Welcome Back Students!

Welcome Back Students!  We are so excited that you are back at Campus Towers for the 2013-2014 school year.  We hope you are enjoying your classes, and you are having a good time on and off campus.  Keep reading to learn more about the welcome activities this year for all students.  You can learn more at ECU.

First-year students were encouraged Monday to expand their horizons and commit to their studies over the next four years at East Carolina University.

One part pep talk and one part pep rally, the annual New Student Welcome and Convocation in Minges Coliseum featured addresses by university administrators, performances by marching band members and the Magnolia Belles singers, and introductions to athletics staff and Pirate traditions.

ECU Pirate football players enjoy the pep rally that followed Student Convocation.

“It is our pleasure to have you here in the Pirate family,” said Virginia Hardy, vice chancellor of Student Affairs. She urged the 4,000 students in attendance to think about why they selected East Carolina and what they want to accomplish here.

“Our number one goal is your success,” said Chancellor Steve Ballard. “We want to be your partner to realize your dreams, your degree and what you want out of a college education.”

Both administrators told students they were joining a university that is committed to academic excellence, leadership development and service to the community and region.

Students were also encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and find where their talents and passion lie. They might find a calling in an unexpected place, said Bob Kusbit, guest speaker at convocation.

“College helped me find out what I was good at, step out of who I’d always been and become someone new,” he said.

Kusbit has spent 30 years working in television with many of those years creating shows for MTV. Among his accomplishments is the documentary-style show “MADE,” which gives high school and college students the chance to break out of the social role they’re most comfortable in and receive celebrity coaching to achieve something new – being a triathlete or a rap artist or a fashion stylist, for instance.

A climber scales the rock wall during Pirate Palooza.

“Take this time to try new things,” Kusbit said. “Quit being afraid to try something because you think you might look stupid…or you might fail at it.

“You can start your own MADE today when you walk out those doors.”

ECU Athletics Director Jeff Compher took the stage next to introduce the varsity sports coaches. Compher noted it is also his first year at East Carolina.

“We are so proud of the support we get from our passionate fans and that begins with you, our students,” he said. “I want you to have passion for your schoolwork, for your athletic teams and for each other.”

Also congratulated Monday were the faculty and staff member nominated for making the biggest difference in first-year students’ lives during the first semester of the 2012-2013 academic year. Student Government Association President Tim Schwan presented the Freshman-First Year Advocate Award to Stephen Gray, director of student services in the Department for Disability Support Services; and Dr. Todd Fraley, associate professor in the School of Communication and faculty fellow at ECU’s Honors College.

Pirate Palooza, an annual carnival-style welcome celebration held at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, followed convocation. Classes at ECU start Aug. 20.

Five Supplies You Do Not Need To Go Back To College

Moving back to college can be fun and  an exciting time.  However, saving money is also crucial on a college budget lifestyle.  Check out these five items that you really do not need to go back to school.  You can get away without them or find cheaper alternatives. Keep reading or check out College Hack for more information.

1: Anything From The School Bookstore
C’mon; are you a Freshman? The School bookstore is convenient, neat, and nice, and you’re paying a premium for all those services. Go on the internet; buy your textbook, rent your textbook, borrow your textbook from your friend; whatever you do, don’t buy it whole-priced, wrapped in plastic, from a smiling clerk who thinks you’re a Freshman now. Move ahead and buy from different sources when you can.
2: Highlighters.
When have you ever used highlighters? They look pretty and represent productivity. Wonderful. Underline your books with good old fashioned pencil and save your eyes the trouble of checking around the bright yellow sentences jumping out of your book. And don’t get me started on the variety packs of highlighters, full of new colors to color code your book as though that’s the thing that can write your essay. If you’re productive enough to want to color code your book you’re set: you’re productive enough not to need to. If, on the other hand, you, like me, would never do that sort of thing, don’t buy the highlighters because you won’t. Get it?
3: A Fancy Backpack
A backpack is made to carry your books. You don’t need it to be strong, you don’t need bonus pockets or camouflage or a holder for your water bottle. The entire backpack holds things: why do you need a bottle-holder? A backpack is simple: it’s something that isn’t a paper bag that can hond your books, packing them, if you will, on your back. That’s it. Nothing complex that can handle camping or whatever. Nothing huge to handle all the books you’re taking- you shouldn’t be taking more than two classes of books at a time, even, just for your back. Leave the fancy backpacks for the fancier students. Get one that works and move on.
4: Anything New in Bulk
If you want to get back to school, and you’re determined to try something, don’t get it in bulk. That includes protein powder, those colored post-its, or a whole set of assignment notebooks; whatever it is, no matter how much you want it, start smaller. Nothing’s more embarrassing than leaving forty bucks of school supply untouched when you’re September ambitions fade.
5: Anything New, Period.
Okay, maybe I’m biased, but don’t get anything new.
If you haven’t used it before, you’re not going to use it now. Sorry. Those binders, that orginization you say you’re always going to do? Not happening. And that’s okay. If you’ve survived this long without it, you’ll keep on surviving. Old dogs don’t learn new tricks, so if you find yourself looking at an impulse buy that’ll change the way you study, ask yourself: do you think you’re going to change anything? If not, then be honest, and save yourself twenty bucks. Otherwise you’ll do things just like you always have, only now you have a few shiny new binders under your bed.

Shred, Scan, or Store

Do you have paperwork laying around your house?  Find out if you should shred, scan, or store it.  Check out this info graphic that helps you decide what to keep and what to throw away.  You can find  out more great living tips at Apartment Therapy.

Moving Into an Apartment

 

1. Proper planning prevents problems. Be prepared with your vehicles (unless they are bringing them and that's why they got stuck helping you move!), boxes, tape, packing materials, blankets for car protection and maps to help them find your new home. The greatest goal when having friends take time out of their day to help you move is to make it easy on them, and show your gratitude as best as possible. Preparation helps this process.

2. Food! Have some fun snacks or meals on hand, depending on the duration of the move for your friends. Take into consideration what they like and will appreciate. (ie Don't buy pepperoni pizza for your vegan friends, etc.) Have beer for your drinking friends during the move, but be careful not to drink too much! Also, have plenty of water and cold, icy drinks for super hot days.

3. Don't expect them to be there all day. Some of your friends may be able to help you for just a little while and then will have to or even want to go about their day. Try to schedule friend-helping time to move large pieces of furniture that you won't be able to move without help.

4. Do a clean sweep before the move. You might not need a lot of those books you've been holding onto, and they are definitely heavy. It will help you and your friends in the long run if you donate some of the items you won't necessarily be using in your new home.

5. Let them know what to do during the actual move. No one wants to rifle through your things or assume which pieces go where. Help your friends know how to help you by giving them specific tasks to keep them busy and the move, well, moving!

6. Give them a token of your appreciation. This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to buy them a gift—just return the favor. Take them to the airport a few times, or offer a babysitting date night, or organize a lovely dinner party at your new home when it's all set up! Remember your friends' acts of generosity and let them know you appreciate them.

It is almost that time of year.  You need to ask your friends and family to help you move into your new apartment for school.  Friends and family are always willing to help, but here are some tips on how to make the experience a bit more enjoyable for them.  You can find more great apartment tips on apartment therapy .

How to Relax on Vacation?

 Limit Your Technology
This tip is perhaps the most important, the most obvious, and the most difficult to actually achieve. But seriously: tuning out distractions in the form of technology is a huge part of being able to relax while you're away from home.

Turn off data roaming and/or push notifications on your phone. Don't check your email (or, if that's as unreasonable for you as it is for me, check it once a day at a predetermined time only). Purposely stay somewhere without a TV or radio — seriously, if something big happens in the world, you'll find out sooner or later anyway.

(Maybe) Don't Bring A Camera
As someone who is known among friends for near-obnoxious levels of Instagramming when on vacation, I definitely understand the instinct to capture all the exciting sights around you for posterity. Sometimes, however, we get so focused on capturing what's happening around us that we forget to fully experience it; hardly a recipe for relaxation. Photos get damaged, deleted or lost in the archives of Facebook, but memories last forever. Make sure yours are made with all your senses, not just your viewfinder.

Don't Over-Schedule Yourself
When I'm planning for a holiday, I want to do all of the research, see all of the sights, eat in all of the restaurants, have all of the fun… I think you can see where I'm going with this. Traveling as a Type A planner can get real old, real fast. You only have so much time in any given place, and by prioritizing what you want to see and do, you'll buy yourself more time to actually enjoy it.

In fact, scheduling time to relax might be just the ticket. I'm heading to Rome with a friend in a couple weeks' time, and I'm trying a new travel tactic. Since the city is going to be hot as Hades during the day, and since I'm not exactly a fan of soaring temperatures, we've only (loosely) planned our morning and evening activities, while the afternoons will be solely devoted to lounging poolside at our rental property (chosen specifically for this reason, naturally). If we don't get to see everything we'd like to? Well, I'm pretty sure Rome will still be there next time.

Choose Like-minded Travel Mates
Some people, no matter how much love lies between them, were just not made to travel together. Finding a travel partner who enjoys a similar pace as you, whether it's that of an Energizer Bunny or a turtle, is key to avoiding disagreements that can lead to stressful situations.

For a really relaxing holiday, consider ditching the companions altogether and going it alone. Last month, a bout of gastroenteritis turned my planned girlfriends-in-Paris weekend into a solo venture, and, aside from feeling a tad guilty about my sick friend, I had an terrific time. When you travel alone, you're free to do exactly as you like on your schedule, whether that's a full day of museum-hopping or sleeping in until noon, followed by a leisurely stroll along the Seine.

Consider a Staycation
Apparently studies have shown that we sleep fewer hours per night while traveling, whether due to jet lag, busy sightseeing schedules, or just being in an unfamiliar setting. Sleep deprivation is hardly relaxing, so taking the holiday to your own home (and bed) could be a way to beat this.

Keep in mind, however, that in order to be truly relaxing, a staycation should still be a vacation, of sorts. No making endless lists of home improvements or using this time to "catch up" on work or even social engagements. Sleep in. See a movie. Try that new restaurant...

Go Somewhere You Know Well
If you're not quite ready to holiday at home, consider traveling somewhere you've enjoyed before. Familiarity breeds tranquility, and when you know a place well, you're less likely to overextend yourself or become flustered by day-to-day travel problems. My most relaxing holiday destination? Perhaps ironically, it's New York City: after having visited my best friends there for nearly seven years, I no longer feel the need to sightsee compulsively, so it's all leisurely brunches, walks around town and picnics in Central Park.

Buffer Your Vacation
Let's be honest: flying home from paradise on a Sunday evening and showing up to work at 9am the next morning is pretty much the Worst. If you possibly can, try taking an extra day off before and/or after your holiday to be at home. This gives you time to do all those un-fun, post-holiday tasks like laundry, grocery shopping, and finishing the book you started on the return flight.
Do you feel like vacation is just a warmer version of home?  Check out these great ways to truly get a relaxing vacation.  Limiting technology, planning, and the right destination can give you just the relaxing trip you need.  Check out apartment therapy for some more tips.


How many times have you returned home from a fantastic vacation, only to hear yourself telling someone that you're so exhausted you need another one to recover? The pace of modern life is making it increasingly difficult for us to switch off, and time away from home can end up being just as stressful, albeit more fun, than our everyday lives. Read on for some tips on how to really unwind on your vacation. 

Great DIY Projects for Your Weekend

Do you have a weekend coming up with nothing planned? Check out these great DIY projects that you and your friends can try.  You can find more ideas for your weekend at apartment therapy.

1. Learn to make your pics prettier: How To Instantly Improve Your Photos
2. Give your dining chairs a new (tufted!) look: How To Tuft a Seat
3. Fancy up the laundry: How To Make a French Vintage Inspired Hamper
4. Make your plants swing: DIY Hanging Planter
5. Style up some succulents: 5 Easy Indoor Succulent DIY Ideas
6. Make some cash: How to List an Item on Apartment Therapy Classifieds
7. Give an old friend a makeover: How To Paint a Wooden Dresser
8. Brighten up your closet: Quick DIY Colorful Hangers
9. Make a cool mobile: Make Your Own Decahedron Himmeli Mobile
10. Get ready for old-school vacation gaming: DIY Travel Checkers Set
11. Line your drawers: 3 Uses for Decorative Paper
12. Wrangle those toys: Build a Letter Block Toy Box
13. Fix up a jacket before packing it away: How To Sew a Button On
14. Get your tables gleaming: How To Polish Wood Furniture
15. Keep the summertime grime out: Make It: A Colorful Wooden Doormat
16. Make a rustic-chic note holder: How To Repurpose a Door Knob
17. Speak your mind on a pillow: Graphic Stencil Pillow
18. Learn something new: Design Cheat Sheets from Around the Web
19. Explore block printing: Block Printed Textiles Inspiration & DIY Tips
20. Whip up an easy outdoor side table: How To Make a Flower Pot Table
21. Make a custom light switch plate: One Minute Tip How To
22. Make some type-based magnets: Modern Cement ABCs
23. Turn your instagrams into somehting new: Make Faux Photostrips
24. Learn to cut your own mats: How To Cut a Mat for Framing Artwork
25. Let there be light: How To Install a New Light Fixture
26. ...or not: How To Remove a Light Fixture
27. Embrace the neon trend: DIY Graphic Neon Vase
28. Tackle a chilly job: How To Clean & Organize a Refrigerator
29. Organize some treasures: How To Make an Alphabet Shadow Box
30. Add a little vroom to a kids room: Washi Tape Toy Car Track
31. Say goodbye to the wallpaper: How To Remove Wallpaper
32. Elevate a photograph: DIY Custom Photo Canvas
33. Lose the wires: How To Make Any Lamp Cordless
34. Decorate your table: 20 DIY Centerpiece Projects & Ideas
35. Make a little chef happy: How To Make a Toy Grill for $20
36. Stash your pens and pencils: DIY No-Sew Colored Pencil Roll
37. Clean your bedroom: Guide to Green Cleaning Your Bedroom
38. Make your kid fly – How to Make Your Baby Fly
39. Create a charging station: Upcycled Plastic Bottle Charging Station
40. Tidy up: How To Make a Rope Wrapped Hanging Clothes Bar
41. Go to sleep!: How to Nap (No, Really!)
42. Create an urban garden: Budget Friendly: DIY Cinderblock Planters
43. Stop the tangles :DIY Tangle-Free Headphones with Embroidery Floss
44. Make map pillows:  Modular DIY Map Cushions
45. Upcycle in a colorful style: DIY Painted Jars
46. Make a window box: DIY Wood Shim Window Box
47. Add some design detail: $5 DIY: Dress Up Your Frames with Tape
48. Cover an ugly light: How To Make a DIY Drum Shade
49. Make a headboard: 10 DIY Headboard Ideas
50. Stencil something: Put Some Pattern On It: Stencil Resources
51. Give your bed a fresh look: You Can Do It: Sew Your Own Bedding
52. Light up the night: DIY Leather & Glass Outdoor Lanterns
53. Make everlasting flowers: DIY Paper Flowers From Recycled Maps
54. Get your books in order: How To Organize Your Personal Library
55. Dress up your can lights: How To: Make Can Light Luminaries
56. Put up a yurt: How To Raise a Yurt in Four Hours
57. Switch out your shower head: DIY Basics: Replacing a Shower Head
58. Learn the technique: How To Tie a Perfect Bow for Presents
59. Join the terrarium trend: Buy or DIY: Trendy Terrariums
60. Stamp it: DIY Wine Cork Stamps
61. Dress up a wall: How To: Create A Reclaimed Wood Wall
62. Weave a basket: DIY: Recycled Paper Sewing Basket
63. Dress a window: Making Your Own Curtains: Easy Instructions
64. Funkify your keyboard: Colorful Keyboard Makeover
65. DIY an ikat mirror: How To Make an Ikat-Inspired Mirror
66. Build an outdoor dining set: Simple Farm Style Table & Bench
67. Tape your floors: Bring Crazy Colors to Your Floors with Vinyl Tape
68. Hit the road for vintage finds:  10 Architectural Salvage Stores
69. Make everything a blackboard: Chalkboard Paint: Off the Wall
70. ...with your own paint: How to Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint
71. Watch how it's done: Video Alert: How Spray Paint Cans are Made
72. Custom print fabric: How To Print DIY Patterned Fabric
73. Dress up the fridge: How to Create a Patterned Refrigerator 
74. Create an impromptu patio: How to Build a Quick Outdoor Patio
75. Camp in your living room: How to Build an Indoor Fort
76. Prepare for the real heat:Time to Tune Up: AC Tips
77. Shut out the world in style: How to Make No Sew Roman Shades
78. Get label happy: Free Printables to Organize Your Home in Style
79. Create new furniture with rope: Jessa's DIY Rope Wrapped Table
80. Put your denim on ice: How to Freeze Your Jeans
81. Freshen your furry floor covering: How to Clean a Flokati Rug
82. Create a library of plants: How to Make Your Own Book Planters
83. Bring fire to the party: A Cure for Cool Nights: A DIY Firepit
84. Celebrate two crafts in one: Cross Stitch Wall Mural
85. Create outdoor ambiance: How to Create Glowing Outdoor Orbs
86. Put some color on the wall: Sally's DIY Paint Chip Wall
87. Add a farmhouse feature: How to Create a Sliding Barn Door
88. Make a new tuffet: DIY Floor Cushion
89. Disguise the power source: You've Got to Hide Your Cord Away
90. ...or make it into art: Turning Power Cables into a Design Plus
91. Stow your wheels: How to Build a Vertical Bike Rack Using Spare Parts
92. Dress up a door with felt: How to Make DIY Felt Sliding Doors
93. Save space: Make Your Own Radiator Covers for Extra Shelf Space
94. Dress up the walls with fabric: DIY Burlap Wallcovering
95. Line your walls with music: Dave's Musical Wallpaper Treatment
96. Make the bath look so much better: How To Recaulk a Bathtub
97. Set up a napping place outdoors: Make Your Own Bed Swing
98. Add a little pizzazz: How To Brighten Up Your Medicine Cabinet
99. Clean your greens: How To Clean a Large Housplant
100. Find your own project in our archives and let us know how it goes!

ECU Pirate Traditions

Are you an ECU student? Check out these great traditions that come with being a Pirate.  Do you know the Pirate fight song or where the Pirate came from?  Read the blog below and check out The Pirate Nation for more information!