According to the American Medical Women’s Association, the term ‘‘period poverty’’ refers to the lack of proper accessibility and limited affordability of menstrual health and hygiene resources including educational tools, sanitary products, washing facilities, and waste management. (Lea Sacca, 2024)
Here is a bit of data addressing period poverty in our country:
According to a national survey drawn from a survey conducted on 1,000 teens aged 13 to 19, 1 in 5 teens in the US have struggled with affording menstrual products and more than 84 percent of participants reported having missed classes or know someone who has missed classes due to lack of access to period products.
Fun fact: 79 percent of the participants believed we receive more education about biology of frogs than biology of the human female body in school.
How do we take action to help with making period products and period education equally and easily accessible to everyone? What steps of the organizations where we work and study have taken?
In this blog, I’ll be gathering and sharing information about the steps, however small, we can take to reduce period poverty where we live, where we study, and where we work. I will also be gathering and sharing information about the steps University of Washington and Cascadia Community College have taken to minimize period poverty among their students.
What University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College provide:
For Cascadia Students, Kodiak Cave offers tampons and pads in their food pantry for students to take during their four trips to the Cave each quarter. They also sometimes provide other products that have been donated, like diva cups or lite liners. The Kodiak Cave specialist, Samantha Brown, with whom I had a conversation, also provided me with an Amazon wish list through which you can see the available products in their pantry and buy the products where they will be automatically delivered to the pantry.
Cascadia College also shares a document including the addresses and contact information of multiple local community services that provide food, healthcare, housing, childcare, clothing, etc. to individuals who need them.
Moreover, in both UWB and CC, tampons and pads are accessible in gender inclusive and women’s restrooms.
How we can help minimize period poverty inside or outside of our school:
Purchase feminine hygiene products manufacturers that help fight peiod poverty.
A list of these manufacturers are:
Cora:
This company has donated 24 million feminine care products so far.
“We believe everyone should have access to period care–full stop.”
With every purchase you make, Cora provides period products and body literacy resources to people who might otherwise go without.
Lunette: Lunette donates cups to initiatives addressing period poverty through their “Cup for Good” program. Organic Initiative (Oi) also supports various initiatives promoting period poverty alleviation.
Ruby Cup: For every menstrual cup purchased, Ruby Cup donates one to someone in need in low-income countries through their “Buy One Give One” program.
Saalt: Saalt sells menstrual cups and has a program called “Saalt Gives” where they donate cups to people in need in underserved communities around the world.
You can also help support organizations who aim to minimize period poverty by ensuring that more and more menstruating individuals have access to affordable menstrual products. You can support these organizations by donating or participating in volunteer and advocacy opportunities they provide.
Here is a list of these organizations and how each of them provides opportunities for us to take a step in minimizing period poverty:
Days for Girls:
“We increase access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating Social Enterprises, mobilizing volunteers and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigma and limitations for women and girls.”
Days for Girls provides holistic menstrual health education, helps increase the accessibility of menstrual products for all individuals, trains Social Entrepreneurs and partners with government and health organizations to advances global menstrual equity.
In order to support this organization, you can
Donate: You can donate funds either once or on a monthly basis or you can donate products to people who need them, through DfG’s website. DfG provides various other ways to donate on their website including creating your own fundraiser or donating your wedding registry. You can check all donating options through their website: https://www.daysforgirls.org/ways-to-give/
Another way to get involved with DfG is through connecting to a DfG team in your area, or even better than that, to start a club in your school/college that partners with DfG. This can be an opportunity for you to join in on advocacy efforts to influence positive change for minimizing period poverty within your own school. You can also contribute to DfG’s mission through organizing fundraising events.
“We give period products to those who can’t afford them and provide reproductive health education to those less likely to access it. And we help everybody talk about periods!“
The three main missions of this organization is to Deliver, Educate, and Normalize. There are several ways through which you can contribute to their mission.
To help Deliver, you can donate once, on a monthly basis, or annually. You can also help with organizing fundraising activities. Some ways BGP suggests for fundraising are:
Buying a period quiz and playing it with friends, colleagues, and family,
Selling the closet items you are not wearing anymore and donating the money to BGP,
Organizing a bake-sale event and fundraising,
Organizing a club in your school or college through which you can start small fundraising events for BGP,
To help Educate, you can become or invite a professional you know to become a Medical Volunteer who partners with BGP to lead 1.5 hour educational sessions focusing on Menstrual, Sexual and Reproductive Health. Although unfortunately BGP currently doesn’t take any further applications for other volunteering opportunities, they suggest you to sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on the upcoming volunteering opportunities.
To help Normalize, share posts on your social media accounts and use #PeriodPenalty hashtag. One example hashtag posts shared on BGP website is:
“I find it extremely difficult because I get quite bad PMS with regards to emotion and my male manager thinks it is okay to ridicule me for this whilst also managing to say it is fake. So I would only ever talk about menstruation with my female colleague, never with male leadership”
Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE):
“SHE is helping women jump-start social businesses to manufacture and distribute affordable menstrual pads. Coupled with health education and advocacy, girls and women will have even more productive lives than before.”
This organization approaches minimizing period poverty through Debunking Stereotypes, Reclaiming Local Resources, Investing in New Ideas and People, and Launching Entrepreneurs to Improve Lives.
Tons of trunk fiber is thrown away by banana farmers in Rwanda every year. SHE provides these farmers with equipment and training, so that they can process and sell the trunk fibers to them. Then, SHE takes the processed fibers to their community factory to be cut, carded, washed, fluffed, and solar dried under a US Patent approved manufacturing process. The manufactured menstrual pads are sold at an affordable price to schools and individuals who need them! They also “debunk myths and taboos” about periods through health and hygiene education in schools and community.
If you are willing to contribute to SHE’s mission, you can join in their SHE28 campaign by making one-time or monthly donations through their website.
A Final “Period” Note:
Menstruation, a natural yet painful experience endured by half of the world’s population, remains steeped in stigma. Body shaming and societal taboos have isolated many menstruating individuals, leaving them uninformed about their own bodies and proper care. To make living with period as close to convenience as possible, specialized hygiene products are essential, but their accessibility remains a global challenge. High-quality and sustainable options, often deemed luxurious in many places around in the world, are financially out of reach for too many.
It is also important to acknowledge that, “Not all women menstruate, and not all menstruators are women.” It’s necessary to recognize the diversity of menstruating individuals beyond traditional gender norms and respect all experiences of menstruation.
Lack of reproductive health education perpetuates cycles of pain, illness, and inequality, and a world with inequality for half of its population is similar to a bird with an injured wing, unable to soar.
Our collective responsibility lies in removing these barriers. Through awareness, education, and providing accessible products, we can foster a world where menstruation is understood and managed without shame or obstacle. Each small step towards equity strengthens all humanity.
Citations:
Sacca, L. (2024). Period Poverty in U.S. College Students. Journal of Women’s Health (Larchmont, N.Y. 2002), 33(1), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2023.0868
This post is written in English and Spanish, scroll down for the Spanish version.
Esta publicación está escrita en inglés y español, la versión en español está al final de la página
Pursuing a degree is no easy task, any college student would agree with this statement. However, what if you were pursuing a degree, in a language you are not fully comfortable with? Many students at UW Bothell and Cascadia College are conquering these challenges, and it is remarkable.
I’ve spoken with many students who are learning English while studying, and I notice a recurring theme; they feel isolated. As a student, I often overlook the privilege I have for my only struggle in courses being the content itself. It is one thing to struggle with the course’s content, but it’s another to also face the barrier of not fully understanding the questions or instructions being asked.
It’s important for one another to understand these difficulties, there are a substantial amount of resources and support available, both on and off campus. Students and staff are always willing to help any student, you are encouraged to seek support! If you or someone you know is an English language learner, below are some resources that may be helpful to you.
Library Books
UW Bothell and Cascadia College library offer a variety of resources for English language learners on campus, for any skill level. If you are someone who prefers studying on your own, our campus library provides nearly 300 books for readers wanting to improve their English skills. This collection is on the third floor of the library, the books are leveled from 1 to 6, and include a variety of topics with both fiction and nonfiction titles. To check out a book, simply bring your selected book and campus ID to the information desk on the first floor. A campus ID is important, as it is your library card! More information about our library collection can be found on the campus library website here. Additionally, you can speak to Chelsea, our librarian in charge of this collection. If you have any questions, or feedback about the collection, you are welcome to reach out to her at cnesvig@uw.edu!
Conversation Groups
If you are interested in practicing your English listening and speaking skills with other students at UW Bothell and Cascadia College, there is a quarterly conversation group! This is open to all students on campus and occurs five Thursdays each quarter. This is a great opportunity to practice your skills in a safe environment with supportive individuals. These sessions are hosted in LB1-205 on the second floor of the library from 1:15pm-2:15pm. Feel free to ask anyone from the information desk for directions! Link to the flyer provided here.
UW Bothell Writing & Communication Center
If you prefer working one-on-one for a more personalized approach to learning, UW Bothell’s Writing and Communication Center is for you! Located in Commons Hall in UW2-030, the center provides support for students of all abilities. Centered towards reading, writing, and presentation skills, peer consultants are eager to meet with students to practice their skills in a safe environment. You can set up a one-on-one meeting with a tutor on Navigate, which can be scheduled for in-person or on zoom. You also have the option to attend drop in hours on zoom, or communicate via email.
Bock Learning Center
Cascadia College has a similar resource called the Bock Learning Center, apart from general tutoring services, the learning center provides help with your writing. Writing tutors are available to work with you through appointments or drop-in hours. Cascadia students also have access to e-tutoring, which is entirely online.
Other On-Campus Resources
Pursuing a degree is tough, balancing coursework and other commitments can be overwhelming. Never feel like you cannot reach out for help, if you need to speak to someone or need any other forms of assistance, our campus has further resources.
Counseling Center
The counseling center located in the lower level of UW1-080 is open to both UW Bothell and Cascadia College students. The counseling center provides a variety of services such as in-person sessions with a licensed clinician, group therapy sessions, workshops, consultations, and more. Additionally, UW offers the HuskyHelpline to UW students, to receive free 24/7 assistance. Cascadia College students have access to MySSP which offers the same service.
HaWRC
Open to both UW Bothell and Cascadia students, the Health and Wellness Resource Center provides information to students regarding financial assistance, public benefits enrollment, and basic needs assistance. It is home to the Husky Pantry, a resource available for UW Bothell students that provides grocery items, hygiene, and toiletry products. Husky Pantry is located in ARC 120, the same office as the HaWRC. Cascadia students have a similar resource called the Kodiak Cave, located in LB2-006.
Local Resources
If you are far from campus or know any non UWB/CC students interested in improving their English skills, There are many resources available off-campus that are free of charge.
Seattle Goodwill’s ESOL Program (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Goodwill offers bi-weekly, 2 hour classes to improve your English skills. This program concentrates on practicing your English for future jobs and your personal life. The program is offered to residents of: King County, Kitsap County, Skagit County, Snohomish County, and Whatcom County. The program offers separate classes based on skill level, and classes tailored towards citizenship test preparation. More information can be found on their website.
Hopelinks English for Work program
English for Work is a free three-month program specifically designed to prepare for employment in the United States. The program focuses on writing resumes, practicing interviewing skills, and a successful job search. There are virtual and in-person options, with group and one-on-one instruction as well. Additionally, there are weekly assignments for further practice and preparation. The program then ends with a practice interview with local employers. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, check on the website for more information on how to register!
Conversation Sessions by Ladies Let’s Talk
Ladies Let’s Talk is a program for women to practice their conversational skills with other women in a comfortable and casual environment. Tailored towards individuals with intermediate to advanced English skills, the conversations are based on topics that are interesting to you. LLT is designed to feel like you are speaking to a group of close friends! The sessions are all virtual, the LLT website here has more information on dates and how to register.
Consejos para Navegar la Universidad como Estudiante de Inglés como Segunda Lengua (ELL)
Estudiar para conseguir una carrera no es fácil, cualquier estudiante diría lo mismo. Imagina estudiar en un idioma que no es familiar para ti. Hay estudiantes que están haciendo exactamente eso, y es fascinante.
He hablado con estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés mientras estudian y he notado una cosa: la mayoría se sienten solos. Como estudiante, a veces olvido el privilegio que tengo de solo enfrentar la dificultad de entender lo que están enseñando. Sin embargo, hay otra dificultad: entender las instrucciones y las preguntas.
Es importante que los estudiantes entiendan estas dificultades, hay recursos y apoyo por parte de la Universidad de Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) y el Colegio de Cascadia (Cascadia College), pero también recursos locales. Los estudiantes y personal siempre están felices de ayudarte, no tengas miedo de pedir ayuda! Si usted o alguien que conozcas está aprendiendo el inglés, aquí hay recursos que te pueden ayudar.
Libros de la Biblioteca
UW Bothell y Cascadia tienen una variedad de recursos para estudiantes aprendiendo inglés, para cualquier nivel. Si prefieres aprender a tu tiempo, la biblioteca tiene casi 300 libros enfocados en aprender inglés. Los libros están de nivel 1 a 6 y incluye una variedad de títulos. Para obtener un libro, solo tienes que llevarlo y tu identificación de escuela al primer piso, donde dice “Information”. Tu ID de escuela es importante; es tu tarjeta de biblioteca. Puedes encontrar más información aquí. También puedes hablar con Chelsea, nuestra bibliotecaria encargada de esta coleción. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, o comentarios sobre la colleción, están bienvenidos a mandarle un mensaje a cnesvig@uw.edu!
Grupos de Conversación
Si están interesados en practicar su inglés con otros estudiantes en UW Bothell y Cascadia College, hay grupos de conversación las temporadas de otoño, invierno y primavera. Esta es una buena oportunidad para practicar tú inglés en un espacio seguro. Estas sesiones van a estar en el cuarto LB1-205, en el segundo piso de la biblioteca. Están bienvenidos a preguntar a cualquier persona de la mesa de información para obtener direcciones. Puedes encontrar más informacion aquí.
UW Bothell Writing & Communication Center
Si prefieres trabajar solo con una persona para sesiones más privadas, el centro de escrito y comunicación en UW Bothell es perfecto para ti. Localizado en Commons Hall en UW2-030, el centro tiene apoyo para estudiantes de todos los niveles. Enfocado en leer, escribir y habilidades de presentación, los consultantes están listos para comunicarse contigo para practicar tus habilidades. Puedes comunicarte con los consultantes y hacer una cita a través de la aplicación Navigate. También tienes la opción de atender horarios de atención sin cita en las que puedes hablar con consejeros por videollama o por correo electrónico.
Bock Learning Center
Cascadia College tiene un recurso similar, aparte de soporte general, el centro tiene ayuda para habilidades de escritura. Los tutores están disponsibles por cita o en horarios de atención sin cita. Los estudiantes de Cascadia tienen acceso a tutoría electrónica, que está totalmente en línea.
Otros Recursos Parte de la Escuela
Conseguir un título es dificíl, tareas junto con la vida personal puede sentirse abrumadoras. Nunca sientas que no puedes preguntar por ayuda, si necesitas hablar con alguien o necesitas otras formas de asistencia, las dos escuelas tienen más recursos disponibles.
Centro de Asesoramiento
El centro de asesoramiento, ubicado en el piso de bajo de Founders Hall (UW1-080) está disponible para estudiantes de UW Bothell y Cascadia. El centro tiene una variedad de servicios como sesiones en persona con licenciado clinico, sesiones de grupo, clases, consultas y más. Los estudiantes de UW Bothell tienen acceso a la aplicación HuskyHelpline, que proporciona asistencia las 24 horas, los 7 dias de la semana, totalmente gratis. Los estudiantes de Cascadia tienen acceso a MySSP, que ofrece los mismos servicios.
HaWRC
Disponible para estudiantes de las dos escuelas, el centro de recursos de salud y bienestar proporciona información y asistencia en temas como ayuda financiera y beneficios públicos. En el centro, hay un recurso que se llama Husky Pantry, disponible solamente para estudiantes de UW Bothell, que provee artículos de alimentacion y productos de higiene. Husky Pantry está localizado en ARC 120, la misma oficina de la HaWRC. Estudiantes de Cascadia tiene un recurso similar que se llama Kodiak Cave, localizado en LB2-006.
Recursos Locales
Si estás lejos del colegio, o conoces a personas que no son estudiantes de UW Bothell o Cascadia pero desean practicar su inglés, hay muchas ayudas en las áreas locales que son gratis.
Programa ESOL de Seattle Goodwill (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Goodwill ofrece clases de dos horas, dos veces por semana para mejorar tus habilidades en inglés. Este programa se concentra en practicar tu inglés para trabajos y en tu vida personal. Este programa está disponible para residentes de: King County, Kitsap County, Skagit County, Snohomish County y Whatcom County. Hay diferentes clases disponibles dependiendo de tu nivel de inglés, y clases para prepararte para el examen de cuidadania. Más informacion está disponible en línea aquí.
Programa English for Work de Hopelink
Este es un programa de tres meses designado para prepararse para trabajos en los Estados Unidos. Este programa se enfoca en escribir resúmenes, practicar entrevistas, y cómo buscar trabajo. Hay opciones de tomar las clases en persona o por línea, con sesiones de grupos o a solas. Adicionalmente, hay tareas cada semana para poder seguir practicando y preparándose para las siguientes sesiones. El programa termina practicando una entrevista con un empleador local. Si esto te suena interesentante, encuentra más informacion para registrarte aquí.
Sesiones de Conversación de Ladies Let’s Talk
Ladies Let’s Talk es un programa para mujeres para practicar sus habilidades conversacionales en inglés con otras mujeres en un espacio comodo y seguro. Designado para individuos con habilidades de inglés más avansadas, las conversaciones son de temas que tu encuentras interesantes. Este programa es para que te sientas como si estubieras hablando con un grupo de amigas cercanas. Las sesiones son virtuales, para más informacion de como registrarse aquí.
As I am a senior and graduating this quarter, I wanted to give back by sharing all of the knowledge I have gathered about the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College during my time here. In this blog post, I will provide a complete overview of essential services, ways to get involved, things to do, and helpful tips to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. I loved being on this campus and hope that you can takeaway some of my advice, so that you can also have the best college experience!
Where can I find…
Homework Help
University of Washington Bothell
If you are a UW Bothell student in need of help with your assignments, you will likely want to visit the Academic Learning Commons in UW2-030.
It is home to the Quantitative Skills Center (QSC), which offers FREE academic peer tutoring both drop-in and online. They tutor in most STEM courses/majors, such as Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, Math, or any other course that requires quantitative reasoning. They also offer support in using different software and technology, test preparation, and test anxiety.
The QSC also provides a range of different equipment for students to check-out, including calculators, textbooks, molecular modeling sets, whiteboards, and more. Just be sure to bring your Husky Card!
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Also in UW2-030, is the Writing and Communication Center (WaCC). If you’re looking for assistance writing a paper, creating a presentation, or writing a personal statement, this is the place to go. You can make an appointment via the Navigate Student app, their appointment form, or drop-in online through Zoom. The WaCC is super helpful and will provide you with feedback on your work no matter what stage of the writing process you are at!
Another resource on campus is the Open Learning Lab (UW2-140). Not only is this a space for all students to access and use computers (both Windows and Apple) with pre-installed software, such as Final Cut Pro, Adobe, ArcGIS, and more, but the Open Learning Lab also provides drop-in tutoring on all of these tools listed, as well as general digital media software help.
And, one last tip – don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors for help on your assignments. Take advantage of their office hours to go over the homework or ask questions. Remember they are here to teach and support you!
Cascadia College
For Cascadia students, you will want to visit the Bock Learning Center (CC2-060). There you can get free in-person and online tutoring, computer services, calculator rentals, as well as general workspace. This is also where you can acquire your Cascadia student ID card. Tutoring is available in subjects, such as math, chemistry, writing, and even public speaking. You can also print and scan documents here.
Photo credit: www.cascadia.edu
Career help
University of Washington Bothell
Are you looking for an internship, job, help with your resume / cover letter, or interview prep? Visit Career Services in UW1-160!
Career Services aims to guide Huskies in their career journey by empowering them in their interests, helping them build their skills, and connecting them with professionals and employers. They offer appointments via drop-in and online in a variety of areas, such as resume/cover letter review, mock interviews, LinkedIn profile review, job/internship search strategies, and graduate school application prep.
I personally have submitted my resume for review at Career Services when I was in the process of applying to internships and they provided valuable feedback in under 2 days. One time a Career Services staff even came into one of my classes to do a workshop on salary negotiation, which I learned A LOT from. They gave our class so many tips and actionable items that will help us now and in the future, so I definitely recommend checking out their services.
Career Services also provides a schedule of career-related campus events. They host workshops, career fairs, and information sessions that you can attend to build your professional skillset and network. I recommend taking advantage of the career fairs, which are hosted each quarter, because there is no better way to get your name out there, connect with employers, and explore different companies all in one place! They typically have a general career fair, a STEM career fair, and sometimes virtual fairs.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Cascadia College
For Cascadia students, you can visit the Career & Transfer Office (Kodiak Corner, CC1). They offer assistance with planning for your future careers and with the transfer process. The Cascadia College “Career Exploration” website also has a page for all things career-related, such as job searching, career assessments, major info sessions, application help, and any upcoming events. This is a super helpful resource and includes a lot of useful information and tips for students who are currently looking for jobs or want to build the skills needed to pursue a certain career.
Photo credit: www.cascadia.edu
Study Spots
Campus Library
Though I may be a bit biased because I work at the library, I think one of the best study spots on campus is the library! It has three levels worth of study area for students – the first floor is best for group collaboration and zoom calls (normal chatter level), the second floor has lots of comfy chairs as well as bigger tables for group work (lower chatter level), and the third floor is perfect for quiet studying with many individual study carrels, study rooms available for reservation, and our silent reading room with a beautiful view of the wetlands through the floor to ceiling windows (quiet-silent chatter level).
I really like using the study rooms when I need a quiet space to call into a Zoom meeting or want to study with friends. The study rooms can be reserved online for up to two hours. You can only have one active reservation at a time and you can book two weeks in advance. Each study room contains a projector/TV, whiteboard, scratch paper, and writing utensils.
Another great place to get work done is the ARC. The top floor (ARC Overlook) is a big open space filled with lots of tables and chairs, as well as a video game alcove and gaming tables if you ever need to take a break during your study sessions. This floor is also lined with giant windows, so you get some natural light and a nice view!
They also have meeting rooms available to students that are first-come first-serve if they are not already booked by student clubs/organizations.
ARC Overlook, Photo credit: scout.uw.edu
Zoom Pods
A new addition to the campus are Zoom Pods! There are several located in the UW2 building on the first floor near the cafe / Gold Brew. They are individual pods available on a first-come first-serve basis with a limited use of 90 minutes. These are a great option if you need to quickly jump on a call or join an online class.
Photo credit: Taken by me
Study Alcoves and Other Resources
Each building on campus has study areas and alcoves on most floors. I’ve used these spaces to do a little homework or review for an exam before my class begins. It is super convenient on days I have classes, because I don’t have to account for the walk time to the classroom after my study sessions.
UW1 Second Floor Lobby, Photo credit: scout.uw.eduDiscovery Hall First Floor Lounge, Photo credit: scout.uw.edu
Another really useful resource is the Scout website. It lists in detail every study space available at UW Bothell. You can scroll through each building, look at photos of each spot, and find where on campus works best for you!
Food and Drink
Terrace Dining Pavilion
Over the past couple of years, the campus has been undergoing many renovations and changes, one of which includes the construction of the new dining hall! This is super exciting, because the campus has never had an official dining hall before. It is located next to the new residential and dorm building on the north side of campus (near the bus stop). The dining hall has multiple spots for different types of food, lots of seating on both floors, and to-go and online ordering options.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
The lower level has FoodLab and Clean Plate, which are two a la carte options. FoodLab has a variety of to-go bowls that rotate each week. Clean Plate has acai and create-your-own bowls, and is great if you’re looking for a more allergen friendly option.
The upper floor has Urban Kitchen and Market Bar, which offers to-go burgers, flatbreads, and sandwiches, as well as “all-you-care-to-eat” options including a buffet and salad bar. There is also The Drop, which features burgers, chicken, burritos, and fries. They open in the evenings, so it is the perfect place to satisfy your late night cravings!
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
The POD Market
The Market is right next door to the Campus Library and sells a variety of small food items and snacks. They have candy, chips, refrigerated drinks, traditional household essentials, as well as Alki Bakery sandwiches, parfaits, and pastries. If you’re looking for something quick to eat or need to grab a little food in between classes, the POD Market is the place to go.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Gold Brew
Gold Brew is the campus cafe! It is located on the first level of the UW2 building. They serve Starbucks coffee and tea and Alki Bakery sandwiches and sweets. Gold Brew also has a selection of other refrigerated drinks, such as RedBull and juices. There is a lot of seating in the cafe area where students eat their lunch or study with a yummy drink in-hand! Fun fact: Gold Brew has microwaves that students can use to heat up their food.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Husky Pantry and Kodiak Cave
An amazing resource on campus for both UW Bothell and Cascadia students is the Husky Pantry (ARC-120) and Kodiak Cave (LB2-006, right next to Campus Safety), respectively. They are both food resource centers for any student facing food insecurity. Whether you’re in between paychecks or need a little extra help to get through the week, Husky Pantry and Kodiak Cave are there to meet your needs.
Husky Pantry offers grocery staple items, seasonal products, hygiene and toiletry products (all non-perishable). Kodiak Cave offers both perishable and non-perishable items, such as kitchen essentials, breakfast items, soups, frozen fruit, frozen and canned meat/proteins, dairy, and more. Both centers function as a “choice pantry,” so students can walk-in and pick the items they need.
For additional food and wellness resources or questions, visit the Health and Wellness Resource Center (HaWRC) in ARC-120 or view their website.
Getting Involved & Things To Do On Campus
Events
The best way to be more involved on campus and feel like a part of the student community is to attend campus events. There are not only educational events, such as career fairs, workshops, and seminars, although there are many available to students, but the campus also organizes fun recreational events, too. For instance, I’ve seen events for open mics, movie nights, and even prom! There is also a Welcome Week at the beginning of each academic year for both new and returning students to participate in fun games, win school swag and prizes, and meet new people. Usually, at many of these events they provide free food, as well, which you can never pass up!
Another great way to get involved is joining a club! UW Bothell and Cascadia have a variety of clubs in a number of different categories, such as academic, cultural, religious, political, recreational, and even some that might be related to your favorite hobby. For example, we have STEM clubs, business/marketing clubs, student associations, book clubs, dancing/singing clubs, gaming clubs, and many more.
If you don’t know what you’re interested in or want to explore more about the clubs on campus, a club fair is hosted every quarter where you can walk around to their booths and get to know what their club does. There is also fun activities you can participate in and swag you can win if you visit enough booths. Most club tables have some goodies you can take with you, too!
The clubs themselves host lots of events and meetings throughout the year that you can attend regularly. I think finding a community of people who share the same interests as you is the perfect way to make new friends and feel more involved.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
I have personally joined and am an officer for the Bothell Women in Science and Engineering Club (BWiSE) and love interacting and spending time with other students who have similar goals and passions. Although we all get quite busy with school, I think it is so beneficial to be involved in extracurriculars or dedicate some time towards things outside of classes as it will help you feel more fulfilled during your time at college and it allows you to surround yourself with people who you know will support you.
On the first and second floor of the ARC, it has a video game alcove, as well as games that students can get from the front desk to use. The library also has a selection of video games for multiple different consoles that students can check-out and play at the game alcove. It is a great space for socializing with friends and a fun activity that you can do while on campus!
Fitness Center and Classes in the ARC
The ARC also has a fitness center on the lower level with a bunch of different types of gym equipment. No need to pay for an expensive gym membership elsewhere – students can use the campus fitness center for free! It’s open 8am-10pm on most days.
They offer group fitness classes almost every day, such as yoga, pilates, indoor cycling, and more. This is definitely something to take advantage of while you’re a student here, so that you, again, don’t have to pay for those classes, and the location is also super convenient since you’re already on campus anyways and you could even sign up with one of your friends/colleagues here.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
To view all upcoming fitness classes, go to the ARC calendar.
Intramural Activities / Sports
Another thing that the ARC organizes is intramural activities, where students have the opportunity to gather and play traditional team sports or other leisure activities regardless of skill or ability at no cost. This includes leagues, play-offs, and tournaments. Some examples of the activities are basketball, flag football, soccer, card games, board games, and alternative gaming.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
This is a good way to be part of a team, meet new people, relieve stress, and even obtain leadership roles. To sign up for intramural activities, you can go to their website sign-up page.
Outdoor Wellness
UW Bothell and Cascadia have a super cool community group called “Outdoor Wellness.” They offer outdoor programs, events, and trips, including activities like hiking, indoor rock climbing, camping, snow sports, and many more! For information about their upcoming events, check this schedule.
Sunset on an Olympic Coast backpacking trip, Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Don’t worry if you’ve never tried any of these activities or feel like you’re still a beginner, because they have trip options for all skill levels. Also, if you don’t have your own gear or equipment, you can rent some at no cost at the Nest Gear Shop (lower level of ARC) for 14 days. They have a variety of gear, such as backpacks, camping essentials, clothing and footwear, climbing/snow/water gear, and much more. You can also use the gear for your own personal outdoor trips! It is first-come-first-serve, though, so be sure to plan in advance by contacting the shop early about gear availability. To find more information or view a comprehensive list of gear offered, you can visit their website.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
Also related to getting outside, the campus has a beautiful wetlands that you can visit by walking along the paved sidewalk on the perimeter of the wetlands or go down the boardwalk into the wetlands (just be sure to stay on the path/boardwalk – you will need a permit to explore further). It is located past the ARC building and next to the sports fields (see map). Going outside and being surrounded by nature is the perfect way to clear your mind and de-stress, especially during the hustle and bustle of your school days. When visiting the wetlands, please remember to be respectful by keeping noise to a minimum, not leaving trash, and not disturbing the plants or animals.
Photo credit: www.uwb.edu
If you’re the kind of person who likes more of an exercise though, the same trail you cross to get to the wetlands is also called the North Creek Trail where people can bike, walk, and run. It is an easy route to follow and is usually very peaceful as you won’t encounter many other people. It is super accessible for those on campus and is a great place to take a break while getting in a little exercise.
Another cool space on campus that recently got renovated is the Collaboratory (DISC-152). It is a creative and open environment that provides a range of equipment and materials in which students can use to work on academic or personal projects, prototypes, art/design, and fabrication. They have machines, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, cricuts (computer-controlled cutting machines used for cutting paper, felt, vinyl, fabric, and more), button makers, modeling softwares, and more, as well as materials, such as printing filaments, woods, plastics, and metals. These resources are all free to students, however since they have limited materials they do ask that you try to bring in your own supplies after your first few visits.
Before your first visit, it is required that you complete their Collaboratory Orientation by filling out this form if you plan to use any materials from them. You can also go there in-person and speak to a staff member who can walk you through how to use the equipment – they are always happy to help!
Coming to the Collaboratory and getting creative is a great way to spend time on campus, especially when all the supplies are already provided to you. One of my coworkers made a beautiful personalized keychain with her own custom print and last time I was there I watched someone 3D printing a piece of their Halloween costume!
Photo credit: www.washington.edu
Visit the Mobius Art Gallery
Another wonderful thing to check-out on campus is the Mobius Art Gallery located in the CC3 building. There is always an amazing exhibition on display and they put out a new one every couple of months or so. Currently, an exhibition called “Where We Are” by Sarah Dillon is in the gallery with a theme of self-reflection, creativity, social analysis, and human interaction. To see information about the current exhibition, as well as previous ones, you can check out the gallery’s website.
Similar to being outside in nature, I think visiting the art gallery is a great space to find relaxation, inspiration, or reflection. I find that putting myself in a quiet, peaceful place and viewing art can help calm my body and mind. It is also fascinating how art can elicit different feelings and emotions, and even help in sparking creativity. The Mobius Art Gallery is definitely a must-see during your time here on campus!
Photo credit: www.cascadia.edu
“Did you know…”
The new STEM building, Innovation Hall (opened Winter 2024), is shared between both the UWB and Cascadia College campus.
The Campus Library doesn’t just have textbooks! They have a large selection of recreational books and other items available for checkout (fiction books, graphic novels, comics, video games, and more).
Students get 6 FREE 45-minute counseling sessions per academic year in the Counseling Center (UW1-080).
UW Bothell alumni within 3 years of graduation can schedule an appointment with a career coach at Career Services (UW1-160).
The WaCC doesn’t just offer services to current UW Bothell students, but also to anyone who is applying to UW Bothell or is a UW Bothell alumni.
Campus Safety offers safety escorts for anyone that ever feels uncomfortable, fearful or apprehensive about walking alone between points on campus.
The change in seasons can effect people in different ways, especially when there is a significant change, such as going from a warm season to a cold one. It’s critical to be aware of some of the things that may happen so that you’re better prepared. While we, including myself, may think that we understand how to prepare, it may be a good idea to receive a refresher on some key points. This winter season has been a chilly one.
Image captured from The Animated Woman
Securing everything for the winter doesn’t have to be a huge hassle! All it takes is just double-checking that everything is working, and taking action to restore anything that might need to be replaced. This would ease some of the stressors during the winter for you and your wallet.
Each upcoming winter season, my family and I like to take initiative steps to ensure we have some of the basics to survive a cold winter. We like to ensure we stock up on essentials such as perishable food items, water, portable charges (so that you’re able to charge your device without needing an outlet), flashlights, batteries, etc. Having these things on hand would be beneficial because as many of us know, Washington enjoys being unpredictable. It’s not fun having to make the trip to the store during harsh road conditions, so why not take these preventative measures so that you’re able to stay warm and safe during this chilly time?
Winter and Your Home
Some things that you can do to winterize your house can be things like:
Ensure that electrical, installation, and wiring are free from any possible damages or tears.
Check your heater systems, smoke detectors, alarms, etc.
Stocking up on any perishable and canned foods, water, medications, batteries, etc. (this would be crucial in case there were any power outages)
Having extra blankets, candles, and flashlights at the ready
Obtaining a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the event of something unexpected
Image captured from At Your Service
Winter and Your Vehicle
Image captured from iStock
Many people tend to enjoy driving in the snow. I encourage staying home so that you’re safe, but with that said, there are times when it’s inevitable to make the journey outside. Having our vehicles prepared for these times is just as important as winterizing your house. Another factor to consider would be to make sure your vehicle is set for the winter.
A few things that I like to do to make sure my car is prepared are:
Checking my tires and tire pressure (to make sure the thread is still good and there aren’t any tears)
Having a first aid kit in the car
Checking my overall engine for any potential leaks, smells, unusual sounds, etc.
For more information about keeping your vehicle ready for the winter season, I’d recommend referencing the Kelly Blue Book. They provide excellent information that is concise and easy to follow.
Winter and School
Having to worry about school during the winter season can be stressful. I think it is important to be attentive to school alerts regarding a closure due to any inclement weather. If there isn’t an emergent reason to go out, especially since school might be closed, just stay home. Your safety and that of those around you matter. The bright side to this is that the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College both have alert sign-ups so that you can be up-to-date with any updates about a potential closure.
When I have to commute somewhere, and there is snow on the roads, I like to reference the WA State DOT Traffic Cameras to get a glimpse of how prepared I should be or if I should remain at home until the time being.
Preparing for the winter season doesn’t have to be hectic. I think that taking initiative to ensure you have everything settled is key to surviving a cold winter season. The following sources are a great reference to use when preparing for the winter season.
Remaining indoors due to the inclement weather doesn’t have to be boring! The UW Bothell / Cascadia College Campus Library and the King County Library System both have excellent resources and online access for you to keep busy with e-books, podcasts, and more! If you’d like to search for podcasts or episodes, Listen Notes has an excellent selection of online podcasts that will help keep you entertained on a snowy day!
Remember to stay safe and cozy out there!
Title background image captured from: Wallpaperbat
Have you ever wanted to learn how to code? Do you know how to code, but want to enhance your skills or learn a new one? As an undergraduate computer science and software engineering student myself, I have used various resources and tools outside of my college courses to build on my knowledge and practice my coding skills. In this blog post, I would love to share some of my favorite online and/or free websites and other materials that I use and recommend to anyone interested in or pursuing computer science.
Of course, I don’t think any of these tools could replace the learning experience of my college courses, however I think they are wonderful for those who are just getting started, want to learn at their own pace, or those who want to expand their existing coding skills and/or prepare for interviews.
In addition to coding courses, they also have resources for interview prep and allows you to earn professional certificates that you can put on your resume after successfully completing a course.
While the majority of Codecademy’s courses are completely free, there are also a few more advanced courses that require the Codecademy Pro membership. As a college student though, you can receive complete access to the full interactive curriculum for over 55% off the regular price!
I am currently enrolled in the “Data Scientist: Analytics” Career Path as well as the “Back-End Engineer” Career Path, and have really enjoyed my experience working through each of the lessons. I think Codecademy does a fantastic job of introducing you to new concepts through articles, videos, real-world examples, and short quizzes. It gives me hands-on coding experience within their learning environment and even provides hints if I ever get stuck.
DataCamp
DataCamp is another interactive learning platform that offers hundreds of courses and several career track certificate programs in different technologies and coding languages, such as SQL, Python, R, Power BI, Tableau, and more. DataCamp aims to help users build data science, statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence skills. They note that 80% of Fortune 1000 companies use DataCamp to upskill their teams, including top companies, such as Google, PayPal, eBay, Microsoft, and Uber.
My STEM scholarship mentors actually recommended DataCamp to me, because their company’s Data and AI team sometimes uses the courses to hone in on their skills. Since then, I have completed DataCamp’s “Introduction to Python” and “Understanding Data Science” lessons.
Courses usually include short videos and interactive exercises that are catered to everyone – from beginners to those already in the industry. The courses are taught by DataCamp instructors and all the lessons allow you to practice and apply the skills you learned through different problems and projects.
Similar to Codecademy, DataCamp also has the option to upgrade your learning plan to unlock more advanced courses, however, you can again use your status as a college student to receive over 50% off the regular price if you do decide to explore more courses. They also offer professional certifications as part of the premium plan, as well.
LeetCode
LeetCode is a bit different than the above platforms in that it is mainly used to practice solving coding problems and prepare for technical interviews. The primary users of the website are software engineers.
It offers over 2750 free exercises, which each have a level ranking of “Beginner,” “Medium,” or “Hard.” The coding questions focus on data structures and algorithms and supports multiple programming languages.
When you complete a problem, LeetCode will judge your solution based on how many test cases it passes, runtime, and memory usage compared to other submissions. LeetCode also has an option to view other users’ posted solutions and provides hints when you’re stuck on a problem.
The website offers study plans, crash courses, and challenges. Some of these will guide you through how a technical interview might look like at some of the big tech companies, such as Google, Amazon, and Facebook.
The questions are very similar (if not sometimes the same) to ones that are asked in technical interviews, so it is a really great tool to use if you know you’ll be applying to jobs or internships in the tech industry soon. Some people recommend completing at least one LeetCode question a day to consistently build your skills and better prepare for your upcoming interviews.
Library Resources
The UW Bothell / Cascadia College Library contains a plethora of wonderful books and other materials for anyone pursuing computer science and software engineering – and they’re free! On the third floor of the library, in the QA section located in LB2, you can find a wide range of computer science textbooks that can help you learn a new programming language, explore specific concepts, or you might just need them for one of your CSSE courses. Here are just a few examples pulled right from our collection:
A popular book that many UWB professors and other professionals in the field highly recommend is “Cracking the coding interview: 189 programming questions and solutions.” You can get it here at the library in our Career Books collection located on the first floor next to the Research and Computing Help Desk.
“Cracking the coding interview” is a great resource for preparing for the technical interview and dives into what skills you need to succeed. It provides 189 problems and walks you through how to approach each question, how to break down the question into manageable chunks, as well as how to derive the best solution. Some topics include big O time, data structures, and algorithms.
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on books for your classes and career, you can get them at no cost from the campus library! I really recommend perusing our physical collection or using the UW library search catalog to find specific titles or topics. You can checkout the materials at the front desk or you can place a hold on an item online and pick it up. All you need is your campus ID card (Husky card or Cascadia College card) to check out items.
