Category: Opinion

Ben Kaufman

Presentation Director

We have reached that dreaded point in the semester where everything is winding down and finals are coming soon, meaning that everyone is officially freaking out about the large amount of finals, projects and papers that we all have. While most people are only focused on all of that, I, along with some other students, have to also take into account everything that I need to do before going abroad next semester.

On top of all the normal issues we have when finishing up the semester, we have to complete all of the work that is required before going abroad. We have to get forms signed, classes approved, figure out everything we are doing with the university we will be staying at (housing, tuition, etc.) and many other tasks. On top of all this, we have to pack up our rooms as if it is summer and then pack up everything we need for our foreign destination. This all leads to the questions of whether to buy bedding here or once we land, how to bring toiletries on a plane and all those headaches that traveling brings. This includes making sure your passport isn’t expired and packing up everything as if headed back to campus, but instead, flying to a different country. As a native New Yorker, I’ve never had to fly to school, so this will be a new experience for me.

That being said, I am incredibly excited to go abroad. This will be my first time going to Europe, so I’m excited to start living a life like the ones I’ve heard about in stories. I am going to be studying at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and, according to Arcadia University (the school that is running my program), I am the only student at this university going to Scotland. Just like it was starting college three years ago, it’ll be a cool experience to have to meet new people while exploring not only Scotland, but hopefully most of Europe as well. The Office of International Education made the process really easy for me. Once I figured out which program I wanted, my advisor made it very clear what I needed to do in order to go abroad. This included the people I needed to talk to, when I needed my application in and everything in between.

Although I am very excited, it will be sad to miss out on a semester in Lewisburg. As much as I often criticize Lewisburg for being isolated in the middle of nowhere, there is a strong sense of community here that I am going to miss, especially since I have become so used to everything the University has to offer, including the interesting courses and easy accessibility to professors if I need help. However, I have only really left the country once, so I am way overdue for an experience in a foreign country. Even though I haven’t actually gone abroad yet, I would say to take advantage of the opportunity to do so if you get the chance. My brother went abroad for a year in Hawaii and then in Rome, and he said it changed his life and made him more culturally aware. On top of that, I have not heard one person say that he/she regrets going abroad. As much as we love the comfort we have in the ’burg, sometimes it’s necessary to get away for a semester and try a new experience.

Ben Kaufman
Presentation Director

Most people think that long distance relationships are not something that should be done. The first thing I used to hear in my head when I’d think about long distance relationships is the line from “30 Rock” when a character is complaining about her boyfriend being in a different country and Liz Lemon says, “Long distance is the wrong distance. Deal breaker.” Now that I am currently in a long distance relationship, this negative outlook seems more distant.

Just as it is nice when I am with my girlfriend, long distance relationships are actually nice.  Clearly if we didn’t really care about each other, we would not be doing this. Plus there are some benefits to being in a long distance relationship.

One benefit is that we both clearly have our own lives. I get annoyed when couples do literally everything together, no matter what the case may be. I give them a lot of credit because I don’t think I can spend that much time with anybody regardless of how much I love or care about them. So the fact that we don’t go to school together means that we are able to do our own thing when we want to as well as do things with each other when we are together.

That being said, as ridiculous as this may sound, the 21st century and the massive advances in technology and communication makes a long distance relationship pretty easy. We both have cell phones and therefore are usually texting each other throughout the day. We are also able to videochat every once in a while, which even though it is not as good as physically being with each other, it is still better than nothing.

Although there are some benefits to being in a long distance relationship, the only thing that is truly that bad is that we aren’t able to see each other very often. Being that Lewisburg is literally in the middle of nowhere and annoyingly far from everything makes transportation and commuting very difficult. However, we at least make the effort to see each other at least once a month, which is nice and definitely better than longer, extended periods of time.

The point of all my rambling is this: while most people view a long distance relationship as a bad idea and not something that should ever be done, I disagree. I think if you are with somebody and are committed enough to them to be apart from him or her for extended periods of time, then by all means go for it. I understand that it is difficult, but it is worth it. As much as I love Liz Lemon and everything she says on “30 Rock,” I’m going to have to disagree with her on this one and say that long distance is not always the wrong distance.

Gillian Feehan and Mary Morris
Contributing Writers

It was a rare night that we were eating in the Bostwick Marketplace. We were just minding our own business, eating our money’s worth, and then, the unspeakable happened: gross couple at six o’clock. Cue the vomiting. It started out with Eskimo kisses, but quickly progressed into face licking (we cannot make this stuff up). As if it couldn’t get any worse, the show quickly turned into something straight off the Discovery Channel. A couple of baby birds started to enjoy an intimate dinner. Yummy. The male bird, sensing that his lovely female companion was hungry, held a slice of melon in his mouth and offered it to the female, who nibbled the melon thanks to the assistance of her lover. How romantic. Who needs utensils these days?

There is a line, my fellow students, and it has most assuredly been crossed. If you must perform public displays of affection, can we agree on some ground rules? Your PDA should make me jealous by its simplicity and naturalness. It should not make me want to claw my eyes out or hurl in the nearest trash can. Couples should aim for the casual hand holding as opposed to a Gorilla-glue death grip; a cute good-bye peck on the cheek instead of sloppily mapping the anatomy of the throat with your tongue; simply getting your own plate of food instead of feeding each other like you’re baby birds.

I would rather feel bad about my personal life than feel nauseated on a regular basis. Holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes or a bit of snuggling is totally acceptable. But please, for the love of all things good and happy in this world, stop the excessively, lovey-dovey PDA. Save that for after dinner, back at your own rooms. All of the innocent bystanders will appreciate you for it.

Sarah Morris

Staff Writer

On the days leading up to the Presidential Election, I was becoming extremely jittery at the prospects of voting. What if I chose the wrong candidate? (Wrong being subjective, of course). I was not 18 during the last election, so this was my first voting experience. The feeling of contributing to an important political movement was something I later realized and cherished.

Around 2 p.m. on the day of the election, I realized that the decision might not actually go my way. I could vote and put my heart and soul into the pushing of the screen over my preferred candidate’s name and find that his opposition had won at the end of the night. I kept nervously bringing it up to friends, but their looks of confusion disheartened me. How was nobody else as scared as I was? The future of the free world was being chosen and everybody seemed so blasé!

When I saw that Pennsylvania had turned blue, I screamed at the top of my lungs and jumped off the couch to high five everybody in the room. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more American than that very moment when I realized that my vote had actually counted. My vote helped President Barack Obama win a second term in office.

After the results were in that Obama would be back in the Oval Office yet again, I, of course, checked my Facebook. The number of people claiming they were going to leave the country was unbelievable. Someone I went to high school with back in Georgia actually claimed something along the lines of: “I will personally lead the South in a secession.”  Needless to say, he was unfriended immediately. The results of the election were so joyous for me! Healthcare, gay marriage and rape is real! How could I be unhappy? The reactions of my peers were highly disappointing.

Yes, of course I would be sad if Romney won, but leaving America isn’t the right idea. It would mean that four years later, there wouldn’t be a voice like mine to share an opinion in the next election. It is so easy to think of the election as some competition that is won and then over with forever. We are so lucky to live in a nation that allows us the opportunity to have a say in the future of the country. It’s worth it to stick around and make your voice heard.

Justin Marinelli
Senior Writer

While many would argue that we look for totally different things depending on whether we want a hook-up or a relationship, I disagree. I find that we usually look for the same things, but it’s the number of traits we look for that differs. We just happen to be looking for more when what we want is a relationship.

If the weekend rolls around and I feel in the mood for a hook-up, the first thing I look for is enthusiasm. After all, who wants to mess around with someone who’ll be a cold fish? This is also something that I seek in a relationship. I want someone who’s as excited about dating me as I am about being me.

Confidence is also supremely important. In fact, no matter what I’m looking for, I find confidence essential in a partner. The way confident people approach the world is just sexy (and after some high school relationships with unconfident, insecure people, I have learned that it’s just not worth dating people who aren’t confident).

Maturity is also a quality worth seeking. Its usefulness in a relationship is obvious, but I find it key with hook-ups as well. Immaturity is not only a turn-off, but it greatly increases the likelihood of unpleasant or awkward circumstances later.

Looks are also nice, although they matter far less in the context of a relationship. An interesting difference here is that for a hook-up, whether or not one is actually good-looking matters more, whereas in a relationship being able to be comfortably dressed and to be yourself has the edge.

The ultimate quality though, and the one I give the most weight to, is without a doubt intelligence. There’s something about a large, hefty intellect or a fine, well-rounded wit that makes things intensely satisfying. I know many would argue that smarts aren’t too important in the context of a casual encounter, but intelligence is just really attractive, so I keep it on my little list.

If I were looking for a relationship, not only would I keep an eye out for what I’ve listed above, but I’d also look for a few additional traits. To a certain degree, I like it when someone is a bit sassy. It keeps things fun and interesting, and it also shows a fair amount of confidence and intelligence. For the same reasons, I find that a decent sense of humor is also necessary for a great relationship. Finally, while this isn’t necessary in a hook-up, the ability to carry on a deep conversation is absolutely essential in a relationship.

While it is a common sentiment that we look for different traits in a hook-up than a relationship, it seems more reasonable to assume that what we’re looking for is mostly the same mold with minor, not major, differences. The amount of difference varies a bit between each person, but the similarities are almost always far greater. Think back through your own history and compare your hook-ups with your relationships. You’ll probably find some common themes.

Spencer Ivey

Writer

If you love James Bond movies, you must see the newly released “Skyfall.” Fifty years removed from “Dr. No,” the first movie in this second-highest grossing film franchise in history, director Sam Mendes takes us back to the basics of a great Bond film. A charismatic actor playing Bond along with his supporting crew at M16, exotic locations, beautiful women, fast-paced action and a vodka martini (shaken, of course) have been the meat and potatoes for Mr. Bond since the inception of this iconic series. With Daniel Craig’s best effort as 007 yet, I proclaim “Skyfall” as one of the best Bond movies ever.

“Skyfall” had high expectations especially due to the underappreciated “Quantum of Solace,” which hardly passed as a Bond film. Mendes worked hard to feed Bond lovers’ appetites for a hearty serving of classic 007 flair, and he has certainly left them satisfied. After its first weekend, “Skyfall” deservedly raked in $87.8 million, which was good enough to claim the most profitable premier in Bond history.

I guess the third time is the charm for Craig. His piercing blue eyes and rugged exterior is complemented perfectly with the deep emotional development of his character. We see a different side of the sly killer for the first time, but not without a lack of action. Outfitted by the return of a familiar character in the series, who was missing from the previous two movies, Q (played by the young Ben Wishaw), and instructed by the always-stellar Judi Dench as M, Bond takes us on a thrilling, international adventure in pursuit of the bad guy with all the wrong intentions.

In an effort to not spoil the many surprises of this spectacular movie, I will avoid detail. In essence, this is a Bond movie you simply cannot afford to miss. Although I saw “Skyfall” on a normal theater screen the first time around, I will be sure to take advantage of the IMAX offering next time. This is a movie truly deserving of the big screen.

El McCabe
Writer

Registering for classes brings up a mix of emotions for most students. There is of course the overall excitement for a fresh start and a new set of professors. Yet, this excitement is combated with the overall anxiety of starting a new routine. Then there is always the fear that despite hours of painstakingly selecting the perfect classes or schedule for your sleeping preferences, that all the spots will be taken before your time slot. This fear is a valid one for many underclassmen, especially first-years, but everything indeed works out in the end.

As a first-year it is important to expect that you will not get into all, if any, of your first choices. If a class is your first choice, there is a high chance that the class is also the first choice of many other students. Having a lot of backups is essential for this very reason. It can be frustrating, dismaying and upsetting to watch the classes that stood out to you lose spots every registration period. The good news is that in the future those classes will be offered again, and it only gets better in terms of registration.

Personally, I did not get into any of the classes I first selected two weeks before my registration period. The key to being satisfied with my classes was finding backups that were not simply fillers to match with my wait-listed choices, but finding classes that truly piqued my interest or explored subjects I had never considered. Part of the college experience is exploring classes/subject areas that you would not have had access to in high school and are outside of your defined interests. You never know when a class is going to speak to you or when you will find a professor with whom you really connect.

If you are still really concerned about your current schedule and dissatisfied with the backups you have chosen, putting yourself on the wait-list for one or more classes is an option. The wait-list is on a first-come, first-serve basis and if you are in the position of numbers one through four, there is a good chance that you will get into the class or classes that you want. The benefits of putting yourself on the wait-list might not come immediately; a lot of people change their minds about classes within the first week of the new semester. By that point you may even be satisfied with your new class and not even desire the old class anymore.

The registration process always finds a way of working itself out. For some students, this means memorizing course codes and practicing typing them really fast into the browser while others carefully select classes and backups that they will be satisfied with despite the outcome. No matter how you cope with registration woes, it is assuring to know that it will only get easier as time goes on.

Caroline Shaeffer
Writer

Students at the University can be as healthy or unhealthy as they want, and depending on their choice, the school can either make their decision very easy or very difficult. Being somewhat of an exercise enthusiast myself, I can’t imagine not living a “healthy” lifestyle, and the University provides me with many ways to achieve this. The facilities at the gym make it easy for anyone at any level of physical fitness to work out, and daily workout classes like Zumba or Tabata provide students with a fun and different way of gettingtheir workout in. If you want to work out at the University, you’d be hard-pressed to find an excuse as to why you could not. Still, some students have trouble getting themselves to those classes, or passing up that second slice of Nestle Toll House pie in Bostwick Marketplace, and understandably struggle with maintaining a healthy lifestyle. From personal experience, I can confidently say that it is possible for anyone, but you do need to have one thing: determination.

The act of lacing up your sneakers and walking down to the gym is always more mentally punishing than the actual workout itself. From what I’ve learned, sometimes the hardest part of any workout is simply getting started. In the end, if you were going to quit at any point, it would have been before you even started, not during the middle of your workout. The same goes for eating unhealthy foods. Sure, Bostwick Marketplace the Bison have lots of tempting offers as far as sweets and fried foods go, and sure, it’s okay to indulge in these treats every once in a while, but don’t make a habit of lapping the dessert table after every meal. Instead, get fruit if you’re still hungry and add peanut butter if you’re craving something sweet. I guarantee it will satisfy your lingering hunger and sweet tooth in a much healthier way than four cookies would. 

Of course, sometimes I’m guilty of snacking on sweets a little too often, or skipping a workout for no valid reason, but to occasionally lapse isn’t necessarily a negative thing as long as the lapse doesn’t become a habit. No one can live a completely exercise-oriented, sugar-free lifestyle–it would just be depressing. The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to balance the exercise and healthy eating with the occasional reward, whether it be a day off or a slice of cake. That way, your life has an equal balance of what is good for you and what is just plain good.