OWL Talks

It's almost move-in day—where you'll make new friends and begin your life-changing experience at Westfield State University. We want to help make your big move to campus simple, so we put together this list of items to bring and not to bring.

Participating in the Model United Nations conference, a simulation experience to learn about international politics and diplomacy, has been one of our most rewarding experiences at Westfield State. Students from universities across the United States and the world come together to represent a country assigned to them, and our Westfield State University Model UN team of 14 members from a variety of majors was lucky enough to represent WSU in Canada, Boston and New York.

So. You’ve had this amazing, life-changing adventure. You’ve studied abroad. But what do you do now? (Besides rave about it to anyone who will listen.) Well, as I learned at the Welcome Back Reception for returning study abroad students, there are countless ways to extend the study abroad experience back to life in the U.S. This is important information to know for people who have studied abroad and those who are considering doing so. After you travel across the world and back, the world is at your feet. Here’s how you take advantage of it.

Though you may outwardly deny it, you may be anxious and stressed about leaving home to attend college. Here are some common fears, as summarized by education.com that you and your parents can talk about before you leave for college:

College is a time to explore; make new friends, try new experiences, and figure out what you want to do with your life, which can be a lot easier said than done for some students. And if you’re one of the students struggling to pick a major or decide on a career path, you might feel unsure where to start. But that’s where the team at the Westfield State Career Center can help.

One simple lesson I was taught growing up was to put others before yourself. I did not know the true meaning of this lesson until my recent travels to Zacapa, Guatemala. Sponsored by Athletic Therapeutic Institute Physical Therapy and Hearts in Motion, I joined four other students from across the country on a service learning trip to a country we knew little about, Guatemala. We had one mission in mind: provide those in need with exceptional physical therapy and medical services.

Going off to college can mean big changes for many students. But for transfer students, adapting to the changes can seem impossible. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when you’re interested in transferring to a new school and what to remember once you get on a new campus.