See you in the spring

We're winding down for the semester here in OCSS. Our office will operate under regular hours until Monday, December 23rd (we're open 8:30am-5:00pm).

OCSS is closes for the winter break on Tuesday, December 24th; the office re-open on Thursday, January 2nd.

Chris, Christian, Safa and Salma will be working over the winter break- so come by and visit our CAs! As usual, they can help you with your search for off-campus housing, MTA bus pass sales, and mapping Transit routes. They also have some insider information on the exciting events OCSS is planning for 2014!

Until the whole team returns on Monday, January 27th (the first day of the spring semester!) the Blog will be on hiatus. Until then, we wish you all a very happy New Year!

Sustainability Outreach internship

Karly, OCSS's Sustainability Outreach Intern for the Fall 2013 semester, is graduating this winter, and she wrote a few final words about her internship experience (link below). If you are interested in applying for this internship with OCSS for the Spring 2014 semester, learn more here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/casualcarpooling/news/38799

Read the Blog post here!   

More tips for a productive and enjoyable winter break...

Hey guys!

I know some of you might be taking winter classes but here are some fun things to do over the winter break!

1. Make a goal. Pick something that you can do in a month!

2. Create Your Own Winter Wonderland. Make hot cocoa or bake your favorite cookies and then watch your favorite movies together with friends!

3. Practice Random Acts of Kindness. Think about how you can surprise someone with an act of kindness. Maybe you buy the next person in line their lunch or you shovel your neighbor’s driveway. Get creative and let us know what you do!

4. Spend Quality With You Family. Sit and talk to your family and spend a day with them!

5. Create a Photo Collage. Take fun pics of you and your friends and create your own collage or memory book.

6. Pretend Your a Tourist in Your Hometown. Is there a place you’ve always wanted to check out and haven’t visited yet?

7. Write yourself a letter! Then look at it next winter break...this is a great way to reflect on your goals and accomplishments.

8. Create Your Own Spa! Whether you’re alone or you have a few friends join you, do your nails, give yourself a pedicure, and maybe try a mud mask on your face!

9. Movie Marathon with a Twist! Create your own movie marathon with your friends (and don’t forget the popcorn)! Either pick a theme for the night and have everyone bring a movie that goes with that theme, or ask each friend to bring their all time favorite movie and then at the end of the night vote on the group’s favorite!

10. Pick One Day to Recharge and Relax! If you’re break is feeling really crazy and busy from travel, visiting others, work, or other things, try to find one day that is just for you where you can relax, sleep, or do anything else that makes you smile!

11.Learn something new! Maybe you can learn how to cook a new dish or start a new hobby!

Clear your mind before the spring semester! Enjoy your break!

Thank you,

Salma Waheed

Take a class over Winter Break!

Hi everyone! As we are now in the last week of school, everyone is so excited for the semester to be over. The break gives students a little while not to think about classes or homework. It also lets students spend some time with friends or family.

Personally, my favorite thing to do during Winter Break is spend time with my family and friends and RELAX! I enjoy watching tons of winter movies, including Elf and and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Hot chocolate is also something I drink daily during the winter.

However, this year I am doing something different. I am taking a winter class at UMBC. In order to graduate when I planned to, I need to take a winter class.

UMBC offers so many different options for winter classes. For example, there are classes for almost every major available. If you need a physical education class, try Yoga, Billiards, or Women's Self Defense! If you need a foreign language requirement, try Spanish or Arabic! If you want to see the full list of classes, you can go right here: http://www.umbc.edu/winter/documents/W14ScheduleofClasses10-10.pdf.

In order to actually register for these classes, you will need to go into myUMBC and go to "Classes and Grades" and "Student Schedule and Registration." It is the same process for registering for Spring classes, but you will just choose Winter instead of Spring. Be mindful that the classes may be filled since registration has been open for a while. The last day to register is January 1, 2014 and the payment for the class is due by December 20, 2013. That does not leave you much time, but if you are interested in taking a winter class, now is the time to register!

Luckily, there is a short break for students to relax and then get back into the swing of things. In that meantime, what are some of your favorite winter things to do? Leave a comment!

PS: Good luck with finals and happy holidays!

Photo taken from http://www.mrwallpaper.com/wallpapers/winter-snow-fun.jpg

Travel Reminders for International Commuter Students

Hey Commuters!

Looks like we have reached the end of yet another eventful semester. I know many of you are knee-deep in preparing for finals and can't wait for the winter break to start already!

Speaking of the winter break I know some of the commuter students are international students and you plan to visit your home countries during the break. So here are few important things you might consider before you leave...

I-20:
~make sure your I-20 is not expired, and is signed for travel on the third page.  The signature cannot be more than one year old, as of the day you will RETURN to the US (not leave).  Please stop by the IES office if you need a new signature, or you would like us to check your SEVIS (immigration) record to make sure it is active and in good status.

Visa and Passport: 
~check your visa and passport, make sure they are valid.  If you will need to apply for a new visa, please let us know if you would like assistance with this process.

I-94 Entry record:
~be prepared to turn in your I-94 card with your airline when you leave the US, if you will have a paper card.  Sometimes they forget -- make sure to gently remind them if this is the case.
If you have the newer electronic I-94 record, and not a paper card, you don't need to turn in anything when you leave.  Your departure is recorded electronically.

For all students, when you return to the US, you will not receive a new paper I-94 card.  Your I-94 entry record will be electronic.  Please access your record AFTER returning to the US to make sure the information is accurate, here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/  Please check especially to make sure the "Admit Until" date is "D/S"  (for "duration of status," meaning you can remain in the US as long as your I-20 is valid), and that the "Class of Admission" is F-1.  Please let us know if you cannot access your record AFTER returning to the US, or if there is an error in the record.

Transcripts:
~consider taking a copy of your transcripts -- this is not required, but if you are at all nervous about traveling, this might help.  You can use it to prove that you have been doing what your I-20 says you've been doing while in the US.

Entry Requirements for countries other than your own:
~double-check entry requirements for the country(ies) you are visiting other than your own if you are unfamiliar with them.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact IES (International Education Services,224 Administration Bldg, ies@umbc.edu).

Good luck for the finals and have a wonderful winter break!

-Safa Zahangir 

Finals are Coming!

Hey All,

Can you believe it?!!! This semester is almost over! We've all made it this far, but we're still not in the clear yet. Finals are right around the corner and I know some of you have exams now. Even so, try not to worry! Keep your head in the game and it'll be over in a flash. Here are a few tips from me personally that seem to work when I start to get stressed out...

Try and get some sleep!
We all know someone that is planning an all nighter. Hey it might even be you! The fact is though that everyone needs some sleep. Especially those of us that are commuting. The last thing anyone wants to do is drive drowsy. Some people even say that it can be even more dangerous than driving drunk!!! So get some sleep and stay safe.

Eat healthy and often!
Studying for long hours in the library can throw some of us off during the day and we all know that feeling. When I study for long hours in the library I usually catch myself snacking on unhealthy foods and drinking a lot of energy drinks. Even though these foods might give you a sugar rush to keep you awake we all know they are bad for us. Remember to drink a lot of water and to substitute some of your chips out with some baby carrots. Trust me they are just as good and a whole lot better for you!

Don't Procrastinate!
We all know we're guilty of this. Especially me. Make a schedule! They're a lot of help. With a schedule I can organize my study time and even finish papers a week ahead of time! The last thing you want is to have 2 papers and a final all due the same day when you haven't studied or started either!

Obviously none of these are ground breaking tips, but they are helpful. Sometimes having a goods night rest, a healthy meal in your belly, and keeping schedule will help you keep your sanity over the Finals period. And when you need a break on Study Day, come unwind in the OCSS Commuter Lounge.

Good luck everyone!!!

Need some distractions during your final scramble?

OCSS has several fun events coming up in December before Winter Break!

This Saturday, December 7, there will be a holiday shopping trip to the Arundel Mills Mall! Meet us in the Commuter Lounge at 12:30 for tea, hot chocolate, and coffee.  We'll be leaving campus at 1:15 and arriving back at about 4:30.  This is going to be a really fun social event, and a good chance to get a head-start on your holiday shopping.  Tell a friend; the more the merrier! Register for a seat here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/casualcarpooling/events/21376

Make sure you stay connected through our events page.  We have several great events to help you survive during finals.  Come enjoy our practically endless supply of hot chocolate!  Woohoo!

8 days to Study Day

We're in the homestretch! Just 8 school days to Study Day! Stop by the lounge on 12/12 for some study snacks 

More information on Study Day available on myUMBC.