more active role? You might consider volunteering to be in charge of a project or activity on your floor/in your house. You might also look at the list of student organizations and consider one that interests you ( www.ku.edu/organizations ). Another great option is to check out the new student organization, Kansas Connections, (www.ku.edu/~connect ) whose members are students like you from Kansas small towns. The group helps students connect with each other, and succeed on this large campus. For more involvement opportunities, contact the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, 864-4861 (www.ku.edu/~silc). Don't get discouraged - it takes awhile to feel connected. Take some steps to
make KU your home away from home.
University Career Center
Perhaps you're a freshman who's tired of smug pre-meds rolling their eyes when you tell them you're undecided. Maybe you're a sophomore who's just realized your med school plan is not going to happen because you faint at the sight of blood. Maybe you're a senior who cringes whenever the term "job search" is mentioned. Fortunately, help is available right on campus: the University Career Center, an extraordinary resource that most students never realized existed.
Having trouble choosing a major or career path? Schedule an appointment with a career counselor. With personality tests, books on majors and jobs, and trained professionals, learning about and selecting majors and careers become much simpler tasks.
Nervous about a job interview? UCC offers lots of services to prepare students for the career world. Advisers are always available to edit resumes and cover letters. Individual and group mock interviews are available to coach students on interviewing techniques. Etiquette dinners are a popular option for people looking to figure out the purpose of all that silverware before an interview that entails a business dinner.
Trying to find an internship or summer job? The UCC sponsors numerous internship and career fairs throughout the year at different campus venues. The office also has an internship adviser and files listing many opportunities.
Nearly every service offered by the UCC is free. Freshmen should use the service to help navigate the jungle of majors available, and upperclassmen should use it to get an edge on the job search, apply for an internship, or create a graduate school plan.
The Burge Union, with its location right behind Jayhawk Towers and Daisy Hill, and across the parking lot from Allen Fieldhouse, is a short walk from almost anywhere on campus. If you are willing to make the trek to the Phog for basketball games, you should take a detour to the Burge.
Nobody wants to give up college life. But at some point, those scholarships will run out and parents will grow anxious to see you graduate.The University Career Center can help make the transition from student to professional, undergrad to graduate, or even undecided to decided.
The University Career Center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday in 110 Burge Union. To schedule an appointment with a career counselor, call 864-3627. Further information can be found at www.ucc.ku.edu.
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