Write it down

Today, naturalnews.com published an article including tips to get through college healthfully. In addition to the standard advice usually given to students, such as sleeping eight to 10 hours a night (Who has time for that?) and eating a nutritious diet, there is also another suggestion that may be more feasible for college students to stick to: Keep a journal.

I have to admit, I began jumping up and down (in my head) when I read this. I love my journal. I write in it almost every day. And the point the article makes about the benefits of writing things down resonates with me. Not only does keeping a journal provide me with an opportunity to remember all the fun (or lack of fun) I'm having in college, but it also puts those experiences into perspective. I can sort out all the thoughts and feelings that are tumbling around in my brain and put them into cohesive sentences on paper. It's pretty cool.

So go out, have an experience, and write it down. Organize your emotions. And if you already do that, I guess your next task is to get 10 hours of sleep a night. Good luck!

Pets prevent stress

An article in the Sept. 24 issue of USA Today says that having a pet reduce stress levels and can even making getting adjusting to college easier. That's why some schools are beginning to allow students to bring pets into the dorm rooms or even supplying the furry friends themselves.

Marietta College would be an even happier place if it were filled with cuddly, lovable animals. Many students get excited just to see a puppy on campus. Imagine their enthusiasm if they got to take that dog home with them at night. I say it's a cause worth investing in.

Marietta misses the mark

Apparently, Marietta College students should have picked a different liberal arts school. At our college, there is no information kiosk on the mall where students can make restaurant reservations or drop off their dry cleaning. I have never received a text message informing me that my laundry is ready to be switched from the washer to the dryer and no one hands me free food on my way to class.

"Of course," you're thinking. "Because those things are kind of ridiculous to expect of your college." Except they're not. Not anymore, anyway.

A Sept. 20 article from ABC News states that colleges and universities across the nation are beginning to cater to students' needs more than ever before. The theory is, since students are paying so much money to attend the school, the administration better keep their customers happy. They hope their commitment to service will inspire the students to work harder and take their role in the classroom more seriously.

Tuition at Marietta costs over $33,000 a year. Many of us serve our communities and make the Dean's High Honors List on a regular basis. Granted, we did it without all the added incentives. But where, I ask you, is my free snack? After all, a reward might be kind of nice.

Purity rings not made for mocking

While I can't say that I'm a huge fan of the Jonas Brothers, the incident involving their purity rings at the VMA's got me listening to what they have to say. Apparently, all three of the brothers wear these rings, symbolizing their commitment to save sex until marriage. Russell Brand, the host of the VMA's, felt the need to publicly ridicule the family for their decision. Despite the fact that what Brand did was completely uncalled for, the Jonas Brothers held their ground and have continued to stand up for their promise to remain pure. Way to go, boys.

It takes a high level of immaturity to mock someone for a decision that will, inevitably, leave him or her safe. Teasing any person because he or she has decided to wait to have sex until marriage merely indicates ignorance and a closed mind. As the owner of a purity ring myself, I am incredibly proud to say that, if I do get married, I will be able to give my husband a truly special gift. And I don't think that's laughable at all.

If you want more information, check out http://www.lifeway.com/tlw/
and look for an article in the upcoming Marcolian.

Here comes the hurricane

Last night, nearly half of the Marietta College campus was dark. Both Parsons and McCoy were without power, as were many of the academic buildings. The power outage stretched the length of Seventh Street, even affecting local businesses like Tim Horton's. To the dismay of most students, class was not canceled. The lights were back on by 8 a.m., making it feasible to view Power Point presentations, take notes and complete science labs.

Thankfully, we here in Marietta experienced only minute effects of Hurricane Ike. Comparatively, a Sept. 15 article in the New York Times states that millions of Texans are without power and that the largest rescue operation ever needed in Texas has begun. Try to stay dry, and keep the people on the Gulf Coast in your thoughts and prayers.

Virginity is a high price to pay

College is expensive.  For example, Marietta College costs over $33,000 a year.  Although grants and aid help, students and their parents are often left with a large bill to foot.  The most common way students pay for school is through applying for financial aid, scholarships, and working to save money for tuition.  There are, however, a few unconventional ways of raising money as well.

Today, Howard Stern interviewed a 22-year-old woman on his radio show who has decided to auction off her virginity.  She will use the money to pay for college tuition.  The auction will take place during the radio program, and the woman will wait until she receives a suitable bid.

Forgive me if I'm being conservative, but this is disgusting. It makes me sad that students feel the need to stoop so low to fund their education.  While this is undoubtedly one of the more creative ways to raise money, it's also one of the most dangerous.  Perhaps college financial offices will pick up on this desperate need for funds and find a way to lift the financial burden this young woman, and the rest of us, are feeling. In the meantime, keep your pants zipped and find a different way to write that tuition check each semester.

Smoking on campus

At Marietta, it's not uncommon to walk outside a dormitory into a haze of cigarette smoke. Because smoking has been banned in the buildings, students must sit outside to enjoy their cigarettes. According to campus rules, all smoking must take place at least 20 feet away from the building. Unfortunately for those of us who don't smoke, this is still close enough so that walking past the smokers leaves us smelling like the inside of a bowling alley (before the smoking ban, of course).

Surprisingly, the number of college students who smoke has decreased significantly and has now reached an all-time low. A Sept. 8 issue of the Wall Street Journal says that tobacco suppliers have stepped up their advertising to compensate. They aim to target high school and college students who are going through transitional periods, intending to make smoking appear as a viable way to deal with change. Hopefully, college students are intuitive enough to resist this ploy, leaving themselves (and the rest of us!) smelling fresh and seeing clearly.

College Must-Do's

With the third week of the fall semester rapidly approaching, I feel that it's imperative to remind college students about some of the necessary (and often forgotten) things they really should do during the semester. Before becoming too overwhelmed with your schedule, make sure you block out time to do some of the items on this list. It'll do you good. So, without further ado:

Ali's List of College Must-Do's (in no particular order)

1. Go outside.
Preferably, go outside in the sunshine. It's so simple to get caught up in the monotony of going to class, practicing for a sport or extra-curricular activity, attending meetings and doing homework that you go a day or two without actually seeing the sun. And, contrary to popular belief, there are health benefits to that extra dose of Vitamin D. Check out Benefits of Moderate Sun Exposure for more information.

2. Make "friend dates."
Sure, you see your friends during classes and rehearsals and while you're cramming for your next big exam, but how often do you set aside time to do something fun? I'm willing to argue that "quality" friend time doesn't happen while pouring over a textbook. So forget the school talk for an hour and go entertain yourselves.

3. Join a group you like.
Did you get that last part? Not a group you have to be in or one that will look great on a resume, but one you actually want to do. Even if you feel like you don't have time to be in one more activity, participating in something that makes you happy will most likely decrease your stress level. And, clearly, that's something nearly every college student could use.

4. Exercise
Yes, I realize this seems like an obvious one, but exercising actually is important; it didn't make it to the top of all those other "must-do" lists just by sounding cool. And while running around the block or hopping on an erg machine may not sound like your idea of a good time, expending all that sweat and energy will make you a more pleasant person to be around. If you need more convincing, take a look at the 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity.

5. Hug somebody.
Spread the love. Put a smile on someone's face. And read about the Hugging Judge for some great ideas.

Community Service Necessary

At Marietta College, any student who choses to pursue the study of leadership and receive a major, minor, or certificate in the field must complete either 50, 100 or 125 hours of community service prior to graduation. Luckily, Marietta offers a variety of service options, including some not-so-standard volunteer opportunities. In addition to more traditional service activities, such as tutoring or collecting food for the homeless, MC scholars can also volunteer at the Humane Society or teach a class at the YMCA, and the list doesn't end there.

While some students may groan at the prospect of donating several hours a week to yet another activity, all their work does make a difference. An August 2007 issue of Time magazine included an article called "A Time to Serve," which states that one of the best ways to get citizens engaged is to get them volunteering. In 2006 alone, Americans logged 8.1 billion hours of community service, and the move toward volunteering is still growing.

As a matter of fact, the call for community service has garnered governmental support. Presidential nominee Barack Obama and his running mate Joe Biden have committed themselves to national service. If elected, Obama promises to implement a plan for Universal Voluntary Citizen Service that will encourage Americans to meet the nation's challenges through service, improve education through volunteering and expand the already successful service organizations. Obama hopes to equip all citizens with the knowledge and tools they need to make a difference.