I’ve mentioned more than once that I’ve always had a complicated relationship with school, but as I enter finals week, I am proud to say that school and I are back together and happier than ever. This was not my first semester since returning to my studies, but this was the semester that solidified my resolve to finish my degree. Last semester I was enrolled in nine units: the lightest class load I have ever had. I enjoyed my classes last semester and did well in them, but I was nowhere near as invested in school as I was this semester.
Two of my three fall classes were late-start, evening courses, and school felt like a pit stop to me: somewhere I went for a couple of hours every other day because I had to. But this spring, I felt like I was thrust into the student lifestyle again. True, DVC is a commuter school and true, I do not think it has the same sense of community that universities do. Even so, in my last week of spring semester I feel academically recharged and confident that returning to school was the right decision for me.
So why this semester do I feel like a student virgin, studying for the very first time? Since I’ve recently taken a liking to listing things in my blogs, below are some of the reasons I believe this semester has rekindled my academic flame.
Journalism 120: I swear, no butt-kissing intended! Prior to taking this class, I had forgotten how much I love journalism. Journalism classes have such an open-forum quality to them, and it’s an environment that allows me to really flourish. I love collaboration and discussion; I thrive on the exchange of ideas and varying viewpoints. At the end of the day, however, collaboration is only productive and enjoyable when you’re surrounded with good people. Having such great classmates made those three hour blocks much easier to manage. This class spurred my first real wave of enthusiasm for my major. (I would praise the professor we had, but like I said, no butt-kissing.)
Major coursework: Taking a string of general education classes can be such a drag. They are the same subjects you had to take in high school and usually have little or nothing to do with your major. But I found that taking courses with related content (like news writing and communications) engaged my interest more than ever. Finally seeing connections between my classes intrigued my intellect. I honestly feel like such a dweeb this semester because I’ve actually enjoyed school. (If you tease me…I will cry.)
Good people: I was fortunate to have class with some very fun and interesting people this semester. I run into friends and acquaintances daily at DVC: definitely not something I expected at a community college. Like I said before, DVC used to just be a pit stop for me. Spring was a welcome departure from that.
Campus adventures: Many assignments in my classes (particularly news writing) required me to venture into parts of campus I had never wandered before. I had never even been in the library until last month when I started a research paper! True story. I never got coffee at the bookstore until this semester. Getting to know campus made me feel like I was part of the community.
Professors: No matter how interesting or exciting a subject is, it can be totally trashed if taught by a crappy professor. I’ve had some great professors this semester, some that I speak to outside of the classroom on a regular basis. A good professor makes a marked difference in any class.
Hopefully I continue to be satisfied with school. I’m finally back to stay. And I’m finally done posting blogs every Monday.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Blog 11: The Secret to Good Grades: It's All in the Details
Every college student can pull a 4.0 grade point average. You may want to wave your fist (and transcripts) at me in protest of this statement, but I have always believed it to be true. I have learned many valuable lessons through my tumultuous relationship with higher education (see Blog 3), but the one that I feel may actually be worth something to other students is this: the easiest and most effective way to succeed in school is to establish healthy academic habits, which anyone can do.
Photo courtesy of Fanpop
Confession: I generally consider myself a poor student. I’m often late or absent for class, I have a tendency to push assignments to the last minute and I may rely a bit too heavily on my BS skills to get by. Yet with my spring semester at Cal State Northridge standing as the only exception (a semester that was impeded by extenuating personal circumstances), I have consistently held a 3.0 minimum GPA since freshman year of high school. Despite my failings as a student, it seems I must be doing something right.
Only recently have I taken a close look at what that "something" might be. Turns out, there are quite a few "somethings" -- habits and processes I have refined over time, mostly unconsciously, that have given me a much-needed edge in school. However, I am hardly a model student. My input, while potentially valuable, isn’t entirely sufficient.
So I also spoke to two of my friends who have had great success with college: UCLA graduate student Jon Kemal (astrophysics) and UC Berkeley graduate student Marissa Perez (molecular biology). Pulling from the advice they divulged and my own experiences, below are some habits that stand to improve your academic career.
Get to know your professor. As the final arbiter of your success in his or her course, your professor is someone worth investing time and interest in. Pay close attention to what your professors talk about frequently, or lecture on with great passion and emphasis. These things are likely to pop up on tests or assignments.
“It helps to try to read the professor, figure out what's likely to be on an exam,” Kemal said. “Don't spend your study time for a midterm redoing homework problems that took you three hours … You need to make sure you understand how to setup a wide variety of problems, and pay attention to the types of things the teacher seems to like.”
Establishing friendly ties with your professors doesn’t hurt either. I try to connect outside of the classroom with all of my professors. It makes the learning experience more enjoyable as a student, and professors often think higher of students who take the time and interest to come by their office hours or ask questions outside of class.
Test-taking is a skill: learn it! Everyone takes them, nobody likes them. But exams are an unfortunate fact of college life. While the best way to do well on any test is to become familiar with the material beforehand, there are some tips and tricks to aid you through mental blanks or difficult questions.
“Simple prioritizing techniques are important -- deciding what's worth the most points,” Kemal said. “That also needs to come down to study habits. Don't just study for the upcoming thing no matter what it is. Know what EVERYTHING is worth the whole quarter, and prioritize.”
Even if you encounter a question you do not know the answer to, remember that something is better than nothing.
“Don't be scared to write down something from memory that doesn't seem to make sense if you've got nothing else,” Kemal said. “Exams are graded quickly. If professors see something that looks somewhat right you [could] get more points. They don't have the time to try to figure out exactly what you were thinking.”
Find the study strategy that works for you. Everyone has their own study style. Find your study groove and run with it. Some students get a head-start on their studying, while others prefer to cram.
“I’m very fortunate that I pick up a lot of stuff in lecture the first time around,” Perez said. “I mainly study lecture notes starting two days before the test.”
Perez takes a three-part approach when studying for a test. She reviews her lecture notes, goes over homework assignments or study questions and reviews past exams from the course. Generally, she stays away from study groups.
“I study alone. I rarely do group studying because I can’t concentrate at all,” Perez said.
Others prefer the group effort.
“Study groups help, of course. Sometimes people come up with things you don't,” Kemal said. “And teaching things to other students is the best way to make sure you understand it yourself.”
Get friendly with your pen and paper. If you still have not mastered the art of note-taking, you better get on it. Just like tests, taking good notes is a skill that requires active practice. Identifying and documenting key information presented in lecture allows you to recognize the topics you need to focus on when reviewing for a test. Plus, taking notes helps keep your mind from wandering in class.
“I need to write, mostly because I'll fall asleep,” Perez said. “But even if they are printed notes, I’ll make notes on them as the lecture goes on.”
Connect with your classmates. Aside from making your time in class more enjoyable, forging connections with your fellow students can really help your academics. If you miss a class, or forgot the homework, being in contact with your classmates outside of the lecture hall can greatly benefit you. You can also turn to these people for questions, study groups or peer reviews.
Reward yourself. Even the most disciplined students suffer cramming exhaust. Studying for hours on end without relief can actually work against you by ebbing away at your powers of concentration. Take short, frequent breaks to keep your mind sharp and reward yourself for the hard work you’ve done. Take a walk around the block, hop on Facebook, have some coffee or indulge in some sweets.
“I study at home, so I’ll make brownies or cakes or cookies,” Perez said. “There is always a ton of baked goods around midterm time, and even more during finals!”
Everyone has different habits and preferences when it comes to school. What works for some students may not be as effective for others. Regardless, your success in school largely depends on your daily habits. Refine your habits and you may very well see that GPA rise!
If you have other suggestions or ideas, please share!
Photo courtesy of FanpopConfession: I generally consider myself a poor student. I’m often late or absent for class, I have a tendency to push assignments to the last minute and I may rely a bit too heavily on my BS skills to get by. Yet with my spring semester at Cal State Northridge standing as the only exception (a semester that was impeded by extenuating personal circumstances), I have consistently held a 3.0 minimum GPA since freshman year of high school. Despite my failings as a student, it seems I must be doing something right.
Only recently have I taken a close look at what that "something" might be. Turns out, there are quite a few "somethings" -- habits and processes I have refined over time, mostly unconsciously, that have given me a much-needed edge in school. However, I am hardly a model student. My input, while potentially valuable, isn’t entirely sufficient.
So I also spoke to two of my friends who have had great success with college: UCLA graduate student Jon Kemal (astrophysics) and UC Berkeley graduate student Marissa Perez (molecular biology). Pulling from the advice they divulged and my own experiences, below are some habits that stand to improve your academic career.
Get to know your professor. As the final arbiter of your success in his or her course, your professor is someone worth investing time and interest in. Pay close attention to what your professors talk about frequently, or lecture on with great passion and emphasis. These things are likely to pop up on tests or assignments.
“It helps to try to read the professor, figure out what's likely to be on an exam,” Kemal said. “Don't spend your study time for a midterm redoing homework problems that took you three hours … You need to make sure you understand how to setup a wide variety of problems, and pay attention to the types of things the teacher seems to like.”
Establishing friendly ties with your professors doesn’t hurt either. I try to connect outside of the classroom with all of my professors. It makes the learning experience more enjoyable as a student, and professors often think higher of students who take the time and interest to come by their office hours or ask questions outside of class.
Test-taking is a skill: learn it! Everyone takes them, nobody likes them. But exams are an unfortunate fact of college life. While the best way to do well on any test is to become familiar with the material beforehand, there are some tips and tricks to aid you through mental blanks or difficult questions.
“Simple prioritizing techniques are important -- deciding what's worth the most points,” Kemal said. “That also needs to come down to study habits. Don't just study for the upcoming thing no matter what it is. Know what EVERYTHING is worth the whole quarter, and prioritize.”
Even if you encounter a question you do not know the answer to, remember that something is better than nothing.
“Don't be scared to write down something from memory that doesn't seem to make sense if you've got nothing else,” Kemal said. “Exams are graded quickly. If professors see something that looks somewhat right you [could] get more points. They don't have the time to try to figure out exactly what you were thinking.”
Find the study strategy that works for you. Everyone has their own study style. Find your study groove and run with it. Some students get a head-start on their studying, while others prefer to cram.
“I’m very fortunate that I pick up a lot of stuff in lecture the first time around,” Perez said. “I mainly study lecture notes starting two days before the test.”
Perez takes a three-part approach when studying for a test. She reviews her lecture notes, goes over homework assignments or study questions and reviews past exams from the course. Generally, she stays away from study groups.
“I study alone. I rarely do group studying because I can’t concentrate at all,” Perez said.
Others prefer the group effort.
“Study groups help, of course. Sometimes people come up with things you don't,” Kemal said. “And teaching things to other students is the best way to make sure you understand it yourself.”
Get friendly with your pen and paper. If you still have not mastered the art of note-taking, you better get on it. Just like tests, taking good notes is a skill that requires active practice. Identifying and documenting key information presented in lecture allows you to recognize the topics you need to focus on when reviewing for a test. Plus, taking notes helps keep your mind from wandering in class.
“I need to write, mostly because I'll fall asleep,” Perez said. “But even if they are printed notes, I’ll make notes on them as the lecture goes on.”
Connect with your classmates. Aside from making your time in class more enjoyable, forging connections with your fellow students can really help your academics. If you miss a class, or forgot the homework, being in contact with your classmates outside of the lecture hall can greatly benefit you. You can also turn to these people for questions, study groups or peer reviews.
Reward yourself. Even the most disciplined students suffer cramming exhaust. Studying for hours on end without relief can actually work against you by ebbing away at your powers of concentration. Take short, frequent breaks to keep your mind sharp and reward yourself for the hard work you’ve done. Take a walk around the block, hop on Facebook, have some coffee or indulge in some sweets.
“I study at home, so I’ll make brownies or cakes or cookies,” Perez said. “There is always a ton of baked goods around midterm time, and even more during finals!”
Everyone has different habits and preferences when it comes to school. What works for some students may not be as effective for others. Regardless, your success in school largely depends on your daily habits. Refine your habits and you may very well see that GPA rise!
If you have other suggestions or ideas, please share!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Blog 10: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...
I know fear was meant to be useful. The body’s physical fear response was put in place so we’d be alerted to dangers in our immediate environment and poised to act accordingly. This psychological mechanism has been a key component in the survival of most animals, including humans. So really, fear is kind of a nice guy.
But I find it rude when fear decides to kick in at pivotal and inconvenient moments, like when I ready myself to say something witty and charming to that one guy in class. Unless there is a tiger crouched behind a desk ready to bound at me, fear has no place in that conversation. But alas, there fear is, waving menacingly at me over the boy’s shoulder.
Well, now isn’t this embarrassing? I am admitting on my public blog, which my classmates will read, that boys can still make me nervous. Yup, that’s right. I’m almost 23 years old, and I still get the butterflies when talking (or attempting to talk) to a guy I like. But, surprisingly, I am not alone.
Speaking to my friends, I find that a majority of both males and females experience similar anxiety, to varying degrees. Whether they are nervous and unsure about telling a good friend that platonic isn’t cutting it, or too shy to break the ice with the cute girl in class, my friends share similar stories of the frustrating self-consciousness that kicks into gear when interacting with the object of their desire. While many people may not openly share these anxieties, it seems like being nervous around people you find attractive is a fairly standard reaction.
In a recent conversation with my friend and fellow DVC student Brittany Slaney, I realized something that might sound ridiculously obvious: this problem is often rooted in a poor self-image. Even though some guys make me nervous, I consider myself a relatively confident person. I like and accept most parts of myself, I am certainly not afraid to speak my mind and am generally talkative and friendly. So why the change when my current crush is added to the mix?
As Brittany and I continued talking, we discussed the idea that this phenomenon may stem from self-esteem issues we didn’t even realize we had. Suddenly, I was struck by the idea that this might be something worth writing about. I think almost every college student could relate to this topic. I asked her if I could quote her for my blog, and she (somewhat courageously) accepted.
Brittany is an amiable and outgoing 20- year-old who is quick to socialize and make friends with anyone. But, like many of us, talking to or even being around the person she likes makes her inexplicably nervous. In pondering why this may be, she articulated the root of her fear.
“Being around guys I am attracted to, I feel like I’m not what they’re after,” said Brittany.
I realized that I do the same thing, but why would I think that? As I began looking back at my adolescence, I finally understood. Our generation has been raised to idolize a standard of beauty that is difficult to obtain: thin women with long, shiny hair and flawless skin (large breasts don’t hurt either). This ideal has been shown to be incredibly detrimental to self-images, particularly to those of young females.
Photo courtesy of Dating Weblog
According to a 2007 BBC News article “Young ‘Hung Up’ on Their Bodies,” 51 percent of young women would have surgery to improve their looks and a third of those who are a size 12 think they are overweight.
As a pudgy child who was taller than every boy in my class until high school came around, I think I still hold on to the notion that physically, I don’t cut the mustard. This belief may be mostly unconscious, but it still rears its ugly head at inopportune times. Slaney shares a similar sentiment.
“I’m confident talking to people and speaking my mind, and comfortable with how I look, until I really look at myself. And then it’s like I’m a totally different person,” Slaney said.
She says that much of her poor self-image comes from unhappiness with her weight. Sporting what many would consider an “average figure,” Slaney says her ideal weight would be 20 pounds less than her current one.
“I just look in the mirror, and I see everything is overweight, and feel like no clothes are ever going to look good,” said Slaney.
Because our culture places so much emphasis on beauty, even girls who are intelligent, successful and healthy can still suffer major blows to their self-images when they fail to live up to society’s expectations. This negative self-image gathers so much strength in adolescence, it’s no wonder that women continue to feel the effects well into adulthood.
An article titled “Media and Girls” from The Media Awareness Network says that “In its 1998 study Focus on Youth, the Canadian Council on Social Development reports that while the number of boys who say they ‘have confidence in themselves’ remains relatively stable through adolescence, the numbers for girls drop steadily from 72 percent in grade six students to only 55 percent in grade ten.”
Even in their 20s, the females of my generation are still fighting the emotional repercussions of this trend. Some of us, like me, continue to feel like we aren’t what men want. Others, like Brittany, feel that if they just lost those extra 20 pounds, life would be better.
But when is it enough? I asked Brittany how she would feel if she lost those last 20 pounds.
“I might feel better about myself,” said Slaney. “But then again, I feel like I’m always going to strive for more.”
It is my hope that every girl and woman be completely proud and accepting of her body, image and life, regardless of media input. The cliché, while cheesy, remains true: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That’s exactly what I’ll be telling myself next time I see fear waving from behind McDream Dude’s shoulder.
But I find it rude when fear decides to kick in at pivotal and inconvenient moments, like when I ready myself to say something witty and charming to that one guy in class. Unless there is a tiger crouched behind a desk ready to bound at me, fear has no place in that conversation. But alas, there fear is, waving menacingly at me over the boy’s shoulder.
Well, now isn’t this embarrassing? I am admitting on my public blog, which my classmates will read, that boys can still make me nervous. Yup, that’s right. I’m almost 23 years old, and I still get the butterflies when talking (or attempting to talk) to a guy I like. But, surprisingly, I am not alone.
Speaking to my friends, I find that a majority of both males and females experience similar anxiety, to varying degrees. Whether they are nervous and unsure about telling a good friend that platonic isn’t cutting it, or too shy to break the ice with the cute girl in class, my friends share similar stories of the frustrating self-consciousness that kicks into gear when interacting with the object of their desire. While many people may not openly share these anxieties, it seems like being nervous around people you find attractive is a fairly standard reaction.
In a recent conversation with my friend and fellow DVC student Brittany Slaney, I realized something that might sound ridiculously obvious: this problem is often rooted in a poor self-image. Even though some guys make me nervous, I consider myself a relatively confident person. I like and accept most parts of myself, I am certainly not afraid to speak my mind and am generally talkative and friendly. So why the change when my current crush is added to the mix?
As Brittany and I continued talking, we discussed the idea that this phenomenon may stem from self-esteem issues we didn’t even realize we had. Suddenly, I was struck by the idea that this might be something worth writing about. I think almost every college student could relate to this topic. I asked her if I could quote her for my blog, and she (somewhat courageously) accepted.
Brittany is an amiable and outgoing 20- year-old who is quick to socialize and make friends with anyone. But, like many of us, talking to or even being around the person she likes makes her inexplicably nervous. In pondering why this may be, she articulated the root of her fear.
“Being around guys I am attracted to, I feel like I’m not what they’re after,” said Brittany.
I realized that I do the same thing, but why would I think that? As I began looking back at my adolescence, I finally understood. Our generation has been raised to idolize a standard of beauty that is difficult to obtain: thin women with long, shiny hair and flawless skin (large breasts don’t hurt either). This ideal has been shown to be incredibly detrimental to self-images, particularly to those of young females.
Photo courtesy of Dating WeblogAccording to a 2007 BBC News article “Young ‘Hung Up’ on Their Bodies,” 51 percent of young women would have surgery to improve their looks and a third of those who are a size 12 think they are overweight.
As a pudgy child who was taller than every boy in my class until high school came around, I think I still hold on to the notion that physically, I don’t cut the mustard. This belief may be mostly unconscious, but it still rears its ugly head at inopportune times. Slaney shares a similar sentiment.
“I’m confident talking to people and speaking my mind, and comfortable with how I look, until I really look at myself. And then it’s like I’m a totally different person,” Slaney said.
She says that much of her poor self-image comes from unhappiness with her weight. Sporting what many would consider an “average figure,” Slaney says her ideal weight would be 20 pounds less than her current one.
“I just look in the mirror, and I see everything is overweight, and feel like no clothes are ever going to look good,” said Slaney.
Because our culture places so much emphasis on beauty, even girls who are intelligent, successful and healthy can still suffer major blows to their self-images when they fail to live up to society’s expectations. This negative self-image gathers so much strength in adolescence, it’s no wonder that women continue to feel the effects well into adulthood.
An article titled “Media and Girls” from The Media Awareness Network says that “In its 1998 study Focus on Youth, the Canadian Council on Social Development reports that while the number of boys who say they ‘have confidence in themselves’ remains relatively stable through adolescence, the numbers for girls drop steadily from 72 percent in grade six students to only 55 percent in grade ten.”
Even in their 20s, the females of my generation are still fighting the emotional repercussions of this trend. Some of us, like me, continue to feel like we aren’t what men want. Others, like Brittany, feel that if they just lost those extra 20 pounds, life would be better.
But when is it enough? I asked Brittany how she would feel if she lost those last 20 pounds.
“I might feel better about myself,” said Slaney. “But then again, I feel like I’m always going to strive for more.”
It is my hope that every girl and woman be completely proud and accepting of her body, image and life, regardless of media input. The cliché, while cheesy, remains true: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That’s exactly what I’ll be telling myself next time I see fear waving from behind McDream Dude’s shoulder.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Blog 9: Work It, Work It!
Weekends are overrated.
At least that’s what I tell myself most Saturdays and Sundays as I sit in my office, shredding, typing and paper-clipping to my heart’s (dis)content. But no worries! As soon as I get off work, I get to party … with the rough draft of my research paper, that is.
Photo courtesy of Reader's Digest
Striking a healthy (or at least manageable) balance between work and school can be incredibly difficult, at times overwhelming. However, increasing budget cuts to public education compounded with a fledgling economy has thrown many college students into this balancing act.
Katie Sandvig, a fourth-year student at California State University Northridge, has been working 30-40 hours a week for the past three years while attending school full time. When her parents told her they would be unable to assist her in financing her education, Sandvig found employment to cover expenses and help assuage her school loan debt. She recognizes the academic and social payoff of working in school.
“I do not prefer to work while going to school. It would be nice to just go to school and have all that extra time to relax and hang out with friends,” Sandvig said.
Holding down a job while attending college deprives students of more than just precious time. A schedule packed with classes and work shifts must also accommodate the time needed to study and complete homework assignments. All this time-budgeting leaves students with a deficit. Very little time is left for social activities, a crucial component of college life that working students are often forced to neglect. However, coordinating work and school schedules gives students the opportunity to develop valuable time management habits and techniques.
“Since I started working more hours, it has actually helped my academics. Having less free time has forced me to manage time better and not put off homework,” Sandvig said.
In addition to learning time management skills, a working student boasts many advantages that their unemployed classmates often cannot. Below are further benefits to working while attending school.
1. College students who have worked through their studies graduate with two valuable things: a degree and a resume. In a tight job market, having both gives graduates a competitive edge. Even retail or waiting jobs can beef up your resume by showing that you can interact with people, take direction and function as a part of a team, qualities that every employer finds appealing.
2. Any job offers the opportunity to expand your professional network. Connections with former co-workers or managers may help you find a job in the future and, if nothing else, can provide you with references.
3. Depending on your job and the amount of hours you work, you may be eligible for benefits like health or dental insurance that students often have difficulty obtaining.
4. Making money, of course! Whether used for tuition, books, rent or just fun, what student couldn’t use some extra cash? Earning your own money also gives you a sense of responsibility, as well as pride.
“I like having my own money and the independence that comes with that,” Sandvig said.
Although it takes a considerable amount of hard work and sacrifice, working while going to school is an incredible opportunity to build a powerful skill set and develop habits that will help you in school, work and life in general. So next time you’re flipping burgers, sending faxes or ringing someone up at the register, do your best to remember: Your hard work will pay off in the end!
At least that’s what I tell myself most Saturdays and Sundays as I sit in my office, shredding, typing and paper-clipping to my heart’s (dis)content. But no worries! As soon as I get off work, I get to party … with the rough draft of my research paper, that is.
Photo courtesy of Reader's DigestStriking a healthy (or at least manageable) balance between work and school can be incredibly difficult, at times overwhelming. However, increasing budget cuts to public education compounded with a fledgling economy has thrown many college students into this balancing act.
Katie Sandvig, a fourth-year student at California State University Northridge, has been working 30-40 hours a week for the past three years while attending school full time. When her parents told her they would be unable to assist her in financing her education, Sandvig found employment to cover expenses and help assuage her school loan debt. She recognizes the academic and social payoff of working in school.
“I do not prefer to work while going to school. It would be nice to just go to school and have all that extra time to relax and hang out with friends,” Sandvig said.
Holding down a job while attending college deprives students of more than just precious time. A schedule packed with classes and work shifts must also accommodate the time needed to study and complete homework assignments. All this time-budgeting leaves students with a deficit. Very little time is left for social activities, a crucial component of college life that working students are often forced to neglect. However, coordinating work and school schedules gives students the opportunity to develop valuable time management habits and techniques.
“Since I started working more hours, it has actually helped my academics. Having less free time has forced me to manage time better and not put off homework,” Sandvig said.
In addition to learning time management skills, a working student boasts many advantages that their unemployed classmates often cannot. Below are further benefits to working while attending school.
1. College students who have worked through their studies graduate with two valuable things: a degree and a resume. In a tight job market, having both gives graduates a competitive edge. Even retail or waiting jobs can beef up your resume by showing that you can interact with people, take direction and function as a part of a team, qualities that every employer finds appealing.
2. Any job offers the opportunity to expand your professional network. Connections with former co-workers or managers may help you find a job in the future and, if nothing else, can provide you with references.
3. Depending on your job and the amount of hours you work, you may be eligible for benefits like health or dental insurance that students often have difficulty obtaining.
4. Making money, of course! Whether used for tuition, books, rent or just fun, what student couldn’t use some extra cash? Earning your own money also gives you a sense of responsibility, as well as pride.
“I like having my own money and the independence that comes with that,” Sandvig said.
Although it takes a considerable amount of hard work and sacrifice, working while going to school is an incredible opportunity to build a powerful skill set and develop habits that will help you in school, work and life in general. So next time you’re flipping burgers, sending faxes or ringing someone up at the register, do your best to remember: Your hard work will pay off in the end!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Blog 8: An Easy Way to Improve Your Health? Believe It.
What's warm and fuzzy and good for your health? Pets of course!
Since childhood my house has been crawling, slinking and prancing with pets. My animals have been a consistent source of happiness, comfort and stress relief for me and the other members of my household. Pets are an integral part of many people's lives, and the benefits of owning a pet extend beyond the "awww" factor. Below are a few ways that pets can improve your life and overall health.
1. Owning a pet can reduce stress and lessen feelings of loneliness and depression, which in turn alleviates stress-related health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, owning a pet can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness. Caring for an animal offers people the opportunity to give and receive unconditional love without the standard stress of human relationships, inevitably elevating the owner's mood. When I come home from a long day of work and school, the ecstatic, tail-wagging greetings from my dogs always lighten my spirits. Walking into my room and seeing my 16-year-old cat curled up on my bed, I can't help but smile.
Pets also seem to have an uncanny ability to sense when humans are down or depressed. Talking about her Labrador Retriever, pet owner and graduate student Victoria Arnold said, "Sawyer makes me more happy than anything else. When I feel down he seems to know it and will lay his head in my lap for some attention."
2. Pets can improve your fitness and cardiovascular health. Studies show that pet owners have statistically lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than people who do not have pets. It is believed that the reason for this is because, as stated above, pets help to alleviate stress. But pets (particularly dogs) can also serve as an impetus to get out and be active. Walking, running or even just rolling around on the ground with your dog can get your heart pumping and provide you with a great workout.
"As a running partner, Sawyer makes me want to run more, plus when we do go on runs he pushes me to go faster," said Arnold. "It's nice to have him challenge me. He most definitely makes the runs more enjoyable. It turns into a game with us. Sometimes I go trail running with him and let him run lead. It's a lot of fun to race each other in the woods."
3. Growing up with pets benefits children mentally and physically. Owning pets seems to have a positive impact on early childhood development. According to the study "The Health Benefits of Pets" by the National Institutes of Health, "A number of studies of children in diverse family circumstances suggest that, at least for some, the presence of a pet is greatly beneficial." It goes on to say that studies suggest that interacting with pets can help children create and maintain healthy relationships with peers.
But it seems children that are exposed to animals on a regular basis experience physical benefits as well. According to a WebMD article "5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health," children that live with furred animals have a lower propensity for allergies and overall stronger immune systems.
4. Pets can improve your social life. While animals cannot hold a conversation, they can still provide social stimulus for humans, particularly people who suffer from social anxiety. Connecting with another emotional being, regardless of species, opens the door for compassion and caring. The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek has a "Teaching Loving Care" program that is based on this very idea. The program, which pairs ARF with the Contra Costa County Probation and Mental Health Departments, aims to "assist high-risk adolescent females in developing positive personal skills so that they can become contributing members of society." This is done through socialization with cats and dogs from the rescue center.
The WebMD article mentioned above even suggests that pets can help your dating life! Walking your dog or visiting a dog park opens new venues for socializing, potentially leading to romance, or at least friendship. Taking my dogs on a neighborhood walk usually results in 3-4 conversations with other dog-walkers. These are neighbors that I now know by name and am friendly with, neighbors that I would not have even spoken to if not for the flawless opener: "Oh your dog is so cute! What's her name?"
Pets can have an incredibly positive impact on your life. So go take your dog for a walk, or lounge around with your cat. Don't have a pet? Shelters and rescue centers exist in almost every county, including Contra Costa. Go search for a new, furry friend! It's a simple act that could change your life.
Contra Costa County Animal Shelter Adoptions
ARF Adoptions
Photos by Colleen McCullough
Since childhood my house has been crawling, slinking and prancing with pets. My animals have been a consistent source of happiness, comfort and stress relief for me and the other members of my household. Pets are an integral part of many people's lives, and the benefits of owning a pet extend beyond the "awww" factor. Below are a few ways that pets can improve your life and overall health.
1. Owning a pet can reduce stress and lessen feelings of loneliness and depression, which in turn alleviates stress-related health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, owning a pet can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness. Caring for an animal offers people the opportunity to give and receive unconditional love without the standard stress of human relationships, inevitably elevating the owner's mood. When I come home from a long day of work and school, the ecstatic, tail-wagging greetings from my dogs always lighten my spirits. Walking into my room and seeing my 16-year-old cat curled up on my bed, I can't help but smile.
Pets also seem to have an uncanny ability to sense when humans are down or depressed. Talking about her Labrador Retriever, pet owner and graduate student Victoria Arnold said, "Sawyer makes me more happy than anything else. When I feel down he seems to know it and will lay his head in my lap for some attention."
2. Pets can improve your fitness and cardiovascular health. Studies show that pet owners have statistically lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than people who do not have pets. It is believed that the reason for this is because, as stated above, pets help to alleviate stress. But pets (particularly dogs) can also serve as an impetus to get out and be active. Walking, running or even just rolling around on the ground with your dog can get your heart pumping and provide you with a great workout.
"As a running partner, Sawyer makes me want to run more, plus when we do go on runs he pushes me to go faster," said Arnold. "It's nice to have him challenge me. He most definitely makes the runs more enjoyable. It turns into a game with us. Sometimes I go trail running with him and let him run lead. It's a lot of fun to race each other in the woods."
3. Growing up with pets benefits children mentally and physically. Owning pets seems to have a positive impact on early childhood development. According to the study "The Health Benefits of Pets" by the National Institutes of Health, "A number of studies of children in diverse family circumstances suggest that, at least for some, the presence of a pet is greatly beneficial." It goes on to say that studies suggest that interacting with pets can help children create and maintain healthy relationships with peers.
But it seems children that are exposed to animals on a regular basis experience physical benefits as well. According to a WebMD article "5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health," children that live with furred animals have a lower propensity for allergies and overall stronger immune systems.
4. Pets can improve your social life. While animals cannot hold a conversation, they can still provide social stimulus for humans, particularly people who suffer from social anxiety. Connecting with another emotional being, regardless of species, opens the door for compassion and caring. The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek has a "Teaching Loving Care" program that is based on this very idea. The program, which pairs ARF with the Contra Costa County Probation and Mental Health Departments, aims to "assist high-risk adolescent females in developing positive personal skills so that they can become contributing members of society." This is done through socialization with cats and dogs from the rescue center.
The WebMD article mentioned above even suggests that pets can help your dating life! Walking your dog or visiting a dog park opens new venues for socializing, potentially leading to romance, or at least friendship. Taking my dogs on a neighborhood walk usually results in 3-4 conversations with other dog-walkers. These are neighbors that I now know by name and am friendly with, neighbors that I would not have even spoken to if not for the flawless opener: "Oh your dog is so cute! What's her name?"
Pets can have an incredibly positive impact on your life. So go take your dog for a walk, or lounge around with your cat. Don't have a pet? Shelters and rescue centers exist in almost every county, including Contra Costa. Go search for a new, furry friend! It's a simple act that could change your life.
Contra Costa County Animal Shelter Adoptions
ARF Adoptions
Photos by Colleen McCullough
Monday, April 19, 2010
Blog 7: Now UC It, Now You Dont!
Just when you thought being a Californian couldn't get better (and I couldn't get any more sarcastic) the University of California offers up some disheartening figures.
According to an article printed in the Contra Costa Times Thursday, UC Berkeley has doubled its admission offers to out-of-state and international students this year. Pointing to the lack of state funding, the university’s in-state admissions offers are down 15 percent. This drop has opened up spaces for out-of-state students, who pay nearly $20,000 more a year in fees than those from California. According to data released last week by the University of California, 18.5 percent of next year’s freshman class will come from other states, up 8 percent from last year.
At a time when colleges and universities up and down the state are already impacted, favoring out-of-state applicants over in-state students only stands to strengthen the detrimental impact of the public education crisis in California. As both a taxpayer and a college student from California, this practice by UCB enrages me. UC Berkeley is a public school, meaning it is funded in part by California tax dollars. Why should my money help out-of-state students receive a world class education when my fellow students from the great state of California are eligible, wanting and highly capable of excelling in this institution?
The university’s position on the issue is that all students stand to benefit from the rise in out-of-state students.
As quoted in the article, Susan Wilbur, director of undergraduate admissions for the University of California said "These students do not take space from a California student. They are bringing more money to the university, which enables us to teach our California students at the same high-quality level that they are used to."
The university looks to out-of-state student fees and tuition as a means of funding the school in a tight economic time.
“The additional nonresident funds will help UC Berkeley maintain academic excellence for all students," said Walter Robinson, assistant vice chancellor and director of undergraduate admissions.
I do understand the plight of the university. With statewide budget cuts to public education, continuing to fund the world-renowned programs that all the UCs, particularly UCB, have to offer is going to be very difficult, and require thinking outside of the box. But outside of the state?
The percentage of out-of-state freshman at all UCs this year is 14 percent, up from last year’s 12 percent. According to the Times article, the trend is more pronounced at UCB because it receives more out-of-state applicants than the other UCs. Maybe. Or maybe it’s because Berkeley’s reputation is rooted so firmly in its (expensive) scientific research, and so the school most desperately needs the additional funds.
I would hope that all California college students are bothered by this preferential treatment of applicants. If anything, I believe schools (especially in California) should give priority to local applicants. For example, San Francisco State University gives local priority to transfer students from the surrounding six counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara. All public universities should participate in a similar program.
Instead of making things more difficult for Californians in an already taxing time, state universities should be helping California students any way they can. When are Californians going to finally get the long end of the stick?
According to an article printed in the Contra Costa Times Thursday, UC Berkeley has doubled its admission offers to out-of-state and international students this year. Pointing to the lack of state funding, the university’s in-state admissions offers are down 15 percent. This drop has opened up spaces for out-of-state students, who pay nearly $20,000 more a year in fees than those from California. According to data released last week by the University of California, 18.5 percent of next year’s freshman class will come from other states, up 8 percent from last year.
At a time when colleges and universities up and down the state are already impacted, favoring out-of-state applicants over in-state students only stands to strengthen the detrimental impact of the public education crisis in California. As both a taxpayer and a college student from California, this practice by UCB enrages me. UC Berkeley is a public school, meaning it is funded in part by California tax dollars. Why should my money help out-of-state students receive a world class education when my fellow students from the great state of California are eligible, wanting and highly capable of excelling in this institution?
The university’s position on the issue is that all students stand to benefit from the rise in out-of-state students.
As quoted in the article, Susan Wilbur, director of undergraduate admissions for the University of California said "These students do not take space from a California student. They are bringing more money to the university, which enables us to teach our California students at the same high-quality level that they are used to."
The university looks to out-of-state student fees and tuition as a means of funding the school in a tight economic time.
“The additional nonresident funds will help UC Berkeley maintain academic excellence for all students," said Walter Robinson, assistant vice chancellor and director of undergraduate admissions.
I do understand the plight of the university. With statewide budget cuts to public education, continuing to fund the world-renowned programs that all the UCs, particularly UCB, have to offer is going to be very difficult, and require thinking outside of the box. But outside of the state?
The percentage of out-of-state freshman at all UCs this year is 14 percent, up from last year’s 12 percent. According to the Times article, the trend is more pronounced at UCB because it receives more out-of-state applicants than the other UCs. Maybe. Or maybe it’s because Berkeley’s reputation is rooted so firmly in its (expensive) scientific research, and so the school most desperately needs the additional funds.
I would hope that all California college students are bothered by this preferential treatment of applicants. If anything, I believe schools (especially in California) should give priority to local applicants. For example, San Francisco State University gives local priority to transfer students from the surrounding six counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara. All public universities should participate in a similar program.
Instead of making things more difficult for Californians in an already taxing time, state universities should be helping California students any way they can. When are Californians going to finally get the long end of the stick?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Blog 6: Welcome to the Dark Side
What makes serial killers so darn loveable?
This may seem like a ridiculous question but with the success of Showtime network’s hit series "Dexter," its worth asking.
"Dexter," entering its fifth season, follows the life of Dexter Morgan: Blood splatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department by day, ruthless serial killer by night. Fueled by an unquenchable need to kill that began when he was a child, Dexter has learned to direct his cravings in as healthy a way as possible. Unlike the criminals that he helps put behind bars at his day job, Dexter follows a strict code when choosing his victims. He only kills people who are “bad”- cold-blooded killers that have escaped the legal system or managed to avoid it altogether. In short, people like him.
Photo courtesy of Showtime.com
On the surface, however, he appears to live an ordinary life. He goes to work, he comes home to a wife and kids (yes, he has both). He makes small talk with his coworkers and drinks beer with his sister Debra. No one has the slightest inkling of the inner workings of his psyche. He is the quintessential antihero, and this quality plays a major role in the show’s success.
The season four finale of "Dexter" drew more than 2.5 million viewers when it premiered in December, breaking network records. That same season the show won two Golden Globes, including Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series for Michael C. Hall’s portrayal of the character that Showtime has coined “America’s Favorite Serial Killer.” The show has spawned an online animated series, iPhone apps, a plethora of fan art and countless fan sites.
As a man with such unsavory after-dusk habits, why are viewers so drawn to the character Dexter Morgan?
The answer is what Dexter refers to as his "Dark Passenger."
Dexter describes his overwhelming urges to kill as being driven by his Dark Passenger, a malevolent shadow of himself that inspires him to do terrible things. It is this shadow that makes the character and show so appealing to such a vast range of people.
"Dexter's Dark Passenger reminds the audience of their own, dark primal urges," says "Dexter" fan and former DVC student Myles McKinnon. "Though society looks down on murder, Dexter's killings often seem justified, which makes the viewer question their own moral beliefs and what the laws of the land deem right and wrong."
It is no great nugget of wisdom that we are all good and we are all evil. The Chinese understood this when drawing up the yin and the yang, showcasing the idea that we are all composed of both light and dark. Robert Bly comments on this concept in his book "A Little Book on the Human Shadow."
“We notice that when sunlight hits the body, the body turns bright, but it throws a shadow, which is dark…Each of us has some part of our personality that is hidden from us.”
Most of us are encouraged from an early age to sweep this part of ourselves under the rug. We are brought up to develop our light side- to be healthy and successful and good. But the dark still exists within us and often surfaces when we least expect it. In contrast, there are some who are fully engulfed by their darkness, like drug addicts or (standard) serial killers.
Dexter is the perfect balance of both. He has learned to embrace and channel his dark side while still functioning in a seemingly healthy and productive way. And while most of us hopefully are not regularly overcome with the desire to kill someone, this series offers valid psychological and philosophical insight. When was the last time you took a long, hard look at your shadow? Perhaps examining and embracing the darker side of our psyche can be a good thing.
However, this naturally raises the question: Can we do both? Can we indulge our Dark Passenger without losing control? I challenge you to consider this prospect. Don’t get me wrong. I am not encouraging anyone to do things that are harmful to themselves or others. But simply acknowledging our less-than-angelic urges can allow for a level of self-acceptance we rarely experience. Try giving it a shot. If all else fails, maybe you’ll get your own TV show out of it.
This may seem like a ridiculous question but with the success of Showtime network’s hit series "Dexter," its worth asking.
"Dexter," entering its fifth season, follows the life of Dexter Morgan: Blood splatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department by day, ruthless serial killer by night. Fueled by an unquenchable need to kill that began when he was a child, Dexter has learned to direct his cravings in as healthy a way as possible. Unlike the criminals that he helps put behind bars at his day job, Dexter follows a strict code when choosing his victims. He only kills people who are “bad”- cold-blooded killers that have escaped the legal system or managed to avoid it altogether. In short, people like him.
Photo courtesy of Showtime.comOn the surface, however, he appears to live an ordinary life. He goes to work, he comes home to a wife and kids (yes, he has both). He makes small talk with his coworkers and drinks beer with his sister Debra. No one has the slightest inkling of the inner workings of his psyche. He is the quintessential antihero, and this quality plays a major role in the show’s success.
The season four finale of "Dexter" drew more than 2.5 million viewers when it premiered in December, breaking network records. That same season the show won two Golden Globes, including Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series for Michael C. Hall’s portrayal of the character that Showtime has coined “America’s Favorite Serial Killer.” The show has spawned an online animated series, iPhone apps, a plethora of fan art and countless fan sites.
As a man with such unsavory after-dusk habits, why are viewers so drawn to the character Dexter Morgan?
The answer is what Dexter refers to as his "Dark Passenger."
Dexter describes his overwhelming urges to kill as being driven by his Dark Passenger, a malevolent shadow of himself that inspires him to do terrible things. It is this shadow that makes the character and show so appealing to such a vast range of people.
"Dexter's Dark Passenger reminds the audience of their own, dark primal urges," says "Dexter" fan and former DVC student Myles McKinnon. "Though society looks down on murder, Dexter's killings often seem justified, which makes the viewer question their own moral beliefs and what the laws of the land deem right and wrong."
It is no great nugget of wisdom that we are all good and we are all evil. The Chinese understood this when drawing up the yin and the yang, showcasing the idea that we are all composed of both light and dark. Robert Bly comments on this concept in his book "A Little Book on the Human Shadow."
“We notice that when sunlight hits the body, the body turns bright, but it throws a shadow, which is dark…Each of us has some part of our personality that is hidden from us.”
Most of us are encouraged from an early age to sweep this part of ourselves under the rug. We are brought up to develop our light side- to be healthy and successful and good. But the dark still exists within us and often surfaces when we least expect it. In contrast, there are some who are fully engulfed by their darkness, like drug addicts or (standard) serial killers.
Dexter is the perfect balance of both. He has learned to embrace and channel his dark side while still functioning in a seemingly healthy and productive way. And while most of us hopefully are not regularly overcome with the desire to kill someone, this series offers valid psychological and philosophical insight. When was the last time you took a long, hard look at your shadow? Perhaps examining and embracing the darker side of our psyche can be a good thing.
However, this naturally raises the question: Can we do both? Can we indulge our Dark Passenger without losing control? I challenge you to consider this prospect. Don’t get me wrong. I am not encouraging anyone to do things that are harmful to themselves or others. But simply acknowledging our less-than-angelic urges can allow for a level of self-acceptance we rarely experience. Try giving it a shot. If all else fails, maybe you’ll get your own TV show out of it.
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