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Managing Stress at Gatton

February 8, 2023 | Addie Hoskins, Student Life | No Comments

It’s no secret that attending Gatton can lead to an increase in stressors. We leave home 2 years early, move in with 200 fellow students we may have never met, take challenging classes, set our own schedules, and develop new life skills.

You might be thinking “Wow, Addie. This sounds really hard! What if I can’t handle it all?” I’ll be honest: it is hard. However, Gatton is full of resources to help students adjust to life and manage the stress that follows.

Tips for Managing Stress:

Talk to a friend. Because every student at Gatton must fulfill the STEM curriculum, we often end up taking classes with our friends (or peers who turn into friends over the duration of a class). We can study together, support each other after a difficult test, and encourage each other throughout the semester. This makes our friends a great place to turn to if we are dealing with stress!

Take a break. Sometimes I get so stressed that I think I need to work for hours with no break. However, this is one of the worst things I can do for myself! It’s scientifically proven that studying is more effective if done at intervals with breaks in between. A great strategy to de-stress is taking a break. Maybe this means reading a book, listening to some music, or getting some food. Even 10 minutes can make a difference.

Make an appointment with Pokey or Jamie. Pokey and Jamie are Gatton’s licensed therapists. Even better, they work in our building and are fully aware of the goings-on at Gatton and all that being a student here entails. Maybe you have experience with therapy or maybe it sounds a little scary. Either way, most Gatton students meet with one of our therapists during their time here. There’s no issue, big or small, that they aren’t willing to help students with.

Get active! Physical activity is one of the best ways to manage stress. You can get out some excess energy and get a rush of endorphins all in one. Whether this looks like a trip to the gym or a walk around campus, exercise is guaranteed to reduce stress. And hey, it has physical health benefits, too!

Talk to your RC. Residential Counselors or “RCs” are a great place to turn for advice! Maybe you’re dealing with homesickness or arguing with your roommate. Whatever it is, they’ve probably dealt with it before and can provide some helpful advice.

Take a nap. It may sound silly, but a nap can solve a lot of your problems. I’ll admit, even though I try to get consistent sleep, I sometimes fail to get a full 8 hours. Being tired makes it harder to pay attention to lectures, do homework, and regulate emotions. If you find yourself too tired to do homework or a little too irritable to be around people, take a quick nap!

As always, every person is different, meaning every student deals with stress in different ways. I encourage you to find what works for you and consider some of these healthy coping strategies when you find yourself getting anxious or stressed. Remember: you aren’t alone here, and there are plenty of people willing to help if you are willing to ask.

By Gatton Academy

Family Matters

December 7, 2022 | 2022-2023, Avatars, Maria Pfeifer | 1 Comment

One of the challenges of coming to Gatton is staying connected with your family. Every student is different, with different attitudes toward how much they want to communicate with their family. For me, staying close to them was a huge priority.

I was born into a big family, having three older siblings. As I got older, that family grew, and I now have three younger siblings as well. I attribute everything about myself to my family, as they have shaped me into the person I am today.

TIPS FOR STAYING CLOSE TO YOUR FAMILY:

Get comfortable sharing about yourself! Whether you see your family in person or are on a phone call with them, you will get the classic, “What have you been up to?” question. Don’t shy away from it! Your family wants to hear from you!

Have the tough conversation(s) with your family. The easiest grounds for frustration come from a lack of communication on how much you want to communicate. Your parents may have their own expectations for communication that may not line up with yours.

Remember the big things…. Your family members will be so touched if you remember birthdays and anniversaries, so be sure to reach out at these times. Bonus points for grandparents.

…and ask about the small things! One of the hardest things about being away from your family is missing out on the small moments. While nothing replaces being with your family for these, make sure to ask about them, whether it be a younger sibling’s soccer game or the puzzle your dad is working on.

Set aside time for your family during closed weekends. Closed weekends are tough. Some Gatton students drive as many as 10 hours in one weekend to get home and back, while others live in Bowling Green. Either way, going home can be draining, so allow yourself a little bit of time to breathe, and then spend time with your family! The impulse is to spend time with our friends, and while that’s important, you’ll be with your family forever.

Be merciful with your younger siblings. There’s nothing like getting home after weeks of being in a new place and sleeping in your own bed for the first time only to be woken up by a five-year-old jumping on top of you. True story. Know that these moments where we find ourselves wanting to rip their heads off are moments to count to ten and smile because we have siblings that want to spend time with us.

Be active in the family group chat, and if you don’t have one, start one! Whether it’s talking about my brother’s garage band, my little sister stealing my mom’s phone to send emojis, or my dad complaining about large diet cokes no longer being $1 at McDonald’s, this group chat has been a huge source of small smiles throughout the day for me. It helps me feel connected to my family, and I know that my older siblings feel the same way.

Small phone calls! Gatton life can be busy, and sometimes it can be easier to take five minutes out of a few days each week to call your family members rather than a whole hour at once. Small phone calls can feel like passing conversations, which I love because it is almost like being back with your family. Walking to class is one of the perfect times to do this.

My older siblings were all able to come home for Labor Day and we got coffee with Gran!

By Gatton Academy

Fall 2020 Finals Week

December 10, 2020 | 2020-2021, Avatars, Mina Ryumae | No Comments

Whew! One semester down, one to go for seniors and three for juniors. This has certainly been a unique semester with all of COVID-19’s changes to Western Kentucky University and students’ daily lives. However, Gatton and WKU faculty handled the situation relatively well and students were still able to have an enjoyable and safe time living on campus.

Every Finals Week can arguably be considered one of the most stressful weeks you will experience at Gatton, but nonetheless, students still find ways to have fun. Typically during Finals Week when students are on campus, WKU does not have any classes so students are often found celebrating “swipe-mas” by spending their remaining meal plans at various campus dining spots and studying through the night with friends. Some students have all of their finals at the beginning of the week and choose to either go home early or enjoy their remaining days on campus, while others have exams throughout the week. It may seem overwhelming at first, but after every exam, a weight is lifted off your back and you can breathe a little easier.

Before you know it, you will be at the end of one more semester and we get to enjoy Winter/Summer break as a reward for all of our hard work.

Due to the Coronavirus, students’ finals week experience this semester has been vastly different than it normally would be. Most students have been home since the start of Thanksgiving break and a few stayed in the Gatton building to finish out the semester. Professors had to make the decision of how they wanted to administer their final exams: in person before Thanksgiving break, fully online without proctoring, or online while students joined a Zoom meeting. I only had three finals to take during Finals Week this semester, so it felt relatively laid-back for me.

Although current juniors still have three more Gatton semesters to enjoy, seniors are saddened by the prospect of officially only having one semester left. However, I anticipate that seniors will make the most of the time we have left together, and it is exciting to see the bright futures that are ahead of all of our students.

Everything wrapped up nicely in a bow just in time for the holidays, and I hope that everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Winter Break!

– Mina Ryumae

By Gatton Academy

Thanksgiving

November 30, 2020 | 2020-2021, Avatars, Diksha Satish | No Comments

This week marked the end of our time together, in person, at Gatton. Everyone has packed up, and moved back home for the next two months.

It is a bittersweet moment. Although we will miss our Gatton family, this will be the first time many students are going home since GROWeek. As the end of the fall semester nears, we have just a few more weeks until a well-deserved Winter Break.

The last week at Gatton saw many floors getting into the holiday spirit. The Third Floor Girls had a Wingsgiving on Sunday, complete with cranberry sauce, stuffing, and The Grinch playing in the background. At curfew, the Second Floor Boys serenaded each wing with Christmas carols. Multiple Secret Santas, both Gatton-wide and on-wing, have taken place throughout the week.

Though we may be at home now, the Gatton community built here will always have each other’s backs. A lot has changed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the support has been as constant as ever. We have made strong connections with the people on our floors, in our classes, and with staff members. Needless to say, there will be endless FaceTimes and phone calls until we return for next semester.

It may be two months until we are all back in the same place, but Gatton will always feel the same. When we return, the common areas will once again have lively discussions, the whiteboards will be full of integrals, and there will be endless meal swipes to use at Papa John’s. The Gatton family will be back together for spring semester before we know it.

To our Gatton community, Happy Thanksgiving!

– Diksha Satish

By Gatton Academy

Falling out of Rhythm: Winding Down the Fall Semester

November 24, 2020 | 2020-2021, Avatars, Josiah Baumer | No Comments

After winding up the college application process and meeting early action deadlines, it feels like I can finally take a breath and relax. However, as a Gatton student, the most intense segments of the semester revolve around the 5th week, the 11th week, and finals week. My 11th week happened to fall a week after everyone else’s, and exams, lab reports, and essays were all on the horizon. At this time of year, the weather started to turn: more rain, cooler breezes, and a whole lot of leaves to walk through.

I could sense a change in tone in this portion of the semester. The accumulation of schoolwork and not being able to see my family for such an extended period, all amidst living through the middle of a global pandemic, takes a heavy toll on an individual. Nonetheless, the Gatton community has stood together during this time and lifted each other up. Community and weekend activities continued to thrive, groups go out for dinner throughout the city, and play video games in the famed common areas. All of these things and more help students like me overcome the personal challenges when times get gritty and tough, but most of all, they make me appreciate the Gatton community even more and encourage me to contribute to the community every day.

Moving forward into the remainder of the semester, I will attempt to savor the last week at Gatton with my peers while I anticipate time at home for Thanksgiving with my family. And while getting to relax with my family will be a memorable experience, the eight weeks spent away from the Academy will also have me eager to rejoin my Gatton family in the spring.

– Josiah Baumer

By Gatton Academy

School Life Balance

November 20, 2020 | 2020-2021, Avatars, Luke Wilson | 1 Comment

As the ninth week of the fall semester comes to an end, Gatton students throughout the Academy, including myself, are finding ways to unwind after several difficult weeks of testing and college preparation. The temperature in Bowling Green has risen back to the low eighties, and lots of fun activities are taking place outdoors. On Wednesday, myself and several other friends threw a football with other WKU students. The south lawn provides plenty of space for social distancing, while also allowing us to get a great work out. On Thursday night, Paint Club met outside, which I find is a great way to get inspired and express my creative side. Everyone’s schedule is different and having residential counselors (RC’s) that are flexible makes life a dream. Some days I want to go on coffee runs in the morning, and some nights I want to play chess at a local park, which the RC’s always make happen. They are a key part to keeping us happy here, and they do a fantastic job!

Personally, I have spent a lot of time this week meditating. This past Saturday, Mind Over Matter (MOM) Club met and learned techniques for self-awareness and meditation. Meditation is really effective for reducing my stress levels and keeping me in touch with myself. Meditation also helps me organize my thoughts, which has helped me understand my peers’ thoughts more clearly. Living in a high-pace environment like Gatton can be hard, but participating in clubs and activities with my friends makes everything a lot of fun!

-Luke Wilson

By Gatton Academy

CPS

November 17, 2020 | 2020-2021, Ashwin Menon, Avatars | No Comments

Gatton is known for its many traditions, from ping-pong tournaments to waffle-house runs. Alumni and current students alike can bond over the traditions they all experienced as Gattons. One tradition, if you can call it that, will stand out vividly in every alumni’s mind. That tradition is CPS.

Computational Problem Solving is a required course taken by all Gatton students in their second semester. Mentioning the acronym to any Gatton student will elicit a reply ranging from pure adoration to veritable aversion; however, all will say it transformed them.

So, what is CPS and why the impassioned responses? Computational Problem Solving is a semester-long course developed cooperatively by the Gatton Academy and Western Kentucky University specifically for Gatton students. The course was designed to train students in skills necessary in the 21^st century workplace, sometimes it does exceptionally well. Students are guided by professors in utilizing the programming language Mathematica to address computational problems. Throughout the first half of the semester, students are faced with a variety of challenging assignments, ranging from simulating 2-Dimensional Universes to implementing a version of Sudoku. In the second half of the semester, pairs of students engage in a computational project of their own choosing. The scope and style of these projects vary from eclipse predictors to stock market simulators to pathfinding algorithms.

CPS is not an easy class; a 300-level course, it requires constant dedication and hard work. Some students may find they have never encountered a class this intensive while others will be tested by the programming aspect of the course. This atmosphere brings some to admire CPS while others to dread it. Despite this, the consensus is that CPS is a formative experience, teaching valuable skills.

Computational Problem Solving teaches Gatton students immeasurably more than how to code in Mathematica; it teaches them skills that will benefit them throughout life. CPS, first and foremost, teaches problem solving skills and algorithmic thinking. These skills are applicable to any field one pursues. Additionally, CPS strengthens students’ mathematical reasoning skills, which come in handy in the pursuit of a STEM Degree. Looking past the superficial, this class transforms students in ways not always obvious. The partner work refines students’ teamwork skills. The shy student becomes more assertive while the brash student learns to work with others. Communications skills are also strengthened. Classmates learn to express their ideas, engage in discourse, and collaborate. Another major lesson learned from CPS is time management. Not only must students attend to CPS, but they must balance a full workload from other classes. If a student lacked time management before CPS, they will have mastered it after CPS. Furthermore, students learn to persevere though adversity and setbacks, a common occurrence in programming. Finally, students will come to understand that they must seek assistance at some point, no matter their ability levels.

CPS is a challenging and arduous course; however, with dedication, hard work, and a positive outlook, one can be successful in the class.

-Ashwin Menon

By Gatton Academy

Election Week

November 11, 2020 | 2020-2021, Andrew Davison, Avatars | No Comments

The week of November third was polarizing at Gatton. Not because of political differences, but because of stresses. Our own Party Club held a viewing party of election results Tuesday night, and for those closely following the election, the week was a stressful one indeed. However, for many of the other Gatton students, this week provided the first break in a long semester. Regardless of the election, Gatton had many things of its own for the students to enjoy.

The week started out with thoughtful care packages from the Gatton Academy Parents on Sunday, which set everyone up for a good week. The care packages contained handwritten notes, snacks, and home-baked goods. Thank you very much to the parents who put this together!

This week also marked the beginning of Dr. Derick Strode’s How Do I…? series. On Monday, Gatton students met with Dr. Chris Biolsi to talk about drafting budgets for the President of the United States. Darius Barati spoke on Wednesday as an Emmy winning artist and director/producer. The week finished with a talk from Dr. David Keeling on Thursday, a cultural geographer who has traveled the world. The talks were very exciting and we look forward to enjoying the rest of the series. Thank you for putting these together, Derick.

On Wednesday, Gatton students also had a special opportunity to meet in-person with some of the professors they work with online. Math professors Dr. Mikhail Khenner and Dr. Samangi Munasinghe came to the Gatton lawn to visit, and so did computer science professor Dr. Huajing Wang. Students enjoyed socializing with the professors. The weather was nice and there was plenty of room to spread out.

To round out the week, all Gatton students were treated to a special seminar with NASA’s chief scientist Dr. James Green, where he gave a short presentation to Gatton students, alumni, and WKU faculty. He also talked at length on several of the questions that our community asked. This was a very special opportunity, especially for the NASA-inclined among Gatton.

So while this week was stressful for many, there was so much happening at Gatton that it was easy to take your mind off of pressing events.

-Andrew Davison

By Gatton Academy

Halloween at Gatton

October 30, 2020 | 2020-2021, Arian Chopra, Avatars | No Comments

The spookiest week of the year is upon on. The air is brisker, the night sky a little bit darker. Although our times of trick-or-treating may be gone, there are plenty of ways to maintain our Halloween spirit at Gatton. With 5th week assessments in the rearview, Halloween week can be a time to de-stress and have fun. We started by decorating our wings and common areas with cobwebs, skeletons, and any other decorations we could get our hands on. The mood has been intensifying as people on wing play scary video games and watch movies in the common areas.

Depending on whether Halloween falls on a weekday, we may or may not have class. A class day or not, the evenings are always fun. Luckily, Halloween is on Saturday this year so we can celebrate the whole day. No matter our schedules, friends find a way to spend Halloween night together. Some students dress up. Even without costumes the Halloween spirit will be in full storm. Wade, a Gatton RC, and other Gatton staff have wonderful Halloween activities planned which are always a fun time. No matter the activity, candy will always be abundant.

My friends and I will go down to Downing Student Union and put together our meal swipes to collect a cornucopia of food. We will then head back to the most accessible TV and put on a scary movie. Even the anti-horror movie friends will make an exception for this night. My personal favorite horror movie to watch is Halloween by Bowling Green’s own John Carpenter. The jokes and memories created during these moments will last long past Halloween night.

Holidays like Halloween truly highlight the togetherness of the Gatton community. The spirit and community that are built here are truly remarkable. No matter what floor you’re on or what activity you are joining on Halloween, or any night at Florence Schneider Hall, you’re a part of a family.

-Arian Chopra

By Gatton Academy

5th Week Assessments

October 13, 2020 | Uncategorized | No Comments

Quickly approaching is one of the most pivotal weeks of the entire semester. During 5th week, professors will be in contact with the Gatton Staff about the status of the Academy students in their classes. This can be a very intense week for a lot of people.

For juniors, this could be the first time they have ever had a failing grade in a course. For seniors, this could be a sign that they have an incredible amount of work ahead of them. If the fifth week is good for anything, it is good for providing perspective.

For students struggling, now is the time they need to begin accepting help, putting in more effort, and talking to their professors. Fifth-week assessments give the students the perspective they need to prepare for the recovery they may require. It also provides the staff an idea of who they may need to support.

For students thriving, this is a good week. There is validation for the hard work they have put in. For juniors, this week could be exactly what they need to feel like they belong. For seniors, this could be a sign that the end is around the corner. For some, this may be a week they do not even notice. However, the class of 2021 and 2022 cannot be complacent. This is the time to fix failing grades and maintain passing grades.

Beyond fifth week assessments, there are a variety of things happening at Gatton. Students are having a blast with Gatton Games, a group activity that happened at the Colonnades one Friday night. Clubs have been meeting weekly, continuing business as usual. We’ve also had picture day.

We are barreling towards the halfway point in the semester. To Gatton students, continue working hard!

Jackson Powers

By Gatton Academy

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