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I was snooping around the UW-P website today and was checking out the Union Expansion Website page where they list all the most recent news and updates. I was happy to see new pictures posted by Steve W. and the whole thing is really taking shape. I think the students will be really surprised and excited when they return in the Fall and get to dine in the new digs and go to events and programs in the re-done cinema. 
For up-to-date pictures of the Union Expansion and it' s progress, click here. and I can't forget to plug Steve, Deann and Gary's Blog regarding the project - they have some cool stories posted there. I loved the one about Tremper High School shop classes taking the wood from the old union bowling alley and making cool tables for the new union! What an awesome idea - it's a creative way to recycle, to still have a little bit of the old union and its history with us!
See you in the new union soon!
~ Nicole
You are admitted, you have attended a Ranger Day (Orientation/Registration) and you are signed up for classes. If you are living on campus, you probably started to think about your living essentials. Don't let this overwhelm you! The great people at UW-P Residence Life have already made a list for you! Click here: Supply list for living at UW-P!
You should have received your roommate assignment. If you haven't contacted your roommate yet, do it soon! Call them, seek them out on Facebook, etc. - just get in touch with them before move-in day! Often students put off contacting their roommate and are left to meet that person for the first time on move-in day. What results is a room that is full of two of everything - which can be an awkward situation. Just think, two TV's, two mini-fridges, etc... and soon there is no room for you and your room looks like an appliance store! Contacting your roommate beforehand will eliminate some of the stress of meeting that person on move-in day. It can start you on "the right foot" and you can also discuss who is bringing what so you don't have a room that looks like Circuit City or Best Buy.
Remember Lindsay? (She's from an earlier blog - see pictures below). She emailed me just last week to tell me that she contacted her roommate who is from Cedarburg, WI. They are connecting via Facebook and are hitting it off well - she said to me "this year is already getting off to a great start, I can't wait to come!"
While the rooms at UW-Parkside are considered "large" by many standards, sharing the space with another student can cause space challenges when both of you want to have as much space as possible.
Here are some tips that helped me (waaaay back when I was a student) and other students:
1. Only bring items from home that you KNOW you will use.
If you haven't used it in the last month (or even week), don't bring it. Bring a comfort item from home - ONE favorite stuffed animal or a favorite pillow or blanket. (PS: Regarding the stuffed animals... ONE is the key - don't bring all your stuffed animals - this is college!)
2. Crates are great!
These are a staple and allow you to stack additional clothing, texbooks, etc. in a small space. There are a ton of colors to choose from as well!
3. Get the hook-up!
Hooks are great for robes, coats, keys, etc. UW-P does not allow students to nail/screw these into walls/doors, so over-the-door hooks and those 3-M removable hooks with pull tab adhesive rock (no surface damage when you remove them)! You'll thank me later on this one, because who wants to loose their security/damage deposit?
4. Store it under the bed...
...and I don't mean just throwing things under the bed! There are many "under the bed" storage options, from foot lockers, bins, zipper and vaccuum bags. If you are far from hoome and are bringing both your winter and spring/fall clothing, this is a great option for off-season clothes. Tip: Keep a few fabric softener sheets in it to keep your off-season clothes fresh!
5. Declutter and go wireless!
Get an organizer for your desk so you can de-clutter pens, pencils, staples, paperclips, etc.
Don't get tangled in a web of wires (it's easy to do)! Where possible, go wireless (mouse, phone, keyboard, etc.)
6. Have organization for your work.
I had friends in college that had assignments all over their rooms and it took them 10 times longer to find things. Get a filing box to organize important papers and assignments, sectioned by class. Keep a front file for "pending/due" projects. This way you won't loose imprortant assignments and you can keep them for future use (as some majors require you to have a portfolio of your previous work in that major for Senior Year and they're a great thing to have for job interviews after college!)
7. Decor: Fun, Creative and YOU!
This is my favorite part because it is fun and best expresses you! If you take anything way
from this blog, remember these two words: POSTER PUTTY. Stock up on it if you plan to post pictures, posters, etc. As mentioned earlier, UW-P (and most other schools) ban the use of nails, push pins, screws, etc. in the walls because they cause permanent damage. Poster putty
will be your best friend. 
Claire Berger from Dorm-Do Over (and from HGTV's Fantasy Open Houses), came to UW-P last year for a fun and exciting program. You can see pictures from her visit here. Check out coverage from her visit and some great tips that are featured in the Kenosha News.
So, what 'cha waiting for? Get packin!
See you on campus,
~ Nicole
PS: I found out today that HGTV's Claire Berger and The 2008 Dorm-Do Over will be back on campus this year - Wednesday, September 17th at 8p.m. in the Union Cinema! $1000 in total prizes will be given away! $500 to one lucky winner and $500 in prizes for audience members! The event is sponsored by UW-P Residence Life, Parkside Activities Board and Student Activities. Here are some great podcasts from Claire - check them out!.
I am employed by UW-Parkside as an Admission Counselor for ten months out each year. During the quieter months of June and July, I am fortunate to be able to enjoy more time with our 2 1/2 year old daughter, Gia.
Now that she is a toddler we've taken full advantage of what's available in the Kenosha/Racine area. My good friend Stephanie, (we were roommates a long time ago at UW-P), has a daughter the same age as Gia, so we've gone many places in the area together. (Her daughter, Elsa is the cute little blondie in the pictures).
It's great when you can get in the car and within 5-15 minutes be in one of hundreds of attractions in the area - many of them at little or no admission fee. In my first month home we've visited the Kenosha Marina,
rode the trolley, Kenosha lakefront playground and play-fountains at HarborPark, Kenosha Harbor MarketPlace, Kenosha YMCA (KYF). Jelly Belly Tour and Store, what I call Kenosha's Museum Campus (Kenosha History Center, Kenosha Public Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum and Civil War Museum), and finally, Tenuta's Deli (we shop here regularly but it's also considered an attraction - gotta love Ralph's fresh deli counter and when the weather's nice you can grab some great sandwiches and dine al fresco!).
Racine is our neighbor to the north and so far we've visited Racine beautiful downtown Main Street and just yesterday, my UW-P roommates from almost 10 years ago; Stephanie and her daughter Elsa, Wendy and her children Justin and Katelynn and Michele and her 9 month old Keifer, all went to The Racine Zoo. It was like a UW-P alumni reunion! The kids had a blast. One upcoming Racine event we'd like to hit next is The Great Midwest Dragonboat Race. We hope to stop in to cheer on the Parkside team, "The Parkside Paddlers!"
Still on our to-do list: Rasberry Pickin' at Thompsons, Strawberry Fest at Apple Holler, a parade or two, Bristol Renaissance Faire, Six Flags Great America and Gurnee Mills (I know, those last two are in Illinois, but they are still within 20 minutes of the Kenosha/Racine area!).
We've also had some nights out where we called the sitters and with our friends, visited the area's cafe's, jazz clubs and diverse restaurants - and still have not hit them all.
So when parents and students always ask me - "What is there to do in the area?!" I can truly speak from experience. So much to do and too little time. All I have to say is, our family is very fortunate to live in such a beautiful, vibrant and fun place!
If you are coming to the Kenosha/Racine area, check these websites out:
Kenosha Visitors & Convention Bureau
Racine Visitors & Convention Bureau
See you around in Kenosha/Racine area this summer!
~ Nicole
