The modern work week structure includes five days of labor, those days including Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with two days of rest, being Saturday and Sunday.
Friday is not, as you may have discovered, part of the weekend. Most IU students have five days of classes, and five week-nights of studying and homework. Why, then, are so many students treating Thursday night like a night on the town?
In the lobby of my dorm, every Thursday night, it is more popular to see guys and girls getting dressed up to hit the frats than it is to see students returning from the library. This, in and of itself, would not be a problem for me. It is none of my business how someone chooses to spend their evenings. I am not anyone’s mother.
The problem arises in the morning. Friday is, contrary to popular belief, a day in which we have classes that are just as important to our education as any of the other four. When those students who are working hard to do well in college, have to go to class with their hung-over, half-asleep peers there is a breakdown in the education system. How can a class that is based on discussion and participation function when attendance drops on Fridays because of hard partying.
Additionally, the way of quantifying attendance levels is not necessarily most accurately depicted by the number of students in the seats. The better answer is how many students are attentive and ready to participate in class.
It is hard enough to get engaged in a class on Friday morning when sober. I desperately want to be back in bed, having nothing to do with drinking. When it is already hard to get out of bed and be a valuable member of the classroom environment, it is even less valuable to be there if your hangover is too intense to even raise your hand.
Students have two nights to do their drinking. If a person in the University community is looking for a chance to go out and get wasted, it is not hard to find someplace to go on Friday and Saturday nights. Using a third night, Thursday night, to drink is offering up the opportunity for further trouble associated with drunkenness, under-age drinking, and idiotic, bad judgment. When students have those three nights in a row to get themselves into trouble, it is increasing the likelihood of unnecessary harm to all involved. There have even been nights when Saturday will be a slow, lazy night because students are partied out by their Thursday and Friday nights. This is, put simply, ridiculous. Why waste your partying on a night when you actually have other things to do? Why would you lose out on a care-free Saturday night because you partied too hard on a night that you shouldn’t have.
As college students, we have the opportunity to make our own decisions without any interference from parents or guardians. That being said, we, as students, have a form of obligation to be acting somewhat responsibly, taking into account not only the choices one makes but the consequences these choices can have on others. When someone chooses to go out on a Thursday night and get thoroughly intoxicated, it is one thing to be effecting that night for that person; it is another thing when this choice negatively impacts the others around you in their pursuit of a valuable, meaningful education.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Changing Perspective
I want to take the chance to wish everyone a Shana Tova, a Happy Jewish new year. Today was my first time experiencing the High Holy Days from away from home. I attended services through the Indiana University Hillel. This was a fantastic experience, mixed with a new element.
I attended the 9 a.m. Reform services and enjoyed the comfortable melodies, meaningful readings, and spiritual connection. I then decided to try something new and stayed for the second service, this time a Conservative service.
Sitting with my friends from the Judaic Studies department, I was amazed by how little I knew. Most of the Hebrew was new to me, the readings were unfamiliar, and the melodies were downright foreign. This was very awkward for me who, as someone who goes to services every week, thought I was very familiar with this stuff.
What I came to appreciate a little more was the diversity of practices, even within our own faith. It is easy to look at others and try to understand them, but it is rare that we look at our own communities and observe the differences within it. I found it meaningful to get the chance to evaluate the practice of my faith in conjunction with those who share a similar belief but a different style of practice.
I want to continue to spend this new year trying to see things from new perspectives. I want to remove myself from the routines of complacency and narrow-minded mentalities.
I want to become more appreciative and understanding of the differences that make us unique and the similarities that we have that make us strong.
May God give me the strength to learn and to understand.
I attended the 9 a.m. Reform services and enjoyed the comfortable melodies, meaningful readings, and spiritual connection. I then decided to try something new and stayed for the second service, this time a Conservative service.
Sitting with my friends from the Judaic Studies department, I was amazed by how little I knew. Most of the Hebrew was new to me, the readings were unfamiliar, and the melodies were downright foreign. This was very awkward for me who, as someone who goes to services every week, thought I was very familiar with this stuff.
What I came to appreciate a little more was the diversity of practices, even within our own faith. It is easy to look at others and try to understand them, but it is rare that we look at our own communities and observe the differences within it. I found it meaningful to get the chance to evaluate the practice of my faith in conjunction with those who share a similar belief but a different style of practice.
I want to continue to spend this new year trying to see things from new perspectives. I want to remove myself from the routines of complacency and narrow-minded mentalities.
I want to become more appreciative and understanding of the differences that make us unique and the similarities that we have that make us strong.
May God give me the strength to learn and to understand.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Standing for Honor
Today was a day filled with emotion and memorial. Ten years after four hijacked planes reeked havoc on America, the day was filled with services, volunteerism, and remembrance.
I was in third grade when the attacks occurred. I have seen my peers post all sorts of facebook statuses saying "I will always remember where I was when it happened." I'm going to be honest: I don't remember much of that day. I don't remember what I felt when my parents sat me down and explained the concept of terrorism, what had happened, and what it meant. What I do remember is what came after.
I remember the feelings of insecurity that Americans felt, and still feel, when we board an airplane or go into a large city. I remember the ignorance that we experienced when we wrongfully associated all Muslims as terrorists. I remember the mourning, when we had to bury those who had worked so hard for this country, whether in the towers or to save their fellow citizen.
What I remember most, though, was the sense of pride that I developed after that day. I can say that I know what it is like to take pride in one's flag and one's country. I know how it feels to stand tall in defense of an idea, attempting to spread peace in a world so contaminated by hate.
The scary thing is, some people have forgotten. There are those in the United States who will post "I will always remember" today, and then return to spitting hatred about American defense against those who wish to see our downfall. I don't know whether or not I believe fighting for a just cause is right (because I am overall a fan of peace). What I do know, however, is that when someone challenges your right to live, you have every right to open a fire under their ass.
For anyone who knows me, they know that I don't like the concept of war, but that I am not afraid of a bit of conflict, especially when defending something that I think is right. That being said, I most definitely think it is right to defend the American way and to fight against anyone who tries to harm our nation and its people. I will continue to support the American troops who go out to defend us, and I pray that they return safely. It is also important that those who intend to hurt us know this: You will not succeed. We will not let you take the fire out of our hearts. We will end your reign of terror. And you will feel the whole wrath of the American people.
I might not remember the actual day, but I will always remember the sacrifice that men and women have made for me every day since to ensure that I can grow up in a land that is free. I may not be able to recount my location at the time of the attack, but I can be damned sure that I will remember the feelings I have of pride when I hear the national anthem, knowing well that the American people are too strong to take down without a fight. And I most definitely will remember every day that I am blessed enough to call America my home.
May all of those who lost their lives be a blessing to those who knew them, to those that loved them, and to those that honor their memory today.
May it be God's will.
I was in third grade when the attacks occurred. I have seen my peers post all sorts of facebook statuses saying "I will always remember where I was when it happened." I'm going to be honest: I don't remember much of that day. I don't remember what I felt when my parents sat me down and explained the concept of terrorism, what had happened, and what it meant. What I do remember is what came after.
I remember the feelings of insecurity that Americans felt, and still feel, when we board an airplane or go into a large city. I remember the ignorance that we experienced when we wrongfully associated all Muslims as terrorists. I remember the mourning, when we had to bury those who had worked so hard for this country, whether in the towers or to save their fellow citizen.
What I remember most, though, was the sense of pride that I developed after that day. I can say that I know what it is like to take pride in one's flag and one's country. I know how it feels to stand tall in defense of an idea, attempting to spread peace in a world so contaminated by hate.
The scary thing is, some people have forgotten. There are those in the United States who will post "I will always remember" today, and then return to spitting hatred about American defense against those who wish to see our downfall. I don't know whether or not I believe fighting for a just cause is right (because I am overall a fan of peace). What I do know, however, is that when someone challenges your right to live, you have every right to open a fire under their ass.
For anyone who knows me, they know that I don't like the concept of war, but that I am not afraid of a bit of conflict, especially when defending something that I think is right. That being said, I most definitely think it is right to defend the American way and to fight against anyone who tries to harm our nation and its people. I will continue to support the American troops who go out to defend us, and I pray that they return safely. It is also important that those who intend to hurt us know this: You will not succeed. We will not let you take the fire out of our hearts. We will end your reign of terror. And you will feel the whole wrath of the American people.
I might not remember the actual day, but I will always remember the sacrifice that men and women have made for me every day since to ensure that I can grow up in a land that is free. I may not be able to recount my location at the time of the attack, but I can be damned sure that I will remember the feelings I have of pride when I hear the national anthem, knowing well that the American people are too strong to take down without a fight. And I most definitely will remember every day that I am blessed enough to call America my home.
May all of those who lost their lives be a blessing to those who knew them, to those that loved them, and to those that honor their memory today.
May it be God's will.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
September 4th
After spending two weeks at Indiana University, I have really come a long way since my senior year in high school, when I spent much of my fall filling out college essays and applications and, much more likely, stressing about their outcome.
Now that I have been fully removed from the whole experience, I thought it may be valuable to take the time to write something specifically directed at the senior class right now. Basically, I have been in your shoes, and there are five basic things that I think you should know.
1. Set your relationship with your parents and siblings up for success early. Start talking about how you are going to communicate and how they can talk to you without pissing you off. In my first two weeks, I have been able to talk to my family just enough without annoying them by taking up there time or avoiding them, and also enough that I feel like they are involved in my life, but not to an extreme degree.
2. Drop the importance of the GPA. If I asked much of the Sophomore class here what they had gotten as a high school GPA, I bet they would barely remember. It is just a number. Don’t let it define you. It is so easy to be owned by that number and let it take over who you are as a person, but there is more valuable to extra-curricular that bring you inner peace or satisfaction, rather than spend all of your time hitting the books. Also, side note, don’t think that having a higher GPA than someone means that someone is “smarter” or “better”. That is extremely shallow and arrogant, or, on the flip side, demoralizing and self-depreciating.
3. No degree of stressing will impact your ability to get into a given school. You can spend hours stressing once the application is gone, or you can let it go, and simply wait until you hear a response. I did not attend a single class at the University of Wisconsin, but they did teach me one of the best lessons I have ever received and that is patience. You might as well enjoy the time you have, because soon a new form of stress will happen: picking which of the schools that you were accepted to will you actually attend?
4. Segueing well from the last point, DO NOT ATTEND A SCHOOL THAT DOES NOT WANT YOU. You may have grand goals for yourself and have your mind set on a school, but if a school isn’t willing to accept you with open arms and maybe a little money added in, then don’t go. I spent far too much of my time pushing a school that didn’t want me to take me, even though I had a school waiting in the ranks that was practically begging me to come. That being said, go to the places that you feel good about and that make you feel good. Don’t go if you have cried over them.
5. At the bottom line, which school you choose as a general rule DOES NOT matter. Clearly if you want to go into business, you should go to a school with a good business school (Kelley School of Business at IU is awesome). If you want to be a musician, go to a good music school (Jacobs School of Music anyone?). All of that being said, I go to a Big Ten school, and I would venture the guess that a school day looks the same all over, with professors who are among the elite in their field, who care about what they are teaching. If you are debating between two well-respected school, it doesn’t really matter where you pick, just that you enjoy the time you spend there.
I hope that this has been helpful or enlightening to someone. I wish I had had someone who had the guts to tell me “Senior year was stressful because you let it be, and you need to enjoy it”. Maybe they were there but I didn’t hear them clearly enough. So take this to heart.
Now that I have been fully removed from the whole experience, I thought it may be valuable to take the time to write something specifically directed at the senior class right now. Basically, I have been in your shoes, and there are five basic things that I think you should know.
1. Set your relationship with your parents and siblings up for success early. Start talking about how you are going to communicate and how they can talk to you without pissing you off. In my first two weeks, I have been able to talk to my family just enough without annoying them by taking up there time or avoiding them, and also enough that I feel like they are involved in my life, but not to an extreme degree.
2. Drop the importance of the GPA. If I asked much of the Sophomore class here what they had gotten as a high school GPA, I bet they would barely remember. It is just a number. Don’t let it define you. It is so easy to be owned by that number and let it take over who you are as a person, but there is more valuable to extra-curricular that bring you inner peace or satisfaction, rather than spend all of your time hitting the books. Also, side note, don’t think that having a higher GPA than someone means that someone is “smarter” or “better”. That is extremely shallow and arrogant, or, on the flip side, demoralizing and self-depreciating.
3. No degree of stressing will impact your ability to get into a given school. You can spend hours stressing once the application is gone, or you can let it go, and simply wait until you hear a response. I did not attend a single class at the University of Wisconsin, but they did teach me one of the best lessons I have ever received and that is patience. You might as well enjoy the time you have, because soon a new form of stress will happen: picking which of the schools that you were accepted to will you actually attend?
4. Segueing well from the last point, DO NOT ATTEND A SCHOOL THAT DOES NOT WANT YOU. You may have grand goals for yourself and have your mind set on a school, but if a school isn’t willing to accept you with open arms and maybe a little money added in, then don’t go. I spent far too much of my time pushing a school that didn’t want me to take me, even though I had a school waiting in the ranks that was practically begging me to come. That being said, go to the places that you feel good about and that make you feel good. Don’t go if you have cried over them.
5. At the bottom line, which school you choose as a general rule DOES NOT matter. Clearly if you want to go into business, you should go to a school with a good business school (Kelley School of Business at IU is awesome). If you want to be a musician, go to a good music school (Jacobs School of Music anyone?). All of that being said, I go to a Big Ten school, and I would venture the guess that a school day looks the same all over, with professors who are among the elite in their field, who care about what they are teaching. If you are debating between two well-respected school, it doesn’t really matter where you pick, just that you enjoy the time you spend there.
I hope that this has been helpful or enlightening to someone. I wish I had had someone who had the guts to tell me “Senior year was stressful because you let it be, and you need to enjoy it”. Maybe they were there but I didn’t hear them clearly enough. So take this to heart.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
August 30th
Today was my third day of college classes. In those first three days, I have learned an incredible deal, not necessarily in the fields I'm studying, but rather in general about my academic future.
First of all, the schedule is very strange to me. I knew that I would not go to class non-stop from 8 to 3 like I used to, but I was not familiar with the way things work. I have an hour long class early in the day, and hour and a half break, and then another hour of class, before finishing with the rest of lunch and the afternoon and evening to myself. Having the chance to have such large gaps gives me plenty of time to decompress from the stress of the last before advancing to the next class.
Another element of college that I never considered was the academic pursuits of many of my instructors. I have several teachers and professors who are students themselves, working on doctoral programs and dissertations. I expected to get to college and have ancient, worldly people talking at me. Instead, I have experts in their fields, who are young enough to be up-to-speed on the cutting edge advancements in their lines of work, who are able to share their own academic experiences (because they were recent enough that they still remember).
One of my instructors gave me an excellent piece of advice when I went to visit him during his office hours. He said that a writer had said that anyone who dedicates 10,000 hours to a field of study, whether it be athletic, academic, or intellectual, will surpass the natural talent of a prodigy and become a true master. This individual had long since passed his 10,000 hours in his field, and could attest to the expertise that come with it. This was his way of telling me also that studying "what sounds cool" will not lead to success necessarily, but rather throwing one's self wholly and completely into a field will lead to the greatest success.
I don't necessarily know what I am going to dedicate 10,000 hours to. I have a pretty good idea, but even I am open to the chance of changing my mind. What I am committed to, though, is working hard enough in college to succeed at the classes I'm taking, because I am privileged enough to attend a University that offers such a wide variety of classes at such a high level.
First of all, the schedule is very strange to me. I knew that I would not go to class non-stop from 8 to 3 like I used to, but I was not familiar with the way things work. I have an hour long class early in the day, and hour and a half break, and then another hour of class, before finishing with the rest of lunch and the afternoon and evening to myself. Having the chance to have such large gaps gives me plenty of time to decompress from the stress of the last before advancing to the next class.
Another element of college that I never considered was the academic pursuits of many of my instructors. I have several teachers and professors who are students themselves, working on doctoral programs and dissertations. I expected to get to college and have ancient, worldly people talking at me. Instead, I have experts in their fields, who are young enough to be up-to-speed on the cutting edge advancements in their lines of work, who are able to share their own academic experiences (because they were recent enough that they still remember).
One of my instructors gave me an excellent piece of advice when I went to visit him during his office hours. He said that a writer had said that anyone who dedicates 10,000 hours to a field of study, whether it be athletic, academic, or intellectual, will surpass the natural talent of a prodigy and become a true master. This individual had long since passed his 10,000 hours in his field, and could attest to the expertise that come with it. This was his way of telling me also that studying "what sounds cool" will not lead to success necessarily, but rather throwing one's self wholly and completely into a field will lead to the greatest success.
I don't necessarily know what I am going to dedicate 10,000 hours to. I have a pretty good idea, but even I am open to the chance of changing my mind. What I am committed to, though, is working hard enough in college to succeed at the classes I'm taking, because I am privileged enough to attend a University that offers such a wide variety of classes at such a high level.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
August 17
Today was an interesting experience. I had the opportunity to go to the Commission on Youth Engagement as part of the Union For Reform Judaism's efforts to properly reach out to those members of the teen community who may not be reached otherwise.
One of the elements that was most significant to this was the coming together of all of the constituencies that go into the Union as a whole. Members of each subgroup within Reform Judaism were there to help in the creation of a new vision for how to get people involved.
I, along with five other NFTYites, was invited to the event for the opportunity to share the perspective of teens, and to experience the discussion so as to help in the development of a call to action to be put forward at the URJ Biennial in December.
The meetings lasted all day, and went across an enormous level of discussion points. During the course of the day, I had the chance to share my personal perspective on multiple issues and the ways in which I saw them being rectified. What was most significant to this was that not only did I have the chance to talk, but that the adult leadership around the table had a genuine interest in what I had to say. They all listened to my viewpoint, added their own thoughts along similar wavelengths, and were able to build the ideas that we were creating to incorporate what I was saying. This unique opportunity meant that all of the NFTYites at the meeting felt valued, and felt as though their voice was being heard.
Although the meeting was very long, and it was often difficult to remain completely focused, it was an incredibly valuable opportunity for our movement to call to the table so many different components of the organizations that make Reform Judaism flourish. It gave hope for the future that we will be able to create resources for Jewish teens for future generations to come. And it allowed us to practice what it is like to be the adult leadership, creating valuable information for our peers and for our successors in the movement.
One of the elements that was most significant to this was the coming together of all of the constituencies that go into the Union as a whole. Members of each subgroup within Reform Judaism were there to help in the creation of a new vision for how to get people involved.
I, along with five other NFTYites, was invited to the event for the opportunity to share the perspective of teens, and to experience the discussion so as to help in the development of a call to action to be put forward at the URJ Biennial in December.
The meetings lasted all day, and went across an enormous level of discussion points. During the course of the day, I had the chance to share my personal perspective on multiple issues and the ways in which I saw them being rectified. What was most significant to this was that not only did I have the chance to talk, but that the adult leadership around the table had a genuine interest in what I had to say. They all listened to my viewpoint, added their own thoughts along similar wavelengths, and were able to build the ideas that we were creating to incorporate what I was saying. This unique opportunity meant that all of the NFTYites at the meeting felt valued, and felt as though their voice was being heard.
Although the meeting was very long, and it was often difficult to remain completely focused, it was an incredibly valuable opportunity for our movement to call to the table so many different components of the organizations that make Reform Judaism flourish. It gave hope for the future that we will be able to create resources for Jewish teens for future generations to come. And it allowed us to practice what it is like to be the adult leadership, creating valuable information for our peers and for our successors in the movement.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
August 7th
I know I haven't blogged in quite a while, so I wanted to make sure that I got one in before school starts. This summer has been an incredible one, and has filled my time with excellent learning, growing, and relaxing.
This summer was also an emotionally overwhelming one. It was the first time that I had to refer to my high school as "my old school" and my classmates as "people I WENT to high school with". This sounds like silly language choices, but it was anything but. This represented a drastic change in the way I saw myself. I was no longer tied down by what I thought I was in high school. I felt as though I had the chance to reinvent something. I didn't really want to reinvent myself, but to reinvent the way I saw myself and the way I put myself out for others to see.
I graduated on June 2nd. In the two months since, I feel as though I have grown significantly, quite possibly the most I have grown in any two month period in my life. This growth is in several directions. I learned what it means to be living independently, as I spent the summer at an amazing camp (URJ's Kutz Camp) and had the chance to really be responsible for my own living for six weeks. I learned what it means to truly not care what other people think of you, and to simply be the person you are in new places, because people will wind up liking you better anyway. And I learned that I am continually growing, as is everyone around me.
This last fact may sound simple, but it is actually monumentally important. I am learning, growing, and turning into a better person all the time. Yet I so often think of people in cemented terms. I rarely consider how some one's summer experiences may have changed their ways of thinking, or how they behave. I want people to give me the benefit of the doubt, but how can I have that if I'm not willing to do the same.
I have changed a lot this summer, and I think for the better. I hope and wish that people will have the chance to see what kind of person I am and am becoming, rather than dwelling on what I once may have been.
May it be God's Will
This summer was also an emotionally overwhelming one. It was the first time that I had to refer to my high school as "my old school" and my classmates as "people I WENT to high school with". This sounds like silly language choices, but it was anything but. This represented a drastic change in the way I saw myself. I was no longer tied down by what I thought I was in high school. I felt as though I had the chance to reinvent something. I didn't really want to reinvent myself, but to reinvent the way I saw myself and the way I put myself out for others to see.
I graduated on June 2nd. In the two months since, I feel as though I have grown significantly, quite possibly the most I have grown in any two month period in my life. This growth is in several directions. I learned what it means to be living independently, as I spent the summer at an amazing camp (URJ's Kutz Camp) and had the chance to really be responsible for my own living for six weeks. I learned what it means to truly not care what other people think of you, and to simply be the person you are in new places, because people will wind up liking you better anyway. And I learned that I am continually growing, as is everyone around me.
This last fact may sound simple, but it is actually monumentally important. I am learning, growing, and turning into a better person all the time. Yet I so often think of people in cemented terms. I rarely consider how some one's summer experiences may have changed their ways of thinking, or how they behave. I want people to give me the benefit of the doubt, but how can I have that if I'm not willing to do the same.
I have changed a lot this summer, and I think for the better. I hope and wish that people will have the chance to see what kind of person I am and am becoming, rather than dwelling on what I once may have been.
May it be God's Will
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