OPEN HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

JULY 11TH FROM 10AM UNTIL 2PM Governors State University will be having an Undergraduate Open House for Freshmen and Transfer students. Learn more about GSU and what we have to offer for you! A resource fair will be included, as well as tours of Prairie Place, which is our residence hall, and tours of campus.

 

This is a great time to become familiar with the University and meet new people. I strongly recommend your participation in this event. I like to say that Open House is the "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow. The rainbow is your journey to an institution, and the "pot of gold" represents the resources and support that you will get by attending first-hand. You will be one of the first people to interact with our departments for this upcoming fall semester. I hope to see you there!

 

IT'S TIME! 

Hello everyone,

The clock is now ticking. The time is coming for you all to choose what University you will go to. It's time for some confirmations. If you have not done so already, and you plan to go to GSU,  please confirm your admission to GSU. The fall semester is quickly approaching us and I want to make sure that everyone is confirmed and ready to start a new journey in the fall.

A lot of people tell me they are scared to confirm a college. Many people would like for their first college to be their last. Many are scared because of new challenges that may come. I just want to say to everyone reading this that these fears are normal. Anytime you are about to start something great fear will rise up with an agenda to stop your progress. Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game! It may be a scary storm, but I promise, if you go through that storm you will find a rainbow on the other side. I say this because you have to go THROUGH before you can get TO. You have to go through a season of fear before you get to courage, you have to go through the storms in life, before you get to the sunshine and rainbows, and you have to go through the grinding before you can get to the smooth.

For some of you reading this, it may be your first time going away and being away from home, but please listen to me. "Sometimes you have to GO, so that you can GROW." My whole point that I am trying to get across to you all is to not let fear get you down, or keep you from making a decision. 

With that being said, I would just like you to think about a few things when you are making your confirmation. Think about if it's a good fit for you. Will the atmosphere around you help you grow? Also think about the opportunities the school has, and what the school can do for you. 

In addition, think about if it's the "popular choice," or the "smart choice." By "popular choice" I mean is it a school all of your friends are going to and that has a lot of parties. By "smart choice" I mean a choice that effects you as a student in a positive manner. A choice that is good for you to grow. You want to make sure you are in a place where you make friends that will make you SOAR and not make you SORE.    

I considered all this when making my decision. I didn't  know GSU was an option for me. College for me was always desired, but unexpected. The thing that really pushed me to go to GSU was the awesome support systems and family like atmosphere. Everyone knows everyone at GSU and they treat you like you are their own flesh and blood. The opportunities were endless for me at GSU. They asked me what I would like to do in life, and I said music. They gave me a stage to play on, and showed me how to orchestrate contracts, and work the business side of music.

So now IT'S TIME! MAKE THOSE CONFIRMATIONS. Although, I wish to see you all at Governors State University, I wish you the best of luck in life even if you choose another school. I can speak on behalf of The GSU FAMILY when I say if anything ever happens, "the door is always open." GOOD LUCK! CONFIRMATION TIME!

Hello prospective students,

                         My name is Justin Smith and I am entering my Sophmore year at Governors State University. In my first year of college I was very involved with lots of  school clubs and activities. I was in the Black Student Union, the secretary of the Trans4mation Gospel Choir (TGC), and now I am the newly elected president of the International Culture Organization (ICO). Governors State offers a wide variety of student clubs, conferences, and activities. I strongly encourage any student who attends GSU already, or any student who will be attending GSU to get involved. Here are 3 reasons you should get involved.

1.) It opens the doors to meeting new people.

Starting at new school can be scary at first, especially when you don't know anyone. When you join clubs it forces you to be social and meet new people. You will not only meet people with similar interest as you, but you will meet people of different likes and interest. It will force you to diversify, and when you diversify, you multiply. Instead of just your usual circle of friends you will now be able to reach different cultures and people you normally wouldn't speak to. This will help you in your future careers as well. It doesn't matter if you are going into business, nursing, music, or whatever. Diversity is needed. Getting involved with our student clubs will teach diversity.

2.) It WILL lead to new opportunities.

When you diligently serve in an organization people notice. Nothing you do is "too small" and everything goes noticed. Committing yourself to an organization and being an excellent follower will make a path for you to be a great leader. From my personal experience, my ability to serve, and to be a follower landed me in a presidential position. I decided to try a new club my freshmen year. It was going to be something I was not used to, but I did not know what. After some recruitment I decided to join the International Cultural Organization (ICO). The club teaches and promotes diversity, and being international while highlighting all of the cultures. I began volunteering for the ICO events and helping out where I could. I would go to the president all the time and say things such as "do you need me to do anything?" "What can I do to help?" I kept assisting and following and learning. Towards the end of the semester, members of the ICO board were encouraging me to run for a leadership position for the club. After a while of hesitation I decided to. I ran for president and got elected president. Now I am a voice for international students and I am developing leadership skills. 

3.) Being involved will teach you how to be professional. 

Being involved with clubs will teach you how to be professional and how to operate in the "real world." Being in these clubs will teach you skills you can apply to your life, and your life as a professional. Some of the skills you can/will learn will  be time management, meeting etiquette, diversity, budgeting, and effective communication skills. The structure of the clubs is  designed to teach professionalism and excellence. 

While clubs and activities are great to be apart of, it's important to balance your club(s) with your school work. Sometimes you may only be able to participate in one club. When you establish a balance in the clubs and with your school work then you will win. GET INVOLVED!