Mount Hood

The perspective of a first generation college student

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Western has a wide diversity of students from different kinds of backgrounds. Some come from a family of college graduates, while others are the first generation to take on the challenge. While the college experience can sometimes be boiled down in pop culture as a universal experience, the reality is that these experiences can be as diverse as the people.

For first generation college students like Madison Gaylin, a junior education major, there are some similarities and some differences between students who came from college-educated families. One similarity, in her case, is that she had high hopes from a young age.

“I decided when I was little that I wanted to be a teacher,” Gaylin said. “Everyone said it would be hard work and there wouldn’t be much money in it, but I was set on it.”

Gaylin has some other members of her family that attended college, but not in her immediate family. She attended a community college where she got her AA, then transferred to Western. The transfer took her away from home, the small town of Clatskanie east of Astoria, for the first time.

For many students, even though college and their career path was ultimately a choice that they should be deciding, there was always an unspoken pressure to get a degree. This is especially true when one or both parents have a degree. For Gaylin, there wasn’t pressure so much as a hope or an expectation.

“I think it always came down to me wanting to go (to college),” she said when asked about the pressure many students feel from their families. “If I hadn’t, there might have been some disappointment — but not anger.”

She also said this internal, rather than external, motivation helped keep her focus when things got rough and she considered dropping out.

“I just had to keep telling myself to keep going,” Gaylin added.

Along with many other students at Western, Gaylin is now on her way to a career in education. While her experience isn’t shared by everyone, she can relate to those who have worked long and hard to achieve a lifelong dream as a first-generation college student.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Meyers

What to look for in a new roommate

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

For most people, part of the college experience is finding and living with a roommate. Sometimes it’s a friend or acquaintance, but other times students have to wade through their options of strangers to find one they’re comfortable living with. In these cases, there are specific things to look for when considering living with someone. While not all roommates end up best friends forever, a living situation should be more than just tolerable. When looked for, these things can help turn a potential nightmare roommate story into a friendship one.

 

  1. Communication:  Being a good communicator is a good sign that someone will make a good roommate in all stages of the search. This kind of person can be depended on to communicate when they decide to sign the lease, what they expect from their roommates and what will work best in their living situation. This may seem intimidating at times, but being straightforward will help resolve issues before they grow and start to become disruptive.
  2. Socialization levels: Everyone is slightly different when it comes to how and how much they socialize at home. Some like throwing ragers regularly with as many people as possible while others prefer to keep their homes relatively quiet and secluded. Neither is better or worse, but people on opposite ends of the spectrum are unlikely to agree on how open their home should be.
  3. Real life experience: Every so often, there is an encounter with someone unadjusted to living on their own. This may not be a dealbreaker for everyone, but it should be considered for those who might get annoyed by someone who doesn’t know how to cook for themselves or do household chores.
  4. Responsibility: Some students may look to their classmates when searching for a roommate. The opportunity that comes with this is to observe how organized or responsible they are with their schoolwork and decide whether this is a good indicator of what kind of roommate they will be. If their homework is consistently late, it may be a good idea to first make sure they won’t do the same with their rent.
  5. Independence: In an ideal world, roommates would always end up good friends that enjoy spending time together. However, some people just need someone to help pay the bills. During the initial search, clarifying the amount of involvement desired in each others’ lives can help eliminate future conflicts or misunderstandings. Also, while it’s good to be able to depend on roommates when in need, dependence at a certain degree can cause tensions.
  6. Pet peeves: One of the challenges of finding a roommate can be that everyone comes from different backgrounds, lifestyles and habits. As a result, something that might seem minor to one person can be extremely irritating to another. Cleanliness, whether lack of it or obsession with it, is the most common example of this that can lead to roommates falling out. Discussing pet peeves and lifestyle preferences before hand can save the trouble of roommate drama.
  7. Timeline: For students, it’s usually fairly easy to determine how long they’ll be needing to stay in one place based on how long they have until they graduate, or if they plan to stay in Monmouth after doing so. Sometimes, however, people need to leave or find a new place in the middle of the school year, when it’s hardest to find someone to replace them. Some graduate in a term other than spring, or take terms off and need to move. This can sometimes create a revolving door of roommates that only need temporary homes and can create anxiety from the inconsistency of having someone to help pay rent.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

The benefits of learning another language

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

It’s not uncommon for a certain number of language classes to be a requirement for graduation, both in high school and in college. It’s also not uncommon to hear people say “Yeah, I took a few years of Spanish a while ago but I don’t really remember much except ‘¿dónde está el baño?’”.

Like any other subject, a foreign language can be easy to dismiss from one’s mind if it’s not an area of interest. I hear phrases like the one above often when I tell people I am studying Spanish, and I can’t say I blame them as I have expressed similar attitudes towards subjects I was less interested in. It can seem like just another graduation requirement that won’t turn out to be useful.

However, there are actually many benefits to learning another language, especially when studied further past just a few terms. I believe this not only due to my own experience, but also thanks to some research on the subject I have done as my interest in foreign languages grew.

One of the more obvious benefits is the fact that being proficient in a foreign language can open more opportunities in the future. The world is now a very interconnected place, and being someone who can help further those connections looks good on nearly any resume.

My own job is just a part time, temporary position in food service that pays my rent and is not in my long term career goals. However, I have already found myself faced with the opportunity to communicate with speakers of other languages. I have been able to use my Spanish outside the classroom for once, and also gotten to know some Deaf customers that left me wishing I had taken advantage of Western’s many ASL classes.

Research shows that learning another language helps stimulate cognitive functions, such as finding patterns. Studies such as the ones cited in an article on BBC.com titled “The amazing benefits of being bilingual” show that being bilingual can help exercise “mental muscles”. This is especially true for those who started learning a second language from a young age, but it’s never too late to start trying to become bilingual. These kinds of skills can help with academic performance as well, another plus.

On top of that, learning a second (or third, or fourth) language almost always comes with the added benefit of immersion into another culture. A language is rarely just conjugations and sentence structure; it’s also an origin, a history and a connection to different places.

At Western, there are many opportunities to learn or brush up on Spanish, German, French and American Sign Language. For more information on classes, visit wou.edu/humanities/modern-languages.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Student artist spotlight: Madeline Weinstein

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Madeline Weinstein is a junior studying theater at Western Oregon. Originally hailing from Seattle, Washington, Weinstein didn’t have much enthusiasm for the idea of college after her graduation from high school.

“It’s really cheesy, but then I visited Western Oregon, I was very hesitant. And then I realized, this is a very friendly place. People are waving ‘hi’ to each other, even on the weekends,” Weinstein said.

After visiting Western, Weinstein knew she wanted to apply.

“My mom actually said something that is going to stick with me forever, and it’s: ‘pick a school where you feel comfortable walking into a room and feeling confident that someone would help you,’” commented Weinstein, “that was the deciding factor.”

Weinstein had plenty of acting experience when she started at Western. She acted in all twelve shows that her high school produced in her four years there. In fact, Weinstein’s main inspiration was her high school drama teacher. Because of that one teacher, she decided to get her bachelor’s degree in theater and then continue on to get her master’s degree in education.

Weinstein hopes to relocate back to Washington after graduating to teach high school drama; “I want to give back and inspire my high schoolers,” she remarked.

Since coming to Western, Weinstein has participated in multiple shows in a various number of capacities. As a first-year, she was responsible for the sound in Western’s production of “Shakespeare in Hollywood.” She has also been a part of paint crew, and has acted in one-acts and ten-minute plays.

“Even if I don’t get into the main stage shows, I know that there’s still a chance for me to act in the one-acts and the ten minutes,” said Weinstein.

Something that Weinstein loves about the theater program is that “they don’t always put the ‘perfect’ actors in there, they put people who they know can learn from the experience and… who can grow more.”

Overall, Weinstein’s experience in the artistic community at Western has been positive: “I’m not a number, I’m an actual person with a name.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Podcast Review: “Just Break Up”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

If anyone could claim that they were addicted to podcasts, it would probably be me. I am a self-diagnosed podcast addict, and I have an endless supply at my fingertips; it seems like everyone and their mother has a podcast, and of course they do: everyone believes they have something important to say. I mean, I review stuff. I’m pretty much roasting myself here.

A recent addition to my arsenal of podcasts that I keep up with regularly is a show called “Just Break Up.” True to its title, the show tackles topics related to relationships, including friendships, familial relationships and romantic ones.

The first episode of the podcast was released on July 15, 2018. The two co-hosts are Sam Blackwell and Sierra DeMulder, two English majors based in Minnesota. Sierra DeMulder is also published poet and author of four books of poetry.

“Sierra and Sam hope to convey what they’ve learned throughout their own romantic journeys to bring comfort and support to others who might be going through similar situations,” said the podcast website, justbreakuppod.com.

Anyone can be endlessly validating, but that is not always healthy, and may even cause an unhealthy situation to continue. In my opinion, sometimes being stern while giving advice or expressing a perspective on an issue is key. My love of “Just Break Up” stems from the fact that Sam and Sierra manage to be validating while also being brutally honest. The co-hosts accept submitted letters from listeners and formulate thoughtful responses providing advice and support.

“They’re affirming and validating, but not to the point where they’re making excuses for the way we can act badly about relationships,” said Western alumna Danielle Durand, who introduced me to the podcast. “I learn something new about myself every time… And I find myself looking forward to Mondays every week now.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of justbreakuppod.com

Men’s Rugby’s hard work pays off

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

In the final match of fall term on Nov. 3, the Men’s Rugby team left the field after their lopsided victory over Willamette University unsure of the future. The team knew their only chance at playoffs was to win the bid for hosting the National Small College Rugby Organization’s Challenge Cup Pacific Coast Regional Championships. While they finished their fall season with back to back blow out wins, the loss in their first match on Oct. 7 against reigning conference champions Central Oregon Community College may have kept them out of the playoffs. But little did they know, massive news was in the making.

During the winter break, the national rankings were posted on the NSCRO website. Consisting of over 240 Men’s clubs, Western had never before found themselves ranked inside the top 40. However, due to their outstanding play, the Wolves were nationally placed at 30. This national ranking was especially notable as no varsity or other club sport team in the 2018-19 school year had been able to achieve an honor such as this.

But despite this historic achievement, the men of Western rugby remained fixated on the end goal of playoffs.

“We’re not trying to make it a big deal of it,” said head coach and Western alumni Sean Pomeroy. “We’re at the bottom of the rankings, we want to be up higher, so we’re trying to stay focused.”

This focus is of the utmost importance for the Wolves as alongside their news of a national ranking, it was announced that Monmouth would play host to the Challenge Cup Pacific Coast Regional Championships. Before leaving for winter break, the players and coaches were unsure if a post season would be in the picture due to only one team from the conference being invited to the challenge cup. But after the news that their bid to host was accepted, the playoffs would be be on the Wolves’s home turf, giving them an invitation to participate.

“If we didn’t host (the challenge cup) we wouldn’t have been in,” mentioned Pomeroy. “We started to hit our stride toward the end of the season… so we’re going to use this opportunity to turn some heads and show why we are nationally ranked.”

The NSCRO Challenge Cup Pacific Coast Regional Championships is set to be held March 30 and 31 on the intramural field on Western’s campus. With the winner of this tournament receiving an automatic bid to the National Championships, the Wolves are hoping they can use the home field edge for one last push.

“We want to see these stands filled. Our boys always play better with big crowds so we hope we can use the home field to our advantage,” finished Pomeroy.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Winter term sports preview

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

[fruitful_tabs type=”accordion” width=”100%” fit=”false”]
[fruitful_tab title=”Lacrosse”]

Feb. 9 1 p.m. @ UC Davis

Feb. 10 1 p.m. @ University of Santa Cruz

Feb. 16 5 p.m. vs. Seattle University

Feb. 17 1 p.m. @ Humboldt State University

Feb. 24 1 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 9 6 p.m. vs. Western Washington University

Mar. 16 1 p.m. vs. University of Portland

Mar. 22 6 p.m. @ Pacific Lutheran University

Mar. 24 1 p.m. vs. CU Denver

[/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Men’s Rugby”]

Jan. 16 6 p.m. @ Oregon State University

Feb. 2 1 p.m. vs. University of Oregon

Feb. 9 3 p.m. @ Pacific University

Feb. 16 1 p.m. @ University of Washington

Mar. 2 11 a.m. vs. Eastern Washington University

Mar. 3 1 p.m. vs. Pacific University

Mar. 30-31 National Small College Rugby Organization Challenge Cup Pacific Coast Regional Championships in Monmouth, Oregon

[/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Women’s Soccer”] Feb. 9 1 p.m. vs. Portland State University [/fruitful_tab]
[/fruitful_tabs]

[fruitful_tabs type=”accordion” width=”100%” fit=”false”]
[fruitful_tab title=”Baseball”]

Feb. 8 2 p.m. @ Lewis and Clark State

Feb. 9 12 p.m. @ Lewis and Clark State

Feb. 9 3 p.m. @ Lewis and Clark State

Feb. 10 12 p.m. @ Lewis and Clark State

Feb. 14 12 p.m. @ Fresno Pacific

Feb. 15 3 p.m. @ Fresno Pacific

Feb. 15 6 p.m. @ Fresno Pacific

Feb. 16 11 a.m. @ Fresno Pacific

Mar. 2 12 p.m. vs. Montana State Billings

Mar. 2 3 p.m. vs. Montana State Billings

Mar. 3 12 p.m. vs. Montana State Billings

Mar. 3 3 p.m. vs. Montana State Billings

Mar. 9 12 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 9 3 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 10 12 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 10 3 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 16 1 p.m. vs. Concordia University

Mar. 16 4 p.m. vs. Concordia University

Mar. 17 1 p.m. vs. Concordia University

Mar. 17 4 p.m. vs. Concordia University

Mar. 22 3 p.m. @ Northwest Nazarene University

Mar. 22 6 p.m. @ Northwest Nazarene University

Mar. 23 1 p.m. @ Northwest Nazarene University

Mar. 23 4 p.m. @ Northwest Nazarene University

Mar. 27 2 p.m. vs. Lewis and Clark University

Mar. 30 1 p.m. vs. Saint Martin’s University

Mar. 30 4 p.m. vs. Saint Martin’s University

Mar. 31 12 p.m. vs. Saint Martin’s University

Mar. 31 3 p.m. vs. Saint Martin’s University [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Softball”]

MSUB Desert Stinger Classic

Feb. 1  4:30 p.m. vs. Colorado Christian University

Feb. 1  7 p.m. vs. Cal State Monterey Bay University

Feb. 2  4:30 p.m. vs. UC San Diego University

Feb. 2  7 p.m. vs. Hawaii Pacific University

Feb. 3  11:30 a.m. vs. Chico State University

Dixie State Tournament

Feb. 15  3:30 p.m. vs. St. Edward’s University

Feb. 16  10 a.m. vs. Adelphi University

Feb. 16  12:30 p.m. vs. St. Edward’s University

Feb. 17  12:30 p.m. vs. Adelphi University

Feb. 17  3 p.m. vs. Dixie State University

PFX Athletics Tournament

Mar. 1  9:30 a.m. vs. Kentucky Wesleyan University

Mar. 1  11:45 a.m. vs. Missouri University St. Louis

Mar. 2  9 a.m. vs. Findlay University

Mar. 2  11:15 a.m. vs. Minnesota State University Mankato

Mar. 3  9 a.m. vs. Tiffin University

Mar. 3 11:15 a.m. vs. Malone University

Mar. 4 6:15 p.m. vs. The College of Saint Rose

Mar. 9  12 p.m. vs. Simon Fraser University

Mar. 9  2 p.m. vs. Simon Fraser University

Mar. 10  12 p.m. vs. Western Washington University

Mar. 10  2 p.m. vs. Western Washington University

Mar. 13  1 p.m. vs. Northwest Christian University

Mar. 13  3 p.m. vs. Northwest Christian University

Mar. 16  12 p.m. @ Montana State University Billings

Mar. 16  2 p.m. @ Montana State University Billings

Mar. 17  12 p.m. @ Montana State University Billings  

Mar. 17  2 p.m. @ Montana State University Billings

Mar. 23  1 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 23  3 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 24  12 p.m. @ Saint Martin’s University

Mar. 24  2 p.m. @ Saint Martin’s University

Tournament of Champions

Mar. 29  2 p.m. vs. Sonoma State University

Mar. 29  4:30 p.m. vs. Cal State East Bay University

Mar. 30  2 p.m. vs. San Francisco State University

Mar. 30  5:30 p.m. vs. Stanislaus State University

Mar. 31  9 a.m. vs. California State University, Dominguez Hills

[/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Track and Field”]

Jan. 12 @ UW Indoor Preview

Jan. 25 @ Husky Invitational

Jan. 26 @ Husky Invitational

Feb. 8 @ Husky Classic

Feb. 9 @ Husky Classic

Feb. 15 @ GNAC Championships

Feb. 16 @ GNAC Championships

Feb. 23 @ SPU Final Qualifier

Mar. 2 @ Willamette Opener

Mar. 8 @ NCAA Championships

Mar. 9 @ NCAA Championships

Mar. 9 @ Pacific Invitational

Mar. 17 @ Lewis & Clark Spring Break Open

Mar. 23 @ Willamette Invitational

Mar. 28 @ SF Distance Carnival

Mar. 29 @ SF Distance Carnival

Mar. 29 @ Stanford Invitational

Mar. 30 @ Stanford Invitational

Mar. 30 @ SF Distance Carnival

[/fruitful_tab]
[/fruitful_tabs]

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Western Oregon University

Facebook   Instagram   X  YouTube

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Tools

Campus Maps
Canvas
Find People
Portal
WOU Email
Technical Support

Resources

A-Z Index
Accessibility
Academic Calendar
Class Schedule
Jobs at WOU
News
Explore WOU
Partnerships
Student Services
Freedom of Expression

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Accessibility    Public Records    Privacy    Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.