On-campus buybacks and rental returns are happening at the Bulldog Shop now through Friday, Dec. 15. Make some extra cash by selling textbooks you’re finished using. Regardless of when or where books were purchased, we are buying them. And, if you have rentals to return, you don’t even need a box. Just drop the book off, and you’re done. Rentals are due by Friday, Dec. 22.

Can’t make it to the on-campus buyback? Don’t worry, you can also sell books online anytime for credit.

— The Bulldog Shop

Get paid for your old textbooks during the on-campus buyback and rental return event next week. You can get cash for your books, no matter when (or where) you purchased them! Happening December 11 – 15 at Bulldog Shop from 9am-5pm.

Textbook rentals are due back on December 22. Take advantage of the easy and convenient return process by dropping off your books in-store – no box or shipping label is needed!

— Drake University Bookstore

Orientation leaders are dedicated to providing incoming students and their families with all of the information and resources necessary to ensure their transition to Drake is a smooth and enjoyable one.

We need you to help make this happen. Each year we recruit current Drake students to become part of the orientation leader staff. Orientation leaders play a vital role in this exciting process, working closely with new students and their families on a wide variety of topics including academics, student involvement, housing options, and more.

We highly encourage you to attend one of the information sessions being offered. Click here to sign up for a session.

• Monday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. in Olmsted, Conference Room 310
• Friday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. on Zoom
• Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m. in Olmsted, Conference Room 310

You will be compensated for your time and effort and gain valuable skills in this position.

Learn more about the position. For questions, contact Lead Orientation Leaders at orientationleaders@drake.edu.

— Marina Verlengia, Director, New Student and Parent Programs

Feeling overwhelmed and lacking motivation are common feelings lately in Access & Success. Remember, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Finals are right around the corner and you are going to make it.

Here are five ways to stay motivated for the rest of the semester:

• Use a timer. Sometimes five minutes of focus is all you need to get the ball rolling. Set a timer and START!
• Plan for tomorrow, tonight. Set three goals every night for what you want to accomplish the next day. Somedays you may be more productive and do more than three, but try to get at least those three things done.  Feeling accomplished goes a long way for motivation.
• Make your bed. A great way to start your day is to make your bed. Once you make it, don’t mess it up. It is harder to go back to bed if its already made.
• Get out of your room. Your dorm room is never a great place to study, too many distractions. Challenge yourself to find a new place to study.  Changing things up changes your prospective and will lead to productivity.
• Have some fun! It’s real easy to feel you need to study and not have fun, but you need to give your brain a break. Reward yourself for finishing a paper or having a good study session. You’ve earned it.

Enjoy your break and come back ready to tackle the rest of the semester. Access & Success is here to help.

— Michelle Laughlin, Director of Access & Success

The Office of Residence Life has opened its 2024–2025 Resident Assistant Application to Drake Students.  In addition, there are two RA Information Sessions happening in Meredith Hall, Room 235, on Nov. 15 from 6–7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 1 from 10–11:30 a.m.

If you have any questions about the RA application, please reach out to douglas.robinett@drake.edu or randy.mcmullin@drake.edu.

— Douglas Robinett, Office of Residence Life

Come play in a free Super Smash Bros. ultimate tournament in Herriott Lobby this Saturday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. We’re planning to have GameCube controllers, pro controllers, and a couple Nintendo Switch setups, including projecting a big display on the wall.

— Jake Elafros, Senior, College of Arts & Sciences

Information about the types of financial aid at Drake, financial aid policies, and other helpful information can be found at drake.edu/finaid. For example, you can:

• review helpful resources, such as outside scholarship searches or free self-paced personal finance education.
• find instructions for how to submit a financial aid appeal for special circumstances
• review steps in the financial aid process, including required steps to secure student loans.

If you have questions, the Financial Aid Office is here to help! Please contact our office or stop by Carnegie Hall.

— Ryan Zantingh, Office of Financial Aid

The International Student & Scholar Services department (ISSS) wants to continue the tradition of offering an international stoles. Stoles allow you to display pride during commencement—pride in your academic achievements, in your student clubs or professional organizations, and in the place (or places) you call home. We are working with a company called Vision Wear International, and they provide a discount for bulk orders. You can look at the options available on their website at: https://www.visionwear.com/.

Please let Jorona Johnson (jorona.johnson@drake.edu) know directly if you would like to order a stole and, if so, which type. Be sure to include the flag name(s) in your email. We will need a response no later than Nov. 15 so we will have enough time to collect payment and place the order.

— Jorona Johnson, Global Engagement

Join Dean of Students Hannah Clayborne for a chance to have dinner and catch up on things that are happening at Drake University this semester. This is a great opportunity to make connections with fellow students along with the Dean of Students. Dinner will be provided for students who just sign up in advance, but space is limited to 10 students. This dinner is for commuter students only. Please review the available time slots below and sign up.

• Monday, November 6
• Tuesday, November 7

Questions about this event, please contact Gina Ryan at gina.ryan@drake.edu with questions.

— Gina Ryan, Dean of Students Office

The Summer 2024 Uganda travel seminar is a three-week, six-credit course where Drake students visit Uganda to study sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa. The course will take place in the first three weeks of Summer 2024.

Interested students can learn more about the program by attending information sessions on the following days/times:

• Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in Aliber Hall, Room 112
• Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. in Aliber Hall, Room 112

Please contact Professor Henderson (heath.henderson@drake.edu) with any questions.

— Heath Henderson, Associate Professor of Economics