It is quickly becoming an assumption of the times that recent college graduates and current college students are the most stressed out generation in the U.S. This is correlated with the economic times, which seems to have squashed many college students’ aspirations to begin careers (notice I did not say get jobs) in areas of their interest - especially if they are liberal arts majors.
There are certainly elements of truth in these observations. However, I would offer this reality is at least in part self-fulfilling and moreover that Monmouth students can overcome many career barriers by taking advantage of the career mentoring opportunities the university offers.
Let me being by discussing some things students should be doing during their Monmouth careers in order to prepare for the life-long careers. The first bit of advice is for you all to reflect on why you are studying what you are studying - and the answer cannot be because it is required. All courses, be they general education, major or minor courses, should contribute to your life-long learning goal. If your initial answer to the question “why are you taking this course?” is that it is interesting, I would ask you to dig a bit deeper and ask yourself “why it is interesting?” Is it because you like history and particularly British History? That is absolutely great, but again, why do you like British History? What does the subject matter and the way you learn about it mean to you? What does it allow you to do that you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise? Do you enjoy doing research papers and writing about history? Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What, in short, do you learn by studying history (and the answer cannot be facts and dates)?
With Spring Break right around the corner, students must decide whether to take a road trip or fly to their destinations. Both driving and flying have their perks, and they also have their downfalls. When traveling, you have to think about your choices and which is the best option for yourself.
Taking a road trip in a car for multiple hours at a time could be a curse or a blessing depending on how much you like the people you are with.
No road trip is complete without an epic playlist. Before leaving, put together playlists for all possible situations; loud and crazy jam sessions, drives down long deserted roads, keeping everyone awake, and while the passengers are sleeping.
On the other hand, flying gives the opportunity for quicker travel. You can fly across the country in less than six hours. By saving time on travel, it leaves more time for actual activities and fun on your vacation.
In my personal experience, flying has always been more expensive than driving. Each person will pay hundreds of dollars for their plane tickets. However, gas money and tolls split between a car full of people would be much cheaper.
“The Biggest Loser” and “What Not to Wear” are my two favorite shows. I will not miss an episode of “The Biggest Loser.” I literally would not be able to go to sleep on a Monday night if I did not see who was knocked out of the competition and how much weight they have lost since.
Every time I turn on TLC and “What Not to Wear” is on, my day is made. If I do not watch it from the beginning, I make sure to see the hair and makeup makeover.
What is my fascination with these two shows? Is it because I am interested in the health and fitness industry? Absolutely. Is it because my career calls for professional attire and I need to learn how to coordinate clothing and jewelry better? One hundred percent yes. But I can research health issues and fashion on my own time without watching either of these shows. So what is the underlying reason for my infatuation?
I can relate to them. Each and every one of us can. I am not morbidly obese nor am I considered overweight. But I do not always feel comfortable in my body, especially after splurging on half of a pizza pie and chocolate cake. I guarantee that almost everyone reading this feels the same way sometimes.
Remember when you were first taught the concept of peer pressure back in elementary school? Your teachers educated you on the value of respecting yourself and others around you and to never force someone to do something that they do not want to do. As we get older, the lessons of peer pressure go on without much to say. We experience life and learn from our mistakes. We think that we carry our wits about us everywhere we go when we are with groups of people. We may think that we, as college students, do not fall into peer pressure, but it happens more times than we think.
As students from high school transition into college, times can be rough. They have to get used to their new environment and adapt to any changes that come their way. Someone who was not into the party scene in high school might wind up living on a floor that is wild and crazy, and they will have to adapt to their environment in order to fit in with everyone else.
Next thing they know their whole persona changes. They begin to think differently, dress differently, and act differently just to fit in with a group of people. It is crazy to think that a group of people can have such a massive influence on one person, but someone’s lifestyle can be changed drastically just by conforming and adopting to other people’s values and actions as they forget about their own.
However, peer pressure does not only relate to the party scene. Students can experience peer pressure when it comes to doing well in their classes. If everyone else is stressing out, you are bound to stress as well. Students may also experience peer pressure to lose weight or get in shape because their friends are into that lifestyle. There is a wide range of pressure that college students can face.
One Student Realizes Importance of Helping Others After Experience at Charity Bike Race
There was a time when I thought that volunteering was simply a part of community service. People volunteer or do community to impress schools he or she wishes to attend or in order to fulfill a certain amount of hours for being caught partying a little too hard off campus. Maybe it is so that one fulfills her sorority’s requirements or because the university makes every club and organization pitch in for the Big Event. Regardless, no one volunteers without an ulterior motive.
About a year ago, I found myself with a brand new internship at the Multiple Sclerosis Society. I did typical intern things: I stuffed envelopes, ran labels, and ran errands around town. But I had one other thing I was required to do; attend the events that the organization held.
During the events, I mostly ran left and right but there was a few times when I had the chance to speak with the event participants, volunteers, or those living with the disease.
It was overwhelming. Here were people all around me together for one cause. They were all working toward the same goal, all there not because they had to be, but because they wanted to be.
To the girl who had never volunteered a day in her life and never felt a need to, seeing all of these people investing time, money, and emotion into this event blew me away.
There is a plethora of reasons that one should volunteer. It is no longer necessary for a volunteer to be someone affected by the cause, working off community service hours, or someone trying to get into college or to put their experience on a resume. Volunteering has so many benefits, especially for a college student.
The traditional reason to volunteer is for the emotional aspect of it. Simply put, volunteering makes your mind, body, and soul feel good. In many cases you are helping someone who cannot help himself.
During the first event that I helped with, a bike ride, I was standing around, cleaning up a bit while the bike riders were out on the route. A man came up to me and asked my name.