Settling Back in

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Adam

After having an awesome summer break from school, it feels great to be back in Prescott, AZ at Embry-Riddle. My first year was awesome, although a relaxing summer break was most definitely in need its nice to be busy with school again. After having a long break I feel much more prepared for school than my first year or even last semester. I can honestly say first semester especially is difficult only because it takes time to adjust and adapt to the new environment you are in.

Getting back in the role of things was pretty easy this year, maybe because I was getting slightly bored near the end of summer, longing for the school year to start. That may sound weird but it is true. Some great things about going to school at Embry-Riddle in Prescott are the people you meet.I have met people that have inspired me in may ways. It becomes very easy to adjust when you find people like that, mainly because you are all going through the same deal. Like studying the same materials or being homesick we all go through it especially here since most students are studying the art of Engineering.

This year I live on campus, in the upperclassmen dorms. There are ups and downs to living on campus. On the plus you can take naps in the middle of the day, and walk all of one minute to the gym, and being in a close proximity of a lot of your friends makes things easier. On the downside you are always on campus. You will go crazy if you do not keep yourself busy with other things besides school. I have to say that is the biggest part of going to school or living at school in general is keeping you’re self distracted with other things. It helps you stay motivated in the middle of the year.

But back to settling in, the first year may seem somewhat crazy but the time management skills come in time, some sooner then others, it took me almost a full year. When you learn to use your time wisely, life as a college student becomes much more enjoyable. That is all I have for this blog, let me know if you have any questions.

Favorite TV Show

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Cherie

With all this homework I really am missing watching my favorite TV show, NCIS. The original one, not the LA NCIS however, both are pretty cool. The homework load has been pretty difficult but, once you get a routine down then it gets a little easier 🙂 Just hang in there a break is coming soon and if you work really hard on homework one day then you will have less the next. The most important thing is to stay balanced, don’t stress yourself too much but, push your limits at the same time.

Doing so will make you feel awesome by the time you get to relax and watch your shows (or whatever it is you like to do to relax). So I would like to hear from you, what is your favorite show and why? Please comment below and let me know!!

I already told you what my favorite one to watch is but, not why. Basically, when I was younger I wanted to be a forensic scientist. Obviously I landed very far from where I started and its ok if you do that too. I’d like to hear all your reasons why, there are some pretty interesting people out there and here at Riddle we would love to know you!

Come and Visit!!

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Cherie

As most of you know, I am actually a tour guide for Embry Riddle Prescott, so I would just like to encourage you to come on out and tour our school. With the start of the semester we have had fewer and fewer students coming out for tours, we know your busy but, we would still love to meet you and show you the awesome place that we call home (temporarily of course).

The easiest way to schedule a tour is online at our main website for the Prescott campus but, of course if you are in the area and just want to stop on by we do allow walk ins as well. We offer two tour times, 9am and 1pm. While you are here you have the options of a Campus Tour, Flight line Tour, observing a class, meeting with a counselor, meeting with financial aid, meeting with Air Force/ Army ROTC, meeting a professor/coach……The list is endless!!!! If you would like to do it and we can get it arranged for you just let us know, we will do our best so that you can enjoy your tour experience here at Embry Riddle Prescott.

In the event of any special considerations we do also offer golf cart tours which go through the campus with a golf cart. This is for those who would prefer not to walk for the entire hour that the tour is being given. On average the campus tour is an hour, the flight line tour is an hour, and the meeting with an Admissions Counselor (which comes with every tour) can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. So depending on what you would like to do and see at our campus your trip could be anywhere from an hour to three long (unless of course you also decide to meet with ROTC or any of our other campus entities). Like I said it is all up to you and what you are interested in.

I highly encourage you new High School Seniors to come on over and check out our school, we love it here and we hope that soon you will too!!

Fisrt 2 Weeks

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Cherie

School started Aug 26th and we are now to Sept 8, congrats everyone! Hopefully everyone’s first 2 weeks back went well 🙂 I know mine have, the only down side is all the homework!! This year I’m starting my sophomore year in Aerospace Engineering, a year that everyone calls the gauntlet. Why?

Little history info here-this is an actual gauntlet. It was worn by knights and warriors to protect their hands in battle.

Well basically this is the year that students decide if Engineering is really for them. So far its been awesome and challenging. All of my courses are highly mathematical so keeping formulas straight can get pretty hard. Despite the rumors I’ve heard about how hard it is I am not too worried. As long as you go into sophomore year with a knowledge of time management and a strong work ethic you will be fine. This can be hard to develop and maintain but, just recall why you decided to become an Engineer. Doing so will encourage you to continue to pursue your dream and serve as your inspiration to get through this next year.

I want to be an Engineer for the Air Force when I graduate, not only will I be a leader but I will also get to use my skills to support our military. Why did you become an Engineer? Please comment below and let us know!!! And most importantly stick with it, this world needs engineers such as yourself 🙂

Computer Aided Design

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Cherie

Hey there, so I just started a class called Computer Aided Design where we use a program called CATIA to create working models to defined specifications. For example, have you ever seen a structural drawing of an object with its various components labeled by their dimensions and units? Well this is CATIA. Most engineering majors at Riddle require students to be proficient in CATIA as it is a medium that aids in the communication of ideas between you and the teacher, researcher, or fellow student.

U Joint in CATIA

The program is essential to communication because you can define the exact elements of your idea and provide those who are looking at your work with an accurate 3D representation of your concept. The class is also organized so that it models the work you would be doing in the engineering industry. So from day one you are not only learning how to formulate parts and models in CATIA but, you are also working toward your final project. My class’s final project is to design a Mars Rover that is similar to NASA’s rover Curiosity. We just finished the second week of class and we already have the necessary research, preliminary designs, and a portion of the knowledge to complete the project!

I am very excited to be taking this course and working on a project that is related to my major and my career. Embry Riddle Prescott courses are designed to provide the student with the experience that they need to succeed and CAD is a perfect example of such a course. I hope that you will get to take this class too so you can get the growing experience that is only available at Embry Riddle!!

To The Lifeboats!!!

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Cherie

Embry-Riddle’s Prescott campus is in the middle of monsoon season, and its hitting us harder than ever. For those of us who like rain its no big deal, actually its pretty entertaining.

Dr. Ayers

On Friday August 30th, a downpour that lasted for a good half hour or more actually flooded its way through campus. Pelting students with hail, turning sidewalks into inch deep rivers, and soaking the general populace. The most amusing part of the day (at least for students) was the flooding of classrooms where anonymous teachers continued to teach despite the tide waters rushing around their ankles. That did not last long however, in the interest of safety some classes were cut short and classrooms began to be dried out.

There is nothing to fear for those who reside on this campus, the areas through campus where flooding is most likely to occur are specifically designed with large drainage ditches so that waters can easily make their way through campus without harm to students. Furthermore, the Facilities Management Staff is a highly effective and knowledgeable team and they have responded quite well to the demands of the monsoon floods.This is probably the worst of the monsoon rains to come to campus and they won’t last long, so again the campus is only in danger of being greatly amused by the puddles.

New Student Orientation

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Cherie

Summer is over and it is time to begin again!! Today, Thursday August 22, all of the new students for Embry Riddle’s Prescott campus are arriving!!!! (ROTC students actually arrived on Monday, but the rest come in today). We are all very excited to see you here on campus and I’m here to offer a few tips on what you should do first when you get to campus.

1. Go to the welcome center, building 41. Here you can pick up your welcome packet and your orientation schedule. There is a map and a checklist inside the schedule booklet so that the new student will know what to do next and where to go to do it 🙂

2. The next thing you should do is go to the housing office called HAAS in building 73, you can pick up your room key here and start moving into your new room!!

3. Pick up your mailbox key from the mail room in building 11, you can actually receive mail here on campus!!

4. Register your vehicle in building 14, that’s where the Safety department is located. All you need is a valid ID and all the documents that you have on your vehicle.

5. Pick up your Eagle card in building 13, this is the Eagle card office. The Eagle card is really important as it is your meal card, your ID card, and your debit card. It allows you access to certain areas on campus as well, if you have the proper authorization.

6. Most of all have an awesome day, we are so happy to be welcoming you to our campus and we hope that you have a great first year here on our gorgeous campus!!!

-Note you can complete that list in any order

Air Force Zero Week

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Cherie

Are all you Embry Riddle Air Force Cadets ready? Zero Week starts tomorrow!!!! We have been preparing specially for you and soon you will join Det 028, The Best in the West!

Some advice for the week, just don’t freak out and where ever you go be on time and follow your schedule. Zero week is a time where you learn what it means to be a cadet, what your commitments are, and also if the Air Force is really the career that you want to pursue. It seems like a lot of pressure but, don’t worry you will do fine. Throughout your career in Air Force ROTC you will have many friends aka “Wingmen” you may even make a few during your zero week so be open to meeting other cadets.

We want this time to be educational and fun for you, so if you have any questions and concerns please ask, just follow the protocol for doing so. There will be a lot of regulations that you must learn; however, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Put yourself out there and learn from errors how things are supposed to be done. It’s no big deal, just go for it and once you know the proper way to pose a question then use that method.

Become one of us, a future Officer in the United States Air Force

The Air Force is a structured environment, as is AFROTC so learn as much as you can and like I said before, follow the protocol. Actions and activities that have a protocol are asking questions, PT, marching, reporting in/out, uniform wear, and appearance. As a cadet you must follow all regulations/protocols, there are no exceptions. Learn this early on and you will be a great cadet. Good luck to everyone as you enter Zero Week, have fun, make friends, and learn how to become an officer in the United States Air Force!!!

Tobacco Free Campus Starts in Prescott

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Cherie

Effective as of August 1st, all of Embry Riddle’s campus’s will be going completely tobacco free. This is a major change for some students however, there will be aid available to those who smoke or would like to quit using tobacco products as we all adjust to the new policy. We will be joining over 600 other college campus’s in the nation that have made the decision to go tobacco free in order to ensure the health of their students, faculty, and staff.

Many students agree that this policy is the right thing to do, a sophomore student Juan G. states that “The tobacco policy indeed should improve the environment of the campus into a more social place by allowing students who do not smoke to interact with those who do/used to smoke. As students who smoke and students who do not often remain in separate groups, this policy will break down that barrier.”

It is everyone’s hope that the transition for all students will go positively, if you are a tobacco user and you would like additional help in abstaining from the use of tobacco products there will be help available to you. The official news release sites sources for help which are also located here. For tobacco cessation in Prescott click here, for Daytona Beach click here. Thank you, for reading and complying with our new policy.

Fitness

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Cherie

Fitness is a huge part of being a cadet at Embry Riddle and also at any ROTC detachment or service Academy. If you plan to attend our University and be a part of either our Air Force or Army ROTC Detachments then you must be above the rest physically.

Embry Riddle Prescott is actually a pretty unique school that can really help you with your fitness. We have several fields, running trails, a track, gyms, a cardio room, and so much more to help our students stay in shape while they attend school here. The facilities are open to all students and you may use them at your leisure. The big difference about this University as compared to others is that we are actually about a mile above sea level in elevation here.

As a result of the elevation less oxygen is available so when you work out you are strengthening your lungs immensely. When you go to lower elevations you will then have an edge on other athletes because your lungs are so much stronger!!

This is also helpful if you are in ROTC because there are numerous facilities for you to work out in and build yourself up so you can perform well in PT. Adjusting to the elevation is a huge part of how you perform at this University in ROTC so the sooner you adjust the better, but be careful you can get sick or feel weak when working out here at first. It is normal just don’t overdue it and you will be fine. A slow adjustment is better because you work up to it over time and you don’t get sick from it 😀

Whatever you like to do to stay in shape we can accommodate you here!!