Instruction of Lute Telehealth - TimelyCare

Hey all - it's Rei! It is finally almost the end of this semester, and I would like to congratulate everyone on a well-done semester. School work can be excessively hard and you all know how stressful these moments are. I am sure that all of you have looked for a therapist or doctor who can see you immediately due to mental instability or other sudden physical abnormalities or anxiety during such school life. Contacting and making appointments with health care providers other than the PLU Health Center can be challenging and tough, especially for international students. So today, I would like to share the information about PLU's online health care services to everyone who is looking for medical and mental support without stressing out about making those challenging steps. 

Lute Telehealth / TimelyCare

"When it's not an emergency but you need medical or mental health support, just visit anytime, from anywhere."

Lute Telehealth is a resource for PLU students that expands access to mental health and medical care by providing HIPAA compliant access to online or phone-based services 24/7/365. 

Key Features: 

- It provides free, on-demand access to licensed mental health providers, nurse practitioners, and related services from your cell phone or computer at a location of your choice. 

- You may meet with the same counselor up to 12 times per year (counseling appointments).

- Unlimited 24/7 on-demand access to medical care and mental health support (via TalkNow).

- Fees may be incurred if a prescription is needed or if you are referred to another medical provider from outside the campus. 

- Psychiatric (by referral only) and health coaching visits are also available with no charge.

It is important to make an account for this service as soon as possible because you never when the things will happen! Please follow these steps that I will mention below to successfully make an appointment with this service anytime when you need medical/mental help. 

Step 1: Go to this link to get started! 

Once you click the link above, you should be seeing the TimelyCare's website like this, when set up your account and get it started, make sure you put your PLU email address that ends with plu.edu. 

Step 2: Input your General Information

The information you will be putting should be the general information of yourself such as your name, date of birth, graduation year, etc. 

*As for the Physical Address section, if you are living on-campus, your address would be 12180 Park Ave S. Tacoma, WA 98447, which is the general physical address of PLU. You could also put 1010 122nd St S, Tacoma, WA 98447, as the address if that's easier for you!

Step 3: Add your Medical Information

After putting all of your general information, your next step will be inputting your medical information. You could also skip this part if you want to complete this at a later time. 

Step 4: Make an appointment! 

All done with setting up your account! Your home page should look like this. In order to make an appointment with your choice of provider, Click "Get Care," and select each section that is applicable to you to find the best provider to meet with virtually. 

After you click the provider, you can see the person's open date/time and check their availability, you can finally make an appointment with them! 

And that is all you have to do in order to use this service! I hope this information helps and please let us know at iss@plu.edu if you have any questions or concerns regarding this Lute Telehealth. I wish you the best luck on your finals if you have and have a wonderful summer! 

-Rei 

Living in PLU Residence Halls: Tips and Tricks from International Students

Which residence

hall

are you

planning to live in?

 

Living in residence halls is what completes the college experience, and for international students, it offers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture while navigating the challenges of communal living. It's also such a stress reliever. In today's blog post, valuable tips and tricks from international student perspective will be discussed. The blog we aim to provide insights that will help both current and new international students to make the most out of their living arrangements and create a comfortable and enriching home away from home.

At PLU, you have varieties of residence halls to choose from. The following residence

halls are what is available:

• Harstad Hall

• Hinderlie Hall

• Kreidler Hall 

• Ordal Hall 

• Stuen Hall 

• Pflueger Hall 

• Tingelstad 

• South Hall 

My favorites are South Hall and Ordal Hall. Each Hall has its own rules and regulations

so make sure to check out this link .

What I love about residence halls is the activities that are organized to bring the

community together. Just last week, we had a get together gathering where we had fun

activities, barbecue and ice cream treats. In addition, you also have access to facilities

such as the gym, swimming pool and many more free of charge.

Below I will share some tips that helped me transition into residence halls smoothly:

1. Getting to know roommates

International students have the opportunity to live with students from various cultural backgrounds. Sharing stories and advice on how to foster positive relationships, establish boundaries and communicate effectively with roommates can help students create a harmonious living environment.

2. Navigating dining hall options

You may be overwhelmed by the variety of food options available for your specific residence hall. Offering advice on meal plans, exploring diverse food choices, and finding ways to accommodate dietary restriction can help international students make the most of their dining hall experience.

3. Managing homesickness

When living away from families and home country, homesickness is a common experience you may go through. Sharing stories of how other international students coped with homesickness and tips on staying connected with family and friends back home, engaging in campus activities, and seeking support from peers and university resources can help international students navigate this emotional challenge.

4. Exploring campus resources

Your residence hall is not just a place to sleep but also a place to get access to a range of campus resources and support services. Highlighting resources such as academic support centers, counseling services, multicultural student organizations and recreational facilities can help international students make the most of their time on campus and thrive both academically and socially.

5. Adapting to dorm culture

Every residence hall has its own unique culture and set of unwritten rules. Adjusting to dormitory life can be challenging for international students. By sharing experiences and tips on integrating into the dorm culture, such as participating in floor activities, attending hall meetings, and respecting quiet hours, you can feel more comfortable and connected to your living community.

See you soon, 

Biruktawit Tesfaye

Life After Graduation: Navigating Post-Study Work Options and Transitioning to Professional Life

I am not sure about you but for me, being in unpredictable situations is what scares me the most. But I also think the pandemic has really shown that anything can happen and navigating through the uncertainty is not an option but a requirement to service. that's what I think of when I ponder about LIFE AFTER GRADUATION. How about you, my friend? 

In today's blog, I would like to share with you what would be beneficial when it comes to navigating post about how we can navigate post-study work options and transition to professional life. Ouuu the title sounds fancier and less stressful in words than action. Making the end of your academic journey and beginning your professional career is a significant millstone worth celebrating for. Transition to Professional life requires a leap of faith as it seems a big step, especially for those on a student visa. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 

Below I will provide a few tips you can use to prepare for the professional life you've been waiting for. 

1. CRAFTING A COMPELLING RESUME AND COVER LETTER

One of the first steps in finding a job is not only creating a compelling resume but also a cover letter that showcases your personality and passion for the job.

The Nesvig Alumni and student connection Center is your best resource for this. The Nesvig Center does not only help with resume and cover letter review but also help you network with alumni which is essential when it comes to building a career. You can also use LinkedIn and Lute Link to strengthen your connection with people in the industry you're interred in. Building these relationships is important because it can help you learn about job opportunities, get recommendations, and gain valuable insights into the field of your interest.

Here's their contact details:

• Alumni: alumni@plu.edu
• Career: career@plu.edu

2. JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES 

When searching for a job, there are several strategies you can use to increase your chances of success. First, research potential employers and job opening in your fiend. Use job search websites, apps, industry-specific job boards, and social media to find opportunities. 

Once you pass the first round, prepare for interviews by practicing common interview questions and researching the company's values and culture.  Finally, follow up after the interview with a thank-you note or email. 

3. POST STUDY WORK OPTIONS 

There are several post-study work options available, including internships, freelance work, and full-time employment. Internships are an excellent way to gain experience in your field and build professional relationships. Full time employment provides stability and benefits, but may require more experience and skills.  

4. MANAGING FINANCES

Managing finances after graduation can be challenging, especially if you have student loans. Create a budget to manage your expenses and prioritize off debt. Consider refinancing or consolidating your loans to save money on interested. Finally, build a savings account to prepare for unexpected expenses.

5. MANAGING STRESS AND MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH 

The transition from student life to professional life can be stressful. it is essential to take action of your mental health and manage stress effectively. practice self care activities such as exercise and hobbies. Do not also forget to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional if needed. 

 

- Biruktawit

Spring Cleaning Tips Before You Move-Out!

Hi everyone, it's Rei! It's already May, which means that the end of the semester and the academic year is just around the corner. We can't wait for summer break, but before that, there is one thing that need to get done especially for on-campus residents - Move-Out! This is my third year living on campus, and every year it is stressful to move out after all the final exams or final project, when my body is already exhausted. In order to achieve a smooth and stress-free move out this year, we should prepare ahead of time! A little preparation in advance will help make your life a little easier in a month's time, and I will share some information and tips about move-out! 

Step 1: Return

A first step to packing and moving is returning items back to your friends and the proper campus locations. 

• Dining Utensils and Dishes - Return to The Commons dishroom or in the drop off bin located in the first flor lobby of your residential hall. 
• Library Books - Drop these off at the bin in your residential hall, Center of DJS, Mordvet Library circulation desk or in the return bin outside the front doors. 

Step2: Donate

PLU Waste Diversion encourage students, when able, to donate items that may otherwise be sent to the landfill. During Move Out, gently used items for donation can be placed in the bins located in the first floor lobby of your residence hall. Once collected from students, these items will be sorted and delivered to SurPLUs and NW Furniture Bank for redistribution. One thing we need to make sure before we donate something is to check what is accepted and what is NOT accepted. Feel free to click the list I attached to the left and get prepare for the donation! 

Step 3: Recycle

"Much of our waste on campus is able to be recycled, and thus diverted away from the landfill. However, knowing that and how to recycle ensures that your efforts don't go to waste." - PLU Waste Diversion During Move Out (May 19th-June 1st), upper floor Recycle Rooms and fenced corals will be locked. Make sure you take all CLEAN, DRY, and EMPTY items for recycling to the first floor Recycle Room! When your items are not able to be donated or recycled, they must go to the landfill. During Move Out, 4 large dumpsters are brought to centralize our landfill collection. Landfill dumpsters open Friday morning May 19th! 

Step 4: Make full use of PLU Storage Room!

Especially for international students who are living away from their home country, it is always hard to find a place to store your belongings until the next academic year. You might don't know what to do with this situation that you don't want to throw away everything, and you don't want to bring everything back to your home country either. No worries! PLU offers Storage Room for all students during summer. You can store your belongings that you would use next year as well in the storage rooms that are in each residence halls. However, there are some guidelines that we have to follow, so I will introduce some of the important ones!

 

Rules and Regulations:

• Storage space is on a first come serve basis
• Students in possession of a fall housing assignment at the end of the academic year, must store their items in the hall they will be assigned for fall term
• No access will be granted to storage during the summer
• Items MUST be contained in a box, not to exceed 24 x 18 x 24
• 4 boxes/items per student is the maximum allowed 
• Luggage and Refrigerators will be permitted if labeled properly

In order to make appointment for the date you would store your stuff, I would recommend you to ask/email your RA to make sure the specific process that you will need to follow. For more information about the storage room policy, please visit this link! 

Move Out can be stressful and I know it's extra hard and time-consuming for international students, but I hope this information help you to get ready for the Move Out. If you need help for carrying your belongings and moving them to the next assigned residence hall, or if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to your RA, friends, or us, International Student Center, and we are more than happy to help you! 

-Rei