Kansas State University-Sigma Alpha

It’s almost that time again, Finals week! How do you prepare to keep your GPA up? Here are some great tips! Good Luck and may the curve ever be in your favor!

Talk to the professor or TA ahead of time.

Heading to a study session or visiting your professor during office hours will give you the opportunity to ask questions about what is going to be on the test and how best you can study for it.Know for certain what material will be covered. Some professors have finals that cover all of the material from the semester; others may only test on, say, the material covered since the last exam.

Look at other exams you’ve had in the class so far.

Chances are that your professor has an exam style, just like you have a test-taking style. Look at previous exams that you’ve taken in the class to see what material your professor often thinks is important enough to test on and what formats he or she likes to use — and then plan your study approach accordingly.

Create or join a study group.

True, study groups often start off with lots of chatting, but a good group can quickly get down to business, focus, and cover a lot of material. Studying with Sigma Alpha Sisters is also a great way to break up the material: each person can make a study guide for certain chapters, for example, so that the group can quickly create a comprehensive study guide together. Additionally, study groups can help provide some much-needed laughter breaks when you’re studying late into the night.

Ask other students who have taken the class before what to expect.

Ask around to find out what the course final is often like and what you’ll need to do to be as prepared as possible.

In Sisterhood,

Kaci Rempe

Image Cited: dailytrojan.com

Summer Is Around The Corner!

Hello Sisters! Here are some good tips I read to land that awesome internship you’ve been wanting for Summer 2013!

1. Master the Art of the Cover Letter: The surest way to make your resume disappear into the email black-hole is to not attach a cover letter with it. A cover letter sets your application a part from the rest so don’t forget it. And always make sure to personalize the letter (Dear Mrs. X or Dear Hiring Manager) as it shows you didn’t just send your resume off on a massive BCC chain email.

2. Be Passionate: There’s a look in their eye, an excited tone in their voice, a feeling of true nerd joy that fills our hearts the minute we come across them. It’s truly palpable and it’s what your future employer is looking for as well. We are true nerds of our profession and we are looking for talent who feels the same. If you don’t, it just won’t work.

3. Do Your Homework: The worst thing you can do going into an interview is to not know what is going on with the company in question. It makes it look as if you don’t care and aren’t interested. You should be familiar with their recent product launches, press placements, social media updates, and latest updates. All of these information can be found on the company’s website and only takes an hour for you to get caught up. But it really does pay off, especially when the manager asks if you saw the most recent news release and you can successful say yes and explain why you thought it was riveting.

4. Demonstrate Your Strong Oral/Written Communication skills: Every employer is looking for those students who can write and talk speak clearly. These written and oral communication skills are absolutely required in today’s professional field. If you can’t write and can’t talk effectively, you will have trouble not only getting your interview but keeping your internship as well. You have (or are pursuing) a college degree. Show off your skills and you will succeed. Fail to understand how to use spell check or how to punctuate your sentences properly and you will have a problem. Note: please have someone proofread your resume/cover letter. Spelling mishaps and grammar errors are non-negotiable.

5. Say yes. To everything. Yes, coffee runs and mucking stalls might seem fruitless but guess what? You are there to help out in every area. It may not be thrilling, it may even be draining, but it is your job to assist your manager in every way. Hopefully, your manager will see your enthusiasm and start giving you more important tasks. But you always have to start at the bottom.

Just remember, if you work hard, good things will happen.

In sisterhood,

Emily Knobbe

Cited/Edited From: http://heartifb.com/2012/05/17/five-tips-for-getting-your-dream-internship/

Image cited: theoutreachinterns.wordpress.com

On April 16, I had the chance to attend a lecture at the KSU Student Union sponsored by the organization Food For Thought. Food For Thought’s purpose is to close the gap between agriculture and consumers. At the lecture, Rachel Ramsey Cruze, daughter of recognized financial commentator and expert Dave Ramsey, informed us about debt and finance. Her lecture, entitled “Not So Common Sense”, discussed the ins and outs of becoming debt free. Rachel gave some great advice and it is included in the following steps:

1. If you don’t have the money, don’t buy it.
Rachel said that this is one of the most common things people should know, but don’t. Credit card debt was one of the top on the list of dangers Rachel mentioned. Students are the most targeted individuals for credit card companies. Her advice was to “Just say no to credit cards all together.” She also talked about student loans and how are becoming larger and larger. Having a job and being a full time student was one of the tips she gave to stay afloat when having student loans.

2. Live on less than you make.
“Tell your money where to go.” This was a quote that really stuck out to me from this lecture. Most people today let their money take ahold of their lives. They spiral out of control, and before they know it they are in mounds of debt. Rachel’s best tip was to make a budget to solve this problem.

3. Save money.
It is pretty simple to save money, but Rachel said that it is necessary for us college students to have an emergency fund of $500 at all times. Who knows when you will have unexpected, so it is best to be prepared for them.

4. Giving is better than receiving.
One thing that not many people think about when being financially stable is giving. Rachel told us that “Selfless people prosper.” If you give more, you will receive more and feel much better about yourself.
Finally, she left us with the next steps that we must do as college students.

1. Save $500 for an emergency fund
2. Pay off student loans
3. Have a successful job and pay off all debt
4. Save 6 months’ worth of expenses incase of an emergency
5. Invest your money in a Growth Stock Mutual Fund
If anyone is interested in learning more about being financially stable, or about Dave Ramsey and his daughter, you can go to this website:
http://www.daveramsey.com

In sisterhood,

Shonda Unruh

Mother’s Day is approaching fast, then it will be time for graduations, and eventually Father’s Day. With all of these special occasions so near, many of us are searching for that special gift for the ones we love. Well, the Sigma Alpha, Alpha Omega chapter has the perfect gift idea for you! With 200 quality, delicious and unique recipes, the From Field to Fork cookbook makes a great gift for any occasion! If you know a Sigma Alpha sister you can contact them directly to order a cookbook! If they hand deliver it, the cost is only $12. If you need a cookbook mailed to you they are $15 to cover the cost of shipping.
If you would like to place an order contact Kaitlin Morgan by email at knmorgan@ksu.edu and mail check or cash to Kaitlin Morgan 1404 Harry. Rd. Manhattan, KS 66502. Make checks payable to Sigma Alpha.

In Sisterhood,

Kaitlin Morgan

Summer is just around the corner and what better way to prepare for it than to brush up on some new and fun ideas for a summer barbeque with friends!
This is a great recipe for Steak Kabobs that are easy for grilling and perfect portioning size for all guests!
This original recipe makes about 8 servings so change ingredients as needed or even switch out the beef for chicken and mix it up however you like!

1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper seasoning
4 fluid ounces lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
2 pounds beef sirloin steak, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
2 green bell peppers cut into 2 inch pieces
skewers
1/2 poundfresh mushrooms, stems removed
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 fresh pineapple – peeled, cored and cubed

1.In a medium bowl, mix soy sauce, light brown sugar, distilled white vinegar, garlic powder, seasoned salt, garlic pepper seasoning, and lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage. Reserve about 1/2 cup of this marinade for basting. Place steak in a large resealable plastic bag. Cover with the remaining marinade, and seal. Refrigerate for 8 hours, or overnight.
2.Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add green peppers, and cook for 1 minute, just to blanch. Drain, and set aside.
3.Preheat grill for high heat. Thread steak, green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and pineapple onto skewers in an alternating fashion. Discard marinade and the bag.
4.Lightly oil the grill grate. Cook kabobs on the prepared grill for 10 minutes, or to desired doneness. Baste frequently with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Happy Grilling!

In Sisterhood,

Anna Monson