Eight months ago I made the trip with my dad to Bridgewater. The car was packed with boxes and bags of things that I needed to take with me to school. It was the first time that I was going to leave home for such a long period of time. I was leaving to go to college and admittedly was a bit nervous, but I had no idea just what was in store for me

College Life

Living at college was the first time I have been on my own and away from my family. It helped me to grow up and mature so much in just a short time. One of students favorite parts about college is the freedom that comes along with it. You can choose when and where you will eat, sleep or what you will do at any hour of the day (or night). However with freedom comes responsibility. A student is responsible for themselves here at school, and if you do not have good time manage you’re chances of falling behind increase. At school you must know how to balance work and play, if you spend all of your time having fun and ignoring your school work then you may be in for a reality check rather fast. College is a time for students to be free but make sure you keep in mine your responsibilities as a student.

After I look back on a year of college I have to say I was impressed with all the opportunities that were available here at Bridgewater State. I was able to join the RCCBlog team and so far that has been an amazing experience that has helped me improve as a writer which directly improved my grade in English. I aslo was able to make many new friends here, and form Intramural teams with them. I participated in flag football and basketball leagues and made many memories along the way. Also, my time here in school has helped me get a better idea on what I want to do in life. I am currently studying to be a Criminal Justice major, and I am so glad I chose Bridgewater State University.

I’m sure everyone has got some great plans for this summer. Heck, I’m so excited that I’m already looking ahead to next summer. In the months to come, there will be plenty of relaxing and having fun. We will return to our hometown jobs at the supermarket or the burger joint and try and make some cash for next year. In addition to that a lot of crazy BSU students (myself included) will be mixing up their usual summer routines and working on some weird thing called an ATP grant.

What is the ATP Grant?

The office of Undergraduate Research on campus runs a lot of great programs that allow undergrads to do some really cool projects- like the ATP summer grant. Basically, you propose a research project or creative work to the office in the form of a proposal. They accept all kinds of projects from every discipline; scientific research, ehnographies, or even a collection of short stories (which is what I chose).

If your proposal is accepted, you work for a ten week period on your project and complete it in late August. It requires about 40 hours a week, so it’s intense, but well worth it. You will be required to work with a mentor, a professor or staff member from the field you want to study. So if you have a favorite professor, that comes in handy. And you know what happens at the end of the summer? Well you present your project at the undergrad symposium, you get a great line to put on your resume, (basically clinches grad school from what I’ve heard) and, oh yeah, they cut you a check for 4,000 dollars. That’s right 4,000 big ones for your all the work you put into your project, now all the benefits of the program are exciting but to broke college kids 4,000 dollars sounds like a fortune. How can you beat that?

What else can you do?

Now if your interested in doing some kind of project but don’t want to wait until next summer, don’t worry. The office of undergraduate research also offers semester grants for students. It’s the same basic idea as the ATP grant but it’s during a regular school semester. For more info on both these research opportunities and more you can visit the office located on the second floor of the library or you can check out their website.

Are you interested in these awesome grant programs? Have any questions about the process of applying? Want to make a cool $4K?

It’s that time of year again. The weather is warming up and classes are winding down. Our natural instinct as humans may be to take it easy and enjoy ourselves as summer gets closer and closer, but it is essential for students to stay on tract. These last few weeks could be pivotal when it comes to a high grade (or one you’re not so proud of…).

Stay on Track

With such little time left in the semester, students often tend to not worry as much about their classes as they did at the beginning (myself included). Unfortunately, the final weeks also usually mean all your papers and projects and tests are coming, and if that’s the case, you can’t afford to slack off. Even if you are doing really well in a clas,s it would be foolish to let some last semester slacking cost you your shot at Dean’s List.

Registration

Registration is an animal of its own. The scurry for class openings and pre-requisites begin, and if you don’t give it your all you will fall behind and possible miss something you need. The first thing you need to do is make sure you meet with your advisor. I’m sure the upper classmen know this but for Freshmen it can be confusing. It’s not like registering for this spring’s classes, you are no longer guided through every step and are expected to do it on your own.  You must meet with your advisor before you can register for classes. Registration begins April 17^th so time is running out. Sit down, plan your schedule out along with a few back up plans and be prepared for the madness that is registration week.

Basically what I’m telling you guys is I know the weather is nice, and I know how it can be hard to stay focused with only a few weeks left. I am just as excited to start my break but focus on school for just a little longer and you shouldn’t run into any unnecessary problems. Focus on your schedule, get your papers done, study for finals and then ENJOY SUMMER!

In the past few months, Congress has tried to pass several bills in the name of internet security and copyright laws. I think we all remember the blackout day for the Stop Online Piracy bill (or SOPA) and the endless, but necessary), Facebook statuses about it. Just in case you haven’t been on the net in a few months (HA! Who am I kidding, right?) here’s what’s what:

The bill called SOPA and it’s counterpart, PIPA, were meant to enforce copyright laws on the internet. Unfortunately, SOPA/PIPA were so broadly worded and inefficient that they would have caused a lot of harm to the Internet and free speech (you know, that thing people die for every couple decades?). You can check out the bill for yourself here. Thankfully, the Internet users of the world, fought back and the U.S. did not pass those bills into law, but it seems those knuckle heads on Capitol Hill are up to it again with a new bill called CISPA.

CISPA is basically an agreement between third party corporations like Facebook and the U.S. government that will allow the government to access your information directly from those third party companies (if they decide it’s a matter cyber security). Again, this bill is also broadly written so that the government can get their hands on your private information, messages, or posts whenever they like. It could also lead to surveillance and censorship of the web. That’s some scary stuff.

People may argue that the very nature of the Internet is that anything you say or put up can be viewed by anyone, so it is the job of the user to monitor themselves. This is true to an extent, but just because you should be careful what you put online doesn’t make it okay for third parties to just hand over your private information without your permission.

So, WHY should we care?

The Internet is an integral part of ours lives. We use it to learn, communicate, and express our opinions. In many ways, the Internet is like collecting the brains of the world and letting them interact. Will we allow the powers that be to watch our every move  or censor our own thoughts in the name of safety?

I say NO. I mean, when was the last time any of us were the victim of cyber terrorism anyway? Can’t remember? Me neither.

So let’s not let them take anyway our free speech and privacy so that they can protect themselves from groups like Anonymous or Wiki-leaks (who are only trying to expose them). Stand up and log on for Internet rights.

So what do you think about CISPA? Is it really in our best interests? Will it go to far?

When this season started, a lot of fans and media analysts agreed that the Boston Celtics were in for a rough year. Over the first couple months, the team did nothing but prove these naysayers right. At the trading deadline in February, the C’s seemed destined for an early exit from the playoffs… if they could even get there. Sitting at 23-19, barely clinging onto a playoff spot and behind the Philadelphia 76ers in the division, Boston looked like a team without energy, desire, or even talent. That was the old team.

New Life

Did you know that 18 wins is the most wins by any team in the NBA since the all-star break? Are you even more surprised when I tell you it’s the Boston Celtics who made this winning streak?

After the April 10 win over the Miami Heat, the green team has gone an unbelievable 18-7 in the last two months and seem to be getting it together at just the right moment. On April 1st, the Miami Heat came into Boston expecting to win- perhaps overlooking this Celtics squad. It’s safe to say they were shocked when the game ended and the scoreboard read 91-72 . Boston wins.

Some experts discounted the win because we were at home, or because the Heat were playing back-to-back nights and caught off guard (yeah, okay…). However, all of that talk was dismissed last night when the Celtics traveled into Miami to play a team they had just blown out. The Heat were ready. It didn’t matter. The Celtics took charge and behind Kevin Garnett (who is secretly having his best season since ’08) beat the Heat 115-107.

TheBoston Celtics have looked incredibly different over the past two months and realistically could make some noise in the postseason. They are healthy and peaking at just the right part of the year. With some luck, and better defense this team just may have a shot after all. Who woulda thunk it?

Are you surprised by the way the Celtics have been playing recently? Could you see one last title run happening with this team?

The time has come to start filling out those vigorous summer job applications. I know it might seem boring, but if you don’t act soon, all the good ones will be gone. So, what can a broke college student without a degree do to make some extra cash? Luckily, BSU has a few of it’s own summer jobs available to students. Just head over to the job listing board  and see what’s available. If you’d rather keep your distance from Bridgewater, don’t worry! There’s plenty to do OFF campus as well.

Summer Tour Guide

We’ve all seen the large groups of high school kids being escorted around campus. If you’re a good speaker with great people skills, this might be the perfect summer job for you. Walking people around and promoting the campus outside on most days could be a great way to spend the summer- and maybe even get a tan!

Internships

What better way to get some experience in your field and maybe earn some money along the way than a summer internship? Bridgewater State has got some great internship programs available- even if they are not all paid . Experience in your field of work before you graduate is going to look awesome on ANY kind of application, so if you get the chance, go for it! You can check out BSU’s career info page for more details.

Restaurants

I’ve always thought that restaurants were decent places to work, but don’t get me wrong: they are some of the busiest, toughest places to spend your summer nights. Busy means high pressure- and if you make a good impression on a boss you might end up with something far more valuable to your future than a handful of cash: a strong recommendation letter.

Fast Food (Oh NO!)

When applying for jobs in the past, I always found that leaving the fast food jobs for the “there’s no other hope” situation was a good idea. I mean, come on- NO one wants to work fast food, but there are a lot of places right near campus: Taco Bell, KFC,  McDonald’s (side-note: my great-grandfather’s name was Ronald McDonald), etc… These places will give you LOTS of summer hours to help you build up your saving account before the fall rolls around.

 So what are your plans for summer jobs? Any great ideas?

How do our memories and experiences define us? This is one of the many questions posed by Michael Gondry’s 2004 film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It follows Joel Barish and Clementine Kruczynski (played by Jim Carey and Kate Winslet, respectively); a couple who, after breaking up, decide to have a procedure that erases them from each other’s minds.

Considering this is in-fact NOT a comedy, it might be a little strange to see Jimmy Carey as the lead. Of course Carey brings his distinct brand of comedy wherever he goes, but he is still inspiring in this serious role. The film can be hard to follow especially for first time viewers because it contains both real time events and the memories of Clementine that Joel is erasing. However, it is worth the time to watch even if you might be a little confused at first.

Joel and Clementine are eventually able to forget each other, but they can’t forget the parts of themselves that drew them together in the first place. I think that Gondry is arguing that while experiences may affect or influence us, we are still the same people. If you were to wake up tomorrow with no memory of massive parts your life, you would still be you. Gondry is saying that in the end, it is better to accept who were are and the decisions we make. Life doesn’t change the person you are but who you are shapes the life you will live.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is available on Netflix Instant Streaming.

Which is more more important personality or experience? Do you think people change or just change their lives?

On February 26, Trayvon Martin, a high school teenager, was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman was on neighborhood watch (with a firearm…?) when he saw Martin walking home from the local convenience store. In what Zimmerman claims as “self defense,” he fired a fatal shot at Martin and has yet to be arrested or even charged by the police. These events have sparked protests by people fighting for justice and racial equality. The protesters (including several celebrities and even some politicians) have adopted the hoodie sweatshirt as a symbol for Trayvon’s killing because he was wearing a hoodie at the time of the attack (which, according to Zimmerman, was “suspicious”).

In the following weeks, controversy as been reaching a boiling point over the racial implications of the event.  There is some evidence to suggest that Zimmerman may have used a racial slur while talking to police after the incident. Zimmerman’s friends have also come out saying that kind of behavior does not fit his character. Personally, I think that this was a case (at least partially) of racial profiling on Zimmerman’s part. Likewise, the public reaction has largely focused on this case as an instance of racial profiling.

So,what does the reaction to this tragedy say abut race in our culture?

I think it says that racial profiling is just not okay. How willing are we to accept stereotypes as facts of life? Shouldn’t we be demanding people put more thought into how they interact with one another- especially someone who is on patrol with a gun (seriously, how does a gun help you WATCH a neighborhood?)? As college students at BSU, we strive for a more tolerant campus and world. How will we react to this tragedy?

Aside from the incredibly important racial implications of this event, it’s as important to think about the law that is allowing it to happen. The “Stand Your Ground” law that allows the use of deadly force is legal in Florida as well as other states- it may come to Massachusetts. Now regardless of how you feel about the Second Amendment, this law is just too dangerous. If someone decides you are a threat to their life they can kill you… legally.

Think about it: giving anyone the right to end someone’s else’s life just because of a gut feeling? It’s scary. I think we’ve got enough to worry about without making it legal for citizens to start killing each other.

How do you feel about the Trayvon martin case? Was it a case of racial profiling? Is this law a good or bad idea?

You ever heard that made-up term, “thinspiration?” If not,  here’s a synopsis: they’re photos of emaciated, deathly thin women/sometimes men.  They’re posted online and used so people can motivate themselves to lose weight- normally  they are used as a mode of inspiration (hence, “thin” spiration) for people with eating disorders.  There’s something wrong with this picture.

Fellow Blogger John’s Post gives us important specifics of the actual physical, psychological and statistical factors about eating disorders and college students, so I’d like to expand on his data and add the problem of the internet’s influence.  Think for a second how many times the average college student goes online a day. And then think of the amount of images flooding on the screen right in front of them, and how easy it is to access them.  Add these  all up and think of the possible problems they pose for people with eating disorders or eating disordered behavior.

I’m not so sure I want to die, but these motivational pictures and sayings are persuade me to risk my life! YAY!

Let me give you an example, (note: this site is not promoting eating disorders) of a “motivational concept” that thinspirational websites thrive on: “The Thin Commandments.”  Seriously?

There shouldn’t be pictures of people whose ribs are showing as a mode of motivation.  Do you really want to risk your life so you can look like a prisoner of the Holocaust?  This isn’t a joke. Once Tumblr issues a new policy that prohibits sites that have images of starving Thinspirations, you know it’s serious business.

This is an issue that’s been prevailing for a while throughout the nation.  I think a question to ask yourself when you see these pictures and are possibly “thinspired” by them, is this: What if my best friend wanted to be this skinny and risk their lives? What if my little sister or my cousin wanted to look like this? I’ll answer it for you: It’d be horrifying. They wouldn’t want you to risk your life, either.

Does it bother you that the media shows these images? Why do you think so many girls want to look like starvation victims? 

I’m sure we have all had those days. The days where you sleep late, take a nap and sit around playing Xbox. Now don’t get me wrong- sometimes those days are completely necessary, and once and a while you should have one, but the trick is to not get caught up in a funk. You don’t want to be the student that wastes his or her days away lazily, so here are some quick tips to help you avoid that!

Gym-Bear

One of the great things BSU has to offer on campus is a nice modern gym with anything you could ask for in order to get your perfect workout done. No, it’s not free, but $100 will get you a year pass to use it whenever it’s open- even if the school isn’t (over the summer). $100 is not much to ask for considering the prices at gyms back home are at least $200 a year and they are not within walking distance like the Tinsley Center. It’s not often that a state-of-the-art facility like the one we have here is 4 minutes away from your room. Don’t let that opportunity go to waste.

A Walk to Remember

Some students may not know this but behind the Tinsley Center there is a bit of an outdoorsmen’s treasure. They are called the Great Hill Walking Trails and they are beautiful. Students can walk, run, jog or take their bikes to the trails and enjoy the environmental scenery in the spring when the leaves start to bloom, or in the summer when the trees are full and green.  Six different loops (labeled A-F) stretching all the way from the beginning of Great Hill Dr. to the MBTA parking lot make up more than 3 miles of trails to enjoy.

So..

Just remember that while it is nice to have one of those lazy days now and again you shouldn’t get caught up in them. There are plenty of ways to be active and entertained on this campus, whether is be just going to the gym, playing a sport with friends, or getting close to nature with the walking trails, there is never a dull moment.

How do you feel about the Tinsley Center? Have you ever been to the Great Hill walking trails?