Posts tagged College

Lessons & Wisdom About University

With it being September and everyone starting school, I thought of compiling a a list of lessons learned or some wisdom for university. When I began writing my post I thought back to mine from last year, “Freshmen. Accept the following, because they will happen to you.” Then I came across a great post from Summer Wind that I would like to share, hope she doesn’t mind. (Check out her blog, by the way, I adore it.)

1. The absolute number one thing I have learned is that your family is your family for a reason.
2. The second thing is that your parents are always right.
3. You know that saying… “Nothing good happens after 2am”?Well, it just might be true.
4. Count your blessings and remember all of the wonderful things in life that make you feel blessed.
5. If you truly love your friends and family and want to live a long and healthy life, then you will not take up smoking. The same goes for drugs and alcohol abuse. Drugs are illegal for a reason and alcohol should only be drunk in moderation. Never, ever, drive under the influence of anything. period.
6. Don’t gossip. If you must — kill them with kindness.
7. Separate your true friends from your acquaintances.
8. Vote.
9. Do your best in everything that you do and look your best doing it.
10. Don’t swear or use inappropriate/crass language.
11. Pray.
12. Tip well.
13. Always forgive.
14. If a guy truly loves you, he’ll do anything to keep you around.
15. Always be polite.
16. Go to class, take notes, and study.
17. Learn to nap.
18. Overdress rather than under-dress.
19. Travel.
20. Experience luxury.

Brooks Brothers College-brand

Brooks Brothers makes dignified casual apparel for American winners. But, what Brooks Brothers has agreed to do as a nod to modernity is to produce—for the first time in its history—college-branded “sweaters, dress and polo shirts and ties” for a select group of 15 American colleges.

UPDATE! Journalism: Worthless Degree

I found it quite humorous the amount of backlash and comments/emails I received after posting this about Journalism being the #1 Most Useless Degree. First, people need to to chill out because I didn’t make this up, although I do highly feel this way. Second, a very large majority of the people enrolled at the Missouri Jskewl need to lock it up and let go of their ego. Thirdly, I can totally say this and have factual information to back it up because I once was a jskewl n00b prince.

In the Fall 2009, Spring and Summer 2010 semesters, 4,507 people graduated from the University of Missouri. Of the 2,777 graduates who replied to the Destination Study, 68 percent of them are now employed or enrolled in a continuing education program. The school with the lowest placement rate was (drum roll…) the jskewl with 53 percent. (Information here.)

L00k @ meh! I go to the University of Missouri, the #1 jskewl in the werld! I’m kewl & gonna get a job, duhz!

Anyways, I have nothing to do with the jskewl anymore, so I wish each graduate the best of luck. I simply posted my previous post because I found it interesting. If you want to know more check out this most recent article from J-School Buzz.

Journalism: #1 Most Useless University Degree

Median starting salary: $35,800
Median mid-career salary: $66,600

Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -4,400
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -6.32

Undergraduate field of study: Communications

Number of students awarded degrees 2008-2009: 78,009

Closing a Student’s Laptop will get you Arrested!

So… a Professor at Valdosta State University was arrested for having sex with a student closing the laptop of a student. What? Yep! That’s correct! His name was Frank Rybicki and worked in the Mass Media department. He was arrested for assault.

The altercation occurred when Dr. Rybicki allegedly closed a laptop computer on the hands of a student…

Dr. Rybicki closed the laptop because he thought the student was on non-class related websites. The student began to argue with Dr. Rybicki about closing the laptop and about the websites she visited while in class.

The student pressed assault charges against him, and he was literally arrested, and now he’s suspended. What’s odd? The students in the class commented on the schools newspaper in support of the teacher.

Featured Film: “HAZE: the doctumentary”

“Haze.” I know, the first thing you think of is fraternities hazing their pledges, because that’s the first thing I thought of, as well. But it’s so much more than that. In the film, which has been shown at college and university campuses nation wide, there is a call for young people to wake up to the reality of binge drinking. I never drank in high school because I made a promise to myself that I would not drink until I was twenty-one (while living in the states). There has been a major cultural shift from many years ago to now. One expert made a comment that we no longer drink with each other, instead we try to out drink each other. I would have to say this statement seriously summarizes everything. I attended numerous parties my first year where people sat around ripping shots just so they could get drunk. I personally do not find the excitement in this, but I’ll leave you to be the judge.

This film touches so many levels of drinking that I cannot truly do it justice. It is very graphic and insightful. There were several times where I had to close my eyes or turn away from the screen because it was so gruesome. This film is not just for Greek students, but for all of us, including your parents. I am going to make my Mother watch it this weekend. The Mother of Gordie, the son who died in the film, said that she blames herself for not being able to protect her son because she was unaware of what is actually happening on campuses these days. It’s horrible that she feels that she has to live with that burden. Find an hour and watch this film and challenge yourself. You can learn more about the film and the project, The Gordie Foundation, here.

Freshmen. Accept the following, because they will happen to you.

Consume Your Current Body Weight in Food
Freshmen 15. That’s all there is to say. Hit the gym a couple times per week. Pudgy is not the new black.

Consume Your Body Weight in Alcohol
Freshman year or your 21st birthday, everyone will kneel on hands and knees to the porcelain God at least once from over doing it. Nonetheless, live and learn! Drink with caution and don’t be afraid to drink some water and eat some carbs.

Skip Class
I remember the first few weeks, even months of my college career. I was all gun-ho about going to class. And then I went to the dark side - I slept through my alarm. Whether you purposely don’t set your alarm or maybe it is just too nice of a day outside to go to class, there are days you will miss. Just do it and don’t look back.

Dance on a Bar
Maybe for a free t-shirt? A free shot? Or maybe it just seemed like a good idea at the time?

Lie to Your Professors
Last night was Thirsty Thursday and you completely forgot about the research assignment on the fertility vase of the Ndebele tribe. No fear - family emergency, Grandma’s seventh death, or your Religious Holiday usually work well.

Work for Free
It’s all about volunteer organizations and an unpaid internship. Now it all comes down to being the bitch for the resume.

Sleep for only 1 or 2 hours a Night for an Extended Period of Time
Mid-terms and finals. ’Tis the season of All Nighters! Red Bull, caffeine pills, and Starbucks runs helped me through. I can honestly say that I never onced pulled an “all nighter” during my freshman year. Came close, but never crossed the finish line.

Hook Up with an Authority Figure
RA? Tutor? Or the TA? Who you touch in college is unlimited.

Change Your Career Path at Least 7 Times
I walked into college as a Theatre major, quickly switched to a Journalism major, then tweaked that and became a Broadcast Journalism major to a Business major and now I’m a Communication major.

Enjoy your time here. Could be the best four (or five) years of your life!