[00:00:00] Etinosa Ogbevoen: Hey guys. Welcome to the first official episode of the Horner Home Podcast. We are both here today and we’re excited to be talking to you. Be in your ears. We’ve got a great episode for you today. Yes, we

[00:00:20] Dr. Brandon Jones: do. Super excited. But who, who is this? We just in case people can read the Not My voice

[00:00:25] Etinosa Ogbevoen: by now. Come on now.

[00:00:26] Just kidding. Um, it’s me at Noso, be community coordinator out at the university apartment.

[00:00:32] Dr. Brandon Jones: And I am Brandon Jones, director for Student Learning Development and Engagement in Housing and Dining. And we are both coming to you live from the Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Studio on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin Hookem Horns.

[00:00:49] Horn. The horns are home. Yeah, the horns are home. Let’s, let’s kick this thing off the way, the way, the way we planned on it, folks. Cause we, we got an exciting episode for you. And one of the things that [00:01:00] we are gonna do every single episode, whether we have a guest, uh, or taking feedback from folks, we wanna talk about what makes UT home,

[00:01:08] Etinosa Ogbevoen: what makes UT home?

[00:01:09] What a questions.

[00:01:11] Dr. Brandon Jones: You wanna answer that

[00:01:12] Etinosa Ogbevoen: for us? You wanna kick this? Kick that off. Um, What a question I’ve been really pondering on this and what aspects of home do I resonate the most with? And I think for me it’s gonna be where, at my office. Okay. Okay. You guys have to know with my position, I live where I work so.

[00:01:30] it is home. Mm-hmm. , but specifically my office because it’s just a place of peace. And when I think of home, I think of peace. I have my plants in there so that I can like tend to those. Mm-hmm. and I just feel like my brain is cleared out. I’m able to just like, Zone out. I’ve got great people that I work with.

[00:01:50] So it’s just a lot of positive energy. It’s a positive working space. It’s green space. Mm-hmm. , it’s bright. Um, so [00:02:00] it just makes me feel like home. Those are the aspects of home that I love. Peace and plants ,

[00:02:05] Dr. Brandon Jones: peace and pla, listen, that’s a shirt. We should get that. Okay, , let’s go. Let’s get that made. Yeah. So for me, I would say that the thing that makes UT home for me is the people.

[00:02:16] Mm. I and I say that and people are automatically like, well, of course you say that. No, I mean it, it is people, like whenever I think of something I wanna accomplish in my work, There’s a person that immediately comes to mind. It’s not a resource, it’s not an office, it’s a person. And so for me it’s people like Mr.

[00:02:33] Shaw that, uh, works security does the crossing guard thing up there over by the Gordon White Building and, uh, by the Barbara Jordan statue. I mean, he’s waving at everybody. He’s throwing up the hook ’em sign. He was on the cover of the. The magazine that goes out about a year or so ago, they put him on the cover of that magazine.

[00:02:51] So people like him. I think about folks like, uh, miss Carla that works. The, uh, one of the cashiers at Ken’s, uh, dining. I [00:03:00] think about, uh, Richard who works inside, uh, Ken’s d. Not Ken, he’s in J two, uh, dining and, and make sure that the place is clean and spotless and you got a good, safe, uh, sanitized place to eat.

[00:03:12] And so I’m just thinking about people and that to me, that’s what makes UT special No matter where I’m at or what I’m thinking about, there’s always a person that. Comes around and just makes this place, uh, extra special. And so that’s what, and that’s what this podcast is all about. It’s about, you know, what, talking to folks about what makes them feel at home, not only here on campus, but out in the world, and what are those elements that go into that?

[00:03:37] And so, Every episode, be ready. Be ready because not only will you be hearing from us and our guests, but we wanna hear from you at some point. So if you’re not already doing so, make sure you’re following us on. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m saying this. TikTok, uh, the department has a TikTok account, uh, now, and you could also follow us on Twitter and you can follow us on, uh, Instagram and all of those handles [00:04:00] are in the show notes.

[00:04:01] And so please, please, please, friends follow us there. So, We’ve also got a couple of things coming up. Um, Thanksgiving is coming. Yeah. And then after that classes are done and this academic calendar has changed. And I’m loving it because I love how fast the students get to go home. Yes. And then that puts me in the space to be able to think and process.

[00:04:26] But I don’t know if people know how to, how to break.

[00:04:29] Etinosa Ogbevoen: Uh, I know, I know. And we really got a shout at this fall break y’all get. That is exciting. A full week of break. Listen.

[00:04:36] Dr. Brandon Jones: Y’all enjoyed it and you noticed we said, y’all tell them why. They, we, you said

[00:04:39] Etinosa Ogbevoen: y’all at most. Okay. Like I, I’m not going home the I work until Thanksgiving.

[00:04:43] Mm-hmm. , I, yeah. So lucky you guys. I’m jealous of you guys. I’ve never received a fall break a week. So please, I am begging you guys to enjoy this week long break and that is, I feel like, like you said, it’s hard for people [00:05:00] to enjoy this break. Right. And that’s what we were talking about today. Mm-hmm. , we wanna share some ways to, for you guys to really enjoy the break because I know you guys have been Go, go, go, go, go.

[00:05:12] Mm-hmm. this entire semester. So really taking a whole week off. We wanna give you some tips, some strategies to really maximize your break. So, Dr. Jones, what is your first tip? Listen

[00:05:23] Dr. Brandon Jones: in the, so my very first tip for maximizing the break is drum roll. Actually taking a break because the one thing that people don’t do well is actually breaking, you know, we talk about adulting.

[00:05:39] I don’t think people know how to break. Yeah. Especially college students, when you’ve been. All semester since August, especially our freshman, you’re gonna get this whole week to yourself to go and do whatever it is you do, whether it’s with your family, with your friends, or if you’re staying here in Austin, actually take a break.

[00:05:58] It’s okay to stop. [00:06:00] It’s okay to sleep in. It is okay to not. Read that book, and I’m not saying don’t do your homework or things you’re required to do, but it’s okay to stop and whatever stopping looks like for you, please do that. That, that, at least that’s my first one. What’s your first one?

[00:06:15] Etinosa Ogbevoen: Okay. Mine’s very similar and I said slow down.

[00:06:18] Okay. Think it’s. Interesting how fast paced we work. Mm-hmm. every day, like even on the weekends, like your weekends fly by. We talk about how the weeks fly by and being intentional about slowing down is a lot easier said than done. You know, I judged when I, when I think about slowing down, I’m thinking like, you’re counting the leaves on the trees.

[00:06:39] Like you are like, wow, I did not realize. Trees are changing colors. Mm-hmm. , or just noticing those themes around you that you don’t normally get to. Just like sit with, just sit on the park bench, breathe the air. Mm-hmm. , and just take those deep breaths because a lot of times we’re just hyperventilating half the time, going through our breathing, exercising, and not really be intentional with the aspects of just [00:07:00] slowing down, taking everything in.

[00:07:02] Mm-hmm. , taking those deep breaths. So that would be my first tip for enjoying the break. Slow down, whatever that looks like.

[00:07:09] Dr. Brandon Jones: I like that. I like that slowing down and, and my second point is also somewhere in line with your first one. And that’s actually do something intentionally restorative because otherwise it is not a real break.

[00:07:22] Pursue those activities and those things that intentionally, that deliberately, they just, they are restorative in nature. Sleep is one of those things. Sleep. At its core function. Mm-hmm. is meant to help us restore energy and help us recover. Y’all don’t need me to give you a, a lesson on human biology and all of that stuff, but the truth of the matter is, is that we need a reminder every once in a while that our breaks are meant for us to.

[00:07:49] Go and do those things that restore and that looks different for everyone. But if it’s not intentionally restorative, I don’t know how we can call it a break or is it just stopping the things [00:08:00] that we’re required to do. Right. Yeah. And I, I want our students, students, as you’re listening and parents that have their students at home with them listening to this, I want you to encourage your, your student, regardless of whether they’re freshman through grad student, to just pursue those activities and those things.

[00:08:17] Restore their energy that get them ready to come back and go do finals before they get another break. Right. And it’s an even longer break. Yeah. However, it’s still a break. Yes. So that’s what I would say for my second one.

[00:08:29] Etinosa Ogbevoen: In the same terms of sleeping, the intentional theme that I am suggesting you guys do is turn off your alarms.

[00:08:36] I know we have a bajillion in five. I’m a queen of a sn. I’ll have that snooze going four or five times before I get outta the bed. Oh man. But the best sleep, and we all know it, is when there are no alarms and you just let your body truly rest, right? Like you’re gonna wake up and it’s gonna feel so natural.

[00:08:55] And then I love this. I love when I wake up and I’m like, mm, no, I’m going back to [00:09:00] sleep. And then , you just go back to sleep because you’re intentionally turning off those alarms. Hopefully you have nowhere to be. , but those alarms can be very anxiety inducing. Cause it’s just an indication of like, I have got to go somewhere.

[00:09:13] I’ve got to get ready. I’ve got to do X, Y, and Z. So that is my intentional task for you. Turn off all 15 alarms. Turn them off. Go through your phone.

[00:09:23] Dr. Brandon Jones: You don’t need, and turn off those snoozes too. That automatically come up. Just go ahead and turn them all off.

[00:09:28] Etinosa Ogbevoen: Exactly, exactly. You can turn them back on when you get back.

[00:09:31] Dr. Brandon Jones: That’s funny. I I have two. Okay. I have two. I’ve got the one that’s meant to be the soothing, calm, win the day alarm. Mm-hmm. . And then there’s the one that, oh crap, I missed the alarm. , this thing is loud. Yes. And me, the kids, my wife and the dog are gonna wake up so that, those are the only two. When I get a chance to take a break, I absolutely.

[00:09:53] Take great joy and pleasure in being able to just go, oh, I woke up. Yeah. So this is what other [00:10:00] people get to

[00:10:00] Etinosa Ogbevoen: do. Yes. Right? I said, this is babies what

[00:10:03] Dr. Brandon Jones: they get to do. Listen, there’s something privileged about that, right? Yes. . It’s just like, oh man, the alarm didn’t go off there. Let me do this. Yes. So I think my.

[00:10:11] Third point. Okay. And this’ll be my last one. Okay. Uh, is this thing that I call minding your D’s and F’s. Oh, interesting. And what I mean by that is pay attention to the things that deplete d uhhuh or drain you uhhuh, or the things that fill you up. That’s the F. Because if you’re aware of those things, you’ll, I hope that you’ll do your due diligence in staying away from them, because this is a break.

[00:10:35] This is meant to be intentionally restorative. And so conversations that are draining. Look, you gotta come back and do finals. You gotta come back to your residence hall or your apartment and come and do final exams. And the last thing you wanna bring back is the drama and the stress of what should have been a time that was restorative and energizing.

[00:10:54] Yes. And so pay attention to those things that drain you. Mm-hmm. and then. Participate in the things that I [00:11:00] said earlier that are intentionally restorative, but those things that fill you up. Yes. So play that Xbox, play that PS five, you know, uh, the new, the Batman, new Batman game, uh, came out. Go go. The got was that got them Knight go play that.

[00:11:12] I, I wish I. Had a new console, so I can do that. Uh, but that’s neither here nor there. Look, Christmas is coming. It’s coming, it is coming to somebody. Um, but do those things that fill your tank up. And if that’s going to the beach, for those of you that are gonna do that, if that’s going for that hike or that run, or just sitting down enjoying coffee with your parents and family that you haven’t seen in a while, do those things.

[00:11:35] But the things that drain, if you don’t have to participate in them, don. Go enjoy this break please.

[00:11:41] Etinosa Ogbevoen: What about you? Okay, my last tip. I feel like we’re on the same. Are we on wave? Are we in there brainwave? Mine is my two R’s. I actually just stole that from you. Go for it. Um, refuel and replenish. Shake it go.

[00:11:53] Um, I just think for me, one of the first things unfortunately that goes when I’m busy, busy, busy is just taking [00:12:00] care of my body. And as much as like sleep is so great as a restorative action, I also. I’m intentional about like getting enough water if it’s like slowing down my movements and making sure that like I’m okay.

[00:12:13] I know I tend to like wanna go to the gym or something like that. And just as a touch base with where I am mentally, emotionally, and physically. Mm-hmm. and that refuels me. So whatever that looks like for you, maybe it’s like meditation or yoga and stuff like that just to make sure. To always talk about mental, emotional, and physical health, um, as a way, because I feel like when one is outta sync, all the other ones are gonna decline.

[00:12:37] Two. So how do you refuel all of those things? Do things that you love and replenish your your cup. So that you can come back and take the rest of the semester by charge. You are reenerg energized, um, for the rest of the semester. So that’s what I would say. Refuel and replenish. That’s

[00:12:56] Dr. Brandon Jones: awesome. That’s awesome.

[00:12:57] I love that. And I love the fact that [00:13:00] on a, on a show that’s talking about the horns are home. We’re giving folks strategies on how to be home, because here’s the reality, this is not just something that our students can utilize when they’re just on break. Mm-hmm. , this is something that they could implement, uh, in, I’m gonna make sure I say this correctly in micro ways, little small micro ways, or is my friend Darren Roberts calls it micro winds.

[00:13:24] Having those scattered throughout each day. If you can do that and. Pockets of time to do these things. Mm-hmm. , you can implement this and it can, and breaking can become a lifestyle. Did I just say that? Wow. Is that, is that, is that become a lifestyle? Is that the episode time?

[00:13:38] Etinosa Ogbevoen: It is. We’re done. We’re doing that a sweatshirt immediately.

[00:13:43] I’m getting it tattooed on the back of my arm. Listen.

[00:13:45] Dr. Brandon Jones: I love it. I love it. Listen, before we let you all go, et Noosa has something really cool that she prepared for you all, and I like it. We talked about it and I, I the idea that, that she was just pouring out there, I thought that would be great. [00:14:00] A great way to end the podcast episode today.

[00:14:02] And so, uh, and if you like it, We wanna challenge you to do the same thing at Teno. Why don’t you tell ’em what it is that you’re about to

[00:14:09] Etinosa Ogbevoen: present? Yes, this is my special segment, uh, called Letters to a Young at 10. And I am a very reflective person and I think about my time in college. Quite often. I work in a college, so it’s so interesting to work with students and to see kind of, and hear what they’re going through.

[00:14:26] So I always think to myself, What would I tell Younga Tena when she was 19, 20, 21, 22. Yeah, I’m owed. So, uh, , I’m talking to my younger self and so this is what I would tell them At Tena, you are doing your best and you did your best. This is a break for you, and you get to just sit in it. Take the break, take those deep breaths and thank yourself for getting through it.

[00:14:54] You’ve got a couple more weeks and I know you’re gonna do your best. So take all [00:15:00] the break that you need, sleep, slow down, refuel and replenish, and come back bigger and. And that’s the, the letter to myself.

[00:15:09] Dr. Brandon Jones: I love it. I love it. Students, if you’re listening to this and you got something from that, number one, let us know.

[00:15:17] Uh, reach out to us on social media and just say, Hey, oh my gosh, that letter was cool. Or, uh, you know, reach out to us on the, uh, housing at ute@austin.texs.edu email address, and they’ll make sure that it gets to osa. Or you can use any of the social media handles that are in the episode. And or if you yourself, like.

[00:15:39] Write a letter to yourself. Write a letter to yourself. That may be a program we do one day. Yeah. Uh, between our, our teams, we may get some postcards, have ’em post dated. Yeah. And have them write letters to their futures. Yeah.

[00:15:52] Etinosa Ogbevoen: Oh my gosh, that was

[00:15:52] Dr. Brandon Jones: amazing. . So, so if y’all are feeling that, if y’all like what Etsa just shared, uh, let her know, but also do [00:16:00] yourself a favor and write messages of encouragement and affirmation.

[00:16:03] To yourself cuz it definitely goes a long way. Did you have anything, any other final thoughts before we wrap this first

[00:16:08] Etinosa Ogbevoen: episode up? No, I’ve got no final thoughts except I believe in you guys. Take the break. Enjoy the week. Long break and we’ll catch you in the next episode. Woohoo.

[00:16:17] Dr. Brandon Jones: Say you like.