Michael Hancock spent quite a bit of time in his column telling us “What college life is really all about.” In the end, he tells us that although he’s learned a few things and had some great teachers, met friends and apparently partied quite a bit, going to school is too stressful and suggests spending our time “living life.” He suggests we visit other cities, call people we don’t know, etc., rather then attend class and learn.
As a graduate student, a teacher and someone who enjoys learning, I have different advice for students. If you spent half as much of your time studying as you dedicated to partying and socializing, Sunday nights and Mondays wouldn’t be half as painful, plus you’d have a better idea about the world outside of BG.
Many of you are here to get a degree and get a job. I can respect those goals. But in the “real world,” employers want to see that you can complete long term tasks, be self-motivated and aren’t going to flake out because it’s too hard. Hence, they want a college degree so they can see you can compete for the long- haul, don’t need to be coddled to get things done and are going to be a good employee. They also want people who are well rounded, have a touch of worldliness about them and have a clue.
College teaches you this! You have assignments, not because your teachers are fascinated by your paper on biology or psychology, but because you learn important skills by doing the work, not to mention learn something about the subject matter.
You take General Education classes, not because the University happens to like to see students suffer, but because there are things out there you need to know in order to be successful, like writing, math, the ability to read and follow directions, ethics and social skills. You may not think you’ll ever use calculus or have to know the works of Shakespeare or what cells do, but you’ll be surprised that it actually comes up at the weirdest times in the oddest places, including cocktail and holiday parties for work.
As for Mr. Hancock, if he has trouble deciding what to study or whom to visit, I have a feeling that he won’t be all that successful in life, although he will be well versed in which beer is the cheapest, and will indeed struggle to pay his bills. And if college takes him 15-17 hours a day (excluding homework) maybe he should take a few classes in time management and decision making. In addition, he suggests we take a day for ourselves … isn’t that why there is such as thing as weekends? There’s two days a week for ourselves. Spending the weekend partying and socializing is taking time for yourself, so you shouldn’t need to do it during the week. You’ll be better prepared for life.
Deirdre Rogers
Department of Sociology
Does having an abortion equal murder?
Monday I was bombarded with images that sickened me. I stood and cried as I looked out over the area outside the Union, because these people were calling me names. I was compared to a Nazi, genocidal maniacs, a hangman and a number of other unspeakable people and acts because at one point in my life I chose to have an abortion.
I know that these people have the right to free speech just like I do, but why do they feel the need to provide commentary on my life or my choices? My right to seek a solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy is as protected as the GAP’s right to speak out against it. However, when I exercised my right, guerrilla propaganda tactics did not accompany it.
Does this mean I am ashamed to speak out about my choices or experiences? No, I will talk about it openly with anyone who asks me, but I do not broadcast the information, nor to I disseminate the knowledge in a graphic, nauseating manner. The Nazis used propaganda to convince a nation that a small portion of the population was useless, dirty and worthy of death. Is this what I am? Do these people want to see me locked away in some dirty torture chamber because I exercised a right guaranteed me by my government? Are all the women who have exercised their right to choice going to be prosecuted for genocide? Should we wear badges that identify us as “killers”?
The GAP will probably tell you that they are simply making people aware of what abortion is and what it does to an unborn child. But what if the propaganda that was placed on this campus influenced someone to the point where they decided that I was unworthy of life and they killed me? Who would be the Nazi then? I know that the display incorporated other forms of genocide besides the Holocaust, even going so far to play on the fears generated by the Taliban.
What I really want to know is, now that the GAP has left campus and the area outside the union is quiet again, who is going to deal with the trauma and psychological damage that was done?
Annie Fale
GRADUATE STUDENT
