International Week

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The International Fashion Show takes place this Saturday, March 1, at 7 p.m. in Jesse Auditorium. Learn a little more about other cultures through their fashion and experience their dances and music through exciting performances. Read more about preparations for the event in this article in the Columbia Missourian before you go.

This event is sponsored by the MSA/GPC International Programming Committee.

Spring break close to home

Okay, I admit it. I envy those of you who will spend spring break (March 22-30) on a sunny island somewhere a tad closer to the equator. I really do. But what about the rest of us, who, for various reasons, are stuck in Columbia for part or all of spring break? Assuming Mother Nature is in a slightly better mood in a month, we can have some fun, too. Now's the time to make your local spring break plans.

Visitmo.com is a great place to start hatching ideas.

Here are a few possibilities:

• For some outdoor exposure, visit one of Missouri's beautiful state parks, float the Current River or go mountain biking in the Ozarks.
• St. Louis: There are plenty of things to do in the state's largest city, aside from going up in the Arch. Check out the Botanical Garden, the City Museum, art galleries, the zoo (free!) or riverboat casinos, to name a few.
• Tour Missouri's wineries.
• Branson: I admit I have not had a Branson vacation myself, but people do come from all around for the shows and attractions in that quirky southern Missouri city.

Of course you'll find many more ideas out there. There is fun to be had for the rest of us.

Write Meaningful Follow-Up Letters

This article (courtesy of Freelance Switch via Lifehacker), is especially useful to me today as I prepare to attend the College of Business Career Fair. I’ll probably meet at least a few recruiters who I’m interested in following up with, and chances are these same recruiters will receive countless follow-up letters from other eager students as well. So how do I make my correspondence stand out from the crowd and remind the recruiter of who I am? Following up quickly and including action items in my note are only some of the useful tips this post mentions.

You know you’ve sent out at least a few blanket “It was great to meet you last week” letters in your own professional life. Give these techniques a try and make your follow-up letters a powerful networking tool.

Share your research with kids

Think you know your research inside and out? Try presenting it to grade-schoolers! The Graduate School is looking for grad students to present their work in a fun, hands-on way to children in grades 2-6 at Adventures in Education on Saturday, April 19. This family-focused event at Jesse Hall is a part of our week-long celebration of Graduate Education Week April 14-19.

Please contact us at gradwebeditor@missouri.edu if you are interested in presenting or providing help with the event.

True/False Film Festival

Local Film Festival February 28 – March 2

The True/False Film Festival returns to Columbia for the fifth year on “Leap Day Weekend.” This festival, begun by the owners of Columbia’s Ragtag Cinema, showcases thought-provoking documentary films from other festivals (including the Sundance Film Festival) and films that haven’t yet premiered anywhere else.

Individual Tickets on Sale February 28

As of January 7, festival-goers had the option of purchasing a “Simple,” “Lux,” or “Silver Circle Patron” Pass. These passes allow purchasers to view all film screenings and entitles them to a number of other perks, depending on the level purchased. The passes quickly sold out, however, so you’ll have to settle for purchasing tickets for individual shows starting on the first day of the festival. Read a little about the films that will be screened at the festival here to decide which you want to attend. Happy watching!

How to Turn a Bad Day Around

I’m currently in the throes of a bad day, so I thought I’d look into this topic today. This article, via eHow, outlines exact steps to take to turn your bad day around. If you ever find yourself on campus all day without the option of just going home and calling the day a loss (as I have been inclined to do before), maybe these steps will help you. I’ll even work through them as an example to see if they help me. Here goes:

Don't try to fight your bad mood.

No problem here. I’ve already accepted this fact.

Tell the people that you work with so they will know not to bother you.

I don’t know about this one. It seems obnoxious to announce to everyone that “I’m having a bad day. Stay out of my way!”

Think about what happened to put you in this bad mood.

Locking my significant other out of the house and the dog in the house. Failing a quiz. Numerous meetings that require me to trek all over campus.

Try and remember what makes you happy.

Naps.

Take a long lunch break or a walk around the block to think things over.

Too cold out. And I have heels on.

When you leave for lunch pretend like you are leaving for the day, so when you come back it's like a whole new day and mood.

Well, this one just sounds silly to me. Let’s disregard it.

OK, there are some tips to help you turn your own day around. I feel somewhat better just writing about my own bad day, so perhaps writing therapy should be added to the list. Here’s hoping that you’re able to turn your bad days around in the future!