#ChargerBound
Written by GuestBlogger on May 29 13
Hello Future Chargers! New Student Orientation is eagerly awaiting your arrival! We hope you are ready to transition to Charger Nation by attending one of our many orientation sessions this summer. What is Orientation you ask? Well, it’s only the best thing since sliced bread! But no really -it’s one of the first memories you will make in your collegiate experience. Make it count!
At Orientation you will:
Meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss academic expectations and register for classes
Get your Charger Card (Student ID)
Discover tools to enable your academic success at UAHuntsville
Explore opportunities to get involved on-campus
Arrange for on-campus Housing
Learn about the campus and traditions
Meet and socialize with current and new students
And much more!
One of the first things you will learn about New Student Orientation is that we have a group of 20 AMAZING Student Leaders called Orientation Leaders (OLs). These students will not only serve as your mentors and guides for your orientation, but also your source of entertainment. We want to make sure you are getting connected with other students and campus. Be prepared to speak-up, dance, and have fun! Our OLs have been doing a lot of prepping and preparing for your arrival! From training – to conferences- to stuffing over 1,000 bags! See the pictures below for a sneak peek!
 
Another great thing about Orientation is the connections to campus you will make. You will take part in several UAH traditions including- Learning the Fight song, signing the UAH Monument, & having your picture made with Charger Blue. Did we forget to tell you about all the UAH gear you will get? Your first UAH book bag, t-shirt, sunglasses, cup and more! Excited yet?!
 
Lastly, and most importantly– you are entering a university that is rich in diversity, abounds with opportunity and is a place of personal and global discovery. You will get all the help you need and more from our wonderful faculty and staff to help you succeed academically on our campus.
So are you ready to join the Charger Nation?! Visit uah.edu/orientation for more information and to register. You can also reach us at orientation@uah.edu. Get connected early! UAH Orientation is on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram. We also have our own app! Download the FREE app Guidebook and search “UAH Orientation” for our interactive guide to Orientation.
See you soon! With Charger Pride!
Jenny Russell, Assistant Director of New Student Orientation and Family Programs
Melissa’s Decision to Stay in Huntsville
Written by GuestBlogger on Mar 18 13 Written by Melissa Lee
Growing up in the Huntsville area and having both parents who are alumni from the university, I have been very familiar with the campus starting at an early age. With both of my parents being alumni, they definitely had a huge impact on my choice to attend UAH. They both shared their positive experiences of when they were here studying mechanical and electrical engineering. During my senior year of high school, I considered attending UAHuntsville as well as other universities that were not as close to home. I ultimately made my decision to attend this university because of its prestigious engineering program and the many internship opportunities that were entailed since I wanted to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
I can honestly say that I have not regretted my choice to attend college close to home since!
Being a sophomore here at UAHuntsville, these past two years have opened up many opportunities for me to get hands on experience with my major while building relationships with the teachers and students here. The program has given me the technical knowledge as well as people skills to help me succeed in my field of study. Even in my introductory engineering classes, I have been given opportunities to get hands on experience working in the machine shop on group projects and even giving presentations to my lab group and professors. These past three years as an engineering student has definitely been a challenge but I am really excited that my hard work led me to be nominated for Tau Beta Pi, a prestigious engineering honor society. Just remember that hard work and building good relationships with your professors pays off!
Austin’s ROTC Experience
Written by GuestBlogger on Mar 18 13 Written by Austin Johnson
Like some of you, I have grown up in a family that has been highly involved in the military. From the experiences that I have gained through my military upbringing, I quickly realized that being able to pursue a career in the military while also getting a solid education in college was important to me.
Let’s start on what really sold me on attending UAHuntsville. This was due to all of the large amount of resources that the university offered while being such a close knit community. I chose to major in Finance due to my love of investing money and watching stocks. Some of the classes here at UAHuntsville have provided me the opportunity to invest other people’s money in stocks and investments, and I even receive a grade while doing it!
At the beginning of my college search I planned on attending a larger university, but shortly realized that UAHuntsville was my home. Everything from the Greek life, sporting events, religious organizations and the academic major related clubs and activities attracted me to this campus.
As I said before, one of my biggest concerns while searching for a college was being able to pursue a career in the military while being a student. UAHuntsville’s ROTC program has offered me this opportunity! One really cool experience I have had with the ROTC program is using land navigation. Basically, they teach you how to navigate unknown land with a map and a compass. The best part is they place you on a plot of land that you are not familiar with and say “Go”. It is definitely a really cool hands-on experience that is a necessary skill for an Army Officer! Now you could take me anywhere and I could find my way back to UAHuntsville with only a map and a compass.
A huge part of the ROTC program is leadership. By my junior year in the program I will have the opportunity to lead other cadets in morning physical training, field training exercises, and classroom instructions. With this leadership experience and the knowledge from my Finance classes I will have the necessary resources for a successful brokerage career. I would not have had the amount of opportunities I have been provided at UAHuntsville so far if I would have not chosen to get involved and to live on campus. So, find what you enjoy doing while in college and pursue it!
Meet Dr. Regina Hyatt, Dean of Students
Written by GuestBlogger on Oct 21 12 
By Dr. Regina Hyatt, Dean of Students
I started working in Student Affairs because I had a great experience as an undergraduate student at my college. I was super involved and my advisor suggested that I pursue a graduate degree in College Student Personnel instead of going to law school. I took his advice and now 17 years later, am excited to serve as the Dean of Students at UAHuntsville. October is Careers in Student Affairs Month so thought I would start sharing some of the unique things that make student affairs work so interesting.
1- Every student has a story, something that makes him/her unique and I get to hear those stories. I’m a better person for it as it gives me perspective outside of my own experience.
2- Balloons: I gave a tutorial during Week of Welcome to our WOW Leaders on how to make a balloon bouquet. I told them it’s a life skill we all need to have!
3- Student organizations that do really cool stuff. Where else would you be able to watch the Space Hardware Club launch a REAL experiment on a balloon or witness 1000 students gather to play video games with each other? Or concrete canoes attempt to make it across the campus pond?
4- All the pizza you would ever want to eat! Definitely the preferred food group for college students so if you work in Student Affairs, you better like pizza because chances are, you’ll be eating it at least 2 x a week. It just so happens that I do like pizza (and the never ending supply of candy that seems to be available on all of our desks).
5- Ah-ha moments: those times when you see the light click on, when a student really gets it and realizes that the decisions they are making are important.
6- Feeling like I make a difference: It doesn’t happen every day, but when it does, it feels great. Whether it’s helping a student navigate a problem, or opening a window of opportunity for a student, working in Student Affairs means that I get to impact students’ lives in a very personal and meaningful way.
I love working with students and hope that their experiences here at UAHuntsville will lead them to futures that are fulfilling both personally and professionally. I have the best job in the world!
(You can follow Dean Hyatt on Twitter @UAHStudentsDean)
Advice for Pre-Health Professionals
Written by GuestBlogger on Aug 17 12 Deciding a future career is a choice one does not take lightheartedly. To make my decision easier, I gained broad experiences, tried classes in several different disciplines, applied for and accepted internships, and reflected on my experiences. If, after reflection, you feel you would be happy as a doctor, optometrist, dentist, or any other health professional, seek experiences shadowing those professionals, and volunteer in those areas.
Shadowing and volunteering will not only help make decisions, but are required for admission into most health professional schools. Shadowing is a great way to gain perspective while observing a specific profession. To start shadowing, ask a professional who you have met before and works in an area you are interested in pursuing. I shadowed dentists, endodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists.
Volunteering is also beneficial. Become an active member in an organization and donate your time; the personal rewards you receive are worth the effort. I volunteered by interpreting for Spanish speaking patients with Cahaba Valley Healthcare in Birmingham and with the Salvation Army in Huntsville.
Studying for classes and entrance exams are critical. Your academic success is a reflection of your dedication to become a health professional. Classes for admission into professional school help prepare you for entrance exams. However, practice is the key to success and studying months in advance give you an advantage when taking entrance exams.
You have the power to shape your future. Gain from your experiences and follow the path leading to happiness. If you are intrigued about the possibilities of being a doctor, veterinarian, or dentist, then start working towards your goal and be dedicated to your success.
-Tom
Pre-Health Student at UAHuntsville
So Much Studying to Do and So Little Time!
Written by Brittani on Apr 18 12 With midterms, extracurricular activities, social life and anything life throws your way, finding time to study is hard. Here are a few tips for studying on a time crunch.
1. Flash Cards! They are much easier to carry than a notebook/book. Make them during class (as you take notes) or do them right after. You can study in the car, between classes, or while your waiting on a friend.
2. Make a Schedule! You can buy an agenda or create a time sheet on Excel. This helps to visualize the day and week ahead. Do an hour by hour sheet for each day of the week. Designate hours for 15 minute intervals for studying a certain subject. I have chemistry 9:05-10am then math 10:20-11:15, I designate that 20 minutes to studing math or chemistry.
3. Prioritize! Learning to prioritize in college is critical to your success. Sometimes you will have a test and a homework assignment due on the same day. If the test is going to be hard, then you spend more time studying then doing homework. If you are involved in extra-curriclular activities (which I strongly suggest you do!) some projects may be fun or have deadlines coming up, but no matter what, school comes first. I have to remind myself that I can’t do everything and my tests come before my project deadlines. Also remember that having a social life is important, but it’s ok to to tell your friends you have to study instead of hanging out.
5 Tips for High School Seniors
Written by Brittani on Mar 7 12 There are many tips I give high school seniors and high-schoolers in general, but the main 5 are:
1. When choosing a University don’t be afraid to go far away or go close to home. The best place for you to go could be just around the corner or on the other side of the country. I came to Huntsville from Ohio and I’m very glad I did. My best friend is from Huntsville and I’m loving it here.
2. Start looking and applying early. It sucks, but scholarships and grants are handed out early. Plus you may get a bunch of free stuff for applying early! 
3. Keep your grades up! You may think “I’m a senior, it doesn’t matter, I don’t need to learn anything here anymore, or what’s the point”. College is about learning inside and outside the classroom. You may not realize it now, but what you learn in high school becomes handy in college.
4. It’s ok if you don’t have a major picked out! You have plenty of time. It may take you an extra year or two, but it’s worth it when you do find something you love. Just go take classes in different areas. Most of the time you will find that you really like a subject or you really hate it. Then if you find that you are at the wrong university, it’s ok to transfer universities once you figure it out. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life my first year, but when I finally figured it out I transferred to UAHuntsville and I’m glad I did!
5. Do what will make you happy! You may have friends or family telling you what they think is best, but in the end it is you that has to make the decision and live with it. They might be upset for a while, but in time they’ll realize it’s for the best. College/adult life is about making your own decisions (good or bad), experiencing the consequences, and (hopefully) learning from them. My family will talk to me and give advice , but will not tell me what to do because they know I have to make it on my own. It will be frustrating at times, but you will be a better, more independent person for it.
I hope this helps you and your college experience!
My friends (Amy and Angela) on a weather balloon recovery mission. My hair is a mess, but was an interesting trip! 
Time Management 101 for Fellow Scatterbrains
Written by GuestBlogger on Feb 15 12 I am “known” by my peers for several things; the fact that I’m almost always grinning about something, my ever-changing hair color, my tendency to randomly giggle during awkward silences, but I can write with 110% certainty that I have never been known as organized. My brain doesn’t like to automatically putting things in categories. It would much rather take everything it has to deal with, toss them all in the air, and deal with each individual issue as it falls back down.
“But Jonathan,” you may be thinking, “that doesn’t sound very inefficient!” And you’d be right, for that was the very reason my Freshman year happened to be a nine month caffeine induced haze.
After getting to know myself and my limitations in the “keeping-my-life-neat” department, I discovered two things that have become life savers for me. Planners and graphic organizers held my life together for the four years I’ve been in college. If you find yourself having trouble keeping deadlines and obligations in order, try planning out times to get specific things done with a planner so they don’t keep sneaking up on you. Your sleep schedule will thank you. . . a lot.
Check Out My YouTube Videos!
Written by GuestBlogger on Dec 8 11 I’ve just posted new YouTube video for all you folks interested in attending UAHuntsville. I interviewed a few students to get their opinions about faculty, academics and other important aspects of life here at Charger Nation.
Check them out! Hope you enjoy. And check back regularly, the videos keep rolling out!
http://www.youtube.com/user/UAHadmissions
Tips for High School Seniors
Written by GuestBlogger on Dec 2 11 I think something I would suggest to high school seniors would be to keep an open mind about college. It is important to allow yourself to be pushed, at first it may feel like a struggle, but in the end you will feel so much more confident, capable and your goals will feel so much more attainable having endured it all. I think it is an exciting feeling to graduate from high school, but it is truly a surreal feeling to graduate from college- it is worth all of the hard work you put into it. I would say, keep a steady pace and push yourself to do your best, because it truly prepares you for life in ways you may not realize until you get older.
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