Mount Hood

It’s About Time

Written by: Jude Bokovoy 

The life of a college student can get plenty unorganized when time management skills aren’t in one’s toolkit. Skip the stress by adding these three suggestions to one’s daily routine and get back on track today.

Set a sleeping schedule — Of course, it’s best to wake up early to be one’s most productive self. But it’s much more than that. In reality, if one wakes up at 7 a.m. but doesn’t go to bed until 2 a.m. it wouldn’t be good. This is why setting up a sleeping regimen can be crucial to success. Ideally, one should be getting eight to ten hours of sleep each night. It can be okay to get less but definitely not more. Although it may seem like the healthier option to sleep more, sleeping too much can lead to a lack of energy throughout the day. If one goes to bed at 11 p.m. and wakes up at 7 a.m., it would be the perfect amount of rest, while giving the opportunity to knock out some tasks in the morning.

Leave early — The main reason why people find themselves arriving late to their plans is because they didn’t give themselves enough time to get there. To ensure timeliness, give oneself 10 minutes or more of breathing room. Let’s be real, it’s better to arrive early and watch TikToks in one’s car than to be late to an appointment for something as trivial as scrolling too long before one’s departure.

Have a planner — This cannot be stressed enough. Being able to see one’s entire week laid out on paper is a blessing.. Keeping a planner updated can allow one to keep up with assignments, fill in unexpected plans, plan far out and feel more relieved when seeing everything laid out. There is an abundance of options to choose from when it comes to layout, size, space and whatever else one can think of. Outlet stores such as T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s have many options at a great price.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

A List of Ways to Spend Time Alone

Wrtten by: Mikayla Coleman

Feeling disconnected from oneself? Noticing codependency on significant people in one’s life? Use this list of ideas to spend some quality time with oneself — allowing for growth, reflection and heightened confidence in one’s identity and place in the world. 

Take a hike. Monmouth has many nice places to walk, whether one is looking for a long trek or a short stroll. If one wants to get out of their comfort zone, Riverfront Park in Salem is a great choice for a change of scenery even in the colder months. Bundle up, get moving and breathe the fresh winter air. 

Try meditation. Depending on what level one is starting at, there are many options to try meditation. Those who identify as beginners can find great guided meditations and breathing exercises on Youtube. 

Visit an art gallery. There are many unique art galleries with rotating displays within Monmouth’s vicinity. Some in the Salem Area include Ernie and Gray, Salem on the Edge or the concrete gallery tucked in the back of the small, but amazing art supply store, the Art Department, located in the heart of downtown Salem.

Watch a thought-provoking documentary. Believe it or not, there are some documentaries that do not fall under the true crime umbrella. Some interesting documentaries that can be streamed on Netflix include “The Mind, Explained,” “How To Change Your Mind,” or “Human: The World Within.” 

Play a wholesome video game. Sometimes there is nothing better than cuddling oneself in a comfy blanket and playing some video games. Nintendo in particular has a lot of options that abstain from obsessive violence and fill one with that blissful childhood nostalgia, such as all of the variations of “Animal Crossing” or “Mario Kart.” Another good cross-platform option is “Stardew Valley.” 

Do a digital declutter. Take a minute to finally pay attention to those disregarded text messages and emails. Take a look at one’s computer desktop and remove any old screenshots or non-important files. This small gesture can make a huge difference — when life becomes busy, it will be well worth it to have those things organized. 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu




Self Care Suggestions

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Self-care can mean a variety of things to any given person. At its core, self-care is taking time to work on oneself. Whether it’s self improvement, unwinding or picking up the pieces of an emotional week, self-care is always there to help. Here are some things to add to one’s agenda recommended by fellow Western students: 

Activities

  • Drinking tea
  • Napping
  • Reading
  • Making an iced coffee
  • Doing daily skincare routine
  • Working out
  • Worship
  • Relax while listening to music
  • Time with pets
  • Paint night 
  • Meditation
  • Everything showers
  • Cleaning room

Products

  • Guasha-ing using  “The Ordinary” face oil
  • Face masks
  • Exfoliating cleanser 
  • Glow recipe Watermelon glow Niacinamide dew drops
  • Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant
  • Ice roller
  • “Aquaphor”
  • Truly Black Jelly body serum
  • “Good Molecules” Hyaluronic acid serum
  • “Good Molecules” Hyperpigmentation serum
  • Hydrating under eye masks
  • Neutrogena oil free moisturizer
  • Fuzzy bow robe headband 

Books

  • “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is about a young Andalusian shepherd who is longing to search the Earth for the most magical treasure anyone has ever discovered. While traveling in Egypt, he finds himself face to face with the alchemist. 
  • “All the Light we Cannot See” byAnthony Doerr is set in France during World War II. A blind French girl and German boy spend time together during the travesty. 
  • “Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood introduces two scientists who enter a fake relationship to study love but end up falling for each other, thus altering their experiment. 
  • “Things I Never Got Over” by Lucy Score follows a middle aged woman whose life is falling apart after running away from the altar. 
  • “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover is about a young woman named Lily who meets a surgeon that appears to be the man of her dreams. 
  • “It Starts with Us” by Colleen Hoover shows the main character Lily and her young love Atlas trying to restart their relationship as adults. 
  • “Daisy Jones and the Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid is about the popular (genre) band and their 60’s inexplicable breakup from the lead singer’s point of view.
  • “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid tells the story of a family’s decision of what to take and leave from the people who made them. 
  • “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes depicts a teenage girl that mysteriously inherits most of a multi-billionaire’s wealth and property without having any correspondence with the billionaire’s family.
  • “You are a Badass” by Jen Sincero guides one through how to live life to the fullest.
  • “Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan is about a woman trapped in a horrific memory, but her true love proves to be the key to her own freedom.
  • “Atomic Habits” by James Clear guides one through how to change habits and make each day a little bit better. 
  • “It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey is about a young woman whose mistakes land her in her hometown in the summer. 
  • “Three Women” by Lisa Taddeo is a long term study on three women regarding their relationships, coupling and desires. 
  • “Everything I know about Love” by Dolly Alderton is a memoir dedicated to navigating her early twenties.
  • “The Charm Offensive” by Alison Cochrun introduces Charles Winslaw after leaving his tech company. Winslaw tries to eradicate his image by becoming a contestant on a bachelor-esque dating show. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Beautiful Board

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Creating a personalized vision board is the perfect way to get a sense of what is truly important and explore what one’s goals are. Plus, it can be a great way to have a relaxing time making the masterpiece to display. The board can consist of yearly goals, futuristic goals or the curation of  one’s overall lifestyle. There are many routes to take when laying out one’s board. Here are some suggestions to get started.

Routine — What are some things that would help life be more motivating and organized? Whatever that may be, glue it down. Examples may include a skincare routine, using a planner or making one’s bed. 

Dream pet — Who doesn’t have their ideal pet ingrained in their head?

Trips — There are so many places to go around this beautiful planet, where would one like to start? Adventuring just around the corner, simply going home for a weekend or a special place on the bucket list are all good options.

Affirmations — Be kind to oneself. Even just a few words of encouragement can work wonders when received each day while looking over one’s board.

Little things that make one happy — Whatever that may be, make sure to include it. Flowers, iced coffee or butterflies — there are no limits. 

Fashion — Everyone has some clothing items they wished were in their closet. One could go that particular route or select pictures of a certain style to include within their board. 

Career — Adding one’s desired career can help with motivation when taking difficult courses. After all this is why most pursue a degree.

Home — Is there a kitchen or bedroom aesthetic that one’s been daydreaming about? 

Activities — Ask oneself what one wants to do more often. Going on picnics, walks or reading are all great ideas to include. Including it in the board could be just the thing to inspire one to get out and do it. 

Intentions — What impressions does one want to leave behind? Place a few key words down to help focus on what is important.

Plans to look forward to — The board doesn’t have to be all about the future. Place some exciting trips and events that are in one’s grasp.

Health — What would be beneficial to one’s health? Well balanced meals, working out or a skincare routine are all good ideas to consider adding.

Encouraging quotes or scriptures — Add some pick-me-ups to help boost each day. 

Help make the world a better place — Whatever one feels inclined to do, place it on the board. Examples are volunteering or simply working on being a kinder person to those one is surrounded by.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu



A students’ tips for acing scholarship applications

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

As of Nov. 1 2022, Western’s General Scholarship Application is open for students seeking financial aid for the 2023-2024 academic year, with a deadline of Mar. 1. If students are discouraged from applying for scholarships, they are not alone. Scholarships tend to be highly competitive, making it seem as if the odds of being awarded one are slim to none. Here are six tips to help make scholarship applications less daunting.

Make an impression. This may seem obvious, but the standard for neatness and specificity in scholarship essays is often ignored. These attributes encompass many aspects of the application process. When filling out scholarship forms, the key is to formulate a chain of working drafts, working off one form in order to perfect the other. When writing an essay, include concrete details and examples of one’s accomplishments. A good rule of thumb to make the writing process smoother is to include the standard “who,” “what,” “where,” “when” and “why.”

Create a list of your good traits. Today, there are scholarships available for nearly every individual trait, from nationality, one’s spoken languages, first generation students and students who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Students often believe that applying for a broader, general scholarship increases their chances of being awarded. However, students who apply for trait-specific scholarships have a smaller pool of applicants to compete against.

Apply for small awards. If there is a scholarship that fits one’s qualifications but is offering a small award, don’t overlook it. Small awards can add up quickly. In addition, small awards tend to have less competition than larger awards.

Take advantage of ScholarshipUniverse. ScholarshipUniverse, available through the WOU portal, includes an integrated search engine for more than 8000 scholarship opportunities. ScholarshipUniverse has an integrated questionnaire, which narrows down scholarships according to the student’s qualifications and individual traits.

Complete the full application, including the optional work. Many scholarship applications provide students with “optional” application materials, such as essays, letters of recommendation, or even something humorous, such as a joke. While it may sound exhausting to complete this additional and very much optional piece of work, it may increase one’s chances of being awarded against more qualified applicants who failed to complete it.

Reapply. Scholarships are not a one-time deal. Even if a student fails to secure financial aid from a particular scholarship, it is wise to reapply. In fact, the next application process will roll out much smoother than the first application process, considering the student is already well-versed in the process.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Explore Next Door

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Monmouth is at the center of an assortment of towns and cities, giving students an opportunity to explore different places, most of which are only a short drive away. Take a look at the list below for inspiration for one’s next day trip.

Dallas — Bike or walk along the Rickreall Trail System. This trail weaves in and out of trees, parks and along the creek throughout the town. For a bite to eat, go to Spoon N Folks Thai Cuisine for a thai iced tea, noodles or curry — all for a reasonable price. For students over 21 years of age, there are a few bars that have free pool nights as well as darts and karaoke. 

Salem — Try breakfast at Isaac’s Downtown for coffee, bagel sandwiches and pastries. Bush’s Pasture Park is a great place to take a peaceful stroll. The Riverfront Park is another great place for a walk; during the spring one can go down to the dock to feed grown ducks and baby ducklings, then head to Basil and Board for unique individual pizzas for lunch. Whether it’s the mall or a museum, both are great places to kill some time. Sip on a cocktail while sharing an appetizer with friends during happy hour at Ritter’s Housemade Foods. For dinner, have some tacos or pasta at the Masonry Grill.

Corvallis — Grab a cup of coffee and a plant at Greenhouse Coffee and Plants. Pick up a sweet or savory crepe at the Saturday Corvallis Farmers Market. For those who enjoy hiking or mountain biking, the Oregon State University McDonald-Dunn Research Forest is a great place to visit. Have a sandwich and side salad at downtown’s Bodhi Cafe and Bakery. Watch a movie at Darkside Cinema or roll a strike at Highland Bowl. End the day with a burger and fries at Bo and Vine Burger Bar.

McMinnville — This town is full of galleries for those who appreciate art. Those who are 21 and older can enjoy wine tastings and tours at a variety of wineries. Experiment with a variety of “tapas” at La Rambla Restaurant and Bar— warning, it can get pricey. Spend the rest of the time exploring all of the cute shops downtown. 

Lincoln City — The beach is a great place to fly a kite, find shells, explore and relax while watching the sunset. Order a burger and fries at HWY 101 Burger and play a game of pool. If shopping is a hobby, look no further, the Lincoln City Outlets are full of rare and popular stores. There are also lots of shops and restaurants to choose from when walking along the downtown strip. 

Portland — Drive an electric scooter along the riverfront while taking in the beautiful scenery and getting the city feel. Try creative sandwiches at Lardo for lunch. Explore the Alberta Arts District by going into small shops, visiting hidden food trucks then getting a scoop at Salt and Straw Ice Cream. Test one’s capacity for heat with a chicken slider and fries at Dave’s Hot Chicken. Portland has plenty of things to do, just search up one’s desires and chances are that Portland has it. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Pleasing Pasta

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Searching for a simple, quick and healthy pasta recipe? Take a gander at the recipe below to see if it sounds like it would be up one’s alley. 

LEMON KALE AND PARMESAN RIGATONI

Start to Finish: 15 minutes 

Yields: 2 servings

½ bag of rigatoni 

½ of a lemon

3 large kale leaves

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic petals

5 tablespoons parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon seasonings of choice

Start by putting four cups of water into a pot over heat to boil. In the meantime, remove garlic petals from the clove. Smash petals with the back of a knife to flatten then place in a warm pan with two tablespoons of olive oil. When water is boiling, place kale leaves into the pot until soft. It should take around three minutes. When ready, put the kale leaves into a blender by using tongs, then add garlic and olive oil. Add seasonings then blend until smooth. Bring another four cups of water to boil then add pasta to cook. While pasta is cooking, add the sauce into a pan to reheat (if using red pepper flakes this is a great time to add them). Once pasta is done, add to the pan and fold until pasta is evenly coated. Plate then sprinkle with parmesan cheese. One can find a video tutorial on the Tik Tok account @justines.table.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

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Monmouth OR 97361

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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.

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