No Exam Stress?

What I don't understand, especially lately, is how on earth people aren't studying for exams.  Do they not feel the pressure to do well?  

How about making their parent's proud?  Or even themselves?  

I realize that one silly test does not determine one's worth as a person, but for the sake of your future, would a little worry/stress  kill you?  

I think not.  

If anything, it'll put some hair on your chest and make you a better person.

I've been stressing about exams since Thanksgiving break, sipping caffeine like it's liquid crack, and burying my nose in textbooks for hours on end.  Although it's frustrating and even painful at times, I know the hard work will soon pay off in more ways than one.  

We've only got one chance to do well on a test and prove we have actually learned something in our courses.  

So let's buckle down, Winthrop.

 I can guarantee it will lead to a gift greater than anything your parents (excuse me, Santa Claus) can give you under your Christmas tree.

Dance party downers

What I don't understand is why people go out dancing, but do everything but dance.

Let me explain...

I recently attended a party at the SAC, which almost everyone knows is a gathering of young people who love to "get crunk". Yes, I love to get crunk from time to time.

However, what I don't love is when other party attendees feel the need to stand around and literally stare at everyone on the dance floor.

Why even go?

It's not like the blaring music and dark lighting provide ideal conditions for observation.

I understand if perhaps you don't like a particular song, or just aren't feeling the DJ, but when you attend every party with the sole purpose of standing around creepily watching everyone else, it gets a little uncomfortable.

At least walk around a little bit. Bob your head. Something.

While I'm on my soap box, let me also just say that I don't understand why people feel the need to carry on an entire conversation while on the dance floor.

Call me old fashioned, but when I say "hey let's go dancing!" I literally mean "let's go dance", not "let's go talk about your favorite hair product and latest roommate drama."

So that's that. Comments?

Unhealthy foods

What I don't understand is how people can eat fried/battered/processed food all the time, and expect it to take no toll on their health. I can understand the occasional burger, or buying a cupcake at a bake sale, but the point of food is to give your body the nutrition it needs to carry out the day.

Foods with little nutritional value really serve no purpose, other than making you happy for about a minute and then causing your body to crash shortly after due to lack of energy.

I know from experience that when I have not received proper nutrients I am phsically incapable of performing at my best.

This being said, I realize people think my eating habits are odd (I eat raisins like it's my job), or that I am kind of an old lady when it comes to making food choices. And maybe I could be a little less "weird" with my diet.

However, I feel the benefits I reap from putting nutrition at the forefront of my food-related decisions are worth more than the short-lived euphoria any cheesy quesadilla can provide.

And if my blog isn't enough, let me leave you with these words, "To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art."- La Rochefoucauld

Now if you'll excuse me, I have an apple in the fridge calling my name.

Completely unrelated, but very exciting!

So this has nothing to do with the theme of my blog, but I figured I'd share anyway.

Since last Wednesday (a week ago), I have been searching for my misplaced MCOM 241 binder.  I checked my bookbag about eight times, under my bed, and asked Jamie Low, but it was nowhere to be found.

Fastforward to today when I was taking a nap in the Margaret Nance TV room.  I woke up I turned to my friend Brittany Guilfoyle and said, "Dang, I still haven't found my MCOM binder."

Suddenly, I turned around and there it was; my BINDER on the table across the room! Crazy, right?  

I guess I left it there last week while hanging out with my friends and no one had touched it (that I am aware of) since then!  I love honest people :)

That's all, I just felt compelled to share.

Racism? Are you kidding me?

It seems my blog has progressivly become more serious. Continuing with this trend, I'd like to discuss one of my most important issues yet; racism.

I don't get it.

As defined by dictionary.com (I figured this was a credible source, since blogs are on the internet and all) racism is defined as, "a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others. "

While the whole idea seems ridiculous to me, the part that really rubs me the wrong way is belief that one's own race is superior in comparison to others.

What?

Who decided a group's ancestry/culture placed them ahead of another's? All it means is that those two groups are different.

Nobody is better than anybody else. I repeat, nobody.

I don't understand the difficulty in embracing difference. I mean, dang. Even people within each race are different.

Just like the youth marriage blog, i'm baffled by this one.

Feedback?

Marriage? Now?

What I don't understand is teenage marriage.

This has been on my mind a lot lately, especially since I just found out one of my high school friends just got married. It confuses the heck out of me.

Perhaps I'm missing something, but what is wrong with just dating someone? Why do you have to go and marry them at such a young age? What's the difference?

Sure, you get a fancy ring. And sure, you get to live together without the funny looks.

But why now?

Why rush it?

If you're really happy together, why isn't dating enough?

And if you enjoy looking down at your left hand and seeing an article of bling, why don't you invest in a promise ring?

I mean dang. Maybe I'm missing something, I just don't see the point.

I'm looking for feedback on this one, because honestly I'm baffled...

Grudges

What I don't understand is the act of holding a grudge.

Not only is it emotionally draining, all it does is perpetuate hate. I'd like to quote my new favorite person Lewis B. Smedes. He says, "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." Let's all think about this for a minute...


...Alrighty then, time to analyze.


Personally, I see a grudge as a needle being dug into my insides. Graphic? Yes. But I can think of no better comparison.

When we hold on to those negative feelings we have toward others, all it really accomplishes is damage to our souls.

Harboring hate does not solve the problem, it can only make it worse.

Holding grudges destroys friendships, marriages, sisterhoods, etc.

So why do it? Why not forgive and set ourselves free?

There is so much more to life than getting even and waiting for others to receive payback. It's time to live our lives for ourselves, and stop worrying about how much we despise those who may have done us wrong. In all honesty, its not our problem-its theirs.

Common Courtesy

What I don't understand is a general lack of common courtesy I witness during a typical day:



Example 1-Holding the door open.



If subject A enters the door while subject B is following closely behind, shouldn't it go without saying that Subject A should hold the door for subject B?



Even if subject A turns around to see if anyone is coming, that would be a huge improvement. I just don't get how you can literally slam a door in someone's face. It's very upsetting.



Example 2-Improper use of smoking benches.



I could literally dedicate an entire blog to this, but my friend Laura has already done so. Please check out her blog at :http://www.lauracnick.blogspot.com/ for a full explanation.



Example 3-Litter



This one KILLS me! We need to be respecting our property, not abusing it. With trashcans (and recycling bins) around nearly every corner there really is no excuse for such a disgusting act. We are lucky to have such a beautiful campus, and to be quite honest (and cliche) litter trashes everyone.



So that's all I've got for today. Stay tuned for some potential topics I've got floating around:



Why people strike up conversations during study time

Racism

Video Games



And some others. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to read about!

Small Talk

What I don't understand is small talk. I do understand the purpose; to fill the awkward void in a lackluster conversation. However, I feel as if it is often devoid of any sort of substance.

Iam aware the idea is not to engage in any sort of profound or earth-shattering discussion. However, a little less small talk and a little more depth is never a bad thing.

I often feel as if small talk is all for show, and no one really benefits from anything being said. Topics such as the weather, local sports, and adorableness of children can only carry you so far and waste so much time.

If we want to really start learning about one another, and delving deeper than the surface of every conversation, we are going to have to cut back on the fluff and get right to it.

So don't be afraid, people. Feel out the situation, discuss the "big game" for the 49th time, then try and discover something new and interesting about the other party. Never know-could be the start of something incredible.




fyi-for some helpful hints on small talk, go here :)

"Leisurely" Walkers

What I don't understand are "leisurely" walkers. Allow me to explain...

When I am stuck behind a cloud-gazer in the ten minutes I have to jet from the West Center to Thurmond, I can't help but think, "don't they have somewhere to be?"

I am a firm believer in using my time efficiently. There are only 24 hours in a day, in which the majority of us are given an equal opportunity to maximize our productivity. One of the best solutions I have found to minimize wasted time is to quicken my step.

Walking is one activity that can be done at practically any point during the day (and at night as well, if you're willing to carry a can of mase and a steak knife), so why waste the time walking to class when you could be putting your efforts toward something more beneficial? Like, oh I don't know, studying perhaps?

Granted, there are certain circumstances where walking at a rate of negative 2 mph is acceptable, but to and from class is not (and should not) be one of them. And if you are a slow walker by nature, or just feel the need to pause and admire the new shingles on Tillman, take a step to your right (the slow lane) and let us speedy strollers pass on by. Is that too much to ask? I sure hope not, my friend.

Just to help out all those slow walkers out there, I have provided a brief list of circumstances in which walking slow is the norm:

1. Admiring the vastness of Winthrop Lake
2. Through an empty, abandoned field where no one will be stuck behind you on the sidewalk
3. In the comfort of your own residence hall/living room
4. Alongside a small child/person with exceptionally short legs
5. I'm out of ideas.

So next time you're tempted to stop and smell the roses, by all means go ahead. Just make sure to check behind you for the girl with curly hair, and a purple bookbag feverishly memorizing her stack of flashcards. She'd very much appreciate it :)

Scholarships

What I don't understand is why students don't take advantage of available scholarships. It's FREE MONEY. Here is my current situation:

I just had a meeting with the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. It took about forty three minutes for me to realize that if I were a math/science major, I'd be "ballin" right about now.

However, I do not fall into that category. The category under which I am listed is "girl who is pursuing a career in a competitive field in no need of any new hirees".

Not to say that careers in science, math, or even education, are not competitive (I know they are, since I see my peers working their young buns off to graduate with such degrees), all I mean is my chosen career path is certainly not experiencing a shortage in qualified graduates. So what does this mean? Fewer scholarships. So, to all those future biomedical technicians, math professors, and organic chemists, PLEASE take advantage of the scholarships available. You'll be doing yourself a world of good. Promise :)