![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/hsadvising\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19909\/2016\/09\/Nelan.jpg\")
<\/a>Nelan Tagra is an ODU Nursing grad who currently works as a psych nurse.\u00a0 When she wrote this blog in 2017, she was a sophomore intended nursing major, Historian for the Student Nurses’ Association <\/a>and member of the ODU Running Club. Nelan’s first semester at ODU was in fall 2015. She was in the Health Professions Learning Community and HLTH 101. In this post, Nelan shares her story about getting involved at ODU and how you can do the same!<\/em><\/p>\nWhy & How?<\/strong><\/h3>\nInstead of thinking of my first year in college as an adjustment year, I knew I wanted to be involved right away. In high school, I was the president of Operation Smile and a member of Cross Country, Athletic Training, Medical Honor Society, and National Honor Society. I had gotten so used to my busy schedule and oddly enough, I didn\u2019t want to let go of it in college. Volunteering has become addictive to me and it\u2019s always nice to have a fun yet productive break in between studying. I\u2019m a commuter from Virginia Beach and I often make big gaps in between my classes to make room for it.<\/p>\n
The challenge of balancing myself in between academics, extracurriculars, friends, and family has also helped me to manage my time wisely. So when I heard about the Fall Involvement Fair through the Health Professions Learning Community, I went on a hunt for organizations to join. Going to the fair even counted for my \u201cCapture Campus\u201d assignment in HLTH101: Introduction to Health Professions, which was a bonus. I scoured the through the mass of tables at Kaufman and by the end of the day, I signed myself up for the Running Club and Student Nurses\u2019 Association.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nTip #1: If you didn\u2019t go to the Involvement Fair and still want to join something, check out CampusGroups. \u00a0You can access it through your ODU Portal<\/a>. This will give you access to all<\/span><\/strong> of the organizations on campus, which offers even more options than the Fair!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nSo What?<\/strong><\/h3>\nUtilizing what the learning community offered and being an active member of the Running Club and Student Nurses\u2019 Association extremely enhanced my first ever monarch experience.<\/p>\n
Through the Health Professions Learning Community, I:<\/u><\/h4>\n\n- Went on a field trip to Eastern Virginia Medical School.<\/li>\n
- Went rock climbing for my \u201cCapture Campus\u201d assignment.<\/li>\n
- Had a movie night with my classmates and Professor Lopez. We watched The Doctor <\/em>for Sociology.<\/li>\n
- Met Janice Hawkins, Chief Academic Advisor for the School of Nursing, and Bria, my favorite SNA, lab, and study partner.<\/li>\n
- Got involved in the Norfolk community through amazing programs like CareNow and CINCH. I worked with children in James Blair Middle School and families at the Granby YMCA.\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/hsadvising\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19909\/2016\/09\/nelan-2-5-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/hsadvising\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19909\/2016\/09\/nelan-1-5-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThrough the Running Club<\/a>, I:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Met friends from different majors who loved running just as much as me.<\/li>\n
- Got to run in several 5ks (3.1 miles) like the Big Blue and Harbor Lights.<\/li>\n
- Ran 2-5 miles, two to four times a week.\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/hsadvising\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19909\/2016\/09\/nelan-4-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/hsadvising\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19909\/2016\/09\/nelan-3-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nTip #2: Find your favorite way to exercise and do it with others! It\u2019ll make you feel healthy, happy, and motivated. If you can\u2019t find an organization to join, you can also visit the Student Recreation Center<\/a>. They have various group exercises <\/a>throughout the week. There\u2019s pilates, yoga, cycling, step and sculpt, crossfit, zumba, and more! The best part of it is that it\u2019s free.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\nThrough Student Nurses\u2019 Association<\/a>, I:<\/h4>\nMet current nursing students who still <\/em>answer all\u00a0my questions about the program, clinicals, etc.<\/p>\nVolunteered constantly, on and off campus! I went to Unity Fest, Relay for Life, Blood Pressure Training at Bayside High School, Breastival, Be the Match, and Homecoming events, just to name a few.![\"nelan-5\"](\"http:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/hsadvising\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19909\/2016\/09\/nelan-5.jpg?w=1700\")
Got to use my artistic abilities that I didn\u2019t utilize in my classes.![\"nelan-6\"](\"http:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/hsadvising\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19909\/2016\/09\/nelan-6.jpg\")
Became an officer as a pre-nursing student![\"nelan-7\"](\"http:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/hsadvising\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19909\/2016\/09\/nelan-7.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nTip #3: Don\u2019t be afraid to sign up for a leadership role, even during your first year in college. Long lasting organizations thrive on leaders from various levels. This allows for a constant flow of members and officers for years to come.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nAny difficulties?<\/strong><\/h3>\nI think the hardest part was figuring out what I really wanted to spend my free time on. Maybe it\u2019s the same problem for you too but after that, trust me, the opportunities will just keep coming. Definitely study hard, but also balance it with learning and experiencing outside of class.<\/p>\n
Interested in getting involved like Nelan? Use CampusGroups<\/a> to search for student organizations by keyword.\u00a0 Health related organizations include:<\/em><\/p>\n\n- Autism Speaks U<\/em><\/li>\n
- Community Service Council<\/em><\/li>\n
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)<\/em><\/li>\n
- Medical Laboratory Science Students Association (MLSSA)<\/em><\/li>\n
- Operation Smile<\/em><\/li>\n
- Physical Therapy Club<\/em><\/li>\n
- Pre-Health Club<\/em><\/li>\n
- Red Cross Club<\/em><\/li>\n
- Student American Dental Hygienists Association<\/em><\/li>\n
- Student Health Advisory Committee<\/em><\/li>\n
- Student National Environmental Health Association (SNEHA)<\/em><\/li>\n
- Student Nurses Association (SNA)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Other ways you can find opportunities for involvement:<\/em><\/p>\n\n- Connect with the Office of Student Engagement and Traditions<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n
- Volunteer through the Center for Service and Civic Engagement<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>\n
\n- You can find current opportunities by searching\u00a0HelperHelper<\/a> <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Attend a<\/em> group fitness class at the SRC<\/a><\/li>\n
- Check out the<\/em> Outdoor Adventure Program<\/a><\/li>\n
- Walk around Webb during Activity Hour<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ask the Expert: How to get involved in your first semester at ODU Nelan Tagra is an Continue reading Ask the Expert: How to Get Involved in your First Semester at ODU<\/span>
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Tip #1: If you didn\u2019t go to the Involvement Fair and still want to join something, check out CampusGroups. \u00a0You can access it through your ODU Portal<\/a>. This will give you access to all<\/span><\/strong> of the organizations on campus, which offers even more options than the Fair!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Utilizing what the learning community offered and being an active member of the Running Club and Student Nurses\u2019 Association extremely enhanced my first ever monarch experience.<\/p>\n Tip #2: Find your favorite way to exercise and do it with others! It\u2019ll make you feel healthy, happy, and motivated. If you can\u2019t find an organization to join, you can also visit the Student Recreation Center<\/a>. They have various group exercises <\/a>throughout the week. There\u2019s pilates, yoga, cycling, step and sculpt, crossfit, zumba, and more! The best part of it is that it\u2019s free.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Met current nursing students who still <\/em>answer all\u00a0my questions about the program, clinicals, etc.<\/p>\n Volunteered constantly, on and off campus! I went to Unity Fest, Relay for Life, Blood Pressure Training at Bayside High School, Breastival, Be the Match, and Homecoming events, just to name a few. Tip #3: Don\u2019t be afraid to sign up for a leadership role, even during your first year in college. Long lasting organizations thrive on leaders from various levels. This allows for a constant flow of members and officers for years to come.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n I think the hardest part was figuring out what I really wanted to spend my free time on. Maybe it\u2019s the same problem for you too but after that, trust me, the opportunities will just keep coming. Definitely study hard, but also balance it with learning and experiencing outside of class.<\/p>\n Interested in getting involved like Nelan? Use CampusGroups<\/a> to search for student organizations by keyword.\u00a0 Health related organizations include:<\/em><\/p>\n Other ways you can find opportunities for involvement:<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ask the Expert: How to get involved in your first semester at ODU Nelan Tagra is an Continue reading Ask the Expert: How to Get Involved in your First Semester at ODU<\/span>So What?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Through the Health Professions Learning Community, I:<\/u><\/h4>\n
\n
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThrough the Running Club<\/a>, I:<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nThrough Student Nurses\u2019 Association<\/a>, I:<\/h4>\n
Got to use my artistic abilities that I didn\u2019t utilize in my classes.Became an officer as a pre-nursing student<\/p>\n
\nAny difficulties?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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