There are a lot of things you have to keep track of in college. Your nightly reading list. Due dates for big papers. Group projects. Remembering to call your family. It can quickly become overwhelming, and that’s not even taking into consideration fun things like intramural games, study groups, and date nights. The good news? There are a lot of really helpful apps that can help you stay on top of everything going on in your life. Here are just five suggestions for ones to check out before school starts next month!
Google Drive
If you aren’t already using Google Drive, you’re missing out! Files saved in Drive can be accessed from your phone, tablet, or computer; whether the files are from Google Suite programs like Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides, or photos, videos, and PDFs. You can also share your documents with other people, which can come in handy if there’s a group project you need to collaborate on for one of your classes. Also helpful? Since you can log in and access your files just about anywhere, if you forget to upload your homework to Canvas or need to print it, you can always run to the PUC library and print your file in an emergency!
Google Keep
Yes, another recommended Google app! One of the lesser-known Google Suite programs, Google Keep is essential for keeping yourself organized. You can create to-do lists, notes, and set important reminders all within the app, and for those of you who love to be extra organized, you can color code and categorize things to your heart’s content too. It’s a Type A person’s dream! One super cool feature is you can share your notes and lists with other people, meaning you can share things like a grocery list with your roommate, notes with a classmate, etc.
Genius Scan
Genius Scan is a scanner in your pocket. It allows you to quickly scan and email yourself JPEG or PDF documents. You can even create multi-page PDF documents, which can come in handy more often than you might think!
Want to give the app a try? After you’ve finished completing your health forms, why not scan and email them to Health Services. Visit puc.edu/alreadyaccepted for more information!
Mint
Unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees in the PUC forest, so it’s a good idea to use Mint for managing your finances. With this app, you can create a budget you can stick to and watch your spending habits. You can also keep an eye on upcoming bills and make sure they’re paid on time. For college students with limited income, Mint can help ease your fears about your money.
The official PUC app
Of course, we had to promote our own app! There are many reasons why you should download the PUC app, but probably the most important one is you can check out the cafe menu to see what’s for lunch.
Eventually, you will 3find the right apps that work for you so don’t be afraid to try new things! The more organized you are, the less stressed you will feel, and hopefully both of those things will result in helping you be more successful.
With the school year quickly approaching, we thought it would be a great time to ask some of our faculty and staff what their advice for new students would be. Below are 10 pieces of advice to help make your time at PUC some of the best years ever.
“Managing your time well from the first day you’re at PUC will save you a lot of grief at the end of the quarter—and you’ll have more time to do the things you want without all of the stress of rushing and cramming!” — Dr.Ross Winkle, professor of New Testament
“So much to say but in a nutshell … Get involved, explore your campus, get out of your comfort zone, and always remember to PRAY. Make friends that will motivate you to get up in the morning to go to class. Work! Work helps you develop time management skills allowing you to stay focused and do better in school, plus it helps bring in some money to help pay your student bill. Never be afraid to ask for help. We are here to help you be the best YOU! And don’t forget to do your FAFSA on October 1 for the following school year!” — Lila Cervantes, financial aid counselor
“Student-teacher relationships are one of PUC’s most valuable offerings. The professors here care about you as a scholar, a future professional, and an individual. We want to talk to you, even if you’re not a major in our field, so come to office hours, and always, always ask questions.” — Dr.Peter Katz, assistant professor of English
“In the first two weeks, study in at least five different places; then reflect on which places facilitated your best concentration. Remember that where you may want to study (in the thick of things at the Grind) may not be the place where you learn best. The heart and the head may not agree on the best places to study.” — Dr. Georgina Hill, professor of English and director, Honors Program
“I have three tips for instant success at college: Get involved, get involved, get involved. Studies show students who join campus clubs, attend social events, and share their gifts and talents with a campus community are not only happier students, but academically more successful! Who knew, right? Don’t come to campus and sit on the sidelines … join in the fun and take advantage of the incredible opportunities we have for you at PUC. You can help make PUC an even better place!” — Doug Wilson, director of student engagement & leadership
“Don’t study in your dorm room. Find a place where you won’t be disturbed or distracted, such as the library or a campus lounge. You’ll study more efficiently that way! Fight for your sleep! It’s one of the best things you can do to ensure your success in college. Be a considerate dorm resident. Don’t practice kickboxing at 3 a.m., talk on the phone until 4 a.m., or turn on your lights at 6 a.m. just because you’re awake (all true stories). Get to know your teachers! PUC is an amazing place to network and establish lifelong mentors. Take advantage of what makes PUC so special (hint: it’s the people). Invest in your mental health. College is a time for growth and development, but can sometimes come with added stress, pressure, and confusion. You aren’t alone! Check out PUC’s free counseling services to help support you through this time.” — Michelle Rai, assistant professor of communication
“The difference between acing a class and barely surviving? Fully attend every session, take advantage of office hours, and get a full night’s sleep EVERY night. Clinical studies have shown the last factor alone accounts for a difference of more than 40% in academic performance, yet very few take advantage of it!” — Dr.Steve Waters, professor of mathematics
“1.) As you think about your major/career, consider the overall picture, not just salary but also the quality of life. What will your day-to-day reality look like if you go into the field your thinking about? 2.) Make plans now to fit in study abroad—anywhere from a single summer/a single quarter to a full three quarters. This is the time in your life to have a life-changing experience. (Same for becoming a student missionary!) 3.) Actively look for mentors on campus, ask them about interning and other opportunities, brainstorm with professors that you learn from and appreciate. 4.) Take time to consult with God about your plans, both large and small.” — Dr. Sylvia Rasi Gregorutti, professor of modern languages
“PUC’s a great place to put in your 10,000 hours. So work your rear off, and make yourself at home.” — Milbert Mariano, professor of graphic design
“I have two pieces of advice. 1.) Got a study question? Text a librarian at (707) 948-6639. 2.) When feeling stressed, take 10 minutes to visit the Prayer Garden in the center of campus to quiet the mind, breathe deeply, and spiritually reconnect.” — Patrick Benner, director, Nelson Memorial Library
Still feeling nervous about starting college? Take a look at our “10 Tips for Your First Quarter at PUC” blog post to help make the transition from high school to college as smooth as possible.
Working on-campus can be a great way to put money towards your school bill, and give you some extra cash for weekend fun. If you’re wondering about how you can find work at PUC, look no further—read our “How to Get a Student Job at PUC” blog post for some helpful tips.
Get Your Textbooks
Did you know you can buy or rent your textbooks from the PUC Bookstore? You can even have them available for pick-up ahead of time! Go to puc.bncollege.com to learn more.
Pro tip: Take a look at our “Great Places to Study on PUC’s Campus” blog post for a look at some of the study space options at PUC, and find your ideal place.
Helpful Advice
We know college can seem daunting, especially coming in as a freshman, which is why we’ve put together a helpful blog post to help make the transition from high school to college as smooth as possible. Check out “10 Tips for Your First Quarter at PUC” now!
Join the Class of 2022 Facebook Group
If you haven’t already, join the Class of 2022 Facebook group. Be a step ahead of the game and know a classmate or two before school even starts.
Questions?
Call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email enroll@puc.edu to get in touch with an enrollment counselor now.
Welcome to life in NorCal, where the climate is quick to change, and you can easily straddle the line between being active in nature while still enjoying all the benefits of the culture and sites of city life. You’ll want to be prepared for everything, and you’ll want to look good doing it! Here is a list of ten items we think will help make your years here in Northern California that much better.
(Note: The links provided below are not affiliate links. We do not receive a commission if you purchase a product through any of these links. These are just our recommendations!)
A Good Coat
Perhaps the most essential item on this list, it’s imperative that you have a good coat to help get you through the winter months in Northern California. You should consider investing in a waterproof jacket too, for those rainy or misty days.
Staff Pick: The quality of North Face is simply unbeatable.
The Right Pair of Shoes
Having the right shoes is so important since you’re on your feet a lot, walking to class, around town, in the city, or out in nature. Whether it be a great sandal, cool sneakers, classic running shoes, or boots for various weather, remember comfort is key. If you know you’re going to be on your feet a lot (like if you’re a nursing student!), consider getting Dr. Scholl’s insoles for your shoes.
Staff Pick: For both guys and gals, Converse are great for everyday wear, and Reef sandals are a perfect on-the-go sandal option.
A Thick Beanie
While scientists have debunked the old wives’ tale that 50% of your body heat is lost through your head, you can still lose heat by having your head uncovered. It’s a good idea to have a nice, thick beanie you can grab when Karl the Fog starts rolling in.
Staff Pick: North Face also makes great beanies, or you can pick up a cheap one from Target.
A Nice Pair of Sunglasses
Whether you’re mountain biking in PUC’s forested Back 40 or sight-seeing in the city, you’ll want to have a pair of sunglasses nearby. Make sure you’re buying a pair that will block 100 percent of UV rays to keep your eyes protected.
Staff Pick: Ray-Bans are a great investment (they’re unisex too!).
Good Quality Sunscreen
Even if it’s an overcast day, remember to put on sunscreen! Up to 87 percent of the sun’s rays can penetrate through clouds, fog, and even mist, so sunscreen is something you’ll want to have on hand constantly.
Staff Pick: Anything from Sun Bum Sunscreen (trust us, it’s worth it!).
A Durable Backpack You Can Carry All Day
These days, a backpack is for so much more than carrying your textbooks around. You can pack one for the beach, for a museum day in the city, or for a concert on Treasure Island.
Northern Californians are all about being green and being as environmentally friendly as possible, which is why many of us have reusable water bottles. Carrying one around can also help you reach your daily water intake needs!
Staff Pick: If you can swing it, a Hydro Flask is a great investment; otherwise consider something from Klean Kanteen or Sip.
A Rechargeable External Battery
Never be disconnected unless you want to be! There are plenty of reasons people love their cell phones: Talking to loved ones, browsing the internet, and keeping up-to-date on social media. You don’t need to worry about your battery percentage if you have a portable charger with you, so Instagram away and remember to tag @PUCNow in your campus photos for a chance to be reposted!
Keep a big blanket in the trunk of your car for unexpected beach trips and impromptu picnics at the park. You never know when you’ll end up at Goat Rock for a Sabbath afternoon or simply reading your biology textbook at Crane Park.
Hammocking is all the rage, and at any given time you’ll see students relaxing in hammocks all over campus here, even back in the PUC forest. If all the school hammocks are rented out, don’t miss out—bring your own! Then you’ll be set for relaxation anytime, anywhere!
Staff Pick: ENO hammocks are portable and affordable.
We love living in Northern California, and we know you’re going to love living here too. Get ready for your best year yet!
Going from living with your family to living with a roommate you might not even know, in a residential hall, can be a big change. Luckily, your hall comes fully equipped with a resident assistant. Your RA is far more than just someone who checks you in every evening; they are there to offer advice, help you deal with homesickness, and become your friend. Each residential hall offers an array of activities from hall worships to movie nights which help foster the family feel that helps make PUC such a special place.
Meet Sierra Driver and learn a little bit about life in a residence hall!
Interested in learning more about being a resident assistant? Check out our “Meet the RAs of Andre Hall” blog post to get an idea of a day in the life of an RA.
We hope you’re enjoying your summer so far! We’re getting ready for your arrival in just a few weeks, and we hope you’re just as excited as we are for the new school year.
It can be overwhelming to try to think about all the things you will need to have in your dorm room throughout the year, so that’s why we’ve put together this “Your College Packing List” blog post you can refer to as you start getting ready to move in just a few weeks.
We’ll be sending you regular updates over the next few weeks, so check your email regularly and be sure to come back here next week, or you can talk with your enrollment counselor if you have questions about anything. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email enroll@puc.edu to get in touch with a counselor.
Next week, we’ll share information about how to buy your books and how to find a student job at PUC, so don’t forget to check back in!
As Midori Yoshimura, ’12, stood at the front of Stanford University’s most iconic entrance, watching the then-crown prince and princess of Spain step out of a black vehicle best described as “secure,” she focused on the same thing as many students in Spanish class: “Don’t use the tú (informal) form of verbs with this group.”
“After studying in Spain for my third year in college, I was very used to addressing almost everyone using the tú verb conjugation, since I spent most of my time with peers,” Yoshimura says, laughing. “In more formal situations”—such as talking with a more senior family member or VIPs—”you would use the verb conjugation for Usted (Ud.).”
Yoshimura, who graduated summa cum laude with majors in English and Spanish in the Honors Program at PUC, was working as an editorial assistant in Stanford’s Office of University Communications when the royal couple visited the campus. Although Yoshimura was relatively new to the job, her then-boss asked Yoshimura to join her in accompanying the Spanish press delegation traveling with the royal couple, on the off chance the journalists spoke mainly Spanish. (As it turned out, using the tú form with them was fine.)
Now, Yoshimura works as a digital media associate in Stanford’s Office of University Communications, where she and her colleagues manage the university’s official social media channels and, individually, various units across the campus. Yoshimura handles digital media for the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, and the Stanford Neurosciences Institute.
“Regardless of the topic, sharing insightful research in a way audiences are most likely to connect with, and understand why it matters, is very fulfilling,” Yoshimura says.
In this role, Yoshimura leads strategic and ad campaigns, produces Facebook Live interviews with faculty and students, live tweets events, manages social media communities, and more. One project Yoshimura particularly enjoyed managing was Stanford’s #MeetOurFaculty campaign. In it, she combined her interviews with faculty members with creative photography to highlight the personal stories that inspired them—and the diverse paths that brought them to teach and conduct research at one of world’s top universities.
Yoshimura never imagined her own career path would bring her to Stanford.
“I didn’t even have Instagram in college,” she admits. “The only filters I really paid attention to were the ones on job search websites likes Indeed.com, Glassdoor, etc.—I was pretty worried about finding a job after college. So, I certainly never imagined in a couple of years I’d be sitting in a dim, packed auditorium and tweeting quotes from Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
But what Yoshimura has realized from her career experiences as an assistant editor, freelance writer, and more, is that stories—listening to, writing, and sharing them—have been the driving force.
“Stories, broadly defined, are what shape our perspectives, inspire new ambitions and hopes, and help us better understand one another. And, the stories we tell ourselves can determine our future,” Yoshimura says. “One of the things I love about working in communications is the chance to share stories about topics that affect our lives and those of others—to be better aware of our biases, how our brains work, how we’re taking care of our planet—and to do so in a way that makes these stories most likely to resonate with audiences. I may not be the main character in the plot, but that’s fine. I care more about turning people into an important story in the first place.”
PUC’s Honors Program was a chance for Yoshimura to examine—and rewrite—parts of her own story, including her beliefs and goals.
“The Honors Program was a highlight of my time at PUC,” she says. “The nature of the program is to help you learn how to think and question what you thought before. You learn to defend or criticize your own viewpoints, while discussing questions that have perplexed humanity for centuries.”
Yoshimura continues: “Discussing these topics in a place where it felt safe—where classmates were engaged and not out to disparage each other’s views, made me stronger in my faith, yet more willing to challenge it. My experience at PUC improved my ability to reason and to be constructively critical of myself and my worldview, without demolishing everything I held true or leading me to stubbornly cling to what I simply wanted to believe.”
Aside from the philosophical, there was also the practical: “I learned how to skim,” says Yoshimura with a laugh. “The assigned reading was a heavy lift.”
If you ask Yoshimura what the PUC chapter of her life story looked like, she’d say it was a choose-your-own-adventure, undertaken with the motto: “I don’t know exactly what I want to do, but I’m going to try a bunch of things to figure it out.” The good news, she added, is in five years you can fit in a lot.
What she most recommends to students now is, unsurprisingly, studying a year abroad.
“Time spent in another culture, learning how to live vividly outside your comfort zone, is an empowering experience,” says Yoshimura. “The capacity you develop to adapt to and creatively resolve unfamiliar situations is invaluable. You can add so many new stories to this chapter of your life—and enjoy new opportunities to hear those of others.” And, Yoshimura added, conjugating the formal and informal varieties of verbs gets easier with practice.
Who better to learn about life at PUC than PUC’s Student Association president! We caught up with last year’s SA president Megan Weems and asked her a few questions about the social life at our college.
For some reason, one of the things we hear from students is “there isn’t anything to do at PUC,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Browse through our Social Life category for just a glimpse into many of the things PUC students are involved in.
We’re getting ready for your arrival in just a few weeks in September, and we hope you’re just as excited as we are for the new school year.
We’ll be sending you important updates throughout the summer, so make sure you’re checking your email, or you can talk with your enrollment counselor if you have questions about anything. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email enroll@puc.edu to get in touch with a counselor now!
Mark Your Calendar
Sept. 19-23New Student Orientation Sept. 24Instruction begins Sept. 24-28Week of Welcome Sept. 27Last day to enter or delete courses
As an accepted student, there are several important things you should be working on over the summer. For full details about these steps, visit puc.edu/alreadyaccepted.
Pay your enrollment fee & fill out a housing form.
Make financial arrangements.
Register for classes.
Submit your health forms.
Attend New Student Orientation!
Stay Connected With PUC
Follow PUC on all of our social media outlets to stay updated throughout the summer and for important information to help get you ready for the new school year!
For all the latest news, make sure you join the Class of 2022 Facebook group and start talking with your future classmates now!
Keep Watching Your Email & Checking the Blog
We’ll be sending you regular updates over the next few weeks, so check your email regularly and be sure to come back here next week, where we’ll share information about the residence halls and what you should plan to bring with you.
From the very early years of her childhood, Holly Lindsay knew she wanted to be a doctor.
“I have no idea why I was so sure that’s what I wanted,” she says, thinking back. “I had no chronic health problems, so I wasn’t going to the doctor a lot, and neither of my parents were doctors. But I knew. I just knew.”
Today Holly spends a majority of her time doing research in a lab at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, also doing clinical care in pediatric oncology, specifically dealing with brain tumors in children. In addition, Holly is an assistant professor through Baylor College of Medicine.
“I was drawn to the field of pediatrics in particular because the diseases are so pathophysiological,” she explains. “That is, the kids don’t do anything to cause the problem, something just goes wrong in their bodies.”
Holly’s passions for serving not just the patient but the entire family, as well as for dealing with a variety of situations—inpatient, clinical, very ill, mostly well—led her into oncology. When she shadowed in a pediatric oncology clinic in her first year of medical school, she knew she’d found her calling.
“The amount of hope I encounter on this job is surprising,” says Holly. “I was expecting my field to be constantly emotionally draining, but even in the setting of recurrences and patient death, the hope and strength of the families has surprised and inspired me immensely. This is most definitely the work I wanted and needed to do.”
Holly’s experience at PUC prepared her for medical school in two notable ways.
“First and foremost, it strengthened my Christianity,” says Holly. “I rely heavily on my faith, especially with all the loss I experience in my field.”
Additionally, the smaller class sizes at PUC allowed her to interact closely with her professors, and the one-on-one experience helped her feel comfortable asking questions of her med school professors.
“At bigger schools, you ask other students or your TAs,” she says. “PUC helped me be proactive in my learning.”
Holly works in a lab focused on treating and eliminating pediatric brain tumors. She and other researchers do drug testing, with the end goal of eventually bringing the drugs to clinical trial for kids. One day a week she sees her patients in the clinic.
“Make no mistake: I’m certainly one of those people who get upset over animal experimentation, and I was extremely nervous coming into the world of animal research,” she admits. “But the mice here in our lab get amazing care. The experiments are incredibly humane and if there are any signs of distress they are euthanized immediately. On the flip side, I see the suffering children who need these drugs. The mice are serving a wonderful role to help us bring drugs safely to children.”
Most drug companies have developed products that don’t get into the brain through the bloodstream. This is because the possible side effects there are, to say the least, undesirable and risky. But in order to fight brain tumors, certain drugs are needed in the brain. This is why Holly and her fellow researchers implant tumors in the mice in the same place in the brain where the kids are getting them, as opposed to inserting the tumor into the animal’s leg or other body part. This allows for more accurate testing and experimentation.
Just as much as the other aspects of her work, Holly very much enjoys teaching medical students.
“Teaching allows me, specifically, to preemptively correct things I see wrong with communication in the medical field,” she says. “I give a lecture on the delivery of bad news. For this class, I made a video where I interviewed families and asked them to share what doesn’t go well in medical communication. I very much enjoy finding the next generation of medical providers committed to the patients and families they serve.”
Mentoring is a role to which Holly commits herself just as much as she does to her patients, research, and teaching. She actively engages with her students outside of class, inviting them out for small group get-togethers, working hard to avoid stifling her mentorship in the context of work by interacting in a less formal, social environment.
“In my own life, I have appreciated mentors who don’t hesitate to talk about their mistakes,” she says. “So, when I talk to my students, I highlight my own mistakes and talk about the things I wish I had done better, in an attempt to have them avoid those same errors. I want them to know it’s possible to fail at something and still move forward.”
As most of us know, the medical field isn’t all joy, success, and fulfillment. Death follows most medical practitioners in some way or another, and pediatric oncology is not exempt. The death of children can be particularly painful and difficult, and Holly understands this all too well.
“Everyone deals with the loss of patients differently,” she says. “I find it helpful to go to my patients’ funerals. It’s a good way to show the parents how much our team cares about their children.”
Her experience in the medical field has also given Holly the opportunity to explore her faith from a different perspective.
“One of the things I find most challenging is when I hear people praying for healing,” she admits. “I see so many families deserving of healing and it’s just not always granted. My biggest struggle in this field has been coming to terms with the fact that I don’t have understanding of who is granted cure and who is not. It’s taught me to change the way I pray from ‘please do this specific thing’ to ‘please let me accept your plan for me and to be appreciative even in agony.’ Even in a setting I would do anything to change.”
Holly’s long-term goal is to have her research lead to a clinical trial. Although she is currently writing a clinical trial, she realizes having her work directly impact her patients is still a long time out.
“This is probably a 20-year goal at this point, but I’m slowly transitioning from lab to clinical research,” she says. “The particular tumor I work with sees only about a 30 percent survival rate five years from diagnosis. I really hope to bring that number up over the course of my career.”
In her free time—which she swears she has, despite her long list of responsibilities—Holly enjoys traveling. Most recently she visited Costa Rica. She also volunteers at the Houston Zoo as an animal handler, bringing snakes, armadillos, and other wondrous creatures out into the open to show them to children.
“Despite all the naysayers I heard during medical school saying that this field is ‘too depressing,’ my work is very rewarding, with an immense amount of room for growth,” Holly says. “I encourage anyone considering oncology or any aspect of medicine as a career to have an inquisitive mind and push themselves into opportunities to learn.”
She also encourages science majors to expose themselves to fields outside of science.
“It makes you a much more well-rounded and accessible physician,” she says. “Being able to connect with people is incredibly important in any field, and I have found it crucial in my line of work. Don’t underestimate the power of relationships to serve you well in all aspects of life.”